The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. It consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims), the Main Examination (Mains), and the Personality Test (Interview). Among these, the Prelims and Mains are the initial hurdles that aspirants must clear. In this article, we will focus on understanding the key differences between UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains, two distinct phases of this challenging examination.
1. Purpose and Objective:
UPSC Prelims: The Preliminary Examination serves as the screening test. Its primary objective is to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. It consists of two papers: General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT – Civil Services Aptitude Test). Both papers are of an objective (multiple-choice) nature.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination is the core evaluation stage. Its purpose is to assess the in-depth knowledge and comprehensive understanding of candidates in various subjects. It consists of nine papers, out of which seven are descriptive/essay-type papers, and two are qualifying in nature.
2. Nature of Questions:
UPSC Prelims: The Prelims primarily test a candidate’s knowledge of facts and concepts. Questions are of the objective type, where candidates choose the correct answer from multiple options. It includes topics like current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, and more.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination demands analytical and critical thinking skills. Candidates are required to write essays, analyze case studies, and provide detailed answers to questions. The focus is on the depth of understanding, application of knowledge, and the ability to articulate ideas effectively.
3. Number of Papers:
UPSC Prelims: The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers, but only the marks obtained in General Studies Paper-I are counted for qualification to the Mains. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates need to secure a minimum qualifying score.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination comprises nine papers, including Essay, General Studies (4 papers), Optional Subject (2 papers), and two qualifying papers in Indian language and English.
4. Time Duration:
UPSC Prelims: Each paper in the Prelims (General Studies Paper-I and II) has a duration of 2 hours. The total examination time is 4 hours.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination consists of papers with varying time durations. For instance, the Essay paper has a duration of 3 hours, while the General Studies papers have a duration of 3 hours each.
5. Scoring System:
UPSC Prelims: The Prelims follow a negative marking system. Candidates are awarded 2 marks for each correct answer and penalized with a deduction of 1/3 marks for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions do not carry any marks.
UPSC Mains: The Mains have a descriptive paper-based evaluation system. Each paper is assigned a specific marks weightage, and candidates are required to answer questions according to the allotted marks. There is no negative marking in the Mains.
6. Syllabus Coverage:
UPSC Prelims: The Prelims cover a broad spectrum of topics related to general awareness, current events, and basic knowledge. It tests candidates on a wide range of subjects, but at a relatively shallow level.
UPSC Mains: The Mains delve deeper into the subjects chosen by candidates, including the optional subject. It requires comprehensive knowledge and the ability to articulate ideas and arguments effectively. The syllabus for Mains is more extensive and subject-specific.
7. Role in Final Selection:
UPSC Prelims: The Preliminary Examination acts as the first stage of selection, serving as a qualifying round to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. Marks obtained in the Prelims are not considered in the final ranking.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination plays a pivotal role in determining the final ranking of candidates. Marks secured in the Mains (including the Essay paper and the optional subject papers) are crucial for the merit list.
8. Language and Medium:
UPSC Prelims: The Prelims are conducted in both English and Hindi. Candidates can choose their preferred medium for answering the questions.
UPSC Mains: The Mains also allow candidates to answer in English or Hindi. However, for the qualifying papers in Indian language and English, candidates are required to select one language from the predefined list.
9. Examination Date:
UPSC Prelims: The Prelims are usually conducted in June every year.
UPSC Mains: The Main Examination typically takes place in September or October, approximately three months after the Prelims.
10. Qualifying Criteria:
UPSC Prelims: To qualify for the Mains, candidates need to secure the minimum qualifying marks in General Studies Paper-I of the Prelims. The qualifying marks for General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) are fixed at 33%.
UPSC Mains: The final ranking is determined based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Personality Test (Interview). The qualifying papers in Indian language and English are required to be secured at a minimum level, as specified by UPSC.
In conclusion, the UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains examinations serve distinct purposes and have different formats. While the Prelims aim to filter candidates for the Main Examination based on their basic knowledge and aptitude, the Mains focus on assessing candidates’ in-depth understanding, analytical abilities, and communication skills. Aspirants should approach each stage with a tailored strategy, recognizing the unique demands of both examinations on their journey to becoming civil servants.