UPSC CSE Mains 2025 LIVE: Civil Services day 2 shift 2 exam analysis, question paper, cut-off soon

Vagisha Kaushik | August 23, 2025 | 03:54 PM IST | 13 mins read

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted between August 22 and 31 in two shifts. Candidates can download admit card on upsc.gov.in. Latest updates here.

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UPSC Mains 2025 day 2 shift 2 ends at 5:30 pm; exam analysis soon. (Representational Image: Careers360)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 day 2 for General Studies paper and the second shift will end at 5:30 pm. Around 1,461 candidates are appearing for the Mains exam.

The commission is holding the exam in two shifts – forenoon session took place from 9 am to 12 noon and afternoon session is being conducted from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The exam is being administered between August 22 and 31 at 24 examination centres across the country.

It is mandatory for the examinees to carry the UPSC CSE Main 2025 admit card to the exam centre along with a photo ID proof. Candidates can download the UPSC CSE admit card 2025 from the official website, upsc.gov.in.

As per the UPSC CSE Main 2025 exam pattern, the written test will comprise nine papers carrying a total of 1,750 marks. Those who qualify the written exam will be shortlisted for an interview or personality test of 275 marks. Hence, the Main exam will be held for a total of 2,025 marks.

According to the UPSC CSE 2025 marking scheme, there will be a negative marking. Candidates will lose one-third marks for incorrect responses.

UPSC CSE Mains exam time table 2025

UPSC CSE 2025 recruitment aims to fill a total of 979 vacancies. Here’s the schedule for written exam:

Date

Forenoon Session (9 AM – 12 noon)

Afternoon Session (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM)

August 22, 2025

Paper-I: Essay

No Paper

August 23, 2025

Paper-II: General Studies-I

Paper-III: General Studies-II

August 24, 2025

Paper-IV: General Studies-III

Paper-V: General Studies-IV

August 30, 2025

Paper-A: Indian Language
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, English

Paper-B: English

August 31, 2025

Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1
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

Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper 2

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

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LIVE UPDATES
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 day 2 shift 2 ends soon. Updates on exam date, time table, admit card, question paper pattern, marking scheme, previous year questions, exam analysis, cut-off trends.

August 23, 2025 | 03:54 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 Live: Day 2 shift 2 timings

UPSC Civil Services Main exam 2025 day 2 shift 2 exam will end at 5:30 pm. UPSC Mains 2025 exam analysis will be shared here after the conclusion of the afternoon session.

August 23, 2025 | 10:19 AM IST

UPSC CSE 2025 LIVE: IAS toppers from last year

Around 1,461 candidates are currently appearing for the UPSC Civil Services Mains (CSE) exam for the General Studies paper 1 in shift 1. The subject's paper will be conducted in the second shift, scheduled from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Here is the list of toppers from UPSC IAS 2024 batch.

Roll Number Name of the Candidate
0240782 SHAKTI DUBEY
0101571 HARSHITA GOYAL
0867282 DONGRE ARCHIT PARAG
0108110 SHAH MARGI CHIRAG
0833621 AAKASH GARG
0818290 KOMAL PUNIA
6902167 AAYUSHI BANSAL
6613295 RAJ KRISHNA JHA
0849449 ADITYA VIKRAM AGARWAL
5400180 MAYANK TRIPATHI

August 23, 2025 | 09:26 AM IST

UPCS CSE 2025: Marking scheme, exam pattern

Candidates appearing for the UPSC CSE 2025 will loose 1/3 marks for each wrong answer, while one mark will be awarded for each correct response. The written test will be conducted for nine papers and carry a total of 1,750 marks.

August 23, 2025 | 09:02 AM IST

UPSC CSE 2025: Day 2 shift 1 begins for General Studies paper 1

The UPSC has commenced the CSE Main exam for day 2 shift 1 at 9 am for General Studies paper 1. The exam will be go on till 12 noon.


August 23, 2025 | 08:38 AM IST

UPSC CSE 2025: Gate closed for shift 1

The UPSC CSE 2025 day 2 shift 1 examination gates have been closed for entry. The exam will begin from 9 am and will be held till 12 noon.

August 23, 2025 | 08:20 AM IST

UPSC CSE Main day 2 shift 1 gate closes in 10 minutes

Candidates who will be appearing for the UPSC CSE Main exam for General Studies paper 1 must reach at their assigned centres before 8:30 am as the gates will be closed and no student will be allowed to enter after the given time.

August 23, 2025 | 07:21 AM IST

UPSC Day 2 shift 1 from 9 am

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will commence the day 2 shift 1 of the Civil Services Exam from 9 am to 12 noon for General Studies paper 1. Candidates must reach their respective examination centre by 8 am as the gates will be closed at 8:30 am.

August 22, 2025 | 10:35 PM IST

UPSC CSE 2025: Papers scheduled for tomorrow

As per UPSC CSE Main 2025 time table, paper 2 general studies 1 and paper 3 general studies 2 will be conducted tomorrow, August 23. While paper 1 will be held in the first shift from 9 am to 12 noon, paper 2 will take place in the afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

August 22, 2025 | 09:27 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025: Number of attempts

Every candidate appearing for the UPSC CSE 2025, will be permitted six attempts. However, SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD category candidates will be given relaxation of nine years.

August 22, 2025 | 08:27 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 being held for these posts

UPSC is conducting civil services exam 2025 for the recruitment of these candidates to these posts:

(i) Indian Administrative Service

(ii) Indian Foreign Service

(iii) Indian Police Service

(iv) Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

(v) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

(vi) Indian Corporate Law Service, Group ‘A’

(vii) Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’

(viii) Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’

(ix) Indian Information Service, Group ‘A’

(x) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’

(xi) Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, Group ‘A’

(xii) Indian Railway Management Service (Traffic), Group ‘A’

(xiii) Indian Railway Management Service (Personnel), Group ‘A’

(xiv) Indian Railway Management Service (Accounts), Group ‘A’

(xv) Indian Railway Protection Force Service, Group ‘A’

(xvi) Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) Group ‘A’

(xvii) Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) Group ‘A’

(xviii) Indian Trade Service, Group ‘A’ (Grade III)

(xix) Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service, Group ‘B’ (Section Officer’s Grade)

(xx) Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Civil Service (DANICS), Group ‘B’

(xxi) Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Police Service (DANIPS), Group ‘B’

(xxii) Pondicherry Civil Service (PONDICS), Group ‘B’

(xxiii) Pondicherry Police Service (PONDIPS), Group ‘B’

August 22, 2025 | 07:30 PM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 schedule

The UPSC will conduct the UPSC CSE Mains 2025 exam from August 22 to 31 in two shifts. The morning session will be held from 9 am to 12 noon, whereas the forenoon session will take place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

August 22, 2025 | 06:43 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 admit card for August 22

Candidates looking forward to sit for the UPSC CSE main 2025 exam for General Studies paper tomorrow, must download their exam hall ticket. The UPSC CSE admit card can be reached through the official website at upsc.gov.in.

August 22, 2025 | 05:27 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main day 2 shift 1

The UPSC will conduct the UPSC CSE Main 2025 exam for paper 2 on General Studies subject tomorrow in two shifts. Candidates must reach the exam centres one hour before the start of the exam to be allowed to enter the exam centre gate.

August 22, 2025 | 04:59 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025: Paper 6, 7 updates

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct a total of 7 papers for the UPSC CSE Main 2025 exam, out of which paper 6 and 7 will have option subjects.

UPSC optional subject choice for papers 6 and 7 is as follows.

  • Agriculture
  • Management
  • Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
  • Mathematics
  • Anthropology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Botany
  • Medical Science
  • Chemistry
  • Philosophy
  • Civil Engineering
  • Physics
  • Commerce and Accountancy
  • Political Science & International Relations
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Public Administration
  • Geography
  • Sociology
  • Geology
  • Statistics
  • History
  • Zoology
  • Law
  • Ethics

August 22, 2025 | 04:15 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 Essay paper

The UPSC conducted the UPSC CSE Main 2025 for Essay paper today from 9 am to 12 noon. As per the UPSC aspirants, the essay paper was easy to moderate in difficulty level as compared to last year's.

UPSC CSE Main 2025 essay paper hard copy. (Image source: Careers360)

August 22, 2025 | 04:00 PM IST

IAS full form

The full form of IAS is Indian Administrative Services. The UPSC CSE Main exam is conducted to recruitment candidates for various posts in the government and civil service posts in India.

August 22, 2025 | 03:28 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 August 23 timings

Candidates, who will appear for the UPSC CSE Main 2025 exam for General Studies paper 1 and 2 tomorrow, are advised to reach before time at the assigned examination centre.

At the day 1 of the UPSC CSE main 2025 for essay paper, Gaurav, a UPSC aspirant, was denied entry at the examination centre at Atal Adarsh Balika Vidyalaya, Gole Market, Delhi. While, another aspirant was also denied entry for being late for one minute.

August 22, 2025 | 03:05 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 paper 2

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the UPSC CSE Main 2025 for paper 2 on August 23 in dual shifts. The paper will be held for General Studies - 1 and 2 tomorrow in two sessions. The paper 1 will be held in the morning shift from 9 am to 12 noon, whereas the afternoon shift for paper 2 will take place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

August 22, 2025 | 02:19 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025: Is there negative marking?

Yes, there will be negative marking. Candidates will loose 1/3 marks for giving wrong responses to each answer.

August 22, 2025 | 02:05 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 Essay Paper Analysis

Today, the UPSC conducted its CSE Main exam for essay paper in a single shift only. After the exams were over, several UPSC aspirants, in talks with Careers360 told that essay paper was easy and comparatively moderate from last year's. There were mostly philosophical, including questions on how to cover arguments and quotes, one of the aspirants said.

August 22, 2025 | 01:51 PM IST

Next UPSC CSE Main exam tomorrow

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct its UPSC Civil Services Main exam 2025 for day 2 tomorrow  in dual shifts. The morning shift will be conducted from 9 am to 12 noon, whereas the forenoon shift will take place from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

August 22, 2025 | 01:25 PM IST

UPSC Exam 2025: Essay paper had question from

The essay paper has questions from contemporary and traditional topics, another aspirant told Careers360.

UPSC Mains 2025 day 1 exam. (Image: Careers360)

August 22, 2025 | 01:07 PM IST

UPSC Exam 2025: 'Paper had most questions from philosophy subject', says aspirant

According to UPSC aspirant Prashant Gupta from Aligarh, in his third attempt, he enjoyed questions from the Essay paper. He said: 'The paper was nice, I like attempting questions from a philosophical subject. I used a quote from Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Nida Fazli's poetry," Furthermore, he said he left one question from the philosophy subject, and there were no questions from ideology.

August 22, 2025 | 12:53 PM IST

UPSC Mains Exam 2025: Essay paper analysis

Palak from Madhya Pradesh appeared for the UPSC mains exam for the second time. She said the questions in the Essay paper were easy and were mostly philosophical, including questions on how to cover arguments and quotes. The paper was relatively moderate compared to last year.

August 22, 2025 | 12:44 PM IST

UPSC Exam 2025 today; Essay paper analysis

Another aspirant from UP, it was his first attempt at the Mains exam. He says the exam paper was mostly philosophical. However, he's unsure about his marks in the UPSC exam.

August 22, 2025 | 12:36 PM IST

UPSC exam today 2025; students reaction

According to UPSC aspirant from Lucknow, Abhishek Nagar, his third attempt, exam was "sahi". He said questions were more "philosophical" than based on contemporary events.

August 22, 2025 | 12:16 PM IST

UPSC Mains date 2025

The UPSC Mains 2025 timetable is given below.

Dates
Events
August 22 Paper 1
August 23 Paper 2 and 3 for general studies
August 24 Paper 4 and 5 for general studies
August 30 Language papers
August 31 Optional subject papers

August 22, 2025 | 12:12 PM IST

UPSC Mains 2025: Aspirants miss essay exam due to traffic, miss management

According to the Careers360 reports, several students were not able to appear for the UPSC mains 2025 essay paper due to being 1 minute late.


August 22, 2025 | 12:00 PM IST

UPSC Mains 2025 exam over

UPSC conducted the UPSC Mains exam 2025 today from 9 am to 12 noon. There's no paper scheduled for the afternoon session today.

August 22, 2025 | 11:12 AM IST

UPSC Mains 2025: Optional subjects for paper 6 and 7

UPSC optional subject choice for papers 6 and 7 is as follows.

  • Agriculture
  • Management
  • Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
  • Mathematics
  • Anthropology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Botany
  • Medical Science
  • Chemistry
  • Philosophy
  • Civil Engineering
  • Physics
  • Commerce and Accountancy
  • Political Science & International Relations
  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Public Administration
  • Geography
  • Sociology
  • Geology
  • Statistics
  • History
  • Zoology
  • Law
  • Ethics

August 22, 2025 | 10:49 AM IST

'What is the date of the UPSC Mains exam 2025?' candidates ask

UPSC CSE mains 2025 exam is scheduled from August 22 to 31 in two shifts: forenoon session from 9 am to 12 noon and afternoon session from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

August 22, 2025 | 10:34 AM IST

'Is UPSC Mains conducted in one day?' candidates ask

The UPSC CSE mains 2025 exam will be held for nine papers from August 22 to 31 at 24 exam centres across the country. UPSC CSE 2025 recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 979 vacancies.

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 shift 1 exam ongoing. (Image: Careers360)

August 22, 2025 | 10:17 AM IST

UPSC Mains Timing: Day 1 shift 1 exam

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 day 1 shift 1 exam commenced at 9 am and will be completed at noon. There's no exam schedule on the second shift today. Candidates will have to appear for the August 23 paper 2 and 3 for general studies.

August 22, 2025 | 09:38 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Syllabus for paper 2

The list of topics for UPSC CSE 2025 Mains paper 2 general studies is as follows. Based on Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society.

  • Indian culture covers aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
  • Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, the problems caused by it, and the remedies.
  • Modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century till the present.
  • Effects of globalization
  • Features of Indian Society and Diversity of India.
  • The Freedom Struggle — various stages and important contributions from famous personalities from all parts of the country.
  • History of the world, including events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, redrawal of national boundaries, world wars, colonization, capitalism, political philosophies like communism, socialism etc.
  • Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
  • Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
  • Industries in various parts of the world (including India).
  • Salient features of the world's physical geography.
  • Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including
  • Important Geophysical phenomenas
  • South Asia and the Indian subcontinent factors responsible for the location of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sector.

August 22, 2025 | 09:06 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Some aspirants barred for being 1 minute late

UPSC aspirant, Gaurav, was denied entry at the CSE Mains exam centre, at Atal Adarsh Balika Vidyalaya, Gole Market, Delhi. Another girl candidate was also denied entry to the exam centre for being one minute late.

UPSC aspirant Gaurav was denied entry at the exam centre.

August 22, 2025 | 08:41 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Entry closed, entry denied for 2 students

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 entry has closed at the exam centre -Atal Adarsh Balika Vidyalaya Gole Market, Delhi. According to Careers360 , 2 students were denied entry at the exam centre due to a delay in entry of 1 minute.

August 22, 2025 | 08:37 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Entry closes

UPSC CSE mains 2025 day 1 shift 1 entry has closed at the exam centre -Atal Adarsh Balika Vidyalaya Gole Market, Delhi

UPSC CSE Mains Day 1 entry closed. (Image: Careers360)

August 22, 2025 | 08:26 AM IST

UPSC exams 2025 stages

The UPSC exam is held in three stages, including:

  • Prelims
  • Mains
  • An interview round

August 22, 2025 | 08:22 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: 9 papers

The UPSC CSE mains 2025 exam is held for 9 papers, including:

Paper 1: Essay
Paper 2: General studies 1
Paper 3: General studies 2
Paper 4: General studies 3
Paper 5: General studies 4
Paper A language
Paper B English
Paper 6: Optional
Paper 7: Optional

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 for 9 papers. (Image: Careers360)

August 22, 2025 | 08:13 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Essay exam today, entry begins

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 | Candidates have started entering their exam centre, and the verification of aspirants' identity has also commenced. UPSC CSE mains 2025 essay paper will begin at 9 am.

August 22, 2025 | 08:04 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Exam starts at 9 am

UPSC aspirant Sushil from Uttar Pradesh has qualified for the prelims exam, and it's his first attempt for the mains. For an essay, he advises dividing the essay into parts to answer the given questions. According to him, philosophy topics are in trend and he has prepared accordingly.  He has prepared for UPSC CSE mains 2025 through self-studying.

August 22, 2025 | 07:55 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Day 1 shift 1 entry closes at 8:30 am

The entry for UPSC CSE Mains 2025 day 1, shift 1 paper will close today at 8:30 am, and the exam will commence at 9 am.

August 22, 2025 | 07:49 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025: Day 1 shift 1 entry begins

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 | The entry for CSE Mains day 1 and shift 1 has begun at the exam centre -Atal Adarsh Balika Vidyalaya, Gole Market, Delhi. UPSC CSE 2025 will conduct the exam in a single shift today for the Essay.

August 22, 2025 | 07:22 AM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 exam today

UPSC will commence the shift 1 UPSC Civil Services Mains exam today from 9 am to 12 noon. Today's exam will be held in a single shift only.

UPSC CSE Mains 2025. (Image: Careers360)

August 21, 2025 | 10:59 PM IST

UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025: What to carry?

Candidates will be required to carry UPSC CSE admit card 2025 along with self-attested photocopies of their original IDs. Transparent water bottles and simple wristwatches are also allowed inside the examination centre.

August 21, 2025 | 10:43 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025: Is there negative marking?

Yes, as per UPSC CSE Main 2025 marking scheme, one-third marks will be deducted for every wrong answer submitted by a candidate in the civil services exam.

August 21, 2025 | 10:24 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main 2025 exam pattern

UPSC Civil Services Main exam pattern 2025 is given below.

Paper

Subject / Type

Duration

Marks

Paper A

Compulsory Indian Language (Qualifying)

3 Hours

300

Paper B

English (Qualifying)

3 Hours

300

Paper I

Essay

3 Hours

250

Paper II

General Studies I

3 Hours

250

Paper III

General Studies II

3 Hours

250

Paper IV

General Studies III

3 Hours

250

Paper V

General Studies IV

3 Hours

250

Paper VI

Optional Subject – Paper I

3 Hours

250

Paper VII

Optional Subject – Paper II

3 Hours

250


August 21, 2025 | 10:08 PM IST

How to download UPSC admit card 2025?

Candidates can download the UPSC CSE Main 2025 admit card using the steps given below.

  • Go to the official website of UPSC, upsc.gov.in
  • Click on the link for UPSC CSE Main 2025 admit card
  • Candidates will be redirected to a login page
  • Enter your login credentials to access the hall ticket
  • Download the admission ticket and take a print out

August 21, 2025 | 09:57 PM IST

UPSC CSE Main exam time table 2025

According to the UPSC CSE Main time table 2025, the exam will be held in two shifts -- 9 am to 12 noon and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm -- between August 21 and 31.

Read More: UPSC CSE Main 2025 between August 22 and 31; time table out on upsc.gov.in

August 21, 2025 | 09:56 PM IST

UPSC CSE Mains 2025 starts tomorrow

The Union Public Service Commission will start the Civil Services (Main) examination 2025 tomorrow, August 21.