In the UPSC Mains, marks are distributed across several papers, totaling 1750 marks. There are nine papers, including two qualifying papers and seven merit-based papers. The compulsory qualifying papers consist of one in any Indian language and one in English, each carrying 300 marks. The remaining seven papers, each worth 250 marks, cover subjects such as General Studies, Essay, and optional subjects. Mastery in these areas is crucial for aspirants aiming for high overall scores.