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The UPSC Mains 2026 examination commenced today, with the Essay Paper being conducted as the first paper of the examination.
The Essay Paper is an important part of the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination and tests a candidate’s ability to develop a coherent argument, analyse a topic from multiple perspectives, and present ideas in a clear and structured manner.
As the examination is now over, we are providing the UPSC Mains 2026 Essay Paper PDF, along with the complete list of essay topics in written format.
The question paper will be useful for UPSC aspirants preparing for future attempts, analysing the latest essay trends, and preparing for Mains 2027.
You can download the UPSC Mains 2026 Essay Paper PDF from the link given below or refer to the topics provided in text format on this page.
UPSC Mains 2026 Essay Paper Topics
Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000–1200 words each.
SECTION-A
Q1. Oxymorons reflect the ironies of life.
Q2. A grateful mind is very beautiful.
Q3. A thorn is a changed bud.
Q4. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled.
SECTION-B
Q5. Nature is the symbol of the spirit.
Q6. A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.
Q7. Shelving hard decisions is the least ethical course.
Q8. A good leader is one who follows the followers.
UPSC Mains 2026 Essay Paper Pattern
The Essay Paper in the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination carries 250 marks and is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to express ideas logically, analyse issues from different dimensions, and construct a well-organised argument.
Key Features of the Essay Paper
- Paper: Essay
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 hours
- Sections: The paper is divided into two sections – Section A and Section B.
- Choice of Topics: Candidates are required to write one essay from each section.
- Word Limit: Candidates are generally required to write essays of about 1000–1200 words each.
- Nature of Topics: The paper may include philosophical, abstract, social, political, economic, ethical, cultural and contemporary themes.
Other UPSC Mains 2026 Question Papers
| Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | Click Here |
| GS Paper 2 | Click Here |
| GS Paper 3 | Click Here |
| GS Paper 4 | Click Here |
To access all other mains PYQs – Click Here
