UPSC Indian Language Paper (11 Best tips)

The UPSC civil services examination is one of the most competitive and challenging exams in India. The UPSC Indian language paper (Paper A) is a qualifying paper. Therefore, it requires you to score a minimum of 75 out of 300 marks. Although the marks obtained in this paper do not count towards the final ranking. However, it is essential to clear this paper as it is a prerequisite for evaluating the other papers. Explore here to get exclusive tips and strategies to help you prepare for the UPSC Indian language paper.

Exclusive tips for UPSC Indian language paper

Select your language wisely: It is crucial to select the language that you are most comfortable with and have a basic grip over. It is recommended that you choose the language you have learned in school. So, it will make the preparation process more manageable.

Use CBSE school level books: CBSE school level books (Std. X) are an excellent resource for preparing for the Indian language paper. They cover all the necessary grammar rules and vocabulary needed for the exam.

Read a newspaper in your chosen language: Apart from your regular newspaper, read a newspaper in the language you have opted for at least 15 minutes every day. This will familiarize you with the subtleties of the language and give you a modern method of writing in the language.

Write and practice: If you have not been writing in the regional language after your schooling, writing practice is imperative. Practice common spelling and punctuation to improve your writing speed and accuracy.

Practice translating: Practice translating from English to the regional language and vice versa. This will help you develop your language skills and improve your translation accuracy.

Improve your handwriting: Handwriting should be legible and neat; if it is not so, please work on it by practising. You must ensure that the examiner can read and understand what you have written.

How to write the UPSC Indian language paper

Read the question paper properly first: Before answering any questions, read the question paper carefully to understand the instructions and the type of questions being asked.

Answer questions in which you are confident and comfortable: If your grammar skills are good, you are advised to complete the questions on grammar first. If grammar is not your forte, answer the comprehension passage first.

Simplify language for the essay question: Opt for simple but effective language when answering the essay question. Try to attempt the essay question at the end with at least forty minutes to spare. This will allow you to develop enough ‘flow’ to pen your essay.

Avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors: Check your answers for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors before submitting your paper. Such errors can significantly impact your scores.

Follow the translation question rule: If you are better in English than in the Indian language, you should attempt the Indian language to English translation first. Conversely, if you are more comfortable in the Indian language as compared to English, you should attempt the translation from English to the vernacular first.

Conclusion

It is vital to clear the UPSC Indian language paper to be eligible for the other papers. Therefore, you must allocate sufficient time and effort to prepare for this paper. Using the above tips and strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of scoring well in the UPSC Indian language paper.