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What are the compulsory subjects for the UPSC Mains Exam?
The compulsory subjects include the Essay paper, GS Papers 1-4, and the Indian and English Language papers.
How many optional subjects does the UPSC Mains Subjects List include?
Candidates select one optional subject from a list of 48 optional subjects, and it is tested across two papers.
What are the best sources for General Studies papers?
Standard textbooks, NCERTs, and reputable publications like The Hindu, Yojana, and PIB updates are valuable sources.
Are the Language Papers included in the calculation of the final mark?
No, the Language Papers are qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure at least 25% to qualify.
Which subject should I give priority to in the UPSC Mains Subjects List?
It's crucial to pursue subjects that genuinely interest you, but you should also align with the pattern and syllabus of the UPSC exam.
UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025, Optional & Compulsory Subjects
UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025 includes nine papers in total. The UPSC Mains Subjects list, having both compulsory and optional subjects is provided here along with exam patterns.
Sheetal Gaur14 Jun, 2025
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UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025:The UPSC Mains examination is a crucial stage of the Civil Services Examination that determines a candidate's eligibility for the final Personality Test (Interview). The exam has nine papers, including compulsory and optional subjects, and tests your intellectual depth, critical thinking, and communication skills. Keep on reading to get a comprehensive UPSC Mains Subjects List, topics, exam patterns, strategies, and tips to help tackle them effectively.
UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025
The UPSC Mains consists of two groups of subjects: compulsory and optional. The compulsory subjects include four General Studies papers, an Essay paper, and two Language papers. There are 48 Optional subjects, in which candidates have to choose one optional subject. It consists of two papers from a chosen discipline. Check the UPSC Mains Exam Patternfrom below:
UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025 Overview
Paper
Type
Marks
Paper A
Indian Language
300
Paper B
English
300
Paper I
Essay
250
Paper II
GS 1
250
Paper III
GS 2
250
Paper IV
GS 3
250
Paper V
GS 4
250
Paper VI & VII
Optional Subject
500
Total
1750
UPSC Mains Exam Structure 2025
The UPSC Mains exam is a rigorous, multi-paper test conducted over two shifts: the forenoon and afternoon sessions. The exam consists of 9 papers, each containing descriptive-type questions that must be answered within a three-hour timeframe. Here's a detailed breakdown of the exam pattern: Essay Paper: Candidates are required to write two essays, each worth 125 marks. The paper is divided into two sections. Candidates must pick one topic from each section and compose well-structured essays. General Studies (GS) Papers I, II, and III: Each GS paper contains 20 questions, split into two categories:
10 questions carrying 15 marks each.
10 questions worth 10 marks each.
All questions are compulsory, requiring a broad understanding of various subjects. General Studies Paper IV (Ethics Paper): This paper is divided into two sections:
Section A: Around 15 questions, each worth 10 marks, covering various aspects of ethics, integrity, and aptitude.
Section B: Six case studies, each worth 20 marks, assessing the candidate's problem-solving skills and ethical judgment.
Optional Papers 1 and 2: Candidates select a subject from the list of optional subjects provided by UPSC. Each paper contains eight questions, with varying weightage. Questions worth 10, 15, and 20 marks, requiring detailed, analytical responses.
Compulsory Subjects for UPSC Mains 2025
The compulsory subjects for UPSC exam include General Studies (GS) papers and two Language papers. Each of these subjects is designed to test the candidate's comprehensive knowledge and analytical skills.
Indian Language Paper (Paper A)
Candidates can select one of the Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This paper is intended to assess a candidate's understanding of the chosen language.
Key Areas Covered:
Essay Writing
Comprehension
Translation from English to the Indian language and vice versa
Grammar and Language Usage
English Language Paper (Paper B)
This paper examines candidates' command of the English language. It is also a qualifying paper.
Key Areas Covered:
Essay Writing
Comprehension
Translation
Grammar and Vocabulary Usage
Essay Paper (Paper I)
The Essay paper requires candidates to write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the two sections. This paper assesses candidates' ability to articulate and express their thoughts in a structured manner.
General Studies Paper I (Paper II)
GS Paper I covers topics like Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Key Areas Covered:
Art and Culture
Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History
World History
Indian and World Geography
Society
General Studies Paper II (Paper III)
GS Paper II focuses on topics like Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations.
Key Areas Covered:
Indian Constitution and Polity
Governance
Social Justice
International Relations
General Studies Paper III (Paper IV)
GS Paper III covers Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management.
Key Areas Covered:
Indian Economy and Economic Development
Science and Technology
Biodiversity and Environment
Security Issues
Disaster Management
General Studies Paper IV (Paper V)
The Ethics Paper, or GS IV, focuses on Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. It evaluates the candidate's ethical reasoning and moral compass.
Key Areas Covered:
Ethics and Human Interface
Attitude
Emotional Intelligence
Contributions of Thinkers
Public/Civil Service Values
Probity in Governance
UPSC Mains Optional Subjects List 2025
For the UPSC Mains optional papers, candidates can choose from a list of 48 optional subjects, including literature subjects. For example, if a candidate selects Chemistry as their optional subject, they will be required to take both Geography Paper 1 and Geography Paper 2 as part of their optional subject examination. Here is the UPSC Optional Subjects List as per the latest notification: Here's a table listing the optional subjects available for the UPSC Mains exam:
UPSC Mains Optional Subject List
Agriculture
Anthropology
Chemistry
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Botany
Geology
Law
Mathematics
History
Management
Psychology
Sociology
Zoology
Public Administration
Statistics
Commerce & Accountancy
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Economics
Geography
Medical Science
Physics
Mechanical Engineering
Philosophy
Political Science & International Relations
Literature (any from the approved list)
UPSC Mains Literature Langauge Subjects
The Literature Language optional UPSC subject list includes:
UPSC Literature Language optional list
Dogri
Hindi
Maithili
Manipuri
Punjabi
Santhali
Urdu
Assamese
Gujarati
Kannada
Malayalam
Marathi
Sanskrit
Sindhi
English
Preparing for the UPSC Mains exam is a journey that requires dedication, strategic planning, and consistent effort. By understanding the subjects and their requirements, you can build a comprehensive preparation strategy that covers all aspects of the syllabus.
UPSC Mains Subjects List 2025 - Merit vs Qualifying Papers
Understanding the difference between merit and qualifying papers is crucial for candidates preparing for the UPSC Mains 2025. The exam comprises nine papers in total, out of which only seven are counted for merit, while two are qualifying in nature:
These two qualifying papers in UPSC Mains are:
Paper A: Indian Language (300 marks)
Paper B: English Language (300 marks)
These papers are designed to test a candidate’s basic language proficiency. Candidates must score a minimum of 25% marks (i.e., 75 out of 300) in each paper to qualify. However, marks obtained in these papers are not counted towards the final ranking or merit list.
Note: Paper A (Indian Language) is not applicable to candidates from northeastern states (e.g., Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, etc.) who are exempted as per UPSC guidelines.
The remaining seven papers form the basis of the final merit and carry a total of 1750 marks (250 each). The marks obtained here, along with the interview (275 marks), determine your final rank in the UPSC CSE.
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