UPSC CSE Prelims 2025: Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, and Key Updates
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025: Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, and Key Updates
Blog Article
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official schedule and important information regarding the Civil Services Preliminary Examination (CSE) 2025. The exam serves as the first stage in the recruitment process for India’s most prestigious civil services, including the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other allied services.
Exam Date and Schedule
The UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2025. The examination will be conducted in two sessions:
Morning Session: General Studies Paper I (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
Afternoon Session: CSAT Paper II (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM)
Candidates are required to report to their examination centers by 8:30 AM for the morning session and 1:30 PM for the afternoon session. Entry into the examination hall will close 10 minutes before the start of each session.
Admit Card Details
UPSC has released the e-Admit Cards for the 2025 Prelims on its official website: upsconline.gov.in. Candidates must download and print their admit cards as no physical copies will be sent by post. The admit card must be presented at the examination center along with a valid photo ID.
Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
Age Limit: The candidate must be at least 21 years old and not older than 32 years as of August 1, 2025. Age relaxations apply for candidates from reserved categories.
Educational Qualification: A graduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent is required.
More detailed eligibility requirements are available in the official UPSC notification.
Exam Pattern Overview
The Prelims exam consists of two objective-type papers:
General Studies Paper I
Duration: upsc prelims 2025 answer key 2 hours
Maximum Marks: 200
Subjects include: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Current Affairs.
CSAT Paper II
Duration: 2 hours
Maximum Marks: 200
Focus areas: Logical reasoning, data interpretation, quantitative aptitude, and English comprehension.
Note: This paper is qualifying in nature. A minimum of 33% marks is required to pass.
Recent Changes in Exam Pattern
UPSC has introduced some updates in the 2025 Prelims:
More Analytical Questions: Emphasis has shifted from rote learning to application-based and analytical questions.
Expanded Coverage of Current Affairs: More questions are being asked on international relations, environment, and science and technology.
Increased CSAT Difficulty: Logical reasoning and reading comprehension sections in Paper II have become more challenging, requiring careful preparation.
Application Process
The application window for UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 was open earlier this year and closed on February 21, 2025. Applications were accepted only through the official online portal. Candidates paid the click here application fee and submitted documents during this process.
Special Instructions for PwBD Candidates
Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) who require scribes must follow UPSC’s official guidelines, which outline eligibility, declaration formats, and exam-day procedures. These details are available on the UPSC website and in the official notification.
Important Links
Official UPSC Website
Download e-Admit Card
UPSC 2025 Notification PDF
Conclusion
With less than a week remaining for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025, candidates should focus on last-minute revisions, take mock tests, and stay updated with current events. Proper time management and a clear understanding of the revised exam pattern will be crucial for success.
For any updates or changes, keep checking the official UPSC portal.
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