The UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025, also known as Paper A, is one of the two compulsory language papers. While it does not count towards the final merit, the paper is qualifying in nature and it is essential to move ahead in the selection process. This paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to comprehend, write, and use grammar accurately in a chosen Indian language. In 2025, the Indian Language Paper was conducted on 30 August in the morning session (9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon). It carries 300 marks, and candidates need to secure at least 25% to clear it.
UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025
The UPSC gives candidates the option to write the UPSC CSE Exam 2025 in any one of the 22 Indian languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. While many aspirants tend to underestimate this paper, failing it leads to outright disqualification, which makes it an essential part of preparation. Candidates must choose one language from the list provided in the Eighth Schedule, given below:
| UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025 | |
| Language | Script |
|
Assamese |
Assamese |
|
Bengali |
Bengali |
|
Gujarati |
Gujarati |
|
Hindi |
Devanagari |
|
Kannada |
Kannada |
|
Kashmiri |
Persian |
|
Konkani |
Devanagari |
|
Malayalam |
Malayalam |
|
Manipuri |
Bengali |
|
Marathi |
Devanagari |
|
Nepali |
Devanagari |
|
Odia |
Odia |
|
Punjabi |
Gurumukhi |
|
Sanskrit |
Devanagari |
|
Sindhi |
Devanagari or Arabic |
|
Tamil |
Tamil |
|
Telugu |
Telugu |
|
Urdu |
Persian |
|
Bodo |
Devanagari |
|
Dogri |
Devanagari |
|
Maithili |
Devanagari |
|
Santhali |
Devanagari or Olchiki |
Also Check: UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025
UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025 Download PDF
After the exam, this section will be updated with the latest question papers. Candidates can download the UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025 PDF from the below shared direct links. Join Our UPSC Mains Test Series - Master Answer Writing, Track Your Progress, and Excel in the UPSC Mains Examination.
| UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025 Download PDF | |
| Language | Download Link |
|
Assamese |
Out Soon |
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Bengali |
Out Soon |
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Gujarati |
Out Soon |
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Hindi |
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Kannada |
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Kashmiri |
Out Soon |
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Konkani |
Out Soon |
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Malayalam |
Out Soon |
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Manipuri |
Out Soon |
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Marathi |
Out Soon |
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Nepali |
Out Soon |
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Odia |
Out Soon |
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Punjabi |
Out Soon |
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Sanskrit |
Out Soon |
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Sindhi |
Out Soon |
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Tamil |
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Telugu |
Out Soon |
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Urdu |
Out Soon |
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Bodo |
Out Soon |
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Dogri |
Out Soon |
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Maithili |
Out Soon |
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Santhali |
Out Soon |
Also Check: UPSC Mains Question Paper 2025
UPSC Mains Indian Language Exam Pattern 2025
Papers A and B are qualifying in nature, but candidates must secure at least 25% marks in each to move forward in the UPSC Mains Exam 2025. This makes it important for aspirants to be clear about the pattern of the compulsory language papers and prepare accordingly:
| UPSC Mains Indian Language Exam Pattern 2025 | |
| Particular | Details |
|
Paper |
Paper A |
|
Duration |
3 hours |
|
Total Marks |
300 |
|
Total Section |
Five |
|
Qualifying Marks |
75 (25% of total marks) |
Also Check: UPSC Mains Optional Paper 2025
UPSC Mains Indian Language Syllabus 2025
UPSC Mains Indian Language Syllabus 2025 is key to effective preparation which is published in the official notification on the UPSC website. The Indian Language Paper generally covers the following components:
| UPSC Mains Indian Language Syllabus 2025 | ||
| Section | Marks | Description |
|
Essay |
100 Marks |
Write an essay on a topic of general interest. The essay is meant to assess the candidate’s ability to express their thoughts in a structured and coherent manner. |
|
Reading Comprehension |
60 marks |
A passage will be given, followed by questions. The candidate needs to understand the content and answer accordingly. |
|
Precis Writing |
60 marks |
Summarize a given passage in your own words while maintaining the original essence. |
|
Translation |
20+20=40 marks |
Two translations: (1) from the Indian language to English and (2) from English to the Indian language. |
|
Grammar and Usage |
40 marks |
Basic grammar, including syntax, sentence structure, and vocabulary. |
UPSC Compulsory Indian Language Paper Qualifying Marks
The UPSC Compulsory Indian Language Paper Qualifying Marks is 25%, which means candidates need at least 75 out of 300 to pass. While this might look simple on paper, many aspirants falter due to lack of preparation. It’s important to note that the marks from this paper are not counted towards the final merit list. Still, failure to clear it leads to outright disqualification, no matter how well you perform in other papers.
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In short, it’s a mandatory qualifying paper that demands attention even though it doesn’t affect your overall rank.
Last updated on August, 2026
→ UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th August 2026.
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ UPSC Mains Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in early August at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2027 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mentorship Program 2027 for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.
→ Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-I 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-II 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-III 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-IV 2025, UPSC Mains English (Compulsory) Paper 2025, UPSC Mains Hindi (Qualifying) Paper 2025 here.
→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.
→ UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
UPSC Mains Indian Language Paper 2025 FAQs
Q1. Will the UPSC pattern change in 2025?+
Q2. What is the date of UPSC Mains exam 2025?+
Q3. What is the paper pattern of UPSC 2025?+
Q4. Will UPSC give extra attempts in 2025?+
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