What is the UPSC Exam Pattern 2025?
The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s gateway to a variety of prestigious government roles, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and more. Although it may look daunting at first glance, understanding its three-stage structure and scoring system will help you set clear goals and plan an effective study strategy.
At its core, the UPSC CSE comprises:
- Preliminary Examination (Prelims) – a 400-mark objective test that serves purely to shortlist candidates for the next stage.
- Main Examination (Mains) – a series of nine descriptive papers totalling 1,750 marks, covering essays, General Studies, optional subjects and language papers.
- Personality Test (Interview) – a 275-mark viva voce that assesses your overall suitability for a career in public service.
In this guide, we’ll break down each stage, explain the marking scheme, and highlight key pointers for effective preparation. By knowing exactly what to expect, you can reduce uncertainty, focus your efforts on high-yield topics and move confidently towards your goal of becoming a civil servant.
| Exam Pattern | Prelims | Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline | Offline |
| Exam Duration | 2 papers of 2 hours each | 9 papers of 3 hours each |
| Type of Paper | Objective | Descriptive |
| Type of Questions | MCQs | Descriptive |
| Total Number of Questions | CSAT: 80 questions GS: 100 questions |
Usually, 20 questions per paper |
| Total Marks | 400 | 1750 |
| Marking Scheme | +2 for correct answer, negative marking of 1/3 of 2 marks | No negative marking |
IAS Exam Pattern for UPSC Prelims
The Preliminary phase of the 2025 IAS examination comprises two objective-type papers: General Studies (Paper I) and CSAT (Paper II).
General Studies (Paper I)
- Number of Questions: 100
- Maximum Marks: 200
- Scoring: Each correct response earns 2 marks, while each incorrect answer incurs a penalty of one-third of the question’s marks.
CSAT (Paper II)
- Number of Questions: 80
- Maximum Marks: 200
- Scoring: Correct answers carry 2 marks each; an incorrect response results in a one-third mark deduction.
Both papers are held on the same day, consist entirely of multiple-choice questions, and together total 400 marks.
| Subjects | Type | No. of questions | Total Marks | Duration | Negative marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies (GS) | Objective | 100 | 200 | 2 hours (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM) | 0.66 Marking |
| CSAT | Objective | 80 | 200 | 2 hours (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM) | 0.83 Marking |
UPSC Prelims Negative Marking Scheme 2025
Below is a detailed breakdown of how penalties are applied for incorrect responses in the two Prelims papers:
General Studies Paper
- Number of Questions: 100
- Marks Awarded per Correct Answer: +2
- Penalty for a Wrong Answer: –0.66 (one-third of 2)
- Multiple Selections: Choosing more than one option is treated as incorrect, incurring the same –0.66 deduction.
CSAT (General Studies Paper–II)
- Number of Questions: 80
- Marks Awarded per Correct Answer: +2.5
- Penalty for a Wrong Answer: –0.83 (one-third of 2.5)
- Multiple Selections: Marking more than one option counts as incorrect, with a –0.83 penalty applied.
This structure encourages accuracy: every wrong or ambiguous answer reduces your total by one-third of the question’s value, while unanswered questions carry no penalty.
| Paper | No. of questions | Total Marks | Negative marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies - I | 100 | 2*100 = 200 | 0.66 Marking |
| General Studies - II (CSAT) | 80 | 2.5*80 = 200 | 0.83 Marking |
IAS Exam Pattern for UPSC Mains
The UPSC Mains differs significantly from the Preliminary stage. Its format includes:
- Number of Papers: There are nine written papers in total, comprising:
- Four General Studies papers
- One Essay paper
- Two language papers
- Two papers on an optional subject
- Total Marks: The Mains carry 1,750 marks overall. The two language papers together account for 300 marks, while each of the remaining seven papers is worth 250 marks.
- Negative Marking: As all papers require descriptive, written responses, there is no negative marking.
| Papers | Subjects | Nature of Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A | Any Indian language (compulsory) | Qualifying (75 Marks required. ie. 25%) | 300 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper B | English | |||
| Paper 1 | Essay | Final Merit (Marks will be counted in the final merit list) | 250 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Studies 1 | |||
| Paper 3 | General Studies 2 | |||
| Paper 4 | General Studies 3 | |||
| Paper 5 | General Studies 4 | |||
| Paper 6 | Optional Paper 1 | |||
| Paper 7 | Optional Paper 2 |
Language & Optional Subjects Exam Pattern
To help you navigate the UPSC Mains requirements for languages and optional subjects, here’s a concise overview of both components, including how they’re structured and what you need to qualify.
Language Papers Pattern
- Number of Papers: Two qualifying papers—English and one Indian language.
- Marks: Each language paper is 300 marks.
- Qualifying Cut-Off: 25% in each paper.
- Paper Composition:
- Essay questions: 100 marks
- Reading comprehension: 60 marks
- Precis writing: 60 marks
- Translation (English ↔ chosen language): 40 marks
- Grammar and usage: 40 marks
Optional Subjects Pattern
- Number of Papers: Two descriptive papers (Paper I and Paper II).
- Marks: Each optional paper carries 250 marks.
- Subject Choice: Candidates select one subject from a prescribed list of 48 offerings.
By mastering the format and scoring requirements for both your language and optional subject papers, you can tailor your preparation effectively, ensuring you meet the qualifying thresholds and maximise your performance across all segments of the UPSC Mains.
IAS Exam Pattern for UPSC Interview Round
To help you understand the final phase of the UPSC journey, here’s a clear breakdown of what to expect in the Interview (Personality Test) round, how it’s scored, and the qualities the panel seeks.
Interview (Personality Test) Round
- Stage & Timing: This is the third and final stage, held about 3–4 months after the Mains results.
- Marks & Weightage: The Interview carries 275 marks, contributing to a total of 2,025 marks (1,750 from Mains + 275 from Interview).
- Panel Composition: A group of experienced, impartial assessors conducts your interview to gauge your overall personality and suitability for the civil services.
Typical Question Areas
- Personal Profile: Interests, hobbies, educational background, and work experience
- Current Affairs: National and international developments
- Socio-Economic Topics: Issues affecting your home region or the country
- Situational Scenarios: Decision-making and problem-solving capacity
- Opinion-Based Queries: Analytical thinking and moral integrity
The panel evaluates you against the benchmarks of an ideal civil servant. They seek candidates who demonstrate strong analytical abilities, sound judgment, leadership qualities, quick thinking, coherent and logical expression, a wide range of interests, and unwavering ethical integrity.
By familiarising yourself with the Interview format and the traits assessed, you can prepare confidently and present your best self when facing the UPSC panel.
