UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2025, GS Paper I and CSAT Schedule

Q: What is the reporting time for UPSC Prelims 2025?

The reporting time for the first shift needs to be by 8:30 AM and for afternoon shift is 1:30 PM

Q: What is the start time for UPSC Prelims 2025?

The GS paper begins at 9:30 AM and the CSAT paper is scheduled at 2:30 PM

Q: What is the UPSC Prelims Gate Closing time?

The gates for GS paper shall close sharp at 9 AM and for CSAT paper at 2:00 PM

Q: What happens if a candidate is late to the exam centre?

As per strict guidelines of UPSC, anyone who reports to the exam centre after the gate closing time will not be allowed to appear for the exam.

Q: What is the duration of each Session of the exam?

Each session of UPSC Prelims exam shall be of 2 hours . GS paper shall be from 9:30-11:30 AM and CSAT paper shall be from 2:30- 4:30 AM

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UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2025

Candidates must report to the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre at least 1 hour before the UPSC Prelims Exam Timings 2025. The gates shall be closed 30 minutes before the start of the exam. The morning shift of the exam starts at 9:30 AM. Thus candidates must report to the venue between 8:30-9 AM in order to avoid any last moment confusion.

UPSC strongly advises candidates to report at least 1 hour before to the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre 2025 in order to have adequate time to settle down on the designated seat and complete the check in formalities like document verification and frisking.

UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2025 Schedule

The exam is set to be conducted in 2 shifts

Morning Shift- Starting from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Afternoon Shift – Starting from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

As per guidelines on UPSC Prelims Admit Card 2025, the gates of the UPSC Prelims 2025 Exam Centre shall be closed 30 Minutes before the commencement of the exam. No entry will be permitted beyond this time in the exam centre.

Paper	Gate Closing Time	Start Time	End Time	Duration
Paper 1: General Studies (GS)	9:00 AM	9:30 AM	11:30 AM	2 Hours
Paper 2: Civil Services Aptitude Exam (CSAT)	2:00 PM	2:30 PM	4:30 PM	2 Hours

UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2025 Essentials

Candidates should ensure that they have once visited the UPSC Prelims Exam Centre 2025 before 25th May in order to plan their travel in advance. To ensure a smooth entry in to the centre adhere to the UPSC Guideline.

Carry the essential documents mentioned in Admit Card
Avoid carrying electronic gadgets as safekeeping of the same cannot be ensured by the commission or centre authorities
Dress in plain and simple attire in order to have smooth frisking
Due to 3 hour break between the 2 shifts, ensure that you are carrying some light meal with you and adequate water to avoid dehydration

UPSC Prelims Exam Timing 2025 Final words

Reporting on time will enable the candidates to focus better on exam. Last minute hurry and hassles makes one prone to committing errors in exam due to preoccupation of brain with the tension of formalities to be done before the exam. Ensure that you follow the timings on the Admit card and give your undivided attention to the exam.

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UPSC Calendar 2026	UPSC Mains 2025
UPSC Prelims 2025	UPSC Interview
UPSC Result	UPSC Cut Off
UPSC CSAT Syllabus	UPSC Books
UPSC Admit Card	UPSC Previous Year Papers
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