The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the Civil Services Examination (CSE) for 2025, with key details detailed on January 22, 2025. The application process commenced the same day, and interested candidates have until February 11, 2025, to submit their applications. This announcement is particularly significant as it sets the wheels of the competitive examination machinery in motion for aspiring civil servants across the nation.
The UPSC CSE consists of three stages: the Preliminary examination, the Main examination, and the final interview. The first stage is scheduled to take place on May 25, 2025. Candidates are advised to remain updated on eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and application procedures, which have been outlined comprehensively by the UPSC.
To apply for the UPSC CSE 2025, candidates can follow this step-by-step process:
- Visit the official UPSC website at https://upsconline.nic.in/.
- Click on “One-Time Registration (OTR)” to fill out basic details and verify your email or phone number with the OTP received.
- Log in using your OTR ID and password.
- Select the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 link.
- Provide personal details, academic qualifications, and exam center preferences.
- Upload your photograph and signature according to specified formats.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100, which applies to male candidates from Unreserved, OBC, or Economically Weaker Sections. Female candidates and those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempt.
- Review all information, submit the application, and download the confirmation page for your records.
According to the UPSC, the CSE 2025 has announced a total of 979 vacancies across various Group A and Group B services. The notable Group A services include:
- Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Indian Police Service (IPS)
- Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Income Tax & Customs)
- Indian Railway Services, among others.
Group B services include positions such as the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service and various Delhi and Union Territories Civil Services. For candidates with disabilities, the UPSC has allocated 38 vacancies across different categories:
- 12 for blindness and low vision
- 7 for deaf and hard of hearing
- 10 for locomotor disabilities
- 9 for multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness.
The eligibility criteria to sit for the UPSC CSE 2025 are stringent yet accommodating. Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree recognized by the UGC or possess equivalent qualifications, such as BE/BTech, MBBS, and others. Age limits for applicants are set between 21 and 32 years, with age relaxations of 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC/ST candidates. People with disabilities also have the option for additional age relaxation of 10 years.
Be mindful of the application fee structure as well. Male candidates from unreserved categories, OBCs, or Economically Weaker Sections must pay ₹100, whereas all other candidates, including women and those from SC/ST categories, are not required to pay any fee.
The selection process for the UPSC Civil Services Examination is outlined as follows:
- Preliminary Examination: This stage is conducted offline with two papers: General Studies Paper-I and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test), each lasting two hours. General Studies Paper-I consists of 100 questions with 200 maximum marks, whereas CSAT includes 80 questions also with 200 marks total.
- Main Examination: Also offline, consisting of nine papers, where seven are considered for merit. Each paper lasts three hours with marks totaling up to 1750. The Main Examination is descriptive and includes sections such as Indian Language, English, Essay, and General Studies across various disciplines.
- Interview: The final stage is an interview lasting 30-45 minutes, with maximum marks of 275.
Candidates aiming to join these prestigious services should start preparing well ahead of the examination dates. The UPSC CSE remains one of the most competitive examinations, with hopeful aspirants vying for limited positions.
Potential candidates should frequently check the UPSC website for any updates or changes to the examination schedule or application process. The clarity on procedures and proactive preparation can significantly aid candidates as they prepare for what is considered one of the most challenging exams.