Stage
Main Examination
What this covers
The written Main Examination brings together qualifying language work, Essay, four General Studies papers and an optional subject. Each has a different response task even when the same concept is relevant to several papers.
Key ideas
- qualifying language tasks
- Essay
- General Studies I–IV
- optional papers
Papers 8
- 01Qualifying Indian Language PaperThe qualifying Indian Language paper tests reading and clear, correct expression in the selected language.5 topics
- 02Qualifying English PaperThe qualifying English paper tests reading and clear, correct expression through comprehension, précis, usage/vocabulary and short essays.4 topics
- 03EssayThe Essay paper tests sustained relevance, orderly reasoning, concise writing and exact expression across more than one prompt.6 topics
- 04General Studies IGS I connects Indian culture, history, society and geography.12 topics
- 05General Studies IIGS II spans the Constitution, institutions, governance, social justice and international relations.20 topics
- 06General Studies IIIGS III combines economy, agriculture, industry, science and technology, environment, disaster management and internal security.20 topics
- 07General Studies IVGS IV studies ethical reasoning, attitude, aptitude, foundational public-service values, emotional intelligence, moral thinkers, probity and case…9 topics
- 08Optional subjectsThe official optional-subject catalog expands into 48 subject-specific syllabi, each with independent Paper I and Paper II roots and clause-mapped…