Gearing Up for Glory: Understanding the UPSC 2025 Exam Cycle
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency, responsible for conducting examination for appointments to various prestigious All India Services, Central Services, and other government posts. Aspiring civil servants, defense personnel, and specialists eagerly await the annual UPSC exam calendar, a crucial document that outlines the schedule for various competitive examinations throughout the year.
Knowing the exam dates well in advance is paramount for effective preparation. It allows candidates to strategize their study plans, allocate time for different subjects, manage revisions, and mentally prepare for the rigorous examination process. The UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 acts as a roadmap, guiding aspirants on their journey towards achieving their dream government jobs. Whether you aim for the coveted Civil Services, the technical Engineering Services, or the challenging Defence Services exams, this calendar is your first step towards structured preparation.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the UPSC Exam Calendar for 2025, detailing the notification dates, application deadlines, and examination dates for various prominent exams. Having this information handy will help you stay organized and focused, ensuring you don’t miss any critical deadlines. Let’s dive into the specifics and plan your path to success!
The Official UPSC Exam Calendar 2025
The UPSC has officially released the programme for examinations and recruitment tests scheduled for the year 2025. This calendar is essential for candidates planning to appear for various exams conducted by the commission. Below is the detailed schedule:
| Name of Examination | Notification Date & Last Date of Application | Date of commencement of Exam |
| S.O. Grade-B LDCE, 2024 | 13.11.2024 to 03.12.2024 | 11.01.2025 (Saturday) |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 | 04.09.2024 to 24.09.2024 | 09.02.2025 (Sunday) |
| CISF AC(EXE) LDCE-2025 | 04.12.2024 to 24.12.2024 | 09.03.2025 (Sunday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | 23.03.2025 (Sunday) | |
| N.D.A. & Ν.A. Examination (I), 2025 | 11.12.2024 to 31.12.2024 | 13.04.2025 (Sunday) |
| C.D.S. Examination (1), 2025 | 11.12.2024 to 31.12.2024 | 13.04.2025 (Sunday) |
| Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 | 22.01.2025 to 11.02.2025 | 25.05.2025 (Sunday) |
| Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 through CS(P) Examination 2025 | 22.01.2025 to 11.02.2025 | 25.05.2025 (Sunday) |
| Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025 | 18.09.2024 to 22.11.2024* | 08.06.2025 (Sunday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | 14.06.2025 (Saturday) |
| I.E.S./I.S.S. Examination, 2025 | 12.02.2025 to 04.03.2025 | 20.06.2025 (Friday) |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2025 | – | 21.06.2025 (Saturday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | – | 05.07.2025 (Saturday) |
| Combined Medical Services Examination, 2025 | 19.02.2025 to 11.03.2025 | 20.07.2025 (Sunday) |
| Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Examination, 2025 | 05.03.2025 to 25.03.2025 | 03.08.2025 (Sunday) |
| Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2025 | – | 10.08.2025 (Sunday) |
| Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 | – | 22.08.2025 (Friday) |
| N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2025 | 28.05.2025 to 17.06.2025 | 14.09.2025 (Sunday) |
| C.D.S. Examination (II), 2025 | 28.05.2025 to 17.06.2025 | 14.09.2025 (Sunday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/ Examination | – | 04.10.2025 (Saturday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | – | 01.11.2025 (Saturday) |
| Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2025 | – | 16.11.2025 (Sunday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | – | 29.11.2025 (Saturday) |
| S.O./Steno (GD-B/GD-I) LDCE | 17.09.2025 to 07.10.2025 | 13.12.2025 (Saturday) |
| Reserved for UPSC RT/Examination | – | 20.12.2025 (Saturday) |
Note: The dates of notification, commencement, and duration of Examinations/RTs are liable to alteration if circumstances so warrant. For Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2025, the application window was re-opened from 18.10.2024 to 22.11.2024 after the inclusion of IRMS in ESE, 2025.
You can download the official revised calendar here: Official UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 PDF
Decoding Key UPSC Exams in 2025
Let’s take a closer look at some of the major examinations listed in the 2025 calendar:
Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025
Often considered the flagship examination of UPSC, the CSE recruits candidates for the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other Group A & B Central Services.
- Preliminary Exam Notification: January 22, 2025
- Preliminary Exam Last Date to Apply: February 11, 2025
- Preliminary Exam Date: May 25, 2025 (Sunday)
- Main Exam Date: Starting August 22, 2025 (Friday) for 5 days
Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2025
The IFS exam selects candidates for the forestry services of India. The preliminary stage is combined with the Civil Services Preliminary Exam.
- Preliminary Exam Notification: January 22, 2025
- Preliminary Exam Last Date to Apply: February 11, 2025
- Preliminary Exam Date: May 25, 2025 (Sunday)
- Main Exam Date: Starting November 16, 2025 (Sunday) for 7 days
Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025
ESE recruits engineers for technical and managerial positions in various government departments related to engineering disciplines like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication.
- Preliminary Exam Notification: September 18, 2024
- Preliminary Exam Last Date to Apply: November 22, 2024 (Re-opened window)
- Preliminary Exam Date: June 8, 2025 (Sunday)
- Main Exam Date: August 10, 2025 (Sunday)
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination 2025
The CDS exam is conducted twice a year for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Indian Air Force Academy (AFA).3
- CDS (I) 2025 Notification: December 11, 2024
- CDS (I) 2025 Last Date to Apply: December 31, 2024
- CDS (I) 2025 Exam Date: April 13, 2025 (Sunday)
- CDS (II) 2025 Notification: May 28, 2025
- CDS (II) 2025 Last Date to Apply: June 17, 2025
- CDS (II) 2025 Exam Date: September 14, 2025 (Sunday)
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination 2025
Similar to CDS, the NDA & NA exam is also held twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).
- NDA & NA (I) 2025 Notification: December 11, 2024
- NDA & NA (I) 2025 Last Date to Apply: December 31, 2024
- NDA & NA (I) 2025 Exam Date: April 13, 2025 (Sunday)
- NDA & NA (II) 2025 Notification: May 28, 2025
- NDA & NA (II) 2025 Last Date to Apply: June 17, 2025
- NDA & NA (II) 2025 Exam Date: September 14, 2025 (Sunday)
Stay Updated: Don’t Miss Out!
The UPSC exam schedule is crucial, but staying updated with any potential changes, detailed notifications, syllabus updates, and other important announcements is equally vital. To ensure you never miss an update regarding UPSC exams or other government job opportunities, join our dedicated channels:
- Join our WhatsApp Channel: Govt Jobs Alert WhatsApp
- Join our Telegram Channel: Government Jobs Sarkari Naukri Telegram
By joining these channels, you get instant alerts and relevant information delivered directly to your device, helping you stay ahead in your preparation journey.
Final Thoughts
The UPSC Exam Calendar 2025 is more than just a list of dates; it’s a call to action for aspirants across India. Use this calendar wisely to structure your preparation, set realistic goals, and work consistently towards achieving them. Remember that while the dates are fixed (subject to change under exceptional circumstances ), your dedication and hard work will ultimately determine your success. Good luck with your preparation!