BharatNotes Paper A (Indian Language, 300 marks) and Paper B (English, 300 marks) are both qualifying papers — you need 25% (75/300) in each. Neither counts toward your merit rank. Paper A exemption applies to candidates from six North-Eastern states.
Overview: Two Compulsory Qualifying Papers
| Feature | Paper A — Indian Language | Paper B — English |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | 300 | 300 |
| Qualifying threshold | 25% = 75/300 | 25% = 75/300 |
| Counts toward merit? | No | No |
| Can fail it without impact? | No — failure = full disqualification | No — failure = full disqualification |
| Language options | 22 Eighth Schedule languages | English only |
| Who is exempt? | Candidates from 6 NE states | Nobody — mandatory for all |
| When held (CSE 2025) | 30 August 2025, 9am–12pm | Same day, afternoon |
Source: UPSC CSE 2025 Notification; CSE Rules, Gazette of India; UPSC Compulsory Language Paper analysis (PWOnlyIAS, 2025)
Paper A — Indian Language: Full Details
Qualifying marks: 75 out of 300 (25%). This threshold is absolute — there is no grace, and there is no relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates on qualifying papers.
Language options for Paper A: Candidates choose one from the 22 Eighth Schedule languages listed below:
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri (Meitei), Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
Key: The language chosen for Paper A does not have to match your Mains medium. A candidate writing GS in English can choose Tamil for Paper A.
Paper A Structure (300 marks):
| Section | Marks | What is tested |
|---|---|---|
| Essay writing (in chosen language) | 100 | Expression, coherence, argument in the chosen language |
| Reading Comprehension | 60 | Understanding a passage; questions in the chosen language |
| Précis Writing | 60 | Summarise a passage while retaining core meaning |
| Translation — English to chosen language | 20 | Accuracy of translation; language equivalence |
| Translation — Chosen language to English | 20 | Reverse translation; comprehension and expression |
| Grammar and Usage | 40 | Correctness, vocabulary, sentence structure |
| Total | 300 |
Source: UPSC Compulsory Language Paper syllabus 2025; PWOnlyIAS, VisionIAS analysis
Paper B — English: Full Details
Who must appear: Every single UPSC Mains candidate, without exception. There is no state-based or background-based exemption from Paper B.
Qualifying marks: 75/300 (25%). Same absolute threshold as Paper A.
Paper B Structure: Mirrors Paper A in format — Essay, Comprehension, Précis, Translation (Indian language to English and reverse), Grammar. The level tested is approximately Class 10–12 standard English proficiency.
Critical consequence: If you fail Paper B, none of your GS Papers or Optional papers are evaluated. You are effectively disqualified from Mains, regardless of how well you wrote other papers. This applies to every candidate including those writing GS in Hindi or regional languages.
North-East State Exemption from Paper A
Candidates whose home state's official language is not on the Eighth Schedule are exempted from Paper A. The six states are:
| State | Reason for exemption |
|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | Multiple tribal languages; no single Eighth Schedule option |
| Manipur | Manipuri is on the schedule, but the state has many non-schedule tribal communities — exemption applies to Meitei and non-Meitei candidates alike |
| Meghalaya | Official state language (English) not on Eighth Schedule |
| Mizoram | Official state language (Mizo) not on Eighth Schedule |
| Nagaland | Official state language (English) not on Eighth Schedule |
| Sikkim | No single Eighth Schedule language serves as state-wide first language |
These candidates still must appear for Paper B (English) — there is no exemption from that.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make on Paper A and B
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Treating Paper A as trivial because it is 'only qualifying' | Candidates have been disqualified scoring 60–70/300; 75 is not automatic |
| Not preparing for Translation sections | Translation (40 marks) requires specific practice; casual preparation fails |
| Choosing an obscure Eighth Schedule language for Paper A without proficiency | Risk of writing below 75 if you are not genuinely fluent in that language |
| Ignoring Paper B entirely if writing GS in English | Paper B tests précis and translation skills not routinely practiced |
Mentor Tips
- Prepare for Paper A with at least 20–30 practice sessions on précis writing and translation. These are skill-based, not knowledge-based — you improve with drills.
- For translation sections: Practise translating 1–2 paragraphs of editorial-level English text into your chosen Indian language and back every week for three months before Mains.
- For Paper B: Native Hindi-medium candidates sometimes underperform on the English précis and translation sections. Spend 15 minutes a day for two months reading editorials and summarising them in 80 words — this is the entire skill being tested.
- Do not choose a language for Paper A that you cannot write fluidly. Some candidates choose Sanskrit hoping it is easier — it is not, and poor Sanskrit results in disqualification.
