UPSC CSE Mains 2025 LIVE: Day 5 shift 2 ends; paper rated easy to moderate in difficulty level by aspirants

The UPSC today conducted paper 6 and 7 for optional subjects, each carrying 250 marks. The total marks for UPSC CSE Mains 2025 exam, including interview round, are given below.

The number of vacancies to be filled through the UPSC civil services examination is expected to be approximately 979, which include 38 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category (PwBD).

Vishal Patel from Madhya Pradesh opted for Mathematics as an optional subject. He told Careers360 that the mathematics subject was moderate in difficulty level as compared to last year. He was able to attempt 200 questions and is expecting to score 160 marks.

"This years question were all from standard book as compared to last years out of syllabus questions," Patel told careers360 reporter.

The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 shift 2 exam has concluded. Difficulty level, student reactions, and paper analysis will be updated here soon.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Main 2025 shift 2 exam for option subject started at 2:30 pm and will go on till 5:30 pm.

It was the third attempt of the UPSC Main 2025 for Prashant, who is from Dwarka. In conversation with Careers360, he told us that he opted for a mechanical subject as optional, where his first paper was not good because it was lengthy and questions were totally unexpected.

UPSC aspirant Prashant from Dwarka with Careers360 reporter outside a UPSC centre. (Image source: Inhouse)

Gaurav, a UPSC aspirant, who selected history paper as optional, told Careers360 that the questions in the paper were balanced, first portion was easy as compared to last year. There were questions on Akhbar policy, Delhi sultanate, Rajpur policy, Jagirdari crises, and all these were repeated from PIQs, he told.
An UPSC aspirant in talks with Careers360 after UPSC Main 2025 day 5 shift 1 ends. (Image source: Careers360)

The UPSC has commenced the UPSC Mains day 5 shift 2 exam for option paper today at 2:30 pm. The afternoon shift will be conducted till 5:30 pm.

The UPSC Main 2025 exam for option paper 6 was conducted in the morning shift from 9 am to 12 pm.

UPSC Main 2025 exam centre at Delhi. (Image source: Careers360)

The optional subjects include Literature papers in various languages, as well as subjects like Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science & International Relations (PSIR), Sociology, Public Administration, Economics, Psychology, Mathematics, and several science and engineering disciplines.

UPSC will release the IAS 2025 answer key online on the official website. The IAS answer key is only released for the prelims exam. The UPSC Civil Services answer key will be made available after the release of the final result.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has concluded the UPSC Mains 2025 day 6 shift 2 for the MAINS exam today. The commission will now conduct the second shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conclude the UPSC MAINS 2025 day 5 shift 1 at 12 pm today. The commission will commence the shift 2 for option subject from 2:30 pm.

To be eligible for the above posts, candidates must go through the famously competitive IAS 2025 selection process. As a part of the UPSC CSE 2025 selection process, candidates must go through 3 stages. These are the IAS prelims exam, mains exam and interview round.

The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 carries a total of 1,750 marks. Each subjective paper in the mains exam is worth 300 marks. Candidates are required to select two optional papers, which are included in the overall marking scheme.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has begun the UPSC IAS Main exam for day 5 shift 1 today. The exam will be conducted for a duration of 3 hours. The second shift will be held from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

The UPSC exam for option subject paper 1 will begin from 9 am and will go on till 12 pm. The entry for the forenoon shift has been restricted now. Candidates will be given half n hour for frisking and settle down. The next shift will begin from 2:30 pm.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will begin the UPSC exam for optional subject 1 from 9 am today. The exam will be conducted for a duration of three hours.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC has begun the entry for UPSC day 5 optional subject paper 1 and 2 today. The gates will be closed at 8:30 am.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct its day 5 exam today in two shifts for option subject 1, and 2. The forenoon shift will be conducted from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, while the afternoon shift will take place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Candidates who qualify for the UPSC CSE mains 2025 exam will have to appear for an interview or a personality test.

According to students' reaction, the UPSC CSE mains 2025 paper was easy in difficulty level, while some of them said grammer section was slighty tough.

The Commission will conduct the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 optional subject papers tomorrow, August 31. The optional subjects include Literature papers in various languages, as well as subjects like Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science & International Relations (PSIR), Sociology, Public Administration, Economics, Psychology, Mathematics, and several science and engineering disciplines.

According to Harsh, the Day 4 English paper (Paper B) was easy to attempt. Essays and comprehension were straightforward, while grammar was simpler than in previous years. Harsh observed a change in the first 10-mark grammar question. The rest of the grammar questions were simple and familiar from previous years’ patterns. He further noted that the Hindi paper was comparatively tougher, especially for candidates who have not studied Hindi recently, mainly due to translation questions.

UPSC CSE Day 4 Exam Over. (Image: Careers360)

While speaking to Careers360, aspirant Utkarsh shared his experience of the Day 4 English paper (Paper B). He said his approach was to attempt the entire paper to secure at least 75 marks. On preparation for tomorrow’s optional paper, PSIR, he mentioned that it was “okay” and that he is preparing through self-study without coaching.

The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Day 4 concluded today, August 30, with the afternoon session for Paper B (English). Candidates will soon exit the exam hall and share their feedback and reactions.

The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 will conclude tomorrow, August 31, with the final papers. The forenoon session from 9 am to 12 noon will have Paper-VI, the first paper of the optional subject, while the afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm will have Paper-VII, the second paper of the optional subject.

While speaking to Careers360, candidates shared insights on their optional subjects. One said PSIR helps in GS-II preparation, with PYQs and mock tests forming part of the strategy. Another chose Maths due to his graduation background and focused on using prior knowledge for the exam.

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 language paper today. (Image: Careers360)

The UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Day 4 Shift 2 has commenced with the compulsory Indian Language Paper B (English). The three-hour exam forms part of the nine papers in the Mains schedule. The exam will conclude at 5:30 pm.

Candidates will have to carry the UPSC CSE mains admit card and a valid photo ID. Only pens, pencils, erasers, and rulers are allowed. Mobile phones, smartwatches, bags, and other electronic devices are not permitted. Question papers and answer sheets will be provided inside. Candidates should check their roll number and follow the invigilators’ instructions.

Entry for UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Day 4 Shift 2 commenced. Candidates are being checked for their admit card and a valid photo ID at the examination centre. No examinee is allowed inside the hall without these documents.

UPSC Main exam 2025. (Image: Careers360)

UPSC Mains 2025 day 4 session 2 exam is being held for paper B English, which is a qualifying paper. The written test carries a total of 300 marks.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting day 4 of the Civil Services Examination (Main) examination 2025 today, August 30. The exam is being held in two shifts and the afternoon session will start from 2:30 pm. Entry at exam hall has already started.

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 day 4 shift 2 exam entry begins. (Image: Careers360)