Are you ready for the Mains?

Dear aspirants

As a teacher who has walked alongside dozens of Civil Services aspirants through the fire of UPSC preparation, I want to speak to you today—not from the pedestal of expertise, but as a fellow traveller who has seen the journey unfold many times over.

Let’s start with the dates—Prelims 2025 was held on May 25 and Mains begins on August 22. The period between the two are a shade under three months—or to be precise, 89 days. And if you’ve cleared Prelims, you know exactly how that feels: a mix of joy, panic and urgency.

This gap is a stark reminder: Mains is not a next step—it’s a parallel step. If you wait for Prelims results to start your Mains preparation, you’ve already lost crucial time. The message is loud and clear:

Prepare for Mains alongside Prelims if you truly aim to crack the exam.

Let’s now walk through the UPSC Mains Examination strategy—not just as a checklist of papers, but as a holistic, balanced and personalised plan of action.

Understanding the structure

The Civil Services (Mains) comprises nine papers:

• Two qualifying language papers (25% marks needed to qualify)
• Four General Studies papers (1000 marks total)
• One Essay paper (250 marks)
• Two optional papers (500 marks combined)

The qualifying language papers

These are your first hurdle—and though not counted in your merit list, they are mandatory to clear. Don’t ignore them. Pick a few past-year papers and write answers under timed conditions. Get them checked by a mentor or teacher.

Tip: Practice them just enough to build confidence. Don’t let an oversight here ruin your efforts in merit papers.

 General Studies (GS) – The core of Mains (1000 marks)

You must aim for at least 450+ in GS to stay competitive. Here’s a quick breakup:

1. GS Paper I – Indian Heritage & Culture, Modern & World History, Geography, Society
2. GS Paper II – Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations
3. GS Paper III – Economy, Science & Tech, Environment, Disaster Management, Internal Security
4. GS Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Strategy: Begin preparing for GS well before Prelims. Your goal should be complete syllabus coverage with value-added content, current affairs integration and answer-writing practice.

We’ll deep-dive into each of these papers in the coming weeks.

Optional subject (500 marks)

This is your game-changer. If you can score 300+ here, your rank and service allocation shoot up dramatically.

Choose your optional wisely—not based on trends, but on interest, aptitude and availability of resources & guidance. Once chosen, master it like your life depends on it.

Essay Paper (250 marks)

UPSC loves clarity, originality and structure in your essays. Write two essays (usually philosophical/social issues). Target at least 130+.

Practice essays every fortnight. Get them evaluated and learn how to improve content flow, coherence and creativity.

Building the right strategy: What you really need

Now let’s answer the real question: How should one prepare for Mains?

Here’s the heart of the matter—no sugar-coating.

1. When to start preparing for Mains?

The honest answer? You already should have. Mains and Prelims are not separate—they are two sides of the same coin.

While solving MCQs sharpens your facts, writing answers develops your understanding—and both skills complement each other. Start now, wherever you are.

2. What to read (and what not to)?

Choosing study material is often more confusing than the exam itself.

• Use selective, multiple sources, not a single book
• Rely on newspapers, Yojana, Kurukshetra, PRS, Government reports, Rajya Sabha TV, PIB, and make your own notes
• Avoid copy-pasting topper’s notes, solved PYQ books, or Telegram bundles
• Don’t accumulate. Curate. Digest. Write

“A well-understood paragraph in your notes is worth more than 10 pages of borrowed content.”

3. The art of answer writing

This is the soul of Mains.

Start small—write on familiar topics. Then move to PYQs. Don’t wait to ‘complete the syllabus’—writing is how you learn. After six months, start taking timed tests.

A good answer:

• Has structure: intro-body-conclusion
• Is concise and to the point
• Reflects diverse dimensions: economic, ethical, social, constitutional etc

4. Qualities of a Mains-ready candidate

Over the years, I’ve noticed certain patterns in successful candidates. Let me share a few:

• Consistency over intensity. Build a rhythm, not a burnout cycle
• Don’t chase perfection. Focus on progress
• Trust your own process. Blindly following toppers or online advice will derail your journey
• Self-belief is your armour. No mentor or test series can substitute that
• Time management is survival. Allocate time based on subject weightage
• Avoid hoarding study material. It only clutters your mind and sinks your confidence

Conclusion

Mains preparation is not just about writing—it’s about evolving: Evolving into a better thinker, faster writer and wiser learner. It’s hard—but it's also deeply fulfilling. You are not just preparing for a nine-paper exam; you’re preparing for a role that will shape India’s future.

So, let’s walk this path together—with clarity, courage and commitment.

Stay motivated. Stay connected. And if there’s anything you’d like to ask, write to us — we’re listening.

(The writer is Founder, Abhimanu IAS)