Jun 17, 2025
10
mins read
The Detailed Application Form (DAF) is an essential step in the UPSC CSE journey, bridging the written exams and the Personality Test. There are two versions of the DAF:
UPSC Prelims → DAF-I → UPSC Mains → DAF-II → Interview: Candidates pass each stage in this order.
UPSC DAF-I (Prelims → Mains):
Submit immediately after Prelims to confirm your eligibility for Mains.
UPSC DAF-II (Mains → Interview):
Open after Mains results. This form must be filled to attend the UPSC Personality Test.
All entries in both UPSC DAF 2025 forms must be accurate and consistent with the documents you submit, as UPSC verifies all details. Incorrect or inconsistent information can significantly impact interview questions and your candidacy.
What is UPSC DAF? (Detailed Application Form)
The DAF UPSC (Detailed Application Form) is a comprehensive form required by UPSC at two critical points in the selection process. It collects detailed personal information, educational qualifications, work experience, hobbies, and preferences. Specifically, DAF-I is used by candidates who have cleared Prelims, confirming their eligibility for Mains. Meanwhile, DAF-II is filled after the Mains exam and is the primary source of data for the Interview phase.
DAF-II’s Influence on the Personality Test
DAF-II plays a significant role in shaping your Personality Test or interview. The UPSC panel often derives many of its questions directly from the information provided in DAF-II. Top scorers have shared that DAF-II often determines the direction of the interview, and every entry in it can prompt questions.
Key Points:
Fill your DAF UPSC carefully, ensuring consistency and honesty.
Cross-check your details against official documents and UPSC guidelines.
Keep a printed copy of your submitted DAF-II (and annexures like certificates) for the interview before upsc daf 2025 last date
UPSC uses two DAFs in the CSE selection process:
Feature | UPSC DAF-I (Prelims → Mains) | UPSC DAF-II (Mains → Interview) |
Stage | After Prelims, before Mains | After Mains, before Interview |
Purpose | Confirm candidature for Mains | Provide detailed profile for Interview |
Key Sections | Personal details, Education, Employment, Document uploads, Service Preferences | Mother tongue, Birth place, Qualifications, Hobbies, Cadre preferences, Service allocation |
Timeline(2025) | June 16–25, 2025 (example) | Expected ~ Dec 2025 (tentative) |
Significance | Mandatory for Mains eligibility; fills after Prelims | Shapes Interview; board asks many questions from it |
Table of content
To fill UPSC DAF-II for UPSC CSE 2025, follow this step-by-step process carefully:
Login on UPSC Website:
Go to upsconline.nic.in or upsc.gov.in and click the “DAF-II” link. Log in using your Registration ID (from Prelims/Mains) and DOB. Only candidates who have qualified for Mains will see the DAF-II form.Start UPSC DAF-II Form: Once logged in, access the DAF-II sections. The form includes 9 sections:
Mother Tongue
Birth Place
Personal Details
Education
Higher Education
Home State
Hobbies
Cadre Preferences
Service Allocation.
OBC/EWS Annexure (if applicable):
If you are applying under the OBC/EWS category, ensure you upload the appropriate annexure/certificate as per the UPSC format. The certificate must be issued by the relevant authority.Fill All Sections Meticulously:
Enter all details accurately: name, parent names, marital status, etc. For Education, list all degrees in chronological order. For Professional Experience, state your job title, organization, role, and duration (or “Not Applicable” if you have no work experience). Be honest and consistent-double-check for spelling errors and ensure grammar is correct.Select Home State:
Choose your domicile state (for cadre allocation). This will influence your final posting in the civil services.Choose Service Preferences:
Rank services (IAS, IPS, IFS, etc.) in order of preference. Be cautious, as once submitted, preferences cannot be changed.State/Zone Cadre Preferences:
For IAS, specify your preferred zone and state cadre options. For IPS, list preferred state cadres. Research cadre rules in advance, as this can influence your final allotment.Hobbies and Activities:
List 3–5 hobbies or activities (e.g. creative, sports, intellectual). Be truthful and prepared to discuss each one in the interview. Use mnemonic categories to remember hobbies: PCSE (Political, Cultural, Social, Environmental).Upload Documents:
Ensure you scan and upload required documents like your passport photo, signature, and any category or PwBD certificates. Follow the size and format specifications outlined by UPSC.Review, Submit & Print:
Thoroughly review all entries. Once satisfied, submit and print a copy of the DAF-II for future reference. This printout (with annexures) should be carried to the interview venue.
DAF-I (Mains): The DAF-I window for UPSC CSE 2025 was open from June 16–25, 2025.
DAF-II (Interview): The DAF-II form will be available after the Mains results are declared (usually mid-Dec 2025). For 2024, the DAF-II window ran from Dec 13–19, 2024.
Always refer to UPSC notifications for exact dates. DAF-related notices can be found in the CSE section on the official UPSC website. You can also subscribe to UPSC exam alerts to stay updated on UPSC DAF 2025 deadlines and other important events. Missing the last date for the UPSC DAF 2025 form can lead to disqualification, so set calendar reminders well in advance.
Your UPSC DAF answers form a major part of the UPSC Interview. The panel will ask questions based on the details you provide in the DAF-II, so strategize accordingly:
Be Honest and Consistent:
Do not exaggerate or provide false details. Ensure the information matches your official documents.Highlight Strengths Relevant to Public Service:
Focus on activities that showcase leadership, critical thinking, or social awareness. For instance, if you mention a community service project, frame it in terms of its public service impact (which can relate to General Studies topics).Prepare DAF-Based Questions:
As Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017) advises, prepare a question bank from your DAF. Anticipate queries on your hobbies, projects, and qualifications.Review Your DAF After Submission:
Don’t view your DAF as just a formality; it’s a question bank for your interview. Review every detail and think about how each entry could lead to questions. Be prepared to discuss each point, whether it’s a hobby, project, or educational qualification.
Do's | Don'ts |
- Emphasize academic laurels, leadership roles in college (student bodies, NSS, etc.) | - Pad your profile – don’t create fake jobs if you have no work experience. |
- List hobbies or volunteer work that demonstrate curiosity (e.g. coding projects, cultural activities). | - Don’t only fill trivial hobbies; instead, mention 2-3 genuine interests (e.g. “playing chess” or “coding open-source”). |
- Use the DAF to show soft skills: responsibility, teamwork, curiosity. | - Skip things that make you sound like “just a student” – aim to show maturity. |
Column: Education Qualification
In the daf upsc, this column captures your academic credentials—degrees, diplomas, certificates and marks.
List your qualifications in chronological order, starting from Class 10, Class 12, graduation, post‑graduation (if any). For each, mention institution name, year of passing, subjects, and marks/percentage—matching your mark sheets and certificates.
If you hold a professional qualification (CA, CS, ICWA, etc.), mention it after your academic degrees, with institute, year and rank/score.
Add any additional qualifications (foreign-language, computer courses, certificates) at the end.
Be honest—don’t inflate or misstate credentials, as discrepancies can lead to disqualification or legal issues.
Column: Home State
In upsc daf form, your declared Home State carries weight during the Personality Test. Expect questions about the historical, political, social and economic aspects of your state. Example: Delhi
Significance of Khandwa Prastha & Indraprastha
Dynastic history of Delhi in chronological order
What makes Chandni Chowk famous-arts, crafts, heritage?
Governance tension: Governor vs. Chief Minister-why?
Debate: Full statehood for Delhi-what’s its current status?
When did Delhi become a Union Territory?
Stark contrasts: developed zones vs. slums-what causes this?
Mohalla clinics & school initiatives during the AAP era-explain
High population density-demographic dividend or burden?
Odd–Even policy-was it successful or not?
Column: Hobbies and Activities
This section lets you showcase your unique personality, skills, and values. Follow these tips:
Be honest. Only list hobbies you genuinely enjoy and can discuss with confidence.
Be specific. Instead of saying “reading,” specify “reading Indian political biographies” or “listening to Hindustani classical: Gharanas etc.”
Be prepared. Be ready to discuss why you chose them, how you pursue them, what you’ve learned, and any recent developments or news related to them.
Column: Cadre Preference
In upsc daf upsc, your cadre preference shapes your career trajectory-the posting location, language environment and culture for decades.
Research the available cadres (states/UTs) and reflect on how each aligns with your goals, strengths, interests, and personal considerations.
Be mindful of factors like development prospects, governance style, climate, and family priorities.
Be realistic & flexible. Understand that allotment hinges on rank, category, vacancies, and competition-not guarantees.
Don’t leave blanks or repeat cadres. Once submitted, this list in daf upsc form cannot be altered.
Prepare justification. The board may ask why you chose specific cadres-have thoughtful reasons ready.
Column: Service Allocation
Your service choice (IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS etc.) is pivotal-each service has unique roles, responsibilities and challenges.
Research individual services-visit official sites, read officer experiences, and analyze service-specific pros and cons.
Rank services based on your interests, personality and aptitude. Avoid peer pressure or stereotypes-be authentic.
Have backup options. Don’t rely solely on one choice. Every service has its upsides-your attitude and performance matter most.
Follow instructions when filling the form-no errors or omissions. Double-check before submitting, as changes aren’t allowed post-submission.
Q: What exactly is “ DAF UPSC ” and how many forms are there?
A: DAF stands for Detailed Application Form. UPSC has two DAFs: DAF-I (after Prelims, for Mains registration) and DAF-II (after Mains, for Interview).
Q: What is the last date for UPSC DAF form (DAF-I and DAF-II) in 2025?
A: For CSE 2025, DAF-I was open from June 16–25, 2025. DAF-II dates will be announced after Mains results (usually mid-December).
Q: What happens if I miss the DAF UPSC last date?
A: Missing the DAF-I deadline means you cannot appear for Mains. Missing DAF-II means you lose your Interview slot. There's no relaxation, so plan ahead!
Filling out the UPSC DAF 2025-whether it's DAF-I after Prelims or DAF-II after Mains-is more than just a procedural task. It is an essential step that shapes the UPSC Interview, providing the board with key insights into your personality, qualifications, experiences, and interests. The accuracy, consistency, and honesty of the details in DAF-II are critical, as they directly influence the questions asked during the interview phase.
DAF-I is your first step towards confirming your eligibility for Mains, and DAF-II is the final touchpoint before the Interview. Both forms must be filled with utmost care, ensuring that each detail matches your official documents, as UPSC verifies everything.
Expert views unanimously agree that UPSC DAF-II is the backbone of your UPSC Interview preparation. Being honest, consistent, and thoughtful about how you present your personal, educational, and professional background is crucial. Also, cadre preferences, hobbies, and educational details should be carefully chosen to align with your future aspirations in public service.
In summary, the UPSC DAF process requires precision, thoughtfulness, and honesty. Candidates must approach it as a vital tool for reflecting their journey, passions, and future goals in the service of the nation.
Internal Linking suggestions:
External Linking Suggestions
UPSC Official Website – Syllabus & Notification: https://upsc.gov.in/
Press Information Bureau – Government Announcements: https://pib.gov.in/
NCERT Official Website – Books for UPSC: https://ncert.nic.in/
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