UPSC has issued the Civil Service test pattern for 2025. The UPSC Civil Service Exam, also known as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), is widely regarded as one of the country’s most difficult exams. Candidates will be able to plan their preparations more effectively if they have a thorough understanding of the exam pattern.
The UPSC CS exam will be divided into three stages: preliminary examination, main examination, and personal interview. In order to be considered qualified, candidates must complete all three levels. Each level of the examination bears a distinct weighting of marks. Candidates will benefit from having an understanding of the UPSC exam format when practicing mock exams or series.
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UPSC Civil Service Exam 2025: Overview
Exam Name | Civil Services Exam (UPSC CSE) |
Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission |
Exam Mode | Offline
(UPSC Paper Pattern for Prelims- MCQ-based)
(UPSC Paper Pattern for Mains – Descriptive)
(Personality Test – Interview in front of board members) |
Stages | ● Prelims exam
● Mains exam ● Interview |
Number of papers | Prelims: 2
Mains: 9 |
UPSC Prelims exam pattern: Marking scheme | Paper 1: +2 marks
Paper 2: +2.5 marks
Negative marking: Each question receives one-third of the total marks. |
Time Duration |
Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) total 4 hours |
Mains:Each paper takes 3 hours, for a total of 27 hours conducted across various days | |
Type of questions |
Prelims: Objective type |
Mains: Subjective type |
UPSC Prelims Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025: Everything You Need to Know
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a limited number of seats in various administrative services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). To crack this challenging exam, understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is crucial. Here’s an in-depth look at the UPSC Prelims 2025 syllabus and exam pattern.
UPSC Prelims 2025: Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains Examination. It consists of two objective-type papers:
- General Studies Paper-I
- Total Marks: 200
- Number of Questions: 100
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: Yes (1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer)
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: As decided by UPSC
- General Studies Paper-II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test)
- Total Marks: 200
- Number of Questions: 80
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative Marking: Yes
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 33%
Key Points to Remember:
- Both papers are conducted on the same day.
- The marks obtained in Paper-I determine eligibility for Mains.
- Paper-II is qualifying in nature; candidates must score at least 33% to be considered for the next stage.
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UPSC Prelims 2025: Syllabus
The UPSC Prelims syllabus is designed to test the candidate’s awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
General Studies Paper-I Syllabus
- Current Affairs:
- National and international importance
- Government schemes and policies
- Economic and social development
- History of India and Indian National Movement:
- Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History
- Freedom struggle and significant events
- Indian and World Geography:
- Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
- Environmental geography and climate change
- Indian Polity and Governance:
- Constitution of India
- Political System and Public Policy
- Rights Issues
- Economic and Social Development:
- Sustainable Development
- Poverty, Inclusion, and Social Sector Initiatives
- General Science:
- Basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
- Recent advancements in science and technology
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change:
- Conservation efforts
- Important legislations and global treaties
General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) Syllabus
- Comprehension and Communication Skills:
- English and logical reasoning
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability:
- Problem-solving skills
- Data interpretation
- Decision Making and Problem Solving:
- Scenario-based questions
- General Mental Ability:
- Basic numeracy
- Data sufficiency and analysis
- Basic Numeracy:
- Numbers and their relations
- Orders of magnitude
Preparation Tips for UPSC Prelims 2025
- Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the syllabus to focus on relevant topics.
- Regular Current Affairs Updates: Follow newspapers, government websites, and monthly magazines.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regular practice will help in time management and accuracy.
- Revise Consistently: Revisions should be a part of your daily schedule to retain information.
- Focus on CSAT Preparation: Though qualifying in nature, CSAT can be tricky and should not be ignored.
The UPSC Prelims is the first hurdle towards achieving your dream of becoming a civil servant. A thorough understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern, combined with dedicated preparation, can significantly increase your chances of success. Stay consistent, stay updated, and give it your best shot!
For more details and updates, visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in.