UPSC Selection Process 2025, Prelims, Mains, and Interview

PWOnlyIAS October 29, 2024 03:00 1228 0

UPSC Selection Process 2025 includes the prelims, mains, and interviews. Learn more about UPSC Selection Process 2025, including the stages, and marks required.

UPSC Selection Process 2025, Prelims, Mains, and Interview

The UPSC Selection Process is a rigorous procedure designed to select the best candidates for the prestigious Indian Civil Services. The UPSC Selection Process 2025 ensures that only the most deserving candidates make it to the top civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), through a combination of rigorous assessments and personality evaluation. The process consists of multiple stages that test the candidates’ knowledge, aptitude, personality, and problem-solving abilities. Here’s a detailed look at how UPSC candidates are selected.

Stages of the UPSC Selection Process

UPSC Selection Process consists of three steps. Each stage is designed to assess the candidates on various parameters to ensure only the most competent individuals make it to the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and other civil services. The IAS selection process involves three main stages:

  1. Preliminary Exam – Screening stage (Objective type)
  2. Main Exam – Written examination (Descriptive type)
  3. Personality Test / Interview – Final assessment

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UPSC Selection Procedure
Stage Stage Name Nature Total Marks Purpose
Stage 1 Preliminary Examination Qualifying in nature 400 To screen candidates for the Main Examination
Stage 2 Mains Examination Marks included in the merit list 1750 Comprehensive assessment of candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various subjects
Stage 3 Personality Test Scores considered for merit list 275 Evaluation of candidates’ personality traits, communication skills, and suitability for administrative roles

How Are UPSC Candidates Selected?

The final selection for UPSC candidates is based on the cumulative marks obtained in the Mains Exam and Interview. Candidates who score high in both these stages secure a place in the final merit list. The Prelims marks are not included in the final ranking but serve as a screening tool. Check out all the steps in detail:

Stage 1: UPSC Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Exam serves as the first stage of the UPSC selection process. It is an objective-type test with two papers:

  1. General Studies (Paper I) – Tests knowledge of current affairs, history, geography, and more.
  2. Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) (Paper II) – Assesses reasoning, aptitude, and comprehension skills.

Both papers are mandatory, and only those who qualify in Prelims are eligible to move to the next stage.

Paper Marks Nature
General Studies (Paper I) 200 Counts towards screening
CSAT (Paper II) 200 Qualifying (33% minimum required)

Stage 2: UPSC Mains Exam

The Mains Examination is the second and most comprehensive stage of the IAS selection process. It consists of 9 papers, including language papers, General Studies, an Essay, and Optional Subject papers. This stage tests candidates on their in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and clarity of thought.

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UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024 
Paper Subject Total Marks
Paper A Compulsory Indian Language of 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution 300 Marks
Paper B English Language 300 Marks
Paper I Essay 250 Marks 
Paper II General Studies I 250 Marks 
Paper III General Studies II 250 Marks 
Paper IV General Studies III 250 Marks 
Paper V General Studies IV 250 Marks 
Paper VI Optional Paper I 250 Marks 
Paper VII Optional Paper II 250 Marks 
Total 1750 Marks + 275 Marks of Interview = 2025

Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview

The final stage of the UPSC selection process 2025 is the Personality Test or Interview, carrying 275 marks. The interview panel assesses the candidate’s personality traits, leadership abilities, communication skills, and suitability for civil services.

The IAS selection process emphasizes not only knowledge but also how well candidates can apply it under real-world circumstances.

UPSC Interview Process 2024
Particular Details
Reporting Time Forenoon Session: 9:00 AM 
Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM
Dress Code Formals 
Duration 20 to 30 minutes
Total Marks 275
Candidates Called Twice the number of vacancies
Venue Union Public Service Commission Officer, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069

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UPSC Document Verification (DV) & Medical Exam 

After the final result, candidates have to go through the Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination stages. These are crucial stages of the UPSC selection process.

  • Document Verification (DV): Conducted during the interview, this stage verifies original documents submitted in the DAF (Detailed Application Form) to confirm eligibility based on age, education, and other criteria.
  • Medical Examination: After the interview and DV, candidates undergo a medical check-up at a designated hospital to assess their physical and mental fitness. This step is essential for technical services like Indian Police Services (IPS), ensuring candidates meet required health standards.

UPSC Final Result and Merit List

The UPSC Final Result or Merit List is the last step in the UPSC selection process. It highlights the cumulative performance of candidates in the Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview (Personality Test) stages. Based on these scores, the UPSC merit list ranks candidates, and appointments to various civil services are made accordingly. This final merit list is released on the official UPSC website, providing a transparent and detailed view of successful candidates.

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FAQs On UPSC Selection Process

The UPSC selection process involves three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and a Personality Test (Interview).

Candidates are selected based on their performance in the Mains Exam and Interview, as the marks from these stages determine their ranking in the merit list.

There are a total of three stages of the UPSC Selection process.

No, the Prelims score is only for screening, and it does not contribute to the final merit list.

The UPSC Mains Exam carries 1750 marks, and the Interview carries 275 marks, making the total 2025 marks.
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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