UPSC IAS Mains

The Written Examination will consist of the following papers:–

Qualifying Papers:

Paper‐A –
(One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the
Eighth Schedule to the Constitution): 300 Marks

Paper‐B
English: 300 Marks

Papers to be counted for merit :

Paper‐I
Essay: 250 Marks

Paper‐II
General Studies‐I: 250 Marks
(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Paper‐III
General Studies ‐II: 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)

Paper‐IV
General Studies ‐III: 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster
Management)

Paper‐V
General Studies ‐IV: 250 Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)

Paper‐VI
Optional Subject ‐ Paper 1: 250 Marks

Paper‐VII
Optional Subject ‐ Paper 2: 250 Marks

Sub Total (Written test) 1750 Marks

Personality Test: 275 Marks

Grand Total: 2025 Marks

(i) The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and paper B) will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.

(ii) Evaluation of the papers, namely, ‘Essay’, ‘General Studies’ and Optional Subject of all the candidates would be done simultaneously along with evaluation of their qualifying papers on ‘Indian Languages’ and ‘English’ but the papers on Éssay’, General Studies and Optional Subject of only such candidates will be taken cognizance who attain 25% marks in ‘Indian Language’ and 25% in English as minimum qualifying standards in these qualifying papers.

(iii) The paper A on Indian Language will not, however, be compulsory for candidates hailing from the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

(iv) The paper A on Indian Language will not, however, be compulsory for Candidates belonging to Persons with Benchmark Disability (only Hearing Impairment sub-category) provided that they have been granted such exemption from 2nd or 3rd language courses by the concerned education Board/University. The candidate needs to provide an undertaking/self declaration in this regard in order to claim such exemption to the Commission.

(v) Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commis- sion will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.