The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct Civil Services Mains exam 2018 from September 28 to October 4. The Civil Services Main exam is subjective type in nature.
As per the latest IAS exam 2017 pattern, there are nine descriptive papers in IAS Mains, out of which marks for only seven are taken into consideration while preparing the final merit.
The remaining two are merely qualifying in nature and a candidate has to score minimum marks prescribed by UPSC, each year, to qualify.
The seven papers whose marks are counted towards the final merit are of 250 marks each. While the two qualifying papers are of 300 marks each.
(Read: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam 2018: Follow these tips to crack the exam)
