2026 UPSC Mains Paper A: Rules, Exemption List
Paper A in UPSC Mains acts as a mandatory gateway for aspirants. This qualifying examination tests proficiency in specific Indian languages. Candidates must secure 25% marks. The Union Public Service Commission exempts residents of six North-Eastern states from this requirement.
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Key Highlights
Qualifying Nature: Marks do not count toward the final rank.
Passing Score: Minimum 75 marks (25%) are necessary.
Exemptions: Candidates from six North-Eastern states need not appear.
Syllabus: Essay, Reading Comprehension, Precis, Translation, and Grammar.
What Is Paper A in UPSC Mains?
Paper A is the compulsory Indian Language Paper administered during the second stage of the Civil Services Examination. This subjective test assesses a candidate's basic reading and writing competence in a schedule-listed language.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) mandates this paper. To ensure that future officers can read and write in an Indian language.
Most candidates must clear this hurdle to have their subsequent merit-ranking papers evaluated. If you do not achieve the minimum passing marks in Paper A, UPSC will not grade the other paper answer sheets. This is true no matter how well you did in General Studies or Optional subjects.
Is Paper A Scored for Final Ranking?
No, Paper A serves strictly as a qualifying examination. The marks obtained do not contribute to the final merit list or rank determination. Candidates must secure a minimum of 25% marks. Since the total weightage is 300 marks, a score of 75 marks is the absolute threshold for passing.
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Which Languages Are Available for Selection?
The Indian language paper allows candidates to select from languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The script requirement varies based on the chosen language.
List of Approved Languages and Scripts: The table below outlines the 22 languages available for selection:
Language | Script | Language | Script |
Assamese | Assamese | Manipuri | Bengali |
Bengali | Bengali | Marathi | Devanagari |
Gujarati | Gujarati | Nepali | Devanagari |
Hindi | Devanagari | Odia | Odia |
Kannada | Kannada | Punjabi | Gurmukhi |
Kashmiri | Persian | Sanskrit | Devanagari |
Konkani | Devanagari | Sindhi | Devanagari/Arabic |
Malayalam | Malayalam | Tamil | Tamil |
Telugu | Telugu | Urdu | Persian |
Bodo | Devanagari | Dogri | Devanagari |
Maithili | Devanagari | Santhali | Devanagari/Olchiki |
Who Is Eligible for Paper A Exemption?
Specific regulations exist for candidates hailing from the North-Eastern region of India. The Paper A exemption applies exclusively to candidates from the following states:
Arunachal Pradesh
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
How to Claim the Exemption
To utilize this provision, eligible candidates must submit valid documentation during the Detailed Application Form (DAF) submission process. A competent authority must issue a certificate stating that the candidate hails from one of the exempt states.
Authorized Signatories for Certification:
District Officer
Sub-divisional Officer
Officers authorized by the government to issue OBC/SC/ST certificates.
The certificate must have a specific format. It should state the candidate's parentage and where they live in the exempt state. Candidates waiting for upsc notifications regarding the mains cycle should prepare these documents in advance.
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Exam Pattern and Syllabus Structure
Understanding the exam structure allows aspirants to maximize their scores with targeted preparation. The paper tests five distinct skills across 300 marks.
Structure of Questions:
Essay Writing (100 Marks): Candidates write an essay on a specific topic in their chosen language.
Reading Comprehension (60 Marks): Questions based on a provided passage to test understanding.
Precis Writing (60 Marks): summarizing a passage concisely.
Translation (40 Marks):
Translation from English to the chosen Indian language (20 marks).
Translation from the Indian language to English (20 marks).
Grammar (40 Marks): Tests basic grammatical correctness.
Aspirants filling out the UPSC application form should choose a language they know well. It is best to pick one studied up to the matriculation level.
Effective Preparation Strategies
Candidates often neglect this paper due to its qualifying nature. But a strategic approach prevents unexpected failure.
Choose a Strong Language: Pick a language you have spoken or studied since childhood. This will help you feel comfortable with the script and vocabulary.
Review School Textbooks: Revising grammar textbooks up to Class X provides sufficient coverage for the grammar section.
Practice Translation: Regular practice of translating news paragraphs to and from English enhances vocabulary and speed. Newspapers serve as excellent resources for this exercise.
Solve Previous Papers: Attempting 2-3 previous year question papers familiarizes candidates with the difficulty level and question format.
Focus on Handwriting: Legible handwriting is mandatory. Candidates must also adhere strictly to word limits to avoid penalties.
Aspirants who finish their UPSC OTR registration should choose their compulsory language early. This will help avoid confusion later in the application process.
Do UPSC New Rules Change Paper A?
The latest data shows that the new UPSC rules have not changed the main qualifying criteria. The list of languages for Paper A is still the same. The requirement is still 25% marks.
Candidates should regularly check official upsc notifications for any minor procedural updates regarding the DAF or certificate formats.
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
What is the minimum passing mark for Paper A in UPSC Mains?
Is the Paper A score included in the final UPSC merit list?
Can candidates from Tamil Nadu appear for the examination in Hindi?
Which states are exempt from the compulsory Indian language paper?
What level of grammar is assessed in the UPSC language paper?
Paper A acts as a gatekeeper in the Civil Services Mains Examination. While it does not determine rank, it determines eligibility.
By securing 75 marks through consistent practice of translation and grammar, aspirants ensure their core papers receive evaluation. Candidates from North-Eastern states must verify their exemption status with proper documentation.
Gajendra Singh Godara is an IIT Bombay graduate and a UPSC aspirant with 4 attempts, including multiple Prelims and Mains appearances. He specializes in Polity, Modern History, International Relations, and Economy. At PadhAI, Gajendra leverages his firsthand exam experience to simplify complex concepts, creating high-efficiency study materials that help aspirants save time and stay focused.
