Physics Wallah

UPSC Mains 2025 Result, Cut Off, Syllabus and Pattern

UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now accessible at upsc.gov.in, the official website. Check out the name-by-name list and download the UPSC Mains Result 2025 PDF and what after Mains result.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit25 Nov, 2025
Share

Share

UPSC Mains 2024

UPSC Mains 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the UPSC Mains Result 2025 on November 11, 2025. The official result PDF allows candidates who took the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 to check their names and roll numbers. As it selects applicants for the Personality Test (Interview) round, the Mains result is one of the most awaited phases of the UPSC selection process. The link to download the result PDF is provided below in the article, as the official authorities have issued the results.

UPSC Mains Result 2025 (Out)

The UPSC Mains Result 2025 was declared on November 11, 2025, for those who took the exam. The Mains exam took place from August 22 to August 31, 2025. The roll numbers of applicants who qualify for the interview stage are shown in the result. It is accessible on the UPSC website in PDF format. Candidates should download and go over their results.

UPSC Mains Result 2025 PDF

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 Important 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 Exam was scheduled for 23, 24, 30 and 31 August 2025. 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 23, 24, 30 and 31 August 2025
 UPSC Mains Result 2025 Date 11th November 2025

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.  
Roughly 12 to 13 times, candidates are shortlisted for the UPSC Mains exam according to the number of vacancies available in each category. For example, around 14627 candidates were shortlisted in the UPSC Mains 2024 result as against 1056 vacancies. 

UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025

The UPSC admit card for the Mains exam was released separately, and candidates cannot use the preliminary admit card for the Mains exam. The UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025 was available online, and candidates must download it from the official website using their roll number and date of birth. The admit card contains 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.
At this stage, candidates must upload scanned copies of all relevant documents, which will be verified by the authorities.  Here are the steps to fill out the UPSC DAF 1 for the UPSC Mains exam:
  • 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. 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:
  • Comprehension
  • Translation (English to the Indian Language and vice-versa)
  • Precise Writing
  • Short Essays
  • Usage and Vocabulary
Paper B English Language
  • Comprehension
  • Precise Writing
  • Usage and Vocabulary
  • Short Essays
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.

What to do After UPSC Mains Result 2025?

Candidates who pass the UPSC Mains Result 2025 will proceed to the last round, the Personality Test (Interview). A candidate's personality, decision-making abilities, communication skills, and knowledge of current events and administrative difficulties are all evaluated at this level.

  • Interview Call Letter: UPSC releases e-summon letters for interviews on its website.
  • Verification of Documents: Original documents and certifications are required for verification.
  • Interview Scores: The interview carries 275 marks, plus the Mains written score (1750 marks).
  • Final Merit List: The final list is created using the totals of the Mains and Interview scores (2025 marks total).

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 23, 24, 30, and 31.

How to improve answer writing for UPSC Mains 2025?

Practice daily, follow structured formats, and solve previous years' papers to enhance your skills.
Free Learning Resources
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 India’s 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.