Compulsory Language Papers in UPSC Mains
Hundreds of candidates clear Prelims, write excellent GS answers, and still get disqualified from Mains because they failed a paper that carries zero merit marks.
That paper is one of the two compulsory language papers in UPSC Civil Services Mains. Paper A tests an Indian language. Paper B tests English. Neither paper adds a single mark to your final rank. But failing either one ends your Mains attempt completely.
This is the most dangerous kind of paper in any competitive exam: one that most candidates prepare for last, prepare for least, and occasionally fail when everything else goes right.
The Paper That Can Disqualify You Without Affecting Your Rank
UPSC introduced these papers for a specific reason. A civil servant in India must be able to communicate effectively, both in English (which remains the primary language of administration at the Central level) and in at least one Indian language (which grounds the officer in the linguistic and cultural reality of the country they serve).
The marks from Paper A and Paper B are not added to your final merit list score. Your GS papers, Essay, and Optional subject together form the 1750 marks that determine your rank and service allocation.
But here is the catch: if you score below the qualifying threshold in either language paper, UPSC does not evaluate your remaining papers at all. Your GS answers, your Essay, your Optional, none of it is counted. You are out of that Mains cycle.
This is not a theoretical risk. Every year, a small but real number of candidates fail one of these papers. Most of them are shocked. Most of them had not taken the papers seriously enough.
Overview of Both Language Papers
| Feature | Paper A: Indian Language | Paper B: English |
|---|---|---|
| Total Marks | 300 | 300 |
| Qualifying Marks | 90 out of 300 (30%) | 75 out of 300 (25%) |
| Counted in Merit? | No | No |
| Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Medium of Answer | The chosen Indian language | English only |
| Who Must Write It | All candidates except those exempted | All candidates, no exemptions |
| Script Used | Script of the chosen language | English (Roman script) |
One clarification on qualifying marks: UPSC has revised these thresholds over the years. Always verify the current requirement in the official UPSC notification for that year’s exam. The figures above reflect the general pattern, but cross-check before your exam.
Paper A: The Indian Language Paper
What Is Paper A and Who Needs to Write It?
Paper A tests your ability to read, write, and understand one Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. You choose this language when you fill your Mains application form (DAF).
The purpose is not literary excellence. UPSC is not looking for scholars. It is checking that you can comprehend a passage, write a short essay, translate a paragraph, and draft basic official correspondence in an Indian language. These are functional skills, not academic ones.
Almost all candidates must write Paper A. The only exceptions are discussed in the exemption section below.
The Official Languages Available Under Paper A
You may choose any one of the following 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
Most candidates choose their mother tongue or the language they studied in school. This is usually the right call. Attempting a language you are not genuinely familiar with, even one considered “easier,” is a risky strategy.
Who Is Exempt from Paper A?
UPSC exempts certain candidates from writing Paper A. Specifically, candidates who hail from the following states and Union Territories are exempt:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Sikkim
- Tripura (candidates from tribal areas)
- Certain other specified areas
The exemption exists because these regions have distinct linguistic histories and many of their languages are not listed in the Eighth Schedule. Forcing these candidates to write a language paper in a language not native to their region would be unfair.
If you believe you qualify for an exemption, verify this directly in the official UPSC Mains notification. Do not rely on secondhand information on this point. Getting it wrong either way creates serious problems.
Structure and Syllabus of Paper A
| Question Type | Marks | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Essay in the Indian language | 100 marks | Writing ability, vocabulary, coherent expression |
| Reading comprehension (2 passages) | 60 marks | Understanding of written text in the language |
| Precise writing | 60 marks | Ability to condense a passage accurately |
| Translation from English to Indian language | 20 marks | Vocabulary and language equivalence |
| Translation from Indian language to English | 20 marks | Comprehension and translation accuracy |
| Grammar and usage | 40 marks | Basic grammatical correctness |
| Total | 300 marks |
Note: The exact distribution of marks and question types can vary slightly year to year. Always check the current year’s UPSC syllabus notification.
Which Language Should You Choose?
Choose the language you are most comfortable writing in. That sounds obvious, but many candidates overthink this.
Some aspirants from Hindi-speaking states consider writing in Sanskrit because they assume it is “easier to score in.” Some candidates from South India consider writing in Hindi because they think it will impress the examiner. Both assumptions are wrong.
The examiner is checking functional competence. A candidate who writes natural, correct, fluent prose in Tamil will always outperform a candidate who writes stiff, error-filled sentences in a language they barely know.
A few practical considerations when choosing:
- Choose the language in which you completed your school education if possible. Your grammar instincts in that language will be stronger.
- Consider the script. If you are fluent in a language but have not written in its script for years, practice the script well in advance. Illegible or incorrect script costs marks.
- Candidates who studied in English-medium schools but have a strong spoken command of a regional language should still attempt that language. Speaking and writing are different. Give yourself at least two to three months to practice the written form.
Paper B: The English Language Paper
What Does Paper B Test?
Paper B tests functional English. Not literary English, not academic English, not the kind of English you use in GS answers. Functional English: can you read a passage and answer questions about it, write a short essay clearly, draft a letter, condense a passage, and use grammar correctly?
Every candidate, regardless of medium of education or state of origin, must write Paper B. There are no exemptions.
Structure and Syllabus of Paper B
| Question Type | Marks | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Essay in English | 100 marks | Writing ability, coherence, vocabulary, argument structure |
| Reading comprehension (2 passages) | 60 marks | Understanding of written English text |
| Precise writing | 60 marks | Ability to condense a passage in English |
| Translation from Indian language to English | 20 marks | Comprehension and translation accuracy |
| Translation from English to Indian language | 20 marks | Vocabulary and language equivalence |
| Grammar and usage | 40 marks | Grammatical correctness in English |
| Total | 300 marks |
Is Paper B Really “Easy”? The Real Story
Candidates from English-medium schools often dismiss Paper B entirely. “It is just basic English,” they say, and then walk into the exam underprepared.
Here is what actually trips people up.
The essay in Paper B is 100 marks and requires sustained, coherent writing on a topic you may not have thought deeply about. It is not the same as a GS essay. It is shorter, but it still demands structure, clarity, and a genuine argument. Candidates who write rambling, disorganized essays lose significant marks here.
The comprehension passages are often dense, formal, or literary in style. They are not newspaper articles. The questions test whether you understood exactly what was written, not what you think the passage meant. Candidates who paraphrase loosely instead of answering precisely lose marks.
The precis writing section trips up candidates who have never practiced the specific format. A precis has rules: it must be written in your own words, in a specific fraction of the original length, and without adding your own opinions. Many candidates violate one or more of these rules without realizing it.
For candidates who studied primarily in a regional medium, Paper B deserves more attention than Paper A. The 25% qualifying threshold (75 out of 300) is lower than Paper A’s 30%, but the challenge of writing formal English under timed exam conditions is real and should not be underestimated.
The Passing Mark Reality
Let us be direct about the numbers.
To qualify in Paper A, you need 90 out of 300 marks (30%). To qualify in Paper B, you need 75 out of 300 marks (25%).
On paper, these thresholds look easy. In practice, they are not always simple, for a few important reasons.
First, these are timed, handwritten exams. Three hours for 300 marks is manageable but not generous, especially if you are writing in a script you have not practiced recently.
Second, the essay alone is 100 marks in both papers. If your essay is weak, you are starting from a significant deficit before you even get to comprehension and grammar.
Third, translation sections catch candidates who have a passive knowledge of a language but have not actively written it. Passive reading fluency does not equal active writing ability.
Fourth, grammar sections are unforgiving. Unlike GS answers where clarity of thought can compensate for weak grammar, these sections have specific right and wrong answers.
The margin for error is thin. You need 90 marks in Paper A. If your essay earns 50 out of 100, your comprehension earns 25 out of 60, and your precis earns 10 out of 60, you are already at 85. You would then need to make up 5 marks across translation and grammar. That is not comfortable territory.
The lesson: treat these papers as something you need to actively prepare for, not something you will coast through.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make in Language Papers
- Leaving preparation to the last two weeks. Both papers require specific skills: precis writing, translation, formal essay structure. These skills take weeks to build, not days.
- Not practicing writing by hand. Almost every UPSC Mains preparation happens on a screen. But the exam is handwritten. Writing a 1,000-word essay by hand in 25 minutes in a language you rarely write by hand is genuinely difficult without practice.
- Ignoring the precis format. Many candidates write summaries instead of a proper precis. A precis has specific rules about length, style, and objectivity. Not knowing the format costs avoidable marks.
- Choosing an unfamiliar language for Paper A. Some candidates choose Hindi or Sanskrit under the impression that scoring is easier, when they are not genuinely comfortable writing it. This almost always backfires.
- Underestimating the English essay. Candidates with strong English often write a casual, loosely structured essay and lose 30-40 marks in a 100-mark section because they did not treat it seriously.
- Poor time management inside the exam. Spending too long on the essay and rushing through comprehension and grammar is a common pattern. The grammar and translation sections are relatively quick marks if you are prepared. Rushing them wastes easy points.
- Not checking the script requirement. For Paper A, your answer must be written in the official script of the chosen language. Writing Urdu in Devanagari or Konkani in an incorrect script creates evaluation problems and may cost marks.
Preparation Strategy for Paper A (Indian Language)
If you studied in that language medium:
You are in a strong position. Your instincts for grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure are already intact. Your focus should be on:
- Practicing the essay format: write two or three full essays of around 600 words each in the weeks before the exam.
- Practicing precis writing: take a 300-word passage and condense it to 100 words in formal language. Do this 8-10 times before the exam.
- Reviewing grammar rules you may have forgotten. One standard grammar book for your language is sufficient.
- Practicing translation in both directions using old UPSC question papers.
If you have not used the language in years:
This requires a more structured approach. Give yourself at least three months.
- Start by reading a newspaper or simple book in your chosen language for 20-30 minutes daily. Rebuild your reading fluency before you attempt writing.
- Practice the script separately if needed. Write a page of your chosen language by hand every day for the first month.
- Work through UPSC previous year Paper A questions from 2015 onwards. These are your most reliable study material.
- For grammar, one school-level grammar guide in your language (Class 10 or 11 level) covers everything UPSC tests. You do not need advanced material.
Preparation Strategy for Paper B (English)
If you studied in English medium:
Do not ignore this paper. Targeted preparation of 3-4 weeks is enough, but it must be deliberate.
- Practice one full precis per week from the month before the exam. Use formal articles, editorials, or UPSC previous year passages as source material.
- Write two or three timed English essays of 600-700 words. Review them for structure: introduction, argument, counterargument, conclusion.
- Attempt all previous year Paper B questions. The grammar sections are predictable in style, and a few hours of focused revision covers the recurring patterns.
If you studied primarily in a regional medium:
Give Paper B a minimum of six to eight weeks of focused preparation.
- Read one quality English newspaper (The Hindu or Indian Express) daily. Read editorials specifically, not just headlines. This builds formal reading comprehension ability.
- Practice writing one short English essay every three days. Focus on clarity and basic structure first. Vocabulary and sophistication come later.
- Work on grammar explicitly: subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, article usage, and prepositions are the four areas where regional medium candidates most commonly lose marks.
- Find a language partner or use platforms like AnswerWriting.com, where you can submit written English answers and receive feedback from evaluators. Getting your actual writing reviewed by someone else is far more effective than self-assessment, especially for identifying grammatical blind spots you cannot see in your own work.
Script, Medium, and Practical Considerations
A few practical points that are easy to overlook.
Script: Every Indian language listed in the Eighth Schedule has an official script. You must write Paper A in that script. Sindhi may be written in either Devanagari or the Perso-Arabic script. For all other languages, use the standard official script. If you are uncertain, check the UPSC instructions in the question paper itself.
Time distribution inside the exam: Both papers are 3 hours for 300 marks. A rough allocation that works for most candidates: 25-30 minutes for translation questions, 25-30 minutes for grammar, 30-35 minutes for comprehension, 30 minutes for precis, and 40-45 minutes for the essay. Adjust based on your strengths, but always attempt the essay last if you tend to spend too long on open-ended writing.
The day before the exam: Do not attempt to cram new vocabulary or grammar rules the night before. Instead, read through a past year paper in full to warm up your instincts. Make sure you know exactly which language you have selected for Paper A, what script to use, and what the question paper format looks like. Small logistical clarity saves significant stress in the exam hall.
Frequently Asked Questions on UPSC Language Papers
Q1. Can I change my language choice for Paper A after submitting the DAF?
Generally, no. UPSC asks you to declare your language choice when filling the Detailed Application Form (DAF) for Mains. This choice is binding. Treat the decision seriously before submitting the form.
Q2. I am from a northeastern state. Am I automatically exempt from Paper A?
Not automatically. Exemptions apply to candidates from specific states and areas as notified by UPSC. Read the official Mains notification carefully. If your state is listed under the exempt category and you meet the conditions, you do not write Paper A. If you are unsure, write to UPSC or consult the official notification directly.
Q3. Does scoring very high in Paper A or Paper B give any advantage?
No. These papers are purely qualifying. A score of 91 and a score of 280 in Paper A have exactly the same effect on your final merit: both qualify. There is no incentive to aim beyond the qualifying mark, beyond the obvious safety buffer of a few extra marks.
Q4. Is Sanskrit a good choice for Paper A if my mother tongue is not a listed language?
Sanskrit is available as a choice and some candidates do select it. However, Sanskrit grammar is complex and the script demands practice. Unless you have a genuine background in Sanskrit (through school or college study), it is not a safe choice. Choose the language you are most genuinely comfortable writing in.
Q5. Can I write Paper B answers in Indian English spellings (colour, behaviour, etc.)?
Yes. Both British English and Indian English spellings are acceptable. UPSC does not penalize Indian English conventions. Consistency matters more than which variant you use. Pick one style and maintain it throughout.
Q6. How much time should I realistically dedicate to both language papers in my overall Mains preparation?
For English-medium candidates comfortable with their regional language: four to six weeks total across both papers, spread across the last two months before Mains. For regional-medium candidates who need to build English writing ability: start Paper B preparation at least three months before Mains. Paper A preparation can happen in parallel in the final six to eight weeks.
Final Thoughts
Paper A and Paper B will not win you a rank. But failing either one will cost you an entire Mains attempt, and with it, a year of preparation.
The right approach is not to panic about these papers or to dedicate excessive time to them. It is to prepare for them methodically, well in advance, with practice rather than passive reading.
Write essays by hand. Practice precis writing with a timer. Attempt previous year question papers. Get your writing reviewed by someone who can give you honest feedback. These are the four steps that take most candidates comfortably past the qualifying threshold.
Treat these papers as what they are: a professional communication test. Not literature, not philosophy, not competitive scoring. Just clear, correct, functional language. That is all UPSC is asking for. Meet that bar with a reasonable margin, and move on to winning your rank in the papers that actually count.