UPSC Mains 2025 Complete Timetable Out – Check & Download Now

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the timetable for the Civil Services Mains 2025 exam. The examination will begin on 22nd August 2025 (Friday) and continue till 31st August 2025 (Sunday). If you're appearing for UPSC Mains 2025, it's crucial to stay updated with the detailed schedule to manage your time effectively and avoid any last-minute confusion. Here, you can check and download the complete UPSC Mains Exam 2025 timetable.

The UPSC Mains Exam 2025 will be conducted over 5 days, covering 9 papers in both forenoon and afternoon sessions. Below is the complete day-wise and session-wise timetable:

For direct access to the official UPSC Exam Date PDF, click here: UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Timetable PDF

For official updates, notifications, and to download your admit card, visit the official UPSC website.

Paper A (Indian Language) is a qualifying paper in the UPSC Mains 2025 exam, scheduled for 30th August 2025 (Saturday) in the forenoon session (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon). 

• Total Marks: 300 (Qualifying nature – minimum 25% required)
• Exemption: Candidates from the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim are exempted from this paper.
• This paper is designed to test your basic understanding and writing ability in the selected language.

List of Languages for Paper A:

1. Assamese
2. Bengali
3. Bodo
4. Dogri
5. Gujarati
6. Hindi
7. Kashmiri
8. Kannada
9. Konkani
10. Maithili
11. Malayalam
12. Manipuri
13. Marathi
14. Nepali
15. Odia
16. Punjabi
17. Tamil
18. Telugu
19. Urdu
20. Sanskrit
21. Sindhi
22. Santhali

Note: Candidates must choose the language based on their comfort level and educational background. Ensure that you confirm the eligibility and availability of the language as specified in the UPSC notification.

Also read: UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025: Final Approach, Smarter Strategy & Revision

The Optional Subject Papers play a crucial role in determining a candidate's final rank in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam 2025. Candidates must choose one optional subject, which includes two papers — Paper VI and Paper VII, each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks.

Exam Timetable for Optional Papers:

1. Paper VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1
Date: 31st August 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12 Noon

2. Paper VII: Optional Subject – Paper 2
Date: 31st August 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM

List of UPSC Optional Subjects:

• 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
• Literature of any one of the languages mentioned in Paper A

At this point, the pressure may feel overpowering, but this is the phase that truly defines an aspirant. Everyone has read the same books and made similar notes. What now sets you apart is how you manage your mind, time, and energy.

Stop worrying about what you haven’t read. Instead, double down on what you already know, and practice applying it through answers and tests. UPSC Mains 2025 is about presenting what you know effectively and efficiently.

1. Structure Your Days 

• Start your day with a fixed wake-up time and short revision of value-added content (quotes, data, etc.).
• Block out 3-4 hours for answer writing and mock tests at least 4 times a week.
• Use the Pomodoro method (25-min focus + 5-min break) to stay productive.
• Review your progress every week and adjust your weekly targets accordingly.

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2. Write Neatly, Write Smartly

• Practice writing answers within word limits and time constraints.
• Work on improving your handwriting if needed; clear, legible, and well-spaced writing increases readability.
• Use headings, underlining, diagrams, and bullet points. This makes it easy for the examiner to give you marks.
• Use a simple but strong intro-body-conclusion format consistently.

3. Take Care of Your Health (Mental + Physical)

• Eat light, nutritious meals. Avoid junk and too much caffeine.
• Get at least 6–7 hours of sleep. Your brain needs rest to retain information.
• Take short walks or stretch for 10–15 minutes to avoid burnout.
• Stay away from comparison and negativity. Don’t let someone else’s pace affect yours.

4. Maintain a Positive Mindset

• Keep reminding yourself why you started this journey.
• Read a motivational quote or listen to 5 minutes of encouraging audio every morning.
• If you hit a low phase, talk to a mentor, parent, or peer, but don’t isolate yourself in anxiety.
• Stay off social media or mute distractions during your study hours.

5. Focus on Smart Revision 

• Use the 80/20 rule: Revise 80% of high-yield topics and test the remaining 20% through questions.
• Focus on consolidated notes; avoid opening new books now.
• Build ready-to-use content: stats, reports, SC judgments, case studies.
• Revise Ethics definitions, case study templates, and quote banks.

7. Don’t Stress from Mock Test Marks

“I didn't worry about low marks in mocks. I used them to learn, not to validate myself.” — Sanket Agrawal (UPSC Topper, 2020)

• Focus on test analysis more than scores. 
• Track mistakes, improve intros, polish conclusions, and reduce time per answer.

8. Trust the Process, Trust Yourself

You’ve already done the hard work. Give your best, but don’t expect perfection. The goal is progress, consistency, and confidence.

Must Remember:

• The examiner is not looking for brilliance. They’re looking for clarity, coherence, and balance.
• Tidy answers, balanced perspectives, and confident presentation can make a real difference.
• You are not alone. Thousands are walking this journey, but it’s your determination that will write your story.

Also see: UPSC Mains Answer Writing Space Dimensions

Ready to Level Up Your Mains Preparation?

Before we close, let me say this—We see you! We see the effort behind every early morning, every late-night revision, and every time you choose discipline over comfort. This journey hasn't been easy, and yet, you’ve shown up. Again and again.

Now, as you are just a month away from UPSC Mains 2025, trust what you’ve built. You don’t need to be perfect. Just be present, focused, and true to your process.

You’re ready. More than you know.
And SuperKalam is with you, all the way! With expert mentorship, daily answer writing, Mains answers evaluation with feedback, and a focused community of aspirants, we’re here to help you turn your hard work into impactful answers. 

You’ve come so far. Let’s finish strong—together.
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