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UPSC Mains 2025 Timetable Released: Everything You Need to Know
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the timetable for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. As one of the most prestigious and challenging competitive exams in India, the UPSC Civil Services Exam opens the door to elite government services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and more.
If you’ve cleared the UPSC Preliminary Exam 2025, it’s now time to gear up for the Mains stage, which tests a candidate’s analytical thinking, subject knowledge, and clarity of expression.
UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Dates
The UPSC Mains 2025 will be held over two consecutive weekends:
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First Weekend: August 22 (Friday) to August 24 (Sunday), 2025
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Second Weekend: August 30 (Saturday) to August 31 (Sunday), 2025
Here is the detailed schedule as per the official notification:
| Date | Forenoon Session (9 AM – 12 Noon) | Afternoon Session (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 August 2025 (Friday) | Paper-I (Essay) | – |
| 23 August 2025 (Saturday) | Paper-II (General Studies I) | Paper-III (General Studies II) |
| 24 August 2025 (Sunday) | Paper-IV (General Studies III) | Paper-V (General Studies IV) |
| 30 August 2025 (Saturday) | Paper-A (Indian Language) | Paper-B (English) |
| 31 August 2025 (Sunday) | Paper-VI (Optional Subject Paper 1) | Paper-VII (Optional Subject Paper 2) |
Paper-Wise Overview
Let’s break down each paper for clarity:
Paper-I: Essay
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Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics.
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Focus on structure, coherence, and clarity of argument.
General Studies Papers (II to V)
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Paper-II (GS I): Indian Heritage, History, Geography, and Society.
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Paper-III (GS II): Constitution, Governance, International Relations.
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Paper-IV (GS III): Economy, Agriculture, Science, Environment, Security.
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Paper-V (GS IV): Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude – includes case studies.
Language Papers:
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Paper-A: One Indian language selected by the candidate (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.).
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Paper-B: English. Both are qualifying in nature.
Optional Subject Papers (VI & VII):
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Candidates can select one optional subject from a wide range of disciplines, including Literature subjects (like English, Hindi, Tamil, etc.) or specialized fields like Public Administration, Geography, Psychology, Law, Sociology, and more.
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Each optional has two papers, Paper VI and Paper VII.
Eligibility and Next Steps
If you are appearing for UPSC Mains 2025, you must have cleared the Preliminary Exam and submitted your DAF (Detailed Application Form). Candidates must be thoroughly prepared with answer writing practice and revision of current affairs and optional subjects.
Preparation Tips for UPSC Mains 2025
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Master Answer Writing: Practice structured, concise, and content-rich answers. Stick to the word limit.
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Revise Current Affairs: Stay updated with newspapers and monthly current affairs compilations. Link current affairs with GS papers.
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Work on Optional Paper: Choose an optional subject wisely and revise it deeply. Your optional subject can make or break your rank.
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Improve Essay Writing: Practice past UPSC essay topics. Focus on philosophical, social, and economic themes.
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Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests regularly to simulate exam pressure and time management.
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Language Papers: Don’t neglect Paper A and B. These are qualifying, but failing in them can disqualify your entire effort.
List of Indian Languages for Paper-A
You must choose from one of the following languages:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
Popular Optional Subjects in 2025
Some of the most preferred optional subjects by toppers include:
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Public Administration
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Geography
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Sociology
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Anthropology
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PSIR (Political Science & International Relations)
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History
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Philosophy
The UPSC Mains Exam is not just about knowledge—it’s about presenting your thoughts effectively under pressure. With the official timetable now released, it’s time to streamline your preparation, strengthen your weak areas, and enhance your writing skills.
Stay disciplined, follow a strategic timetable, and don’t forget to take care of your mental health during preparation. Success in UPSC is a marathon, not a sprint.
All the best for UPSC Mains 2025!