UPSC CSE Prelims 2025: Exam Day Preview

New Delhi, May 24, 2025 – The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to conduct the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025 tomorrow, May 25, marking the first step for thousands of aspirants vying for a coveted spot in India’s prestigious civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). This highly competitive examination, known as one of the toughest in the world, will take place across multiple centers nationwide, with approximately 979 vacancies to be filled through the Civil Services Examination and an additional 150 for the Indian Forest Service.

Exam Schedule and Structure

The UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 will be conducted in two sessions on Sunday, May 25:

• Morning Session (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM): General Studies Paper-I (GS-I), which tests candidates on subjects such as history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and current affairs. This paper is crucial as its marks determine the cutoff for qualification to the Mains examination.
• Afternoon Session (2:30 PM to 4:30 PM): General Studies Paper-II (CSAT), a qualifying paper requiring a minimum of 33% to pass, focusing on aptitude, logical reasoning, and comprehension.

Both papers are objective in nature, consisting of multiple-choice questions, and each carries 200 marks. Candidates must note that entry to examination venues will be closed 30 minutes prior to each session (9:00 AM for the morning session and 2:00 PM for the afternoon session). No candidate will be permitted entry after these times, emphasizing the importance of punctuality.

Key Instructions for Candidates

The UPSC has issued strict guidelines to ensure a smooth examination process:

• Admit Card and ID: Candidates must carry a hard copy of their e-Admit Card, downloadable from upsc.gov.in or upsconline.gov.in, along with a valid original photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport). The admit card, released on May 13, 2025, must be preserved until the final results are declared. Any discrepancies in the admit card should be reported to the UPSC immediately via email at uscsp-upsc@nic.in.
• Dress Code: While no official dress code is specified, candidates are advised to wear modest attire, such as formal or comfortable casual clothing, paired with comfortable footwear to avoid any discomfort during the exam.
• Allowed Items: Candidates are permitted to carry simple wristwatches (without smart features), black ballpoint pens, and their admit card with ID. Electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and Bluetooth devices, are strictly prohibited. Examination venues, such as the 95 sub-centers in Hyderabad, will not provide designated cloakrooms, so candidates are advised to avoid bringing bags or valuables, which will be kept at their own risk.
• Prohibited Items: Items such as books, notes, jewelry, or any communication devices are banned inside the examination hall. Candidates found with such items risk disqualification.
• Exam Hall Conduct: Candidates are not allowed to use the restroom during the last 30 minutes of each session to maintain the integrity of the examination process. Additionally, adhering to time management is critical, as experts recommend allocating time strategically, especially for the CSAT paper, which has become increasingly challenging in recent years.

Preparation Tips from Experts

With just hours remaining, experts and toppers have shared last-minute advice for aspirants:

• Focus on Revision: Avoid studying new topics and focus on revising key notes, especially high-weightage areas like current affairs, polity, and environment. For instance, recent topics such as Budget 2025, Project Elephant, and India’s global diplomatic moves are expected to be relevant.
• CSAT Strategy: The CSAT paper, once considered a mere formality, has evolved into a “silent eliminator.” Experts like Mudit Gupta, a seasoned UPSC mentor, suggest a methodical approach, prioritizing easier questions to secure the qualifying 33% while managing time effectively.
• Stay Calm and Confident: Toppers recommend maintaining composure, getting adequate rest, and reaching the exam center early to avoid last-minute stress. Reviewing exam day guidelines and ensuring all required documents are ready is also advised.

Context and Challenges

The 2025 UPSC CSE Prelims come amidst heightened public attention due to recent geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan. Some aspirants, especially in border states, have raised concerns about potential disruptions due to blackouts and curfews. However, as of now, no official announcement from the UPSC indicates a postponement, and the examination is confirmed to proceed as scheduled. Candidates in affected areas are advised to plan their travel to exam centers carefully.

Additionally, the release of the UPSC CSE 2024 answer keys earlier this week has sparked discussions, with three questions dropped from GS Paper-I, affecting cutoff calculations. This serves as a reminder for 2025 aspirants to focus on accuracy, as even a single question can impact rankings.

What’s at Stake?

The UPSC CSE Prelims is the gateway to the Mains examination, scheduled for August 22, 2025, followed by the Interview stage. Only candidates who clear the Prelims cutoff, based solely on GS Paper-I, will advance. The examination’s competitive nature is underscored by last year’s data, where topper Shakti Dubey scored 1043 marks overall, with 843 in the Mains and 200 in the Interview. Cutoffs for 2024 showed a sharp rise in Prelims but a slight dip in Mains, indicating evolving trends in scoring.

This year’s examination will fill 979 vacancies across various services, making it a critical opportunity for aspirants to join India’s administrative elite. The Indian Forest Service Examination, which shares the Prelims stage, will fill an additional 150 posts.

Looking Ahead

As candidates gear up for tomorrow’s challenge, the UPSC has reiterated the importance of adhering to guidelines to ensure a fair and smooth examination process. Aspirants are encouraged to check the official UPSC websites (upsc.gov.in and upsconline.gov.in) for any last-minute updates and to download their admit cards if not already done.

The Civil Services Examination remains a testament to perseverance and dedication, with tomorrow’s Prelims marking the beginning of a rigorous journey for lakhs of aspirants across India. Stay tuned for updates on exam day developments and results.