UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

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1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims) Of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

The Prelims serve as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains examination. It comprises two objective-type papers:

Paper I – General Studies (GS)

  • Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Total Marks: 200

  • Number of Questions: 100

  • Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question for each incorrect answer)

  • Qualifying Marks: Determined annually based on cut-off; marks are not counted towards the final merit list.

Paper II – Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

  • Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Total Marks: 200

  • Number of Questions: 80

  • Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question for each incorrect answer)

  • Qualifying Marks: 66.67 out of 200 (33%); this paper is qualifying in nature and its marks are not counted towards the final merit list.

Note: The Prelims examination is scheduled for May 25, 2025, and will be conducted in two shifts: GS Paper I from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and CSAT Paper II from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Candidates must carry their admit cards and a valid photo ID to the examination center. Strict adherence to the guidelines is mandatory, including the prohibition of mobile phones and electronic devices within the examination premises .

2. Main Examination (Mains) of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

The Mains examination assesses the candidate’s academic expertise and ability to present ideas in a clear and coherent manner. It consists of nine papers, out of which two are qualifying in nature.

Qualifying Papers of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

  1. Paper A – Indian Language

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 300

    • Nature: Qualifying; requires a minimum of 25% marks to pass.

  2. Paper B – English

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 300

    • Nature: Qualifying; requires a minimum of 25% marks to pass.

Merit-Cumulative Papers of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

  1. Paper I – Essay

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

    • Nature: Descriptive; evaluated for content, structure, and clarity.

  2. Paper II – General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

  3. Paper III – General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations)

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

  4. Paper IV – General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

  5. Paper V – General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

  6. Paper VI – Optional Subject Paper I

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

  7. Paper VII – Optional Subject Paper II

    • Duration: 3 hours

    • Marks: 250

Total Marks for Mains: 1750

Note: Marks obtained in the qualifying papers (Paper A and Paper B) are not counted towards the final merit list. The marks from the merit-cumulative papers (Papers I to VII) are considered for the final ranking.

3. Personality Test (Interview) of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLzCqRa36nQ

Candidates who qualify the Mains examination are shortlisted for the Personality Test, which evaluates the candidate’s suitability for a career in public service.

  • Marks: 275

  • Duration: Approximately 20-30 minutes

  • Nature: Face-to-face interview conducted by a panel of experts.

  • Focus Areas: Mental alertness, critical thinking, clarity of expression, balance of judgment, leadership qualities, and moral integrity.

Final Merit List: The final ranking is based on the cumulative marks obtained in the Mains examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks), totaling 2025 marks.

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4. Key Points to Remember of UPSC 2025 Exam Pattern Overview

  • Negative Marking: Applicable in both Prelims papers for incorrect answers. Unattempted questions do not attract negative marks.

  • Qualifying Nature: The CSAT paper in Prelims and the Indian Language and English papers in Mains are qualifying in nature; their marks are not considered for the final merit list.

  • Final Merit Calculation: Based on the marks obtained in the Mains examination (1750 marks) and the Personality Test (275 marks), totaling 2025 marks.

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