UPSC IAS 2025 - Notification, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility

UPSC IAS 2025 - Notification, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility

Edited By Soujanya K | Updated on Nov 06, 2024 12:07 PM IST | #UPSC CSE

UPSC will be releasing the IAS 2025 notification online on January 22, 2025 on their official website. Candidates can download the UPSC IAS notification 2025 from the upsc.gov.in. Candidates interested in appearing for the UPSC IAS exam 2025 can go through the material below for an in-depth discussion of every aspect of the exam, including the UPSC CSE application form process, admit card, syllabus and much more.
Latest - UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 - Check Here

The UPSC will release the IAS 2025 application form online on the same day which is January 22, 2025 on their official website. The last date to submit the application form is on February 11, 2025. Candidates must ensure that they meet the UPSC IAS eligibility criteria 2025 before submitting the application form. Candidates who successfully fill out the online CSE application form will be issued the IAS 2025 admit card.

The UPSC Civil Services exam is considered one of India’s toughest competitive exams. The reasons for this include a vast syllabus, a low selection rate and the competition with the many lakhs of candidates attempting the exam each year. Therefore, IAS 2025 aspirants must pursue their preparation strategically and with the utmost care. Here, we also discuss UPSC 2025 preparation, including how to prepare an IAS study plan, tips and tricks, mistakes to avoid and much more.

UPSC IAS 2025 - Highlights

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

Civil Services Examination (CSE) / Indian Administrative Services (IAS)

Conducting Body

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Official website

upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in

UPSC IAS 2025 vacancy

TBA

Exam Level

National

Exam stages

Preliminary exam

Main exam

Personality Test

Mode of exam

Offline

Number of Papers

Preliminary - Two papers

Mains - Nine Papers

Duration of Exam

Preliminary - Each paper is of 2 hours

Mains - Each paper is of 3 hours

Language of exam

Prelims - English and Hindi

Application fee Prelims

Rs 100

Exam Centres

For Preliminary exam - TBA

For Mains exam - TBA

What is the UPSC CSE exam?

The UPSC CSE exam 2025 (also known as the IAS exam) is a competitive exam conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The purpose of this exam is to recruit capable candidates to various posts in the government. The UPSC Civil services posts are considered prestigious and so they are extremely sought after. This makes the IAS exam one of the toughest, most competitive exams in India.

UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025

To be eligible for the above posts, candidates must go through the famously competitive IAS 2025 selection process. As a part of the UPSC CSE 2025 selection process, candidates must go through 3 stages. These are the IAS prelims exam, mains exam and interview round.

The UPSC Civil Services Prelims exam is an objective type exam holding 400 marks in total. This round is a screening test, so the marks scored here will not be considered in the final UPSC 2025 selection process. The number of candidates considered successful in the prelims and deemed eligible to attempt the mains exam will be around 12 times the number of UPSC CSE 2025 vacancies.

The IAS Mains exam 2025 consists of a series of 9 papers holding a total of 1750 marks. The IAS mains is a subjective, written exam, with each paper having a duration of three hours. The marks obtained in this round will be considered in the final UPSC IAS selection.

Finally, the IAS 2025 interview round will be held. In this round, candidates will be judged based on their intellectual qualities, social traits and awareness of current happenings. The IAS interview will be conducted by a panel of unbiased jury members. Candidates who clear this round of the UPSC IAS 2025 exam will be considered successful and will be appointed to a Civil Services post.

UPSC IAS 2025 - Posts

Candidates who pass all three rounds of the UPSC CSE Exam 2025 will be appointed to one of many different kinds of government posts. UPSC CSE posts can largely be categorized into two types, All India Posts (of which is IAS, a highly sought after post where the colloquial name of the Civil services exam comes from) and posts in Central services. Below is a list of Civil Services posts candidates can be appointed to after cracking the UPSC exam 2025.

UPSC Civil Services Posts

  • Indian Administrative Services(IAS)

  • Indian Police Servies(IPS)

  • Indian Forest Services(IFoS)

  • Indian Foreign Services(IFS)

  • Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration)

  • Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'

  • Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’

  • Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’

  • Indian Information Service (Junior Grade), Group ‘A’

  • Indian Trade Service, Group 'A'

  • Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’

  • Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade).

  • Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service, Group 'B'

  • Pondicherry Police Service, Group ‘B’

  • Pondicherry Civil Service, Group 'B'

  • Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service, Group 'B'

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.
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Also read:

UPSC IAS 2025 Preparation

Given the competitive nature of the UPSC Civil Services exam, aspirants must be extremely diligent in their preparation efforts. It is quite a challenge to cover such a vast portion so thoroughly, and many candidates beginning preparation may not know where to start. Here, we discuss some general preparation tips to help candidates attempting the exam get a general idea of how to prepare for the UPSC CSE 2025.

How to prepare for the UPSC exam

  • First and foremost, look up the UPSC IAS 2025 syllabus and exam pattern. This will let you know the structure of the exam paper paper and the topics that will be covered there. Overall, after this, you will get a good idea of how the UPSC IAS paper will be.

  • To get an even more thorough idea of how the paper will look and how much weightage each topic will hold, consider looking into previous years’ UPSC IAS exam analysis.

  • Formulate a proper UPSC IAS study plan based on the above. Be sure to give all the topics in the exam appropriate attention in your IAS 2025 study strategy and be mindful of your strengths and weaknesses. Ensure your IAS study plan is practical and realistic. That being said, don’t spend too much time in the planning stage and actually implement your UPSC IAS study plan. If any amendments are required you can make them later.

  • Listen to the interviews of successful IAS toppers for additional advice.

  • Study using the best books for UPSC IAS 2025 preparation. It is important to pick out up to date and reliable study material for the IAS exam. Take notes from the study material and revise it frequently.

  • Apply what you have learned using mock tests and old UPSC IAS question papers.

For more in- depth preparation tips and guidance, candidates are encouraged to visit these pages:

UPSC CSE 2025 Exam Date

UPSC will release the IAS 2025 exam dates online in the official calendar. Candidates must keep track of the official exam dates of UPSC CSE 2025 so as not to miss any important events pertaining to the exam. Candidates can find the UPSC IAS exam dates in the table below.

UPSC IAS Important Dates 2025

Events

Prelims

UPSC CSE Mains exam date

UPSC CSE notification 2025

January 22, 2025

To be announced

UPSC IAS application form 2025 start date

January 22, 2025

To be announced

Last date to fill UPSC CSE application form

February 11, 2025

To be announced

Application form withdrawal window

To be announced

To be announced

UPSC IAS Admit Card 2025

To be announced

To be announced

UPSC IAS 2025 exam date

May 25, 2025

August 22, 2025

Declaration of UPSC IAS 2025 result

To be announced

To be announced

IAS 2025 Personality Test

To be announced

Declaration of final Civil Services Result 2025

To be announced

UPSC IAS 2025 Application Form

The UPSC will be releasing the IAS 2025 application form online on the official website on January 22, 2025. Candidates looking to attempt the UPSC CSE 2025 exam must ensure that they fulfil the UPSC IAS 2025 eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. The UPSC IAS application process consists of 2 stages, One Time Registration (OTR) and the UPSC CSE application form. The last day to submit the application form is on February 11, 2025.

The UPSC IAS application form 2025 will only be released in online mode on upsconline.nic.in. The IAS application fee is Rs 100 for general category candidates. Reserved category candidates are exempt from paying the Civil Services exam fee.

How to apply for UPSC IAS exam

Candidates can follow the instructions given below to fill out the IAS 2025 application form.

  • Visit the official UPSC portal, upsconline.nic.in.

  • Complete one time registration (otr process)

  • In case you have already completed your OTR, log in to the website using your credentials.

  • After logging in, check your dashboard and click on the apply online link.

  • Fill out the application form as prompted

  • Upload the necessary documents only to the website

  • Pay the application fee as prompted

  • Submit the form

Note: In case you notice any mistake in the IAS application form after submitting, there is still an opportunity to fix it. The Commission activates an IAS application form correction window for a few days to allow candidates to rectify any mistakes in the application form.

UPSC IAS 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling out the application form, it is important for candidates to check if they fulfil the UPSC IAS 2025 eligibility criteria. Union Public Services Commission prescribes the IAS 2025 eligibility criteria based on nationality, age and educational qualifications. The UPSC IAS eligibility criteria 2025 are as follows:

IAS Eligibility Criteria

Details

Criteria

Nationality

Indian Citizen

Age

21 to 32 years of age (reserved candidates are entitled to relaxation, as described below)

Educational qualification

Graduation in any subject from any University.

Additionally, there are limits on the number of times a candidate can attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The limit on the number of times one can attempt the IAS exam is as follows:

Category wise limit on UPSC attempts

Category

Attempt limit

General

6 times

OBC

9 times

SC/ST

Unlimited attempts until upper age limit.

UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC releases the IAS 2025 exam pattern online in the official notification. Candidates must be aware of the UPSC CSE 2025 exam pattern so that they can plan their studies accordingly. The UPSC IAS exam pattern 2025 contains information about the division of marks in the exam, the duration of the exam, topics covered by that particular exam and much more. Candidates appearing for the UPSC Civil Services 2025 exam can find out about the exam pattern from the tables below.

IAS prelims exam pattern

Particulars

Details

Number of papers

2

Language of paper

English, Hindi

Duration of exam

4 hours (2 hours each)

Number of questions

General Studies paper 1: 100
General Studies paper 2: 80

Maximum marks

400 (200 each)

Qualifying marks

33%

IAS mains exam pattern

Particulars

Details

Number of papers

9

Language of paper

English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali

Duration of exam

3 hours each

Subjects

Compulsory Indian language
English
Essay
General Studies I
General Studies II
General Studies III
General Studies IV
Optional I
Optional II

Number of questions

Part A and B: 300 each
General studies and optional paper: 250 each

Maximum marks

1750

UPSC IAS 2025 Syllabus

UPSC will release the syllabus of IAS 2025 in the official notification. The UPSC CSE 2025 syllabus is a comprehensive list of topics prescribed by the commission that will appear in the exam. It is important for candidates to have a good understanding of the kinds of topics that will appear in the exam before starting their preparation.

Also read:

UPSC IAS Exam Centre 2025

The UPSC releases the list of IAS 2025 exam centres in the official notification. The list of exam centres of IAS 2025 are different for both prelims and mains. Candidates must pick the UPSC CSE 2025 exam centre most convenient to them during the application process. Please note that the UPSC IAS exam centres 2025 will be allotted on a first come first serve basis and if candidates do not get their chosen IAS exam centre, they must choose from the remaining centres in the list.

UPSC IAS 2025 Admit Card

The UPSC will release the IAS 2025 admit card online three weeks before the commencement of the exam. Eligible candidates will be able to download the admit card from the official website. The UPSC IAS 2025 admit card contains important information about the IAS exam including the candidate's personal details, exam centre details, exam day guidelines, and much more.

To download the UPSC IAS admit card 2025, candidates must enter their registration ID and date of birth. Candidates must bring a valid photo ID along with the UPSC Civil Services admit card to the examination centre on the exam day.

Also read: Common mistakes in the IAS exam and how to avoid them

UPSC IAS Exam Day Guidelines 2025

Candidates must follow the exam day guidelines below on the day of the exam

  • Candidates arrive at the exam centre an hour before the exam.

  • Along with the IAS 2025 admit card, candidates must ensure that they have a valid photo ID proof for identity verification at the exam centre.

  • Candidates are not permitted to leave the exam hall without permission from the invigilator.

  • No mobile phones and other electronic communication devices are allowed in the exam hall.

  • Candidates must bring a black ball point pen to the exam hall to mark for the purpose of marking OMR sheets in the prelims exam.

UPSC IAS 2025 Answer Key

UPSC will release the IAS 2025 answer key online on the official website. The IAS answer key is only released for the prelims exam. The UPSC Civil Services answer key will be made available after the release of the final result.

However, many major coaching institutes will make the UPSC IAS 2025 answer key available on the same day as the exam. Candidates will be able to use these unofficial UPSC CSE 2025 answer keys to gauge their performance in the IAS 2025 prelims exam.

Also read:

UPSC IAS Exam Analysis 2025

While the UPSC does not provide any official IAS 2025 exam analysis, many notable coaching institutes will release one shortly after the exam. The UPSC CSE 2025 exam analysis is prepared based on the feedback of candidates who have just attempted the exam. Candidates can go through the Exam analysis of UPSC Civil Services after the exam to get a good idea of how they performed in the paper as well as the overall difficulty of the paper.

UPSC IAS Question Papers 2025

The UPSC will release the IAS 2025 question papers online on the official website. The UPSC CSE 2025 question papers will be released after the conclusion of those exams.

Previous years’ UPSC Civil Services question papers are also available online, so candidates will be able to use them to practice writing answers in the actual exam.

Solving past question papers is beneficial in that it helps candidates apply what they have learnt through their studies and helps them identify their weak points. Additionally, candidates who solve old IAS 2025 question papers get to hone their time management skills, which helps them in the actual exam.

UPSC IAS 2025 Cut off

The minimum marks that a candidate must obtain to be able to advance to the next round of the exam is the IAS 2025 cut off. UPSC declares the UPSC CSE cutoff marks separately for each stage of the exam. The UPSC CSE 2025 cut off is determined based on a variety of factors including difficulty of the paper and the number of vacancies.

UPSC IAS 2025 Result

The Commission will release the IAS 2025 result pdf online on the official website. The result of UPSC CSE 2025 is a list of the names and roll numbers of candidates who have cleared that round of the IAS exam. Candidates will also be able to obtain a UPSC Score card from the official website shortly after the result.

UPSC IAS Vacancies 2025

The UPSC will release the IAS vacancy in the official notification. Candidates who successfully clear all three levels of the UPSC IAS exam 2025 will be eligible to occupy a government post within the UPSC CSE 2025 vacancy. In the tables below, candidates can find details regarding category wise vacancies of UPSC IAS 2025 as well as previous years vacancy trends.

UPSC Civil Services Vacancy- Previous years’ vacancies

Year

Number of vacancies

2025

TBA

2024

1056

2023

1105

2022

1011

2021

712

2020

796

2019

896

2018

759

UPSC IAS Category Wise Vacancy 2025

Category

Vacancies

General

To Be Announced

EWS

To Be Announced

OBC

To Be Announced

SC

To Be Announced

ST

To Be Announced

Total

To Be Announced

UPSC IAS salary 2025

The 7th Pay Commission prescribes the salary of candidates successful in the UPSC CSE 2025 exam. The salary of an IAS officer consists of various components, with base pay and grade pay and a variety of perks and allowances such as HRA, DA, TA, medical allowances and more. In the beginning, the salary of an IAS officer is Rs 56,100.

As the years pass and the officer gains promotions and increments, their salary is increased. The highest salary of an IAS officer is that of the cabinet secretary who earns around 2,50,000 a month.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will the UPSC IAS notification be released?

The UPSC IAS Notification 2025 release date is on January 22, 2025.

2. When should I start reading newspaper for UPSC 2025?

It is a good idea to start reading the newspaper and taking notes from it right away so that you are aware of all the current happenings in the world before the IAS 2025 exam. 

3. Can I crack UPSC by reading only newspaper?

No. While newspapers are a great source of material for the current affairs portion, you will also need books pertaining to the subject matter for other papers. 

4. Can I become IAS without study?

No. The UPSC IAS 2025 exam is extremely competitive, and it is necessary to start preparing almost a year in advance to perform well in the paper. 

5. Will UPSC pattern change in 2025?

It is unlikely that the IAS 2025 exam pattern will change too much in 2025. 

6. Which subject is compulsory for IAS?

Subjects such as current affairs, political science, general knowledge etc are important for the IAS exam. 

7. What is the salary of IAS officer in India?

 In the beginning, the salary of an IAS officer is Rs 56,100. This is raised every year with increments. Additionally, IAS officer’s salaries also increase with promotions. 

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Steps to become an IAS officer


Graduation


You should have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a known university

Arts: History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology

Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

Commerce: Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies

Preparation for UPSC Civil Services Examination:


Study the Syllabus: Learn the syllabus for Preliminary and Main exams.

Choose Elective Subjects: Take elective subjects that you enjoy and have expertise in

Study Material: Reference textbooks, handouts distributed during the coaching and internet resources.

Practice: Previous years' question paper, mock tests, etc

Coaching Institutes: Join a good coaching institute for formal guidance 3. UPSC Civil Services Examination:

Prelims Exam: An objective-type qualifying test that will make you eligible to appear in the Main examination.

Main Exam: Very subjective test which includes all subjects.

Interview: Personality test by a panel of experts.

Important Tips:


Start Early: Better preparation starts early.

Time Management: Manage your time very efficiently.

Consistency: Follow a regular study routine.

Stay Updated: Current affairs and news.

Seek Guidance: Who have an experience can be consulted upon for guidance.

Practice Regularly: Solve the previous year's paper and mock tests.

Stay Positive: Believe in yourself and work hard.

Hence, with these steps and dedication and perseverance, you're sure to achieve your end as an IAS officer.

Hello,

Yes, while IAS (Indian Administrative Services) preparation requires a graduation degree, here are steps you can take to start your IAS journey after completing your 11th standard (BiPC):

  1. Focus on Graduation : Choose a stream for your higher studies that aligns with your interest. Graduation is a mandatory qualification for IAS eligibility.
  2. Early Preparation : Start building a strong foundation in subjects like History, Geography, Economics, and Political Science, which are part of the IAS syllabus.
  3. Develop General Knowledge : Read newspapers daily and follow current affairs magazines to stay updated with national and international news.
  4. Improve Language Skills : Enhance your proficiency in English and one Indian language as per the Civil Services syllabus.
  5. Join Study Circles or Coaching : Enroll in pre-IAS foundation courses available for school students for a head start.
  6. Time Management : Create a balanced study schedule alongside your schoolwork to gradually prepare for the IAS exam.
  7. Participate in Competitions : Engage in essay writing and debates to boost your analytical skills and confidence.

To get more help, you can visit : https://www.careers360.com/careers/ias-officer

Hope it helps 1

Hello there,

Becoming both an IAS officer and a doctor is achievable but requires dedication and clear planning, as each career has distinct educational and examination paths. Here’s a roadmap to help you achieve both:

1. Complete Your MBBS to Become a Doctor

  • Enroll in an MBBS Program : First, you need to qualify for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and get admission to a medical college.

  • Complete Your Medical Degree : The MBBS program typically takes 5.5 years, including an internship.

  • Gain Experience (Optional) : You may choose to practice medicine for a few years to gain clinical experience, but it’s not mandatory if your goal is to pursue IAS right after MBBS.

    2. Prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)

  • Understand the UPSC Exam Structure : The UPSC CSE has three stages—Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. You can start preparing while in medical school or after completing MBBS.

  • Choose Your Optional Subject : As a doctor, you may consider taking medical science as your optional subject, though it’s not mandatory.

  • Develop a Study Plan : Balance your medical studies or job with UPSC preparation. Many doctors manage both by allocating dedicated study time each day.

  • Appear for the Exam : With a systematic approach, crack the UPSC exam and qualify for the IAS position.

    3. Career Path as a Doctor-IAS

  • IAS Training and Posting : After clearing UPSC, complete your training and take up your role as an IAS officer. You’ll have a broad scope to influence healthcare, public policy, and social development.

  • Consider Government Health Roles : In administrative roles, you could use your medical background to work in health-related departments, where your knowledge of medicine would be a unique asset.

    Additional Pathways

  • Alternative Approach : You could also join as a doctor in a government hospital and then transition to administration by appearing for the UPSC exam when ready.

  • Health Policy and Administration : Use your medical background in policy formulation or in roles within the Ministry of Health, combining both careers for impactful healthcare reforms.

This dual career path is ambitious but can be very rewarding, allowing you to serve in both the medical and administrative fields.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello aspirant, The answer to this question is no. Both of these areas require your complete commitment and dedication. You can not manage both of these together. Also it is not allowed to do any other profession while performing duties as a IAS officer. If you want to practice medical profession then you have to leave your job.

Thank you

Hope it helps you.

Hello,

When choosing an IAS coaching institute, it's important to consider factors such as faculty quality, study materials, success rate, infrastructure, fees, and student support. Here are some highly regarded IAS coaching institutes in India:

1. Vajiram & Ravi

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Experienced faculty, comprehensive study materials, high success rate.
  • Cons: Relatively expensive.

2. ALS IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in various cities.
  • Pros: Good faculty, structured programs, and regular tests.
  • Cons: Can be costly, and the quality may vary across branches.

3. Vision IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Detailed study materials, current affairs updates, regular mock tests.
  • Cons: Some students find the pace fast.

4. Sriram IAS

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Strong emphasis on comprehensive understanding, quality teaching.
  • Cons: Limited branches compared to others.

5. Drishti IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with a few branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Affordable fees, good study material, and supportive faculty.
  • Cons: Infrastructure might be less impressive.

6. Upkar Institute

  • Location: Multiple cities.
  • Pros: Focus on affordable coaching, quality materials.
  • Cons: Less known compared to the top-tier institutes.

7. The Hindu Zone

  • Location: Online coaching.
  • Pros: Flexibility of online classes, good faculty, and resources.
  • Cons: Online learning might not suit everyone.

Hope it helps !

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