Last updated on: June 9, 2025
Gopi Chand Azad
Exam Preparation Students
With the UPSC Preliminary Examination 2025 completed and results expected soon, aspirants across the country are now shifting their complete focus to the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination, which is scheduled to begin on 22nd September 2025. This phase is more than a test; it's an intellectual, emotional, and strategic battle, testing an aspirant's understanding, expression, time management, and ethical orientation.
Clearing the Mains stage is not about luck, but about planned consistency and focused effort. As one of the most defining steps in the UPSC journey, this exam not only demands knowledge but clarity, articulation, and balanced judgment.
The Mains Examination consists of 9 descriptive papers, out of which 7 are counted for merit:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Nature |
| Paper A | Indian Language | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper B | English | 300 | Qualifying |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | Merit |
| Paper II | GS Paper I | 250 | Merit |
| Paper III | GS Paper II | 250 | Merit |
| Paper IV | GS Paper III | 250 | Merit |
| Paper V | GS Paper IV (Ethics) | 250 | Merit |
| Paper VI & VII | Optional Subject Paper I & II | 500 (250 each) | Merit |
Total Marks for Merit Calculation: 1750
The Mains is designed to test not just information, but interpretation, evaluation, expression, and prioritization.
1. Current Affairs Integration
UPSC has moved away from static memorization. Now, even traditional GS topics are asked in a dynamic context. Aspirants must relate current events to:
Strategy Tip: Maintain a monthly Current Affairs revision sheet and integrate examples in your GS answers.
2. Essay Paper – The Personality Reflector
The essay paper is no longer about facts, but ideas, analysis, and imagination. Topics are usually abstract or philosophical, such as:
Write 2 essays every fortnight.
3. General Studies Papers – Precision and Depth
GS Paper I (History, Society, Geography):
GS Paper II (Polity, Governance, IR):
Questions likely from electoral reforms, federalism, constitutional morality, international groupings like QUAD & BRICS.
GS Paper III (Economy, Science-Tech, Security):
Focus on AI policy, inflation, MSMEs, disaster management, cyber threats.
GS Paper IV (Ethics):
Case studies testing real-world decision-making.
Strategy: Answer writing must include flowcharts, examples, and value-based analysis.
4. Optional Subject – The Game Changer
Scoring high in optional can boost your rank dramatically. Whichever subject you've chosen, you must:
June: Foundation Phase
Complete static syllabus for GS & Optional.
July–August: Execution Phase
Begin Full-Length Tests (FLTs) every week.
September: Final Revision Phase
Focus on short notes and model answers.
UPSC Mains 2025 is not just another exam — it’s your gateway to India’s top administrative services. This is where you build your identity as a future civil servant. With less than four months left, the time to act is NOW. Write, revise, reflect, and rise.
Success in Mains lies in the art of answer writing, clarity of thought, and emotional resilience. Stay focused, stay humble — your name in the final list may just be a few sheets of paper away.