UPSC Exam Pattern 2025: IAS Prelims & Mains Exam Pattern

UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of India’s most prestigious and challenging exams. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a limited number of seats in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other civil services. In my opinion, this exam becomes more famous after the 12th pass. Joke apart but to succeed, knowing the UPSC Exam Pattern 2025 is crucial before applying for the UPSC exam. We will break down the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages in simple terms, helping you strategize effectively.

UPSC CSE Structure 

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is a multi-stage process that tests candidates in different skills and knowledge areas. It is divided into three main stages:

1. Preliminary Examination (Prelims)

2. Main Examination (Mains)

3. Personality Test (Interview)

Don't judge because each stage is crucial, we go into details primarily focusing on the first two stages: the Prelims and Mains exam patterns for 2025.

Features of the UPSC Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

The Preliminary Examination is the first hurdle that candidates must clear. Its primary purpose is to filter out candidates for the subsequent, more detailed stages of the exam. Here’s a detailed look at the components of the Prelims:

1. General Studies (GS) Paper

Type of Questions: Objective, multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

• Number of Questions: 100 questions

• Total Marks: 200 marks

• Time Duration: 2 hours (typically held in the morning session)

• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer is awarded 2 marks. However, for every incorrect answer, a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to that question (approximately 0.66 marks) is deducted.

2. CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) Paper

Type of Questions: Objective, multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

• Number of Questions: 80 questions

• Total Marks: 200 marks

• Time Duration: 2 hours (usually held in the afternoon session)

• Marking Scheme: Similar to the GS paper, each correct answer is awarded marks (typically around 2.5 marks per question), while incorrect answers incur a negative marking penalty (approximately 0.83 marks deducted per wrong answer).

Negative Marking in Prelims

Negative marking is a crucial aspect of the Prelims exam. Its primary purpose is to discourage random guessing and ensure that candidates answer only when they are reasonably sure about the correct option. In the General Studies paper, the penalty is set at 1/3 of the marks assigned per question, and in the CSAT paper, the deduction is slightly higher per question. 

Check Out: UPSC Prelims Wallah Q & A Bank Combo Set of 9 Books

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025

Once a candidate clears the Preliminary Examination, they move on to the Mains, which is a descriptive test that checks the candidate’s writing skills, analytical abilities, and depth of knowledge. The Mains stage is more detailed and plays an important role for the final merit.

Structure of the Mains Exam

The Mains exam consists of a total of 9 papers, which can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Qualifying Papers:

• Paper A – Indian Language: This is a compulsory paper where candidates must choose one of the designated Indian languages. It is of a qualifying nature, meaning candidates need to score at least 25% of the total marks (75 out of 300), but these marks are not counted towards the final merit.

• Paper B – English: Like Paper A, this paper is also qualifying and carries the same weightage and qualifying criteria.

2. Papers that Count Towards the Final Merit:

• Paper 1 – Essay: Candidates are required to write an essay on a topic that tests their ability to express ideas in a structured manner.

• Papers 2 to 5 – General Studies Papers: These papers cover a broad range of topics from Indian heritage and culture, history, geography, economics, polity, governance, technology, environment, and current affairs. Each paper is designed to test the candidate's understanding and analytical skills in different subject areas.

• Papers 6 and 7 – Optional Subjects: Candidates choose one optional subject from a list of 48 subjects available. Each optional subject is tested in two papers. These papers allow candidates to showcase their expertise in a specific field.

Detailed Breakdown

Total Marks: The Mains exam carries a total of 1750 marks.

• The qualifying language papers (Paper A and B) are of 300 marks in total.

• The remaining papers (Essay, GS papers, and Optional subjects) each carry 250 marks.

• Duration: Each paper in the Mains exam is allotted 3 hours.

• Nature of Questions: All questions in the Mains exam are descriptive. Candidates are expected to write detailed answers, construct arguments, and present their viewpoints in a structured and coherent manner.

• No Negative Marking: Unlike the Prelims, there is no negative marking in the Mains exam. This allows candidates to express their knowledge freely without the fear of penalties for wrong answers.

Tips for Tackling the Mains

• Practice Descriptive Writing: Since all answers in the Mains are written, practice crafting structured essays and answers that are clear, concise, and readable.

• Time Management: With 3 hours per paper, planning your answer structure before you start writing is crucial. Allocate time for planning, writing, and revising.

• Answer Relevance: Focus on answering the question directly. Ensure that your answers address the question’s requirements, backed by relevant examples and case studies.

• Revision: complexity of the syllabus, regular revision is only key to retaining and effectively applying your knowledge during the exam.

Check Out: UPSC Mains Wallah Q & A Bank General Studies Papers Combo Set of 4 Books

Language Papers (A-Indian & B- English)  

  - Choose from 22 Indian languages listed in the Constitution.  

  - Test comprehension, précis writing, translation, and grammar.  

  - Qualifying Only: Need 25% (75/300) to pass. Marks don’t count toward final ranking.  

The language papers typically include sections such as:

• Essay writing

• Comprehension passages

• Precis writing

• Translation

• Grammar-based questions

- Essay Paper: Write two essays (1,000–1,200 words each) on topics like society, technology, or philosophy.  

- General Studies (GS) Papers:  

  - GS-I: Heritage, geography, and societal issues.  

  - GS-II: Constitution, governance, international relations.  

  - GS-III: Economy, agriculture, environment, security.  

  - GS-IV: Ethics, integrity, case studies.  

- Optional Subjects:  

  - Choose one subject from 48 options (e.g., Public Administration, Sociology, Geography).  

  - Two papers (250 marks each) with in-depth questions.  List of Some Optional Subjects Include:

• Humanities: History, Geography, Political Science and International Relations, Philosophy, Public Administration, etc.

• Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, etc.

• Others: Sociology, Anthropology, and more

Tip: Focus on answer-writing practice; use diagrams and examples to score higher.  

Strategic Preparation with Exam Pattern 

Getting to know the exam pattern is super important! It’s about more than just the number of questions or the marking scheme. This understanding really helps you craft a solid study plan. Here are some friendly tips on how to make the most of this information:

For Prelims:

Focus on Accuracy: With negative marking, focus on accuracy when practicing questions. Only attempt them when you're confident.

Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: Make it a habit to practice with mock tests and tackle previous year question papers! This way, you'll get used to the exam format and find it much easier to manage your time. Happy studying!.

Time Management: With only 2 hours for each paper, time management is important. Practice answering questions within the set time limits.

For Mains:

Build Writing Skills: Since the exam is descriptive, structure your answers logically. Practice writing essays to improve speed and clarity.

Depth of Knowledge: Unlike the Prelims, the Mains are all about giving detailed answers. Take your time to really understand the concepts instead of just skimming through the topics. You'll feel much more confident that way.

Balanced Preparation: It’s super important to give your General Studies and Essay papers some thorough attention, but don’t forget to spend quality time on your optional subjects too. Try to make a balanced study plan that divides your time based on how much each paper counts and how comfortable you feel with each subject. 

Books to Follow

To clear your UPSC you need strategic planning but it is not complete with the right books. So we mentioned books that is help you to make your dreams come true.

UPSC Exam Pattern for IAS in 2025 is To succeed in the IAS exam, which has a two-tier structure of Prelims and Mains followed by an interview, you need a structured plan and disciplined preparation. Understand the details, like negative marking in the Prelims and descriptive questions in the Mains, to strategize your study time effectively. By breaking down the exam pattern into manageable sections, you can identify areas needing improvement and refine your preparation strategy. While the journey may be tough, a solid understanding of the exam pattern can turn challenges into pathways to success.

Read More: UPSC Syllabus 2025, IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus

UPSC Exam Pattern FAQs

1. What is the mode of examination for UPSC CSE 2025?

   The entire exam is conducted offline. Both the Prelims and Mains are written tests on paper.

2. What is the total mark distribution for the UPSC Prelims?

   UPSC Prelims consist of two papers – General Studies (GS) and CSAT – with each paper being 200 marks, summing up to 400 marks in total.

4. Is there negative marking in the UPSC Prelims?

   Yes, negative marking applies in the Prelims. For each wrong answer in the General Studies paper, about 0.66 marks are deducted, and in the CSAT paper, approximately 0.83 marks are deducted.

5. Do the language papers in the Mains count towards the final merit?

   No, the two language papers (Paper A in an Indian language and Paper B in English) are qualifying in nature. Candidates need to secure a minimum of 25% in each, but these marks are not included in the final merit ranking.