The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central agency responsible for recruiting candidates into various top government services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The most well-known exam conducted by the UPSC is the Civil Services Examination (CSE), which is considered one of the toughest and most prestigious exams in the country. This examination plays a critical role in shaping the future of the country by ensuring that qualified and capable individuals enter the civil services. Success in the UPSC exams not only requires extensive knowledge of current affairs, history, and general studies, but also demands rigorous preparation, strategic planning, and time management skills. The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview (Personality Test). The preliminary stage consists of objective-type papers to gauge the candidates’ general awareness and aptitude, while the mains is a written, descriptive examination that tests the candidate’s in-depth knowledge of various subjects. This stage is followed by a personal interview, where candidates are assessed on their personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for a service role. The entire process is highly competitive and takes nearly a year to complete. Every year, lakhs of aspirants apply, but only a few hundred are selected, making the competition extremely high. The examination not only tests academic knowledge but also the candidate’s ability to apply learned information in practical scenarios, which is crucial for effective governance. Success in this exam demands in-depth knowledge, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills. It is a gateway to serving the nation through key administrative roles and shaping public policy. Cracking the UPSC exam is a dream for many and a mark of excellence and dedication. Additionally, the challenges faced during preparation, such as balancing study time with personal commitments, managing stress and anxiety, and finding the right study materials, can be significant hurdles. However, the rewards of clearing the UPSC exams are immense, as it opens doors to a fulfilling career dedicated to public service and national development.
🏛️ UPSC Exams (Union Public Service Commission)
- Civil Services (IAS, IPS, etc.)
Notification: ~Feb 2025; Prelims: June 2025; Mains: Sept – Oct 2025 - NDA‑II (National Defence Academy)
Notification: May 28, 2025; Last date: June 17; Exam: September 14, 2025 - CDS‑II (Combined Defence Services)
Next session: likely in Nov 2025 per annual calendar - CAPF Assistant Commandant
Notification released early March 2025; ~357 vacancies
🔍 SSC (Staff Selection Commission)
- CGL (Combined Graduate Level)
Application: June 9–July 4; Tier‑I exams: Aug 13–30, 2025 - CHSL (Combined Higher Secondary Level)
Applicants: June 23–July 18; Exam: Sept 8–18, 2025 - MTS & Havaldar
Exam window: Sept 20 – Oct 24, 2025 - Stenographer (Grade C & D)
Applications: June 5–26; Test: Aug 6–11, 2025 - Junior Engineer (Civil/Elect/Mech)
Test scheduled for Oct 27–31 (per SSC adda) or late Oct 2025 - SI (Delhi Police & CAPF)
Exam: Sept 1–6, 2025; Applications: mid-June to July 7 - SSC JE (Junior Engineer)
Vacancy out already—diploma/degree required; age: 18–32; pay scale: ₹35,400–112,400 - SSC “sliding scheme”
Proposed for CGL 2025 to fill all posts, including from waitlist
Railway Exams (RRB)
- NTPC (Non‑Technical)
Notification: Mar–May 2025; Exams: June–Aug 2025 - Group D
Notification: May 2025; Exams: Sept–Nov 2025 - JE (Junior Engineer)
The timeline spans mid-2025; the exam is likely in late 2025
💳 Banking & Finance
- IBPS:
– PO: Notification ~July/Aug 2025; Prelims: Sept–Oct; Mains: Nov 2025
– Clerk: Notification ~June/July; Prelims: Sept–Oct 2025
– RRB Office Assistants/Officers: June–July notification; Exams: Aug–Dec 2025 - SBI:
– PO: Notification Apr 2025; Prelims: Oct 2025
– Clerk: Notification Jan 2025; Prelims: Feb–Mar 2025 - Others:
– RBI Grade B in Sept 2025; NABARD/Sebi Grade A in Jul–Sept 2025
🎓 TET/Teaching Exams
- CTET
Notification: July 2025; Exam: Dec 2025 - State TETs (e.g., UPTET, HTET)
Dates vary—likely to begin by mid‑late 2025 per state. - Navodaya/KVS Teacher Recruitment
Expected notifications late 2025
🛡️ Defence & CAPF
- Agniveer (Army) & Navy SSR/MR
Entry-level notifications expected mid‑2025 - CAPF AC (Assistant Commandant)
Notification out with 357 vacancies; selection involves written + PET/PST
📋 CET (Common Eligibility Test)
- Introduced by NRA from 2025
- One exam to screen for SSC, Railways, Banking, etc., held twice a year
📅 SSC 2025–26 Recruitment Calendar Highlights
- Apr–June 2025: Selection Post Phase‑XIII, Steno, CGL applications
- June–July 2025: CGL Tier‑I, CHSL, SI (Delhi Police & CAPF), MTS/Havaldar start
- Aug–Oct 2025: Exam windows roll across posts
