UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025: Complete Guide, Important Dates, Eligibility

Total number of vacancies

The total number of vacancies to be filled through the Civil Services Examination is expected to be approximately 979, which includes 38 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category.

• This figure is an approximate number, and the actual number of vacancies may vary.
• The 38 reserved vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disability include:
• 12 vacancies for candidates with locomotor disabilities, including those with leprosy cured or acid attack victims.
• 13 vacancies for candidates with visual impairment.
• 13 vacancies for candidates with hearing impairment.

It’s important to note that these numbers are specific to the Civil Services Examination 2025.

In addition to the Civil Services Examination, there is also a separate Indian Forest Service Examination. The number of vacancies for the Indian Forest Service is expected to be approximately 150. This number is also subject to alteration.

• The Indian Forest Service has 9 reserved vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disability, including backlog vacancies:
• 2 for low vision
• 3 for hard of hearing (including 1 backlog)
• 4 for locomotor disability (including 2 backlog), specifically for leprosy-cured and acid attack victims.

Services and Posts Available Through CSE

• Indian Administrative Service
• Indian Foreign Service
• Indian Police Service
• Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’
• Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’
• Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’
• Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’
• Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’
• Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’
• Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)
• Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’
• Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’
• Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’
• Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

It is worth noting that the number of vacancies to be filled through the examination is approximately 979, including 38 reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.

In addition to these, the Indian Forest Service is also mentioned as a separate examination.

Eligibility Criteria for the Civil Services Examination

The eligibility criteria for the Civil Services Examination and the Indian Forest Service Examination, cover several aspects including nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, number of attempts, and medical/physical standards. Here’s a breakdown:

Nationality

• For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), a candidate must be a citizen of India.
• For other services, a candidate must be either:
• A citizen of India.
• A subject of Nepal.
• A subject of Bhutan.
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, intending to permanently settle.
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from specific countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Candidates from categories (b), (c), (d), and (e) must obtain a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Age Limits

• A candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years on 1st August, 2025.
• The candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1993, and not later than 1st August, 2004.
• Relaxations to the upper age limit are available:
• Up to a maximum of 5 years for Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
• Up to a maximum of 3 years for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates.
• Up to a maximum of 3 years for Defence Services personnel disabled during hostilities.
• Up to a maximum of 5 years for ex-servicemen.
• Up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
• Cumulative age relaxation is available for candidates who fall under multiple categories.
• The term ex-servicemen applies to those as defined by the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979.
• The date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate will be accepted and no subsequent requests for change will be granted.

Minimum Educational Qualification

• A candidate must hold a Graduate degree from a recognized university.
• Candidates appearing for their qualifying examination are also eligible, but they must submit proof of passing before the Interview/Personality Test.
• For the Indian Forest Service, the candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the subjects namely Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry or in Engineering.
• The Commission may, in exceptional cases, treat a candidate without the specified qualifications as eligible if they have passed an examination deemed equivalent.
• Candidates with professional and technical qualifications recognized by the government as equivalent to a professional or technical degree are also eligible.
• For candidates with a medical degree, completion of internship is required.

Number of Attempts

• Every candidate is permitted six attempts at the Civil Services Examination.
• Relaxation in the number of attempts is available to:
• SC/ST candidates: Unlimited attempts.
• OBC candidates: 9 attempts.
• PwBD candidates: 9 attempts for GL/EWS/OBC and Unlimited for SC/ST.
• An attempt is counted if a candidate appears in any one paper of the Preliminary Examination.

Medical and Physical Standards

• Candidates must be physically fit according to the standards in Appendix III of the Examination Rules.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities must meet the physical and medical standards for the services they are allocated.
• The eligibility for availing reservation against vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities shall be the same as prescribed in “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Restrictions on Applying

• A candidate who is appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on the results of an earlier Examination and continues to be a member of that Service will not be eligible to appear at the Civil Services Examination-2025.
• A candidate who has been selected or appointed to the Indian Police Service on the basis of the results of the earlier examination shall not be eligible to opt for or allocated to Indian Police Service on the basis of the result of CSE-2025.

These are the key eligibility criteria for both the Civil Services Examination and the Indian Forest Service Examination. It is crucial for candidates to carefully review all requirements before applying.

The selection process for (CSE) & (IFoS)

The selection process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination involves multiple stages, designed to assess a candidate’s suitability for various government posts. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Preliminary Examination (Screening Test)

• This is the first stage and serves as a screening test. It is common for both CSE and IFoS.
• It consists of two objective-type papers with multiple-choice questions.
• Each paper is worth 200 marks.
• Paper II is a qualifying paper, with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.
• The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted towards the final merit list.
• There is negative marking for incorrect answers. For each wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
• If more than one answer is given, it will be treated as a wrong answer and the same penalty will be applied. If a question is left blank, there is no penalty.
• The number of candidates who qualify for the Main Examination is approximately twelve to thirteen times the total number of vacancies.
• For both CSE and IFoS, a separate list of candidates is prepared based on the Preliminary Examination.
• It is mandatory to appear in both papers of the Preliminary Examination to be considered for evaluation.

Main Examination (Written)

• This is the second stage, consisting of written papers.
• It is for candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination.
• The Main Examination consists of conventional essay-type papers.
• For the Civil Services Examination, the written exam includes:
• Paper I: Essay.
• Paper II to Paper V: General Studies (250 marks each).
• Paper VI and Paper VII: Optional Subject Papers (250 marks each).
• Qualifying papers: Indian Language and English.
• For the Indian Forest Service Examination, the written exam includes:
• Paper I: General English (300 marks)
• Paper II: General Knowledge (300 marks)
• Papers III, IV, V, and VI: Any two optional subjects selected from the given list, with 2 papers for each subject (200 marks each).
• Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying mark in the General Knowledge paper for evaluation of their answer scripts.
• The papers on Indian languages and English are of qualifying nature, and their marks will not be counted for ranking. However, the evaluation of the papers on Essay, General Studies, and Optional Subject will be done only if the candidate attains at least 25% marks in both the Indian Language and English qualifying papers.
• Candidates can answer all the question papers, except for the qualifying language papers, in any language included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or in English.

Interview/Personality Test

• Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination are called for an Interview/Personality Test.
• The number of candidates called for an interview is about twice the number of vacancies to be filled.
• The Interview/Personality Test carries 275 marks for the Civil Services Examination and 300 marks for the Indian Forest Service Examination. There are no minimum qualifying marks for the interview.
• The interview is intended to assess the candidate’s personal suitability for the service. The board focuses on intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, judgment, initiative, leadership ability, and integrity.
• The technique of the interview is a natural conversation, not a strict cross-examination.

Final Ranking

• The final ranking of candidates is based on the total marks obtained in the Main Examination (written part and Interview/Personality Test).
• Candidates are allotted to various services keeping in view their ranks and the preferences they expressed.

Cadre Allocation

• For the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), candidates must indicate their cadre preference.
• Cadre preferences must be indicated as and when asked by the Commission, in the manner prescribed.
• There will be a window provided for taking cadre preference after the declaration of result of Preliminary Examination.
• No change in cadre preference is allowed once submitted, except when specifically provided for updating details/educational qualification status.

Other Important points

• Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria before applying.
• The Commission verifies eligibility with reference to original documents only after a candidate has qualified for the Interview/Personality Test.
• The decision of the Commission regarding a candidate’s eligibility is final.
• Candidates must provide valid and active email IDs, as the Commission may use electronic mode of communication.

In summary, the selection process is a rigorous multi-stage evaluation that includes a preliminary screening test, a comprehensive written examination, and a personality test to identify suitable candidates for the Civil Services and Indian Forest Service.

Applying for Civil Services Examination 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination involves several key steps, primarily conducted online. Here’s a breakdown of the process, drawing from the sources and our conversation history:

1. One-Time Registration (OTR)

• Before applying, all candidates must register on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform on the UPSC website.Click Here To Register
• This OTR is a one-time process and can be done anytime throughout the year.
• If already registered, candidates can directly proceed to fill the online application. Click Here To Login
• Changes to the OTR profile are allowed only once after registration and within a specific window. This window closes seven days after the application window closes for a candidate’s first application for any examination with the Commission. For first time applicants in the 2025 examinations, this window closes on 18.02.2025.
• No changes to the OTR profile can be made through the application form modification window.

2. Online Application Form

• Candidates must fill the online application form through the website.
• The online application form has four parts:
• Part-I: OTR Profile
• Part-II: Application Form
• Part-III: Detailed Application Form (DAF)
• Part-IV: Fee Payment, Photograph, Signature & Examination Centre Selection
• The application process must be completed online only. No other mode of application is allowed.
• Candidates applying for both CSE and IFoS need to apply through a common online application form, indicating their intention to appear for both exams.
• Applicants should avoid submitting multiple applications.

3. Required Documents and Details

• Candidates must have a valid photo ID, such as Aadhaar Card, Voter Card (EPIC), PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, or any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. The details of this ID must be provided in the online application form, and a scanned copy must be uploaded. This ID card is needed for all future references.
• A scanned photograph is required, which should not be older than 10 days from the start of the online application process, and must clearly mention the candidate’s name and the date the photograph was taken.
• The candidate’s face must occupy 3/4th of the space in the photograph.
• The candidate’s appearance must match the photograph at all stages of the exam (Preliminary, Main, and Interview).
• The Commission may use electronic mode of communication such as email to contact candidates during the examination process, so a valid and active email ID is required.
• Candidates should ensure that email addresses ending with “@nic.in” and “@gov.in” are directed to their inbox.

4. Application Window and Deadlines

• The online application window is open from January 22, 2025 to February 11, 2025, until 6:00 PM.
• The online application link will be disabled after this deadline.
• Candidates are strongly advised to apply well before the deadline.

5. Application Modification Window

• A window for making corrections in the submitted application form is available for 7 days after the application window closes. This window will open from February 12, 2025 to February 18, 2025.
• During this period, candidates can modify their application form and their OTR profile through the OTR platform.
• No changes in the OTR profile can be done through the application form modification window.

6. Fee Payment

• A fee of Rs. 100 is required for all candidates, except female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates, who are exempt.
• The fee can be paid online or in cash at any State Bank of India branch.
• If paying by cash, applicants must print a system-generated pay-in-slip during part II registration and deposit the fee at an SBI branch on the next working day only.
• The “Pay by Cash” mode will be deactivated at 11:59 PM on February 10, 2025.
• Applicants who have generated a pay-in-slip before deactivation can pay at an SBI branch on the closing date during banking hours.
• If unable to pay by cash, applicants must use available online payment modes till 6:00 PM on February 11, 2025.
• Applicants who have not received their payment details from the bank will be treated as “fictitious payment cases”. They will be notified via email and have 10 days to submit proof of payment. Failure to do so will result in rejection of their application.
• Applications without the prescribed fee will be summarily rejected unless a fee remission is claimed.

7. Withdrawal of Application

• Withdrawal of applications is not allowed after submission.

8. Special Instructions for Government Employees

• Candidates already in government service must inform their Head of Office/Department that they have applied for the exam.
• If the employer withholds permission, the application will be rejected.

9. Important Notes

• Candidates should carefully decide on their choice of examination center, as changes may not be allowed.
• Candidates should keep a printout or soft copy of their online application for future reference.
• The Commission will not entertain queries about correcting details that are required to be filled up by the candidates.
• The Commission may use electronic modes of communication to contact candidates at different stages of the examination process.

This comprehensive application process ensures that all candidates meet the necessary criteria and provide accurate information before proceeding to the examination stages.

Application Fee

• General Fee:
• The application fee is Rs. 100 (Rupees One Hundred only).
• This fee is applicable to all male candidates belonging to the General, Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories.
• Fee Exemptions:
• Female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee.
• Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) are exempted from paying the application fee.
• Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) are exempted from paying the application fee.
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are also exempted from the application fee.
• OBC/EWS Candidates:
• It is important to note that candidates from the OBC and EWS categories are not eligible for fee exemption and must pay the full prescribed fee.
• Payment Methods:
• The fee can be paid online through various methods, including:
• Net banking.
• Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit cards.
• UPI Payment.
• The fee can also be paid in cash at any branch of the State Bank of India (SBI).
• Applicants choosing the cash payment method need to print a system-generated pay-in-slip during the Part II registration and deposit the fee at an SBI branch on the next working day. The “Pay by Cash” mode will be deactivated at 11:59 PM on February 10, 2025, one day before the closing date. However, those who generated their pay-in-slip before the deactivation can pay at an SBI branch on the closing date during banking hours.
• Applicants unable to pay by cash must use online methods until 6:00 PM on February 11, 2025.
• Fictitious Payment Cases:
• If the payment details are not received from the bank, the application will be treated as a fictitious payment case.
• A list of applicants with fictitious payments will be available on the Commission’s website within two weeks of the last day of application submission.
• These applicants will be notified by email to submit proof of payment within 10 days of the communication.
• Failure to provide proof of payment within the stipulated time will lead to the rejection of the application.
• Fee for Main Examination:
• Candidates who qualify for the Main Examination will be required to pay an additional fee of Rs. 200. This fee also has exemptions for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates.
• Important Notes:
• Applications submitted without the prescribed fee will be summarily rejected, unless a fee remission is claimed.
• Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances and cannot be reserved for any other examination or selection.
• PwBD candidates claiming fee concession must submit a certified copy of their Disability Certificate from a Government Hospital/Medical Board with their application.
• PwBD candidates are only eligible for appointment if they meet the physical and medical standards as prescribed by the Government, despite the fee and age relaxations.

In summary, the application fee is Rs. 100 for most male candidates, with exemptions for female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Payments can be made through various online modes or in cash at SBI branches, with specific deadlines to be aware of.