UPSC main 2025 is scheduled from August 22nd, 2025. If you are a UPSC aspirant with determination to crack UPSC Mains 2025 then knowing the Exam Date, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Schedule, and latest UPSC Mains Strategy will help you a lot. 

The Mains 2025 will be held for 5 days starting from August 22nd to 26th, 2025 in which a total of nine papers would be covered. The official Timetable UPSC Mains 2025 will be published on the official site, the site of change of Mains of UPSC-‘ upsc.gov.in ’. It is also recommended that candidates go through the schedule to be able to plan adequately in preparation of their times instead of getting confused at the last minute.

UPSC Mains 2025 begins with an Essay paper on 22nd August, 2025, followed by general studies and optional subjects papers on eventually occurring days. The elaborate time-table has specific dates and timings of every paper so that the candidates have it all in advance.

UPSC Exam Date 2025

• Application Deadline: 22 nd January, 2025 to 11 th February, 2025
• Date of UPSC Prelims: 25 th May 2025
• UPSC Mains Examination Day: 22nd August 2025
• Number of Vacancies (2025): 1129 (979 for CSE, 150 for IFoS)
• Three stages of UPSC Selection Process
• Preliminary Examination (Prelims)
• Main Examination (Mains)
• Personality Test (Interview)

UPSC Mains exam date 2025

• Start Date: 22nd August 2025
• Schedule: Timetable will be time-tabled out after Prelims result
• Exam Centres: Major India cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and so on.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

• Qualifying Papers: Paper-A (Indian Language) & Paper-B (English); need 25% marks in each to qualify.
• Merit Papers: Papers I-VII (total 1750 marks) count for final ranking.

UPSC Mains Syllabus 2025 (Overview)

• Paper-A: One Indian language (from Eighth Schedule of Constitution)
• Paper-B: English (comprehension, essay, précis, grammar)
• Essay: Write various essays, pay attention on the organization and clarity
• General Studies I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography of the World and society
• General Studies II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations
• General Studies III: Technology, Economic development, Biodiversity, environment, security, disaster management
• General Studies IV: Ethics, Integrity and aptitude
• Optional Papers: Topic of candidates based on the list approved by UPSC

UPSC Mains 2025 How to Apply

Step 1: Prelims clearance.

Step 2: Fill Detailed Application Form (DAF) on UPSC website.

Step 3: Upload required documents (certificates, photo, signature).

Step 4: Pay exam fees online.

Step 5: Hand in and print the application of records.

Exam Centres & Admit Card

Admit Card: It will be released on upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in to download. Fine print offence.

Exams centres: Preference and availability allocation. Indian Mega-cities.

UPSC Mains Strategy

Active Recall and Spaced Repetition

The usual approach of most aspirants is to merely read and read again, but the study indicates that active recall, or a testing of yourself on what you have just read, is what builds a stronger pathway of memories. As an example, when you have read a topic, close your book, and attempt to write down everything that you can recall, or what you perceive that you can teach someone. This approach is much more effective as compared to passive reading.

Pair this with spaced repetition, where you revise topics at increasing intervals (like after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, etc.). It is a method shown by cognitive science and assists you in defeating the forgetting curve and memorizing more things over a more extended period of time and most importantly in the UPSC syllabus, it is enormous.

Interleaved Learning: Confuse Your Topics

Instead of studying one subject for long hours (called “blocking”), try interleaved learning. Combine varying subjects or topics during one study session e.g. one hour study of Geography then move to Ethics then Polity. This will force your brain to dig deeper to retrieve and utilize information and therefore it will learn deeper and will be more adaptive in the exam.

Mind Mapping and Chunking: Create a picture and make it simple

To make revision more efficient, it is easier to create mind maps regarding every topic you want to revise, and it allows you to see the links between concepts in the question. To give such an example, a mind map of the Indian Economy could be divided in agriculture, industry, and services with sub-divisions of relevant schemes and statistics.

Another effective strategy is to divide topics into small chunks that are easy to handle. This prevents overwhelming and makes one memorize complicated material easier, which neurological studies of the process of memory consolidation confirm.

NLP Strategies: Rearrange The Way You Think

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can help you manage exam stress and boost confidence. Simple practices like reframing negative thoughts (“I can’t do this” to “I’m learning and improving”) and using physical anchors (like pressing your thumb and finger together while studying, then repeating it in the exam hall to trigger focus) can actually rewire your brain for better performance. Visualization (seeing yourself writing great answers) is also helpful to confidence and to decrease anxiety.

Growth Mindset and Psychological Strength

Having a growth mindset, which means holding a belief that intelligence and abilities can be cultivated, can be connected to productive achievement as well as improved management of stress. When you make a setback do not think of it as a failure but as an opportunity to learn. Practicing positive self-talk and setting realistic, achievable goals (daily or weekly targets) keeps you motivated and resilient throughout your UPSC journey.

Pomodoro Technique and Mindfulness

The Pomodoro Technique is to study for 25 minutes and take a 5 minute break. The cycle which is enabled by studies on attention span helps avoid fatigue and keeps your mind alert. Add this to mindfulness meditation- even a little bit of practising, i.e. you can focus on the breaths every day, can make you more concentrated and less anxious (which is crucial during such high stake exams as UPSC).

Realistic Mock Tests

Most of the candidates are prepared through mock tests that lack real exam conditions. Every time I go through mock papers with tight constraints in time and without disturbances, as in the real UPSC Main. This helps your brain learn how to work under pressure and manage time and going through your errors after every test will be able to prevent you making the same mistake twice.

Map Practice

A unique but effective tip—practice drawing quick, labelled maps of India for relevant General Studies answers (like river systems, insurgency areas, or economic zones). The images can make your answers to be one of the distinct ones. It reaps you some additional marks, and many aspirants fail to use this trick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will UPSC Mains 2025 be postponed? 

No official update on postponement; the exam is scheduled as per the latest calendar.

How many vacancies in UPSC 2025? 

1129 (979 for CSE, 150 for IFoS).

What is the UPSC exam pattern? Three stages: Prelims (objective), Mains (descriptive), Interview. 

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always check the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in). Good luck with your preparation!

Junior college admission cutoffs were announced for the first time on Saturday and took everyone by surprise: the govt released separate cutoffs for girls' quota seats across streams for the first time. Their percentages in the majority of institutes were 1-2%, or even more, above the general lists.

Overall, cut-offs in the city, however, did not show much variation from last year, writes Hemali Chhapia. Commerce and arts hardly shifted from last year's levels, while science saw a slight rise.

The school education department, following a series of delays, released the allotment list - originally due Monday, providing relief to an anxious batch of students. This year, more than 2.4 lakh science hopefuls in Maharashtra were admitted to their dream colleges. Commerce also experienced 82,594 students getting their desired seat, with 1.4 lakh humanities students finding themselves where they wished.

Seats are usually reserved for girls in each category - general, SC, ST, or whatever - but the cutoffs under this reservation have seldom been apparent. This reservation exists in the creases of larger quotas, going unnoticed in the final merit lists. But never before has the system allowed those figures to speak for themselves.

With the initial cutoffs for first-year junior college on Saturday, admissions this year could come with more than fidgety nervousness and could witness an increase in rejections as well, experts said. Students were requested to self-certify their papers while applying, which raised some officers' eyebrows.

"Engaging schools in the verification of documents uploaded or establishing facilitation centres is important," a senior education official cautioned. "If equity is to be ensured, the govt will have to intervene."

Even as the system prepares to face scrutiny, another revolution occurred in silence — on the merit lists. Girl students of the city colleges surprised college principals with a new set of figures moving up the list:. For girls this year, the cut-offs were announced separately, and in most cases, they not only equaled the overall cut-offs, they exceeded them. "This time, we have announced the marks of all those students who got in through horizontal reservation as well," said Mahesh Palkar, director, secondary and higher secondary education.

"The state has, for the first time, reserved a list for 30% quota for women," NM College principal Parag Ajgaonkar stated, quoting a May 6 govt resolution.

"And the figures reflect that they're beating expectations. Our cut-off for girls is 95.2%, whereas the overall stood at 93.8%." At RA Podar, the difference was similarly illustrative: 96% among girls compared with 94.6% in total. At Mithibai College, principal Krutika Desai welcomed the trend: "It's wonderful to observe that girls are not only taking their seats — they're raising the bar."

At her university, the trend was the same across streams. In humanities, the cut-off for girls was 91.6%, just ahead of the general list at 88%. In commerce, the difference was narrower — 93% for girls against 92.4% overall. And even in science, the trend was the same: 93% for girls, ahead of the general cut-off of 91.6%.

For humanities, St Xavier's overall cut-off remained at 93.4%, unchanged from last year, but for girls it is 95.8%.

"Humanities is no longer an option of last resort. Several are opting for it consciously, to create something innovative and long-term," noted Himanshu Dawda, Principal, R Jhunjhunwala College. At HR College, principal Pooja Ramchandani credited the minor increase in cut-offs to improved performance of the batch of Class X students.

"There is increased competition in science and commerce," said principal of KJ Somaiya College of Commerce and Science Pradnya Prabhu.

"With students getting exceptionally good marks in the SSC exam, there is pressure." But she requested them to analyze their strengths before pursuing a seat. In Maharashtra as a whole, 10.7 lakh students had applied for a seat under the Centralised Admission Process (CAP), but only 6.9 lakh were given a seat.

Years ago in Rajasthan, a baby girl called Dhanvantari was buried alive by the females of her community, because she was the 7th girl born to her mother. They all desired a boy, and without letting the mother know, those women took that little soul to the jungle and buried her in a pit! Hours later when the mother didn’t find her child, she asked, pleaded, and cried. 

The little girl laid covered beneath the earth, breathing only hope, until her mother and aunt threw the shackles of generations-old traditions aside, to dig her out and hold her until she arose. The very same child who was criticised, was reborn as Gulabo Sapera, and ended up being an epitome of pride! She became the worldwide ambassador of Indian folk dance, and a living example of how to be as strong.

Who is Gulabo Sapera?

Gulabo was born in the 1973 snake charmer clan of Kalbaliya in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The memories started at an early age relating to the seductive music of the “been” and the smooth movement of snakes. Her father, ostracized for saving his daughter, took little Gulabo everywhere in a straw basket. She was fed with milk meant for snakes and was always under the shadow of danger. But it was in these moments, as she watched and mimicked the serpents’ graceful movements, that the seeds of her legendary dance were sown. The girl then became a sensational figure for all. 

At the age of eight, Gulabo already gave performances at local fairs. Her fate changed at the Pushkar Mela, where she was noticed by the tourism officials at the Rajasthan tourism department after being overwhelmed by her boneless, liquid dance which resembled snakes her community worshipped. Shortly Gulabo was playing on big stages, and at only 13 years old her life was changed when she gave a performance in Washington DC.

Award and Honors: Dancing Against the Odds

The path of Gulabo Sapera is also the history of novelties and successes. She did not merely popularise the Kalbelia dance, she formed the worldwide identity of it, designing its now legendary costumes and teaching the rhythms to generations of girls. Her shows have thrilled people of more than 165 countries and her academy of dance in Pushkar and Denmark keeps producing new talents.

She has received numerous awards, the most noteworthy being the Padma Shri in 2016 in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Indian folk arts. In addition, she has been recognized with the Bharat Gaurav Award(2021) and the Genius Indian Achiever (2025). But her most crowning success is a cultural one: she made sure that in her society female infanticide was no longer practiced and urged thousands of endangered girls to take the stage and pursue their own dreams.

Gulabo Sapera Is An Inspiration 

The story of Gulabo is not simply about surviving but a well learned lesson of how to transform pain into power. Years before the ‘malkin trend’, she demonstrated her ‘malkin core.’ Today, as headlines are filled with stories of student suicides, depression, and the crushing weight of expectations, her life offers a vital lesson. Not everyone is born with Gulabo’s strength or finds a hand to pull them from the darkness. But knowing her story can plant a seed of hope giving the youth and students the path (though foggy) towards a life they can create. 

If a girl who was once considered a burden, buried and forgotten, can rise to become a Padma Shri awardee, a global icon, and an inspiring lady, then every student struggling with failure, rejection, or self-doubt can rewrite their story. Just as Gulabo, you can find your unique side and pave your way out of a gloomy life. 

Gulabo Sapera’s journey is an anthem of all Indian students who are struggling with stress, doubt, and hopelessness. The lessons we learn from her are how strong a person can be, despite the lack of any light. Determination can indeed illuminate your world. So, don’t give up on yourself just because others gave up on you. Have faith in yourself, turn to those that can help you when you need it and never forget your future can be as bright as you are willing to believe it can be.  

Think big, because you have the potential to achieve it! 

Uttar Pradesh celebrated its first convocation ceremony of AIIMS-Gorakhpur, to be held later in the day, as a watershed moment in health education of the "new Uttar Pradesh of a new India" by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.

President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest on All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur's first convocation day.

She will also be the chief guest of the 11th convocation day of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly.

Tweet of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

On X, Adityanath posted on Twitter in Hindi, "Today in the auspicious presence of Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji, the first AIIMS, Gorakhpur convocation is to be held. I shall be on duty on this day of glory." "This is a golden feather of the health education of new Uttar Pradesh of new India. This institute, which is being developed under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, is being built as a center of quality medical education and service in North India," Adityanath posted.

In another tweet, Adityanath tweeted, "Today, in hallowed city of 'Nath Nagri, Bareilly, will be addressing convocation of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in sacred presence of Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji." "It's a source of inspiration that provides guidance to newly initiated students of rural development, cow protection, and organic research toward national service," he added.

Uttar Pradesh government has renamed five state government engineering colleges after national and historical personalities with a view to changing the technical education scenario with focus on cultural as well as moral values, officials told on Saturday.

The move, made on a proposal by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and cleared by Governor Anandiben Patel, seeks to integrate technical education with values such as social awareness, justice, harmony and nation-building, the state government said in a release.

Terming the step as a "historic step to transfer values to the new generation", Technical Education Minister Ashish Patel said that the reconstituted institutions of the country would inspire students towards technical excellence and social leadership.

According to the notification, Rajkiya Engineering College, Pratapgarh shall be renamed as Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Rajkiya Engineering College; Rajkiya Engineering College, Mirzapur as Samrat Ashoka Rajkiya Engineering College and Rajkiya Engineering College, Basti as Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rajkiya Engineering College.

It also added that Rajkiya Engineering College, Gonda has been named Maa Pateshwari Devi Rajkiya Engineering College and Rajkiya Engineering College, Mainpuri will be known henceris as Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Rajkiya Engineering College.

"These names will be an inspiration, and the students will be encouraged to adopt the values of these great personalities," Patel said.

He added the step is symbolic but beyond that and would make students confident and accountable.

These colleges will provide the youth of Uttar Pradesh with technical expertise in the next few years and even for social leadership positions, he added.

When sunbeams cut through the drifting mist, tea-stained fingers had already gained their working rhythm. Glimpses were snatched from the group of strangers who had walked into hills whose brows were furrowed with lush green estates, hidden within rich hues of Nilgiris blue.

The visiting students from Madras Christian College for the field visit were greeted with curious glances from the villagers, all of them except one young woman in the village. Her questioning eyes, which beckoned the team to sit beside her, were rewarded with a fresh spark of hope that surpassed the horizon of her small village. The chemistry class students and their motivational stories of education in a faraway world were etched in M Seetha's memory.

For the 120 Kurumba families living in the Katachanakolli village, higher education is a far-off fantasy since they can hardly afford to purchase a square meal a day. The majority of the residents were tea plantation laborers, and a majority of the children discontinued their studies after primary or secondary school because of poverty, as well as inadequate infrastructure. But Seetha, a resident of the Adivasi hamlet village, would not put her dreams to sleep.

She was 23 when she became the village's first postgraduate. Having completed her Master's in Social Work from the Madras Christian College this year, more than a personal achievement — it was a milestone for her people of Katachanakolli. Seetha says the village is vulnerable to human-wildlife conflict, and the nearest government higher secondary school (GHSS) is 12 km away at Devarshola.

"For primary level, we have a panchayat school, but from Class 8 onwards, we have to attend the GHSS in Devarshola. I was able to pursue my studies as an NGO had given me free accommodation, in a hostel they were operating," said Seetha.

It wasn't easy. My mother, a daily wage labourer in a tea garden, is the only breadwinner for the family of six. My father suffers from TB. At times, we even didn't have food to eat. While I was on holidays, whenever I returned home, I used to work as a labourer in the tea gardens to help my family," Seetha said.

After Class 12, she enrolled herself into a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) course in Government Arts and Science College, Gudalur.

"By the time I was able to convince my parents to permit me to go to college, the admissions for most of the courses had already closed down, except for BSW," she mentioned. It was at the time of her graduation that the student community from Madras Christian College came to the village to conduct their field study and thus opened a window for her to learn about MCC.

"Persuading my parents to let me pursue a master's in Chennai was an uphill task as it was exhausting both of them financially and emotionally," Seetha revealed. But her resolve not to quit overpowered the fears of her family. Once in Chennai, she threw herself into studying and working to sustain herself.

"Having come to know about Seetha, we gave her full support to finish the course. We have a tribal and differently abled cell to motivate them to study higher education in our college," MCC principal Paul Wilson said. Seetha is a living example of Paulo Coelho's lines — "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

Having returned to her village, Seetha is keen to give back as she currently works with village children and challenges parents to place value in education. "With my project, I am creating an awareness among my people of the importance of education. I want to make them realize that one can dream big, even for children of a small village like ours," she said. A master's degree, an entry into the world, was the start of more hope for her village for this twenty-three-year-old.

In a world often divided by borders and politics, stories of compassion and medical innovation remind us of the true spirit of healthcare. India made the news last week in Afghanistan not in the big gestures of giving but in the humble act of giving a gift of dignity and mobility.

Delivering Mobility, Reclaiming Lives

Recently, a five days Jaipur Foot camp was organized in Kabul, Afghanistan by the Jaipur-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). Backed by India Ministry of External Affairs, the camp was conducted to give them an artificial limb, calipers and other assistive devices to those who had lost their limbs due to conflict or accidents.

The turnout was overwhelming. According to Hafiz Umari, an Afghan national who shared his gratitude on social media, Indian doctors fitted artificial limbs for 100 disabled Afghan citizens in just five days.  To them it meant they were capable of walking, working, or even moving on their own, and this to most was the first time it was possible in many years. 

Humanitarian Work of Jaipur Foot

Jaipurfoot is not a normal prosthetic device but a harbinger of hope and symbol of happiness. This artificial limb was developed in India, is inexpensive and is long lasting; this one has given the quality of life to millions of people around the world. The BMVSS, being the biggest organization of the disabled in the world, has been on the vanguard of this movement running camps in Malawi, Iraq, Nepal, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Syria.

India launched ‘India for Humanity’ initiative in 2018, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. BMVSS and the Indian government have since joined hands and have already introduced Jaipur Foot camps to dozens of countries spreading the Indian message of compassion and technical prowess.

Role Model to Future Doctors and Medical Practitioners

To any aspiring doctors and allied healthcare professionals, the JaipurFoot provides a great lesson: the science of medicine does not only know how to heal, but also how to serve. Indian doctors and volunteers who came to Kabul were not just fitting prostheses, they were giving people the hope, dignity and independence that so much had lost.

No matter what field you are aspiring to become whether a surgeon or a physiotherapist or a public health worker this should be an inspiration. There is a world in need of healers with the ability to go beyond borders, creativity in addressing the needy and humanity as the center of healthcare.

JaipurFoot camp in Kabul is the perfect example of how Indian medical knowledge and liberalism can make a difference. Be a part of Indian healthcare and contribute for the best. Take NEET or GAHET and start your career in healthcare. 

Realizing that the best way to measure the progress of society is through the health and education system, the Himachal Pradesh government has placed healthcare modernization at the top priority.

"In a mere two and a half years, the government has introduced a chain of revolutionizing measures to provide quality healthcare within the reach of all regions of the state — from city towns to remotest villages," a government spokesperson declared here on Sunday.

Himachal Pradesh now offers doorstep health care services from 2,926 government health facilities, six medical colleges, three zonal hospitals, nine regional hospitals, 92 civil hospitals, 107 CHCs, 585 PHCs, and 2,116 sub-health centers, he told.

On a targeted basis, several hospitals in the state have been upgraded, he mentioned, informing that the Civil Hospital in Kaza (Lahaul-Spiti) was increased from 20 to 50 beds, and facilities in Sujanpur (Hamirpur), Sunni (Shimla), and Haroli (Una) were raised from 50 to 100 beds. ESIC Hospital in Gagret (Una) has been made a Civil Hospital.

"New medical infrastructure has also been added by the state, like block medical offices at Baddi (Solan), Jai Singhpur and Dehra (Kangra), and new PHCs and sub-health centers in Sirmaur and Solan districts. During the period from January 2023 to December 2024, the Health Department served more than 3.27 crore OPD patients and 37.5 lakh IPD patients — an indicator of the widening coverage and capacity of the system," he added.

For equal accessibility to diagnosis and specialist facilities, the government is setting up one model health center in every 68 Assembly constituencies, two in Lahaul-Spiti and so 69 in all, said the Minister, adding that each facility will have six specialists who will conduct 134 diagnostic tests, including medicine, surgery, gynaecology, pediatrics, anesthesiology, and radiology. Upgrades also include addition of ultrasound, digital X-ray, and in phases chosen by it, MRI and CT scan machines.

He also stated that recruitment has been stepped up with 185 Medical Officers, 130 Staff Nurses, and staff in other vital positions being appointed. 

Another 491 vacancies have been added to cater to the growth of services, he added.

"The 2025–26 budget allocates Rs 1,730 crore to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment, with dialysis facilities to be made available in all 69 model institutions and blood storage facilities planned for 11," said the spokesperson.

State-of-the-art diagnostic equipment like MRI machines and PET scans are being installed in top hospitals such as Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla and AIIMS Chamiyana.

There is a new initiative, the Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Dekhbhal Yojana, which will provide home-based care to citizens who are 70 and above years of age, he added.

These consistent efforts have placed Himachal Pradesh on the road to becoming a model of healthcare excellence and a future hub for health tourism within India, he said.

While increasing online attacks become increasingly advanced and pervasive on the timeline, a new initiative is stepping into the forefront to empower individuals leading the charge of information dissemination. The Digital Safety School just opened up registration for its bi-monthly two-day workshop (Form- https://airtable.com/appsqPdNwJBBQKVlK/pagSzTcO9UGbfsQdJ/form), which will ready civil society actors and journalists with what they need in terms of cyber resilience and digital security.

Being an experience-based training program, training will encompass the entire range of the subject matter including online privacy, safe communication, cyber attack resistance, data security, and digital rights awareness. The training is most directly applicable to the existing arena of information dominated by disinformation, cyber attacks, surveillance issues, and declining online privacy.

"E-Democracy spaces are no longer an option -- they are at the heart of how we campaign, communicate, and organize. Civil society activists and journalists are most exposed and need to be provided with basic skills so that they can be secure and that their sources will be secure," an organizing team member stated.

The school welcomes applications from the citizens of India who are keen on providing protection to freedom of expression, fighting digital abuse, and remaining safe in online spaces. Be an NGO campaigner, freelance journalist, or grassroots activist; this programme attempts to bridge the digital divide by offering affordable and practical training that is attuned to local environments.

Key Features:

Training Duration: Two days (conducted on a monthly basis)

Target Group: Individuals from civil society, human rights defenders, and journalists

Selection: Rolling — it is recommended to check early application

Mode: In-person or via internet (depending on location and batch)

Shortlisted candidates need to complete a brief application form with information about their work experience, why they want to come, and what they expect to benefit from the programme. Shortlisted applicants will be notified further, for example, training dates and reference material.

This project responds to growing demands for digital literacy and safety in democratic nations, especially those who work with sensitive information and vulnerable individuals. The Digital Safety School is more than a series of lessons — it's the entry point into a safer, a more secure online society.

The BSc Forensic Science Entrance Exam 2025 is your gateway to an exciting career in crime investigation. Focus on PCB fundamentals, logical reasoning, and GK, practice regularly, and stay updated with forensic advancements.

With proper preparation and dedication, you can secure a seat in a top forensic science college and build a rewarding career in this dynamic field.

Forensic Science is a fascinating field that blends science, law, and criminal investigation. With increasing crime rates and advancements in forensic technology, the demand for skilled forensic experts is growing. If you aspire to pursue a BSc in Forensic Science in 2025, cracking the entrance exam is your first step.

What is BSc Forensic Science?

BSc Forensic Science is a 3-year undergraduate program that trains students in scientific methods used to solve crimes. The course covers:

• Crime scene investigation
• DNA analysis
• Toxicology
• Ballistics
• Cyber forensics
• Forensic psychology

Graduates can work in crime labs, law enforcement, and legal agencies or pursue higher studies (MSc, PhD).

Eligibility Criteria for BSc Forensic Science 2025

Before applying, ensure you meet these eligibility conditions:

Academic Qualifications

10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics.

Minimum 50-60% aggregate (varies by university).

Some universities require PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) specifically.

Age Limit-Generally 17-25 years (relaxation for reserved categories)

Entrance Exam Requirement-Must qualify for university-specific exams (e.g., DUET, LPUNEST, BHU UET).

Exam Pattern -Most forensic science entrance exams follow a similar structure:

Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper) or Online (CBT)

Duration: 2-3 hours

Sections: 4

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

format-Logical Reasoning & General Awareness

Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Marking Scheme:

+1 for correct answer

-0.25 (negative marking in some exams)

Detailed Syllabus for BSc Forensic Science Entrance Exam 2025

Physics

• Units & Measurements
• Motion & Laws of Motion
• Optics (Reflection, Refraction)
• Thermodynamics
• Electricity & Magnetism
• Modern Physics (Atomic Structure)

Chemistry

• Atomic Structure & Periodic Table
• Chemical Bonding
• Organic Chemistry (Basics)
• Acids, Bases & Salts
• Forensic Chemistry (Basic Concepts)

Biology

• Cell Structure & Function
• Genetics & Evolution
• Human Anatomy & Physiology
• Forensic Biology (Blood Analysis, DNA Profiling)

General Knowledge & Logical Reasoning

• Current Affairs (Science & Tech, Forensics)
• Indian Legal System Basics
• Logical Puzzles, Coding-Decoding

How to Prepare for BSc Forensic Science Entrance Exam 2025?

Know the Syllabus & Exam Pattern

• Download previous year papers.
• Identify high-weightage topics.

Study from NCERT (Class 11 & 12)

• Strong foundation in Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

Use Recommended Books

• "Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations" – Bertino
• "Criminalistics" –Richard Saferstein
• "Logical Reasoning" – RS Aggarwal

Practice Mock Tests & PYQs

• Improves speed & accuracy.
• Helps with time management.

Updated on Forensic Science Trends

• Follow forensic journals, crime documentaries, and news.

Career Scope After BSc Forensic Science

Graduates can work in:

Crime Laboratories (CBI, FSL)

Police Departments (Forensic Experts)

Private Detective Agencies

Cyber Forensics & Digital Crime Units

Higher Studies (MSc, PhD, MBA in Forensic Management)

Start early, focus on conceptual clarity, and practice regularly. If forensic science is your passion, this exam is your pathway to an exciting career in crime investigation!

Every year on July 1st, India celebrates a day dedicated to the real–life heroes we call  doctors. India takes time to celebrate its doctors who are the shield of our health. National Doctors Day is not just a day on the calendar that is celebrated, but a touching ovation to the care, dedication, and resourcefulness of the healthcare providers that determine the well-being of our country.

The theme of this year, Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers, is something that makes us look beyond the white coats and stethoscopes, and into the human lives and silent battles that make up a doctor's path. It is one question that lives in the back of every hospital hallway following decades of pandemics, crises, and unending pressure on the healthcare system.

Why is Doctors' Day celebrated? 

In India, Doctors Day commemorates the day of birth and death of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a Doctor and a visionary who became the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. His life was dedicated to service. Dr Roy established the Indian Medical Association and Medical Council of India. He was honoured with the Bharat Ratna for his inimitable service in the field of medicine and society. In addition, institutions are not the only things he left behind, his memory lives in each of the doctors that turn up to serve regardless of the odds.

Doctor’s Day Theme 2025: Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers? 

The life of doctors in India is never a balanced one. While the world is fighting for work-life balance,  these healers make their work their life. Behind every prescription and diagnosis is a story of missed family dinners, sleepless nights, and the emotional toll of caring for others. There is a trail of loss and hope equally balanced on the shoulders of doctors who happen to be first on the scene and last out. The pandemic years showed that doctors are not invincible, despite their status of a special employee of the Indian healthcare system, they are just human beings, who can be fatigued, anxious, grieved, like no one.

Yet, despite all of these, doctors still stand tall. They shake hands, give people hope, and save lives, even when the world appears to be collapsing. They do not only show courage in their clinical strength, but they are also there, all the time.

Why is Doctors Day More Important than Before?

Doctors’ Day is our way of saying thank you and appreciating the sacrifices that remain to be unnoticed and just a reminder to us that behind every mask is a heart that beats. It is also an action call: to take care of our physicians, to invest in them and make sure the people who are supposed to heal are healed and listened to.

As we celebrate National Doctors’ Day 2025, let us remember that gratitude is not just for a day. It is a responsibility of all of us to honour, to support, and to stand with those who dedicate their lives to us. Just like we respect soldiers for sacrificing their lives for us, we must respect the doctors who sacrifice their desires for us. 

To all the doctors of India: we thank you for being the light in our darkest moments, and the power behind all the cures. Thank you for choosing to be the healer, the DOCTOR.

When we talk about India, the younger adults go to the university in the crowded cities of India, like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and so on, every year pursue courses that not only give them better career opportunities and also impact their lifestyle positively. But there is a different kind of crisis going on in the background of these vibrant college towns: a quiet epidemic of student psychiatric need is ravaging campuses.

A cross-sectional study published in 2025 titled, “Mental health of young adults pursuing higher education in Tier-1 cities of India: A cross-sectional study,” has brought this issue under the light of focus, offering the most comprehensive insight yet into the psychological well-being of young adults (aged 18-29) pursuing higher education in India’s Tier-1 cities. Those results are devastating, but relevant, and must not be ignored by education practitioners, policymakers, parents and students themselves.

Anxiety, Depression and the Distressing Numbers

The study surveyed 1,628 students across eight major cities, using the well-established Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38) to measure levels of anxiety, depression, behavioral/emotional control, and overall well-being. The outcomes come as a wake-up call:

1. Two thirds (69.9 %) of the students indicated a moderate and high prevalence of anxiety.
2. 59.9% of the respondents were faced with moderate to high depression.
3. 65.1 % grappled with the loss of behavioral or emotional control.
4. 70.3 % of them experienced high levels of psychological distress.

These are not statistics but real young people who have to live with too much stress, ambiguity, and pain as they pass through what are to be the most meaningful years of their existence.

Differences brought upon by Gender, Geography and Institutions

The research did not only settle on common prevalence, but also went to deeper levels to obtain vital trends:

• \Women-students showed more distress than men, as it happens worldwide when it comes to mental health vulnerability among young women.
• Students in the Western and Southern regions of India had greater rates of positivity and well-being whereas Kolkata students had low rates of positivity but surprisingly they scored high on overall well-being.
• The depression levels in Hyderabad students were at a lower level than those at other cities.
• Students at Central Universities were more prone to depression, while those in government arts and science colleges reported lower life satisfaction.

These differences underscore how one may consider it true that mental health is not only about individual determinants but also diverse social, cultural, and institutional contexts of different cities and campuses.

What is the Reason Students Are Struggling? The origins of the Crisis

A number of intertwined reasons are fueling this crisis of mental health among the young people of the urban India:

• Academic pressure: The cut-throat competition in the field to perform, grab seats, and create great resumes is ever present in Tier-1 cities.
• Social Isolation: It is the case that many students are independent of family and are likely to be unable to connect with others within the impersonal campuses.
• Economic Uncertainty: The constantly increasing tuition, costs of living and fear of getting a job in the future all sum up to the mental pressure.
• Screen Time and Inactive Lifestyles: Too much exposure on digital devices and inactive lifestyles have been associated with higher cases of anxiety and depression.
• The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: Isolation was enhanced by the COVID-19 pandemic, routines were broken, and the most significant part many students were left with emotional scars.

Why  Very Few Students Seek Help?  

Perhaps the most troubling finding is that very few students access mental health services, despite the high prevalence of distress. The reasons are quite controversial:

• Stigma and Cultural Bias: Mental health remains a forbidden subject at home and in most Indian societies or even communities and students of such families are afraid to seek help.
• Awareness is a problem: Students do not know the signs of mental illness or where they can go to find help or someone who can at least understand them.
• Constrained Campus Resources: The college campuses have limited resources of trained counselors and mental health services even in Tier-1 cities.

The Consequences

Mental health problems, when left unchecked, may be disastrous, not only in the school but long-term personal, social, and career life. The fact that suicide is on the increase among people who died within the young adult age bracket in India proves to be a sad testimony to the seriousness of this issue.

What Is the Solution? 

The silver lining is that it can be changed, and it is indeed happening in a few of our institutions:

• Holistic Wellbeing Programs: In 2024, during the National Wellbeing Conclave by the Ministry of Education, emphasis has been discussed on how there should be holistic programs that take into consideration psychological, emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. Such activities as stress management workshops, mindfulness sessions, and peer support networks are also trending.
• Integrated Mental Health Services: The ratio of the number of students to counselors should be 1000:1 and should have a setup or an easy accessible counseling facility in each campus.
• Faculty and Staff Training: The teachers and other staff members are being trained as mental health first responders to help in identifying the early warning signs and refer students to the right kind of help.
• Busting the Stigma: The open dialogues as well as awareness campaigns, and the alumni mentorship programs are making it possible to normalize mental health conversations and trigger help-seeking behavior.

As a student, do not forget: You are not the only one, and it is not weakness, but the evidence of a strong heart to ask for help. Seek help on campus with the counselors, reliable faculty, or peer support groups in case you are suffering.

As far as parents and educators are concerned, the focus on emotional well-being is to be introduced in addition to academic achievements. Be a good listener and nonjudgmental, and seek to provide safe areas where individuals can talk. Start championing better mental health resources within your institutions.

To the policymakers and university leaders, the statistics prove that it is not merely a moral duty to invest into the mental health of students but a necessity to have a resilient, innovative and productive generation.

There is a difficult road to travel, yet, working together, the campuses of India can do more than prove to be a locus of high academic achievement, but rather a focus of true intellectual and spiritual renewal. It is what our future generations are all about.

Mental health can be a particularly problematic issue in some people or in people to whom you are close. Do not be afraid to approach them in case you suspect that something is wrong. Confidential counseling is offered on many campuses today and there are national helplines 24/7. 

India is a country that runs on agriculture. Majority of the population in India is either into business, service or agriculture. Agriculture remains one of the most significant career sectors in India. Some pursue this out of curiosity while others pursue it out of need. However, the skill set and need differs. 

The decision of selecting the career after the 12th is a very important one especially in agriculture, considering the fact that agriculture in a country like India forms the backbone of the economy. Bsc in agriculture, an interdisciplinary course that comprises agricultural sciences and modern practices, is a course that is gaining all the attention in 2025 by genZ. This generation is inclined towards a good-cause career , leading them to choose a career in agriculture. However, to pursue the same, is BSc Agriculture the right choice? 

What is bsc agriculture?

BSc agriculture is a four year undergraduate course having a broad scope of studies including crop production, dairy farming, food technology, plant breeding, animal husbandry, horticulture, soil science, genetics and microbiology agricultural fields. The course aims at equipping students with knowledge and practical skills required in contemporary agriculture.

Eligibility Criteria

• Completed 12th from a recognised board from PCM or PCB
• Aggregate marks of at least 50 percent are required to enable admission therein
• They are typically selected on the basis of merit, direct interview or entrance examinations

Overview of the BSc Agriculture Course

Career prospects and Scope

The BSc Agriculture does not only offer job opportunities within the private sector, but also in different posts within the government. The grads can be offered a place in:

• Research Institutes of Government.
• State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)
• Seed Making Firms
• Microfinancing Institutions

Job Roles after BSc Agriculture 

• Agriculture Research Scientist: Research into improvements of practices in the fields of agriculture and food production.
• Extension officer: Ensure that there is a connection between farmers and researchers and farmers make knowledgeable decisions.
• Agriculture Officer: Provide quality control on crops, audit activities as well as enforce regulations to agriculture.
• Quality Assurance Manager: Scrutinize standards and food production testing.
• Plant Breeder: Employ breeding methodology to increase the productivity of the crop, as well as their resilience.
• Farm Manager: Deal with day to day running, personnel and equipment in farms.
• Agriculture Loan Officer: Financing farmers and enterprises in the countryside.
• Food Processing Manager: Repeat and enhance the standards of food processing and production.

Why Pursue BSc Agriculture?

• Increasing Demand: As the world pays additional attention to food security, sustainability and agri-tech, the requirements of quality agriculture professionals are proliferating both within the Government and non-government sector.
• Various Specializations: The course includes modules in some of the current fields in the planet like food technology, genetics, plant pathology, so the graduates are ready to have many duties.
• Government Support: Various projects of modernizing Indian agriculture and enhancing the level of employment in the country are opening more opportunities to the qualified graduates.
• International scope: People of India with expertise in the field of agriculture are required by countries, which are interested in food production and agri-business.

Integrated and Dual Degree

The students who might require a wider range of knowledge have integrated dual degree programs (i.e. B.Sc.-M.Sc.) offered at certain universities. These programs facilitate an easy movement to higher studies and research which improves employment opportunities.

The Indian farming industry is fast-changing and emerging issues such as food security and sustainability have now become a major concern; this is a fact that makes BSc Agriculture graduates more important now than ever before. The profession does not only provide employment stability and diversity, but there also exists an opportunity to make a difference in the society. Additionally, if you are interested in science, innovation, and rural development are your areas of concern, then BSc Agriculture is the career route to follow in 2025 and beyond.

ChatGPT and other types of AI tools have become our new best friend in the age of AI. Everything can be written, generated, and ideas can be brainstormed with the help of these tools. But can this digital convenience be toxic to our brains? This question became the subject of a recent study conducted by the MIT Media Lab, which provided some alarming revelations to students, professionals and anyone who does creative or academic work with the help of AI.

What was the finding of the study?

The task of MIT researchers was to answer an uncontroversial but critical question: does the use of ChatGPT impact our brain functioning? To determine that, they involved 54 people aged between 18 and 39 years, and divided them into three groups. One did describe the process of writing through ChatGPT, one used the Google Search engine, and the last one wrote without the assistance of any digital means. Meanwhile, their brains were scanned by using EEG.

1. Minimum Brain Activity: The ChatGPT group had the minimal brain activity with concentration in the sections of the brain associated with critical thinking, memory, and creativity. Their essays might have appeared to be clean, however, they continuously were lower in their performance than other groups both in writing effectiveness and number of recollections about their work.
2. Poorer Memory and Ownership: The ChatGPT users had difficulties keeping in mind what they wrote or who they referred to. Most of them had no sense of ownership in their essays since the formulation was left to the AI.
3. Middle of the Line: The people who accessed Google to take information were somewhere in the middle. They had an increased brain activity when compared to the ChatGPT group but less than those who worked on their own.
4. Best Results in the absence of AI: The group that was asked to write the essay without any help showed not only the highest brain activity but also relied more on original ideas and excelled in all the categories. They said that they were more curious, more satisfied and more possessive of their work.

The fact that the role of the groups interchanged after several months is perhaps the most surprising answer of them all. Individuals who began with ChatGPT still exhibited low brain activity even when they were required to write without the use of any tools. Conversely, people who had written alone kept up with high involvement rates, even scoring high rates when they used ChatGPT later, implying that the initial condition is important.

So What Does This Mean in the Way of Learning and Work?

The MIT survey is not the only one which raises concerns. Another study corresponds to this fact: the overuse of AI may result in such a phenomenon as cognitive offloading, that is, our way of relying on technology rather than using our memory and critical thinking powers. Although AI has the potential to make learning even more personal and efficient, it can lead to loss of skills to memorize information, solve problems, and think out of the box.

Should We Stop Using ChatGPT?

No, that’s not the conclusion of the MIT Media Lab study. The most important lesson here is the way we are applying AI. ChatGPT can improve our productivity without us getting numb to our brain when used as an assistant to verify facts, generate ideas, and explain concepts. However, by letting it do all the thinking we can find ourselves out of contact with our ability and end up losing skills we possess. 

AI is here to stay and tools such as ChatGPT are simply going to become smarter. However, in order not to dull your wits, use these AI as an assistant and not a crutch. Make your first draft, brainstorm what you want to do, and have ChatGTP turn up your thinking (rather than replace it with their calculative thinking). The human brain still happens to be the most useful weapon in the digital era after all, don’t let it lose in front of an artificial intelligence. 

As the CAT 2025 exam date is nearing, students all over India are tuning up to take one of the most competitive exams in the MBA entrance category. The exam is going tough this year, as per the analysis of previous year question papers. 

Among three sections of the CAT 2025 exam, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA), the VARC section holds special significance, accounting for 24 out of the total 66 questions. Performance in the VARC can spell the difference in your overall percentage in CAT, and it is therefore essential to concentrate on the most score-able topics in the VARC part.

The structure of VARC section

The VARC section consists of 24 questions, split between 18-20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 4-6 Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. The marking scheme gives a mark of +3 to all the correct answers along with minus one to each erroneous answer in MCQs whereas TITA questions are free of negative marking. The candidates have 40 minutes to answer this section and changing the section is also not permitted during the test.

Topics with high scores in CAT 2025 VARC

The following is an outline of the most vital and high pay-off areas to target:

1. Reading Comprehension (RC): The most intensive section is the VARC section and RC is at the heart of this area as 16 questions have been devoted to it. The comprehensions are chosen from numerous topics such as current affairs, social problems, science, philosophy etc. Just like it is in the RC section of CAT entrance exam, one has to be fast in reading and accurate both in comprehension and in being able to build arguments and generate inferences. The level of difficulty is fairly tough. You need to be well prepared to pass this section. 
2. Para-Jumbles: The questions are to test you in your placement of distorted sentences to form a comprehensive paragraph. Solving logical sequences and sentence relations is important on a regular basis. The questions are 2-4. The level of difficulty is moderate.
3. Para-Summary: In this case, you need to write a paragraph just in your own words, in your own words and express in one-two sentences the essence of a passage. This examines your listening skills and your power to filter. You can expect 2-3 questions from this. The level of difficulty remains medium. 
4. Odd One Out Question: You are given a set of of sentences to which you should find one which does not correspond with the other. This demands a good understanding of where the paragraph and the flow is heading. You can expect 1-2 questions from this. The difficulty level is moderate.
5. Sentence Completion and Correction: These are questions to determine your vocabulary and grammar. You might be told to fill in the blanks in a meaningful way or you could be asked to err of grammar. 2-3 questions can be expected from this topic. It is fairly easy  and increases your chance of better marks in CAT 2025. 
6. Vocabulary-Based Questions (Word Usage, Synonyms, Antonyms): Though they are not as often asked, they are scoring provided that your vocabulary background is good. The anticipated questions count range from 1-2 and the level of difficulty is nominal. 
7. Fill-ups: These questions are asked to check your vocabulary skills and the command over the language. You can expect 1-2 questions on an average from this. The difficulty level is nominal. If you answer these correctly, you can get easy marks. 

Tips on Preparation to Get Maximum Marks

1. Reading Comprehension (RC): This is the easiest to understand, simply because this is the type of questions on which the section focuses in general.
2. Para-Jumbles and Summaries: Try and do these daily to increase speed and accuracy.
3. Grammar and Vocabulary: Read a lot and keep revising main rules of grammar; remember trending words and how to use them.
4. Practice M mock tests: Take practice tests to get a feel of the day of the exam and create an exam-day pressure.
5. Review Mistakes: Learn the mistakes in practice papers so as to stop repeating them during the actual exam.

The CAT 2025 VARC section is a strategic part where conducting practice is efficient. First, you can target the topics that give you maximum marks such as Reading Comprehension, Para-Jumbles, Summaries etc., and improve your grammar and vocabulary in order to get maximum marks and improve your overall percentile. And the best way to do so is to start early, practice regularly and learn without any fear of the exam. 

Note: Lakhs of students take the CAT; if you do  not want to waste your precious time competing for one seat with thousands of students, you can take the GMCAT (Global Management Aptitude Test) that is accepted by top management universities (private) in India. Your aim should be to focus on quality education and gaining real-times skills instead of running behind the fame of joining a government college and flexing!

The CAT Exam is just in a few months.  If you are planning to take the CAT in 2025 for getting admission in a top management college, it is crucial that you know the detailed CAT exam syllabus 2025, CAT eligibility criteria, important topics of CAT, and CAT marks distribution. 

In CAT 2025, CAT syllabus for MBA will comprise 3 sections; Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. 22 questions on the LRDI section with 22 questions on the QA section and 24 questions on the VARC section is expected.

All the subjects of the CAT 2025 syllabus must be taken seriously and each of these sections must be approached with a strategy of preparation. The candidates should also be aware of the current trend of the exam and as a consequence, design their study schedule with the help of CAT syllabus. 

Table of Content

• What is CAT?
• CAT 2025 Exam Highlights
• CAT Exam Date 2025

• CAT 2025 Admit Card Download
• CAT Eligibility criteria 
• CAT Exam Structure, Syllabus
• CAT Important Topics
• CAT 2025 Syllabus – Exam Pattern
• CAT Topics Weightages 
• CAT Exam Centres
• CAT Exam states and cities
• CAT FAQs

What is CAT?

CAT, also known as Common Admission Test, is a national-level examination conducted by Indian Institute of Management. CAT exam is taken to get admission into Management courses.  

CAT  is India’s one of the most popular competitive exams that is conducted on a national-level. It is also called the MBA entrance exam. It is conducted once a year on a rotational basis. This  admission test is the minimum eligibility criteria for gaining admission into IIMs and other top B-schools across India. On an average, over 2 lakh students every year register for CAT, which makes it the biggest MBA entrance test of India.

CAT 2025 Exam Highlights

CAT EXAM DATE 2025

• Official notification: July 30
• Registration date: August First week
• Exam date: November 30, 2025. 
• Slot time: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
• Result date: 21, December; 2025
• CAT website: iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2025 Admit Card Download

When the CAT 2025 application is submitted, an application confirmation email will be received on the registered email id of the candidate. This confirmation email will have all the details of the CAT 2025 Admit Card Download window. The Candidate can easily download the Admit Card from the official CAT 2025 website by logging in with the CAT 2025 User ID and view/print the Admit Card.

The Admit Card of CAT will have:

• Name of the Candidate
• Test Date
• PwD Status
• Test Centre Details
• Examination Session and Time

CAT Eligibility criteria 

To be an eligible candidate for CAT, one needs to possess the Bachelor’s Degree with 50% aggregate. If a candidate belongs to SC/ST/OBC or other reserved category, 45% aggregate is needed. 

CAT Exam Structure & Syllabus

The CAT exam is divided into three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section is timed for 40 minutes, with a total exam duration of 2 hours

CAT Important Topics

• Quantitative Aptitude: Average, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation, Profit & Loss, SI CI, Percentages, TSD & Time and Work, Geometry, Quadratic, Polynomials & Simple Equation, Progression and Series, Inequalities, Modulus & Functions, Logarithm, Surds & Indices, Probability and P&C, Number System, Venn Diagrams
• Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation: Puzzles, Graphs, Data Caselets, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Circular Arrangements, Linear Arrangements, Cubes, Venn Diagrams, Selection, Distribution, Games & Tournaments, Network Flow Diagrams, Binary Logics
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: RC passages, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Science & Technology, Business & EconomicsArts, Society & Culture, History & Politics, Philosophy & Psychology. 

CAT 2025 Syllabus – Exam Pattern

CAT Topics Weightages 

• CAT Quants Syllabus 2025 and Weightage

The CAT Quantitative Ability section examines your mathematical abilities, problem-solving capabilities, and data interpretation: your preparation should focus on basic concepts, regular practicing of mock tests and previous years' papers, and the overall skill of problem-solving. The weighted average is 2 questions per subtopics. 

• CAT VARC Syllabus 2025 and Weightage

CAT exam VARC syllabus 2025 is a section that has topics from reading comprehension genre and verbal ability. This section has a total of 24 questions. If you wish to get full marks in this section, you need to ensure you have covered all the important topics of VARC. RCs weightage is 16 question, Odd One Out 2 Questions, Para Summary 3 Questions, and Para Jumbles 3 Questions. 

• CAT LR Syllabus 2025 and weightage 

Logical reasoning section holds 16% weightage in CAT exam. This topic has 20 questions from which 10 are of logical reasoning while the other 10 are from DI. To prepare for this section, you can refer to  youtube videos, practice solving different questions, and work on sharpening your cognitive skills. 

Quick Preparation strategy for CAT

• Understand the basics 
• Ensure you have calculation speed
• Practice Daily 
• Analyse previous year questions 
• Use chatgpt to generate most Probable questions 
• Prepare for Easy sections first
• Take sectional mock tests 

CAT Exam Centres

In 150+ cities CAT is conducted, like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, and many more. Students and aspirants from across the country can easily take this exam from all regions.

CAT Exam States and Cities:

If you are an aspiring candidate who wishes to study MBA at India’s best colleges, the CAT exam is your first step. Stay updated with the latest notifications, prepare with trusted resources like BYJU’S, and give yourself enough time to practice. With dedication and the right strategy, you can crack CAT and achieve your dream B-school admission.

CAT FAQs

Is the CAT syllabus PDF 2025 out?

No, because IIM does not release the syllabus officially. However, if you still want the syllabus pdf as per the previous year question paper, refer to the above comprehensive CAT syllabus and take screenshots. 

In how many days can I prepare for the CAT exam for MBA?

A minimum of 3 months of consistent practice and study is needed to prepare well for CAT 2025. 

Is the CAT syllabus for MBA different for IIM?

No, the syllabus is the same of all the colleges that are accepting CAT. 

Is the CAT admit card important?

Yes. To take any exam, an admit card is needed. The CAT 2025 Admit Card is important for taking the CAT 2025 exam. A candidate needs to get the Admit Card printed and carry it to the exam center on the day of the CAT 2025 exam.

What is the CAT syllabus and pattern?

The common admission test 2025 has 3 sections, namely, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The VARC section has 24 questions whereas the QA and LRDI section has 22 questions each. Each section in CAT 2025 has 40 mins time allotted because the exam duration is 120 minutes.

Does IIM release the CAT syllabus?

No.  The syllabus of CAT is not officially released by IIMs. THe topics and all for CAT exam are decided as per the previous year’s exam pattern and question papers.

What To Know About CAT 2025 Exam Centre Entry?

To enter the CAT 2025 Exam centre, the candidate needs an admit card on which the photograph of the Candidate affixed will be checked with the photo on their physical Admit Card. The photograph on the hardcopy of the admit card must match the photo uploaded at the time of registration otherwise the entry won’t be granted. 

What is the quantitative aptitude syllabus for CAT 2025?

The QA syllabus of CAT 2025 as per the previous year question paper analysis is as follows: Average, Ratio, Mixture & Alligation, Quadratic, Polynomials & Simple Equations, Logarithm, Surds & Indices, Profit & Loss, SI CI, Percentages, Probability and P&C, Venn Diagrams, Number System, Inequalities, Modulus & Functions, TSD & Time and Work, Progression and Series, and Geometry.

Is there an easy alternative to CAT 2025?

YES! CAT is not the only entrance exam for management courses. While the majority of the students fight for seats in only a few of the top colleges, candidates taking GMCAT (Global Management Common Aptitude Test) become eligible for top management colleges in India (private). For details about GMCAT exam, refer to this link: https://gmcat.org/ 

What are the different Programs Offered by IIMs? 

In a deeply shocking case that has made the nation question education, a 17-year-old girl, Sadhna Bhonsle, was killed by her father Dhondiram Bhonsle, a school teacher, who beat her mercilessly because she had low marks in a NEET mock test. 

Sadhna, an extremely bright student who had scored 92.60% in her Class 10 board exams and had dreams of becoming a doctor, was just about to appear in the highly coveted National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) when the nightmare happened.

The Real Story Of Death

Police said the incident happened in Nelkaranji village, Sangli, Maharashtra, where Sadhna was residing with family members while preparing for the exam. Her father, enraged by her mock test score, beat her with a stick. He trashed his 17 year old daughter repeatedly. The beating led to serious injuries on the head and although she was in a bad shape, there was delay in seeking medical help. Sadhna later was taken to Ushakal Hospital, where she died before doctors could attend to her injuries. 

The mother of the girl has registered a police complaint through which Dhondiram Bhonsle has been arrested and he has confessed to the crime. Police gave the statement, "The girl's mother had filed a complaint at the police station on June 22, stating that her husband had beaten her up due to low marks, resulting in her death at the hospital. The accused father has been arrested and is in police custody till June 24. The case is under investigation.” 

Reality is Not Like Reel

This tragedy is radically opposed to messages of hope, resilience, and support that are portrayed by popular Indian movies such as 3 Idiots, Chhichhore, and 12th Fail. Millions of people have been empowered by these movies, which have shown how important emotional and mental health is, how academics can be harmful, and how important it is to have parents who support a child. They remind us that grades are not the only indicator of the value of the child, and failure is just a pathway towards progress and education.  

Real life, however, remains filled with dreadful cases and one such is of the poor NEET aspirant, when parental demands turn into cruelty. With all the cultural change and low-demand parenting that these films have attempted to create, the normalised pressure situation of competitive exams such as NEET, JEE and the board results continues to drive some families to the brink. This is where the need for entrance exams like GAHET comes in. 

Whatever happened to the class 12 student, Sadhna, can’t be justified in any perspective. The nation just lost a future gem to rage and rigid parameters. A father who is also a teacher did the most brutal act and stained his whole life. Was it worth it? Absolutely not! Brutality can never lead to positive outcomes. 

An Appeal to Sympathy and Common Sense

The story of Sadhna alerts parents, educators and society in general:

• Teachers should be patient and find the right way to deal with different students. The best example of this is depicted in the movie Taare Zameen Par.
• The mental and physical well-being of a child should not be obscured by academic pressure.
• Parents must know their limits over their children. They should guide, not dictate the life of their children.  
• The grades received in an exam, whether mock or real, does not determine the future or the worth of a child as an individual. 
• Rewards, encouragement, care and communication are much better solutions than strict discipline and frustrations that Indian Parents have.

With another young school kid being killed yet again on the dark side of academic obsession, it is time to come back to reality. Low-demand parenting is something to be encouraged in today’s society. Let us take our cues out of movie theater and life experience reports, and make sure that we have children who feel secure, nurtured and loved, no matter what their report cards say about them. Last but not the least, normalizing physical assault, being rude, and having high expectations or least expectations as parents is not a sign of good parenting. A child can become a shining star when everything is balanced. 

In case you or your friend is experiencing any academic pressure, ask for help because no test weighs more than life.  

In a deeply shocking case that has made the nation question education, a 17-year-old girl, Sadhna Bhonsle, was killed by her father Dhondiram Bhonsle, a school teacher, who beat her mercilessly because she had low marks in a NEET mock test. 

Sadhna, an extremely bright student who had scored 92.60% in her Class 10 board exams and had dreams of becoming a doctor, was just about to appear in the highly coveted National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) when the nightmare happened.

The Real Story Of Death

Police said the incident happened in Nelkaranji village, Sangli, Maharashtra, where Sadhna was residing with family members while preparing for the exam. Her father, enraged by her mock test score, beat her with a stick. He trashed his 17 year old daughter repeatedly. The beating led to serious injuries on the head and although she was in a bad shape, there was delay in seeking medical help. Sadhna later was taken to Ushakal Hospital, where she died before doctors could attend to her injuries. 

The mother of the girl has registered a police complaint through which Dhondiram Bhonsle has been arrested and he has confessed to the crime. Police gave the statement, "The girl's mother had filed a complaint at the police station on June 22, stating that her husband had beaten her up due to low marks, resulting in her death at the hospital. The accused father has been arrested and is in police custody till June 24. The case is under investigation.” 

Reality is Not Like Reel

This tragedy is radically opposed to messages of hope, resilience, and support that are portrayed by popular Indian movies such as 3 Idiots, Chhichhore, and 12th Fail. Millions of people have been empowered by these movies, which have shown how important emotional and mental health is, how academics can be harmful, and how important it is to have parents who support a child. They remind us that grades are not the only indicator of the value of the child, and failure is just a pathway towards progress and education.  

Real life, however, remains filled with dreadful cases and one such is of the poor NEET aspirant, when parental demands turn into cruelty. With all the cultural change and low-demand parenting that these films have attempted to create, the normalised pressure situation of competitive exams such as NEET, JEE and the board results continues to drive some families to the brink. This is where the need for entrance exams like GAHET comes in. 

Whatever happened to the class 12 student, Sadhna, can’t be justified in any perspective. The nation just lost a future gem to rage and rigid parameters. A father who is also a teacher did the most brutal act and stained his whole life. Was it worth it? Absolutely not! Brutality can never lead to positive outcomes. 

An Appeal to Sympathy and Common Sense

The story of Sadhna alerts parents, educators and society in general:

• Teachers should be patient and find the right way to deal with different students. The best example of this is depicted in the movie Taare Zameen Par.
• The mental and physical well-being of a child should not be obscured by academic pressure.
• Parents must know their limits over their children. They should guide, not dictate the life of their children.  
• The grades received in an exam, whether mock or real, does not determine the future or the worth of a child as an individual. 
• Rewards, encouragement, care and communication are much better solutions than strict discipline and frustrations that Indian Parents have.

With another young school kid being killed yet again on the dark side of academic obsession, it is time to come back to reality. Low-demand parenting is something to be encouraged in today’s society. Let us take our cues out of movie theater and life experience reports, and make sure that we have children who feel secure, nurtured and loved, no matter what their report cards say about them. Last but not the least, normalizing physical assault, being rude, and having high expectations or least expectations as parents is not a sign of good parenting. A child can become a shining star when everything is balanced. 

In case you or your friend is experiencing any academic pressure, ask for help because no test weighs more than life.  

As a society, we often prioritise academic achievement over the emotional well-being of our children. The stress of shifting schools and cities can have a profound impact on young minds, leading to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and isolation.

Reminiscing 2020’s global house-arrest and with campuses being closed and online learning being pursued, edtech push by COVID is now stronger than the fintech push by demonetization. The teacher-student model has ceased to exist for ever now, and we are moving to a qualitatively different mentor-learner model not just in the current digital learning phase, but also in the post pandemic times ahead. Beyond this complete campus lockdown phase, during which time mentoring-learning-assessing has gone online globally, we shall be moving towards blended phygital education ahead, which will be the new normal ahead, and will make the new model of mentor-learner firmly entrenched.

Learning or academics or education broadly has three functions: creation of learning content through research, writing, packaging with visuals; dissemination of learning through classes, lectures, notes, self-study, discussions; & assessment and evaluation of the education of the learner by various methods. All these three have been majorly impacted by the self-isolation imposed to ensure social distancing so that the learners and the mentors may first be protected from the spread of the infection of COVID19. The lockdown across the world is simultaneously a boon and a bane for the teaching-learning community today.

Teacher to Mentor:

The teacher was a sage on the stage, introducing every new topic, speaking the last word on it, sticking to a structured syllabus as prescribed, interpreting it as s/he deems right, finishing the syllabus and focusing on examination and evaluation to complete the cycle of delivery of education. He often demands respect, and relies on the power to punish to set things right (not always, though). Teacher teaches and often sermonizes.

Each premise noted above is changing now.

Mentor today is a co-learner, may be the first stimulus for a topic but never the last word, starts from a structured syllabus but is expected to move towards organic learning depending upon the variegated interest areas of groups of learners, aggregates learning resources from multiple sources and shares with the learners, is more a guide, second parent and agony shelter of sorts for the learners. Examination also is diverse and evaluation is just one more function and not the ultimate yardstick of learning and brilliance of the learner. Mentor may often be less informed about an issue, but with a better perspective to guide. Mentor engages and inspires.

Learning Resources Aggregation & Delivery:

To begin with being the new age mentor, a massive train the trainer and capacity building is needed today. For this, first the mentor has to be a digital personality with smartphone and net connection, and with laptop and wifi connection. Next, one has to learn how to create, deliver and engage in content across multiple online platforms, and how to take matter learnt online to matter practiced offline face to face. Third, one has to now learn assessment with open book through analysis and application, through quiz, through applied projects, through phygital presentation and actual work in labs and studios after using virtual labs and studios.

Creating the learning resources was quite easy earlier. There were the books, often called text and reference books, then the power-point presentation of the teacher, and then chalk and talk. And the topic was first introduced in a class, post which notes were given, books were mentioned, and later examination was conducted to check memory and a bit of understanding.

The game is changed now. And totally so.

The concept of proprietary content (the mentor’s own videos, audio or podcast content, power-points, cases, info-graphics etc), aggregated content (books, monographs, videos, podcasts, URLs, pdfs, cases, etc taken from the internet, YouTube and Vimeo, etc), and also massive open/closed online learning resources (free ones like Swayam or NAPTEL, paid ones like those of Coursera or LinkedIn, and the university’s own online courses): these three are the learning resources today.

The mentor is expected to make a mix of proprietary, aggregated and online learning resources, suitably arranging them from the easies one to the toughest one and offer to the learners digitally (using Google Class, emails, or better, Learning Management Systems like Canvas or TCSion, Blackboard or Collaborate, etc,) at least a week or more before they meet digitally or physically to discuss the content. This is called Flipped Classroom where the learners get learning content much in advance, read, watch or listen to the same asynchronously at their own time, place or pace, note down things they have not understood or have questions on, and come to the digital/physical classroom synchronously, to clarify doubts, discuss cases, debate on conclusions drawn and participate in quiz or analytical or applied assignments. Delivery of the online session can be on any platform: MS Teams, Zoom, Webex, Google Meet and can move from the synchronous digital classroom to asynchronous digital chatroom debates and discussions for further clarification.

This makes the task for Content Creation and Content Delivery for the mentors much more diverse, tech-savvy, and tougher than the traditional teacher’s job.

Learners’ Engagement & Evaluation:

Further, education will now move from a system imposed disciplined endeavour to voluntarily participated and internalized process. It will be truly a learner-centric education now in the new normal, and shall be far more participative than the past. The learner in the digital or blended mode is learning voluntarily and not on the basis of an imposed discipline on campus through a web of rules and power dynamics. While voluntary learning will throw many non-interested or apathetic learners out of the learning circle, it will also make many focused learners internalize education better and apply it in a more focused manner at his or her individual level.

Also, with Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation, Machine Learning and internet of things being the other emerging realities, the skills for mass production or education to do the same work repeatedly will be totally irrelevant ahead when machines will take over almost all such work (more than three fourths of all human work today). Hence, new age skills, apart from technology use, have to be in areas like creativity, innovation, incubation, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, design thinking, empathy, emotional intelligence and risk management. Each of these can be qualitatively and quantitatively mentored to any youth from an early age of say 15 years till 25 years of age, and will become his or her second nature.

To deliver such a learning, the learners’ engagement techniques have to be more tech-savvy (google forms, polls, surveys, quiz, virtual lab and studio, AI tools, etc) and also with higher emotional quotient (use of humour, videos, info-graphics, empathy in the class, allowing diversity of opinion, wellness conscious, etc).

Even the evaluation or assessment has to be diverse. Assessment refers to learner performance; it helps us decide if students are learning and where improvement in that learning is needed. Evaluation refers to a systematic process of determining the merit value or worth of the instruction or programme; it helps us determine if a course is effective (course goals) and informs our design efforts. Assessment and evaluation can be both formative (carried out during the course) and summative (carried out following the course). There can be many ways for the same. Mentors can make learners aware of expectations in advance (e.g. one week for feedback from deadline) and keep them posted (announcement: all projects have been marked). For example, one can create tests that are multiple choice, true/false, or short answer essays and one can set the assessments to automatically provide feedback.

When online, evaluation can be on the basis of proctored digital examination or open-book analytical and applied evaluation with non-google-able questions. And this is surely not an easy task for the mentors as teachers of the past were used to repeat past questions, had set patterns of questions, examinations were ‘suggestions’ and memory based, and not application based in general. Online quiz, open book examination with time-managed and proctored question paper delivered online, applied questions not based on memory but comprehension, telephonic interview etc have been the usual ways of digital assessment and evaluation of learning.

There will be offline evaluation also. Here, the assessment can be based on offline written examinations, field-survey based presentation or report writing, debates, lab/studio-based practical, or a peer-group work, or a submission of a long-term real life or live project.

Digital Learning Tools Today:

The pandemic requires universities to rapidly offer online learning to their students. Fortunately, technology and content are available to help universities transition online quickly and with high quality, especially on the digital plank, though at a cost and with the risk of several teachers and administrators being forced to go out of the system.

Digital learning on the go or from distance calls for tech-led holistic solutions. It requires several content pieces to be transmitted digitally. These content pieces can be in the form of pdfs, ppts, URLs, YouTube links, podcast links, case-studies, etc. There can also be e-books, audio-books, kindle based content, magzter sourced magazines, etc. Then this can involve learning without being face to face through boxes, as in Google Class, or learning face to face as in Zoom live audio-visual discussions. People may also use GoToMeetings or MicrosoftMeet sessions also. Attendance can be taken on Google Spreadsheet and through WhatsApp Group chat of a batch of students too.

Then there are MOOCs, collaborative distance learning, wikis, blogs etc. Individual resource-rich institutes develop their customized secured and IPR protected Learning Management Systems, through the use of BlackBoard or TCSion LMS. Other LMS options like Kaltura or Impartus allowing video recording of talks also ar in use in many places. There are CourseEra courses, Swayam online lessons from UGC and similar other avenues to learn online.

Learning digitally can be further assisted with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) which can take the viewer to an enhanced experience even integrating scenarios which are yet to happen creatively bringing them within the learning experience. These are immersive and contextual experiences, and artificial intelligence driven chatbots can further enhance the digital interface of the learner and the mentor.

Digital Learning Value-adds:

Incorporating big data analytics and content management, educators can develop an individualized curriculum that enhances how each student learns (e.g. playlist of learning content in WiseWire changing for each student). Many in the West have started the use of the millennials' language and style: Khan Academy video lessons, YouTube use, distinct style and language for young learners. Twitter, Tumblr, Snapchat, Imessage, Instagram, Facebook & Whatsapp are being creatively integrated with school education. There is a case of a management school in India, where the professor sends a 3 minutes interesting video on the subject he is taking up next through group whatsapp to increase interest in the batch towards the topic being taught.

In the US, the smart-phone applications like Socrative and Plickers are helping teachers interact and assess students’ progress, collaborate via cloud-based applications to work and solve a common goal. Teachers can publish real-time quizzes and polls for students via mobile devices to keep them engaged.

Further, using anything from iMovie to WeVideo, learners can create video as a learning resource. YouTube (with privacy settings) and SeeSaw or Flipgrid are also alternatives learners can make use of. The benefits of SeeSaw and Flipgrid are that students can add voice recordings or text sharing feedback with peers. Students became the co-creators of content and as a result, more engaged, including their parents. Useful apps like Book Creator, Explain Everything and EduCreations can be utilised towards this end. 

There are various software used to create digital content, like Camtasia, Raptivity, Captivate, Articulate Online, etc.

Yes alongside, social media use extensively will support learning online. Facebook Page can broadcast updates and alerts. Facebook Group or Google Hangout with advanced features in G-suite can stream live lectures and host discussions. Twitter can act as a class message board. The 256 characters help to keep messages succinct. Instagram can be used for photo essays. One can create a class blog for discussions. There are many different platforms available, such as WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix, Blogger for that. And, one can create a class-specific Pinterest board as well.

Students to Learners:

With mentors replacing teachers, the students cannot be the pre COVID typical students any more going ahead.

Students study in classroom, are taught by teachers, limited to given syllabus, and study for marks, grades, degrees. Students give exams in written and on the basis of suggestions or set patters of evaluation.

Learners study within and beyond the classroom, from mentors, peers, personal experience, books, digitally aggregated content, through projects and through assignments. Learners learn for lifetime application, and hence learn to learn further as things learnt today are obsolete soon. Self-learning or learning to learn is hence a major cultivated skill for the present day learners, especially in higher education, as techniques and technologies are changing in the work-place in less than five years now. Learners also learn organically. While structured syllabus must be completed for foundation and examination, organic learning is about self-driven learning in few chosen areas out of interest, assisted by the mentors.

Yes, for this, doubling public education expenditure, digital access to the hinterland, considering digital connectivity as a human right, digital literacy as a fundamental pre-requisite in any work, providing cell phones and laptops or tabs en masse, announcing cheaper data packages for students, CSR in the field of domain of digital connectivity by corporate houses, etc and more would be needed soonest to bridge the yawning digital divide in the otherwise class divided society. It must be noted that even UNESCO has noted that only 48% of Indian learners’ community of 283 million is receiving some sort of online education today, the rest 52% going bereft of any form of formal learning whatsoever for more than a year now! And among these 48%, the girl-students are having a worse fate in the poorer families due to limited digital devices to which the sons have a higher access than the daughters.

Conclusion:

India has been speaking of digital education for long but it has stayed on as a possibility and not a reality for more than a decade now. Even IITs and IIMs have used digital platforms on the side for sharing of content and debating on issues sporadically. The larger mass of 1300 plus universities and some 44,000 colleges have actually not digitized their content, not made access to online learning mainstay of their teaching-learning process, except the distance learning universities. In fact, the old school educationists looked at online and distance education with some disdain all across South Asia. They are in for a major shock now. The digital divide needs fast bridging through the promise of 6% of the GDP for public education, through 2% of profits for CSR given here, and through civil society initiatives like getting smart-phones, laptops and tabs for the less privileged.

It is clear that going ahead digital access will be a human right, and those in governance must wake up to the reality that youngsters need in expensive tablets and easy data access. A nation that spends less than 3% of national budget for public education (lower than Tanzania, Angola and Ghana, et al), with the states putting in 2.5 (Bihar) to 26% (Delhi), with Delhi being the only state in double digits, cannot ensure digital education for the masses, unless allocation of funds and their transparent spending happen.

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Prof. Ujjwal Anu Chowdhury

The author is Vice President, Washington University of Science and Technology and Editorial Mentor, edInbox.com

The last two years have clearly shown that technology-aided remote schooling is neither fully possible nor completely desirable. 

Lest we forget that India is a nation of more than one-third of the population in the 15 to 25 years age-bracket, the most promising period of life when one decides career path, subjects for learning, types of work to do, and becomes self-dependent in the process.