How To Crack Compulsory Language In UPSC Mains

To clear the UPSC mains exam there are two compulsory language papers apart from the regular papers. This compulsory language papers are called paper A. First one is English and the second one you can choose from the 22 specified Indian regional languages. Though this paper do not count in the final merit list, but they serve as a qualifying paper to test the language proficiency of an applicant. As both the papers are qualifying in nature but most of the aspirants still  find difficulties to attain minimum qualifying marks in these language papers.

So in this article we are providing some tips and tricks to crack the compulsory language in UPSC mains examination.

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Language Paper Format For UPSC Mains Examination

According to the UPSC 2020 guidelines the qualifying marks for each papers are 25% or 75 marks out of 300.

Format Of Compulsory Language Paper In UPSC

• Essay Writing carries 100 marks
• Reading Comprehension carries 60 marks
• Precise Writing carries 40 marks
• Translation carries 40 marks

1. Translating English to the compulsory language chosen for 20 marks
2.  Translating the Compulsory Indian language to English for 20 marks

• Language And Vocabulary 40 marks

Tips To Crack The Compulsory Indian Language Papers

• Select the language that you learned at school. It would be more easier.
• Most of the questions asked are of matriculation or equivalent standards.
• Start reading News paper daily it will improve your vocabulary, comprehensive skilling, sentence making and so on.
• Apart from the normal Newspaper try to read the Newspaper in the language that you have opted. This will gives an idea about modern method of writing in language.
• Start writing short paragraphs with your own words.
• To crack the translation part, thoroughly read the complete passage and understand the passage to make the crucial points to translate.
• To crack the vocabulary and language part prefer the study materials of your matriculation level language books that would help you to prepare grammatical roots, vocabulary and sentence building.
• Try to write and practice in your own regional languages.
• Practice translating from English to the regional language and vice versa.
• Follow the following rule when you attempt the question on translation:

If you are better in English than in the Indian language, you should do the Indian language to English translation first.

Conversely, if you are more comfortable in the Indian language as compared to English, you should attempt the translation from English to the vernacular first.

• Handwriting should be neat. Improve your handwriting by continuous practice on it.
• Practicing previous year question papers will enhance your writing speed.

Format Of Compulsory English Paper In UPSC

• Essay Writing carries 100 marks
• Reading Comprehension carries 75 marks
• Precise Writing carries 75 marks
• Language And Vocabulary 50 marks

Tips To Crack The Compulsory English Paper 

For essay writing, use the three patterns to organize a better essay – Introduction, main part and a conclusion part. The intention of essay writing is to understand the candidates thoughts, opinions and emotions in English at the basic level. Reading a selected newspaper daily will improve your language and writing skills.

To crack the reading comprehension read the content of the given paragraph thoroughly for a better understanding of it. Reread the passage and make a list of important points that could be used as a possible answers to the questions. To make this part easier, practice the comprehension part of previous year question papers.

Precis writing means summarizing a comprehension into short paragraph including all the main phrases from the comprehension. It includes all the key points so that anyone who reading it may understand the idea stated in the original passage. The most difficult part of precise writing is determining which concepts are relevant to the passage and eliminating those are not. So continuous practice with the previous question papers will make it easier for you. It is important to keep in mind that it is difficult to rewrite the identical sentences in a paragraph no matter how important they are.

For the Grammar and Vocabulary part aspirants needs to practice previous year question papers to understand the pattern clearly and try to read newspaper regularly which will helps you to an extent.

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Some Essential Tips And Tricks To Crack the Compulsory Language Papers In UPSC Mains

• Start with the sections you are good at.
• Make sure to understand the fundamentals of English grammar.
• Make sure the handwriting should be neat that helps the better understanding of your thoughts and ideas
• Avoid spelling mistakes.
• Make sure to have clarity in your answers.
• Try to read newspapers and other vocabulary books that will develop your vocabulary skills.
• If you are not been writing in your regional language after your school education, it is important to write and practice in that language.
• To understand the current pattern of the exam practice previous year question papers.

FAQ’S

Q: Is it compulsory to write compulsory language paper in UPCS mains examination?

Ans: Yes, it is the required language for all the candidates, but it is exempted for the candidates those are from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Q: How many marks are required to pass compulsory Indian language UPSC?

Ans: You need to score 25% or 75+ marks out of 300 marks in order to pass this paper.

Q: How to prepare compulsory English for UPSC?

Ans: Write a rough structure of the essay which should consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Candidates should use active voice while writing an essay and passive voice should not be preferred. Candidates should use different choices of words and usage of repetitive words should be avoided.