IAS (UPSC CSE) Main is the second stage after clearing IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims. The fundamental difference between IAS Prelims and IAS Mains is that while the IAS Prelims focusses on recognition (of information) and requires an exhaustive study covering a wide variety of topics, Mains need the ability to recall, analyse and express (ideas and information, including one’s own thoughts) properly which can only be done through an intensive study of the topic.
Therefore it is very important to stay focussed and cover in-depth the topics that you have picked for Mains and in doing so you have to match your skills with the subject at hand. Using the right approach and picking the right parts of the syllabus for intensive study will not only help manage time but also garner more marks in the end. check prelims preparation strategy
Paper | Subject | Duration | Total marks |
---|---|---|---|
Paper A | Compulsory Indian language | 3 hours | 300 (Qualifying) |
Paper B | English | 3 hours | 300 (Qualifying) |
Paper I | Essay | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper II | GS Paper I – Indian Heritage & Culture, History & Geography of the World & Society | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper III | GS Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Welfare Initiatives, Social Justice & International Relations | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper IV | GS Paper III – Technology, Economic Development, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper V | GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper VI | Optional Subject – Paper I | 3 hours | 250 |
Paper VII | Optional Subject – Paper II | 3 hours | 250 |
Here is the detailed General Studies Paper - I Strategy,
The General Studies paper-IV is one of the most scoring papers in the UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2020. To prepare this paper efficiently, try to practice writing the answer about 100-150 words for each of the micro-topics like integrity, compassion, honesty, probity, etc. But to obtain the desired marks, proper strategy is required. check detailed strategy for GS IV
Must read: Best books for General Studies I, II, III and IV
Writing is considered as a window to the thought of the writer.What aspirant writes on the paper, will tell the reader how he/she thinks, how he/she argues and how he/she proves your point. That is why for reputed exams like UPSC CSE it has been made mandatory. It is 250 marks paper. Aspirants can avoid common mistakes , know common mistakes that aspirants do in UPSC CSE main exam
It is important for the aspirant to know
Must Read: Detailed Essay preparation strategy
English Language paper is qualifying in nature.
Purpose of English Language paper are
The question pattern of the English Language Paper consists of the following sections:
Click here for detailed preparation tips for the English Language paper
IAS (UPSC CSE) Mains Exam includes 9 papers among which Paper-A is for Indian/regional Language papers. It is mandatory for all candidates to attempt this paper except candidates from the north-eastern states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.
Almost 65% of total candidates of UPSC Mains choose the Hindi Language though in India only 46% of candidates come from Hindi speaking background or Hindi medium. One has to qualify this paper so that he/she will be able to know the ultimate ranking of other papers of the UPSC Mains Exam.
According to the new IAS exam pattern, the number of optional subjects for UPSC exam to be chosen by the candidate for the Mains exam has decreased to one. The Civil Services Mains Exam General Studies papers account for 1000 marks and the two Optional Papers account for 250 marks each. Therefore, it is important for aspirants to put a lot of thinking before choosing the optional subject. Check how to crack the interview round
Checkout Topper’s trend of choosing optional subjects
Name | Educational Qualification | Optional Subject chosen |
---|---|---|
Gaurav Agrawal( AIR -1 )(2013) | Engineer and MBA | Economics |
Ira Singhal( AIR -1 )(2014) | Engineer | Geography |
Tina Dabi ( AIR -1 )(2015) | Political Science | Political Science and International Relations |
Nandini KR ( AIR -1 )(2016) | Engineer | Kannada Literature |
Anudeep Durishetty( AIR -1 )(2017) | Engineer | Anthropology |
Kanishak Kataria( AIR -1 )(2018) | Engineer | Mathematics |
Pradeep Singh( AIR -1 )(2019) | Engineer | Public Administration |
Detailed Optional Paper Preparation Tips | ||
---|---|---|
Anthropology | Civil Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
Geography | History | Management |
Mathematics | Mechanical Engineering | Medical Science |
Philosophy | Political Science | Psychology |
Public Administration | Sociology | - |
Must Read: Detailed optional Syllabus
The IAS mains Preparation is comprehensive and the questions asked in the CSE require not only a certain depth of understanding but also the ability to present the answers in a coherent manner. The syllabus of UPSC mains comprises both static and dynamic aspects. Hence, it is essential for the IAS aspirants to track and sort the current affairs under appropriate papers/headings as per the UPSC mains syllabus.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.