Introduction – UPSC Special Recruitment Drive 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released a major recruitment notification, Advertisement No. 08/2025, announcing a Special Recruitment Drive for the year 2025. This drive aims to fill a substantial 241 vacancies across various prestigious Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts in different ministries and departments of the Government of India. This is a golden opportunity for candidates seeking a stable and rewarding career in the central government sector. The online application process begins on June 28, 2025, and the deadline to apply is July 17, 2025.

This recruitment drive offers a diverse range of roles, including positions for medical professionals, engineers, scientists, legal experts, and administrative officers. Interested and eligible candidates are encouraged to read this article carefully to understand the vacancy details, eligibility criteria, selection process, and step-by-step application guide before applying.

Organization Details

The recruitment process is being conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), India’s premier central recruiting agency. It is responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services.

  • Hiring Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
  • Advertisement Number: 08/2025
  • Total Number of Posts: 241
  • Post Categories: Group ‘A’ & Group ‘B’ (Gazetted, Non-Ministerial, Ministerial)
  • Location: Various locations across India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. (with All India Service Liability for many posts).

UPSC Recruitment 2025: Vacancy Breakdown

A total of 241 vacancies have been announced across multiple departments. The table below provides a summary of the posts available:

Post Name Department/Ministry Vacancies
Specialist Grade III (Various Disciplines) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 86
Senior Scientific Assistant (Various Disciplines) Ministry of Defence 22
Junior Scientific Officer (Various Disciplines) Ministry of Home Affairs / Defence 19
Manager Grade -I / Section Officer Canteen Stores Dept, Ministry of Defence 19
Tutor, College of Nursing Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 19
Assistant/Deputy Legislative Counsel Ministry of Law and Justice 23
Administrative Officer / Asst. District Attorney Ministry of Defence / Chandigarh Admin 17
Scientific Officer / Scientist ‘B’ Various Ministries 10
Other Engineering & Technical Posts Various Ministries 13
Other Medical & Health Posts Various Ministries 13
Total Vacancies 241

Detailed Post-Wise Vacancies

For a complete and detailed breakdown, candidates are advised to refer to the official notification. Key roles include:

  • Medical Sector: Specialist Grade III (Neuro Surgery, Orthopaedics, Psychiatry, Radio-diagnosis), Dental Surgeon, Dialysis Medical Officer, Assistant Veterinary Surgeon.
  • Scientific Sector: Regional Director (NCOF), Scientific Officer, Junior Scientific Officer (Ballistics, Chemistry, Explosives, etc.), Scientist ‘B’ (Zoology, Geo-physics).
  • Engineering Sector: Senior Design Officer (Construction, Engineering), Executive Engineer (Civil), Senior Scientific Assistant (Aeronautical, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.).
  • Legal Sector: Legal Officer (Grade-II), Assistant/Deputy Legislative Counsel.
  • Administrative Sector: Administrative Officer, Manager Grade-I, Assistant Shipping Master.

Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Recruitment 2025

The eligibility criteria, including educational qualifications, age limit, and experience, vary for each post. Applicants must ensure they meet the specific requirements for the post they are applying for as of the closing date of application (July 17, 2025).

Educational Qualification & Experience (Summary)

  • Specialist Grade III Assistant Professor: Requires an MBBS degree with a Post-Graduate degree (MD/MS/DNB) in the concerned specialty. A minimum of three years of teaching experience post-PG degree is also mandatory.
  • Senior Scientific Assistant: Typically requires a Degree in the relevant field of Engineering (e.g., Aeronautical, Electrical, Mechanical) plus one year of experience. Some posts require a Master’s Degree (e.g., M.Sc. in Electronics).
  • Junior Scientific Officer: Requires a Master’s Degree in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, or Forensic Science OR a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant Engineering disciplines, along with two years of experience.
  • Legal Officer/Counsel: Requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B/LL.M) with a specific number of years of experience (ranging from 5 to 10 years) in legal practice, teaching, or legal affairs.
  • Administrative Officer Grade-I: A Degree from a recognized University is required, along with three years of experience in a supervisory capacity in administration, accounts, and establishment work.
  • Manager Grade-I / Section Officer: Requires a Degree from a recognized university and a Diploma/Degree in Business Management or Material Management, coupled with three years of relevant experience.

Age Limit

The age limit varies significantly depending on the post and category.

  • The general age limit for various posts ranges from 30 years to 50 years for Unreserved (UR) candidates.
  • Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms:
    • OBC: 3 years
    • SC/ST: 5 years
    • Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years (13 for OBC, 15 for SC/ST)
    • Ex-Servicemen & Central Govt. Employees: As per rules.

Important Dates

Candidates must keep track of the following crucial dates related to the UPSC Special Recruitment Drive 2025:

  • Notification Release Date: June 2025
  • Online Application Start Date: June 28, 2025
  • Last Date to Apply Online: July 17, 2025 (23:59 HRS)
  • Last Date for Printing Submitted Application: July 18, 2025 (23:59 HRS)
  • Recruitment Test/Interview Date: To be notified later

Salary and Benefits

The posts offered under this recruitment drive come with attractive salary packages as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

  • Pay Scale: The pay level varies from Level-7 to Level-12 in the Pay Matrix.
    • Level 7: (e.g., Senior Scientific Assistant, Assistant District Attorney)
    • Level 8: (e.g., Scientific Officer, Junior Scientific Officer)
    • Level 10: (e.g., Administrative Officer, Specialist Grade III)
    • Level 11: (e.g., Senior Design Officer, Deputy Director)
    • Level 12: (e.g., Regional Director, Deputy Legislative Counsel)
  • Allowances: In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will be entitled to allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA).
  • Perks: Medical posts are also eligible for a Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA). Other benefits include job stability, a pension under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and opportunities for career advancement.

Selection Process

The selection process for these posts will be rigorous and multi-staged, conducted by the UPSC to ensure the selection of the most suitable candidates.

  1. Shortlisting: In cases where a large number of applications are received, the UPSC will shortlist candidates for the interview based on criteria such as higher educational qualifications, higher experience in the relevant field, or other parameters as decided by the Commission.
  2. Recruitment Test (RT): For some posts, the Commission may conduct a Recruitment Test to further screen candidates. The final merit list in such cases is typically prepared by giving 75% weightage to the marks obtained in the RT and 25% weightage to the marks obtained in the Interview.
  3. Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be called for a Personal Interview. The interview will assess the candidate’s subject knowledge, personality, and suitability for the role. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview are 50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
  4. Document Verification: Candidates who qualify the interview will have to undergo document verification to confirm their eligibility claims.

How to Apply for UPSC Recruitment 2025

The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps to submit your application successfully:

  1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal.
  2. Find the Advertisement: Look for “Advertisement No. 08/2025” and find the specific post you wish to apply for.
  3. Registration: If you are a new user, you will need to register on the ORA platform. Existing users can log in with their credentials.
  4. Fill the Application Form: Carefully fill in all required details, including personal information, educational qualifications, and experience.
  5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph (not more than 10 days old with name and date), signature, and other necessary documents (DOB proof, educational certificates, experience certificates, caste certificate, etc.) in the specified format and size.
  6. Pay Application Fee: Pay the application fee online through the available payment gateways.
  7. Submit and Print: After verifying all details, submit the application form. Take a printout of the final submitted application for your records.

Application Fees

  • General / OBC / EWS (Male candidates): ₹ 25/- (Rupees Twenty-five)
  • Female / SC / ST / PwBD candidates: No Fee

The fee can be paid online using a Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

Official Notification and Apply Link

Link Type URL
Official Notification PDF Download Here
Direct Online Application Link Apply Here
Official UPSC Website Visit Here

Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to join the prestigious central government services. Apply now and take the next step in your professional journey!

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