ABOUT MAINS
Main Examination Overview
Following the Preliminary stage, candidates proceed to the Mains, constituting a Written Examination and an Interview/Personality Test. The Written Examination includes nine papers, two of which are qualifying in nature.
The marks obtained in all compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and the Interview/Personality Test contribute to the final ranking. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination are summoned for the Interview/Personality Test. Roughly twice the number of vacancies to be filled are selected for this stage.
The Interview/Personality Test carries 275 marks, with no minimum qualifying marks. Marks from both the Written Examination and Interview/Personality Test determine the final ranking and allocation of candidates to various services and posts.
The Written Examination comprises the following papers:
Qualifying Papers:
- Paper-A: An Indian Language chosen by the candidate (300 Marks)
- Paper-B: Paper-B:
Papers for Merit:
- Paper-I: Essay (250 Marks)
- Paper-II: General Studies-I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society) (250 Marks)
- Paper-III: General Studies-II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations) (250 Marks)
- Paper-IV: General Studies-III (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management) (250 Marks)
- Paper-V: General Studies-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) (250 Marks)
- Paper-VI: Optional Subject – Paper 1 (250 Marks)
- Paper-VII: Optional Subject – Paper 2 (250 Marks)
- The total marks for the Written Examination are 1750, and for the Personality Test, 275, making a grand total of 2025 marks.
Candidates may choose one optional subject from a list provided. Notably:
- Papers A and B (Indian Languages and English) are of qualifying nature and not considered for ranking.
- Candidates must attain 25% marks in Indian Language and English papers as minimum qualifying standards.
- Indian Language paper is not compulsory for candidates from certain states or with specific disabilities.
- The Main Examination encompasses conventional (essay) type question papers, with each paper having a duration of three hours.
