The significance of general studies papers in the UPSC mains lies in their comprehensive assessment of a candidate's knowledge on various critical topics. These papers cover subjects like Indian polity, economics, geography, and environmental studies, which are vital for civil services. Scoring well in these papers is essential as they form a substantial part of the total marks, impacting the overall ranking in the examination. It also showcases a candidate's awareness of national and international issues, critical for a future civil servant.