While preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination, most aspirants focus on General Studies, Optional Subjects, and Essay writing. However, before any of these key papers are even evaluated, there’s an often-overlooked filter at play — the Compulsory Language Papers.
These papers include:
- Paper A: One Indian language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
- Paper B: English Language
This blog aims to highlight the hidden importance of these qualifying papers, their structure, past paper trends, and how aspirants can approach them with confidence during their UPSC mains preparation.
These papers test a candidate’s ability to comprehend and express themselves clearly and correctly in English and their selected Indian language.
Paper A – Indian Language (300 Marks)
Candidates must choose a language from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Typical question types:
- Comprehension of given passages
- Precis (summary) writing
- Word usage and vocabulary
- Short essay writing
- Translation (from English to Indian language and vice versa)
Note 1: Exempted for candidates from Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Note 2: Candidates with benchmark disabilities (hearing impairment) who have been officially exempted by their board from studying a second or third language may be exempted from Paper A. Such candidates must submit a self-declaration to claim this exemption.
Paper B – English (300 Marks)
This paper is compulsory for all aspirants.
Typical question types:
- Comprehension of passages
- Precis writing
- Vocabulary and usage
- Short essay writing
Qualifying Criteria
A minimum of 75 out of 300 marks (25%) is required in both Paper A and Paper B to qualify.
Though these marks aren’t counted toward the final rank, they act as a precondition for checking the merit papers. That means, unless a candidate qualifies both papers, their answers for GS, Essay, and Optional Subjects will not be evaluated at all.
What the UPSC Notification Says
According to the official notification:
“The papers on Indian language and English will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be qualifying in nature. Marks obtained will not be counted for ranking.”
However, the notification further states:
“Only those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in these papers will have their Essay, General Studies, and Optional subject papers evaluated.”
UPSC Syllabus Overview for Language Papers
Both papers follow a similar structure:
Essay Writing (100 Marks)
- Write an essay of about 600 words on one of the given topics
- The essay must be coherent, grammatically correct, and logically organized
Reading Comprehension & Precis Writing
- Paper A: 60 marks
- Paper B: 75 marks
- Precis (one-third of original passage length)
- Paper A: 60 marks
- Paper B: 75 marks
Translation (Only in Paper A – 40 Marks)
- English to Indian language and vice versa
Grammar and Usage
- Paper A: 40 marks
- Paper B: 50 marks
- Topics include fill-in-the-blanks, sentence correction, synonyms-antonyms, idioms, voice and narration changes
Download Compulsory Language Paper PDFs
Why These Papers Matter More Than You Think
Despite being qualifying in nature, these papers are often a hidden cause of failure. Key reasons include:
- Thousands of candidates fail in Paper A and/or B every year
- Even those who do well in GS or Optional are disqualified if they fail these papers
- If you don’t qualify, your entire effort in UPSC mains preparation is nullified
- You need competency in both language and grammar to clear the filter
Common Patterns
- Essay topics usually focus on general or social issues
- Precis passages often relate to governance or development
- The translation section can be tricky, especially for non-native speakers
- Grammar questions test accuracy and clarity of language
What Aspirants Say
- Non-English medium students often struggle with Paper B (English)
- Urban, English-educated aspirants may overlook preparation for Paper A (Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, etc.)
- Common mistakes include poor handwriting, translation errors, and shallow essay content
Myths vs Reality
Myth 1: “It’s just qualifying; I don’t need to prepare.” Reality: Many aspirants fail simply due to this belief.
Myth 2: “I speak the language fluently; I’ll pass easily.” Reality: Writing skills, grammar, and formal structure matter more than verbal fluency.
Myth 3: “It’s like a school-level test.” Reality: Though the difficulty level is moderate, evaluation is serious and strict.
How to Prepare Effectively?
Essay Writing Practice
- Write 1 essay weekly in both English and your selected Indian language
- Focus on structure (intro-body-conclusion), clarity, and grammar
Translation Practice
- Practice translating between English and your chosen Indian language
- Use past papers or bilingual press releases (PIB, AIR transcripts)
Precis Writing
- Learn to compress long passages into one-third their length
- Maintain clarity, neutrality, and logical flow
Grammar Revision
- Use Class 9–10 grammar books for both languages
- Solve workbooks, note idioms, and common errors
Recommended Resources
- NCERT grammar books (Class 9–10) in English and Hindi
- Bilingual press releases from government sources (PIB, MyGov)
- Language-specific comprehension and grammar guides
Conclusion
Aspirants spend years mastering GS and Optional subjects, but one neglected language paper can shut the door before the evaluation even begins. Treat these compulsory language paper UPSC components with the same seriousness. Regular practice, grammar revision, and structured writing will help you qualify easily — and ensure your hard work in other papers gets the credit it deserves.
Prepare smartly. Write clearly. Qualify confidently. Let your answers in GS, Essay, and Optional shine — but first, clear the gate.