Compulsory Subjects in UPSC Exam

The UPSC civil services examination is conducted in three stages - Preliminary, Mains and Personality Test (Interview). The preliminary examination comprises of two objective type papers whereas the mains examination consists of nine papers, out of which seven are compulsory papers and two are optional papers.

Compulsory Papers in UPSC Mains Exam

The following are the seven compulsory papers in the UPSC mains examination:

1. Paper-A: Indian Language (Qualifying Paper)
2. Paper-B: English (Qualifying Paper)
3. Essay
4. General Studies-I
5. General Studies-II
6. General Studies-III
7. General Studies-IV

Indian Language and English Papers

The Indian Language and English papers are qualifying papers, which means that the marks secured in these papers are not counted for merit ranking. However, candidates are required to secure a minimum of 25% marks in each of these papers to qualify for the mains examination. These papers test the candidate's proficiency in the chosen Indian language and English language.

Essay Paper

The essay paper is the first paper in the mains examination and is of 250 marks. It tests the candidate's ability to express his/her thoughts coherently and precisely. Candidates are required to write two essays, one from each section, in three hours.

General Studies Papers

The General Studies papers are the most important papers in the mains examination and carry a weightage of 1000 marks. The papers cover a wide range of topics including Indian history and culture, geography, polity, economics, environment and ecology, science and technology, ethics and integrity. The papers are designed to test the candidate's general awareness and analytical abilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the UPSC civil services examination is a rigorous and competitive exam, which requires thorough preparation and hard work. The three stages of the exam test the candidate's knowledge, analytical abilities, and personality. While the optional papers in the mains exam allow candidates to specialize in their area of interest, the seven compulsory papers test the candidate's general awareness and communication skills.