IAS Mains

The IAS Mains Examination is the second stage of the Civil Services Examination in India. It is a subjective-type examination, which tests the candidate's depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to express their thoughts clearly and coherently.

The IAS Mains Examination consists of nine papers, out of which two papers are qualifying in nature, and seven papers are counted for the final ranking. The two qualifying papers are the English Language Paper and the Indian Language Paper, which tests the candidate's proficiency in English and an Indian language of their choice. The seven papers that are counted for the final ranking are:

1. Essay Paper

2. General Studies Paper I

3. General Studies Paper II

4. General Studies Paper III

5. General Studies Paper IV

6. Optional Subject Paper I

7. Optional Subject Paper II

The IAS Mains Examination is conducted over a period of five to seven days, with each paper lasting for three hours. The examination is conducted in offline mode, and candidates are required to write their answers in a booklet provided to them. The final selection of candidates is based on their performance in the IAS Mains Examination and the Personality Test (Interview).

1. Essay Paper

The Essay Paper is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It tests the candidate's ability to express their thoughts coherently and clearly, and their proficiency in English language.

The Essay Paper consists of two sections - Section A and Section B. Candidates are required to write two essays, one from each section. The word limit for each essay is 1000-1200 words, and candidates are given three hours to complete the paper.

The topics for the Essay Paper are usually broad and cover a range of subjects, including social issues, politics, governance, international relations, philosophy, ethics, and culture. Candidates are expected to write their essays in a structured manner, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. They are also expected to demonstrate their critical thinking skills and present a balanced view on the topic.

Scoring well in the Essay Paper is crucial for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A well-written essay can help the candidate showcase their understanding of the subject and their ability to communicate effectively, which are essential qualities for an aspiring civil servant.

General Studies Paper I is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's knowledge in a wide range of subjects, including history, geography, economics, polity, social justice, and international relations.

The General Studies Paper I is divided into two sections - Section A and Section B. Section A covers Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. Section B covers Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations.

The syllabus for General Studies Paper I is extensive, and candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of the subject matter. The questions in the paper are designed to test the candidate's analytical and critical thinking abilities. The paper also assesses the candidate's ability to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and draw logical conclusions.

To prepare for General Studies Paper I, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They must also develop a habit of reading newspapers and staying up-to-date with current affairs. Apart from that, candidates should refer to standard textbooks, government reports, and other relevant sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subjects covered in the paper.

Scoring well in General Studies Paper I is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's ability to comprehend complex information, think critically, and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems - all of which are key skills required for a successful career in the civil services.

General Studies Paper II is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's knowledge in subjects such as governance, Constitution, polity, social justice, and international relations.

The General Studies Paper II is divided into two sections - Section A and Section B. Section A covers Indian Constitution, Governance, and Public Policy, while Section B covers International Relations, Social Justice, and International Institutions.

The syllabus for General Studies Paper II is broad, and candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of the subject matter. The questions in the paper are designed to test the candidate's analytical and critical thinking abilities. The paper also assesses the candidate's ability to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and draw logical conclusions.

To prepare for General Studies Paper II, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They must also develop a habit of reading newspapers and staying up-to-date with current affairs related to the topics covered in the paper. Apart from that, candidates should refer to standard textbooks, government reports, and other relevant sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subjects covered in the paper.

Scoring well in General Studies Paper II is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's ability to understand and analyze complex information related to governance, Constitution, and international relations. This is an essential skill required for a successful career in the civil services.

General Studies Paper III

General Studies Paper III is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's knowledge in subjects such as economics, technology, environment, biodiversity, security, and disaster management.

The General Studies Paper III is divided into two sections - Section A and Section B. Section A covers Economic Development, Agriculture, Industry, Environment and Ecology, and Disaster Management. Section B covers Security Issues and Social Movements.

The syllabus for General Studies Paper III is extensive, and candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of the subject matter. The questions in the paper are designed to test the candidate's analytical and critical thinking abilities. The paper also assesses the candidate's ability to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and draw logical conclusions.

To prepare for General Studies Paper III, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They must also develop a habit of reading newspapers and staying up-to-date with current affairs related to the topics covered in the paper. Apart from that, candidates should refer to standard textbooks, government reports, and other relevant sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subjects covered in the paper.

Scoring well in General Studies Paper III is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's ability to understand and analyze complex information related to economics, environment, security, and disaster management. This is an essential skill required for a successful career in the civil services.

General Studies Paper IV, also known as the Ethics paper, is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's understanding of ethical and moral values, integrity, and aptitude.

The General Studies Paper IV is divided into two sections - Section A and Section B. Section A covers Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude, and Aptitude. Section B covers Emotional Intelligence, Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and the World.

The syllabus for General Studies Paper IV is designed to assess the candidate's ability to apply ethical principles and values in real-world situations. The paper aims to evaluate the candidate's understanding of the ethical dilemmas that civil servants face in their work and assess their ability to make sound ethical judgments.

To prepare for General Studies Paper IV, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They should study the Code of Ethics and Conduct for civil servants and familiarize themselves with the ethical principles and values that guide the functioning of the civil service. Apart from that, candidates should read books and articles on ethics, morality, and moral thinkers from India and the world.

Scoring well in General Studies Paper IV is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's ability to make sound ethical judgments and demonstrate integrity, which are essential qualities for a successful career in civil services.

The Optional Subject Paper I is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's knowledge in the subject they have chosen as their optional subject.

The Optional Subject Paper I covers the first half of the syllabus for the chosen optional subject. The syllabus for each optional subject is different, and candidates must choose their optional subject based on their interests, academic background, and the availability of study material.

To prepare for Optional Subject Paper I, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They should refer to standard textbooks, research papers, and other relevant sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Candidates should also practice writing answers to previous year's question papers to get a sense of the type of questions asked and the level of detail expected in the answers.

Scoring well in Optional Subject Paper I is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's in-depth understanding of the chosen subject, which is a valuable asset for a career in civil services.

The Optional Subject Paper II is one of the seven papers that are counted for the final ranking in the IAS Mains Examination. It is a three-hour long subjective-type paper that tests the candidate's knowledge in the subject they have chosen as their optional subject.

The Optional Subject Paper II covers the second half of the syllabus for the chosen optional subject. The syllabus for each optional subject is different, and candidates must choose their optional subject based on their interests, academic background, and the availability of study material.

To prepare for Optional Subject Paper II, candidates must first understand the syllabus and identify the important topics. They should refer to standard textbooks, research papers, and other relevant sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Candidates should also practice writing answers to previous year question papers to get a sense of the type of questions asked and the level of detail expected in the answers.

Scoring well in Optional Subject Paper II is important for a candidate's overall rank in the IAS Mains Examination. A strong performance in this paper indicates a candidate's in-depth understanding of the chosen subject, which is a valuable asset for a career in civil services.