UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date Out, Check Timetable and Schedule
UPSC Mains Exam Date 2025 has been released by the commission and is scheduled for 22 August 2025 onwards. UPSC Mains 2025 will consist of nine descriptive-type papers worth 1750 marks.
Deeksha Dixit14 Jun, 2025
Share
UPSC Mains 2025 exam date has been announced. According to the official calendar, the UPSC Mains 2025 exam cycle will begin on 22nd August and continue for one week. IAS Mains is the third stage of the Civil Services Examination and is considered for making the merit list.
The UPSC Mains 2025 is the most important stage due to the significant weight of 1750 marks in the final merit list. Read about the exam date, eligibility criteria, syllabus, pattern, and the upcoming UPSC Mains 2025 exam.
UPSC Mains 2025
UPSC Mains exam, conducted after the prelims, is the second stage of the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Candidates who qualify the prelims, typically 12-13 times the number of vacancies, advance to this stage. The Mains consists of nine descriptive-type papers testing candidates' knowledge and writing skills. Unlike the prelims, which are purely qualifying, the marks obtained in the Mains count towards the final merit list. With a total score of 1750, the Mains plays a crucial role in determining success, making comprehensive preparation essential for candidates aiming for prestigious services like IAS or IPS.UPSC Mains Exam Date 2025
UPSC Mains is the second phase of the selection process. Candidates who qualify for the UPSC Prelims are eligible for this stage. The commission has released the UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date on its official calendar. The Exam is scheduled for 22nd August 2025. UPSC Mains 2025 schedule will be announced one or two months before the Exam starts. Here are some major dates related to the UPSC CSE Exam:| UPSC Mains 2025 Date | |
| Events | Dates |
| UPSC Prelims 2025 | 25 May 2025 |
| UPSC Prelims Results | June 2025 |
| UPSC Mains Date Notification | After UPSC Prelims Result |
| UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date | 22 August 2025 |
| UPSC Mains Result Date | To be announced |
Who Can Apply For UPSC Mains?
The main eligibility criteria to apply for the UPSC Mains exam is to clear the UPSC prelims. Only those candidates who score minimum qualifying marks in GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2 of the UPSC prelims are eligible to apply for the UPSC Mains 2025 exam through the DAF application form.UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025
The UPSC admit card for the Mains exam is released separately, and candidates cannot use the preliminary admit card for the Mains exam. The UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025 will be available online, and candidates must download it from the official website using their roll number and date of birth. The admit card will contain important details such as the exam shifts, exam centre address, paper codes, and other relevant information.How to Fill DAF for UPSC Mains Exam?
The full form of UPSC Mains DAF is the Detailed Application Form, which is released a few days after the preliminary results. Candidates shortlisted for the UPSC Mains are required to fill out DAF 1, also known as UPSC Mains DAF. The form includes personal, educational, and professional details.- Step 1: Go to the official website of UPSC at https://upsconline.nic.in/.
- Step 2: Open the link to the UPSC DAF 1 form for the main exam.
- Step 3: There will be a total of six parts to the UPSC Mains DAF, which include personal information, educational information, parental information, employment information, uploaded documents, and final submission (fee payment).
- Step 4: Fill each module correctly as no information will be allowed to be edited after final submission.
- Step 5: There will be certain pre-filled fields based on the UPSC prelims application form that cannot be edited. Candidates should verify details and pay an application fee of INR 200 before final submission.
- Step 6: Download and keep a copy of DAF 1 for future reference.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC exam pattern will be outlined in the official notification. Candidates must appear for nine papers in total. Of these, seven papers are considered for the final merit list, while two compulsory language papers are qualifying in nature, each worth 300 marks. Here is the exam pattern for UPSC Mains 2025 based on the previous year:- The exam is conducted in two shifts:
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Shift 2: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
- The duration of each paper is 3 hours.
- The passing marks for Paper A and Paper B are 25%.
- If a candidate fails to clear Paper A or Paper B, their other papers will not be evaluated.
| UPSC Mains Pattern | ||
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks |
| Paper A | Compulsory Indian Language of 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution | 300 Marks |
| Paper B | English Language | 300 Marks |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 Marks |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 Marks |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 Marks |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 Marks |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 Marks |
| Paper VI | Optional Paper I | 250 Marks |
| Paper VII | Optional Paper II | 250 Marks |
| Total | 1750 Marks + 275 Marks of Interview = 2025 | |
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
Knowing the UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 is crucial for performing well in this stage. UPSC will release a detailed syllabus for the Mains exam in the official notification. Candidates are strongly advised to thoroughly review the UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 for each subject. Below is an overview of the syllabus for the upcoming exam:- The Essay paper has no fixed syllabus ; candidates are required to write two essays on topics provided in the question paper.
- The syllabus for compulsory papers covers topics up to the metric level.
- The syllabus for the four General Studies (GS) papers requires a general understanding of the topics.
- The syllabus for the optional paper consists of graduate-level topics.
| Paper | Name of Paper | Topic wise UPSC Mains Syllabus |
| Paper A | Indian Languages | Compulsory Indian Language of 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution:
|
| Paper B | English Language |
|
| Paper I | Essay | Candidate can choose to write two essays in a medium of their choice by concisely arranging their ideas in an orderly fashion. |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude |
| Paper VI | Optional Paper I | Subject-specific syllabus |
| Paper VII | Optional Paper II | Subject-specific syllabus |
UPSC Mains Previous Question Papers
Solving the UPSC Mains 2024 question paper and other past papers will give you insight into the type of questions asked and the expected level of detail in your answers. To perform well in the exam candidates must solve at least the last 10 years of UPSC Mains question papers PDF. Here are link to access subject wise solved GS papers and understand the demand of questions:| Subject Wise UPSC Mains Previous Year GS Papers | ||
| Paper | Subject | PDF Link |
| GS I | Modern History | Click Here |
| Art and Culture | Click Here | |
| Medieval History | Click Here | |
| World History | Click Here | |
| Post-Independence India | Click Here | |
| Indian Society | Click Here | |
| Geography | Click Here | |
| GS II | Indian Polity | Click Here |
| Governance | Click Here | |
| International Relations | Click Here | |
| Social Justice | Click Here | |
| GS III | Indian Economy | Click Here |
| Environment | Click Here | |
| Disaster Management | Click Here | |
| Internal Security | Click Here | |
| Science & Technology | Click Here | |
| GS IV | Ethics (Section A) | Click Here |
| Ethics (Section B) | Click Here | |
How to Prepare for UPSC Mains 2025?
Given the importance of the UPSC Mains exam in the final results, aspirants cannot afford to take this stage lightly. Do not leave any stone unturned while preparing for the UPSC Mains 2025 exam, as it could be your ticket to selection. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the UPSC Mains exam:- Create a Study Plan: Go through the syllabus and exam pattern to make a strategy for UPSC Mains. Allocate time for each subject based on your strengths and weaknesses.
- Refer to Standard Books: Read quality study material while preparing for the UPSC Mains. Use trusted sources like NCERTs and PW UPSC books for deeper insights.
- Focus on Answer Writing: Start answer-writing practice from UPSC prelims preparation days itself. Practice writing answers daily to improve speed and clarity.
- Stay Updated: Since current affairs are a crucial part of the exam, read a newspaper daily and analyse the news.
- Revise and Practice: Revisit topics multiple times to enhance retention. Enroll in a test series to simulate the exam environment and identify areas of weakness.
- Solve PYQs: Solve UPSC Mains PYQs in exam conditions to find out the scope of improvement. Reach out to mentors whenever needed during UPSC Mains preparation.
UPSC Mains Result 2025
The UPSC Mains result will be announced 2 to 3 months after the exam. Candidates shortlisted for the interview and personal test will be notified on the official website through the UPSC Mains Result PDF. This PDF will mention the names and roll numbers of the candidates who will need to appear for the UPSC interview at the Dholpur house. Candidates whose names appear on the UPSC Mains merit list will need to fill out DAF 2 at the official website.Get ready for the upcoming UPSC exam with PW UPSC Online Courses, Enroll now!
UPSC Mains 2025 FAQs
What is the mains in the UPSC exam?
The UPSC Mains is the second stage of the Civil Services exam, consisting of a total of nine papers.
Is the UPSC Mains exam very tough?
The UPSC Mains is considered tough due to the rigorous exam process and stringent evaluation of question papers. The challenging part is the vast syllabus of the IAS main exam, which makes it difficult to score well in the absence of quality guidance and practice.
Which optional subject is best for the IAS exam?
While candidates usually opt for scoring subjects like sociology, geography, PSIR, etc., the choice of an optional subject should depend on their understanding and interest in a particular subject.
How many compulsory papers are there in the UPSC Mains?
There are two compulsory papers in the UPSC Mains: Paper A and Paper B.
What is exam date for UPSC Mains in 2025?
The exam date for UPSC Mains in 2025 is August 22, 2025.
How to improve answer writing for UPSC Mains 2025?
Practice daily, follow structured formats, and solve previous years' papers to enhance your skills.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with Indiaâs qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.