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UPSC Mains Total Marks 2025, Marks Distribution, Subject-Wise Details

UPSC Mains Total Marks, Learn about UPSC mains marks distribution, subject-wise details, qualifying papers, and FAQs to excel in the Civil Services Exam.

UPSC Mains Total Marks play a critical role in determining a candidate’s rank and selection. Understanding the marks distribution across various papers is essential for effective preparation. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the UPSC Mains Total Marks for 2025, including subject-wise distribution and frequently asked questions.

Overview of UPSC Mains Total Marks

The UPSC Mains Examination is conducted to evaluate a candidate’s academic expertise, critical thinking, and overall personality. The total marks for the Mains Exam, excluding the interview, are 1750. These marks are distributed across nine papers, each focusing on a specific aspect of the syllabus. To qualify for the next stage, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks in each paper.

UPSC Mains Marks Distribution

The Mains Examination consists of nine papers. Out of these, seven papers contribute to the final merit list, while two are qualifying in nature. Each paper is designed to test specific skills and knowledge areas.

 

Type of Paper Number of Papers Marks per Paper Total Marks
Qualifying Papers 2 300 600
Merit-Based Papers 7 Varies 1750

 

UPSC Mains Total Marks of Language Papers

Candidates must score at least 25% in each language paper to qualify. Failure to clear these papers results in disqualification from the Mains Exam. The language papers include:

 

Paper Subject Marks Nature
Paper A Indian Language 300 Qualifying
Paper B English 300 Qualifying

 

UPSC Mains Total Marks of Essay

The Essay paper is Paper I in the Mains Examination and is worth 250 marks. Candidates are required to write two essays, each on a given topic. The essay tests a candidate’s ability to express ideas clearly and logically. Achieving a good score in this paper requires a combination of creativity, clarity, and structured thinking.

UPSC Mains Total Marks of General Studies

The General Studies (GS) papers form a significant portion of the Mains Exam. They include:

 

Paper Subjects Covered Marks
GS Paper I Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society 250
GS Paper II Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations 250
GS Paper III Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management 250
GS Paper IV Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude 250

 

UPSC Mains Total Marks of Optional Papers

The Optional Subject consists of two papers:

 

Paper  Marks
Optional Paper 1 250 Marks
Optional Paper II 250 Marks

 

UPSC Mains Total Marks FAQs

No, the language papers are only qualifying in nature and do not contribute to the total score used for ranking.

The Essay paper is crucial as it carries 250 marks, representing a significant portion of the total score. A strong performance in the essay can boost a candidate’s overall rank.

A score of 800 can be considered good if it meets or exceeds the cutoff marks for that year. The cutoff varies depending on the competition and the year’s difficulty level. Achieving 800 marks reflects a solid performance and places candidates in a competitive position for final selection.

The subject-wise marks are distributed as follows: 300 marks each for the qualifying language papers, 250 marks for the Essay paper, 1000 marks across the four General Studies papers, and 500 marks for the two Optional Subject papers.

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