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Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains, Qualifying & Merit-Based Papers

PWOnlyIAS September 19, 2024 03:45 2948 0

Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains is a very important information for the UPSC aspirants. Check all the information regarding the Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains.

Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains, Qualifying & Merit-Based Papers

Total Number of Papers in UPSC Mains: UPSC Mains is the second stage of the UPSC CSE Exam, which candidates are only eligible to appear in if they qualify for the UPSC CSE Prelims Examination. Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains is nine, consisting of two qualifying papers and seven Merit-based papers. The UPSC candidates need to qualify for the two language papers in order to be eligible for evaluation of the remaining seven merit-based UPSC Mains Papers. Let us have a look at the Total Number of papers in the UPSC Mains Exam, along with the UPSC Mains Exam Pattern. An overview of all the papers in the UPSC Mains Exam is also given.

Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains Overview

UPSC CSE Mains Exam is the second stage of the UPSC CSE Exam, which is only for candidates who qualify for the UPSC CSE Prelims Exam. The table below contains an overview of the UPSC CSE Mains Exam:

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UPSC CSE Mains Exam Overview
Exam Details Description
Exam Name UPSC Civil Service (Main) Examination
Examination Medium English & Hindi (Exception in language paper)
Question Type Descriptive
Total Marks of All UPSC Mains Paper 1750 ( 250 for each GS Paper)
Examination Mode Offline
Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains 9 papers (2 Qualifying, and 7 Merit-Based)
Exam Duration 3 hours for each paper
Negative Marking No negative marking

Exam Pattern of Total Number of Papers in UPSC Mains

The second stage of the UPSC CSE Exam is the Mains Examination, comprising nine papers covering various subjects. The marks obtained in the UPSC Mains Exam 2024 will determine the merit list for final selection. Here are the key aspects of the UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024:

  • Paper 1 (Language Paper) and Paper 2 (English language) are of a qualifying nature, each carrying 300 marks. The minimum qualifying marks for these papers are 25%.
  • Attempting all papers is mandatory.
  • Each of the qualifying papers has a duration of 3 hours or 180 minutes.
  • Subject-wise papers or GS papers are scored out of 250 marks.
  • Failure to qualify in Paper 1 and Paper 2 will lead to disqualification, with the remaining papers not considered for evaluation.
Paper Total Marks
Paper A: Indian Language 300 (Only Qualifying)
Paper B: English 300 (Only Qualifying)
Essay 250
General Studies 1 250
General Studies 2 250
General Studies 3 250
General Studies 4 250
Optional Paper 1 250
Optional Paper 2 250
Grand Total 1750

Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains

The total number of papers in the UPSC Mains typically consists of nine papers. These papers are divided into two qualifying papers and seven merit-based papers. 

1. Total Number of Qualifying Papers in UPSC Mains

The Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains that are of a qualifying nature is two. A brief overview of both qualifying papers is given below:

  • Paper 1: One of the Indian Languages (to be selected by the candidate from the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). This paper tests the candidate’s ability to write essays and understand basic language skills. (300 Marks)
  • Paper 2: English. This paper evaluates the candidate’s comprehension, précis writing, communication skills, and other aspects of the English language. (300 Marks)

2. Total Number of Merit-Based Paper in UPSC Mains

The Total Number of papers in UPSC Mains that are merit-based is seven. A brief overview of all the merit-based papers is given below:

  1. Essay: Candidates are required to write two essays, choosing one from each of the sections. This paper assesses the candidate’s ability to articulate their thoughts coherently and expressively. (250 Marks)
    Check UPSC Mains Essay Syllabus
  2. General Studies Paper I: Covers topics like Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society, Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. (250 Marks)
    Check General Studies Paper I Syllabus
  3. General Studies Paper II: Deals with Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. (250 Marks)
    Check General Studies Paper II Syllabus
  4. General Studies Paper III: Focuses on Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. (250 Marks)
    Check General Studies Paper III Syllabus
  5. General Studies Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. This paper tests the candidates’ ethical and moral dimensions, integrity, and aptitude for civil services. (250 Marks)
    Check General Studies Paper IV Syllabus
  6. Optional Subject Paper I: Candidates choose one optional subject from the list of subjects provided by UPSC. This optional paper assesses the in-depth knowledge of the chosen optional subject. (250 Marks)
    Check all UPSC Mains Optional Papers List
  7. Optional Subject Paper II: The second paper of the optional subject focuses on a deeper understanding and analysis of the subject chosen by the candidate. (250 Marks)
    Check all UPSC Mains Optional Papers Syllabus

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Total Number of Paper in UPSC Mains FAQs

The nine papers in UPSC Mains are two qualifying Language Papers, alongwith Essay, General Studies (GS) Paper 1, GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations), GS Paper 3 (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management), GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude), and Optional Subject Papers 1 and 2.

The UPSC mains exam consists of nine papers conducted over five to seven days. It includes two qualifying papers (one in English and one in a regional language), and the remaining seven papers are on subjects chosen by the candidate from a list provided by UPSC.

The seven papers in UPSC Mains include Essay, GS Paper-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society), GS Paper-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations), GS Paper-III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management), GS Paper-IV (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude), Optional Subject Paper-I, and Optional Subject Paper-II.

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination, GS refers to General Studies. GS Paper 1 covers topics like History, Geography, and Culture. GS Paper 2 focuses on International Relations, Polity and Governance, and. GS Paper 3 includes Economy, Environment, and Technology. GS Paper 4 deals with Ethics and Integrity.

If you fail the UPSC Mains Exam, then your UPSC journey for that year is over. But, you can always prepare yourselves better and appear next year.
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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