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August 20, 2024 07:07
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Know about the key differences between UPSC Prelims and Mains, including exam structure, syllabus, difficulty levels, and preparation strategies. Understand the distinct stages to excel in India's prestigious civil services examination.
Difference Between UPSC Prelims and Mains – A highly regarded and very competitive exam, the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam determines admission to India’s prominent union civil services. The UPSC test, which is split into three stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Main), and Personality Test (Interview), thoroughly assesses applicants on a range of factors.
Candidates must comprehend the fundamental difference between the UPSC Main Exam and the Preliminary Exam while taking the test. Essentially a qualifying exam, the UPSC Prelims are the first part of the examination. The Mains, on the other hand, examines applicants’ in-depth knowledge and comprehension of the subjects while going deeper into them. It is crucial to understand these basic differences in order to prepare for and do well on the UPSC test. The differences are listed in the following table:
UPSC Prelims Vs UPSC Mains Exam Stages |
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| UPSC Prelims | UPSC Mains |
| It is the initial stage of the UPSC Civil Service Exam. | It is the second phase of the UPSC Civil Service Examination. |
| The test is structured in an objective manner, and responses are recorded on an OMR sheet for marking. | The test has a descriptive format, and the handwritten responses must be submitted in a booklet with questions and answers. |
| General Studies papers includes the GS 1 and GS 2/CSAT (Civil Service Aptitude Test) | It contains nine papers, of which two are qualifying in nature and seven are reviewed for ranking. |
| No elective subjects in the Prelims. | Applicants have to choose one elective subject out of 48 available. This elective subject will have 2 papers. |
| Paper-II/CSAT is a qualifying exam, with a 33% passing score. | The English and Indian Language papers for the Mains are only qualifying exams. Candidates’ remaining papers won’t be assessed or taken into consideration if they fail these examinations. |
| In preliminary exams, each paper is two hours long. | In mains exams, each paper is three hours long. |
| Each of the two preliminary papers is worth 200 marks. | Except for the English and Indian language examinations, which are for 300 marks each, every Mains paper is worth 250 marks. |
Exam patterns for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Main Examination (Mains) and Preliminary Examination (Prelims) vary greatly. While the Mains is a descriptive exam that assesses in-depth knowledge, the Prelims acts as a screening examination with objective-type questions. To effectively navigate the various phases, it is essential to comprehend the differences in exam format.
UPSC Prelims Vs UPSC Mains Pattern |
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| UPSC Prelims | UPSC Mains |
| General Studies Paper 1 Subjects: Current Affairs, Economy, Social Development, Indian Polity & Governance, Indian History & National Movement, Science and Technology, Indian and World Geography, Environment, Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change. | Paper A (Compulsory Indian Language) |
| Paper B (Compulsory English) | |
| General Studies Paper 2/CSAT Topics: Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Quantitative Ability, Reading Comprehension, Decision-making skills, Communication Skills, etc. | Paper I (Essay) |
| Paper II (General Studies Paper I) Subjects: Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society. | |
| Paper III (General Studies Paper II) Subjects: Governance, Constitution, Welfare Initiatives, Social Justice & International Relations. | |
| Paper IV (General Studies III) Subjects: Technology, Economic Development, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management. | |
| Paper V (General Studies IV) Subjects: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude. | |
| Optional Subject Paper I (Paper VI) | |
| Optional Subject Paper II (Paper VII) | |
The scope, nature, and complexity of the topics covered in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Preliminary Examination (Prelims) and Main Examination (Mains) differs. While the Mains curriculum decides the ultimate merit and selection of applicants for the interview stage, the Prelims syllabus acts as a screening exam to shortlist candidates for the Mains.
The UPSC Prelims Syllabus emphasises general awareness, current events, aptitude, and reasoning skills, whereas the UPSC Mains Syllabus covers a more comprehensive range of subjects and concepts and calls for candidates to demonstrate their writing, analytical, and knowledge-based skills.
Multiple papers comprise the mains curriculum, which includes required courses like essays, general studies, and ethics in addition to elective subjects that candidates can select from according to their areas of interest and specialisation.
UPSC Prelims Vs UPSC Mains Syllabus |
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| UPSC Prelims Syllabus | UPSC Mains Syllabus |
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The Civil Services Exam’s Main Examination and Preliminary Examination are held separately by the Union Public Service Commission, and there is a considerable amount of time between them. Those who pass the preliminary test can take the UPSC Mains exam when the results are announced.
A few months (3–4 months) after the Prelims, the UPSC Mains test is held. Since the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams are separated in time, applicants can properly study for the Mains test after learning their Prelims results. It gives students enough time to cover the comprehensive and in-depth content of the Mains test, which calls for a greater comprehension of a range of disciplines and the capacity to communicate ideas and concepts in writing.
Prospective students hoping to pass the civil services test must comprehend the primary distinctions between UPSC Prelims and Mains. The first assessment functions as a preliminary examination. It uses objective-style questions to assess aptitude and general awareness. Nonetheless, a more thorough comprehension of the subjects is required for the Main Examination.
In the mains exam, candidates must provide detailed responses that demonstrate their in-depth knowledge and analytical prowess. There are also notable differences between Prelims and Mains in terms of the material, test format, and grading standards. The two phases are separated by a considerable amount of time, which gives applicants ample opportunity to be ready for the Main Examination. Candidates can improve their odds of passing the UPSC test and achieving their goals by identifying these differences and adjusting their study plans appropriately.
The preparation strategy for UPSC Prelims vs. Mains should be created by analysing the particular needs of each level. These tactics are derived from the unique format of the tests.
UPSC Prelims Vs UPSC Mains Preparation Strategy |
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| UPSC Prelims Preparation Strategy | UPSC Mains Preparation Strategy |
| Concentration on Coverage: Since questions might come from any area, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the whole syllabus.
Current Affairs: Read newspapers, periodicals, and reputable websites on a daily basis to be informed on local, national, and worldwide news. Mock Tests: Consistently take practice exams to hone your speed and accuracy while acquainting yourself with the format of the examination. Revision: To increase memory throughout the test and retain factual knowledge, revision is necessary on a frequent basis. |
Extensive Study: Pay close attention to the fundamental ideas because the Mains test necessitates a deep comprehension of the material.
Practice Writing Answers: To enhance your time management and clarity, write answer questions on a regular basis. This aids in the development of an organised strategy for successfully delivering the answers. Mastery of Optional Subjects: Gain in-depth knowledge of the selected optional subject by reading textbooks and consulting past exam questions. Connecting Subjects: Establish links between and among different themes in papers to give an all-encompassing approach to composing responses. |
We hope you found this post about the difference between UPSC prelims and mains beneficial. If you are preparing for UPSC, enroll in the PW’s best Online UPSC courses today!
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