Choosing a Language for UPSC Mains Exam

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Mains Exam is a prestigious examination conducted to select candidates for various administrative positions in the Indian civil services. One of the unique features of this exam is that candidates have the option to choose a language other than English for the written examination. Here, we will discuss the details of choosing a language for the UPSC mains exam.

Eligible Language Options

The UPSC allows candidates to choose any one of the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Additionally, candidates can also choose English as the language for the exam.

Choosing the Language

To choose a language other than English for the UPSC mains exam, candidates need to indicate their preference at the time of filling the application form. They can select their desired language from the drop-down menu provided in the application form. It is important to note that the choice of language for the mains exam is irreversible and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. Therefore, candidates must carefully consider their language preference before submitting the form.

Language Paper

The language paper in the UPSC mains exam is of qualifying nature, meaning that the marks obtained in this paper are not counted towards the final merit list. It is designed to test the candidate's ability to understand and express ideas clearly in the chosen language. The paper consists of comprehension passages, precise writing, translation from English to the chosen language, and vice versa. It is essential for candidates to have a strong command of the chosen language to perform well in this paper.

Conclusion

In conclusion, candidates appearing for the UPSC mains exam have the option to choose a language other than English for the written examination. They can select any one of the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. However, it is important to note that the choice of language is irreversible once the application is submitted. The language paper in the mains exam is of qualifying nature and tests the candidate's proficiency in the chosen language.