Allocation of Marks in UPSC Mains

The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination, which consists of three stages - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. The Mains examination is an important stage that carries significant weightage in the final selection process. In the Mains examination, the allocation of marks is done across nine papers, which are further grouped into two categories - qualifying papers and merit-based papers.

Qualifying Papers
The qualifying papers are designed to test the language proficiency and writing ability of the candidates. These papers are not considered for the final ranking but need to be cleared by the candidates. The qualifying papers include:
1. Paper-A (Compulsory Indian Language): This paper is of 300 marks and is mandatory for all candidates. It tests the candidates' language skills and requires them to write essays, comprehension passages, and precis. The marks obtained in this paper are not considered for the final ranking.
2. Paper-B (English): Similar to Paper-A, this paper is also of 300 marks and tests the English language proficiency of the candidates. It includes essay writing, comprehension passages, and precis.

Merit-Based Papers
The merit-based papers carry a total of 1750 marks and are used for determining the rank of the candidates. These papers include:
1. Essay Paper: This paper is of 250 marks and requires candidates to write an essay on a given topic. The essay is evaluated based on the candidate's ability to analyze the topic, coherence, and expression.
2. General Studies Papers (I, II, III, IV): Each general studies paper carries 250 marks, adding up to a total of 1000 marks. These papers cover a wide range of subjects such as Indian history, geography, polity, economy, science and technology, environment, ethics, and current affairs.
3. Optional Paper (I, II): Candidates have to choose one optional subject from a list of subjects provided by the UPSC. Each optional paper carries 250 marks, totaling 500 marks. The optional subjects include subjects like history, geography, political science, economics, sociology, etc.
4. Personality Test (Interview): The interview round carries 275 marks and is conducted by a panel of experts. It evaluates the candidate's personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for a career in the civil services.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the UPSC Mains examination consists of nine papers, including two qualifying papers and seven merit-based papers. The qualifying papers carry 600 marks in total, while the merit-based papers carry 1750 marks. The marks obtained in the merit-based papers are considered for the final ranking, which determines the selection of candidates for the various civil services posts. It is important for candidates to prepare diligently for each paper to maximize their chances of success in the UPSC Mains examination.