UPSC Civil Services Mains — exam pattern
Union Public Service Commission · Graduate · Yearly · checked 2026-10-19
Qualifying papers
Descriptive · 3 h each · Negative marking: None · 600 marks
25% needed; marks not counted.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper A — Indian language | — | 300 | 50% |
| Paper B — English | — | 300 | 50% |
Merit papers
Descriptive · 3 h each · Negative marking: None · 90 questions · 1750 marks
| Section | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS I (History, Geography, Society) | 20 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS II (Polity, Governance, IR) | 20 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS III (Economy, Environment, S&T, Security) | 20 | 250 | 14.3% |
| GS IV (Ethics) | 12 | 250 | 14.3% |
| Optional Paper I | 8 | 250 | 14.3% |
| Optional Paper II | 8 | 250 | 14.3% |
Personality test
Interview · — · Negative marking: — · 275 marks
| Section | Questions | Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | — | 275 | 100% |
Frequently asked
- How many questions are there in UPSC Civil Services Mains?
- Qualifying papers: descriptive questions, 600 marks, 3 h each. Merit papers: 90 questions, 1750 marks, 3 h each. Personality test: descriptive questions, 275 marks, —.
- Is there negative marking in UPSC Civil Services Mains?
- Qualifying papers: None. Merit papers: None. Personality test: —.
- Who can apply for UPSC Civil Services Mains?
- Graduate. Held yearly by Union Public Service Commission.