- UPSC CSE Mains 2025 will be held from August 22 to August 31 across five days.
- Over 14,000 candidates qualified the Prelims to compete for 979 vacancies, including 38 PwBD seats.
- Exams will run in two daily sessions, with a total of nine written papers, including Essay and optional subjects.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the schedule for the Civil Services Mains Examination 2025. Set to commence on August 22 (Friday) with the Essay paper, the written exam will conclude on August 31 with the optional subject papers.
This year, 14,161 candidates cleared the Prelims and are now eligible for the Mains, competing for 979 total vacancies, the lowest in four years.
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Timetable Unveiled: Key Dates, Pattern & Vacancy Details Explained
The UPSC CSE Mains exam consists of nine papers, out of which two—English and a regional Indian language—are qualifying in nature and not counted toward the merit list. The rest include one Essay, four General Studies papers, and two papers based on the candidate’s chosen optional subject. Each merit-based paper is worth 250 marks, totaling 1,750 marks, which combine with the 275 marks of the Personality Test to determine the final rank.
Among the 979 announced vacancies, 12 are allocated for candidates with visual impairments, 7 for those with hearing disabilities, 10 for conditions like cerebral palsy and acid attack survivors, and 9 for individuals with multiple disabilities. This inclusive allocation highlights UPSC’s continued effort toward creating an equitable examination framework. Despite the competition, these reserved categories bring important representation to India’s civil services.
The Preliminary exam, held on May 25, was the first hurdle for thousands of aspirants. With only around 9,000 expected to appear in the Mains, the competition has intensified. Each paper in the Mains tests not only factual knowledge but also articulation, critical reasoning, and the ability to present solutions to complex national issues. Candidates are now gearing up for an intense preparation period that requires meticulous time management and revision strategies.
The Interview or Personality Test is expected to follow soon after the Mains results. This final round plays a pivotal role in evaluating a candidate’s temperament, ethics, and administrative insight. UPSC’s multi-layered exam structure continues to be regarded as one of the toughest globally, and success requires more than academic excellence—it demands resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of public service.
With the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 just weeks away, candidates must fine-tune their strategies, stay informed, and focus on clarity and consistency to navigate this crucial phase of the examination.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
