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UPSC IAS Exam Analysis 2025 - CSE Prelims Exam Analysis, Cut off
Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on May 23, 2025 12:38 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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UPSC CSE Exam Date : 22 Aug' 2025 - 22 Aug' 2025
Candidates will be able to check the UPSC IAS exam analysis 2025 here after the conclusion of examination. The UPSC IAS 2025 exam analysis comprises overall difficulty level, topics asked in the UPSC IAS exam and more. Candidates will be able to check the subject-wise weightage from the UPSC prelims 2025 analysis. Aspirants can check their expected UPSC IAS cut off with paper analysis. To know more about UPSC CSE exam analysis, read the complete article.
UPSC IAS 2025: Admit Card Link | UPSC 2025 Annual Calender
Also See: UPSC IAS Mains QP's (2016-23) | Complete guide | UPSC CSE Sample Papers
This Story also Contains
- UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Analysis 2025
- UPSC IAS Paper Analysis (Previous Years)
- UPSC IAS Paper Analysis 2024
- UPSC CSE Mains Paper Analysis 2022 (Essay paper)
- UPSC IAS 2022 Exam Analysis (Prelims)
- UPSC IAS Result 2025
- UPSC IAS Cut Off 2025
UPSC IAS Prelims Exam Analysis 2025
Union Public Service Commission IAS prelims exam consists two papers - GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper. Candidates who appeared for IAS exam must check the UPSC prelims 2025 subject-wise analysis. UPSC IAS prelims exam is qualifying in nature. Candidates will be shortlisted for the mains exam on the basis of performance in UPSC prelims 2025 exam. Aspirants can also check the previous years IAS exam analysis.
UPSC IAS Paper Analysis (Previous Years)
UPSC IAS Paper Analysis 2024
UPSC IAS 2024 Exam Analysis GS Paper 1
Candidates can check the UPSC CSE exam analysis 2024 of GS paper in the below table. The table consists of the difficulty level of the questions in every subject and the number of good attempts.
| Subjects | Number of questions | Difficulty level | Good attempts |
| Current affairs | 4-6 | Easy to moderate | 3-5 |
| Geography | 12-18 | Easy to moderate | 10-13 |
| Medieval history | 9-12 | Moderate to difficult | 8-12 |
| Modern history | 9-12 | Moderate to difficult | 8-12 |
| Ancient history | 9-12 | Moderate to difficult | 8-12 |
| Environment and ecology | 12-18 | Moderate | 6-10 |
| Polity | 12-19 | Easy to moderate | 9-11 |
| Science and technology | 9-13 | Easy | 10-11 |
| Economy | 18-23 | Moderate | 10-12 |
| Overall | 100 | Easy to moderate | 56-74 |
UPSC IAS 2024 Exam Analysis CSAT Paper
| Subjects | Number of questions | Good attempts | Difficulty level |
English Comprehension | 22-24 | 13-17 | Moderate |
Quantitative Aptitude | 23-25 | 14-19 | Easy to moderate |
| Reasoning | 35-44 | 23-27 | Moderate |
| Overall | 80 | 50- 63 | Moderate |
UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
Download EBookUPSC IAS 2023 Exam Analysis GS Paper 1
Candidates can check a complete UPSC IAS exam analysis for GS Paper 1 good attempts and difficulty level by subject given in the table below.
Subjects | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
Current Affairs | 15-19 | Easy to Moderate |
Geography | 13-17 | Moderate |
Medieval History | 11-14 | Difficult |
Modern History | 12-15 | Moderate |
Ancient History | 10-13 | Difficult |
Environment and Ecology | 13-17 | Easy |
Polity | 11-14 | Moderate |
Science & Technology | 7-10 | Moderate |
Economy | 12-15 | Moderate to Difficult |
Overall | 104-134 | Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC IAS 2023 Exam Analysis CSAT Paper
Subjects | Good Attempts | Difficulty Level |
English Comprehension | 25-27 | Moderate to Difficult |
Quantitative Aptitude | 12-13 | Moderate |
Reasoning | 37-39 | Moderate to Difficult |
Overall | 74-79 | Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC CSE Mains Paper Analysis 2022 by Civils daily
UPSC IAS Mains Paper Analysis for General Studies - Paper 1
"Overall the paper has Medium Level of difficulty. Surely students can attempt all questions as no questions seemed to be from the “Not Heard about it” category. But to score above 110 in this paper would require that students handle history and society sections well.
History: Medium level difficult - Had some easy ones like famines, chola/gupta period and reorganization of states.
Some bouncer like connecting medieval sculptures with social life, British east India company against a better equipped Indian rulers army, How to write 3 pages on lion and bull figures significance
Geography: The number of questions from this section has reduced this year.
Majorly most questions come from the static portions of geography which is covered in NCERT like troposphere, ocean currents, wind energy, primary rocks, etc. Except for color coded weather warning (which if you cover current affairs can be written) most of the questions were doable.
Society: From last year this section has more questions.
The themes were more or less similar to previous years like secularism, religion, globalization and diversity etc. But the questions demanded deep and analytical thinking to write good answers. Some of such examples are Linking culture consumption with growth of tier 2 cities, Tribal community as a single community, salience of sect and question on secularism.
Questions on Work from home and globalization - technology link just like last year are from contemporary topics."
UPSC IAS Mains Paper Analysis for General Studies - Paper 2
Overall: What's most striking, unexpected, not sticking with the pattern. Just like the paper 1, medium difficulty paper. No bouncers as such in this paper. A lot of topics picked from previous year questions, themes and current affairs. But even the current affairs theme has been linked with the core static portion.
Polity: Many themes from previous have repeated here like NCBC, representative act, governor and ordinance, EC and model code. current topics which were in news like president elections, vice president and right to movement formed the basis for static questions formed on them.
Governance and social issues: Focus on schemes and acts in this section. Acts covered from RTE 2009 to disability act 2016 meaning students need to keep a tab on flagship schemes and acts and not only those which are covered in the last 1 year.
IR: 3 out of 4 questions are from recent current affairs. Thus, highlighting the importance of current affairs in this section.
UPSC CSE Mains Paper Analysis 2022 (Essay paper)
As per the candidate’s input, the UPSC CSE 2022 mains paper 1 of the essay was moderate. It leans a bit towards rigor as it requires a lot of thought. This is the highest scoring paper of all and will give the maximum boost to your overall rank in the final result. As per the UPSC IAS mains exam pattern 2022, the essay paper carried a total of 250 marks and this paper was conducted for three hours.
UPSC IAS Mains Question Papers 2022 (Section A - Essay)
Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for.
UPSC IAS Mains 2022 Question Papers (Section B - Essay)
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
You cannot step twice in the same river
A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
UPSC IAS 2022 Exam Analysis (Prelims)
Candidates can check UPSC prelims subject-wise weightage. For UPSC IAS exam analysis 2022, candidates can check the details below.
UPSC IAS 2022 Exam Analysis for Paper 1
Subjects | Difficulty level |
Current events of national and international importance | Moderate |
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic | Easy |
History of India and Indian National Movement | Moderate |
Geography of India and the World | Difficult |
Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution | Moderate |
Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. | Easy |
Economic and Social Development-Sustainable | Tough |
General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization | Moderate |
Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. | Moderate |
General Science | Tough |
Overall | Moderate to difficult |
UPSC IAS Exam Analysis for Paper 2
As per the candidates who appeared in the UPSC IAS 2022 CSAT paper, the paper was moderate and time-consuming.
Topics | Difficulty level |
Comprehension | Moderate |
Logical reasoning and analytical ability | Easy to moderate |
Mathematics | Tough |
Decision making and problem-solving- | Moderate |
Direction question, dates related & statement related questions | Tough |
Overall | Moderate to dif |
UPSC Prelims 2021 Paper 1 (Set-A) Analysis
Candidates who appeared in Paper 1 of the exam found the questions moderately difficult. According to the UPSC IAS exam analysis, most of the candidates felt that there were too many questions from polity and history and they were difficult. As per the UPSC IAS exam analysis, some of the students held the view that there were hardly any questions on government policy. Some students said that there were three questions from sports also.
UPSC Prelims 2021 Paper 1 (Set-A)Subjects | Ques. Core Subject | Ques. Current Affair | Total Ques. |
1. Current Events: sports & Award | 2 | 3 | 5 |
2. History (India, Culture & Indian N. Movement) | 21 | 0 | 21 |
3. Indian & World Geography | 12 | 2 | 14 |
4. Indian Polity & Governance | 18 | 1 | 19 |
5. Economic & Social Development | 13 | 1 | 14 |
6. G. issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change | 15 | 0 | 15 |
7. General Science | 10 | 2 | 12 |
Total | 91 | 9 | 100 |
UPSC Paper 1 Prelims 2021 Exam Analysis:
Topics | Difficulty Level |
Current events of national and international importance | Moderately difficult |
History of India and Indian National Movement | Difficult |
Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution | Difficult |
Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, Economic | Moderately difficult |
Geography of India and the World | Easy |
General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization | Easy |
Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. | Moderately difficult |
Economic and Social Development-Sustainable | Easy |
Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc. | Easy |
General Science | Easy |
UPSC IAS Exam Analysis - General Studies Paper 1
The questions were based on Environment, History, Political, Arts and culture.
The UPSC prelims questions from the Current affairs section were maximum covered.
The UPSC 2020 question paper for prelims was a bit difficult. The overall analysis for GS 1 was moderate to difficult.
The current affairs were from the pre-6-month period. Not recent current affairs.
UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis - General Studies Paper 1
As per the IAS exam analysis, most questions in IAS prelims 2020 were asked from Current Affairs, Polity and Latest technology questions. In 2020, the paper was tough compared to 2019.
Number of Questions | Sections | Difficulty Level |
25 to 30 | Current Affairs | Moderate to Difficult |
10 to 15 | History | Moderate to Difficult |
5 to 10 | Geography | Difficult |
15 to 20 | Polity | Difficult |
15 to 20 | Economy | Difficult |
25 to 30 | Science & Technology | Moderate to Difficult |
Also Read:
UPSC Prelims Subject Wise Weightage
Candidates preparing for IAS 2025 exam can check the UPSC prelims subject wise analysis here. Along with the IAS exam analysis, candidates must also check the UPSC syllabus for their preparation.
India and World Geography
Climate
Environment
Ecology
Old and New World Crops
History, Art and Culture
Modern History
Ancient History of India (Zamindari System, Harappa civilization)
Indian Freedom Struggle
Science & Technology
General Principles
Summits and Conferences
Economy
Indian Economy
Social Development
Polity
Indian Polity Facts
Law
Governance Issues
UPSC IAS Exam Analysis - General Studies Paper 2
UPSC IAS paper 2 comprises 80 questions with negative marking. The questions will be asked from Reasoning, English Language and Quantitative Aptitude. For more details, candidates can check below.
UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis - General Studies Paper 2
Sections | Number of questions | Difficulty level |
Reasoning | 18 | Difficult |
English Comprehension | 30 | Moderate |
Data Interpretation | - | - |
Quantitative Aptitude | 32 | Difficult |
Overall | 80 | Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC IAS Result 2025
UPSC will release the UPSC IAS 2025 result in online mode on the official website. Candidates will be able to download the IAS 2025 result PDF at upsc.gov.in. After the declaration of the UPSC IAS result 2025 prelims, the shortlisted candidates will be eligible to appear in the mains stage.
UPSC IAS Cut Off 2025
Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC IAS 2025 cut off along with the declaration of the final result. Along with the exam analysis, candidates can also check expected IAS cut off 2025. The exam conducting authority will release the IAS 2025 cut off separately for all the categories. For more details, candidates can check the table given below.
UPSC IAS expected cut off
Category | Expected Cut Off |
General | 95-105 |
OBC | 85-95 |
SC | 75-85 |
ST | 65-75 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the eligibility criteria to apply for IAS 2025?
Candidates between 21 to 32 years can apply for IAS exam 2025 from the official website.
2. What is the selection process of IAS 2025?
UPSC IAS 2025 selection process comprises prelim exam, mains exam and personal interview.
3. How to download IAS admit card 2025?
Candidates can download UPSC IAS admit card 2025 through their registration number and date of birth.
4. How to download question papers of IAS 2025?
Candidates will be able to download IAS question papers 2025 from the official website after the conclusion of exam.
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26 min ⋆ May 16, 2025 09:05 AM ISTQuestions related to UPSC CSE
Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?
If you want to become an IAS or IPS officer after completing your 12th in PCMC , focus on graduation because the UPSC Civil Services exam requires you to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. You can choose any graduation stream, but many students prefer degrees like Political Science, Public Administration, History, or Sociology because these subjects help build a strong foundation for the UPSC syllabus. it’s not mandatory to pick these; you can also pursue Science, Commerce, or Arts as long as you complete your graduation. Along with your degree, start preparing for the UPSC exam early by reading newspapers, improving your general knowledge, and practicing answer writing. So, after 12th, pick a degree you are comfortable with, and plan your UPSC preparation alongside
Brajeshna Snehadarshinee 20 May,2025
Hello!
IRAS (Indian Railway Accounts Service) officers can be posted in both cities and rural areas since Indian Railways has offices and operations nationwide. They typically work in divisional offices, zonal offices, workshops, and production units. Transfers do happen but are usually not very frequent and depend on government policies and organizational needs.
Hope this helps!
Kishan Bhakat 24 April,2025
To become an IAS officer, you must clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and then undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). While any bachelor's degree is acceptable, choosing a degree that aligns with the UPSC syllabus, particularly in humanities and social sciences, can be advantageous.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE):
This is the primary exam for becoming an IAS officer, involving three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test (Interview).
Any Bachelor's Degree:
A graduate degree from a recognized university is the basic requirement to be eligible for the CSE.
Beneficial Degrees:
Degrees in humanities and social sciences, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), can be helpful due to the syllabus overlap with subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics.
Optional Subject:
You can choose an optional subject in the Mains exam, and a BA degree can provide a wide range of options.
Hope it helps!!
sadafreen356 22 April,2025
Hello!!
That's a great goal—and your background as a research scholar can actually be a big asset in preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), which is the path to becoming an IAS officer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Become an IAS Officer:
1. Understand the Exam Structure
The UPSC CSE has three stages:
Prelims: Objective (GS Paper + CSAT)
Mains: Descriptive (9 papers)
Interview: Personality Test
2. Check Eligibility
Age: 21 to 32 (for General category)
Degree: Any graduate degree (you already qualify)
3. Choose Your Optional Subject
Choose something you’re comfortable with (can be from your research field if it's available).
Popular optionals: Sociology, Geography, PSIR, Anthropology, etc.
4. Build a Study Plan
Since you're a research scholar, time management is key.
Daily 4–6 hours of focused study can work if you're consistent.
Focus on:
NCERTs (6th–12th)
Standard books (like Laxmikanth for Polity, Spectrum for History)
Current Affairs (The Hindu, Indian Express, or PIB + Monthly compilations)
5. Join a Test Series (Optional but Helpful)
For Prelims and Mains: to build speed, writing skills, and clarity.
6. Practice Answer Writing
Mains is all about articulation. Practice with previous year questions and mock tests.
7. Appear for the Exam
Notification comes out around February.
Prelims is in May/June, Mains in September, and Interview early next year.
How to Align This With Your Research Schedule:
Create a realistic time-table that includes 2–3 hours on weekdays, and more on weekends.
Use your research experience for deeper understanding and essay writing.
NITYAM MAHUR 12 April,2025
If your goal is to become an IAS officer, choose a degree that supports UPSC preparation and also provides a good backup:
BA in Political Science, History, Geography, or Economics is ideal for IAS.
BSc or BCom is fine too, but you'll need to study humanities separately for UPSC.
For backup, pick a subject with good job prospects like BBA or Computer Science.
KCET is required only if you're planning professional courses like Engineering or Agriculture. It's not needed for BA or general degrees.
Rubina Naseer 04 April,2025
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