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September 17, 2024 07:32
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UPSC Compulsory Indian Language Paper 2024, also known as ‘Paper A,’ is the compulsory qualifying and subject paper of UPSC Mains.
UPSC Compulsory Indian Language Paper: The UPSC Mains examination includes two language papers: English and an Indian language of the candidate’s choice. These papers are qualifying in nature, meaning they do not affect your overall rank but must be passed. The Indian language paper tests basic comprehension, writing skills, and grammatical accuracy. It is designed to ensure that candidates have a basic proficiency in a language besides English.
Indian Language Paper 2024, which is also UPSC Mains Paper A, is set to be conducted on September 28, 2024. The language paper’s weight is 300 marks, and candidates must score at least 25% to qualify. Read on to learn more about the syllabus, patterns, and PYQs.
The UPSC allows candidates to write the Civil Services Examination in any one of the 22 Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Though many candidates overlook it, failing this paper can result in disqualification, making it a critical part of UPSC preparation. Candidates have to select one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution as shown below:
| UPSC Indian Language Paper | |
| Language | Script |
| Assamese | Assamese |
| Bengali | Bengali |
| Gujarati | Gujarati |
| Hindi | Devanagari |
| Kannada | Kannada |
| Kashmiri | Persian |
| Konkani | Devanagari |
| Malayalam | Malayalam |
| Manipuri | Bengali |
| Marathi | Devanagari |
| Nepali | Devanagari |
| Odia | Odia |
| Punjabi | Gurumukhi |
| Sanskrit | Devanagari |
| Sindhi | Devanagari or Arabic |
| Tamil | Tamil |
| Telugu | Telugu |
| Urdu | Persian |
| Bodo | Devanagari |
| Dogri | Devanagari |
| Maithili | Devanagari |
| Santhali | Devanagari or Olchiki |
Candidates can opt for any of these languages, but it is important to choose one they are comfortable with. Candidates from regions where English is the primary language can seek exemption from this paper.
Papers A and B both are qualifying papers, but candidates still have to score at least 25% marks to qualify for the UPSC Mains exam. Therefore, it is crucial for aspirants to understand the pattern of compulsory language papers to score well in them:
| The pattern of UPSC Indian Language Paper | |
| Particular | Details |
| Paper | Paper A |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Total Section | Five |
| Qualifying Marks | 75 (25% of total marks) |
Understanding the syllabus is essential for effective preparation. UPSC Compulsory Language Paper Syllabus is available on the official website. However, the syllabus is released along with the official notification. The UPSC Compulsory Indian Language paper consists of the following components:
| Section | Marks | Description |
| Essay | 100 Marks | Write an essay on a topic of general interest. The essay is meant to assess the candidate’s ability to express their thoughts in a structured and coherent manner. |
| Reading Comprehension | 60 marks | A passage will be given, followed by questions. The candidate needs to understand the content and answer accordingly. |
| Precis Writing | 60 marks | Summarize a given passage in your own words while maintaining the original essence. |
| Translation | 20+20=40 marks | Two translations: (1) from the Indian language to English and (2) from English to the Indian language. |
| Grammar and Usage | 40 marks | Basic grammar, including syntax, sentence structure, and vocabulary. |
Having a clear understanding of the syllabus helps structure your preparation. It is crucial to practice essay writing, precis, and translation regularly to build a strong command of the language.
The passing marks for the UPSC compulsory language paper are 25%, i.e., 75 out of 300. This may seem manageable, but candidates often struggle due to poor preparation. However, marks obtained in the compulsory language paper are not added to the final score that determines your ranking in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. However, failing this paper will result in disqualification, regardless of how well you perform in other papers. Thus, it is a mandatory qualifying paper that requires focus, even if it doesn’t contribute to your overall rank.
Preparing for the compulsory Indian language paper is often neglected, but it plays a crucial role in your overall success at UPSC. Here are some important preparation tips:
To excel in this paper, it’s essential to have the right practice materials. Below is a table listing recommended books and resources for different sections of the language paper:
| Section | Recommended Material |
| Basic Textbooks | NCERTs from Class 10th or UPSC-specific books like ‘Samanya Hindi’ for the Hindi language |
| Essay Writing | A Comprehensive Guide or previous years’ question papers |
| Translation | Guides and practice exercises for translation skills |
| Grammar | Use corresponding grammar guides by NCERT, such as Hindi Vyakaran for Hindi language paper |
| Precis Writing | Practice Previous years’ question papers or mock tests |
Solving previous year’s papers is crucial for understanding the exam pattern and types of questions asked. You can find previous year’s question papers on the official UPSC website. The officials release the question papers in PDF format through which candidates can practice and get a clear idea of the exam difficulty. Here, you can find the PDF links to the previous year’s UPSC Indian Language Papers 2023:
| Previous Year UPSC Indian Language Papers | |
| Language | Download Link |
| Hindi | Click Here |
| Bengali | Click Here |
| Urdu | Click Here |
| Gujarati | Click Here |
| Tamil Compulsory | Click Here |
| Kannada | Click Here |
| Assamese | Click Here |
| Bodo Compulsory | Click Here |
| Maithili Compulsory | Click Here |
| Malayalam Compulsory | Click Here |
| Manipuri Compulsory | Click Here |
| Marathi Compulsory | Click Here |
| Nepali Compulsory | Click Here |
| Odia Compulsory | Click Here |
| Punjabi Compulsory | Click Here |
| Sanskrit Compulsory | Click Here |
| Sindhi Devanagari Compulsory | Click Here |
| Telugu Compulsory | Click Here |
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| Related Articles | |
| UPSC Mains Question Paper 2024 | UPSC Mains GS 1 Paper Analysis |
| UPSC Mains GS 2 Paper | UPSC Mains GS 3 Paper |
| UPSC Mains GS 4 Paper | UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper |
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