UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 is released on official website of UPSC. It has detailed timetable for the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025. Aspirants preparing for one of India’s most prestigious competitive examinations can now plan their final preparation and revision strategy as per the released schedule. The examination will commence on 22nd August 2025 (Friday) and continue over two consecutive weekends, concluding on 31st August 2025 (Sunday).
For direct access to the official UPSC Exam Date PDF, click here: UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Timetable PDF
Reference & Downloads: Visit www.upsc.gov.in for official updates and admit card.
Detailed Schedule of UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025
The schedule of upsc exam is for 8 papers spread across 6 days, with morning and afternoon sessions:
Date | Forenoon Session (9:00 AM to 12 Noon) | Afternoon Session (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM) |
22nd August (Friday) | Paper-I: Essay | No Paper |
23rd August (Saturday) | Paper-II: General Studies-I | Paper-III: General Studies-II |
24th August (Sunday) | Paper-IV: General Studies-III | Paper-V: General Studies-IV |
30th August (Saturday) | Paper-A: Indian Language | Paper-B: English |
31st August (Sunday) | Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1 | Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper 2 |
UPSC Language Papers (Qualifying)
- Paper-A (Indian Language) includes a wide range of languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Sanskrit, and others listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Paper-B (English) is mandatory for all candidates.
These two are qualifying papers, meaning their marks are not counted for merit but are essential to qualify.
UPSC Mains 2025 Optional Subject Papers
Candidates are required to choose one optional subject from a wide range of disciplines for Paper VI and Paper VII. Each paper carries 250 marks.
List of UPSC Optional:
Agriculture | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Anthropology | Botany | Chemistry | Civil Engineering | Commerce & Accountancy | Economics | Electrical Engineering | Geography | Geology | History | Law | Management | Mathematics | Mechanical Engineering | Medical Science | Philosophy | Physics | Political Science & International Relations | Psychology | Public Administration | Sociology | Statistics | Zoology | Literature of any one of the languages mentioned in Paper A.
Assamese / Bengali / Bodo / Dogri / Gujarati / Hindi / Kannada / Kashmiri / Konkani / Maithili / Malayalam / Manipuri / Marathi / Nepali / Odia / Punjabi / Sanskrit / Santhali / Sindhi / Tamil / Telugu / Urdu / English
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- The examination begins with the Essay paper on 22nd August, a crucial paper that tests the candidate’s ability to articulate and organize ideas coherently.
- The General Studies (GS) Papers II to V will be held over the weekend of 23rd–24th August, allowing aspirants a full week of revision post the Essay paper.
- The second weekend is dedicated to language qualifying papers and the optional papers, giving aspirants a short breather before their most personalized subject is tested.
- A well-strategized revision plan in August should ideally sync with this exact schedule for peak performance on each paper day.
Preparation Tip for UPSC Mains 2025
With the timetable now available, aspirants are advised to create paper-specific revision blocks, align mock test simulations with actual exam timings, and practice writing under timed conditions—especially for Essay and Optional papers.
To support this preparation, VisionIAS offers structured Value Added Material (VAM) covering important topics across GS papers, Ethics, Essay, and Optional subjects. These resources are curated to help aspirants reinforce core concepts and align with previous year questions (PYQs).
Further, stay updated with contemporary developments through Mains 365, and enhance content depth and presentation in answers.
Abhyaas Mains 2025 : Simulated UPSC Answer Writing
Additionally, VisionIAS is conducting Abhyaas Mains 2025, a simulated UPSC Mains test initiative designed to replicate the real exam environment for UPSC answer writing. It will be held across 38 cities in India.
GS Paper I and II will be conducted on 26 July, GS Paper III and IV on 27 July, the Essay paper on 2 August, and Optional Paper I and II on 3 August. This initiative provides a rigorous practice platform with detailed performance feedback to help aspirants assess their preparation and gain confidence before the actual UPSC Mains.
Final thoughts
The release of the UPSC Mains 2025 timetable marks a critical milestone in every aspirant’s journey. It’s not just a date sheet—it’s a countdown to opportunity. Use it wisely, revise strategically, and approach each paper with clarity and confidence. Make the most of tools like VisionIAS Value Added Material and Abhyaas Mains to strengthen your preparation in a focused and result-oriented manner.
Best wishes to all aspirants gearing up for UPSC Mains 2025!