How many papers are there in UPSC Mains examination and their mark breakdown?

The UPSC Mains examination consists of nine descriptive papers in total, which are categorised into qualifying and merit-ranking papers.
The first two are the Qualifying Papers, consisting of Paper A (an Indian Language) and Paper B (English). Each is worth 300 marks. While these marks are not included in your final ranking, you must secure a minimum of 25% in both to have your remaining papers evaluated.
The core of the Mains consists of seven Merit-Ranking Papers, each worth 250 marks, totaling 1,750 marks. These include:

• Paper I: Essay
• Papers II–V: Four General Studies papers covering History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Ethics.
• Papers VI–VII: Two papers dedicated to your chosen Optional Subject.

Your performance in these seven papers, combined with the 275 marks from the Personality Test (Interview), forms the basis of the final result. The grand total for the merit list is calculated out of 2,025 marks. This structure ensures that while language proficiency is verified, the final selection is determined by a candidate's depth of knowledge, analytical ability, and ethical reasoning.