UPSC Fees 2025: Category Wise Fee Structure for Prelims & Mains

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) charges different application fees for different categories to ensure equal opportunity for every aspirant. The fee structure varies for Prelims, Mains, and optional stages, but some candidates are fully exempt from paying.

General and OBC candidates must pay the prescribed amount, while SC, ST, PwBD, and all female applicants are exempt. Understanding this category-wise fee distribution helps aspirants plan their application process smoothly and avoid last-minute mistakes.

UPSC Fees: Category Wise

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) follows a structured and inclusive fee system designed to make the Civil Services Examination affordable and accessible. The fees are charged separately for different stages of the exam-Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test-and depend on the candidate's category. This category-wise fee system ensures that economically and socially disadvantaged candidates get equal opportunities without facing financial barriers.

1. UPSC Prelims Application Fee (Category Wise)

The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. The application fee for Prelims varies based on the category:

General Male Candidates: ₹100
OBC Male Candidates: ₹100
EWS Male Candidates: ₹100
SC/ST Candidates: No Fee
Female Candidates (All Categories): No Fee
PwBD Candidates: No Fee

Applicants should note that the fee must be paid online through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. Non-payment of the fee (where applicable) leads to rejection of the application.

2. UPSC Mains Exam Fee (Category Wise)

The Mains exam fee applies only to candidates who qualify the Prelims stage.

General Category: ₹200
OBC Category: ₹200
EWS Category: ₹200
SC/ST Candidates: Exempted
PwBD Candidates: Exempted
Female Candidates: Exempted

This fee supports the evaluation, logistics, and administrative processes for the nine descriptive papers in the Mains examination.

3. UPSC Personality Test (Interview) Fee

The UPSC does not charge any fee for the Personality Test. Candidates who appear for the Interview do not need to pay any additional amount.

4. UPSC Optional Subject Fee (Other Exams)

For certain UPSC examinations like Forest Service or Engineering Services, additional fees may apply at different stages. However, for the Civil Services Examination, only Prelims and Mains exam fees are applicable.

5. Who Gets Fee Exemptions?

UPSC provides fee exemptions to a wide group of candidates:

All female candidates, regardless of General, OBC, EWS, SC, or ST category.
SC and ST aspirants, to support candidates from marginalized communities.
PwBD candidates, to ensure inclusivity.

These exemptions aim to encourage wider participation and promote equality in the selection process.

6. UPSC Fee Refund Policy

The fee paid to UPSC is non-refundable. If the form is rejected due to errors, incorrect information, or non-completion, the candidate will not receive a refund. Therefore, candidates should double-check their details before submitting the application.