The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 on January 22, 2025. Aspiring candidates can now apply for this prestigious examination through the official websites: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.gov.in. The application window will remain open until February 11, 2025.

Let's examine the specifics of the application procedure, qualifying requirements, test format, and other crucial elements.

Vacancy Details

This year, UPSC is conducting recruitment for 979 vacancies across various central government services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS). Of these:

38 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):

12 for blindness and low vision

7 for deaf or hard of hearing

10 for locomotor disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, leprosy-cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy)

9 for multiple disabilities

The total number of vacancies may vary based on the final confirmations from the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities. Reservations are also provided for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Eligibility Criteria

​Nationality

For IAS, IFS, and IPS, candidates must be Indian citizens.

For other services, candidates can be:

Citizens of India

Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan

Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement

Persons of Indian origin who migrated from countries like Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and others with the intent of permanent settlement

​Age Limit

Minimum age: 21 years

Maximum age: 32 years (as of August 1, 2025)

Born between August 2, 1993, and August 1, 2004

Age relaxation is applicable as follows:

SC/ST: 5 years

OBC: 3 years

Defense personnel disabled during hostilities: 3 years

Ex-servicemen: 5 years

​Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a graduate degree from a recognized university or equivalent institution. Final-year students awaiting results may also apply, provided they submit proof of qualification at the Main Examination stage.

Examination Plan

The UPSC CSE 2025 comprises two stages:

​Preliminary Examination

Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)

Purpose: Shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination

Main Examination

Type: Written examination and Personality Test (Interview)

Purpose: Final selection for various government services

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply for the UPSC CSE Prelims 2025:

Visit the official website: upsconline.gov.in.

Register on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform if you haven’t already.

OTR registration is a one-time process, available throughout the year.

Log in using your OTR credentials.

Fill in the online application form with accurate details.

Upload a scanned copy of a government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.).

Pay the application fee.

Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Key Points:

Corrections in the application form are allowed from February 12 to February 18, 2025.

Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn.

Important Dates

Notification Release: January 22, 2025

Application Deadline: February 11, 2025

Correction Window: February 12 to February 18, 2025

Preliminary Examination Date: To be announced

Why Choose UPSC?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of India’s most prestigious recruitment processes, opening doors to leadership roles in governance and policy-making. With careful preparation and timely application, candidates can embark on a fulfilling career journey.

For more details and updates, visit the official website: UPSC Official Website.