UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 to start tomorrow: Check details here

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the Civil Services Mains Examination 2025 from tomorrow, August 22, 2025, in a high-stakes test that will determine the future of India’s next cohort of top bureaucrats.

The examination, to be conducted over five days, August 22, 23, 24, 30, and 31, is reserved for candidates who cleared the Preliminary stage in June.The Mains will run in two daily sessions: 9 AM to 12 noon and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The first paper, an essay, will be written on Friday. UPSC has issued strict protocols, underscoring both the scale of the exercise and the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy towards malpractice.

No entry after gate closure

Candidates must carry a printed e-Admit Card along with an original photo identity card for each session. Gates will close 30 minutes before the start of the exam. No candidate will be allowed entry once the cut-off time lapses.

Ban on electronic devices

The Commission has reiterated its blanket ban on electronic and digital devices. Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth-enabled accessories, cameras, and storage media, whether operational or switched off, are prohibited inside the premises.

Any violation will attract immediate disqualification and a possible ban from future examinations. Venue supervisors will not provide safekeeping facilities, leaving candidates responsible for their belongings.

Permitted items

Candidates are permitted to carry only essential items: Admit card, pen, pencil, valid identity proof, and self-photographs where applicable. They must use black ballpoint pens for attendance records.

Scientific calculators of the non-programmable type may be used, but programmable calculators remain barred. Normal wristwatches are allowed, but any digital or gadget-fitted timepieces are strictly prohibited.

Water will be permitted only in transparent bottles; food or beverages are disallowed.

Special scrutiny for identification

Candidates with unclear or incomplete photographs on admit cards must bring two passport-sized photographs, bearing name and date, along with valid ID proof.

An undertaking will also be required to establish identity.National spotlightThe Civil Services Examination, which recruits officers for the IAS, IPS, IFS, and allied services, is regarded as the toughest competitive examination in the country. With lakhs competing for limited vacancies, the Mains form the critical stage before the final interview.As the first essay paper opens on August 22, the examination is not merely a test of knowledge, it is a defining trial of discipline, composure, and resilience. The UPSC has made clear: Adherence to rules is non-negotiable.