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UPSC IAS Exam Analysis 2025 - CSE Prelims Exam Analysis, Cut off
Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Sep 16, 2024 03:20 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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UPSC CSE Exam Date : 25 May' 2025 - 25 May' 2025
Candidates will be able to check the UPSC IAS exam analysis 2025 here after the conclusion of examination. The UPSC IAS 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 2025 cut off with paper analysis. To know more about UPSC CSE exam analysis 2025, read the complete article.
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 for prelims 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 result. Along with the IAS 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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Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?
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
Hello aspirant,
For becoming IAS , you have to first complete your graduation from any background from any recognised university or college. If you are in your final year, then also you are eligible. After that you have to give an entrance exam name UPSC . If you will clear this exam then according to your marks you may get the IAS position.
To know about UPSC entrance exam, kindly go through the given link:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse
All the best!!
Sakshi Sharma 31 March,2025
Hello Rishika,
You can take any stream for becoming IAS. As per the eligibility criteria of UPSC IAS , student have to graduate from any stream from any recognised university or college. So it's doesn't matter from which stream you choose. But if you really want to become IAS, then humanities , arts related subject helps you alot.
To know more, kindly go through the given link:
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse
Good luck!
Sakshi Sharma 31 March,2025
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query
To start your prep for IAS exams without any coaching and free of cost here are some pointers you can follow :-
1.Understand the exam- To get started with IAS prep, first grab the official UPSC syllabus for both the first exam (Prelims) and the main exam (Mains) from their website. Understand what you need to study and how important each topic is.
Next, learn how the exam is set up. There are three parts: a multiple-choice test (Prelims), a written exam with long answers (Mains), and an interview. Know how many papers are in each, how you get marks, and how much time you get.
Finally, look at old exam papers from the last 5 to 10 years. This will give you an idea of how tough the exam is, what kinds of questions they ask, and which topics you should really focus on.
2.Build a strong foundation-Begin your IAS study with NCERT books from classes 6 to 12 for subjects like History, Geography, Civics, Economics, and Science. These will give you a basic understanding. Once you know the basics well, switch to standard books for each subject. You can find lists of recommended books online from people who've cleared the exam. Some popular ones are mentioned for Polity, Economy, Modern History, and Geography.
3.Stay updated with current affairs- To stay updated for IAS, read a good national newspaper every day (like The Hindu or Indian Express) and jot down important news from India and the world. Also, read magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra to understand social and economic topics deeply. Check websites like PIB and those of research groups for info on government plans and reports.
4.Utilize free online resources-For IAS prep help, check out websites like BYJU'S, ClearIAS, and Mrunal. They have free study stuff. Also, watch YouTube channels by teachers and ex-IAS officers for tips and lessons. Join online groups to ask questions and learn from others preparing for the exam.
5.Mock tests and self assessment-Take free practice tests online for both Prelims and Mains to see how ready you are and what you need to work on. After each test, check what you did wrong and focus on fixing those things. Remember to study regularly, believe in yourself, and take breaks so you don't get too tired. Consistency is more important than studying for many hours at once.
I hope this helps . Financial problems can never stop one from dreaming and achieving things in their life. Stay motivated!!!
SUKRITI GUPTA 04 April,2025
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