UPSC CSE is a competitive examination held across our country; it is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) to recruit some of the finest candidates eligible for various Civil Services posts in India. The conducting body UPSC is India's central recruitment agency for candidates willing to serve the Nation as government public servants. UPSC is one of the mandated agencies in our constitution for candidate recruitment in Unions and All India Services. Since UPSC is mandated in the constitution and one of the institutions that function with autonomy, it holds a vital role in the appointment, promotion, and transfer of candidates who the Government counsels.
For UPSC Exam 2025 Official Notification: www.upsc.gov.in
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is generally held to recruit citizens who can be trained to serve in All India Services (IAS, IPS, and IFS) and other Central Services. The Civil Services exam is conducted every year, and it has been going on since the British era when it was referred to as the Imperial Civil Service test. It is considered one of the most competitive and most challenging exams in India. The average number of applications received by UPSC ranges from 9 lakh to 11 lakh candidates, and it obtains the most prestigious and coveted positions in the Government of India. You will require sheer dedication and years of preparation to crack the Civil Services Exam and gain glory.
The UPSC Civil Service examination is broadly categorized into 'Group A' and 'Group B,' whose recruitments are done through various civil services examinations. Generally, the President of India's appointment of 'Group A' candidates is made, whereas the exams for Group B are conducted by the SSC (Staff Selection Commission) and are appointed by authorities specified by the President of India in a generalized order. The list of services in ‘Group A’ and ‘Group B’ services are specified below:
| Post Group | Post Name |
| All India Services |
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Indian Police Service (IPS) | |
| Group ‘A’ Services |
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) |
| Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) | |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) | |
| Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) | |
| Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) | |
| Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) | |
| Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) | |
| Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) | |
| Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) | |
| Indian Information Service (IIS) | |
| Indian Postal Service (IPoS) | |
| Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) |
|
| Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) | |
| Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) | |
| Indian Railway Protection Force Service (RPF) | |
| Indian Communication Finance Services (ICFS) |
|
| Indian Trade Service (Grade III) | |
| Group ‘B’ |
Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service (Section Officer’s Grade) |
| Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS) | |
| Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS) | |
| Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS) | |
| Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS) |
Key highlights of UPSC exam dates and the schedule for 2025 have been provided below:
| Date of Notification | 22nd JAN 2025 |
|---|---|
| Last date for applications | 11th FEB 2025 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 25th MAY 2025 |
| Duration of the exam (Prelims) | 1 day |
| Mains Exam Date | 22nd AUG 2025 |
| Interview Date | To be announced |
| Tentative Result Date | To be announced |
There are certain guidelines and eligibility criteria set by the UPSC, which have to be thoroughly followed by a candidate to qualify to appear for the Civil Services exam. The eligibility criteria are generally categorized based on nationality, age, number of attempts, and educational candidates. To check certain relaxations and specific eligibility criteria, follow the table below:
| Criteria | Eligibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age |
21-32 years Age Relaxations for specific categories
|
Before filling up the form, the candidates must go through the eligibility criteria given on the website and follow them diligently to avoid getting debarred from the examination. The UPSC forms are non-editable, and the candidates must fill in the details correctly in the form. At the same time, the last date for the withdrawal of the application is 11th Feb 2025.
For a new registration, applicants are required to visit the official website of UPSC: Click Here
After filling in the application form's basic information, the candidates will be asked to upload certain documents such as signature, photograph, and photo I.D. card. Completion of all the requirements will then lead the candidate to the payment portal.
Applicants can pay the fees in online and offline mode.
Online mode: Payment can be made through the payment gateway that will be provided on the website.
Offline mode: The candidates who are willing to pay the application fees through cash must visit the official website and visit the section of Applicants who opt for 'Pay by Cash' Mode, which will generate a slip. The generated slip is then supposed to be deposited at any nearby SBI branch by paying cash to complete the registration process.
| Category | Preliminary Exam Fee | Mains Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General/ OBC | Rs 100 | Rs 200 |
| Females/ SC/ ST/ Persons with Benchmark Disability | Nil | Nil |
