UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Check Complete Selection process

UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Check Complete Selection process

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Jan 22, 2025 02:09 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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Union Public Service Commission mentioned the UPSC IAS 2025 selection process in the official notification. The UPSC CSE 2025 notification has been released on January 22, 2025. Candidates preparing for the UPSC IAS exam can check the selection process clearly. The IAS exam selection process 2025 comprises three stages - prelims exam, mains exam and personality test.

This Story also Contains
  1. UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025
  2. UPSC IAS Selection Process - Exam Pattern
  3. UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Merit List
UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Check Complete Selection process
UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Check Complete Selection process

As per UPSC CSE 2025 selection process, applicants who fill the application form will be eligible to appear for the prelims exam. Those who qualify the IAS 2025 prelims exam will be called for the mains exam. Those who clear the UPSC CSE exam for mains will be called for a personal interview.

The final merit list of the UPSC IAS 2025 selection process is made on the basis of performance of applicant in the mains and the personality test stages. Candidates who clear the IAS cut off 2025 are marked as qualified. For more details about the UPSC IAS selection process 2025, candidates can check the article given below.

UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025

Candidates can know about the complete UPSC Civil Service selection procedure by reading the points below.

  • Preliminary Exam

  • Mains Exam

  • Personal Interview (Personality Test)

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UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Prelims Exam

The prelims exam is the first stage of the IAS selection process 2025 which will be held on May 25, 2025. Due to the large number of applicants, the competition is also tough in the IAS 2025 prelims exam. As per stats, the number of applications received for the Civil Service prelims exam are around 10 to 12 lakhs and the number of applicants that appear for the IAS prelims exam is approximately 5 - 6 lakhs. Candidates who submit the IAS application form 2025 successfully are eligible to appear in the prelims exam.

The prelims exam of IAS 2025 comprises two papers - General Studies paper 1 and General Studies paper 2. The questions in IAS prelims exam GS paper 1 will be asked from the political system, Panchayati raj, public policy, general issues, poverty, rights issues, current events, etc. And in GS paper 2, questions will be asked from logical reasoning, general mental ability and other subjects.

As per the IAS exam 2025 selection process, candidates have to score 33% marks on paper 2, as UPSC IAS paper 2 is qualifying in nature. The prelims exam is the screening exam and marks scored by candidates in this stage are not considered while creating the final IAS merit list 2025.

UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Mains Exam

Candidates who clear the UPSC IAS 2025 preliminary examination will be called for the mains exam going to be held on August 22, 2025. The number of candidates qualifying in the main exam are two times the number of total UPSC CSE 2025 vacancies. The IAS mains exam is descriptive in nature comprising of 9 papers in total.

The mains exam comprises essay writing, language paper, four General Studies paper and two optional papers. Candidates have to select one subject from a list of 26 optional subjects mentioned in the official UPSC IAS 2025 notification.

The marks scored by candidates in the IAS mains papers will be considered for preparing the final merit list along with the marks obtained by them in the personal interview. Candidates who clear the UPSC IAS 2025 mains exam will be called for a personality test/interview of the Civil Service Exam.

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UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Personality Test

Candidates who qualify in the mains exam will be eligible to appear for a UPSC CSE personality test. The Civil Services personality test is the final and last phase of the IAS selection process 2025. Candidates double the number of IAS 2025 vacancies appear for the interview which will be conducted at the UPSC office in New Delhi.

The IAS interview is of 275 marks with no minimum qualifying marks. Here, candidates have to face the board members who ask questions based on the candidate's detailed application form (IAS 2025 DAF form) which they filled after qualifying the IAS mains exam.

Questions asked can be from current affairs, optional subjects, family background, home town, home state, etc. The candidates can also be given a case study. Candidates who clear the personal interview of the IAS selection process 2025 will be declared as qualified.

UPSC IAS Selection Process - Exam Pattern

The UPSC IAS exam pattern will be prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the official notification. The UPSC IAS 2025 recruitment exam has three stages - prelims, mains and personality test. For more details on the UPSC IAS exam pattern 2025 check the tables below.

UPSC IAS prelims and mains exam pattern

Exam name

Civil Services Exam (UPSC CSE)

Exam mode

Offline

(Preliminary - MCQ-based)

(Mains - Descriptive Mode)

(Personality Test - Interview in front of board members)

Exam stages

Prelims exam

Mains exam

Interview

Total papers

Prelims: 2

Mains: 9

Marking scheme

Paper 1: +2 marks

Paper 2: +2.5 marks

Negative marking: One-third of marks allotted to each question

Exam Duration

Prelims: 2 hours (Each paper) total 4 hours

Mains: 3 hours (Each paper) total 27 hours conducted across various days

Type of questions

Prelims: Objective type

Mains: Subjective type

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UPSC IAS Selection Process 2025 - Merit List

Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC final merit list 2025 along with the declaration of the final result. The final merit list of the IAS selection process 2025 will be released on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in the mains exam and personal interview. Candidates who make it to the UPSC CSE merit list 2025 will be commissioned in various services of the Government of India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the details required to download the UPSC admit card?

Candidates can download IAS admit card 2025 using their registration ID and date of birth.

2. What is the selection process of IAS 2025?

IAS selection process 2025 comprises prelims exam, mains exam and personal interview.

3. How will the IAS final result 2025 be released?

The final IAS 2025 result will be released in online mode by considering the mains and interview marks.

4. What is the age limit to apply for IAS 2025?

As per the IAS eligibility criteria 2025, candidates between 21 to 32 years can apply for the exam.

5. When will merit list of UPSC be released?

The UPSC IAS merit list will be released after the announcement of the final result.

6. Do I need to appear in the UPSC IAS interview?

Yes, you need to appear for the interview as it is a crucial phase of UPSC IAS selection process 2025.

7. When will UPSC IAS prelims result 2025 be announced?

The UPSC IAS 2025 prelims result will be announced 15 - 20 days from the date of the exam.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

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

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

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!

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

Hii,

Yes, even if you have an ECE diploma, you can still become an IAS officer. However, you must graduate from an accredited college in any field in order to apply for the IAS exam (UPSC). A diploma is insufficient on its own.

First, enroll in a degree program such as a B.A., B.Sc., or B.Tech (lateral entry is acceptable). You can then get ready for the IAS exam. Many IAS officers have backgrounds in the arts, sciences, or diploma programs. So don't worry, just finish your graduation first and move on.

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