UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Schedule Released; Check full time table here

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the timetable for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains 2025. The written examination will take place from 22 August to 31 August 2025. Candidates who have cleared the Preliminary exam and completed the DAF-1 form are eligible to appear for the Mains.

The detailed schedule is available on the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in. Entry to the exam centre will not be allowed without a valid admit card, so candidates are advised to regularly check the official site for updates and notifications.

The Mains exam consists of 9 descriptive papers, all of which must be written in essay format. Out of these:

• Two papers are language-based, one in English and the other in a regional language. These are qualifying in nature and each carries 300 marks.
• Four General Studies papers (Papers II to V) cover a wide range of topics including history, governance, economy, environment, and ethics. Each is worth 250 marks.
• One Essay paper (Paper I) worth 250 marks.
• Two Optional Subject papers (Papers VI and VII), each carrying 250 marks, are based on the subject selected by the candidate.

This brings the total marks for the written examination to 1750. Candidates who qualify the Mains will be called for the Personality Test/Interview, which carries 275 marks, bringing the grand total to 2025 marks.

For the latest updates, exam guidelines, and to download the admit card, candidates should visit the official UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in