The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the CSE Mains 2025 schedule. The exam will be held over two weekends from August 22 to August 31, 2025. This phase is crucial for all candidates who qualified in the Prelims.
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Exam Dates & Timings
| Date | Day | Paper | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 22, 2025 | Friday | Essay (Paper-I) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| August 23, 2025 | Saturday | GS-I (Paper-II), GS-II (Paper-III) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| August 24, 2025 | Sunday | GS-III (Paper-IV), GS-IV (Paper-V) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| August 30, 2025 | Saturday | Indian Language (Paper-A), English (Paper-B) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
| August 31, 2025 | Sunday | Optional Subject Paper I & II (Paper-VI & VII) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
Structure of the Mains Exam:
Total 9 papers
2 qualifying (Language & English)
7 merit-based papers (Essay, GS I-IV, Optional Papers I & II)
Descriptive format
Mains Admit Card: Expected release – 2nd week of August 2025
Interview Round: Will begin in early 2026 based on final result of Mains
UPSC Calendar 2026 – Upcoming Government Exams
Based on the UPSC Calendar 2026 released on May 15, 2025, here are the next set of national-level exams scheduled:
| Exam Name | Notification | Apply By | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Prelims) 2026 | Sep 3, 2025 | Sep 24, 2025 | Feb 8, 2026 |
| Engineering Services (Prelims) 2026 | Sep 17, 2025 | Oct 7, 2025 | Feb 8, 2026 |
| Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) 2026 | Feb 18, 2026 | Mar 10, 2026 | July 19, 2026 |
| Combined Medical Services Exam (CMS) 2026 | Mar 11, 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 |
| Civil Services (Prelims) 2026 | Jan 14, 2026 | Feb 3, 2026 | May 24, 2026 |
These exams offer career opportunities in:
Civil services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
Armed forces (CAPF, CDS)
Engineering departments (ESE)
Geo-scientific & medical services
UPSC CSE Mains 2025 Exam Dates and Upcoming Government Exams in India
If you’re preparing for India’s top government exams, here’s your complete guide to what lies ahead. The UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 exam is scheduled from August 22 to August 31, 2025, with a structured 9-paper format. Along with this, the UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released, featuring major upcoming exams like Engineering Services, CAPF (AC), CMS, and CSE Prelims 2026. This post gives you a clear view of all the crucial dates, paper patterns, admit card releases, and eligibility timelines – all in one place to help you stay on track.