The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts the Civil Services Examination, which consists of three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview).
The Main Examination includes a written examination with nine papers, and Paper B is the English Qualifying Paper. The purpose of this paper is to test the candidate’s ability to read and understand serious discursive prose and to express his/her ideas clearly and correctly, in English.
The English paper (Paper B) is a qualifying paper and its marks are not counted in the final ranking. Here is the syllabus for the UPSC Mains English Paper B:
UPSC Mains Paper B Syllabus: English (Qualifying)
- Comprehension Skills:
- Candidates are required to demonstrate their understanding of the given passages by summarizing them and answering questions based on them.
- Precis Writing:
- Candidates are expected to write a summary of the given passage in about one-third of the original length while retaining the main ideas and points.
- Communication Skills:
- Candidates are assessed on their ability to express their thoughts coherently and effectively.
- Grammar and Basic Language Skills:
- The paper may include questions related to grammar, vocabulary, and basic language skills.
- Interpersonal Skills:
- Candidates may be required to express their thoughts on given topics and respond to questions to evaluate their interpersonal skills.
It’s important to note that the English Paper B is of qualifying nature, and candidates need to secure a minimum qualifying mark in this paper. The marks obtained in Paper B are not counted for ranking, but candidates must pass this paper to move on to the evaluation of other papers.
As the syllabus may be subject to updates or changes, it is advisable to check the official UPSC website or notification for the most current information.
