Everything You Need to Know about UPSC 2025: Syllabus, Exam Dates, Notification & Eligibility

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) continues to be the most sought‑after exam for aspirants looking to join prestigious services like IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, and more. For 2025, knowing the UPSC syllabus, UPSC exam date 2025, UPSC notification 2025, and UPSC eligibility is critical to plan your preparation roadmap. In this blog, Exaministry brings you a complete guide — updated, accurate, and tailored to aspirants like you.

1. UPSC Notification 2025: Key Highlights

The UPSC notification 2025 sets the ground for the year’s exam cycle. Here are the main details:

• The UPSC officially released the notification for CSE 2025 on 22 January 2025.
  
  

• The online application window opened on 22 January 2025.

• Initially, the last date was set as 11 February 2025, though some sources mention extensions or corrections till 18 February 2025.

• The notification also includes vacancy details, exam structure, eligibility criteria, and the complete UPSC syllabus.

• For 2025, a total of 979 vacancies for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) were announced. 

2. UPSC Exam Date 2025: Prelims, Mains & Beyond

One of the most important things aspirants watch out for is the UPSC exam date 2025. Here’s the schedule as per the official calendar and reliable sources:

A few additional pointers:

• The Prelims date is fixed for 25 May 2025. 

• Mains will be held later in August 2025 across multiple days. 

• Be sure to check if UPSC issues any changes or updates in the official calendar on their website.

Planning backward from the exam date allows you to allocate your study schedule, revision, mock tests, and rest periods optimally.

3. UPSC Eligibility 2025: Who Can Apply?

Before applying, it’s vital to verify UPSC eligibility so your effort doesn’t go to waste. Below is the detailed eligibility criteria for 2025:

3.1 Nationality

• Must be a citizen of India for IAS, IPS, IFS posts. 

• For other services, citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees (who arrived before 1 January 1962) may also apply under certain conditions.

3.2 Educational Qualification

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree (any discipline) from a recognized university.
  
  

• Candidates in their final year of graduation are also eligible, provided they can furnish proof of passing the degree by the time of the Main examination

3.3 Age Limit & Relaxation

• Minimum age: 21 years (as on 1 August 2025) 

• Maximum age: 32 years (for General category) as of 1 August 2025 

• Relaxations:
  
  

• OBC: +3 years (i.e., up to 35 years)

• SC / ST: +5 years (i.e., up to 37 years)

• PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability): up to 10 years of additional relaxation, subject to norms. 

3.4 Number of Attempts

• General / EWS: 6 attempts 

• OBC: 9 attempts

• SC / ST: Unlimited (within the age limit)
  
  

4. UPSC Syllabus 2025: What to Study & How to Approach

The UPSC syllabus is wide and detailed, covering various subjects across Prelims and Mains stages. Cracking the exam means you must be very thorough with every topic. Let’s break it down:

4.1 Prelims Syllabus (Stage 1)

Prelims consists of two papers:

• General Studies Paper I (GS I) — 100 questions, 200 marks
  
  

• CSAT / Paper II (Qualifying) — 80 questions, 200 marks (need 33% to qualify) 

Topics in GS Paper I include:

• History of India (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
  
  

• Indian National Movement
  
  

• Indian and World Geography
  
  

• Indian Polity and Governance
  
  

• Economic Development
  
  

• Environmental ecology, biodiversity & climate change
  
  

• General Science
  
  

• Current events of national and international importance
  
  

CSAT Topics:

• Comprehension, Reasoning ability
  
  

• Logical reasoning & analytical ability
  
  

• Decision-making & problem solving
  
  

• Basic numeracy (numbers, percentages, etc.)
  
  

• Data interpretation & graphs
  
  

4.2 Mains Syllabus (Stage 2)

Mains is descriptive in nature and consists of 9 papers (including language, essay, General Studies, Optional). 

Some key General Studies papers include:

• GS Paper I: Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography
  
  

• GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice
  
  

• GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security
  
  

• GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
  
  

• Essay Paper