by The UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 was conducted on 30th August 2025 in the second shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. This paper is part of the Civil Services Mains Examination and is qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure the minimum required marks to ensure their Mains answer sheets are evaluated. Though qualifying, it holds immense importance as failure here leads to outright disqualification.
UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025: Exam Overview
The English Compulsory Paper follows a simple structure with questions based on essay writing, comprehension, précis writing, translation, and grammar. The focus is on assessing reading, writing, and understanding abilities.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services Mains – English Compulsory Paper |
| Date | 30th August 2025 |
| Shift | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Second Shift) |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Nature | Qualifying |
| Marks | 300 |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 75 (25%) approx. |
| Sections | Essay, Comprehension, Précis, Translation, Grammar |
UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 Download PDF Link
The UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 was held on 30th August 2025 in the second shift (2:30 pm – 5:30 pm). Aspirants can now download the official question paper PDF to check the type of questions asked in essay, précis, comprehension, translation, and grammar. Click on the link below to access the UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 PDF for detailed analysis and preparation reference.
Click on Link UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 PDF
UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025: Structure and Pattern
The paper consisted of five major sections that tested different skills. The weightage and distribution are broadly as follows:
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Essay Writing (100–120 marks) – Write on one of the given topics in 600–800 words.
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Précis Writing (60 marks) – Condense a given passage to one-third of its length.
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Comprehension (50 marks) – Answer questions based on an unseen passage.
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Translation (40–50 marks) – Translate a passage from English to a regional language and vice versa.
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Grammar & Usage (30–40 marks) – Questions on sentence correction, fill in the blanks, antonyms, synonyms, etc.
Essay Writing in UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025
The essay section carried the highest weightage and demanded clarity, coherence, and structured thought. Candidates were required to choose one topic from a set of four. The topics were general in nature, encouraging logical analysis rather than factual depth.
Précis Writing – Testing Brevity and Clarity
The précis section is a classic test of conciseness and comprehension. A long passage was provided, and candidates had to compress it into one-third length without losing meaning. This skill mirrors the requirements of civil servants who must summarize lengthy reports and policies.
Comprehension Passage – Assessing Reading Skills
The comprehension passage tested a candidate’s ability to understand, interpret, and infer ideas. Around 5–6 questions were asked based on one passage. These included direct factual questions, meaning of phrases, and interpretive ones requiring analytical thinking.
Translation Section – Language Flexibility
The translation part included converting a passage from English to a regional language (chosen by the candidate) and another from the regional language back into English. This section is especially challenging for those not equally comfortable in both languages.
Grammar and Usage – The Scoring Section
The grammar section consisted of sentence correction, antonyms, synonyms, fill-in-the-blanks, and idiomatic expressions. Though carrying fewer marks, this section is highly scoring. A strong grasp of basic grammar rules helps candidates secure marks quickly. Many aspirants make the mistake of ignoring grammar, but consistent practice can guarantee these 30-40 marks.
UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 – Difficulty Level Analysis
The paper in 2025 was rated as moderate, with most candidates finding the grammar and comprehension sections straightforward. However, the précis passage was dense, and the essay topics required balanced thinking.
| Section | Difficulty Level 2025 |
|---|---|
| Essay Writing | Moderate – Analytical |
| Précis Writing | Slightly Difficult |
| Comprehension | Easy to Moderate |
| Translation | Moderate |
| Grammar & Usage | Easy |
Past Year Trends of UPSC English Compulsory Paper
Over the years, the structure of the English Compulsory Paper has remained consistent. However, the essay topics change every year, reflecting current affairs, philosophy, and general issues.
| Year | Essay Trend | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Analytical/General issues | Moderate |
| 2024 | Social and Ethical themes | Easy-Moderate |
| 2023 | Technology and Development | Moderate |
| 2022 | Environment and Governance | Moderate |
| 2021 | Philosophy and Human Values | Slightly Difficult |
How to Prepare for UPSC English Compulsory Paper
Preparation for this paper requires consistent practice rather than rote learning.
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Essay: Practice 2–3 essays weekly on diverse topics. Focus on structure (Introduction, Body, Conclusion).
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Précis: Take passages from newspapers or reports and summarize them.
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Comprehension: Read editorials and practice answering questions in your own words.
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Translation: Practice bilingual writing between English and your regional language.
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Grammar: Revise rules and solve exercises regularly.
Recommended Books and Resources
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Wren & Martin – High School English Grammar & Composition (for grammar)
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Oxford Guide to Precis Writing
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Editorials of The Hindu/Indian Express (for comprehension and précis practice)
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Previous Year Papers (for understanding structure and difficulty)
UPSC English Compulsory Paper – Qualifying Nature
It is important to emphasize that marks in the English Compulsory Paper do not add to the merit list. They only serve as a qualifying filter. Candidates need to secure the minimum marks (generally around 75–90 marks out of 300) to ensure their other Mains papers are evaluated.
FAQs on UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025
Q1. When was the UPSC English Compulsory Paper 2025 conducted?
It was held on 30th August 2025 in the second shift from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Q2. What is the total mark of the paper?
The paper carries 300 marks, but it is only qualifying in nature.
Q3. What is the minimum passing mark?
Candidates generally need to score around 75–90 marks to qualify.
Q4. Are these marks counted in the final merit list?
No. The marks are not added to the merit, but failure results in disqualification.
Q5. What are the main sections of the paper?
Essay, précis, comprehension, translation, and grammar.
FAQs on Cracking UPSC in 1 Year
Q1. Can I crack UPSC in 1 year without coaching?
Yes, many aspirants clear UPSC without coaching by relying on standard books, online resources, and self-study.
Q2. How many hours should I study daily for UPSC in one year?
On average, 8–10 hours of focused study per day is sufficient for one-year preparation.
Q3. Is 1 year enough for beginners?
Yes, even beginners can crack UPSC in one year if they follow a disciplined plan and revise regularly.
Q4. Which is more important – Prelims or Mains?
Both are equally important. Prelims is the qualifying stage, but Mains and Interview decide the final rank.
