UPSC Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme: A Comprehensive Guide for Prelims and Mains

The UPSC exam pattern & marking scheme defines how candidates are assessed across the three stages of the UPSC Civil Services Examination: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), this exam is one of the most competitive in India.

Each stage evaluates different aspects of a candidate’s knowledge, aptitude, and personality. The UPSC Prelims serve as a screening test, the UPSC Mains assess in-depth understanding through written papers, and the Interview evaluates overall suitability for a career in civil services.

A clear understanding of the UPSC paper pattern, along with the marking scheme and syllabus, is critical for effective preparation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the exam’s structure, evaluation method, and key strategies for preparation, tailored for aspirants targeting the UPSC exam 2026.

Structure of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC)

The UPSC Civil Services Exam consists of three stages:

1. UPSC Prelims: An objective-type screening test.
2. UPSC Mains: A descriptive examination evaluating in-depth knowledge and analytical skills.
3. UPSC Interview: A personality test assessing suitability for civil services.

The UPSC syllabus for each stage is distinct. The UPSC notification 2026, expected to be released on January 21, 2026, will outline the exam schedule. The UPSC Prelims is anticipated for May 24, 2026, with the UPSC Prelims result 2026 expected in June. The UPSC Mains 2026 is scheduled to commence on August 21, 2026.

UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The UPSC Prelims comprises two objective-type papers conducted on the same day, with a total of 400 marks. These papers serve to select candidates for the Mains examination.

UPSC Prelims Paper Pattern

1. General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I):
   • Purpose: Assesses knowledge in subjects such as History of India, Indian Polity, General Science, geography, economy, environment, and current affairs.
   • Type of Questions: Consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
   • Total Marks: 200 marks, with each question assigned 2 marks.
   • Duration: The examination lasts for 2 hours.
   • Language: Available in Hindi and English.
   • Role in Merit: Marks determine eligibility for Mains, based on an annual cut-off score (typically 100–125 for the General category).
2. General Studies Paper II (Civil Services Aptitude Test – CSAT):
   • Purpose: Evaluates analytical abilities, logical reasoning, comprehension, and basic mathematics.
   • Type of Questions: Comprises 80 multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
   • Total Marks: 200 marks, with each question carrying 2.5 marks.
   • Duration: The examination lasts for 2 hours.
   • Language: Available in Hindi and English.
   • Qualifying in Nature: Candidates must achieve a minimum of 33% (66 marks) to qualify. Marks from CSAT are not included in the merit list.

UPSC Prelims Marking Scheme

• Correct Answer:
  • GS Paper I: Each correct answer is awarded 2 marks.
  • CSAT: Each correct answer is awarded 2.5 marks.
• Negative Marking:
  • One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
  • GS Paper I: A deduction of 0.66 marks applies for each incorrect answer.
  • CSAT: A deduction of 0.83 marks applies for each incorrect answer.
  • Marking multiple answers for a single question is considered incorrect.
  • No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
• Marks Calculation:
  • GS Paper I: (Number of correct answers × 2) – (Number of incorrect answers × 0.66).
    • Example: For 70 correct answers and 20 incorrect answers: (70 × 2) – (20 × 0.66) = 140 – 13.2 = 126.8 marks.
  • CSAT: (Number of correct answers × 2.5) – (Number of incorrect answers × 0.83).
    • Example: For 60 correct answers and 10 incorrect answers: (60 × 2.5) – (10 × 0.83) = 150 – 8.3 = 141.7 marks (must be ≥66 to qualify).

The cut-off for Prelims is determined by GS Paper I marks, provided the CSAT minimum requirement is met.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper

The UPSC Prelims question paper PDF is published on the UPSC website after the examination. Practicing previous years’ papers aids in understanding the type of questions in subjects such as History of India, Indian Polity, and General Science.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC Prelims

• Study Plan: Allocate 3 to 4 months for comprehensive preparation of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, utilizing NCERT books for History of India, Indian Polity, and General Science, and standard references such as M. Laxmikanth for polity.
• Mock Tests: Engage in regular practice with UPSC Prelims question paper PDFs to enhance speed and accuracy.
• CSAT Preparation: Dedicate time daily to improve analytical abilities through reasoning, comprehension, and mathematics exercises.
• Current Affairs: Read newspapers such as The Hindu to remain informed on current events.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The UPSC Mains consists of nine descriptive papers conducted over 5 to 7 days, with a total of 1750 marks for merit-based papers. It evaluates deep knowledge and analytical abilities.

UPSC Mains Paper Pattern

• Qualifying Papers (Language Papers):
  • Paper A: Indian Language (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, from Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule):
    • Marks: 300 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
    • Purpose: Assesses proficiency in comprehension, précis writing, and translation.
    • Qualifying in Nature: Requires a minimum score of 25% (75 marks).
    • Exemptions: Not mandatory for candidates from certain northeastern states or those with hearing impairments.
  • Paper B: English:
    • Marks: 300 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
    • Purpose: Evaluates English comprehension, grammar, and précis writing skills.
    • Qualifying in Nature: Requires a minimum score of 25% (75 marks).
• Merit-Based Papers:
  • Paper I: Essay:
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
    • Purpose: Candidates are required to write two essays (1,000–1,200 words each) on national or international topics.
  • Paper II: General Studies I (History of India, Indian Heritage, Geography):
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
  • Paper III: General Studies II (Indian Polity, Governance, International Relations):
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
  • Paper IV: General Studies III (Economy, Environment, General Science, Security):
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
  • Paper V: General Studies IV (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude):
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
  • Paper VI: Optional Subject Paper I:
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
  • Paper VII: Optional Subject Paper II:
    • Marks: 250 marks.
    • Duration: The examination lasts for 3 hours.
• Optional Subjects: Candidates select one subject (e.g., History, Sociology) based on interest and available study resources.

UPSC Mains Marking Scheme

• Qualifying Papers: Each paper is evaluated out of 300 marks, requiring a minimum of 25% to qualify. These marks are not included in the final merit.
• Merit Papers: Each of the seven papers is evaluated out of 250 marks, totaling 1750 marks.
• No Negative Marking: Answers are assessed based on relevance, clarity, structure, and depth of content.
• Answer Writing:
  • Word Limit: Answers are limited to 150–250 words per question (approximately 20 questions per paper).
  • Criteria: Answers must be relevant, well-organized, and include examples from Indian Polity or History of India.
  • Essay Paper: Marks are awarded for logical structure, originality, and depth of analysis.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC Mains

• Study Plan: Dedicate 4 to 6 months following Prelims for Mains preparation, emphasizing answer writing and optional subject mastery.
• Answer Writing: Practice writing concise, structured answers within the word limit, incorporating an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Optional Subject: Select a subject aligned with personal interest and practice with past UPSC question papers.
• Current Affairs: Integrate recent developments into General Studies and Essay responses.

UPSC Interview/Personality Test

• Marks: 275 marks.
• Purpose: Evaluates personality, communication skills, and suitability for civil services.
• Format: A panel conducts an interview, posing questions on the candidate’s background, Indian Polity, General Science, and current affairs.
• Duration: The interview lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
• Marking: Assessment is based on mental alertness, clarity, and integrity. No negative marking is applied.

The final merit is calculated as the sum of Mains (1750 marks) and Interview (275 marks), totaling 2025 marks.

Key Differences: UPSC Prelims vs. Mains

Aspect	UPSC Prelims	UPSC Mains
Nature	Objective (MCQs)	Descriptive
Papers	2 (GS I, Civil Services Aptitude Test)	9 (2 language papers, 7 merit-based)
Total Marks	400	1750 (merit)
Negative Marking	Yes (one-third deduction)	None
Purpose	Screening for Mains	Core merit evaluation
Qualifying Criteria	GS I: Cut-off; CSAT: 33%	Language papers: Minimum 25% each

---

UPSC Exam Pattern 2026

The UPSC notification 2026, expected on January 21, 2026, is anticipated to confirm that the exam pattern remains unchanged since 2013. Key dates:

• UPSC Prelims: May 24, 2026.
• UPSC Mains: August 21, 2026.
• UPSC Prelims result 2026: Expected in June.

UPSC Preparation Tips for Beginners

• Study Plan: Allocate 3 to 4 months for Prelims and 4 to 6 months for Mains preparation. Utilize NCERT books for History of India, Indian Polity, and General Science.
• Mock Tests: Regularly practice with UPSC Prelims question paper PDFs and Mains answer writing to build confidence and accuracy.
• Negative Marking: Avoid guessing in Prelims; employ elimination techniques to minimize errors.
• Resources: Study reliable sources such as NCERTs, M. Laxmikanth for Indian Polity, and newspapers for current affairs.

Conclusion

The UPSC exam pattern and marking scheme for the UPSC Civil Services Examination are designed to evaluate knowledge, analytical abilities, and personality. The UPSC Prelims, with a total of 400 marks, serves as a screening stage, while the UPSC Mains (1750 marks) and UPSC Interview (275 marks) determine the final merit. A disciplined study plan, comprehensive understanding of the UPSC syllabus, and consistent practice with UPSC question papers are critical for success in the UPSC exam 2026.