How to Prepare UPSC Mains

UPSC mains exam happens a few months after prelims. You should know how to prepare UPSC Mains in this 3 months. The exam covers a wide range of topics, from politics and economics to science and technology. In order to do well in the UPSC exam, it is important to be well-versed in current affairs and how to prepare for UPSC mains along with UPSC Prelims. This obviously cannot be done in a few months so one has to start UPSC Mains preparation alongside UPSC Prelims preparation.

✅ Staying updated on current affairs is crucial for the UPSC Mains exam.

✅ Methods for staying informed include reading newspapers, watching news channels, and using UPSC Current Affairs magazines, practicing current affairs MCQs, referring different news sources like PIB, Down To Earth etc.

✅ Our Mentors can help candidates identify essential articles and provide a structured approach to understanding current events.

✅ Critical analysis is essential, involving identifying key issues, understanding diverse perspectives, and forming personal opinions.

✅ Current affairs are a significant part of the UPSC Mains exam, and staying informed and analyzing events systematically can enhance success chances.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

Check the table below to understand the scheme and subjects of the UPSC CSE examination:

UPSC CSE Exam	The Pattern of the UPSC CSE Exam
UPSC Prelims Exam	General Studies Aptitude Test
UPSC Mains Exam	Qualifying Paper-A (One of the 22 Indian Languages) Paper-B (English) Papers to be counted for merit Paper-I (Essay) Paper-II (General Studies-I) Paper-III (General Studies-II) Paper-IV (General Studies-III) Paper-V (General Studies-IV) Paper-VI (Optional Paper-I) Paper-VII (Optional Paper-II)
UPSC IAS Interview (Personality Test)	–

UPSC Mains GS Paper I is among the four general studies papers in a subjective format. It covers subjects such as History, Geography, Art and Culture, and Indian Society. In addition to GS Paper I, there are eight additional papers in the Mains stage of the UPSC CSE Exam. This article offers insights into the GS I Syllabus and Structure to aid in your UPSC preparation.

UPSC Mains General Studies – I

Subjects in GS Paper 1	Sub-Topics
History	Art & Culture Modern History World History
Geography	Physical Geography of India & World Human Geography
Indian Society	Demography, Social Issues (Sociology), and Developments in Indian Society. Current Affairs

Thematic details of the UPSC Mains syllabus (UPSC Mains GS–I)

Topic	Sub-Topics
History	Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues. The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country. History of the World will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, the Redrawal of National Boundaries, Colonization, Decolonization, political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effects on society.
Art & Culture	Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
Geography	Salient features of World’s Physical Geography. Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India). Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, cyclones etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Indian Society	Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Role of Women and Women’s Organization, Population and Associated Issues Poverty and Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Effects of Globalization on Indian society. Social Empowerment Communalism Regionalism Secularism

Unlike other general studies papers, the UPSC GS Paper I syllabus has subjects from which direct questions can be asked. As in the case of History of UPSC GS paper-I. Questions can directly be asked from ancient, medieval, modern, and world history. However, there are also topics in Indian Society and Geography, where an aspirant needs to connect the static syllabus of UPSC GS Paper I with current affairs. Hence, if prepared well this is actually a scoring paper for aspirants.

✅ GS1 often involves questions that require an interdisciplinary approach. For instance, a question on the impact of a historical event on society may require knowledge from both history and sociology. Be prepared to make these connections in your answers.

✅ Invest time in reading standard textbooks for each subject. For Indian culture and history, refer to books like NCERTs, Bipan Chandra’s “India’s Struggle for Independence,” and other relevant texts. For world history, books by Norman Lowe and others can be helpful. For geography, NCERTs and books by G.C. Leong are commonly recommended. Having teachers who can help in all the aspects would be a better way to build your basics.

Detailed Structure of Mains General Studies Paper-I for UPSC CSE

The important features of the UPSC General Studies I Mains paper are:

There are 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English which are to be answered in the language selected while filling out the application form. Questions that are answered in any other language are not evaluated.
The paper is of a total of 250 marks.
The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150 and 15 marks is 250.
From the history syllabus, there is a significant emphasis on Modern History topics with questions asked about the Freedom struggle, the Indian Renaissance, and related sub-topics.
From the Geography syllabus, the emphasis lies on current affairs-related topics along with static sub-topics.
From the Indian Society syllabus, the questions are asked about topics like women empowerment, secularism, the culture of Indian Society, etc.

UPSC CSE Mains General Studies - II

The following subjects are covered in the Mains General Studies Paper-II:

✅ Governance

✅ Constitution

✅ Polity

✅ Social Justice

✅ International relations

Like General Studies I, General Studies II has very few direct questions that are related to one topic. This paper needs a fair bit of critical thinking to answer the questions correctly as many times; interrelated topics will appear.

Focus Areas in UPSC GS 2 Paper

The table below gives the focus areas in Mains GS Paper-II, which an aspirant should focus on: UPSC

Focus Areas in UPSC GS Paper-II
Subject	Topics
Polity	Indian Constitution Features of Indian Constitution Amendments in Indian Constitution Provisions Constitutional and non-constitutional bodies
Governance	Government policies and interventions Governance Transparency Accountability E-governance applications
Social Justice	Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services Issues relating to poverty and hunger
International Relations	Bilateral Groupings Regional and global groupings Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Thematic details of the UPSC Mains syllabus (UPSC GS–II)

Topic	Sub-Topics
Indian Constitution	Historical underpinnings of the constitution Evolution of the Constitution Salient features Basic structure Significant provisions Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the states Issues and challenges related to the Federal Structure Devolution of powers and finances up to local government level Challenges in the devolution of power Separation of powers between various organs of the government Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions Comparison of India’s constitutional scheme with other countries
Governance & Polity	Parliament and State Legislatures Structure Functioning Conduct of Business Powers & Privileges Issues arising out of Powers & Privileges of legislative bodies Executive and Judiciary Structure Organization Functioning Ministries and departments of the government Pressure groups Formal & Informal associations and their role in the polity Salient features of the People’s Representation Act Appointment to various constitutional posts Powers, functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies Government policies and interventions for the development of various sectors Issues arising out of the design and implementation of government intervention Development processes and the development of the industry The role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability e-governance models successes Development processes and the development of the industry limitations and potential citizens charters Transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. Role of Civil Services in a Democracy
Social Justice	Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by centre and states The performance of welfare schemes Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections of the population Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources Issues related to poverty and hunger
International Relations	India and its neighborhood Relations between India and neighboring countries Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s Interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Indian diaspora Important International institutions, agencies and for a Structure Mandate

Detailed Structure of UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-II for IAS

The important features of the UPSC General Studies II Mains paper are:

There are 20 compulsory questions printed in Hindi and English which are to be answered in the language selected while filling out the application form. Questions that are answered in any other language are not evaluated.
The paper is of a total of 250 marks.
The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150, and for 15 marks is 250.
There is a heavy emphasis on governance and polity-related topics, with a significant overlap between them and Social Justice and international relations. The type of polity questions is mostly about the applicability of constitutional amendments, rights and significance of certain parts of the constitution.

To achieve a higher score in GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance, International Relations) in UPSC Mains, consider the following tips:

Understand the Syllabus:
- Familiarize yourself with the GS2 syllabus to know what topics to focus on.
In-Depth Knowledge:
- Develop a deep understanding of the Indian Constitution, governance, and international relations.
Read Key Books and Resources:
- Refer to standard books like M. Laxmikanth’s “Indian Polity” for Indian governance.
- For international relations, read books like “India’s Foreign Policy” by Rajiv Sikri or refer our Class Notes.
Analyze Current Affairs:
- Stay updated on current events and their impact on Indian governance and international relations.
- For example, if there’s a change in India’s foreign policy towards a neighboring country, analyze the implications and India’s stance in your answers.
Answer Writing Practice:
- Practice writing well-structured, concise, and clear answers.
- Use subheadings and bullet points to make your answers more reader-friendly.
Case Studies and Examples:
- Use real-life case studies and examples to support your arguments.
- For instance, when discussing the impact of a government policy, cite specific instances or data.
Link Current Affairs to Concepts:
- Relate current events to fundamental concepts of governance and international relations.
- For example, when discussing a government’s welfare scheme, link it to principles of governance and social justice.
Practice Previous Year Papers:
- Solve past years’ papers to understand the question pattern and practice time management.
Legal Provisions:
- For polity-related questions, refer to relevant articles and provisions of the Constitution.
- Cite specific articles when discussing topics like fundamental rights or federalism.
Balance Opinion and Analysis:
- While expressing your opinions, provide a balanced view with pros and cons.
- Support your opinions with logical reasoning and evidence.
Revise Regularly:
- Regular revision is essential. Ensure you remember important facts, amendments, and events.
Time Management:
- Allocate your time wisely during the exam. Don’t spend too much time on one question.
Stay Updated with International Affairs:
- Keep yourself informed about global developments and their implications for India’s foreign policy.
Consistency:
- Consistency in your preparation is key. Dedicate a set amount of time daily to study GS2 topics.
Seek Feedback:
- If possible, seek feedback from mentors or peers on your answer writing.

Scoring well in GS2 requires a combination of knowledge, analytical skills, and effective presentation. Being well-versed in current affairs and connecting them to core concepts is crucial.

UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper III

The GS III Syllabus is focussed on the following subjects:

✅ Technology

✅ Economic Development

✅ Biodiversity

✅ Environment

✅ Security

✅ Disaster Management

As we can see, there is scope for significant overlap between the topics covered in General Studies II and General Studies III.

Focus Areas in UPSC GS III Paper

The table below gives the focus areas in GS 3 mains as well as the syllabus which an aspirant should focus on:

Focus Areas in GS Paper-III
Subject	Topics
Economics	Economic Development in India Macroeconomics
Science & Technology	Dark Matter Higgs Boson Rare Earth Elements GM Crops Gene Editing Artificial Intelligence Space Technology Defence Technology
Biodiversity	Types of Biodiversity Biodiversity and Environment
Security	Internal Security Challenges in India Extremism Terrorism Money-Laundering
Disaster Management	Disaster Management in India PM Cares Fund National Disaster Management Plan 2016

Thematic details of the UPSC Mains syllabus (UPSC GS–III)

Topic	Subtopic
Indian Economy	Issues related to planning Mobilization of resources Growth Development Employment
Inclusive Growth	Inclusive growth Issues arising from or related to inclusive growth
Budgeting	Government Budgeting
Major Crops and Cropping Patterns	Major crops and cropping pattern in different parts of the country Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage Transport and marketing of agricultural produce Issues related to transport and marketing of agricultural produce E- technology in the aid of farmers
Subsidies, Poverty Alleviation and Agricultural Technology	Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies PM Cares Fund Issues related to Minimum Support Prices Public Distribution System Objectives Functioning Limitations Revamp Issues related to buffer stocks and food security Technology missions Economics of Animal rearing
Food Processing and Related Industries	Food processing and related industries in India Scope and significance Location Supply chain management
Land Reforms	Land reforms in India
Liberalization	Effects of Liberalization on the economy Changes in industrial policy Effects of changes in industrial policy on industrial growth
Infrastructure	Energy Ports Roads Airports Railways etc.
Investment	Investment models such as Public-Private Partnerships, Build Operate Transfer etc.
Science and Technology	Developments in Science and Technology Applications of scientific developments in everyday life Effects of scientific developments in everyday life
Achievements of Indians in Science and Technology	Important contributions of Indians in Science and Technology Indigenization of technology Developing new technology indigenously
General Awareness	Awareness in the following fields: IT Space Computers Robotics Nanotechnology Biotechnology Issues related to Intellectual Property Rights in these fields
Environment	Conservation Environmental pollution and degradation Environmental Impact Assessment
Security	Linkages between development and spread of extremism Role of state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security Challenges to Internal Security through communication networks: Role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges Basics of Cyber Security Money laundering and its prevention Security challenges and their management in border areas: Linkages of organized crime with terrorism Various Security forces and agencies and their mandates

Focus on Current Affairs – Many topics from UPSC CSE Mains GS-III overlap with current affairs and hence, aspirants can take help from tour Boosters, PIBs etc. published in our Monthly Magazine to prepare accordingly:

Detailed Structure of UPSC Mains GS Paper-III for IAS

The major features of the General Studies Paper III in Mains Exam are:

✅ There are 20 questions printed in both English and Hindi, the questions can be answered only in the language specified during application.

✅ The paper is of a total of 250 marks.

✅ The word limit for 10 marks questions is 150 and, for 15 marks is 250.

✅ The paper has a special emphasis on Economic Development, so it is expected to have questions and answers that would theoretically spill over to Social Justice and international relations from GS II. Also, the questions from the Environment may have some overlap with the Geography knowledge required for GS-I and Economic Development and Biodiversity from GS II itself. Due to this, analyzing each question and writing to-the-point answers within the word limit is important. A careful analysis of the UPSC GS 3 Syllabus will help in this regard.

✅ The questions related to Security and disaster management are mostly asked in the second half of the paper, so it is important to brush up on topics related to Internal Security and Disaster Management as well as new-age topics like cybercrime

Must-Read Important Topics in GS-III for UPSC

The table below mentions the GS-III topics that are important for UPSC CSE Exam:

Indian Economy Economic Planning in India Economic Growth & Development Unemployment in India	Inclusive Growth Inclusive Growth Financial Inclusion
Budgeting Union Budget 2020 Union Budget 2021	Major Crops Major Crops in India Agricultural Produce Market Committee
Subsidies, Agriculture Minimum Support Price (MSP) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) PDS & TPDS	Food Processing Food Processing
Land Reforms Land Reforms in Post-Independent India	Liberalization Difference between Globalization & Liberalization Industrial Policy in India
Infrastructure List of Major Ports in India List of Important National Highways in India	Investment Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Science & Technology Nanotechnology Intellectual Property Rights in India	Environment Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environment Disaster Management in India	Security Cyber Security Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

To approach questions in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 effectively, start by understanding the question and the relevant syllabus. Allocate your time wisely, and structure your answers with subheadings to make them reader-friendly. Provide context, use real-life examples, and back your arguments with data and figures when applicable. Balance opinions with pros and cons, address multiple dimensions, and incorporate current affairs to show their relevance. For questions related to policies and reforms, cite legal provisions and government initiatives, and consider the ethical aspects. Finally, practice previous year papers to understand the question pattern.

For instance, if asked about the impact of digital technology on the Indian economy, start with an introduction about digital technology and its significance. Provide examples of digital initiatives like Digital India and analyze their effects on sectors such as e-commerce and financial inclusion. Discuss the pros (economic growth, job creation) and cons (digital divide) while considering legal provisions and ethical concerns. This comprehensive approach, tailored to the question, can help you score well in GS3.

UPSC CSE Mains General Studies-IV

The General Studies Paper IV covers the following main areas:

Ethics
Integrity
Aptitude

The UPSC introduced the GS Paper 4, also known as the Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper, in the UPSC Mains examination in the year 2013. This paper assesses the ethical and moral dimensions of aspiring civil servants and their ability to make sound judgments in administrative and real-life situations. It was introduced as part of the new pattern of the Civil Services Mains examination, which came into effect in 2013.

This paper may have a slight overlap of topics with Governance and Social Justice Subjects from General Studies II in the Civil Service Examination mains papers but is largely independent of the syllabus of other GS papers.

Focus Areas in UPSC GS 4 Paper

Focus Areas in GS IV Ethics Paper
S. No	Ethics Topics
1	Ethics and Human Interface
2	Human Values
3	Attitude
4	Aptitude
5	Emotional Intelligence
6	Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world
7	Public or Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
8	Ethical issues in international relations and funding corporate governance
9	Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; information
10	Codes of Ethics & Citizen’s Charters

How to Prepare for UPSC GS IV Paper

The following table mentions the tips on how to prepare ethics for UPSC mains, topic-wise:

Topic	Tips to Prepare
Ethics and Human Interface	Aspirants should learn: How you inculcate it How you deal with society How do you see whether the action is ethical or not and What are the principles that you follow to ensure that the action is ethical or not? Note: Questions may be asked in the part I section
Human Values	Aspirants should focus on: How do people acquire values and majority of people acquire values when they read about the personality of importance like freedom fighters Consider a few books about 5-6 of great thinkers whom you admire, like or follow Note: UPSC may give some statement of any great personalities and would ask to discuss it by applying it to the present context. UPSC does not want thinkers’ point of view but what it looks for is how much the candidate has analyzed, utilized and applied it to the current context.
Attitude	Candidates should focus on Attitude: Content, structure, function, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour for Part 2 of the question paper i.e. Case Study The moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion would be for Part 1 of the Ethics Question Paper i.e. theory. Note: Question may be asked either in Part 1 or Part 2 i.e. either in theory or case study
Aptitude	Important list of words that a candidate should embed in their answer in order to enhance their answer and score high: Integrity: not compromising on anything if someone offers your bribe will you compromise Impartiality: Don’t show nepotism either for political parties or common man Nonpartisanship: no biases for different political parties Objectivity: be neutral Dedication to public service Empathy Tolerance Compassion towards weaker section Note: Candidates can refer to the ‘Ethics in Governance’ to cover this area as it gives a clear definition of the last five words or concepts including Nolan Committee Recommendations.
Emotional Intelligence	Here as an administrator, one has to follow the three procedures of Emotional Intelligence and they are: Understand your emotions and control them Understand others emotion and control them Then, act according to solve the issue genuinely and effectively Note: Questions may be asked in both Part 1 and Part 2
Ethical issues in international relations	Candidates can take the example of Nepal Earthquake video how funding aided or any current similar such scenarios Note: Questions may be asked Part 2 i.e. case study
Sharing and transparency in government, Right to information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct	Candidates can refer to CCS, 1964 – The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964
Citizen’s Charters, Work Culture, Quality of Service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption	UPSC may ask direct questions on Citizen’s Charter Candidates should be aware of how to frame a Citizen’s Charter and the rules and regulations that should be followed before framing a citizen charter Questions in Case Study may also be expected

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-IV Ethics Syllabus

The following is the detailed Syllabus for General Studies IV Paper in the UPSC Mains Examination:

Topics	Subtopics
Ethics and Human Interface	The Essence of Ethics, Determinants and Consequences of Ethics in Human Interaction Dimensions of Ethics Ethics in private and public relationships Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating moral and ethical values
Attitude	Content, structure and function of attitude Influence of attitude in thought and behaviour Relation of attitude to thought and behaviour Moral and Political attitudes Social influence and persuasion
Aptitude	Aptitude and foundational values of Civil Service Integrity Impartiality and non-partisanship Objectivity Dedication to public service Empathy, tolerance, and compassion towards the weaker sections of the society
Emotional Intelligence	Concepts of emotional intelligence Utility and application of emotional intelligence in administration and governance
Contributions of Thinkers and Philosophers	Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world to the concepts of morality
Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration	Status and associated problems Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance Accountability and ethical governance Strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance Ethical Issues in international relations and funding Corporate governance
Probity in Governance	Concept of public service The philosophical basis of governance and probity Information sharing and transparency in government Right to Information Codes of ethics Codes of Conduct Citizen’s Charters Work culture Quality of service delivery Utilization of public funds Challenges of corruption

Creating effective notes for the UPSC Ethics paper (GS Paper 4) involves understanding the syllabus, using standard references, organizing by themes, and including definitions, case studies, ethical theories, and laws. Mentors play a crucial role in providing guidance on syllabus priorities, offering critical analysis of ethical scenarios, assisting with answer writing practice, engaging in ethical discussions, and providing feedback. They can also conduct mock interviews with an ethical focus to prepare for the Personality Test.

In summary, effective note-taking in ethics is a structured process encompassing essential concepts and real-life examples. Mentors enhance your understanding and skills, guiding you towards a comprehensive grasp of ethical principles, which is valuable both in the UPSC exam and your future role as a civil servant.

The UPSC Civil Service Mains Exam contains a paper on essay writing. Here you will be asked to write two essays each one carrying 125 marks making a total of 250 marks. You will be given two sets of four topics out of which one has to be chosen from each section. Here there is no prescribed syllabus and the topic could be socio-economic in nature. It could also be general. With three hours to finish two essays (each of about 1200 words), you have ample time in this paper, making it a good bet for increasing your score in the UPSC Mains Exam. This article gives details on the 4 types of Essays, 2 different styles of essays and some of the good characteristics of the essay.

Essay – 4 Types

There are 4 types of essays which are listed below.

Narrative Essay

Here the writer narrates an incident or event.

Descriptive Essay

Here the author describes any event, process or condition.

Informative Essay

Here the purpose of the writer is to provide information including negative and positive sides to a topic.

Persuasive Essay

Here the author tries to convince the reader about any topic.

Basically, in the essay paper, a combination of all the above types is generally required. The writer’s goals define the type of essay used.

Essay – 2 Styles

There are two styles of essay writing namely,

Structured
Spontaneous

In a structured essay, you build a framework on which you write the essay. A spontaneous essay is one in which you make the framework as you write. However, it is important to collect your thoughts and organise the points which you will be covering beforehand. As a writer, you have to figure out which style suits you more. This can be done by practising essays in mock tests.

Good Essay – Characteristics

Clear and concise.
Coherent throughout.
Written in a simple yet good and accurate language.
Contains relevant quotes, examples and statistics.
The choice of words should be appropriate (not extreme or offensive to any person, thought or the Government)
Relevant to current India.
Multi-dimensional.
Neutral and balanced.
Offer possible solutions to problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

What to write in the Essay?

✅ Read the topic carefully

✅ Think and recollect the points to be included in the topic for 30 minutes

What not to write in the Essay?

✅ Provoking Essay

✅ Do not get personal

✅ Quotes

✅ Deviating from the subject

Tips –

✅ Recommended Reading

✅ Reading Non-Fiction Books as Hobby

✅ Read our Monthly Magazine and other reading materials

✅ Choose the topic you are able to best write on

✅ Think and create a draft structure before you start writing

✅ Do a little study about data that can back up your statements

✅ Don’t be offensive in your writing (don’t harshly criticize a person or the Government, if you disagree with someone or something, then you can suggest measures or reforms that can mend them)

✅ Remember the quotes correctly, and their owners

✅ Try not to deviate from the topic

✅ Read relevant News articles and keep tabs on Current Affairs

✅ Read written Essays of Toppers available online (Educrat Essay page link here)

The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination is conducted over 5 days. Out of these, the first two papers in the UPSC CSE Exam – English and compulsory Indian language, are qualifying in nature. Candidates have to secure at least 25% marks in these two to be eligible for merit ranking, based on the rest of the UPSC Mains papers and the interview.

The Indian/regional language paper is qualifying in nature, candidates are advised not to ignore its preparation as failure to score the minimum required marks will lead to their failure to clear the mains implying the loss of a precious attempt. The UPSC allows candidates to choose from a list of 22 modern Indian languages given in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution. The most popular language taken by candidates in Paper-A (UPSC language paper) is Hindi — One of the official languages of India. On average about 65% of the candidates choose Hindi for Paper A, and the rest 35% take up any one of the remaining languages.

UPSC Language Paper

Assamese	Bengali	Gujarati	Hindi	Kannada	Kashmiri
Konkani	Malayalam	Manipuri	Marathi	Nepali	Odia
Punjabi	Sanskrit	Maithili	Tamil	Telugu	Urdu
Bodo	Dogri	Sindhi (Devanagari/Arabic script)		Santhali (Devanagari/Olchiki script)

The following figures have been compiled from the annual reports published by the UPSC every year. It gives the number of candidates opting for the various Indian languages from the year 2010 to 2015.

Language	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Hindi	8418	7233	7888	8820	10650	9358
Marathi	769	828	1074	1524	1442	1418
Telugu	700	722	795	1096	1276	1213
Tamil	561	624	649	806	742	747
Kannada	337	342	400	347	507	484
Malayalam	223	329	387	375	395	340
Gujarati	96	101	98	127	161	192
Punjabi	228	257	245	335	434	319
Bengali	57	110	89	103	96	82
Assamese	18	37	40	31	39	34
Odia	89	104	84	113	136	130
Kashmiri	0	1	0	0	0	0
Konkani	0	0	1	0	1	0
Sindhi (D)	0	0	1	0	1	1
Sindhi (A)	1	0	0	0	3	2
Sanskrit	1	8	3	7	4	1
Manipuri	0	3	0	0	2	0
Nepali	3	4	5	8	10	7
Bodo	1	2	2	1	2	2
Maithili	1	3	1	2	2	1
Santhali	0	0	0	1	0	1
Urdu	38	38	48	46	60	70

FAQ about Compulsory Indian Language Paper

Is the UPSC language paper compulsory?

UPSC-CSE Mains Exam consists of nine papers, out of which Paper A is the Compulsory Indian Language Paper (commonly called UPSC language paper) and Paper B is English. Papers A and B are of a qualifying nature. Paper A on Indian Language is not compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim. In the Online Application, if a candidate hails from these North-Eastern States, the option for Indian Language will automatically be disabled in the Online Application.

In which language is the UPSC exam held?

In the preliminary exam, the paper is generally printed in two languages. One is Hindi and the other is English. In mains, questions are printed in English and Hindi. But you can answer in any of the scheduled languages (If Opted) mentioned in the Constitution.

How many languages are there in UPSC?

The UPSC allows candidates to choose from a list of 22 modern Indian languages given in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

How many languages are there in the UPSC CSE interview?

The candidates, opting for the Indian Language medium for the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, may choose either the same Indian Language or English or Hindi as the medium for the interview. The candidate has to indicate the language medium of the interview at the time of filling up the Detailed Application Form (DAF).

Is Hindi compulsory for IAS?

No, the Hindi Language is not compulsory for the UPSC Exam. The candidates, opting to write the Civil Services (Main) Examination in English, may choose either English or Hindi or any other Indian Language opted for the compulsory Indian Language Paper in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination.

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