What are the 7 papers of UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination, commonly known as the UPSC exam. The examination consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Interview (Personality Test).

Here are the seven papers of the UPSC exam:

1. 1. General Studies Paper I (Preliminary Examination): This paper tests candidates’ knowledge in various subjects such as Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science and Technology, and Current Affairs.
   2. General Studies Paper II (Preliminary Examination): Also known as the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), this paper evaluates candidates’ comprehension, interpersonal skills, communication, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, and basic numeracy skills.
   3. Essay (Main Examination): Candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics. The essay paper evaluates the candidate’s ability to express ideas coherently and present arguments effectively.
   4. General Studies Paper I (Main Examination): This paper covers various subjects such as Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, Science and Technology, and Current Affairs.
   5. General Studies Paper II (Main Examination): This paper primarily focuses on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. It includes topics like Indian Constitution, Governance, Social Justice, and International Relations.
   6. Optional Subject Paper I (Main Examination): Candidates are required to choose one optional subject from a list provided by the UPSC. The first paper of the optional subject covers the syllabus prescribed by the UPSC for that subject.
   7. Optional Subject Paper II (Main Examination): The second paper of the optional subject, similar to Paper I, covers the syllabus prescribed by the UPSC for the chosen subject.

The list of optional subjects includes various disciplines such as Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Anthropology, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Commerce and Accountancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science and International Relations, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Statistics, Zoology, and Literature of various languages.

Candidates can choose any one of the subjects listed above as their optional subject for the Main Examination. The Main Examination is subjective in nature, and candidates are required to answer questions in essay format, providing detailed and comprehensive responses.