The paper every Mains candidate has to face
Unlike an optional subject, the English Language paper is compulsory, so this page concerns nearly every candidate who reaches the Main Examination. The PDF is the 2014 English Language question paper, seven pages in length, saved from the archived official copy. It carries only the paper itself, with no model answers.
Contents you can expect
Papers of this kind test practical command of the language rather than literature. Typical components are an essay-style piece of writing, comprehension of unseen passages, precis writing, usage and vocabulary, and short exercises in grammar. The seven pages here show how those exercises were laid out in 2014 and how much space candidates had to respond. Look at the instructions at the start, since they state how many questions must be done and what is compulsory.
Who needs it most
- Candidates from regional-language backgrounds who are less comfortable writing in English
- Anyone who has not written formal English since graduation
- Teachers designing a short course for civil services aspirants
Preparation steps
Start with comprehension, because it is the most predictable part and the easiest to improve through daily reading of good newspaper editorials. Next, work on precis writing: read a passage, cut it to about a third without losing the argument, and compare with a friend’s version. Then take up essay and short composition, writing to a time limit and checking sentence structure. Finally, take this paper as a complete mock and mark yourself strictly on clarity, correctness and relevance.
Link with the syllabus
The Main Examination includes a paper in English that candidates are required to clear, and the rules for how it counts have varied across years. Check the notification for your own attempt year to find out how marks are treated. This file tells you what the 2014 paper asked, which is a reliable guide to the type of skill required even where rules change.
| Skill | Daily habit |
|---|---|
| Reading | One editorial with a three-line summary |
| Vocabulary | Five new words used in sentences |
| Writing | One timed paragraph or precis |
As a closing check, read your best answer aloud. If a listener can follow the argument without seeing the page, the structure is sound; if not, simplify.
Printed support
Competer carries printed English preparation books and UPSC previous year collections for revision on paper.
