After qualifying the Preliminary Examination candidates are allowed to go for mains exam. The Main Examination will consist of written examination. The written examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type. Marks of 7 out of these 9 papers will be counted for final ranking, while 2 papers will be of qualifying nature. (Total marks is 1750)
| PAPER | SUBJECTS | MARKS |
| Paper A | One of the Indian language should be selected | 300 |
| Paper B | English | 300 |
| Paper I | Essay writing | 250 |
| Paper II | Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World | 250 |
| Paper III | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations | 250 |
| Paper IV | Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment | 250 |
| Paper V | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | 250 |
| Paper VI, VII | One subject is selected from the prescribed optional subjects | 500(250×2) |
Qualifying Papers in UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam
Paper A: Regional Language Paper
Paper B: English Language Paper
A candidate is allowed to use any one language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium of writing the examination.
Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Main Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be summoned by them for an interview for a Personality Test. Marks obtained by the candidates in the Main Examination would be considered for determine their final ranking.
Interview/Personality Test – 275 marks
Candidate can give preference of the language in which they may like to be interviewed. UPSC will make arrangement for the translators.
Final Ranking
Final ranks are calculated by adding Mains (Out of 1750) and Interview marks (Out of 275) and the rank list will be prepared based on marks scored out of 2025.