UPSC Prelims 2025, Dates Shift Timings, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & Preparation Tips

Check the UPSC Prelims 2025 exam date, set for 25th May 2025. Find out details about the exam pattern, including GS Paper I and CSAT and start preparation.

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The UPSC Prelims 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on 25th May 2025. This exam serves as the first step in the selection process for the prestigious civil services examination. It consists of two papers: General Studies (GS Paper I) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), both of which are crucial in determining eligibility for the Mains exam. Candidates need to qualify in both papers to progress to the next stage, making the Prelims an essential part of the UPSC exam journey.

The UPSC has extended the registration deadline for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 until February 18. Candidates can now apply for both the Civil Services (Preliminary) 2025 and Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) 2025 exams until February 18 at 6 PM.

What is UPSC Prelims 2025?

The UPSC Prelims 2025 which is scheduled to be conducted in the year 2025 on 25 May. It will be a qualifying exam that filters candidates for the next stage, the Mains exam. It consists of two papers:

  • General Studies Paper I: Tests knowledge on topics like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Current Affairs.
  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT): Evaluates comprehension, reasoning, and aptitude skills.

Both papers are objective type and conducted on the same day.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Syllabus

UPSC Prelims Date 2025

UPSC Prelims date 2025 has been announced by UPSC with the release of the annual calender of UPSC. UPSC Prelims 2025 is scheduled to be conducted on 25 May 2025. Aspirants are advised to keep checking the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in) for updates.

UPSC Calendar- Download

UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Shift Timings

The UPSC Prelims 2025 will be conducted in two shifts on the same day, each of two hours duration. Candidates must be aware of the exact shift timings to avoid any last-minute confusion and ensure timely arrival at the exam centre.

Reaching the examination venue at least 30 minutes before the start of each shift is mandatory. Candidates should arrive by 9:00 AM for the morning shift and by 2:00 PM for the afternoon shift. A 3-hour break between the two papers can be used effectively for light revision and rest.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Timings 2025 for GS Paper 1 and CSAT

Here are the shift-wise timings for UPSC Prelims 2025:

Shift Timings
First Shift – GS Paper 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Break 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Second Shift – CSAT Paper 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Candidates are advised to carry their admit card and valid ID proof and follow all instructions mentioned in the official UPSC guidelines.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2025

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CSE Exam 2025

To appear for the Civil Services Exam 2025 Prelims, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • Age Limit: 21 to 32 years (general category), with relaxation for reserved categories.
  • Attempts: General category candidates can attempt the exam six times, while the limit varies for other categories.

Exam Pattern of IAS Prelims 2025

Understanding the UPSC exam pattern is crucial for success. Exam patterns will also help candidates to strategize their preparation. Here’s a quick overview:

Paper Total Marks Questions Negative Marking Nature
General Studies Paper I 200 100 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question Marks considered for qualifying for mains
General Studies Paper II (CSAT) 200 80 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question Candidates must score at least 33%

Syllabus for UPSC Prelims 2025

The syllabus for the UPSC Prelims 2025 is vast but can be broadly categorized as follows:

  • General Studies Paper I:
    • History: Ancient, Medieval, Modern History, and the Indian Freedom Movement.
    • Geography: Physical, Human, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
    • Polity: Indian Constitution, Political System, and Governance.
    • Economy: Economic Development, Poverty, and Sustainable Development.
    • Environment: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Environmental Policies.
    • Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance.
  • General Studies Paper II (CSAT):
    • Comprehension and Interpersonal Skills
    • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
    • Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Exam Centre

How to Prepare for Civil Services Exam 2025 Prelims?

UPSC Prelims according to the official date announced by UPSC is not far. So here are some preparation tips for the IAS Prelims 2025, which requires a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you:

  • Understand the Syllabus: The first step is to thoroughly understand the syllabus. This will help you focus on relevant topics.
  • Create a Study Plan: Devote 6-8 hours daily to study. Divide your time between General Studies and CSAT.
  • Refer to Standard Books: Books like NCERTs, Laxmikanth’s “Indian Polity,” and Spectrum’s “Modern History” are essential for clearing the UPSC CSE 2025.
  • Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express and follow monthly current affairs magazines.
  • Practice Mock Tests: Mock tests help you identify your weak areas and improve time management.
  • Revise Regularly: Regular revision is the key to retaining information and improving accuracy.

Important Dates for UPSC Prelims 2025

UPSC Prelims have several stages of the exam and several important dates related to it. So let us look at some important dates related to UPSC Prelims 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2025 Important Dates

Notification Release 22 January 2025
Last Date for Receipt of Applications 21 February 2025 (Extended)
Date of commencement of Exam 25 May 2025

Best Books for IAS Prelims 2025

To help candidates to UPSC Prelims 2025 exam here is a list of recommended books for the UPSC Prelims 2025:

  • History: “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
  • Polity: “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
  • Geography: NCERTs and “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong
  • Economy: “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
  • Environment: Shankar IAS Environment Book

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Civil Services Exam 2025 Prelims

During preparation candidates face many challenges whether it is guidance, content, mentorship, or relevant content, and due to this candidates commit some mistakes that hamper their performance in UPSC Prelims 2025. Here are few common mistakes that candidates should avoid while preparing for UPSC Prelims 2025.

  • Ignoring CSAT: Many aspirants underestimate the CSAT paper, leading to disqualification.
  • Skipping Mock Tests: Mock tests are crucial for exam readiness.
  • Overemphasis on One Subject: Balance your preparation across all subjects.
  • Not Revising: Regular revision is necessary to retain what you study.

What is after clearing UPSC Prelims 2025?

Clearing the UPSC Prelims 2025 opens the gateway to the next stage, the Mains exam. It brings you closer to a prestigious career in the Civil Services, where you can contribute to nation-building and policymaking.

UPSC Prelims 2025 FAQs

The UPSC 2025 application process is currently open, and the last date to apply has been extended to February 18, 2025, until 6 PM. Candidates can submit their applications online through the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in.

 You can apply online for the UPSC 2025 exam on the official UPSC website, www.upsc.gov.in. Follow the instructions carefully while filling out the form.

Candidates with a bachelor's degree from a recognized university can apply. They must be within the age limit (21-32 years for the unreserved category) as of 1st August 2025. Relaxations in age are available for reserved categories.

The number of attempts varies by category: General category candidates get 6 attempts, OBC candidates get 9 attempts, and SC/ST candidates have unlimited attempts till the age limit. These limits apply only to candidates meeting the eligibility criteria.

The age limit for General category candidates is 21 to 32 years as of 1st August 2025. Relaxations are provided: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and additional relaxations for specific groups like PwBD.


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The UPSC Civil Services Exam has three parts:

  • Prelims: It has two papers: General Studies and CSAT.
  • Mains: It has nine papers, including essays and optional subjects.
  • Interview: It tests the personality and confidence of the student.

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