Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 – Download Optional & Compulsory Paper PDFs (All Subjects)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the prestigious Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year to recruiting if you are selected you are for India’s top administrative positions like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. The examination is divided into three stages — Preliminary, Main, and Interview (Personality Test).
The Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025, is the second and most crucial stage of this process. It consists of 9 papers, out of which 7 are considered for ranking, and 2 are qualifying in nature. Each paper tests candidates’ analytical ability, understanding of subjects, and clarity of thought.
This article provides all available subject-wise PDF links for Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 including Optional Subjects, General Studies, Essay, and Compulsory Language Papers. These Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) will help aspirants understand the exam pattern, topic weightage, and question framing style of UPSC.
Overview of UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Number of Papers | 9 (7 for merit + 2 qualifying) |
| Paper Types | Essay, General Studies I–IV, Optional Subject I & II, and Compulsory Language Papers |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 3 Hours per Paper |
| Total Marks | 1750 (for merit) + 600 (qualifying) |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
Structure of UPSC Main Examination
The Main Examination consists of the following papers:
- Paper-A: Compulsory Indian Language (Qualifying)
- Paper-B: English (Qualifying)
- Paper-I: Essay
- Papers II to V: General Studies I, II, III & IV
- Papers VI & VII: Optional Subject (Paper I and II)
Total = 9 Papers (1750 marks for merit + 600 qualifying)
Optional Literature Papers – 2025
The Optional Subject plays a key role in determining the final rank. Candidates can choose one subject (with two papers – Paper I & II) from the list of 48 subjects including Literature options of various Indian languages.
Below are the Optional Literature Paper PDFs for Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025:
| Language | Paper – I | Paper – II |
|---|---|---|
| Assamese | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Bodo | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| English | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Gujarati | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Hindi | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Kannada | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Kashmiri | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Maithili | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Malayalam | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Manipuri | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Marathi | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Punjabi | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Sanskrit | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Sindhi (Devanagari) | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Tamil | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Telugu | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Urdu | Download PDF | Download PDF |
Optional Subjects (Non-Literature) – 2025
You can also choose from a variety of non-literature subjects. Below is a detailed table of Optional Papers for all major disciplines:
| Subject | Paper – I | Paper – II |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Anthropology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Botany | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Chemistry | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Civil Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Commerce & Accountancy | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Economics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Electrical Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Geography | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Geology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| History | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Law | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Management | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Mechanical Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Medical Science | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Philosophy | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Physics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Political Science & International Relations | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Psychology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Public Administration | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Sociology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Statistics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Zoology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
General Studies Papers – 2025
| Paper Name | File Size / Link |
|---|---|
| General Studies Paper – I | Download PDF |
| General Studies Paper – II | Download PDF |
| General Studies Paper – III | Download PDF |
| General Studies Paper – IV | Download PDF |
Essay Paper – 2025
| Paper Name | File Size / Link |
|---|---|
| Essay Paper | Download PDF |
Compulsory Language Papers – 2025
These are qualifying papers. You must secure at least 25% marks in each. Below are the PDFs for reference and practice:
| Language | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Assamese | Download PDF |
| Bengali | Download PDF |
| Bodo | Download PDF |
| English | Download PDF |
| Gujarati | Download PDF |
| Hindi | Download PDF |
| Kannada | Download PDF |
| Kashmiri | Download PDF |
| Maithili | Download PDF |
| Malayalam | Download PDF |
| Marathi | Download PDF |
| Nepali | Download PDF |
| Odia | Download PDF |
| Punjabi | Download PDF |
| Sanskrit | Download PDF |
| Sindhi (Devanagari) | Download PDF |
| Tamil | Download PDF |
| Telugu | Download PDF |
| Urdu | Download PDF |
How PYQs Help UPSC
Studying Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) is one of the most effective strategies for UPSC preparation. Here’s why:
- Helps you can understand question pattern and difficulty level.
- Reveals frequently repeated topics and areas of importance.
- Builds answer-writing practice aligned with UPSC standards.
- Improves your time management during the actual exam.
- Aids in self-assessment and performance analysis.
Preparation Tips for Civil Services (Main) 2025
- Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: UPSC Mains syllabus is vast; divide it into micro topics and track progress.
- Practice Answer Writing: Daily writing is key to score high. Focus on structure, clarity, and balance.
- Analyze PYQs: You can go through at least the last 5 years’ question papers for each subject.
- Refer to Standard Books: Always follow trusted sources like Laxmikant (Polity), Spectrum (History), and Shankar IAS (Environment).
- Revise Consistently: You can create short notes for revision before the exam.
- Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.
- Optional Subject Focus: Select your optional carefully based on interest, availability of material, and overlap with General Studies.
Final Thoughts
The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 demands a mix of hard work, smart strategy, and consistent revision. Using the official PYQ papers is the best way to align your preparation with UPSC’s expectations.
Make sure to download and analyze each paper from the links above, plan your strategy accordingly, and start answer-writing practice immediately.
You can visit our website for a complete collection of competitive exams PDFs, NCERT notes, exam preparation materials, latest job notifications, and State Government job updates. Stay ahead in your preparation with all the study resources you need in one place.
Check out:
Keep preparing smart and stay updated with all the latest exams and recruitment news!


Leave a Comment