1.Civil Services Examination 2025: A Gateway to India’s Prestigious Services
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, a highly coveted opportunity for aspirants to join India’s premier administrative services like the IAS, IPS, IFS, and more. With approximately 979 vacancies, this examination offers a chance to serve the nation and build a rewarding career.

2.Key Highlights for Civil Services Examination 2025
- Exam Name: Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Total Vacancies: 979 (including 38 reserved for PwBD categories)
- Job Roles: IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and 20+ other Group A and B services
- Mode of Examination: Offline
3.Eligibility Criteria for Civil Services Examination 2025
- Educational Qualification:
- A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
- Final-year students may apply, but they must produce proof of passing before the interview.
- Age Limit:
- General Category: 21 to 32 years (as of August 1, 2025).
- Relaxations: Up to 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates.
- Nationality:
- Must be an Indian citizen for IAS, IPS, and IFS.
- For other services, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and certain other categories are also eligible.
- Attempts:
- General: 6 attempts.
- OBC/EWS: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST/PwBD: Unlimited attempts (as per rules).
4.Exam Stages for Civil Services Examination 2025
The CSE comprises three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (May 25, 2025):
- Two objective-type papers (200 marks each):
- General Studies Paper I
- General Studies Paper II (qualifying with 33% minimum).
- Marks in Paper I determine qualification for the Mains.
- Two objective-type papers (200 marks each):
- Main Examination:
- Nine papers (essay-type):
- Two qualifying papers (Indian Language and English).
- Seven merit-based papers (including an optional subject).
- Nine papers (essay-type):
- Personality Test/Interview:
- 275 marks to evaluate communication skills, decision-making, and personality.
5.How to Apply for Civil Services Examination 2025
- Visit the Official Website:
Go to https://upsconline.gov.in. - One-Time Registration (OTR):
- Register on the OTR platform if you haven’t already.
- Provide basic details and upload documents.
- Fill the Application Form:
- Log in and fill in personal, educational, and service preferences.
- Select the exam center and optional subject.
- Pay the Fee:
- ₹100 for General/OBC/EWS candidates (SC/ST/PwBD/Women are exempt).
- Payment can be made via SBI Net Banking, card, or UPI.
- Submit the Form:
- Review the form and submit it before the deadline (February 11, 2025, 6:00 PM).
- Save the application and fee receipt for future reference.
6.Important Dates for Civil Services Examination 2025
Event | Date |
Notification Release | January 22, 2025 |
Application Start Date | January 22, 2025 |
Application Deadline | February 11, 2025 (6 PM) |
Preliminary Exam Date | May 25, 2025 |
Main Exam Date | September 2025 |
7.Vacancies and Services for Civil Services Examination 2025
- Total Vacancies: 979
- Services Covered:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- 20+ other Group A & B services, including IRS, Indian Trade Service, DANICS, etc.
8.FAQs about Civil Services Examination 2025
- What is the last date to apply for CSE 2025?
February 11, 2025 (6:00 PM). - How many stages are there in CSE 2025?
There are three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview. - What is the age limit for the exam?
21 to 32 years for general candidates (with relaxations for reserved categories). - How many attempts are allowed?
- General: 6
- OBC: 9
- SC/ST: Unlimited (subject to age limit).
- What is the application fee?
₹100 (No fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women). - What is the salary of an IAS officer?
The basic pay starts at ₹56,100 per month, excluding allowances like DA, HRA, and TA. - Can final-year students apply?
Yes, but they must produce proof of passing before the interview. - Are there negative marks in the Prelims?
Yes, 1/3rd of the marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. - What is the syllabus for the Main exam?
The syllabus includes essay writing, general studies, optional subjects, and qualifying language papers. - How can I prepare for the CSE?
Start by understanding the syllabus, studying NCERT books, and practicing past papers.