How many questions in UPSC Mains?

The number of questions in the UPSC Mains paper might change over the years. Usually, 20 questions are there in each paper, which must be answered within 3 hours. The total marks for the UPSC Mains exam are 1750.

Is it possible to attempt all questions in UPSC Mains?

Yes, with a well-planned approach, it is possible to attempt all questions in the UPSC Mains examination. A better approach of solving the paper is attempting all the questions instead of only answering 3-4 questions with lengthy answers.

How many questions are there in UPSC Mains GS Paper 1?

In the UPSC Mains GS1 paper , there are a total of 20 questions. All questions are compulsory, carrying a maximum of 250 marks to be completed in 3 hours of time. The first 10 questions carry 10 marks each, while questions 11 to 20 carry 15 marks each.

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How Many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Mains?

Q: How many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Mains?

Applicants should try attempting all the questions in the UPSC Mains paper as it does not have a negative marking. It is a descriptive exam with 9 papers. Each paper has to be completed within 3 hours of time. Also Check: How Many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Prelims Exam?

By Balaji

Updated on: February 17th, 2023

The number of questions to be attempted in the UPSC Mains exam is 20. All questions are compulsory, so candidates are advised to attempt all questions and work on their time management skills to complete the paper on time. After clearing the preliminary examination, the next stage of the Civil Services exam is UPSC Mains which is a descriptive paper containing 9 papers in total, each to be completed within 3 hours of time. Unlike prelims, there is no negative marking in the UPSC Mains exam, so one can attempt all the questions and aim to score more than the cut-off marks.

But while preparing for the Mains examination, it is important to check how many questions to attempt in UPSC mains to get more than the qualifying or cut-off marks. By having a clear idea of the number of questions to be attempted in UPSC mains, one can make a preparation strategy accordingly.

Table of content

1. Number of Questions to be Attempted in UPSC Mains
2. Importance of Attempting Maximum Questions in UPSC Mains
3. Tips to Attempt Maximum Number of Questions in UPSC Mains

Number of Questions to be Attempted in UPSC Mains

In the UPSC mains examination, there are nine papers, out of which papers A and B of Compulsory Indian language and English are qualifying in nature. One needs to score a minimum of 25%, i.e., 75 marks in each of these two papers to qualify. The maximum marks for Paper A and B are 300 marks for each. Additionally, for the rest of the seven papers, one needs to score at least 10% and more than the cut-off marks.

While checking how many questions to attempt in UPSC mains, it is important to know the UPSC exam pattern as well for Mains as shown below:

Paper	Topic/Subject	Nature	Maximum Marks	Maximum Time Alloted
Paper A	Indian language (Compulsory)	Qualifying in Nature (25%, i.e., 75 marks required)	300	3 hours
Paper B	English	Qualifying in Nature (25%, i.e., 75 marks required)	300	3 hours
Paper I	Essay	Marks will be counted in the Final Merit list	250	3 hours
Paper II	GS I		250	3 hours
Paper III	GS II		250	3 hours
Paper IV	GS III		250	3 hours
Paper V	GS IV		250	3 hours
Paper VI	Optional Subject I		250	3 hours
Paper VII	Optional Subject II		250	3 hours
Total Marks = 1750

The total marks of UPSC Mains are 1750, and the last year, the cut off for the General category is 774. Usually, 20 questions are asked in each paper, so 8-9 minutes can be invested in each question to attempt all the questions.

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Importance of Attempting Maximum Questions in UPSC Mains

The number of questions in UPSC Mains is generally 20 in each paper which has to be completed within 3 hours. Candidates must try to attempt all questions if they intend to clear the UPSC Mains examination. They must note that each question carries equal marks, so investing more time on 1 question will not justify the time given to other questions. Spend 7 to 8 minutes on each question if you want to attempt the entire paper.

Since Mains is a descriptive paper, it is crucial to attempt all questions as some marks can be taken from each to get the required cut-off.

Tips to Attempt Maximum Number of Questions in UPSC Mains

Some important tips on how many questions to attempt in UPSC Mains and how to attempt maximum questions are listed below:

Since it is a descriptive exam, the presentation of answers is necessary. Use diagrams, bullet points, and headers wherever needed. The more you make the answer readable, the greater the chances of achieving good marks.
Candidates should try and attempt all the questions in the Mains paper with an average word limit instead of attempting only 3-4 questions with lengthy answers.
Before writing the answer, it is better to make notes quickly in the rough workspace.
Practice answer writing for Mains to write good quality answers on time.
Try to write a positive or hopeful conclusion to the problems. Never try to write negative conclusions.
Work on time management to attempt questions in the allotted time.
Learn 7-5-3 Rule of Answer Writing in UPSC Mains.

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How Many Questions to Attempt in UPSC Mains?

Number of Questions to be Attempted in UPSC Mains

Importance of Attempting Maximum Questions in UPSC Mains

Tips to Attempt Maximum Number of Questions in UPSC Mains

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