Thousands of candidates in Uttar Pradesh and India prepare every year to appear in one of the most prestigious state-level civil service examinations, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Preliminary Examination. As the exam season of 2025 draws near, the most searched question among the candidates is:
What is the Exam Date of UPPSC Prelims 2025?
According to the UPPSC Exam Calendar 2025, published by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, the UPPSC Prelims 2025 examination is going to be held on October 12, 2025.
UPPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Schedule
The table below gives a short list of the key dates related to UPPSC Prelims 2025:
Event |
Date |
Notification Release Date |
February 2025 |
Start of Online Application |
February 2025 |
Last Date to Apply |
March 2025 |
Admit Card Release Date |
October 2025 (Tentative) |
UPPSC Prelims Exam Date |
October 12, 2025 |
Result Declaration (Prelims) |
August 2025 (Tentative) |
📌 What is the UPPSC Prelims Exam?
UPPSC Prelims Exam is the initial phase of the UPPSC (Uttar Pradesh Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services) recruitment procedure, which is carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission. This test is held to select candidates to fill different administrative positions in the state government of Uttar Pradesh, such as SDM, DSP, BDO, and other group A and group B positions.
The examination is objective-based and consists of two papers:
- General Studies (GS) Paper I
- Paper II: CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
Both are 200-marks papers and qualifying in nature for the Mains stage.
The applicants are advised to access the official UPPSC site on a regular basis to keep themselves abreast and begin their preparation well in advance with the help of standard study materials like UPPSC Books, old question papers, and mock tests.
Application Process for UPPSC Prelims 2025
Candidates aspiring for the UPPSC Prelims 2025 will be required to apply online once the notification is released. The steps typically involve:
• Registration on the UPPSC website
• Filling out personal and academic details
• Uploading necessary documents
• Fee payment (based on category)
• Final submission and download of application form
It’s essential to double-check all entered information to avoid rejection. A valid mobile number and email ID should be maintained throughout the process to receive timely updates from UPPSC.
Exam Centres for UPPSC Prelims 2025
The UPPSC conducts the Prelims examination in various districts across Uttar Pradesh. The exam centres are allotted based on candidate preferences and availability. Common cities include:
• Lucknow
• Prayagraj
• Kanpur
• Varanasi
• Gorakhpur
• Meerut
• Bareilly
• Ghaziabad
• Agra
• Jhansi
Candidates must select their preferred city while applying. The final allotment is mentioned in the admit card, which is released a few weeks before the exam date.
❓ Is the UPPSC Prelims exam conducted online or offline?
The UPPSC Prelims exam is conducted offline in pen and paper mode. Candidates are required to mark their answers on an OMR sheet using a black ballpoint pen. The exam is held in various centers across Uttar Pradesh.
❓ What is the syllabus for UPPSC Prelims 2025?
Here is a brief overview of the UPPSC Prelims Syllabus for 2025:
Paper 1: General Studies
-
Current events of national and international importance
-
History of India and Indian National Movement
-
Indian and World Geography
-
Indian Polity and Governance
-
Economic and Social Development
-
Environmental Ecology and Climate Change
-
General Science
Paper 2: CSAT (Qualifying Paper)
-
Comprehension
-
Interpersonal skills, including communication
-
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
-
Decision making and problem solving
-
General mental ability
-
Basic numeracy and data interpretation (Class X level)
To prepare effectively, aspirants often refer to UPPSC Books, mock tests, and UPPSC Solved Papers to familiarize themselves with the paper pattern.
❓ What is the exam pattern for UPPSC Prelims 2025?
The pattern of the UPPSC Prelims 2025 exam is as follows:
Paper |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
I |
General Studies I |
150 |
200 |
2 Hours |
II |
General Studies II (CSAT) |
100 |
200 |
2 Hours |
-
CSAT is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to score at least 33% marks in it.
-
The marks of General Studies Paper I are considered for the cutoff.
Although both UPPSC and UPSC are similar in structure, the latter one, UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), is regarded as more competitive and wider-ranging because it serves all-India services. UPPSC, in its turn, is a state exam, and although it is also prestigious, the competition is a bit narrower.
Nonetheless, both papers need a lot of preparation, and it is very advisable to use the appropriate strategy with standard UPSC Books and UPPCS Solved Papers when dealing with overlapping topics such as History, Polity, and Environment.
How Does UPPSC Prelims Fit into the Entire Selection Process?
In order to have a better idea of the importance of the UPPSC Prelims, the bigger picture of the UPPSC recruitment process should be examined.
The process of selection is as follows:
1. Preliminary Examination - qualifying and objective.
2. Main Examination- Descriptive and applied in the determination of merit.
3. Interview/Personality Test-The last stage that determines the suitability of the candidates for the administrative service.
The Prelims are an important screening stage because only those who pass the Prelims can appear in the Mains. The Prelims exam is a very competitive barrier as the number of applicants is much more than the number of vacancies.
📝 How Should Aspirants Prepare for UPPSC Prelims 2025?
UPPSC Prelims need a disciplined and systematic preparation. The following is how you should organize your strategy:
1. Learn the Syllabus Properly
The first step is to download the official syllabus from the UPPSC site. Learn the weightage of every subject, particularly General Studies Paper I.
2. Study Schedule
Draw up a realistic schedule depending on your daily schedule. Designate a specific time to:
-
Stagnant topics (History, Geography, Polity, Economy)
-
Current Affairs
-
Revision
-
Practice tests
3. Solve Last Year Papers
The Solved Papers of UPPCS will assist in getting an idea about the pattern of the paper, the complexity of the questions, and time management.
4. Revise Regularly
The secret of retention is revision. Continue to summarize what you have learned every week.
5. Standard Material Use
When selecting your study material, make sure you consult original and up-to-date UPPSC Books. Overlapping content is also done by many students using UPSC Books.
General Studies and CSAT Balancing Strategy
It is a common mistake of many candidates to concentrate on General Studies Paper I and neglect CSAT till the last moment. This is dangerous, particularly because a low score in CSAT automatically eliminates a candidate in the mains even in case he/she performs well in GS Paper I.
The following is how the two can be balanced:
• At the start, spend 2-3 hours a week on CSAT
• Emphasis on understanding, logical thinking, and simple numeracy
• Do mock papers regularly
In case you are preparing to take state and national exams, use standard UPSC Books on aptitude and comprehension parts. This two-fold preparation is time and effort-saving.
Role of Mock Tests in Prelims Preparation
Practicing with mock tests and previous years’ UPPCS Solved Papers is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the exam. It helps aspirants in the following ways:
-
Understand time management during the exam
-
Identify weak areas for targeted improvement
-
Build exam temperament and confidence
-
Improve accuracy and reduce silly mistakes
Mock tests simulate the real test environment, helping candidates get accustomed to the pressure and time constraints. Coupling this with good UPPSC Books increases chances of clearing the prelims.
📚 Can UPSC Books be Used for UPPSC Preparation?
Yes, absolutely. Many topics, such as Polity, Economy, Environment, and General Science, are common in both exams. Hence, standard UPSC Books like Indian Polity by Laxmikanth, Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, and Environment by Shankar IAS can be used effectively for UPPSC preparation as well.
However, candidates should also study state-specific content, which is unique to UPPSC. This includes:
-
History and culture of Uttar Pradesh
-
Geography of Uttar Pradesh
-
State government schemes
Read More: How is UPPSC PCS Different from UPSC Civil Services?
📈 Expected Cutoff for UPPSC Prelims 2025
The cutoff for UPPSC Prelims varies each year based on the number of vacancies, paper difficulty level, and number of applicants. Below is a rough idea based on previous years:
Category |
Expected Cutoff (GS Paper 1) |
General |
115–125 |
OBC |
110–120 |
SC |
95–105 |
ST |
85–95 |
EWS |
110–120 |
Note: CSAT must be qualified with a minimum of 66 marks (33%).
📌 What Happens After UPPSC Prelims?
When you pass the Prelims, you are eligible to take the UPPSC Mains Exam, which is descriptive and comprises 8 papers. These include:
-
General Hindi
-
Essay
-
General Studies I, II, III, and IV
-
Optional Subject Papers (2 papers)
The last stage of selection is the interview round (Personality Test) to which candidates who pass the Mains are called.
In Conclusion
UPPSC Prelims 2025 is an important one in the journey of candidates who want to work in senior administrative positions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the best time to prepare since the tentative examination date will be June 2025.
Keep yourself updated with the official site and start preparing with the genuine UPPSC Books, solve as many UPPSC Solved Papers as you can, and use standard UPSC Books on common topics. Preparation early and on a regular basis will enable you to have a good advantage over other competitors.