The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 today, August 22. The exam is being held in two shifts: the forenoon session from 9 AM to 12 noon, and the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The examination will continue until August 31, 2025, at 24 centers across the country.

Exam Essentials and Guidelines

Candidates were required to download their UPSC CSE Main 2025 admit card from the official website, upsc.gov.in. Along with the admit card, it is mandatory to carry a photo ID proof to the exam center.

Reports indicate that some aspirants were barred from entering the exam hall for being late, even by a minute.

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Exam Pattern

The UPSC CSE Main examination consists of nine papers, totaling 1750 marks. Candidates who clear the written exam will be shortlisted for an interview or personality test, which carries 275 marks. Therefore, the Main exam is held for a total of 2025 marks.

Out of the nine papers, two are language papers that are qualifying in nature, each carrying 300 marks. Candidates are required to score a minimum of 25% marks in these language papers. The remaining seven papers include one essay paper, four General Studies papers, and two optional subject papers. Each of these papers carries a maximum of 250 marks.

Negative Marking

It's important to note that there is a negative marking scheme in place. Candidates will lose one-third of the marks for incorrect answers in the preliminary examination. However, there is no negative marking in the Mains examination.

Exam Difficulty and Important Topics

The UPSC Mains exam is considered more challenging than the preliminary exam. It assesses not only the candidate's knowledge but also their writing skills and clarity of thought. Recent trends indicate that questions are more focused on current issues and real-world applications. Ethics and Governance papers are often considered among the toughest, requiring deep understanding, critical thinking, and clear answers.

What to Expect Next

Candidates who clear the UPSC CSE main exam will be called for an interview, which serves as a personality test round. The interview carries 275 marks, and no minimum qualifying marks are required. The final merit list will be determined by the marks obtained in the written exam and the interview. Service allocation depends on both rank and the preferences given by the candidate.