In the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination, the Paper-B English is the primary qualifying paper. Candidates must secure a minimum score in this paper for their other Mains examination papers to be evaluated.
Understanding Qualifying Papers in UPSC Mains
The UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination includes papers that are "qualifying" in nature. This means candidates must pass these papers by achieving a minimum threshold of marks, but the scores obtained in these particular papers are not counted towards the final merit ranking. Their primary purpose is to ensure a candidate's basic proficiency in language skills.
For the purpose of evaluation and as per the specified criteria, the following table details the minimum marks required for the qualifying paper:
| Paper(s) | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper-B English | 25% marks |
Papers Counted for Merit
Unlike the qualifying papers, the majority of the UPSC Mains papers are evaluated for merit, meaning the scores obtained in these papers contribute directly to a candidate's final ranking and selection for the interview stage. While these papers also have minimum qualifying mark criteria, their scores are critically important for overall performance. Some examples include:
- Paper-I Essay: Requires a minimum of 10% marks.
- Paper-II General Studies-I: Requires a minimum of 10% marks.
- Paper-III General Studies-II: Requires a minimum of 10% marks.
Importance of Qualifying Papers
Failing to secure the minimum qualifying marks in Paper-B English means that the candidate's other Mains examination papers (such as Essay, General Studies papers, and Optional Subject papers) will not be evaluated. This effectively leads to disqualification from the Mains examination, irrespective of the scores obtained in the merit-counting papers. Therefore, it is crucial for aspirants to prepare adequately for these qualifying papers to ensure their path to the next stages of the examination remains open.
For more detailed information on the minimum marks required to qualify in the UPSC Main Exam, you can refer to additional resources.
