The APSC Mains Question Paper 2026 PDF is an important resource for candidates preparing for the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). The question papers help aspirants understand the examination pattern, analyse question trends and improve their descriptive answer-writing skills.
The APSC CCE Mains examination for the 2025 cycle is being conducted from 9 October to 11 October 2026. The written examination consists of six papers: Essay, General Studies I, General Studies II, General Studies III, General Studies IV and General Studies V.
Candidates can use the table below to access the APSC Mains Question Paper 2026 PDFs. The paper-wise links will be updated as the respective question papers become available. Until then, aspirants can practise with previous-year APSC CCE Mains question papers.
APSC Mains Question Paper 2026 PDF Download
Candidates can find the question papers for all six APSC CCE Mains papers in the table below. Check this page for updates and download the relevant PDF for practice and analysis.
| Paper | Subject | Question Paper PDF |
| Paper I | Essay | Download here |
| Paper II | General Studies I | Download here |
| Paper III | General Studies II | Coming Soon |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | Coming Soon |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | Coming Soon |
| Paper VI | General Studies V | Coming Soon |
Note: The PDF links will be updated after the respective question papers are available. Please check the paper name and examination year before downloading any file.
Candidates can also visit the official APSC website for examination notifications and official updates.
APSC CCE Mains Exam 2026: Overview
The APSC Combined Competitive Examination is conducted to recruit eligible candidates for various services and posts under the Assam government. The Mains examination assesses candidates’ subject knowledge, analytical ability, writing skills and understanding of issues relevant to public administration.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Assam Public Service Commission |
| Examination Name | Combined Competitive Examination |
| Mains Examination Cycle | CCE 2025 |
| Mains Exam Dates | 9–11 October 2026 |
| Total Written Papers | 6 |
| Total Written Marks | 1,500 |
| Marks per Paper | 250 |
| Duration per Paper | 3 hours |
| Examination Centre | Guwahati |
| Official Website | https://apsc.nic.in/ |
Candidates should refer to the official notification for the applicable examination rules and any subsequent changes.
APSC Mains Exam Schedule 2026
The APSC CCE Mains examination is scheduled across three days, with two papers conducted each day.
| Date | Morning Session (9 AM–12 PM) | Afternoon Session (1:30 PM–4:30 PM) |
| 9 October 2026 | Paper I – Essay | Paper II – General Studies I |
| 10 October 2026 | Paper III – General Studies II | Paper IV – General Studies III |
| 11 October 2026 | Paper V – General Studies IV | Paper VI – General Studies V |
Candidates should check their e-admission certificates and the official examination programme for the latest instructions.
APSC Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The APSC CCE Mains written examination consists of six papers carrying 250 marks each. The total marks for the written examination are 1,500.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Essay | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | General Studies I | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper III | General Studies II | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper IV | General Studies III | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper V | General Studies IV | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper VI | General Studies V | 250 | 3 hours |
| Total | 6 Papers | 1,500 | — |
Candidates who qualify in the written examination proceed to the Interview Test or Personality Test according to the applicable selection rules.
APSC Mains Question Paper 2026: Subject-Wise Details
Understanding the subjects covered in each paper can help candidates analyse the question papers more effectively.
Paper I: Essay
The Essay paper evaluates candidates’ ability to organise ideas, present logical arguments and communicate clearly. Aspirants should practise essays on social, economic, political, environmental and contemporary issues, including topics relevant to Assam.
Paper II: General Studies I
General Studies I covers subjects such as Indian heritage and culture, history, geography and society. Candidates should practise explaining historical developments, geographical concepts and social issues with relevant examples.
Paper III: General Studies II
General Studies II focuses on governance, the Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations, as prescribed in the syllabus. Candidates should develop the ability to explain constitutional provisions, assess government policies and present balanced arguments.
Paper IV: General Studies III
General Studies III covers areas such as the economy, agriculture, science and technology, environment, disaster management and security. Candidates should connect theoretical concepts with contemporary developments and relevant examples.
Paper V: General Studies IV
General Studies IV focuses on ethics, integrity and aptitude. Preparation should include ethical principles, public-service values, decision-making and case-study analysis.
Paper VI: General Studies V
General Studies V focuses on Assam-specific topics. These may include the state’s history, geography, culture, society, economy, polity, environment and other subjects included in the prescribed syllabus.
Candidates should prepare Assam-specific examples and current affairs to strengthen their answers in this paper.
APSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers PDF
Previous-year question papers are useful for candidates who want to practise before attempting the latest examination papers. They help aspirants understand question formats, improve time management and identify areas that require additional revision.
Candidates can explore the following resources:
- Official APSC website: https://apsc.nic.in/
- SPM IAS Academy :
- Before downloading a paper, verify its examination year, subject and stage. The format and syllabus may differ across examination cycles, so candidates should prioritise papers that match the applicable CCE scheme.
How to Prepare Using APSC Mains Question Papers
Solving question papers is an important part of Mains preparation. Candidates should analyse their performance after every practice session instead of merely completing the questions.
1. Practise Answer Writing Regularly
Write answers to previous-year questions and focus on addressing the exact demand of each question. Use a clear introduction, a logically organised body and a relevant conclusion.
2. Improve Time Management
Practise completing papers within the prescribed three-hour duration. Allocate time according to the marks and expected length of each answer.
3. Analyse Important Topics
Review previous-year papers to identify recurring themes and understand how questions are framed. Do not assume that a topic will appear again simply because it was asked in an earlier examination.
4. Include Relevant Examples
Support your answers with suitable facts, examples, constitutional provisions, government initiatives and current affairs. Use Assam-specific examples wherever they are relevant to the question.
5. Revise the Syllabus Alongside Practice
Use question papers to identify gaps in your preparation. Return to the syllabus and standard study materials to strengthen weak areas before attempting another paper.
6. Focus on Assam-Specific General Studies
Prepare the topics prescribed for General Studies V, including Assam’s history, geography, society, culture, economy and governance. Practise connecting this knowledge with relevant contemporary issues.
Benefits of Solving APSC Mains Previous Year Papers
Solving previous-year papers can help aspirants:
- Understand the structure and format of the examination.
- Improve descriptive answer-writing skills.
- Identify weak subjects and topics requiring revision.
- Practise time management under examination conditions.
- Learn to present arguments clearly and logically.
- Apply Assam-specific knowledge to relevant questions.
- Assess preparation before the examination.
Previous-year question papers should be used alongside the current syllabus, official notifications and regular revision.
Conclusion
The APSC Mains Question Paper 2026 PDF is a useful resource for candidates preparing for the Assam Public Service Commission Combined Competitive Examination. Aspirants can use the paper-wise download table on this page to access the latest available papers and refer to previous-year question papers for additional practice.
Regular answer-writing practice, thorough syllabus coverage, effective time management and revision of Assam-specific topics can help candidates prepare systematically for the APSC CCE Mains examination. Bookmark this page to check for updates to the question paper download links.
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