UPSC CSE Mains Exam Dates 2025 Announced: Check Time Table, Exam Pattern, and Key Updates
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the schedule for the Civil Services Mains Examination 2025. As per the notification, the UPSC CSE Mains exam will commence from August 22, 2025, and will be conducted across five days in two shifts each day. This is a crucial phase for the 14,161 candidates who have qualified for the Mains after the Preliminary Examination.
In this comprehensive article, we provide the complete UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Time Table, exam pattern, list of optional subjects, preparation tips, and important instructions for candidates. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or a repeat candidate, this guide will help you navigate the exam schedule and plan your preparation accordingly.
Overview of UPSC CSE Mains 2025
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 |
| Organizing Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Dates | August 22, 23, 24, 30 & 31, 2025 |
| Number of Qualified Candidates | 14,161 |
| Number of Vacancies | 979 |
| Number of Shifts per Day | 2 (Forenoon & Afternoon) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Date Sheet
| Date | Forenoon Session (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) | Afternoon Session (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) |
| August 22, 2025 (Fri) | Essay | No Paper |
| August 23, 2025 (Sat) | General Studies Paper-I | General Studies Paper-II |
| August 24, 2025 (Sun) | General Studies Paper-III | General Studies Paper-IV |
| August 30, 2025 (Sat) | Paper-A (Indian Language) | Paper-B (English) |
| August 31, 2025 (Sun) | Optional Subject Paper-I | Optional Subject Paper-II |
Exam Shifts and Duration
Each paper is of 3 hours duration, and there is a break of 2.5 hours between the two shifts. The detailed schedule is as follows:
- Forenoon Shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
- Afternoon Shift: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Candidates must reach the examination center at least 45 minutes before the exam time and carry a valid photo ID and admit card.
Vacancy Breakdown for UPSC CSE 2025
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 aims to fill 979 vacancies in various central services. Here’s the breakdown of some key services:
| Post | Number of Vacancies |
| IAS | 180 |
| IFS | 55 |
| IPS | 150 |
| Others | 594 |
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Exam Pattern
The Mains exam consists of 9 papers, out of which 7 papers are considered for ranking. The remaining two are qualifying papers.
Qualifying Papers
- Paper A: Indian Language (Any one from the list) – 300 marks
- Paper B: English – 300 marks
Papers Counted for Merit
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper I | 250 |
| Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper II | 250 |
Total (Merit-based): 1750 Marks
The Personality Test (Interview) carries an additional 275 marks, making the grand total 2025 marks.
List of Optional Subjects for Paper VI and VII
Candidates are required to choose one optional subject from the list below. Each subject has two papers of 250 marks each:
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce & Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Literature of the following languages:
- Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English
Admit Card for UPSC CSE Mains 2025
The UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025 will be issued on the official website around 2 weeks before the exam. Follow these steps to download:
- Visit upsc.gov.in
- Click on “Admit Cards”
- Choose “E-Admit Card for UPSC CSE Mains 2025”
- Enter your registration ID/roll number and date of birth
- Download and print the admit card
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Carry a valid photo ID along with the admit card.
- Use only black ballpoint pens to fill the OMR sheets.
- Electronic gadgets like mobiles, smart watches, Bluetooth devices are strictly prohibited.
- Strict action will be taken in case of malpractice or impersonation.
- Read all exam day instructions carefully mentioned in the admit card.
Preparation Strategy for Mains 2025
- Time Management: Stick to a daily schedule covering all subjects.
- Answer Writing Practice: Practice writing answers within 150-250 words as per UPSC standards.
- Revision: Create short notes for quick revisions before the exam.
- Mock Tests: Enroll in a good test series to practice full-length papers.
- Stay Updated: Keep a close eye on current affairs and government reports.
- Focus on Ethics Paper: GS Paper-IV (Ethics) often gives candidates an edge in Mains.
Previous Year Cut-Off Trends (For General Category)
| Year | Mains Cut-off (Out of 1750) | Final Cut-off (Out of 2025) |
| 2022 | 748 | 960 |
| 2021 | 745 | 953 |
| 2020 | 736 | 944 |
| 2019 | 751 | 961 |
Conclusion
The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 is a decisive stage in the journey of becoming a civil servant. With the dates officially released and only a few weeks left, candidates must fine-tune their preparation. Staying calm, focused, and consistent will be the key to cracking this phase.
For more updates and daily preparation resources, stay tuned to upsc.gov.in and trusted educational portals.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only. The exam dates, schedule, and other details are based on the official notification released by UPSC. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC website for the latest updates. We do not take responsibility for any changes made by the commission post-publication.