How the Mains papers work
| Paper | Marks | Counts for your rank? |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 250 | Yes |
| General Studies I to IV | 250 each | Yes |
| Optional subject, two papers | 250 each | Yes |
| Two language papers | Qualifying | No, but you must pass them |
| Interview | 275 | Yes |
The written papers that count add up to 1750 marks, and with the interview the total is 2025. Each General Studies paper has 20 questions in 3 hours: 10 questions of 10 marks in about 150 words, and 10 of 15 marks in about 250 words. That's about 9 minutes a question, so speed is a skill you build. Check the notice on upsc.gov.in for your year.
A shape that fits every question
- Introduction, one or two lines: define the key term, give a fact, or set the context.
- Body, in short points or paragraphs: answer every part of the question, with an example, a fact, an article of the Constitution or a committee's name.
- A diagram, flowchart or map where it saves words.
- Conclusion, one or two lines: a balanced way forward, not a slogan.
Read the key word
| Key word | What the examiner wants |
|---|---|
| Discuss | Both sides, with examples |
| Examine | A close look at the facts and what they show |
| Analyse | The parts, and how they connect |
| Critically comment | Your judgement, with reasons for and against |
| Elucidate | A clear explanation, with examples |
The daily routine
- Pick two or three questions from past Mains papers on what you studied today.
- Read each question twice and underline the key word and every part it asks for.
- Write against a timer: about 7 minutes for 10 marks, 11 for 15 marks.
- Check it the next morning with fresh eyes, using the checklist below.
- Once a week, rewrite your weakest answer.
UPSC Prelims mock test practice: a daily self-study planNCERT books for UPSC: the list, the order and how to read themHow Gyanmor helps
Choose UPSC as your exam in Gyanmor. Written answers are part of the practice, marked the UPSC way, with every answer explained. When a topic doesn't make sense, add your book as a PDF and ask Guru about the exact pages, in English, Hindi or Gujarati.
Pick “Like the real paper” and the paper follows the exam's own layout. GPSC prelims comes as one 200-question paper with its minus marks, CA papers have case studies with their linked MCQs, and CS Executive is all written. You can type a written answer or send a photo of it.
Check your own answer
Answer checklist
0 / 5
Nobody writes well on day one. Two answers a day for six months is about 360 answers, and that practice shows in the exam hall.
Questions
How many words should a UPSC Mains answer be?
About 150 words for a 10-mark question and about 250 words for a 15-mark question in the General Studies papers. Follow the instructions on your paper.
When should I start answer writing for UPSC?
From the start, alongside reading, not after Prelims. Two or three answers a day builds speed and structure long before Mains.
How much time should I spend on each answer?
A General Studies paper has 20 questions in 3 hours, about 9 minutes each. Aim for about 7 minutes on a 10-mark answer and 11 on a 15-mark answer.
Can I write UPSC Mains in Hindi or Gujarati?
Yes. UPSC lets candidates write Mains in English or in any language of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, which includes Hindi and Gujarati. Check the notice for your year.
Does Gyanmor have UPSC answer writing practice?
Yes, for learners aged 18 and over: Gyanmor's UPSC practice includes written answers, marked the UPSC way, with every answer explained.
