UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Exam Today: Check Exam Shift Timings, Instructions and What to Carry on Exam Day

UPSC Prelims Exam 2025: UPSC Prelims exam is scheduled to be held on 25 May 2025, i.e., today in two shifts. The first shift starts from 9:30 AM and will end at 11:30 AM. While the second shift starts from 2:30 PM and will end at 4:30 PM. Paper I, which the General Studies consist of 100 MCQ-based questions while Paper II, which is the CSAT consist of 80 MCQ-based questions. There is also a provision of negative marking, therefore the candidates must be very cautious while choosing the answers. Only those candidates who qualify the Prelims stage will be eligible for the Mains exam. It is necessary for the aspirants to follow the exam day guidelines and instructions properly, in order to avoid any discrepancies.

UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Day Guidelines

Those candidates who are going to appear for the UPSC CSE Prelims must check the guidelines and instructions provided on the admit card and also can check the official website for any other important information related to the exam. Here are some important instructions to be kept in mind:

• Candidates must check the UPSC admit card carefully for any discrepancies. Only printout of the admit card along with the (original) Photo Identity Card, whose number must be carried to the exam hall. 
• Entry into the Examination Centre: The entry into the examination hall will be closed 30 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the examination i.e., 9:00 AM for the morning session and 02:00 PM for the afternoon session. Entry will not be allowed into the examination venue after closure of the entry. Therefore candidates are advised to reach the venue before time in order to avoid any inconvenience.

• Candidates must not have any mobile phone,pager or any electronic device, or any pen drive, smart watches, camera, or Bluetooth devices which can be used as a communication device during the examination
• Digital watches are not allowed by the candidates. 

• Use of Black Ball Point Pen: Candidates are advised to use only a Black Ball Point pen to fill their OMR sheets. Other colour pens are not allowed to be used.

• Candidates who have opted for a scribe, must know that the scribe is allowed entry in the examination hall only when they have a separate admit card.

UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam: Check GS Paper 1 and CSAT Shift Timings

The UPSC CSE Prelims exam is conducted in two shifts: Shift 1 consists of Paper I which is the General Studies paper. Shift 1 is held in the morning session. Shift 2 consists of Paper II which is the CSAT paper, held in the afternoon session. Czech the table below for detailed timings:

UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Pattern

The UPSC CSE Prelims exam is conducted in two shifts. The Shift 1 is the Paper I which is the General Studies paper including subjects like Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Indian History, Indian and World Geography, Current Events of National and International Importance, etc. The Shift 2 is the Paper II which is the CSAT paper which tests a candidate’s general mental ability, aptitude, etc.