Mains

MAIN EXAMINATION

The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory. The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well‐educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study. The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services. The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio‐ economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers. The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’ degree. In the case of Engineering, Medical

Science and law, the level corresponds to the bachelors’ degree.

Syllabi of the papers included in the scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination are given as follows :‐

Paper – A	One of the Indian Languages to be selected by the candidate from the 22 languages included in the VIIIth Schedule to the Constitution (Qualifying Paper)	300 Marks
Paper – B	English Language (Qualifying Paper)	300 Marks
Paper – I	Essay	250 Marks
Paper – II, III, IV, V	General Studies (250 Marks each)	1000 Marks
Paper – VI, VII	Any one subject (having two papers) to be selected from the prescribed optional subjects (250 marks each)	500 Marks
	Total Marks for Written Examination	1750 Marks
	Interview Test [in the medium you choose]	275 Marks
	Grand Total	2025 Marks