UPSC Prelims vs Mains Difference 2026 – Complete Detailed Comparison
Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. Among these, the Prelims and Mains are the two written stages that determine a candidate’s progress in the selection process.
Many aspirants prepare for UPSC without clearly understanding the structural difference between Prelims and Mains. This often leads to inefficient preparation strategies.
The UPSC Prelims is a screening stage, while the Mains is a descriptive and merit-deciding stage. Both stages test different skills and require different preparation approaches.
This article explains the difference between UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains in detail.
Important Dates
The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification is expected to be released in February 2026.
Tentative timeline:
Notification Release: February 2026
Prelims Exam Date: May–June 2026
Prelims Result: July 2026 (Expected)
Mains Exam Date: September–October 2026
Mains Result: Early 2027
Candidates who qualify in Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains Examination.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for both Prelims and Mains are the same since both are stages of the same examination.
Candidates must be at least 21 years old.
The maximum age limit for General category candidates is 32 years, with relaxation available for OBC, SC, ST, and other reserved categories as per government rules.
A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is mandatory.
Candidates must first qualify in Prelims to appear in Mains. Only those who clear the Prelims cut-off are eligible for the Mains Examination.
Application Process
Candidates apply only once for the UPSC Civil Services Examination through the official UPSC website.
The application form includes selection for both Prelims and Mains stages. However, candidates must fill a separate Detailed Application Form (DAF) after qualifying in the Prelims to appear in the Mains Examination.
Applicants must carefully choose their optional subject during the Mains application stage.
All updates, admit cards, and notifications are released on the official UPSC website.
Selection Process
The UPSC Prelims Examination consists of two objective-type papers conducted in offline mode.
General Studies Paper I carries 200 marks and includes subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Environment, and Current Affairs.
General Studies Paper II, also known as CSAT, carries 200 marks and tests comprehension, logical reasoning, analytical ability, and basic numeracy. CSAT is qualifying in nature, and candidates must secure at least 33 percent marks in this paper.
Only marks from General Studies Paper I are considered for qualifying to the Mains stage.
The Prelims is only a screening test. Marks obtained in Prelims are not counted in the final merit list.
The UPSC Mains Examination consists of nine descriptive papers.
Two papers are qualifying in nature, including an Indian language paper and an English language paper.
The remaining seven papers are counted for merit. These include Essay, four General Studies papers, and two papers of the chosen Optional subject.
Mains answers must be written in a structured and analytical manner. Unlike Prelims, where objective answers are selected, Mains requires detailed written responses.
Candidates who clear the Mains are called for the Personality Test or Interview. Final selection is based on marks obtained in Mains and Interview combined.
Salary
The salary for candidates selected through UPSC Civil Services does not depend on Prelims or Mains performance separately. It depends on final rank and service allocation.
Selected officers receive a starting basic pay of ₹56,100 per month under Pay Level 10.
In addition to basic pay, officers receive allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Travel Allowance.
Senior officers at higher ranks receive higher pay as per government norms.
Direct Official Link
Candidates must refer only to the official Union Public Service Commission website for authentic and updated details regarding UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026:
Always verify examination structure and eligibility criteria through the official notification before applying.