UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Books
Government Schemes
Topics
NASA Space Missions
ISRO Space Missions
UPSC Mains 2025: Exam Date, Subject Wise Syllabus & Pattern
IMPORTANT LINKS
UPSC Eligibility
UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Previous Year Question Paper
UPSC Books
UPSC Posts List and Salary
UPSC Interview
UPSC Online Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 is OUT! The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 will be conducted from 22nd August, 2025 onwards, that is, 22, 23, 24, 30 and 31 August, 2025. The Mains will stretch for up to 05 days with a total of 02 sessions per day. The Mains is the 2nd stage of the selection process for the UPSC Civil Services Recruitment. Only the candidates who qualify the Prelims are eligible to appear for the IAS Mains Exam. There are a total of 09 descriptive papers in UPSC Mains – two qualifying language papers (English and one Indian language) and seven papers contributing to the final merit. The merit-based papers include one Essay paper, four General Studies papers (GS I–IV), and two papers on an optional subject chosen by the candidate. Each paper will be of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the Mains examination are 1750. Candidates must secure a minimum of 25% in each qualifying paper to have their merit papers evaluated. The Mains examination will be subjective-type, and evaluates a candidate beyond their subject knowledge, assessing their analytical abilities, depth of knowledge, and writing skills across diverse subjects.
In this article, find out everything you must know about the UPSC Mains 2025, including exam date, subject wise syllabus, exam pattern, important topics and previous year trend analysis!
Didn’t qualify the UPSC CSE 2025? Enroll in UPSC Prelims 2026 Test Series by Testbook to start your preparation for the next cycle!
Subjects | PDF Link |
---|---|
Download Free Ancient History Notes PDF Created by UPSC Experts | Download Link |
Grab the Free Economy Notes PDF used by UPSC Aspirants | Download Link |
Get your hands on the most trusted Free UPSC Environmental Notes PDF | Download Link |
Exclusive Free Indian Geography PDF crafted by top mentors | Download Link |
UPSC Toppers’ trusted notes, Now FREE for you. Download the Polity Notes PDF today! | Download Link |
Thousands of UPSC aspirants are already using our FREE UPSC notes. Get World Geography Notes PDF Here | Download Link |
UPSC Mains 2025: Highlights
The UPSC Mains Examination is the 2nd stage of the selection process for the Civil Services Examination. The Mains is conducted in offline mode with subject type papers. The UPSC Mains 2025 is scheduled to be conducted from 22 August, 2025 onwards and will stretch for up to 05 days. Before delving into the details of the UPSC Mains Exam 2025, let us go through quick highlights about the Civil Services Mains in the table below –
UPSC Mains 2025 Highlights |
|
Particulars |
Details |
Exam Name |
UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 |
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Exam Level |
National |
UPSC Mains 2025 Start Date |
August 22, 2025 |
Number of Papers |
9 (7 merit + 2 qualifying) |
Mode of Exam |
Pen & Paper (Offline) |
Medium of Exam |
English / Hindi |
Total Marks (Written Exam) |
1750 (excluding qualifying papers) |
Personality Test Marks |
275 |
Total Marks (Final Merit) |
2025 |
Official Website |
UPSC Mains Exam Date 2025
The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025 is scheduled to commence from August 22, 2025, and will span five consecutive days. UPSC Mains Exam Date was announced along with the UPSC Calendar 2025. Candidates who qualify the Civil Services Prelims conducted on 25th May, 2025 will be appearing for the Mains Exam. After the Prelims Result is out, candidates must fill out the Detailed Application Form-1 to apply for the Mains. Important dates to keep in mind for the UPSC Mains 2025 is provided in the table below for candidates’ reference –
UPSC Mains 2025 Important Dates |
|
Events |
Dates |
UPSC Prelims 2025 |
25th May, 2025 |
UPSC Prelims Results |
11 June, 2025 |
UPSC Mains 2025 Notification |
RELEASED! |
DAF 1 Released |
16 June, 2025 |
Last date to fill out DAF 1 |
25 June, 2025 |
UPSC Mains Admit Card |
August 2025 (Tentative) |
UPSC Mains Exam Date 2025 |
22 August, 2025 |
UPSC Mains Result Date |
To be announced |
UPSC Mains 2025 Schedule & Time Table [Released]
The UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted over a period of 05 days. There will be a total of 09 descriptive papers in the Mains exam, each conducted for a total duration of 3 hours in two sessions per day – Forenoon Session (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and Afternoon Session (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM). Check the detailed Mains Exam Schedule in the table below –
UPSC Mains 2025 Date Sheet |
||
Shift |
Morning Session |
Afternoon Session |
Date (Day) |
9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. |
2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. |
22/8/2025 (Friday) |
Paper-I: Essay |
No Paper |
23/8/2025 (Saturday) |
Paper-II: General Studies-I |
Paper-III: General Studies-II |
24/8/2025 (Sunday) |
Paper-IV: General Studies-III |
Paper-V: General Studies-IV |
Next Weekend |
||
30/8/2025 (Saturday) |
Paper-A: Indian Language |
Paper-B: English |
31/8/2025 (Sunday) |
Paper-VI: Optional Subject-Paper-1 |
Paper-VII: Optional Subject-Paper-2 |
UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF & Exam Pattern 2025
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 is released by the Union Public Service Commission along with the official notification for the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The Mains Exam consists of 9 descriptive papers, out of which –
- Two are qualifying: Paper A (an Indian language from the Eighth Schedule) and Paper B (English), each carrying 300 marks.
- The remaining seven papers contribute to the merit list: Paper I is an Essay (250 marks); Papers II to V are General Studies papers—GS I (Indian Heritage & Culture, History, Geography, Society), GS II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations), GS III (Technology, Economic Development, Environment, Security, Disaster Management), and GS IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude)—each worth 250 marks.
- Papers VI and VII are Optional Subject Papers I and II (250 marks each), chosen from a list of 48 subjects.
- Each paper is of 3 hours duration. The total marks for the written examination are 1750, with an additional 275 marks allocated for the Personality Test (Interview), culminating in a grand total of 2025 marks.
- Candidates must score a minimum of 25% in both qualifying papers; otherwise, their other papers will not be evaluated.
Let us go through the detailed UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2025 in the table below –
UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Pattern |
||
Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Qualifying Papers |
||
Paper A |
One of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution |
300 |
Paper B |
English |
300 |
Merit Based Papers |
||
Paper I |
Essay |
250 |
Paper II |
General Studies I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society) |
250 |
Paper III |
General Studies II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) |
250 |
Paper IV |
General Studies III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management) |
250 |
Paper V |
General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) |
250 |
Paper VI |
Optional Subject Paper I |
250 |
Paper VII |
Optional Subject Paper II |
250 |
Download UPSC Mains Syllabus PDF
UPSC Mains Optional Subject List 2025
In the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2025, candidates are required to select one optional subject, which comprises two papers (Paper VI and Paper VII), each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. Choosing the best optional subject for UPSC plays an important role in determining the final merit. The UPSC offers a diverse list of 48 optional subjects, including 25 core disciplines and 23 literature subjects in various Indian languages and English. The UPSC Optional Subject List is given below –
Core Optional Subjects (25)
- Agriculture\
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Commerce & Accountancy
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & International Relations
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Zoology
Literature Optional Subjects (23)
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
- English
Candidates are advised to choose an optional subject aligning with their academic background, interests, and the availability of study resources. For detailed syllabi and further information, refer to the official UPSC website @upsc.gov.in.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025
The UPSC Mains Syllabus is announced along with the official UPSC notification and is available to download on the official website @upsc.gov.in. As mentioned above, the UPSC Mains 2025 emphasizes on writing skills, analytical clarity, ethical judgment, and domain-specific understanding across nine papers (seven merit-based + two qualifying). It’s essential to master the broad umbrellas—culture, history, polity, economy, ethics, and optional subject knowledge—to score optimally. Check the important umbrella topics from the Mains Syllabus below –
1. Qualifying Papers
- Paper A – Indian Language (min. 25% qualifying marks) Reading Comprehension, précis writing, grammar, essay, and translation skills in any Eighth Schedule language. Minimum 25% marks required .
- Paper B – English (min. 25% qualifying marks) Reading comprehension, précis, grammar usage, short essay writing, and summary abilities.
2. Paper I – Essay [250 marks]
Two essays on diverse themes such as society, polity, ethics, economy, culture, environment, technology, and international affairs. This paper tests analytical thinking, coherence, and structured expression .
3. Paper II – General Studies I [250 marks]
Focus – Indian Heritage and Culture; Modern Indian and World History; Geography and Societal Dynamics.
Umbrella Topics
- Art, literature, architecture
- Modern Indian history & freedom movement
- World history post-18th century
- Indian society diversity and issues
- Physical and resource geography
4. Paper III – General Studies II [250 marks]
Focus – Governance, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
Umbrella Topics
- Indian Constitution and evolution
- Federalism, Centre-State relations
- Legislature, executive, judiciary frameworks
- Mechanisms of accountability
- Welfare schemes and social justice
- India's foreign relations and global institutions .
5. Paper IV – General Studies III [250 marks]
Focus – Economy, Technology, Environment, Security, Disaster Management.
Umbrella Topics
- Indian economy and planning
- Agriculture, resources, infrastructure
- Science, tech & biodiversity
- Internal security and disaster planning
6. Paper V – General Studies IV (250 marks)
Focus – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Umbrella Topics
- Moral thinkers and philosophical ethics
- Public service values and dilemmas
- Probity, accountability, transparency
- Case studies in governance and corporate ethics .
7. Papers VI & VII – Optional Subject [250 marks each]
Candidates choose one optional discipline from a list of 48 Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains. Each paper will have questions based on the subject’s core academic frameworks and methodologies specific to that field.
Also check – UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers!
How to Prepare for UPSC IAS Mains 2025?
Effective preparation for the UPSC IAS Mains involves structured planning, utmost understanding of the syllabus, and persistent practice. Here are the key steps:
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus. Start by studying the pattern as well as the syllabus of the Mains exam.
- Build a Strong Foundation with NCERTs. Start by reading from NCERT books for UPSC Exam, from class VI to XII to create a conceptual base for various subjects.
- Refer Standard Books. Use advanced books such as Laxmikant for Polity, Bipan Chandra for Modern History, and Ramesh Singh for Economics.
- Make a habit to read Daily Current Affairs for UPSC. Read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express and monthly magazines such as Yojana and Kurukshetra regularly.
- Practice Answer Writing. Let writing detailed answers become a habit within the allotted time frame. Enroll in test series to simulate the examination conditions.
- Revision and Self-Assessment. Revise and assess your knowledge periodically. Identify the weak areas and adjust your preparation strategy accordingly.
Key Focus Areas of Different Subjects in UPSC Mains 2025
For UPSC Mains 2025, the candidates should concentrate on specific areas under each subject. For General Studies I, candidates need to focus on historical events, cultural heritage, and the pattern of transition in society. General Studies II entails understanding the Indian Constitution, governance frameworks, and international relations. General Studies III demands knowledge of economic policies, science and technology, and internal security issues. General Studies IV focuses on ethics, integrity, and practical case studies. The mastery of these areas will help to yield high scores.
Go through the complete UPSC Optional Subject Preparation Strategy for upcoming Mains 2025 Exam!
Important NCERT Notes to Prepare for UPSC Mains 2025
NCERT notes play a vital role in preparation for Mains, as it provides adequate clarity on the basic ideas. Key topics to be covered would include Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India from history. Geography is divided into physical and human geography. From the polity perspective, this should include the Indian Constitution and its body-related governance. Under economics, basic principles and currently functional policies should be reflected. For science, technological advances and environmental science should be covered. Revision of NCERTs in detail sets up your conceptual foundation.
UPSC NCERT Notes for UPSC Exam Preparation
UPSC NCERT Notes for Ancient Indian History
UPSC NCERT Notes for Medieval Indian History
UPSC NCERT Notes for Modern Indian History
UPSC NCERT Notes for Art & Culture
UPSC Mains Study Material for IAS Preparation
Quality study material is the basis for effective preparation for UPSC Mains. Some essentials like NCERT books, standard textbooks such as Laxmikanth on Polity, Bipan Chandra on History, and Ramesh Singh on Economics should be referred. Government publications, Yojana, Kurukshetra, and daily newspapers are current affairs materials that can be referred to. Some good test series and notes from toppers will always help. Study material guarantees complete coverage of the syllabus.
UPSC Notes for General Studies Papers |
|
UPSC Notes for Optional Subjects |
|
Know the Best Current Affairs Magazine for UPSC Exam Preparation!
Best Books For UPSC Mains 2025
A focused preparation for UPSC Mains demands high‑quality standard texts that comprehensively cover syllabus areas—History, Polity, Economy, Ethics, Science & Tech, Environment, and GS Paper topics. These books are frequently endorsed by toppers and coaching institutions for their clarity, depth, and alignment with UPSC requirements. Check the UPSC Mains Booklist –
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
- Introduction to the Constitution of India – D.D. Basu
- Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
- Economic Survey (latest)
- India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
- History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra
- India after Independence – Bipan Chandra or similar
- Indian Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
- Geography of India – Khullar or Majid Hussain
- Science & Technology – Ravi P. Agrahari
- Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – Subba Rao & P.N. Roy Chowdhury
- Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude – Lexicon variant (Niraj Kumar or Rao)
These selections are based on expert recommendations and are complemented by NCERTs, current affairs magazines, and official documents like Economic Survey and ARC reports. A balanced mix of depth and breadth is key—stick to 1–2 books per subject and revise effectively.
Previous Year Trend Analysis for UPSC IAS Mains [2024-2019]
Trend analysis of previous years’ UPSC Mains papers reveals shifts in topic emphasis and question patterns. Identifying frequently asked topics and changing focus areas, such as increased questions on environmental issues or social justice, helps candidates tailor their preparation. This strategic approach ensures alignment with the examination trends and enhances preparation efficiency.
Subject-Wise Weightage of Questions asked in UPSC Mains GS Papers |
||||||
Year |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 |
||||||
History |
6 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
Geography |
7 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Art & Culture |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
Indian Society |
5 |
6 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
10 |
UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 |
||||||
Polity |
10 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
Governance |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
Social Justice |
4 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
International Relations |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 |
||||||
Economics |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Agriculture |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Science & Technology |
6 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
Internal Security |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Environment |
2 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 |
||||||
Basic Theory |
13 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
Family and Society |
4 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
|
Public Administration |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Case Studies |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers [2024-2020]
UPSC Mains question papers are indispensable to unravel the pattern of the examination and the level of difficulty. Solving these question papers helps in identification of areas of importance, helps manage time, and makes answer writing refined. It leaves behind a confidence and prepares candidates for various types of questions anticipated with UPSC Mains 2025. Practice the following UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers to check your preparation progress –
UPSC Mains 2024 Question Papers |
|
UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers |
|
UPSC Mains 2022 Question Papers |
|
UPSC Mains Admit Card 2025
The UPSC Admit Card 2025 for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 admit cards will be released online in early to mid-August 2025, typically 2–3 weeks before the exam starts on August 22, 2025. Candidates who cleared the CSE Prelims Result must log into the official UPSC portal at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in using their registration number/roll number and date of birth to download and print the e-admit card. The admit card contains essential information such as candidate name, roll number, exam centre, date, shift timings, and exam day instructions. It is mandatory to carry the printed admit card and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID) to the exam centre. Aspirants are advised to verify all details immediately upon downloading and to reach the centre well before reporting time.
UPSC Mains Result 2025
The UPSC Mains Examination, held from August 22–31, 2025, will have its result (roll‑number list) published in November 2025 as per previous year trends. The result, released as a PDF on the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in, will list candidates qualifying for the Personality Test/Interview. Historically, around 14,000–15,000 candidates make it to the Mains, with approximately 2,800–3,000 candidates advancing to the final UPSC Interview. Detailed marksheet and final merit lists are disclosed after the interview phase, which is expected to conclude by April, 2026, with the final result and UPSC Cut Off released around April 22, 2025, for the previous cycle. Candidates should monitor upsc.gov.in for official updates and download the PDF result promptly when available.
Estimate your Prelims Marks with UPSC Marks Calculator & UPSC Negative Marking Calculator.
Clearing the UPSC Mains examination successfully is not very difficult if a candidate adopts a comprehensive and strategic approach. Focusing on specific areas of each subject, thereby completely revising the essential concepts with quality study material, helps in building a strong foundation. This preparation is reinforced by solving previous year question papers and staying abreast of new trends, making the candidate well-equipped for the challenges posed by the exam. Through dedicated effort, systematic study, and a clear focus on these key areas, aspirants stand a good chance of coming out successful in UPSC Mains 2025 and a step closer to achieving their goal for joining Indian administrative services.
We hope you found this article on UPSC Syllabus 2025 to be useful for your exam preparation! Download the Testbook App now to get last-minute preparation tips and best-in-class study materials, test series and expert coaching for IAS Preparation!
Related Articles – |
|
UPSC Mains 2025 FAQs
When will the UPSC Mains result 2025 be declared?
UPSC Mains result 2025 is usually released a few months after the exam, probably in December or January.
What are the subjects in UPSC Mains?
UPSC Mains subjects consist of four General Studies papers and one Essay paper as well as two papers on the optional subject chosen by the candidate besides two qualifying language papers.
What is the total marks in UPSC Mains?
The total marks for UPSC Mains are 1750, excluding the 300 marks for the qualifying language papers, which are not counted in the final ranking.
What is the UPSC Mains syllabus?
UPSC Mains syllabus covers subjects such as General Studies-four papers, Essay, and optional subjects-two papers. Along with these, the syllabus includes qualifying papers in English and a regional language.
Where can I find the UPSC Mains question paper?
UPSC Mains question papers are released on the main official website of UPSC and also on all the study portals.