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Get complete details on IPS Exam 2025 including full form, exam dates, eligibility, pattern, syllabus & notification PDF. Learn how to become an IPS officer through UPSC CSE with physical & educational requirements, salary, and selection process.
PWOnlyIAS
June 14, 2025
IPS Exam is one of India’s most prestigious competitive examinations conducted to recruit officers for the Indian Police Service (IPS). This coveted service is an integral part of the All India Services and is responsible for upholding law and order, internal security, and policy enforcement. The IPS Exam 2025 is part of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), and aspirants must understand its details, from eligibility to the exam pattern, to succeed.
The IPS Exam 2025 is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as part of the Civil Services Examination. As per the official UPSC Notification 2025 released on 22nd January 2025, the total number of vacancies is approximately 1129, including 979 vacancies for UPSC CSE 2025, which covers the Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and other Group A services.
Understanding the IPS Exam 2025 Overview helps candidates prepare systematically for the three-stage process:
| IPS Exam 2025 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of Exam | IPS Exam 2025 (Part of UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Services Included | Indian Police Service (IPS), IAS, IFS, IRS, and other Group A & B Services |
| Exam Stages | Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, Personality Test (Interview) |
| IPS Exam Date 2025 (Prelims) | 25th May 2025 |
| IPS Exam Date 2025 (Mains) | Starts from 22nd August 2025 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 22nd January 2025 |
| Application End Date | 11th February 2025 |
| Exam Mode | Pen-and-paper (Offline) |
| Number of Attempts | General: 6 |
| Age Limit | 21 to 32 years (relaxation applicable for reserved categories) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| Nationality | Indian citizen (with certain exceptions as per UPSC norms) |
| Official Notification PDF | Released on 22nd January 2025 |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in |
| Starting Salary (IPS Officer) | ₹56,100/month (as per 7th Pay Commission) |
The IPS Exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a constitutional body responsible for recruiting civil servants in India. Every year, UPSC releases a comprehensive notification detailing the application process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus.
As per the UPSC 2025 Notification, the IPS Exam Date 2025 (Prelims) was scheduled for 25th May 2025. The Main Exam will be held starting on 22nd August 2025, followed by the Interview round in early 2026. Candidates must frequently check the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in, for updates on the IPS Exam 2025 Notification PDF.
IPS Officers serve as senior law enforcement officials across Indian states and the central government. Their duties range from maintaining public order to leading intelligence and investigation agencies like the CBI, RAW, and NIA. Known for their leadership, discipline, and commitment to national security, IPS officers are trained to handle various internal and external challenges to the country’s peace.
To become an IPS officer, candidates must clear the IPS Exam, i.e., the UPSC Civil Services Examination. To become an IPS officer, candidates must:
Successful candidates are then allocated services based on their rank, preferences, and vacancies.
The IPS Exam 2025 Notification PDF was officially released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on 22nd January 2025. It provides detailed information regarding the exam schedule, number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, and application guidelines. Candidates are advised to download and thoroughly review the notification from the official UPSC website to stay updated with the latest instructions and deadlines.
| IPS Exam 2025 Notification PDF |
| Click Here |
The Indian Police Service Eligibility Criteria 2025 includes several conditions related to nationality, age, educational qualification, and physical standards:
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2025
| Age Limit (as of 1st August 2025) | |
| Category | Age Limit |
| General | 21 – 32 years |
| OBC | 21 – 35 years |
| SC/ST | 21 – 37 years |
| PwD | 21 – 42 years |
Candidates must have a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Degrees in Engineering, Medicine, Science, Humanities, etc., are all acceptable.
Since IPS is a uniformed service, candidates must meet the physical standards set by the commission:
The IPS Exam 2025 is conducted in three distinct stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Personality Test (Interview). Each stage evaluates different skills and competencies, such as analytical ability, subject knowledge, decision-making, and personality traits. It is important for candidates to understand the structure and marking scheme of each stage to plan their preparation effectively.
Below is the detailed IPS Exam 2025 Exam Pattern:
| IPS Exam 2025 Exam Pattern | ||||
| Stage | Paper Details | Marks | Duration | Nature of Exam |
| Preliminary | General Studies Paper I | 200 | 2 hours | Objective (Qualifying) |
| General Studies Paper II (CSAT) | 200 | 2 hours | Objective (Qualifying) | |
| Mains | Essay | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive |
| General Studies I | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| General Studies II | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| General Studies III | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| General Studies IV | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| Optional Subject Paper I | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| Optional Subject Paper II | 250 | 3 hours | Descriptive | |
| English (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 hours | Qualifying | |
| Indian Language (Qualifying) | 300 | 3 hours | Qualifying | |
| Interview | Personality Test | 275 | – | Oral Assessment |
The IPS Exam 2025 Syllabus is comprehensive and designed to assess candidates’ general awareness, in-depth knowledge of various subjects, analytical skills, and ethical grounding. Each stage has a specific syllabus, and candidates should align their preparation with the requirements of each paper.
Below is a summarised view of the IPS Exam 2025 Syllabus for both Prelims and Mains:
| Prelims Syllabus | |
| Paper | Topics Covered |
| General Studies Paper I | Current Affairs, History of India, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environment, General Science, Geography of India and the World |
| CSAT (Paper II) | Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation, Decision Making, Interpersonal Skills |
| Mains Syllabus | |
| Paper | Topics Covered |
| Essay | Topics on contemporary issues and abstract ideas |
| GS Paper I | Indian Heritage & Culture, History, World and Indian Geography |
| GS Paper II | Constitution, Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations |
| GS Paper III | Economic Development, Technology, Environment, Security, Disaster Management |
| GS Paper IV | Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude; case studies on ethical dilemmas |
| Optional Subjects | Two papers on a subject of candidate’s choice from the list of 48 subjects |
| Qualifying Papers | English and one Indian language – only for qualification, not counted in merit |
Once selected, IPS officers undergo two years of rigorous training. It begins with a 3-month foundation course at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, followed by specialized training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. The training focuses on law enforcement, leadership, arms training, and investigation.
The IPS Exam 2025 is a golden opportunity for aspirants aiming to serve the nation with courage and integrity. From fulfilling the IPS Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria to acing the IPS Exam 2025 Physical Eligibility and understanding the detailed IPS Exam 2025 Syllabus, candidates must prepare strategically and diligently. For the most accurate updates, always refer to the official IPS Exam 2025 Notification PDF and begin the journey of transforming into a respected IPS Officer.
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