The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination for the year 2025. This announcement marks the commencement of the application process for aspirants aiming to join esteemed services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and others. A total of 1,129 vacancies have been announced, with 979 allocated for the Civil Services and 150 for the Indian Forest Service.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | January 22, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | February 21, 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | February 21, 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | February 22-28, 2025 |
| Prelims Exam Date | May 25, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/PH | Exempted |
| All Female Candidates | Exempted |
Note: The examination fee can be paid through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan.
Age Limit
| Criteria | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years as of August 1, 2025 |
| Maximum Age | 32 years as of August 1, 2025 |
Age relaxation is applicable as per UPSC rules.
Vacancy Details and Eligibility
| Post Name | Total Posts | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Administrative Service (IAS) | 979 | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Indian Forest Service (IFS) | 150 | Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering |
List of Services
The Civil Services Examination recruits candidates for various Group A and Group B services, including but not limited to:
- Indian Administrative Service
- Indian Foreign Service
- Indian Police Service
- Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service
- Indian Audit and Accounts Service
- Indian Revenue Service (I.T.)
- Indian Postal Service
- Indian Civil Accounts Service
- Indian Railway Traffic Service
- Pondicherry Civil Service
- Pondicherry Police Service
- Indian Trade Service
- Indian Corporate Law Service
- Indian Defence Accounts Service
- Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise)
- Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service
How to Apply
- One Time Registration (OTR): Candidates must first complete the OTR on the official UPSC website.
- Application Submission: After OTR, fill out the online application form for the desired examination between January 22, 2025, and February 21, 2025.
- Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of required documents, including a recent photograph, signature, and ID proof.
- Fee Payment: Pay the applicable examination fee through the provided payment modes.
- Form Review: Before final submission, review all entered information carefully.
- Print Application: After successful submission, print a copy of the application form for future reference.
Important Links
- Apply Online Through OTR: Click Here
- Download Notification:
- For OTR Registration: Click Here
For detailed information, candidates are advised to read the full UPSC IAS/IFS 2025 Exam Notification before applying online.
FAQs – UPSC IAS & IFS 2025
1. What is the UPSC IAS & IFS Exam 2025?
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is conducted to recruit candidates for prestigious government services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B posts. The Indian Forest Service (IFS) exam is conducted separately for candidates aspiring to work in the forestry sector.
2. When will the UPSC IAS & IFS 2025 notification be released?
The official notification was released on January 22, 2025.
3. What is the last date to apply for the UPSC IAS & IFS 2025 exam?
The last date to submit the online application is February 21, 2025.
4. How can I apply for the UPSC IAS & IFS 2025 exam?
Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC website: https://upsconline.nic.in.
5. What is the age limit for UPSC IAS & IFS 2025?
- Minimum Age: 21 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Maximum Age: 32 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Age relaxation applies for reserved categories as per UPSC rules.
6. What is the educational qualification required?
- For IAS: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- For IFS: Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the subjects – Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering.
7. How many vacancies are available in UPSC IAS & IFS 2025?
- IAS (Civil Services): 979 vacancies
- IFS (Indian Forest Service): 150 vacancies
8. What is the exam pattern for UPSC IAS 2025?
The UPSC Civil Services Exam has three stages:
- Preliminary Exam: Two objective-type papers (General Studies & CSAT).
- Mains Exam: Nine descriptive papers, including an essay and optional subjects.
- Personality Test (Interview): Final selection stage.
9. What is the application fee for the UPSC IAS & IFS exam?
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹100
- SC/ST/PH/Female Candidates: Exempted (No Fee)
10. When will the UPSC Prelims 2025 exam be conducted?
The Prelims exam is scheduled for May 25, 2025.
11. Can I edit my application after submission?
Yes, UPSC allows correction in the application form during the Application Correction Window (February 22 – February 28, 2025).
12. How many attempts are allowed for UPSC IAS?
- General: 6 attempts
- OBC: 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (till upper age limit)
13. Is there any negative marking in the UPSC Prelims?
Yes, 1/3rd of the marks for each incorrect answer will be deducted as a penalty.
14. What documents are required for applying?
Candidates need to upload:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Government-issued ID proof
- Educational certificates
15. Where can I download the UPSC IAS & IFS admit card?
The admit card will be available for download on https://upsc.gov.in a few weeks before the exam.
16. How can I prepare for the UPSC exam?
- Follow the UPSC syllabus and previous years’ papers.
- Read NCERT books, newspapers, and standard reference books.
- Enroll in coaching classes (optional) and attempt mock tests.
- Practice answer writing for Mains preparation.
17. What is the selection process for UPSC IFS?
Candidates applying for the IFS exam need to clear the same Prelims as the Civil Services Exam but will appear for a separate Mains and Interview specifically for Indian Forest Service posts.
18. What is the salary of an IAS officer?
An IAS officer’s starting basic salary is ₹56,100 per month, plus allowances such as HRA, DA, and travel benefits. The salary increases with promotions.
19. What are the best books for UPSC IAS preparation?
Some recommended books include:
- NCERT (Class 6-12) History, Geography, Polity, and Economics
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
- Environment by Shankar IAS
- General Studies Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4 by TMH/Pearson
20. Where can I get official updates about the UPSC exam?
For official notifications and updates, visit https://upsc.gov.in regularly.