UPSC Mains: Essay

Main Examination: Essay (UPSC's Paper I). At a glance: • 250 marks, 3 hours. Counted for merit (the final ranking), provided you reach 25% in both qualifying language papers (Indian Language, unless you are exempt from it, and English). The Commission may also fix qualifying marks in this paper. • Written answers, not multiple choice. • The question paper is in Hindi and English. You answer in the medium you chose in your application: English or one of the 22 Indian languages of the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, such as Hindi. What the paper asks: Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression. Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026, Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, 4 February 2026.