The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 English Literature Paper – II question paper, giving aspirants a clear look at the exam’s depth and analytical expectations. The paper, which is part of the optional subject in the UPSC Mains, tests candidates’ ability to interpret, evaluate, and discuss works of modern English literature with precision and maturity.
I am writing about this because English Literature continues to be a popular choice among UPSC aspirants with a background in arts and humanities. Each year, candidates look forward to these official question papers to understand how the Commission frames questions around literary analysis, thematic depth, and contextual understanding. Reviewing these papers helps both new and repeat candidates plan their preparation better. It’s not just about reading texts, but about understanding the thought process UPSC expects in analytical answers.
Overview of the English Literature Paper II
English Literature Paper II is the second paper of the optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination. It carries 250 marks and is a descriptive paper. Unlike Paper I, which focuses on older English literary periods, Paper II mainly covers modern and contemporary works from the 19th century onwards, including Indian Writing in English.
Key Details:
- Exam Name: Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025
- Subject: English Literature – Paper II
- Total Marks: 250
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Type of Paper: Descriptive (Essay format)
- Medium: English only
Syllabus Coverage for English Literature Paper II
The syllabus of English Literature Paper II includes a wide range of authors and literary forms that represent the diversity and evolution of modern English writing. It tests comprehension, interpretation, and comparative analysis.
Major sections include:
- Modern British Literature: From 1900 onwards, covering poets like W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot, Philip Larkin, and dramatists like Beckett and Osborne.
- Novelists: Joseph Conrad, D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce.
- Postcolonial Literature: Works by Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and Salman Rushdie.
- Indian Writing in English: R.K. Narayan, Anita Desai, and Arundhati Roy.
- Literary Criticism and Theory: Basic principles and key critical movements.
How to Download the UPSC English Literature Paper II (2025)
Candidates who wish to download the question paper can do so easily by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website – www.upsc.gov.in
- Go to the Examinations section
- Click on Previous Question Papers
- Select Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025
- Look for English Literature Paper II
- Download the PDF to your device for future reference
N.B: If you want to download the question paper without any difficulty, you can easily download it by clicking here.
This paper will also be available on popular UPSC preparation platforms that compile and organise optional subject papers year-wise for candidate convenience.


















