UPSC CSE Notification 2025: Phase 1 Interview Schedule, Vacancy & Calendar

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 notice came out on January 22, 2025, and it revealed the number of vacancies for the elite services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, and so on as 979. The application process started on the same day and ended on February 21, 2025 (extended).

A correction window was also provided until February 28. The preliminary exam was held on May 25, 2025, followed by the Mains exam from August 22 to 31, 2025. One of the eligibility criteria is a bachelor's degree, the age limit is 21 to 32 years (in relation to August 1, 2025), and the General category has a maximum of 6 attempts.

The three-tiered system—Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), and Interview—assesses candidates on the basis of their knowledge, skills, and personality traits for the roles in nation-building.

• After the declaration of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 result on 11 November, 2025, UPSC has decided to commence the Interviews.
• The Interview schedule of 649 candidates will begin 8 December 2025 onwards.
• The reporting time for the Forenoon Session is 09:00 Hours (9 am) and the Afternoon Session is 13:00 Hours (1 pm).
• The Interview schedule for the remaining candidates will be uploaded after sometime.
• The e-Summon Letters of Personality Tests (Interviews) of the above 649 candidates will be made available and can be downloaded from UPSC Website.
• This is to be noted that the request for change in the date and time of the Personality Test (Interview) intimated to the candidates will not be entertained.
• The candidates appearing for Interview will be granted reimbursement towards travelling expenses for appearing in the Interview which will be restricted only to the Second/Sleeper class train fare (Mail Express).
• In case, the candidates perform their journey by any other mode/class, the same will be dealt as per S.R.-132 and the Commission's guidelines, available on the Commission’s website [Travelling Allowance Form for Candidates (For Candidates only)].
• The candidates will have to submit hard copies of both ways tickets, showing the details of fare alongwith the prescribed Travel Allowance(T.A.) contribution claim form duly filled in duplicate.
• The Travel Allowance(TA) bill forms are available at the UPSC Portal.

The first stage of the UPSC CSE 2025 Interview for 649 candidates is going to take place from December 8 to December 19, 2025, at UPSC Bhavan in New Delhi. The morning and afternoon sessions will be held with the reporting time for the morning session at 9 AM and for the afternoon session at 1 PM. The official document can be downloaded from the link below. e-Summon letters will be sent; other phases will follow shortly.

The number of vacancies as notified by the UPSC Civil Services examination is 979 vacancies which include some reservation seats of 38 vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disability Category, which are as follows:

• 12 Vacancies for candidates of (a) blindness and low vision;
• 07 Vacancies for (b) deaf and hard of hearing;
• 10 Vacancies for (c) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy;
• 09 Vacancies for (e) multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (c) including deaf-blindness.

With additional vacancies for Indian Forest services (150 seats), a total number of vacancies for UPSC Civil Services Examination becomes 1129.

The exam cycle of the UPSC CSE typically starts with the release of the official notification by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and ends with the declaration of the final result. The major events happening during one Exam Cycle are explained chronologically as follows:

1. Release of the Official Notification

The official notification for the UPSC CSE is usually released in January or February month of the year. With this, the process of the exam kickstarts.

Note: The official notification provides important details such as the exam date, application process, and eligibility criteria.

2. Filling of Application Forms

The application process begins following the notification, allowing candidates to submit their applications online within the specified timeframe. Usually, the deadline for filling application form is around one month after the date of release of the official notification.

3. Prelims Exam

The Preliminary Examination is, usually, held in the month of May or June.

4. Prelims Result

Generally, the Prelims Result is declared around 2-3 weeks after the date of the Prelims Exam. Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination become eligible to appear for the Main Examination.

5. Main Exam

The Main Examination is generally held in the month of August or September.

6. Main Result

The Main Exam result is declared approximately 2-3 months after the Main Exam is conducted. The candidates qualifying the Main Examination are invited to the final stage - the Personality Test (Interview).

7. Personality Test (Interview)

The UPSC releases the interview schedule soon after the declaration of the Main Exam result. Usually, the Interview starts around 1 month after the declaration of the Main Exam result.

8. Declaration of Final Result

The final result of the UPSC CSE is declared around 1-2 weeks after the completion of interviews. Usually, it happens to be April or May months of the year following the notification year.

With the declaration of the final result, one exam cycle is completed. The entire exam cycle, from the release of the notification to the declaration of the final result, takes approximately one year.

The official Exam Calendar released by the UPSC contains dates of the important events regarding the UPSC CSE.

The same for the UPSC CSE 2025 can be seen as follows:

• Date of Notification: 22.01.2025
• Last date for the receipt of online applications: 11.02.2025
• UPSC Preliminary exam date: 25.05.2025
• UPSC Preliminary exam result date: 11.06.2025
• UPSC Mains exam date: 22.08.2025
• Duration of Mains exam: Five days
• UPSC Mains exam result date: 11.11.2025
• UPSC Interview/Personality date: 08.12.2025 (Phase-1)

Aspirants appearing for UPSC CSE 2026 can refer to the exam dates given below:

Note: Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Prelims is combined with CSE Prelims; IFoS Mains on 22.11.2026 (7 days). Dates subject to change.

• Aspirants can apply online by using the UPSC official website http://upsconline.gov.in.
• It is important for the candidate to register at One Time Registration (OTR) platform first, available on the Commission’s website, and then proceed by filling up the online application form for the examination.
• OTR Profile (Registration) has to be registered only once in lifetime. This can be done anytime throughout the year.
• If the candidate is already registered, he/she can proceed directly with filling up the Online Application for the examination.
• One-window applications for UPSC online for Civil Services: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Applications can be submitted via upsconline.nic.in.

Prelims Application

• One-Time Registration (OTR) is done first by the candidates, followed by an application under notifications.
• Part-I will fill in personal and educational details.
• Part-II will upload the photo and signature, pay the fee, and select centers.

Mains Application

• Prelims qualifiers apply separately post-results using the same OTR.
• A detailed form has to be submitted along with DAF (Detailed Application Form), optional subjects, and preferences.

Interview Application

• Successful candidates in mains fill online e-DAF, uploading documents and service choices.
• Original documents are verified at the time of interview, and no new application is required.

• Preliminary exam centres: There were 80 cities as the Prelims exam centre chosen by UPSC according to the number of applications for UPSC civil services prelim exam 2025.
• Mains exam centres: There were 24 cities as the Mains exam centre chosen by UPSC according to the number of applications for UPSC civil services Main exam 2025.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) selects officers for some of the most esteemed services in India. Some of the principal jobs in Group ‘A’ are Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for administration, Indian Police Service (IPS) for law and order, and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) for international relations. Other major services include Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and other allied Central Services such as the Indian Audit and Accounts Service(IAAS), Indian Defence Accounts Service(IDAS), which are responsible for matters of finance, taxation, and accounts.

Also Read: List of UPSC CSE Posts

The UPSC Notification 2025 signals the beginning of the Civil Services selection process, where all requirements have been given in this official notice. Candidates need to read each and every word in this notice and keep a tab on all latest notifications on this official website since a proper time table will solely benefit them in their studies if they work accordingly.

When is the UPSC CSE 2025 notification released?

The notification is usually released in February on the official UPSC website, along with vacancies, dates, and application details.

Where can candidates download the UPSC notification?

Candidates can download the detailed notification from the “Examinations” section of the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).

What key details does the UPSC notification contain?

It includes eligibility criteria, age limits, number of attempts, vacancy break‑up, exam dates, syllabus references, and application instructions.