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IAS Exam Pattern 2025 - UPSC CSE Paper Pattern for Prelims & Mains Exam
Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jan 22, 2025 02:06 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC 2025 exam pattern in the official notification. The CSE exam pattern can be downloaded in online mode from the official website at upsc.gov.in. According to the IAS exam pattern, there are three stages in the UPSC CSE exam - prelims, mains and interview round. Candidates can check the UPSC 2025 syllabus and other details along with the exam pattern.
This Story also Contains
- UPSC Exam Pattern - Prelims
- IAS Exam Pattern 2025 - Mains
- IAS Exam Pattern: CSE Interview
- IAS Exam Pattern 2025 - Benefits
- IAS Syllabus 2025
- IAS Question Papers 2025
- IAS Mock Test 2025
With the help of the exam pattern, candidates can strategize their CSE 2025 exam preparation. Understanding the UPSC exam pattern in the early preparation stages is necessary to boost the level of preparation for the entrance test. The IAS paper pattern 2025 specifies details on the type of examination, language, duration, mode of paper, question type, official marking scheme, and much more. So, preparing for the exam will be inadequate without a proper familiarity with the CSE 2025 exam pattern. To know more about the UPSC exam pattern and syllabus, read the full article below.
IAS Exam Pattern (Prelims and Mains) - Overview
Aspirants preparing for the examination can check the UPSC exam pattern 2025 details here.
Name of exam | Civil Services Exam (CSE) |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
Mode of Exam | Offline (IAS Paper Pattern for Prelims- MCQ-based) (CSE Paper Pattern for Mains - Descriptive) (Personality Test - Interview in front of board members) |
Number of Stages |
|
Number of papers in the IAS Exam | Prelims: 2 Mains: 9 |
IAS Prelims exam pattern: Marking scheme | Paper 1: +2 marks Paper 2: +2.5 marks Negative marking: One-third of marks allotted to each question |
Time Duration of the IAS exam | Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) total 4 hours |
Mains: 3 hours (Each paper) total of 27 hours conducted across various days | |
Type of questions | Prelims: Objective type |
Mains: Subjective type |
UPSC Exam Pattern - Prelims
According to the UPSC 2025 exam pattern, the preliminary exam is the first stage of the selection process which is qualifying in nature. According to the prelims exam pattern, there will be two papers in the preliminary exam. As per the paper pattern, candidates need to meet IAS cut off 2025 for paper 1. Check the highlights of the UPSC 2025 exam pattern of Prelims here.
IAS Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
Number of papers | GS 1: Based on Indian History, Economics, Indian and World Geography, Science and Technology, Indian Polity, Current Affairs and Environment. |
GS 2: Based on Reasoning, Aptitude and Quantitative | |
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% for Paper 2 |
IAS prelims exam pattern 2025: Marking Scheme
As per the exam pattern of IAS 2025, each question in the prelims exam GS paper 1 will have 2 marks while in GS paper 2 will carry 2.5 marks.
As per the IAS paper pattern, one-third of the marks will be deducted for each wrong answer as a negative mark.
In case a candidate attempts more than one answer then it will also be considered as a negative marking.
There will be no penalty for questions left unattempted.
Candidates will have to score a minimum of 33% to qualify for GS paper 2.
IAS Exam Pattern 2025 - Mains
According to the IAS 2025 exam pattern, candidates who qualify in the prelims exam will be eligible for the mains exam. According to the UPSC mains exam pattern, there will be 9 papers. Candidates need to secure at least 25% in their optional subject along with the remaining subjects. All languages covered in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution will be considered for language paper. Check the highlights of the UPSC 2025 exam pattern of mains here.
IAS mains exam pattern 2025
Number of papers | 9 |
Language of paper | English |
Hindi | |
Descriptive paper: Candidates can appear for language paper in 22 languages mentioned in schedule 8 of the Indian constitution | |
Duration of exam | 3 hours each |
Subjects |
|
Number of questions | Part A and B: 300 each General studies and optional paper: 250 each |
Sub Total (Mains) | 1750 marks |
Personality Test | 275 marks |
Grand Total | 2025 marks |
IAS Main Exam Pattern - Marking Scheme
The IAS Mains exam carries a total of 1750 marks.
Each subjective paper in the mains exam carries 300 marks.
Candidates can choose two optional papers in the mains exam.
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 EBookIAS Exam Pattern: CSE Interview
The interview round is the final stage of the UPSC IAS recruitment and one of the major alma maters to achieve for those want to become an administrative officer of the Indian Government. Around lakhs of candidates apply for the IAS exam, only a thousand can make it to the interview and only hundreds get qualified. According to the previous year trends, there will be no specific exam pattern for the IAS 2025 interview round.
Candidates need to have in-depth knowledge of their subject and current affairs. The panel of the IAS interview round will assess the candidate's mental and social abilities by asking open-ended questions.
Also Read:
- IAS 2025 Application Form
- IAS 2025 exam dates
- Civil Services Exam Analysis
- IAS 2025 exam centres
- IAS 2025 eligibility criteria
- IAS 2025 admit card
- IAS 2025 snswer key
- IAS 2025 salary
IAS Exam Pattern 2025 - Benefits
With the help of the UPSC exam pattern, students will be able to understand the number of questions asked in prelims and main exams.
The qualifying criteria to crack the prelims and mains stage will be mentioned in the IAS paper pattern 2025.
According to the exam pattern of IAS 2025, candidates will not be provided with any scribe to write the exam. However, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the categories of blindness, locomotor disability (both arms affected – BA) and cerebral palsy will be provided with the facility of a scribe if desired by the person under Section 2 (r) of the RPWD Act, 2016.
Candidates must go through the detailed paper pattern before starting their IAS exam preparation.
IAS Syllabus 2025
UPSC releases the IAS 2025 syllabus along with the exam pattern in the official notification. Candidates can check the UPSC CSE syllabus which will be available separately for prelims and mains exam. It is important to go through the syllabus and exam pattern of IAS 2025 to plan the preparation strategically.
Check Here List of Other Government Exams:
IAS Question Papers 2025
UPSC releases the official UPSC IAS question papers on its official website a few days after the exam is conducted. UPSC will release the prelims and mains question papers in PDF format. Candidates preparing for the IAS exam 2025, must go through the previous year's question papers to enhance their preparation. With the help of IAS previous year question papers, candidates will be able to know the difficulty level of the exam, the types of questions asked in the exam and most importantly the variation of questions of the examination.
IAS Exam 2024: Subject-wise question paper links
Subject | IAS question paper download link |
Ecology & Environment | |
Current Affairs | |
Polity | |
History | |
Economics | |
Geography | |
General Science |
IAS Mock Test 2025
UPSC IAS mock tests are one of the most important aspects of knowing the preparation level for the exam. With the help of the IAS 2025 mock test, candidates will be able to understand the exam pressure and paper pattern in a better way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I download the IAS exam pattern 2025 PDF?
Aspirants can download the CSE 2025 exam pattern in online mode from the official website at upsc.gov.in.
2. Who provides the IAS exam pattern 2025?
The UPSC IAS exam pattern 2025 is provided by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
3. How many questions will be asked in the prelims stage?
As per the IAS exam pattern 2025, there will be 100 questions from three sections.
4. What will be the maximum marks for the IAS main stage?
There will be maximum marks of 1750 marks in the IAS main stage.
5. Is there any negative marking in IAS exam 2025?
As per exam pattern of IAS 2025, there will be negative marking of 0.33 marks for each wrong answer.
6. What is the pattern of UPSC 2025?
The UPSC CSE 2025 exam pattern is al follows - Prelims, Mains and interview round.
7. Will UPSC remove optional in 2025?
The removal of option subjects in the UPSC CSE exam pattern can only known from the official notification. Candidates are recommended to check the official UPSC website for more information.
8. How many attempts for UPSC 2025?
Candidates of general category have 6 attempts, while OBC candidates have 9 attempts. Candidates belonging to SC/ST category do not have a limit.
9. Is there any IAS exam pattern for IAS interview?
No, there is no specific IAS exam pattern 2025 for IAS interview round.
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9 min ⋆ Jul 31, 2025 04:07 AM ISTQuestions related to UPSC CSE
Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?
The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.
A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.
However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.
Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.
Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.
sadafreen356 31 July,2025
Hello
This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):
Notification Release:
February
Online Application Window:
February to early March
Prelims Exam:
May or June
Mains Exam:
September/October
As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.
To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
Yash Teotia 13 July,2025
A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process
Previa Gayu 21 June,2025
If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying
Previa Gayu 21 June,2025
Hello ,
If you want to give IAS exam then you should complete your graduation first or also if you are in your last year of graduation then you can fill the application form.
To know more, refer this:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-application-form
I hope this helps you!
Sakshi Sharma 27 May,2025
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