UPSC Mains is one of the most significant examinations in India for candidates aiming to join the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS), and other allied civil services. It is a crucial phase in the selection process, following the UPSC Preliminary exam, and testing candidates on a wide range of topics, analytical skills, and writing abilities.

In this article, we will delve into the UPSC Mains exam date, UPSC Mains time table, and UPSC Mains schedule, including the structure of the exam, important papers, and some frequently asked questions related to the exam.

UPSC Mains Exam Date 2025

The UPSC Mains Exam 2025 will be conducted from 22 August 2025. The date was officially announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on its website.

UPSC Mains exam is typically held once a year following the UPSC Prelims results. The official notification and specific dates for the exam, including the start and end dates, are generally released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the UPSC Exam Calendar every year.

Candidates who have successfully cleared the UPSC Preliminary examination are eligible to sit for the Mains exam. It’s essential to stay updated with the UPSC notifications, which will contain the final date and any changes.

Also Read: UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

UPSC Mains 2025 Time Table

UPSC Mains time table typically spans over a period of five to seven days. The schedule varies slightly each year but typically follows a structure that is similar year after year. The exam is conducted in a written format and includes 9 papers, which consist of:

Expected Time Table UPSC Mains 

Based on previous years’ schedules, the UPSC Mains 2025 is expected to follow a similar timeline:

• Day 1
  • Paper A: Indian Language (Compulsory) – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Paper B: English (Compulsory) – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Day 2 to Day 5
  • Paper I to Paper IV: General Studies Papers 1 to 4 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Paper I to Paper IV: General Studies Papers 1 to 4 – 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Day 6
  • Essay Paper: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Optional Paper I: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Day 7
  • Optional Paper II: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Optional Paper II: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The exact timing of the papers and the sequence may vary, so candidates must refer to the official UPSC Mains 2024 Notification for confirmation.

Also Read: UPSC Mains syllabus

UPSC Mains 2025 Schedule

The UPSC Mains 2025 exam will be conducted from 22 August 2025. The exact date was released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on its official website. The UPSC Mains 2025 exam schedule is expected to follow a similar pattern to previous years, spanning around 5 to 7 days.

The exam generally starts at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the morning session and continues from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for the afternoon session. The exact dates and timing will be detailed in the official UPSC Mains 2025 notification. Candidates must carefully review the official notification to confirm the exact dates and ensure they are well-prepared. Stay updated with UPSC’s announcements and exam-related changes.

UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Structure

UPSC Mains exam structure is detailed, and it assesses a candidate’s knowledge, understanding, and writing skills across a broad spectrum of subjects. The exam consists of two broad categories:

1. Qualifying Papers

These are papers where candidates must secure a minimum score to qualify, but these marks are not counted for final ranking.

• Paper A: Indian Language (Qualifying Paper)
  This paper is conducted in an Indian language chosen by the candidate. It is meant to assess the candidate’s proficiency in that language.
  • Marks: 300
  • Duration: 3 hours
• Paper B: English (Qualifying Paper)
  Similarly, this paper assesses proficiency in English.
  • Marks: 300
  • Duration: 3 hours

Note: Candidates must score at least 25% in each of these qualifying papers.

2. General Studies and Optional Papers

These papers are graded and contribute to the final ranking.

• General Studies Papers (1 to 4)
  These four papers cover a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, governance, economics, science, and ethics.
  • Marks for each paper: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours each
• Essay Paper
  The Essay paper is designed to test the candidate’s ability to write in a structured and clear manner. The topics are diverse, and candidates must demonstrate depth and clarity in their thoughts.
  • Marks: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours
• Optional Subject Paper 1 & Paper 2
  Candidates can choose an optional subject from a list of subjects provided by UPSC. These papers test in-depth knowledge of the subject.
  • Marks for each paper: 250
  • Duration: 3 hours each

UPSC Mains 2025 Important Points to Note

• Negative Marking: There is no negative marking in the Mains exam, except for the Preliminary exam.
• Mode of Exam: The exam is written, and candidates are expected to write detailed answers.
• Paper Style: The General Studies papers are objective in nature, while the optional subject papers and essay papers require descriptive answers.
• Duration: Each exam day generally has two papers: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with each paper lasting 3 hours.

UPSC Mains Question Papers

UPSC Mains question papers include General Studies Papers, Compulsory English and Indian Language papers, as well as optional papers. These papers test the candidates’ knowledge and writing skills in areas like history, geography, politics, ethics, economics, etc.

• Previous Year Question Papers: The UPSC Mains previous year question papers can be useful for understanding the exam format, types of questions, and subjects emphasized.
  • Papers from 2024, 2023, and earlier years are available on the UPSC website and other educational platforms.
  • General Studies papers from previous years help candidates grasp the trends and topics covered by UPSC.
• Optional Subject Papers: These include a wide range of subjects like Anthropology, Geography, Political Science, History, Sociology, and others. Candidates choose an optional subject based on their interest or background.

Conclusion

UPSC Mains 2025 exam is a crucial stage in the civil services selection process. It will likely follow a similar schedule and structure as previous years, spanning over 5 to 7 days and comprising multiple papers, including General Studies, Essay, and Optional subjects. Candidates must stay updated with official notifications to confirm exact dates and timings. Proper preparation is essential to tackle the wide-ranging subjects and writing requirements. By reviewing the exam structure, past question papers, and important guidelines, aspirants can enhance their readiness for this challenging but rewarding examination.

UPSC Mains Exam FAQs