Language Options for UPSC Mains Exams: Writing Optional Paper in English and Others in Hindi

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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) allows candidates a great deal of flexibility in choosing the language for their UPSC Mains examinations. You have the option to write your optional paper in English and all other papers in Hindi or any other permissible language. This article will explore the guidelines and the procedures to follow.

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Official Guidelines from UPSC

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According to the UPSC, candidates have the option to choose the medium of examination for each paper. For instance, you can choose Hindi for the General Studies papers and the Essay paper, and opt for English for your optional subject. It is essential to indicate your preferred language for each paper in your application form.

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Key Points from UPSC Guidelines

r r r While answering the General Studies (GS) papers, Essay, and Preliminary examination, you can choose to write in Hindi, any Indian language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, or English.r For the Qualifying Language Papers (Paper A and Paper B), you must use an Indian language from the Eighth Schedule or English.r Candidates also have the option to write their optional papers in English, provided they are opting to answer Papers I to V in Hindi or any other Indian language from the Eighth Schedule.r r r

Practical Approach

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The decision to write your optional paper in English and the rest of the papers in Hindi can be advantageous, but it requires careful consideration and planning. Here are the steps and strategies to follow:

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Step-by-Step Guide

r r r Indicate Your Language Preferences: Clearly mention your preferred language for each paper in the application form.r Choose the Right Medium: For the General Studies papers, choose Hindi. For the Essay paper, choose Hindi also.r Optional Paper in English: If your optional subject is prepared in English, it is better to stick to English. However, if English is not your strong suit, you can opt for Hindi or any other language from the Eighth Schedule.r Preliminary Examination: Choose the language of your choice for the Preliminary examination.r Logistics and Preparation: Ensure that the language you select for the optional paper aligns with your preparation strategy and avoids any logistical issues during the examination.r r r

Real-World Examples and UPSC Notes

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Here are a few examples and notes to guide you:

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Example 1: UPSC RTI Response

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Consider the following excerpt from an UPSC reply to an RTI query:

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Candidates will have the option to answer all the question papers except the Qualifying Language Papers Paper-A and Paper-B in any one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India or in English. Notwithstanding this, the candidate will have the choice to write the Optional Papers in English also, if candidates opt to write Paper I-V except the Qualifying Language Papers Paper-A and Paper-B in any one of the language included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

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Read Note 3 in the UPSC 2018 CSE notification for more details.

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Example 2: UPSC 2018 CSE Notification

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Refer to the 2018 CSE notification for an official screenshot that confirms the language options available. This document highlights the comprehensive guidelines provided by UPSC for choosing the language for each paper.

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Conclusion

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Having the flexibility to choose the language for each paper in the UPSC Mains exams is a significant advantage. If your optional paper is prepared in English and you are comfortable with it, then it is recommended to stick with English. However, if you prefer to write in Hindi, it is perfectly permissible to do so, provided you clearly indicate your preferences in the application form.

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Key Takeaways:r r UPSC allows candidates to write the optional paper in English and other papers in Hindi or any other permissible language.r Candidates must clearly indicate their language preferences for each paper in their application.r Consult the official UPSC guidelines and notification for detailed information.r