New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced certain changes in its online application system for this year’s civil services preliminary examination after aspirants complained of technical glitches while applying.

Editable and non-editable fields in OTR

The Commission stated that some entries in the OTR profile have been made "editable" until the final submission of the application and during the correction window. 

"In view of the queries/difficulties raised by the candidates in filling up the online application form for the civil services examination, 2025, the Commission has decided the following changes in the one-time registration (OTR) for filling up of the online application," the UPSC said.

These include:

  • Have you ever changed name?
  • Gender
  • Minority status
  • Class 10th board examination roll number

However, candidates are not allowed to make any changes in the following fields:

  • Name (as per Class X certificate)
  • Date of birth
  • Father’s name
  • Mother’s name
  • Mobile number
  • Email ID

Recovery of lost mobile number or email ID

Candidates who have lost access to their registered mobile number but still have access to their registered email ID can apply for a mobile number change. In this case, an OTP will be sent to the email ID.

Similarly, if a candidate has lost access to their registered email ID but retains their registered mobile number, they can apply for an email ID change. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number for verification.

If a candidate has lost access to both their registered mobile number and email ID, they must send a request to the Commission at otrupsc@gov.in, along with:

  • Matriculation certificate
  • Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or driving licence
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Undertaking in a prescribed format

Deadline extension and correction window

The last date for registration for the Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2025 and the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Exam 2025 has been extended to February 18, 2025 (6 PM). Previously, the deadline was February 11.

A correction window will be open from February 19 to 25, allowing candidates to rectify any errors in their submitted applications.

Special provisions for PwBD candidates

The UPSC also said that the eligible PwBD (person with benchmark disability) candidates, who wish to seek assistance of ‘own scribe', will have to mandatorily provide their details for the preliminary exam.

"The PwBD candidates, who wish to seek assistance of ‘own scribe' for the CS (Main) exam, may voluntarily indicate the scribe details for CS (Main) while applying for CS (prelim) exam.

"Such candidates may update/provide details of the ‘own scribe' during the window, which will be made available to the candidates after the declaration of the result of CS (Prelim) Exam," it said.

Clarifications on name changes and degree entries

Candidates who have changed their name and have a mismatch with the name in their matriculation or higher education certificate must submit a gazette notification.

If the gazette notification is not currently available, they may upload a copy later, during a window that will be made available after the declaration of the Prelims results.

Candidates with an integrated master’s degree (combining graduation and post-graduation) may now fill the same course in both the graduation and higher qualification sections.

Examination schedule and vacancies

The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 is scheduled to be held on May 25, 2025.

The number of vacancies to be filled through the examination is expected to be approximately 979, including 38 vacancies reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities.

Candidates must submit their applications online through upsconline.gov.in.

These changes come in the wake of recent controversies surrounding the selection process, including the case of former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, who was accused of misusing OBC and disability quota benefits for selection into government service. She has denied the allegations.

"The candidates are advised to go through the entries made by them in relevant columns before finally submitting the same. It may be noted that after submission of the application, the changes/corrections, if any, in the entries in the application form, can be carried out only during the one week correction window...," the notice said.

(With inputs from PTI)