The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is like the big boss of exams in India. They organize important exams like the Civil Services Exam (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service Exam (IFoS). These exams are really tough, and lots of students spend a long time preparing for them every year. The UPSC just released the schedule for 2025, showing when these exams will happen.

Now, let's talk about why this schedule is important for students who want to take these exams.

The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is a huge deal in India. It happens every year, and if you do well, you can get top jobs like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Police Service (IPS). The CSE has three main parts: the preliminary examination, the main examination, and the interview. Traditionally, the preliminary examination is scheduled for May/June, while the main examination is conducted in September.

The Indian Forest Service Exam (IFoS) is also conducted by the UPSC. It's for people who want to work in the Indian Forest Service. This exam has two parts: a preliminary examination and a main examination. The preliminary examination is usually held in June, with the main examination following in December.

UPSC 2025 Exam Calendar

Name of Examination	Date of Notification	Application Last Date	Exam Date
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			January 11, 2025
UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Exam 2024	September 4, 2024	September 24, 2025	February 9, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC ESE Prelims Examination 2025	September 18, 2024	October 8, 2024	February 9, 2025 (Sunday)
CBI (DSP) LDCE	November 27, 2024	December 17,  2024	March 8, 2025 (Saturday)
CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2025	December 4, 2024	December 24, 2024	March 9, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC NDA NA 1 Exam 2025	December 11, 2024	December 31 , 2024	April 13, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC CDS 1 Exam 2025
UPSC CSE Notification 2025	January 22, 2025	February 11, 2025	May 25, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC IFS  Prelims Exam 2025
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			June 14, 2025 (Saturday)
UPSC IES ISS Exam 2025	February 12, 2025	March 4, 2025	June 20, 2025 (Friday)
UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains Exam 2025			June 21, 2025 (Saturday)
UPSC ESE Mains Exam 2025			June 22, 2025 (Sunday)
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			July 5, 2025 (Saturday)
UPSC CMS Exam 2025	February 19, 2025	March 11, 2025	July 20, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC CAPF Exam 2025	March 5, 2025	March 25, 2025	August 3, 2025 (Sunday)
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			August 9, 2025 (Saturday)
Civil Services (Main)  Examination, 2025			August 22, 2025 (Friday)
UPSC NDA 2 Exam 2025	May 28, 2025	June 17, 2025	September 14, 2025 (Sunday)
UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2025
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			October 4, 2025 (Saturday)
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			November 1, 2025 (Saturday)
UPSC IFS Mains Exam 2025			November 16, 2025 (Sunday)
S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I)  LDCE	September 17, 2025	October 7, 2025	December 13, 2025 (Saturday)
Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination			December 20, 2025 (Saturday)

According to the UPSC Calendar for 2025, the Civil Services Preliminary Exam will take place on May 25. The notice for this exam will be issued on January 22, 2025, and the deadline to apply is February 11. However, keep in mind that these dates might change depending on the situation.

If you pass the preliminary exam, you'll have to take part in the main exam. The five-day Civil Services (Main) Exam for 2025 will start on August 22. On the other hand, the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2025 will begin on November 16 and will last for 7 days.

It's really important for candidates to remember these dates and plan their preparation accordingly. Both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoS) will have their preliminary exams on the same day. So, if you're interested in taking both exams, make sure you plan and prepare well.

The UPSC calendar for 2025, which shows when the exams will happen, is like a guide for those aiming to take these tests. With this information, aspirants can plan their study schedules and strategies. Since these exams are super competitive, aspirants should make good use of the time available to prepare well.

One important part of preparing for the Civil Services Exam (CSE) and Indian Forest Service Exam (IFoS) is staying updated with current events. Aspirants should make a habit of reading newspapers, magazines, and online news regularly to stay informed about what's happening nationally and globally. This will help them not only with the general studies paper but also with the interview stage.

It's also crucial for aspirants to choose their optional subjects wisely. The subject they feel most comfortable with can have a big impact on their overall score. And, practicing writing and improving answer writing skills is key for doing well in the main exam.

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) happens every year and has three main parts: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Its main goal is to find qualified candidates for important administrative jobs in India, like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), among others.

For the year 2025, the UPSC has announced the exam dates. The Preliminary Exam will be on May 25, 2025, and the Main Exam will start on August 22, 2025.

In the Preliminary Exam, there are two papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). These papers test your knowledge in subjects like history, geography, politics, economics, science, environment, and current affairs.

Next is the Main Exam, which has nine papers. Two are just to qualify - English Language and Indian Language. The other seven are important for ranking. They include the Essay paper, General Studies I, II, III, and IV, and Optional Paper I and II.

Finally, there's the Interview. This part evaluates your personality and suitability for a career in the Indian bureaucracy. It usually happens in March or April of the year after the Main Exam.

UPSC Indian Forest Services Exam 2025

The UPSC also conducts the Indian Forest Services Examination (IFoS) to recruit individuals into the esteemed Indian Forest Service, where they're responsible for managing and conserving the nation's forests and wildlife.

For 2025, the UPSC has announced the exam dates for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS). The Preliminary Exam is scheduled for May 25, 2025, and the Main Exam will start on November 16, 2025.

In the Preliminary Exam, candidates will face two objective-type papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). These papers cover subjects like history, geography, politics, economics, science and technology, environment, and current affairs. 

In the Main Exam, there are six descriptive papers from Paper I to Paper VI. Paper I focuses on English Language, while Paper II covers General Knowledge, including current affairs, history, geography, and social and economic development. Papers III to VI are optional, and candidates can choose them based on their academic background and interests.

Finally, there's the Interview, which is the last phase of the IFoS selection process. It assesses a candidate's personality and suitability for a career in the Indian Forest Service. Typically, the Interview happens in February or March of the year following the Main Exam.

The UPSC calendar for 2025 has been released, and candidates should prepare diligently for the upcoming exams. Both the CSE and IFoS exams are highly competitive and require several months of focused preparation. Starting early and following a well-structured study plan is essential for success. It's also important to stay informed about any changes in the exam pattern, syllabus, or eligibility criteria.

FAQ

1. What are the minimum educational qualifications required for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2025?

• A degree (graduation) from a recognized university or institution is the minimum educational qualification for the UPSC CSE.

2. Can final year students apply for the UPSC Exams?

• Yes, final year students are eligible to apply for the UPSC Exams.

3. What is the minimum age to appear for the IAS Exam in UPSC CSE 2025?

• The minimum age to appear for the IAS Exam is 21 years, and candidates should be above 21 by August 1 of the year the exam is held.

4. How is the upper age limit calculated for UPSC CSE, and does it vary for different categories?

• The upper age limit is calculated as of August 1. It varies for different categories: General (32), OBC (35), SC/ST (37), with certain categories receiving additional age relaxations.

5. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC CSE based on the category?

• Attempts allowed vary by category: General (6), OBC (9), SC/ST (unlimited), and Physically Handicapped candidates from the General category (9).

6. What is the structure of the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

• It consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam (Objective Type), Main Exam (Written), and Interview/Personality Test.

7. What is the purpose of the Civil Services Preliminary Examination?

• It serves as a gateway to determine which candidates advance to the main stage of the Civil Services selection process.

8. What subjects are covered in the syllabus for Paper I of the Preliminary Exam (UPSC CSE 2025)?

• Subjects include current events, history of India, geography, Indian polity and governance, economics, environmental ecology, general science, and more.

9. What is the nature of Paper II of the Preliminary Exam (UPSC CSE 2025)?

• Paper II is the Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT) and is of qualifying nature. Candidates need to secure at least 33% marks in this paper.

10. What are the total marks and structure of the Main Examination (UPSC CSE 2025)?

• The Main Examination includes nine papers, two of which are qualifying (Indian language and English). The total marks are 1750.

11. What are the optional subjects available for the Main Examination in UPSC CSE 2025?

• Options include Agriculture, History, Geography, Mathematics, Literature, and others.

12. What is the Grand Total of marks in the UPSC CSE 2025, including the Main Examination and Interview?

• The Grand Total is 2025 marks, including 1750 for the Main Examination and 275 for the Interview.

13. How are candidates allotted to various Services in the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

• Candidates are allocated to Services based on their ranks in the exam and their preferences for different Services and posts.