UPSC Mains 2023: UPSC CSE is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The Mains exam is the second stage of the exam and it is a descriptive exam consisting of nine papers. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the UPSC Mains, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips.
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2023
The UPSC Mains exam consists of nine papers, out of which seven papers are taken into consideration for preparing the final merit list. The papers are divided into two categories: Qualifying and Merit-based. The Qualifying papers are Paper-A (Indian Language) and Paper-B (English). Both papers are of 300 marks each and are qualifying in nature, i.e., the marks obtained in these papers are not considered for final ranking. The UPSC Mains Merit-based papers include the following:
| UPSC Mains Paper | UPSC Mains Marks (Paper-wise) |
| Paper-I | Essay (250 marks) |
| Paper-II | General Studies-I (250 marks) |
| Paper-III | General Studies-II (250 marks) |
| Paper-IV | General Studies-III (250 marks) |
| Paper-V | General Studies-IV (250 marks) |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject Paper-I (250 marks) |
| Paper-VII | Optional Subject Paper-II (250 marks) |
The total marks assigned for the UPSC Mains exam are 1750 and the duration of each paper is three hours.
UPSC Mains Syllabus 2023
The Civil Services Mains exam is designed to test the comprehensive knowledge and understanding of candidates on a wide range of subjects. The UPSC Mains syllabus covers a vast array of topics from different subjects, such as Indian Heritage and Culture, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Ethics, and more. It requires candidates to have a thorough understanding of each subject and the ability to express their thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Here’s a subject-wise breakup of the syllabus:
UPSC Mains Syllabus for Indian Language (Qualifying)
- Comprehension
- Precis Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essay
UPSC Mains Syllabus for English (Qualifying)
- Comprehension
- Precis Writing
- Usage and Vocabulary
- Short Essay
UPSC Mains Syllabus for Essay Paper (250 marks)
- The syllabus for the UPSC Mains exam does not include a specific section designated for the Essay paper.
UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies-I
- Indian Culture
- Modern Indian History
- The Freedom Struggle
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
- History of the world
- Salient features of Indian Society
- Diversity of India
UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies-II
- Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States
- Separation of Powers
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
- Parliament and State Legislatures
- Role of the civil services in a democracy
- Social Justice
- International Relations
UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies-III
- Indian Economy and Planning
- Inclusive Growth
- Agriculture, Industry, and Services sector
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways
- Environment and Ecology
- Disaster Management
- Security
UPSC Mains Syllabus for General Studies-IV
- Ethics and Human Interface
- Attitude
- Aptitude and foundational values for civil service
- Emotional Intelligence
- Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration
- Probity in Governance
UPSC Mains Optional Subject Paper-I (250 marks)
- Any subject from the given list of subjects.
UPSC Mains Optional Subject Paper-II (250 marks)
- Any subject from the given list of subjects.
| List of UPSC Mains Optional Subject | |
| S. No. | UPSC Optional Subject |
| 1 | Agriculture |
| 2 | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
| 3 | Anthropology |
| 4 | Botany |
| 5 | Chemistry |
| 6 | Civil Engineering |
| 7 | Commerce & Accountancy |
| 8 | Economics |
| 9 | Electrical Engineering |
| 10 | Geography |
| 11 | Geology |
| 12 | History |
| 13 | Law |
| 14 | Management |
| 15 | Mathematics |
| 16 | Mechanical Engineering |
| 17 | Medical Science |
| 18 | Philosophy |
| 19 | Physics |
| 20 | Political Science & International Relations |
| 21 | Psychology |
| 22 | Public Administration |
| 23 | Sociology |
| 24 | Statistics |
| 25 | Zoology |
| 26 | Assamese (Literature) |
| 27 | Bengali (Literature) |
| 28 | Bodo (Literature) |
| 29 | Dogri (Literature) |
| 30 | Gujarati (Literature) |
| 31 | Hindi (Literature) |
| 32 | Kannada (Literature) |
| 33 | Kashmiri (Literature) |
| 34 | Konkani (Literature) |
| 35 | Maithili (Literature) |
| 36 | Malayalam (Literature) |
| 37 | Manipuri (Literature) |
| 38 | Marathi (Literature) |
| 39 | Nepali (Literature) |
| 40 | Oriya (Literature) |
| 41 | Punjabi (Literature) |
| 42 | Sanskrit (Literature) |
| 43 | Santhali (Literature) |
| 44 | Sindhi (Literature) |
| 45 | Tamil (Literature) |
| 46 | Telugu (Literature) |
| 47 | Urdu (Literature) |
| 48 | English (Literature) |
UPSC Mains Preparation Tips 2023
Preparing for the UPSC Mains exam can be a challenging task, given the vast syllabus and the level of competition. However, with a strategic approach and proper planning, one can crack the exam with flying colors. Here are some preparation tips for the UPSC Mains exam:
- Understand the Syllabus: The first step towards effective preparation is to have a clear understanding of the syllabus. Go through the UPSC Mains syllabus thoroughly and identify the areas that you need to focus on. Once you have a clear understanding of the syllabus, create a study plan that covers all the topics.
- Revise the Prelims Topics: While the UPSC Mains exam is different from the Prelims exam, many topics covered in the Prelims exam are also relevant for the Mains exam. Hence, it is essential to revise the topics covered in the Prelims exam to have a better understanding of the concepts.
- Study the NCERTs: The NCERT textbooks are an excellent resource for UPSC preparation. They cover the basic concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand language. Start with the NCERT textbooks for the relevant subjects and then move on to advanced level books.
- Read Newspapers and Magazines: Current Affairs is an essential component of the UPSC Mains exam. Reading newspapers and magazines regularly will keep you updated on the latest happenings in India and the world. It will also help you to develop a better understanding of various issues and their significance.
- Practice Answer Writing: The UPSC Mains exam is a written exam, and hence, it is crucial to practice answer writing regularly. Start with writing short answers and gradually move on to writing longer answers. Analyze your answers and identify areas where you need to improve.
- Take Mock Tests: Giving mock tests is an excellent way to evaluate your preparation and identify areas that need improvement. Join a test series and take regular mock tests. Analyze your performance and work on improving your weaknesses.
- Focus on Optional Subject: The optional subject carries a weightage of 500 marks in the UPSC Mains exam, and hence, it is essential to focus on it. Choose an optional subject that you are comfortable with and prepare for it thoroughly.
- Time Management: Time management is crucial for the UPSC Mains exam, as it consists of nine papers, each with a duration of three hours. Practice time management techniques, and learn to allocate time effectively for each question.
Effective preparation for the UPSC Mains exam requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning. By following these tips, you can improve your chances of success in the exam.
