The second stage of the exam is the Mains. The Civil Services (Main) Examination will consist of a Written Examination and an Interview/Personality Test. The Written Examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay type out of which two papers will be of qualifying in nature.
Marks obtained for all the compulsory papers (Paper-I to Paper-VII) and Marks obtained in Interview/Personality Test will be counted for ranking.
Candidates who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination as may be fixed by the Commission at their discretion, shall be summoned by them for an Interview/Personality Test. The number of candidates to be summoned for Interview/Personality Test will be about twice of the number of vacancies to be filled.
The Interview/Personality Test will carry 275 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks). Marks thus obtained by the candidates in the Civil Services (Main) Examination (Written part as well as Interview/Personality Test) would determine their final ranking. Candidates will be allotted to the various Services keeping in view their ranks in the examination and the preferences expressed by them for the various Services and posts.
Written Examination Papers
The Written Examination will consist of the following papers
Paper-A (One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution). 300 Marks
Paper-B English 300 Marks
- Paper-I Essay : 250 Marks
- Paper-II General Studies-I : 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)
- Paper-III General Studies -II : 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
- Paper-IV General Studies -III : 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
- Paper-V General Studies -IV : 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
- Paper-VI Optional Subject – Paper 1: 250 Marks
- Paper-VII Optional Subject – Paper 2 : 250 Marks
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Test (Subtotal) | 1750 |
| Personality Test | 275 |
| Grand Total | 2025 |
Optional Subjects
Important Notes
- The papers on Indian languages and English will be of qualifying nature only.
- Evaluation of Essay, GS and Optional papers will be done simultaneously.
- Paper A is not compulsory for specified states and PwBD candidates as notified.
- Only Paper I–VII marks are counted for final merit ranking.
- Each paper will be of three hours duration.
