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How To Write A Good Essay In Civil Service Mains Exam?

Last updated on September 15, 2023 by Alex Andrews George

It has been observed that many candidates, unfortunately, take the essay paper too lightly resulting in a score not comparable with their potential.

It is vital to attempt essay paper with the same seriousness as all other papers in GS Mains and learn the art of writing a good essay.

Table of Contents

Practice is the key!

Practice, not talent, is the key to success.

Make reading good essays a habit. And more importantly, start writing essays from today.

Participate in the ClearIAS Answer Writing Program (AWP) for mains. It’s completely free!

Also read: ClearIAS launches Essay Writing Course for UPSC

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Understanding Essay Paper in IAS Exam

250 marks out of 2025 (12.3 %) are the weight-age of essay paper on total Civil Services Mains Marks as per the latest UPSC syllabus. Since 2015, candidates are asked to write two essays out of 8 choices. Each essay is for 125 marks (1000-1200 words). Check the UPSC CSE Essay Syllabus here .

Time allotted is 3 hours.

Note: Before 2013, UPSC CSE essay paper was only for 200 marks with a single essay to write upon!

UPSC’s expectation from Essay Paper

Examiners will pay special attention to the candidate’s grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen and to his/her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively.

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• Make a framework (blueprint) of the essay you are going to write first.
• Our advice would be to use simple language. As Anton Chekov once said ‘Brevity is the sister of talent’.
• The idea of using ornamental language to showcase your English vocabulary may backfire at times. But, don’t make your essay sound like a General Studies answer.
• If the introduction can generate curiosity in the reader, that would be great.
• There should be a logical continuation from beginning to end.
• The essay should be organized in well-structured paragraphs coherent with the flow of the essay.
• Don’t be too aggressive or pessimistic in your tone.
• Come up with good points and express new viewpoints.
• Go through well-written essays by experts in newspapers and magazines, and understand how they frame the ‘Introduction’ and ‘Conclusion’ paragraphs.
• In most cases, there will not be any need for separate coaching or preparation for essays, and candidates’ reading and preparation for General Studies Mains should suffice. But make sure your writing and analytical skills are up to the UPSC expectations; if not, polish it.
• Write mock essays and get it evaluated by experts in the field.

Let’s analyze a few previous year UPSC essay papers.

Essay Questions Asked in the UPSC (Mains) Examination

Write an essay on any one of the following topics:

• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’, and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy.
• Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified?
• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible?
• Managing work and home – Are the Indian working women getting a fair deal?
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic, and developmental implications.
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?
• Credit-based higher education system –status, opportunities, and challenges.
• In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial and combating terrorism.

How much is a good score on the UPSC CSE essay paper?

As the essay paper is out of 250, marks which are above 50% can be considered good, ie. 125.

Marks between 110-125 is considered as average.

Marks in the range of 150-160 are possible for exceptional essays.

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Note: UPSC may award poorly written essay marks as low as ‘0’ or ’20’. So beware and pay sufficient attention to proper practice.

Also read: 10 Common Essay Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Important Essay Topics for UPSC CSE

Topics like Women empowerment, Rural Development, Social Justice, Terrorism, Internal Security, etc. are hot topics for essays, and be prepared with various dimensions of the same in the UPSC Exam.

Books that help in Essay Writing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam

• Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Examinations by Pulkit Khare .
• Selected Contemporary Essays by Saumitra Mohan (MHE)
• Essay Paper for Civil Services Main Examination by Pavneet Singh and Sonali Bansal

Take a Test: Analyse Your Progress

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

January 17, 2016 at 2:06 am

I am b.tech student and confuse in choosing optional subject between political science or history or any other suggestion

March 22, 2016 at 5:14 am

Chose anyone..if confused between any 2..start studying a basic book of both the subjects..1 hr each day each subject..and after 1 week..You will be ready with your final subject! Surprisingly!

June 30, 2016 at 8:34 am

You should go with public administration.

September 12, 2017 at 2:14 pm

May be mathematics is suitable

July 5, 2016 at 7:05 pm

Please tell which book should be best for electrical subject

July 24, 2016 at 11:01 pm

Really this app is soo usefull the clear ias app is one kind of the teacher really great full to you

August 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm

I am in 10 class.so please tell me in which academy I have to join in my inter standard………

December 2, 2016 at 12:24 pm

Hello sir, i am a b.sc student. Please tell me how to prepare my self for upsc civil service exam and tell me a best academy for coaching..

April 22, 2017 at 12:01 pm

hello sir I am BE student how ro prepare upsc without coaching

June 12, 2017 at 8:27 pm

Can I write the mains in my own language…?

September 12, 2017 at 2:21 pm

Why not.?.. definitely…

July 17, 2017 at 12:40 pm

very helpfull Post

September 9, 2017 at 9:21 am

Tamil is my mother tongue I don’t know english , I studied in Tamil medium can I write all exams of IAS in Tamil, please clear this doubt.

November 29, 2017 at 11:57 am

Looking at the language of your query, it looks like you are well versed in English. You are trying to sensitize “The Issue”.

November 15, 2017 at 12:28 pm

Hello sir I’m very confusing how to prepare for paper 1 please give some Important tips and some books sir

July 23, 2019 at 2:59 pm

Sir l am a plus one student l want to crack civil service and to improve my English what should I do???????

January 8, 2020 at 12:41 pm

Dear sir, I will complete 29 year on 15-01-2020, And if i will enroll BBA program now it will be completed in fy 22-23, that time my age will be 32, i belong to OBC category, is i am eligible for upse exam?

Please suggest me

June 15, 2020 at 9:19 pm

You are eligible till your age is 35 . Still you will so much time for the preparation which is more than enough for you , so go for it and remember eventually your dedication towards your studies will decide your future , even I m also thinking about upsc . I hope we will end up with something gud

June 28, 2021 at 8:58 am

i think you can but i would suggest you to see youtube once as i saw for general it was 21-32 years and obc i think its till 34-35 not clear with the last year

March 3, 2020 at 3:31 pm

Really this is very much helpful app. Thanks a lot to clear ias.

July 5, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Sir, which subject takes BSC students as optional subject for civils service

March 22, 2021 at 11:41 am

i am revanasidda g vangi ,i am studieng in bachelor of arts in kcp college in vijayapur state karnataka , i want to civil servise examination details. how to do face exam ?please tell me sir \madam please contact me 9380093040 thank you….. .

October 17, 2021 at 8:58 pm

I am pharmacy student and confuse in choosing optional subject between political science or history or any other suggestion Their Latest Reference Books

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UPSC CSE 2021: AIR 17 Sarthak Agrawal’s step-by-step strategy for essay paper

Essay is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet - mostly on university websites - so make sure to look at them instead of just relying on the typical upsc resources, says agrawal  .

My key advice for the essay paper is to be argumentative and imaginative. An academic essay is a formal piece of writing with a clear structure. This is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet — mostly on university websites — so make sure to read them up instead of just relying on the typical UPSC resources.  

The following approach worked best for me: start with a story that is relevant to the prompt. Then, state in a few words the “thesis” of your essay – what is the main argument you’re making? Next, support this central thesis with several claims, each one backed by strong evidence or reasoning, and occupying a separate paragraph. As you go along, address the counterclaims. But resist the urge of writing an essay like a mystery novel. This is best practiced when you have devoted some 10-20 minutes to plan and outline what you will write. 

Ultimately, the key to putting together a strong response is to make an innovative and strong argument – don’t just provide relevant information around the central topic but take a refined stand and stick to it. For instance, if I wrote an essay on the topic, “Are we entering an era of globalisation”, I wouldn’t just regurgitate data on both sides of the debate. Instead, I would present an incisive and informed opinion defended by evidence and reasoning with an intention to persuade the reader. Remember, variety goes a long way in achieving this aim – avoid repetition and alter your sentence length and vocabulary to keep things interesting. It is also useful to vary the kind of evidence you cite. In some places, data and figures are most appropriate; in others, a vivid example can go a long way in hammering in your point. 

When you choose a topic, first make sure that you fully understand what each word in the prompt means. I would prefer a simple one over a more convoluted statement so that you have more latitude to experiment. The next thing to ask is whether you will be able to construct a novel argument around that prompt. Some topics are more conducive to a descriptive type of response, and others to a debate. The latter provides more scope for showing off your critical thinking skills. That’s the real “smartness” essays test, which is why writing them well is a pre-requisite for academic success in the top universities. When you start, make sure you introduce the topic and what you understand by it. This way, even if you make an error in interpreting the prompt, the examiner will know from the get-go what you are responding to and might be a bit more generous. 

I find the best essays often start and end with a story. My favourite argumentative pieces are those that feature in The Economist’s leaders’ section; they often start with examples to invite the reader’s interest. In the same vein, I spent time thinking about the kind of stories that would align with different topics instead of memorising quotations. For example, in a mock response to the topic, “Digital infrastructure is key for future ready governance”, I included a fictional example of a future health secretary who can get her department to respond quickly to a SARS-kind of virus in rural Odisha thanks to a mature National Digital Health Mission. 

I wrote five practice tests before appearing for the exam; incidentally, none of them was the ‘philosophical type’ that I had to write in the actual paper. The same advice applies for these kinds of essays too, except that the evidence here would be real-world examples and logical reasoning instead of data. There’s also more scope to be creative and critical, which is good for fetching higher marks. I think coaching institutes tend to be overly concerned about analysing the “social, economic, political, legal etc.” angles in an essay, while the essay is an argumentative piece of writing that provides the means to showcase your creativity. It is certainly not a test of your memory, vocabulary, or handwriting so don’t worry if you are a laggard on either (or all) of these.

A word on formatting — start a new paragraph from the middle of the line, leaving a forefinger’s space in the beginning. Try to connect one sentence with the next using bridge words like however, despite, moreover, etc; do the same for paragraphs as it gives the entire piece a nice, logical flow. Underlining important keywords and phrases is also useful to direct an examiner’s attention. Keep cuttings to a minimum and ensure that all paragraphs are of similar length, but these tips are much harder to follow in practice. And it’s okay to use the first person (“In this essay, I argue…”). Bureaucrats are taught to be self-effacing and not present their own front but when writing an academic essay, I think it’s best to lead with the first person.  

Finally, even the examiners know that writing a strong 1000–1200-word piece by hand in 1.5 hours that is sufficiently argumentative and delightfully imaginative is fiendishly difficult. They will definitely cut you some slack as long as your approach is right. Make the most of this window, and good luck!

(The author is AIR 17 in UPSC Civil Services 2020 and is a researcher at the World Bank)

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How to Write a Good Essay for UPSC? A Guide to Improve Your Writing Skills

An essay is a short piece of writing on a particular subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative or interpretative that gives the author’s own argument. These are written composition about anything.

It takes discipline, foresight, research, strategy and if done right, ends in total victory. In terms of ‘writing’ you need to create a handful of original sentences for the entire content; a thesis, a theme, a mini-thesis that begins each paragraph and a concluding sentence that says all.

How to Write an Essay for UPSC?

Writing an essay often seems a dreaded task among students. The idea behind is to make it easier for the reader to navigate the ideas put forth in a content.

For all those who are confused about how to write an essay for UPSC, here is the detailed guide on what you must write in every essay:

Introduction is an Important Part of Essay Writing in UPSC

The introductory paragraph should have an attention-grabbing hook. It should describe your content topic/ question. One can also include good proverb related to the topic of the content. This should not be more than one paragraph.

Body paragraph supports your introductory paragraph and must include all supporting details. It is advisable to support your explanations on the topic with good examples/ facts/ Govt schemes/ data/ statistics/ proverbs. This can be more than one paragraph until you reach your word limit.

No matter on which UPSC essay writing topic you are working on, conclusion plays a significant role. The conclusion should rephrase the main topic and subtopics and should carry a call to action. A concluding proverb will always be a good way to end a content. It will be good to not conclude the writing by providing your personal opinion on the topic unless specified in the question. This should not be more than one paragraph.

Also Read: Pressure Groups in India: Everything you Need to Know

Tips to Score Better on UPSC Essay Writing Topics

With a little planning and a lot of hard work, you can write an essay for UPSC that’s good enough in a short time. Following pointers will help you to develop a writing framework:

Essay Question

Selecting a UPSC essay writing topic is the most important and critical task. Choose a topic for which you have knowledge of enough content, examples, facts, data and proverbs. Once the right topic is chosen your half work is accomplished.

Develop a Plan

Planning helps to figure out how long to spend on each part of the text and will keep you on task. Develop a thesis- the main idea of your essay. It should be precise and short.

Jotting Down Pointers

These can include examples for your topic, important facts that support your reasons, data/statistics, proverbs. These pointers will help you develop your content in a better way.

Write Outline

The outline will guide you through the writing process of the content. Structure it in the same form as your text. This helps in identifying the areas that need better development.

Revision of your outline is as important as a revision of your writing. The revision will help you to analyse any errors/ spelling mistakes etc thus ensuring a better essay writing for UPSC.

Tips to Make Your Writing Suitable as per UPSC Essay Syllabus

Read other essays.

Reading other people’s writings will help in building your own style for essay writing in the UPSC exam. Read contents on a wide range of subjects, different genres of fiction and nonfiction but try to keep the focus on the UPSC essay syllabus. The wider you read, more possible techniques will be available to pick up and use in essays of your own. Another good source is reading newspapers, specifically editorials!

Build Vocabulary and Use it Properly

This helps in expressing exactly what one means. A good vocabulary displays intelligence and allows being persuasive in your writing. Refer a dictionary, learn prefixes/ suffixes. Subscribe to a daily email that sends new words. Add variety to your knowledge of words, collect new words and find their meanings, also write their definitions and frame them in sentences. An economy with words is a characteristic of all good essays.

Having a good command of grammar is the most important thing for essay writing in UPSC. Building up a sentence which is grammatically correct and right use of words will create an overall good impact of your text. While composing the content, it is important to make yourself easy for readers to understand.

The sentence structure shows how intelligent you sound. The reader should not read a sentence more than once to understand it. Correct use of punctuation and tone of voice is a must. Do not use passive voice or I/ my words, try to be more general and readers will remain hooked on.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Score Better in Geography for UPSC: UPSC Exam Strategy

UPSC Essay Writing Topics

The best students enjoy creating essays. For many students, each topic brings with it the challenge of making a little better than last one. When one writes regularly, chances are less to get stuck and repeating the same thing each time. So, pick a UPSC essay writing topic each day and prepare an outline of your ideas and then write your thesis and frame up your content.

Let’s Wrap Up:

Essays are self-generating, self-reinforcing and self-fulfilling. These should be balanced so that one can learn from the best of the writers and be able to pick up techniques to help in shaping up a balanced piece.

Essays constitute a formal, academic context, but that does not mean they should be boring. Don’t use big words in an essay writing in UPSC just for the sake of it; it may have the opposite effect. Ultimately, the goal should be that the writing is clear and easy to understand so that it is a pleasure to read.

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About the Author

Akshay palande.

Akshay Palande is a passionate teacher helping hundreds of students in their UPSC preparation. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering and double masters in Public Administration and Economics, he has experience of teaching UPSC aspirants for 5 years. His subject of expertise are Geography, Polity, Economics and Environment and Ecology.

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Writing a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained by Anudeep Durishetty

PYQ Discussion 2024 Batch-1, An opportunity to revise 2011-2023 PYQ’s, Batch Starts 24th April 2024 Click Here   for more information

Novelist Stephen King put it beautifully when he said, “I write to find out what I think.”

Writing is a window to your thought process. What you write on paper will tell the reader how you think, how you argue and the way you substantiate your viewpoint. This is why for most competitive examinations and academic entrance tests, essay is mandatory.

In the Civil Services Exam too, we have a paper worth 250 marks, equivalent to a General Studies paper. Despite its importance, essay paper often does not get the attention it deserves from aspirants. First timers think they will write an excellent essay in the final exam itself, whereas experienced aspirants believe that since they had already studied a ton for GS, it will alone be enough to write a good essay. This is a fatal miscalculation.

I was one of those who made these errors in the past, and it is not a coincidence that I scored only 100 in CSE 2015. But in 2017, I devoted adequate time to this paper. I collected useful quotes, prepared notes and even made rough essay drafts for frequently asked topics. All this effort in essay paper helped me score 155.

What follows is an elaborate post on how you should tackle the Essay paper. I’ve organised the content as follows:

What UPSC says about the essay paper

How and from where to prepare?

Improving language and expression

• On subheadings and rough drafts
• What you must avoid
• How to write a powerful introduction?
• Developing the content of an Essay

Substantiating your arguments

• How to conclude an Essay
• My notes, quote collection and sample essays

“Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to  keep closely to the subject of the essay,   to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely . Credit will be given for  effective and exact expression .”

Essay distinguishes itself from GS in the sense that in GS, marks will be awarded purely for content. But in essay, examiners will pay special attention to not just the content, but also the language, coherence and the way you organise your write-up.

So you must take adequate care to arrange your ideas properly and not commit any fundamental spelling or grammatical errors.

Most of the content you write in Essay will come from your GS preparation. Apart from this, the following sources will help:

• Reading non-fiction  helps you develop a matured thought process. Apart from imparting knowledge, they will also let you come across good figures of speech, art of argumentation, powerful rhetoric and unique content etc. For example, in an essay on Artificial Intelligence, I took arguments from Yuval Harari’s  Homo Deus  to argue that AI is an imminent threat to humanity. Or if you read  Why Nations Fail,  a book replete with examples, you will understand the importance of innovation, political and economic freedoms in propelling a nation forward. So my suggestion is, apart from UPSC related material, develop the hobby of reading non-fiction books. I do not mean to suggest that you should start reading one  non-fiction book per topic to get good scores in Essay, but reading them occasionally in your free time will benefit you in the long run.
• Referring to specific magazines:  For certain topics, you can refer to specific issues of Yojana/EPW/Economic Survey etc. Example: for an essay on tribal issues or public health, you can go through specific issues of these magazines for getting the latest statistics (IMR, MMR, malnutrition levels etc) and also about the positives and criticisms of govt schemes in that sector.
• Collecting good stories/anecdotes and quotes: Anecdotes, quotes and real life stories you see in newspapers and books which can be used in essay should be noted down. In most of my essays, I used to start with a relevant story or an anecdote that has the essay topic as its underlying theme. Apart from these, I also used a couple of quotes of eminent persons.

         List of quotes, anecdotes I collected are available in the link at the end of this article.

Language in essay must be simple and clear with as little jargon as possible. If you want to use complex definitional terms such as, say, ‘Constitutionalism’ or ‘Sanskritisation’ please define it in sentence just before you use it. Examiner will also understand clearly what you want to convey. Clear writing is clear thinking. And that is what any reader looks for.

Keep your sentences short and powerful. Long, winding sentences makes it difficult to read and understand. If you tack on one clause after another through conjunctions, what you get is a bad sentence sprawl.

Example of a bad sentence sprawl:

At the end of World War 2, on the one hand, while capitalism was successfully championed by the nations in North America and Europe, on the other hand, it was USSR that put Communism at the forefront due to which there was an ideological clash between the the two superpowers which had led to proxy wars in various parts of the globe, a nuclear arms race and a rapid deterioration of the security of the world.

(By the time readers finish reading it, they will lose their breath and the point of the sentence)

So I had a simple rule: If you run out of your breath while  reading a sentence, then probably you will have to break it into two.

Rewriting the aforementioned example after breaking it into two (which makes it much easier to read and comprehend):

After World War 2, while the North American and European nations championed capitalism, USSR put communism at the forefront. This ideological clash between the superpowers led to several proxy wars, a nuclear arms race and a rapid deterioration of world security.

There is no need to memorise complex words for writing a good essay. But an occasional use of a powerful word, or a good phrase definitely gives your write-up an edge.

Also, I believe that learning numerous words by rote will not make them stick in your brain for long. The best way to build your vocabulary is by reading non-fiction and English newspapers. While reading these, if you come across a good turn of phrase, or a word that you don’t recognise, please note it down in a book, find its meaning and understand the context in which the word was used. This helps in long term memory. Having a dictionary app on your phone also helps.

Building vocabulary is a slow process, but with consistency, anyone can become better at using an expansive set of words.

Subheadings & Rough Drafts

We can be a little innovative in our subheadings. Instead of bland subheadings such as ‘ Benefits of Nuclear Energy’  we can use “ Nuclear Energy: Promise or Peril?’  Similarly, for the essay on Social Media, instead of writing ‘ Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media ’, I wrote  “Social Media: A Double Edged Sword”

You can find my collection of a few such subheadings in the link to my notes, given at the end of the article.

I also prepared a rough draft for a few essay topics (link given at the end). You may need to modify the structure as per the demand of the question.

What you must avoid in Essay

• Do not focus excessively only on one point, or one dimension (such as the historical or political aspect) Your essay needs to be expansive and multi-dimensional.
• During preparation, we read a lot and it’s understandable that we feel strongly about certain topics. And since essay offers freedom to write, it’s very easy to get carried away with such a topic. But make sure that you write what is asked, not what you know or feel like. No  mann ki baat . Always stick to the subject of the topic. It helps to read the question in the midst of your essay to ensure that you are not steering away from the topic.
• If you are not comfortable writing about abstract philosophical topics (I am terrible at writing them), avoid such questions. Your choice of topic has no bearing on the marks and that is why, selecting an unpopular topic just for the sake of it is unwise. Also, if there’s a technical term in the question, be doubly sure that you understand it correctly. For instance, in 2014, there was a question on ‘standard tests’, which is a technical term. I misunderstood it and wrote a generic essay. I got 112.
• When you take a final stand on an issue, it’s best to avoid extreme or highly unpopular opinions. We are free to have any opinion in the privacy of our minds, but in UPSC essay why take that risk? For instance, in an essay on Capital Punishment, in the main body content, you should present a case for both abolition and retention. But when you take a stance, it’s best to be an abolitionist.
• No ranting. You might be a great fan of Karl Marx, but if there’s a question on Capitalism, do not rant or rail against it ? You must present both the positives and negatives of Capitalism and end the essay on a balanced note.
• Do not dedicate disproportionate amount of time for the first essay and scamper through the second. Both carry equal marks, so please invest equal time.

How to transition smoothly from one para to the next

This can be done in three ways.

Through a link sentence at the end of a para:

Here, at the end of a para, you write a sentence that signals to the examiner what’s coming next. For example, let’s say you have just written a para about the threat posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to jobs. At the end of that para you can write a link sentence—   “Further, we must be mindful of the fact that Artificial Intelligence poses a major challenge not just economically, but also ethically.”  And in the next para, you can write about the ethical issues concerning AI.

Through a question:

Instead of a link sentence, you can also add a question at the end of a para so that examiner’s attention is helplessly carried to the next. To take the similar example as above, the question can be something like—   “Thus we have examined the threat posed by AI to our economy, but what about the challenges brought by AI to our ethics and morals?”  And in the next para, you can write about the ethical issues concerning AI.

Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph:

Here you can simply add a word or two at the beginning of a para that signals a shift in your subtopic. For example in an essay on  Globalisation , let’s say you have just written a para about its historical evolution and impact. You can start the next para with something like—  “Politically too, globalisation has had a tremendous impact……” This way examiner immediately knows what to expect.

These steps will ensure that the transition between paragraphs is not abrupt.

How to write a good Introduction to your Essay?

Essay introduction can be:

a fictitious incident or story (where you introduce a character); a real life anecdote; a quote; or a simple definition of the words in the question (not recommended in Essay)

In GS, definitional approach is a great way to introduce your answers. But in essay, they are rather stale, lacking in any human element. I always believe that a good way to start your essay is to have that touch of humanity and warmth in your introduction.

In my Mains exam, this was my introduction to the essay ‘Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classroom’

“The year was 1945. Towards the end of a gruesome world war, the world powers decided to carve up the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel.

“Before partition, North and South Korea might have been homogeneous in every respect, but after the division, they steered onto different paths. While schools in the North chose to ‘educate’ their children in the worship of a cult leader, ideological indoctrination and servility, its southern counterpart focused on liberal education, innovation and economic growth.

“Today, almost seven decades later, the difference in the fates of these people and the trajectories of both these nations cannot be more stark. One is known for gross violation of human rights, while the other a champion of liberal democracy. One is known for gut-wrenching poverty, while the other unbridled prosperity.

“This only proves the age old adage that the destiny of a nation is indeed shaped in its classrooms.”

Similarly, for the Social Media essay, my introduction sought to bring to the fore the paradox of Social Media. I wrote on how social media was leveraged to crowdsource help and rescue during Chennai floods in 2015. At the same time, I mentioned how it was used nefariously in 2012 to cause mass exodus of northeast people from Bangalore. And taking cue from this introduction, in the main body, I discussed about the inherent selfishness and altruism associated with social media.

These real life stories, anecdotes and incidents are everywhere in our books and newspapers. So when you come across them, note down and ponder as to how you can use them in your essay.

Developing the Main Content from the Topic

This is like spinning the web from a thread. Depending on the topic, you can choose among the following options that fits best.

• Temporal: Past, present and future
• Sectoral: Media, Science & Tech, Business, Sports, Religion, Politics, Administration etc
• Walks of Life : Individual, Family, Professional workplace, Society, Community, National, Global
• Problem & Solution:  Concept (historical evolution+status), benefits, problems, solutions
• Standard : Social, Political, Economical, Administrative, International, Environmental, Historical, Scientific, Security/Defence, Legal

Example: for a topic like  “Has Globalisation delivered on its promise?”  I find the problem & solution method an apt way to develop your narrative. So choose as per the question.

In the main body of the essay, each para must have an argument or an idea and a reasoning to back that argument. You can substantiate it through a real life example, a statistic, an authentic committee or organisational report etc.

For example, if you are arguing that Capital punishment is an expensive form of justice, you should be able to given an example or a statistic or Law Commission’s opinion as to how the subjects of death penalty are overwhelmingly from poor communities.

Statistics, examples, expert opinions and constitutional provisions are crucial and they make your arguments authoritative.

Concluding an Essay

Conclusion needs to be on  a futuristic, optimistic note. You need to summarise the complete essay in 3-4 sentences, after which you can write your vision for future.

You can source some useful terms from the speeches of PM Modi. Phrases like  Sabka saath sabka vikas ,  Reform-Perform-Transform, Building A New India  etc can come handy.  Rhetoric, lofty expressions, constitutional ideals, sanskrit slokas and quotes are a good way to conclude your essay.

But suppose in your introduction, if you had written about a fictitious character, then it’s always advisable to end your write-up with a reference to that character. It gives a sense of completeness to the essay.

Readers should keep in mind that these notes are written rather haphazardly (I mean who makes notes thinking that in future, they might have to upload them publicly :D)

They are fragmented in certain pages, so you may not be able to comprehend them completely, but nevertheless I hope you take home something useful.

Link to handwritten notes:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jmVMGOzAk2d9B5Y0HQ9XpVF5Mh2IXGku

Quote collection:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jk71jLao60hHwJoTuGYaIDgJWccxa5Xn

List of Topics one needs to prepare:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1q0W0PeH-80EKt6ucJTFOVPUlmXvCIzd-

Sample Essays:  

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jqfUi1FXdG0icBdJpdQvwH1wlAizCMvo

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Tips on Essay Writing for UPSC Mains Exam

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Tips on Essay Writing Made Easy for UPSC Mains Examination” is a comprehensive and enlightening resource designed to enhance your proficiency in crafting essays. The UPSC Mains Exam encompasses a rigorous evaluation spanning 9 papers, including an essay paper. This essay segment carries substantial importance, contributing 250 marks (125 marks per section) to the candidate’s final score. This underscores its pivotal role in selection and ranking. Differing from optional subjects that demand extensive study, the essay paper requires a distinct approach. Within this guide, we delve into the traditional essay structure and offer invaluable insights to excel in the Essay Paper of the UPSC Mains Examination.

How to Prepare for the Essay Paper in UPSC Civil Service Exam

Introduction.

Preparing for the Essay Paper in the UPSC Civil Service Exam is crucial for aspirants aiming to crack this prestigious examination. The essay paper holds significant weightage and is an excellent opportunity for candidates to showcase their analytical and writing skills. This article will provide you with 7 easy steps to master essay writing for the UPSC Mains Exam, helping you effectively structure and present your ideas.

Step 1: Understand the Essay Topics

The first step in excelling at essay writing for the UPSC Exam is to thoroughly understand the essay topics. UPSC often presents broad and contemporary themes, and candidates are expected to address them comprehensively. Analyze the given topics, break them down into sub-themes, and brainstorm ideas to form a well-rounded perspective.

Step 2: Extensive Research

A well-researched essay reflects depth and insight. Utilize both primary and secondary sources to gather relevant information. Rely on authentic and credible sources such as government publications, research papers, and reputable websites. Remember to make notes, highlighting essential points and quotes for future reference.

Step 3: Develop a Cohesive Outline

Creating a clear and cohesive outline is the backbone of a well-structured essay. Divide your essay into logical sections – introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Ensure that each section flows logically and supports the central argument of your essay. Your outline should act as a roadmap to guide you through the writing process.

Step 4: Craft a Powerful Introduction

An impactful introduction sets the tone for your essay and grabs the reader’s attention. Start with a compelling hook, pose a thought-provoking question, or share a relevant anecdote. Clearly state your thesis or main argument and provide a brief overview of how you plan to address the topic.

Step 5: Master the Art of Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you elaborate on your ideas, arguments, and examples. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main point, followed by supporting evidence and analysis. Ensure that your arguments are coherent and well-articulated, with a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next.

Step 6: Address Counterarguments

Addressing counterarguments showcases your ability to consider different perspectives. Acknowledge potential opposing viewpoints and skillfully refute them with sound reasoning and evidence. This strengthens your essay and displays a balanced approach to the topic.

Step 7: Craft an Impactful Conclusion

A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Summarize your key points and restate your thesis in a new light. Avoid introducing new information at this stage. Instead, leave the reader with a thought-provoking insight or a call to action related to the essay topic.

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of essay writing for the UPSC Mains Exam is a gradual process that requires practice, dedication, and continuous improvement. By following the 7 easy steps outlined in this article, you can confidently approach the essay paper, showcasing your analytical abilities and writing prowess. Remember, practice is the key to success, so write regularly and seek feedback to refine your skills further. Best of luck in your UPSC journey!

Some important points you can follow while write essay in UPSC examination

1. understand the format.

The essay paper consists of two sections, A and B, each containing four topics. Candidates must choose one topic from each section and compose an essay within the allotted time of three hours. The word limit for the essay should range between 1,000 to 2,000 words.

2. Emphasise Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

While the standard essay structure comprises an introduction, body, and conclusion, it is important to understand how this structure applies specifically to the UPSC Paper. The essay should be topical, easily comprehensible, and logically organised. Ensure that your introduction clearly states your stance on the topic, the main points you will address, and an engaging hook to captivate the reader’s attention. In the body paragraphs, present coherent arguments, supporting evidence, and relevant examples to strengthen your position. Conclude the essay by summarising your key arguments and offering a concise resolution.

3. Be Brief and Informative

Keep your essay brief and minimise extraneous details or tangents. Every paragraph in the essay should have a distinct purpose and add to its overall cohesion. Be enlightening by including pertinent information, figures, and illustrations to back up your claims. However, keep in mind to keep a balanced perspective and offer a thorough analysis of the subject.

4. Keep Your Essay Clear and Coherent

Ensure that your essay keeps a logical flow and is simple to understand. Use transitional language to move ideas and paragraphs forward smoothly. This will make your essay easier to read and will aid the examiner in comprehending your thought process.

5. Practice Time Management

Given the limited time of three hours, it is crucial to manage your time effectively. Allocate sufficient time for brainstorming, outlining, writing, and revising. Prioritise the topics you feel most confident about, but don’t neglect the other topics entirely.

6. Revise and Proofread

Allocate some time at the end of the exam to review your essay. Check for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear sentences. Make necessary revisions and ensure that your essay is well-polished and cohesive.

The UPSC Mains Exam’s essay paper structure requires practice and writing skill development to master. Candidates can improve their chances of passing this important section of the test by using these techniques to help them convey their ideas in a clear, succinct, and convincing way.

Tips you should follow for essay writing in UPSC examination

1. understand the question.

Carefully read and analyse the essay question to grasp its essence. Identify the key themes, arguments, or perspectives that need to be addressed in your essay.

2. Plan and Outline

Take some time to brainstorm ideas, jot down relevant points, and create a logical outline for your essay. This will provide a clear structure and ensure that you cover all necessary aspects of the topic.

3. Maintain a Balanced Approach

While expressing your opinion is important, maintain a balanced viewpoint by considering multiple perspectives. Present a well-rounded argument, discussing both sides of the issue and providing evidence and examples to support your claims.

4. Use Relevant Examples and Evidence

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, or historical events to support your arguments. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic and adds credibility to your essay.

5. Put an emphasis on coherence and clarity

Write in a clear, succinct, and structured way. To effectively communicate your views, use basic language. Make sure your essay is coherent throughout and that each paragraph transitions properly into the next.

6. Develop a Strong Introduction

Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling introduction. State your thesis or main argument clearly, providing a roadmap for the essay. Engage the reader from the beginning to make a lasting impression.

7. Structured Body Paragraphs

Give each paragraph in the body of your essay a specific topic or theme. The topic phrase that introduces the primary idea should be first in each paragraph, then the supporting details and analysis should come next. Ensure that your ideas flow logically.

8. Effective Conclusion

Summarize your main points in the conclusion, reiterating your thesis or main argument. Provide a concise summary of the key ideas discussed in the essay. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

9. Time Management

Allocate time wisely during the examination. Divide your time according to the weightage of each section and topic. Priorities topics you are confident about and allocate sufficient time for writing, revising, and editing.

10. Revise and Edit

Reserve time to review your essay for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear sentences. Ensure that your essay is well-structured and free from any inconsistencies or ambiguity. Make necessary revisions to improve the clarity and coherence of your writing.

By following these tips, you can enhance your essay writing skills and effectively tackle the essay paper in the UPSC examination. Practice regularly, seek feedback, and refine your approach to master the a

Moreover, the essay paper provides an opportunity for candidates to display their creativity, originality, and ability to think outside the box. It requires them to explore diverse perspectives, provide logical reasoning, and substantiate their viewpoints with relevant examples and evidence.

Additionally, the essay paper assesses the candidate’s proficiency in written communication. Clarity, coherence, grammar, vocabulary, and structure play vital roles in effectively conveying ideas and maintaining reader engagement.

Overall, the essay paper is a significant component of the  UPSC  Exam, as it provides valuable insights into a candidate’s intellectual capacity, personal attributes, and overall suitability for the administrative services. Aspirants should approach this paper with thorough preparation, critical thinking, and a well-structured approach to leave a lasting impression on the evaluators.

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Essay for UPSC – How to write Essay in IAS Exam | Essay Writing

The Essay for UPSC is the most important section. Certainly, IAS Essay Writing for UPSC helps to score more in the exam. “Practice makes perfect” as a result practicing how to write essays in UPSC will help the aspirants to score. Subsequently, it is important to attempt an essay paper with the same gravity as all other papers. So, read this article thoroughly to learn How To Write an Essay For UPSC.

Practice is the key

How to conclude the essay.

Essay for UPSC

Certainly, the Essay Paper is a completely different paper in UPSC CSE Mains. As a result, one has to write two essays. Also, each with a count of 1000 – 1200words. However, one topic is to be picked from a choice of four topics. The Paper is 250 marks ( 125 marks each).

Consequently, there are two essay types. Firstly, formal type of essays. Secondly, informal type. However, for UPSC, formal essays are expected. As a result, formal essays are nearly impersonal. Certainly, these types of essays are less emotional. In this essay, one can present quotes and facts. They are not conversational. Also, never use the first-person reference. In short, a formal essay has some seriousness to it.

Importance of Essay Writing in UPSC

In the UPSC CSE essay paper, two essays have to be written. They have a time limit of under 3 hours. With 1000-1200 word limit. However, each essay carries 125 marks. That makes a total of 250. Consequently, the essay paper is divided into two sections. Firstly section A. Secondly, section B. Each section carries a choice of 4 essays each. The candidate has to pick one from each section. Also, there are clear instructions in the syllabus. They specify what to write in the paper. Candidates can get extra credit for the effective and unique expression. Underlining the keywords, and mentioning solid facts will be a plus point.

IAS Essay Writing Strategy

Certainly, the most common method of structuring an essay is breaking it up into paragraphs. In these body-paragraphs, the aspirant will have to fit in all his content.

Strategies to prepare for Essay Writing:

Study the trends.

One can refer to the previous year’s papers. So, from there you can get an idea of what type of essays are asked. Analyze the revolving topics. Also, make a list of generic topics and prepare for them in advance.

Aspirants should read a lot of books. This will help in gathering the content for their IAS Essay Writing. Also, this will help them for preparing for other papers as well. Books provide a lot of knowledge and also increase the vocabulary.

Mentioning quotes by famous personalities will highlight the essay. Aspirants should keep reading quotes and memorizing them. Also, practice writing them and connecting them with the content of the essay.

Current affairs

Consequently, a UPSC aspirant should be updated with current affairs. Also, addressing the current issues and relevant news in the essay will help one get some extra marks over the top.

Practice makes perfect. Just as the quote suggests one can write good essays by practicing them regularly. Moreover, write one essay each day for practice. It will help you get used to writing 1000 words within the time limit.

Tips on Essay Writing For UPSC

Decide structure.

Always write essays in paragraphs to make them look more presentable. Also, always pay attention to when to change the paragraph and where to add pointers. This way a candidate can score more in exams. Also, it is important to have a flow in the essay. Moreover, it is connected to writing order.

Writing orders are of two types:

Known-to-New : As the name suggests in this way of writing an essay the content goes from known to new. In short, these Facts and Figures are used to state new data.

Simple-to-Complex : In this method firstly simple ideas are introduced and develop on to Complex. This is how the depth of knowledge and understanding is tested.

Introduction

The most important part of the essay is the introduction. Certainly, initial impressions are very solid. A good introduction will definitely make an impression. Also, the introduction helps to build an idea throughout the essay. The introduction sets the base for the entire essay. A good essay will engage the examiner to read further.

Paragraphs are supportive, critical. Initially one can start a paragraph by stating the negative side. Then go on to express positive views and include facts and ideas to support the idea. Usually, analytical paragraphs look best at the end. But, there are no such rules. Also, for some topics, it can be used as the opening for the topic.

The conclusion is a place to score marks if written properly. Moreover, conclusions are a crucial part of the essay. The conclusions are supposed to be fulfilling and never end in questions.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a process used to generate some wonderful ideas. Consequently, in this one has to analyze the given topic. Also, then decide what all points to mention and in which order. Brainstorming helps to make the IAS Essay Writing more organized and well written. Further in the article, you will understand How to Write an Essay for UPSC?

Elements of Essay

Following are the elements of essay

• Dynamic Elements: Social, Political, and Economic Aspects of the given topic.
• Static Elements: Constitutional, legal, technological, technical, etc. 
• Persona Element: Some good personal experiences or anecdotes. However, they should stay within the accepted framework of ethical conduct.

The use of keywords is very essential. Keywords are to be taken from the essay topic itself. Content about the keyword is what to be expected from the candidate. Also, the use of synonyms of the keyword and highlighting them will help to make the essay attractive for the reader.

How to Write Essay in UPSC?

Sticking to the time limit.

In the IAS Exam, you have to write 2 essays. The combined time limit is 3 hours. Distribution of this time is to be done in such a systematic manner. Calculate the amount of time you require for brainstorming. Add the time to write each essay separately. Then add extra 10-15 mins for spare. In this excess time, you can either revise or add extra time to thinking or writing whichever is needed.

How to introduce the essay?

The introduction should be exciting for the reader. It should make the reader what to follow up. Also, a good introduction to the essay can be a brief explanation of the essay topic itself. Furthermore, to make the introduction interesting one can add anecdotes and quotes and highlight them to draw attention. However, always write an introduction with a clear view and not lead the reader to confusion.

The conclusion is equally important to the introduction. Just as the introduction, the conclusion should also be strong. Most importantly the conclusion of an essay or an answer depends on what’s asked in the question. To conclude the essay one can make use of different methods. For instance, start the conclusion by summarising the important points of the essay. Then drawing them into a plausible conclusion and finally adding some Wayford ideas. Or else you can conclude by bringing the idea in the introduction and providing a solution. The conclusion should always be precise and ending on a positive note.

Sample Essay for UPSC

• The government should reduce the Agriculture subsidies
• COVID-19 has widened the rural and urban divide
• A free woman is a characteristic of a developed society
• New Education Policy 2020: A Progressive Policy with Diverse Challenges
• Life is a long journey between human being and being humane
• The mind is everything. What you think you become
• Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but imagination
• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible?
• Can Capitalism Bring Inclusive Growth?
• Multinational Corporations: Savior or Saboteur
• National Identity and Patriotism

Also check about other UPSC Strategy like Cracking UPSC in First Attempt , Interview Process of IAS Exam & How to prepare for overall exam and specifically Prelims Exam.

FAQ | Essay For UPSC

Essay Paper is one of the nine papers in the Mains Exam OF UPSC. In this paper, there are 2 essays to be written with a word limit of 1000-1200 words in 3 hours.

For a long time, UPSC aspirants have seen to be referring to; The Hindu, The Indian Express, Business Standard.

Mains papers of UPSC are subjective and hence long answers are to be written. Having good handwriting will help you to score more. Therefore, practice essay writing in good handwriting.

Refer to the above article and we are sure you will find it easy to start writing an essay for IAS Exam.

Editor’s Note | Essay for UPSC

Essay Paper is one of the nine papers for the mains exam. If you have read the article thoroughly you will be able to write essays on your own. IAS Essay Writing can be mastered only by practice. Consistency and Patience will help you become a good writer. Read books, editorials, news articles, and keep practicing Essay Writing. ALL THE BEST!!

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How to Prepare for UPSC Mains? - UPSC Mains Preparation Strategy

By vajiram & ravi.

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When it comes to the UPSC Mains preparation , meticulous and a well-structured strategy are paramount. The UPSC CSE Prelims is the first stage of the Civil Services Examination. After you have cleared the first hurdle of this prestigious exam, the most crucial phase of your preparation journey begins, which is for the UPSC Mains. Prelims is qualifying in nature, so your score in that round will not determine your final selection. The UPSC Mains exam, on the other hand, will play a critical role in determining your selection and rank.

As a result, it is critical to develop a solid UPSC Mains preparation strategy that will boost your score and improve your chances of obtaining a good rank. The first step is to find a suitable approach to preparing for the Civil Services Mains examination, which is shared in this article.

8 Important Tips to Prepare for UPSC Mains Exam

The UPSC Mains exam is all about writing answers that meet the requirements of the questions. While preparing for the Mains exam, the following are some important things to keep in mind:

• Understand the syllabus
• Set a timeline and create a study plan
• Daily Answer Writing practice
• Analyse previous year's questions to understand the trends
• Essay writing skills
• Prepare for the Optional subject
• Current Affairs preparation
• Maintain a healthy balance

Understanding the UPSC Mains Syllabus

The UPSC syllabus is comprehensive and covers a wide range of subject areas that are essential for an administrator. It is divided into two language papers, four papers on General Studies - I, II, III and IV, an essay paper, and optional papers - I and II.

It is a good idea to pin the entire syllabus on paper and paste it in front of your study table. This will help you stay focused and remember the topics so that you can relate them to the current events that you read about in the newspaper, articles, or any other study material.

Create a Study Plan

To prepare for the UPSC Mains Exam , It is generally advised to complete the syllabus once and revise it at least once before starting your preparation for the Prelims. Some of the tips to create a comprehensive study plan for UPSC Mains are as follows:

• Joining a UPSC Mains test series is one of the easiest ways to prepare for the Mains exam, which is why it should be included in the study plan. This is because writing answers under a time constraint helps you to cover the syllabus and identify the important topics. It also helps you to identify your areas of weakness so that you can improve them.
• It is advisable to club related subjects together in your study plan so that you can cover them at a faster pace and avoid boredom. For example, you can club history and polity, geography and environment, economics and current affairs .
• Ethics is an important subject and should be covered extensively as its importance has been increasing in recent years.
• With a good booklist, you should aim to cover two subjects in two months. This will take you about six months to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly.

You should start your UPSC Mains preparation in July and plan to finish the entire syllabus by the end of January. This will give you an edge over other candidates when you start preparing for the Prelims. The answer writing practice that you do during this time will also keep you "Mains ready."

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practise

UPSC Mains Examination requires you to write at least 20 answers within a given time period of 3 hours. This makes Answer writing practice paramount for UPSC Mains as it enhances the ability to articulate thoughts coherently within the given time frame, fine-tuning the skill of addressing multifaceted questions comprehensively. Having everything perfectly fit in the mind does not assure that you will be able to write the same on paper. Everyday answer writing practice will help you develop analytical thinking, structure responses logically, and reinforce the integration of knowledge across subjects. Through consistent practice, you will gain confidence, improve time management, and develop the capacity to present complex ideas with clarity, a crucial skill for success in the UPSC Mains Exam.

Understand the Trends of Questions

To write qualitative answers, it is important to understand the trend of questions in each paper, including the essay. The best way to do this is to track UPSC previous year question papers . This will help you identify the important topics and areas that are likely to be tested.

You can also use a technique called "reverse engineering" to improve your understanding of the questions. Reverse engineering involves starting with the question and working backwards to identify the relevant concepts and theories. This can help you to write more comprehensive and analytical answers.

For example, if you see a question about the Fundamental Rights chapter, you can start by identifying the specific rights that are mentioned in the question. Then, you can read the relevant sections of the Constitution and other textbooks to understand the meaning and implications of those rights. This will help you to write a more informed and nuanced answer.

The same methodology can be applied to your optional subject as well. By tracking previous year's question papers and using reverse engineering, you can identify the important topics and areas that you need to focus on. This will help you to write qualitative answers that will impress the examiners.

Develop Essay Writing Skills

Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach. The UPSC essay paper is not just limited to assessing your creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating your ability to think critically, express your ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. While preparing for Mains Examination, a well-structured essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction should introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of your stance. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point, argument, or example. The conclusion should summarise your main points and reiterate your thesis.

Focus on Optional Subject Preparation

The Optional Papers 1 and 2 together combine to 500 marks, helping you improve your overall ranking in UPSC Mains. While preparing for the Mains Exam, a well-prepared optional subject can elevate overall scores, compensating for challenges in other areas. It showcases in-depth knowledge, analytical skills, and critical thinking, thereby reflecting a candidate's multidimensional aptitude. A strong performance in the optional paper not only boosts rankings but also amplifies the overall profile, demonstrating a candidate's commitment and proficiency in a chosen field.

Current Affairs for UPSC Mains Preparation

Current affairs play an important role in your UPSC Mains preparation. They help you demonstrate relevance and awareness. Integrating recent events into answers adds depth and context, showcasing your grasp of real-world implications. Understanding contemporary issues fosters a holistic viewpoint, enriching essays and answers across subjects. Regularly reading newspapers, journals, and analysis platforms helps cultivate an informed perspective, contributing to well-rounded responses and increasing overall exam performance.

Maintain a balance between your Studies, Health and Well-Being

It is essential to maintain physical and mental fitness while preparing for the UPSC Mains Exam. The UPSC Mains Exam Preparation requires you to stay on the learning curve for over 18 months. During this time, discipline is the only thing that will help you achieve your goal. However, excessive focus on studies and neglecting your health and mental well-being can be counterproductive.

Here are some of the reasons why it is important to stay fit and healthy while preparing for the UPSC Mains Exam:

• Physical fitness can help you maintain focus and concentration. When you are physically fit, you have more energy and stamina, which can help you stay focused and concentrated on your studies.
• Mental fitness can help you deal with stress and anxiety. The UPSC exam is a stressful exam, and it is important to have the mental strength to deal with the stress.
• Good health can help you avoid illness and injury. When you are healthy, you are less likely to get sick or injured, which can help you stay on track with your studies.

Do’s and Don'ts while Preparing for UPSC Mains

Preparing for the UPSC Mains examination is a rigorous and challenging process. Here are some do's and don'ts to help you navigate this journey effectively:

• Form a daily time table and follow it meticulously.
• Be regular with your studies, including the coverage of current affairs.
• Allot proportionately the time to cover G.S, Optional Subject and Essay.
• Revise your lessons regularly.
• Access your performance periodically.
• Never procrastinate
• Never postpone the development of writing skills
• Don't try to cover too much at once. Focus on quality rather than quantity in your preparation.
• Avoid comparing your progress with others. Everyone's journey is unique, and what works for one person may not work for you.
• Never take lightly the language papers that are compulsory.
• Stay confident in your abilities and stay motivated throughout your UPSC Mains preparation.

FAQs on UPSC Mains Preparation

How to prepare for upsc mains.

To prepare for the UPSC Mains, candidates need to have a strong strategy and a well-structured timetable. They should start by reading the NCERT textbooks, which provide a solid foundation in the basic concepts. Then, they can move on to more advanced books and materials. It is also important to make their own notes, which can be helpful for revision.

Are NCERT Books sufficient to prepare for UPSC Mains?

The NCERT books are a good starting point for IAS exam preparation, but they are not sufficient. They cover the basic concepts, but you will need to refer to other resources to cover the entire syllabus, such as advanced textbooks for different subjects, test series, PYQs, etc.

How hard is the UPSC Mains Exam?

The UPSC Mains Exam is considered challenging due to its comprehensive syllabus and demand for analytical thinking. It assesses candidates' depth of knowledge, writing skills, and ability to connect concepts across subjects. Success requires thorough preparation, consistent practice, and a strategic approach, making it a rigorous evaluation of candidates' aptitude for civil services roles.

How much time is required to Prepare for UPSC Mains?

The time required to prepare for UPSC Mains varies based on factors like prior knowledge, study hours per day, and familiarity with the syllabus. On average, a focused and well-structured preparation of 3-4 months is recommended . This duration allows for in-depth coverage of subjects, multiple revisions, and extensive answer writing practice, ensuring a comprehensive readiness for the examination.

How to prepare for UPSC Mains Answer Writing?

Preparing for UPSC Mains answer writing involves consistent practice. Analyse past papers and syllabus to identify key areas. Develop a structured approach with clear introductions, main points, examples, and conclusions. Follow the 7-5-3 answer writing approach in your answer writing. Regularly engage in timed writing sessions, seek feedback, and refine your style to ensure clarity, depth, and conciseness in your answers.

How to prepare for UPSC Mains without coaching?

Preparing for UPSC Mains without coaching involves self-discipline. Follow a well-structured timetable with focused study hours. Utilise standard textbooks and online resources for comprehensive coverage. Engage in self-assessment through mock tests and previous years' papers, and seek guidance from experienced candidates or mentors when needed.

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Tips to Prepare Essay Writing for UPSC Mains

Nov 18, 2021

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When candidates start their Civil Services Mains preparation, most of their energy and time is spent studying General Studies and Optional subject which is acceptable. 

However, the Civil Services aspirants should never forget to equally focus on the Essay paper during the UPSC exam preparation as it carries crucial 250 marks of the UPSC Mains exam. If prepared in the proper manner, it is quite possible to score 150+ marks in the Essay paper which eventually can be a rank booster! 

There are several instances where candidates fail to fetch good marks in the GS papers but interestingly perform well in the essay paper, eventually making it to the Interview round.

Despite its importance, the Essay paper fails to get the attention it deserves from the aspirants. Reason? First-timers think that it is easy and they can write a good essay in the exam. And the ones who have previously appeared for the Mains before, believe that they have sufficient knowledge of General Studies papers and can write essays accordingly. 

That’s a cardinal sin! 

Essay is one of the deciding factors in your Mains score. So, please don’t take it for granted.

Also read: How to Write Good Quality Answers for UPSC Mains

Read further to know more about the preparation strategy for the Essay paper, tips, and tricks to prepare it effectively. 

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.  

It is clear that you are expected to present your ideas in a well-structured and professional manner. The examiner will pay attention to the written content and focus on the coherence and how you express your views. 

We have enlisted all the common essay topics that are frequently asked in the Mains exam. During your preparation, you should prepare material on topics such as: 

• Healthcare 
• Economic growth and development
• Internet/IT
• Administration
• Federalism/Decentralisation
• Environment
• Social Justice/Poverty
• Democracy/India since Independence

The following are a few crucial tips that will make your essays more impactful. Keep them in mind and implement them in your essays to get a good score in the subject:

• To know what constitutes an ideal and a good essay read as many articles and essays as you can. 
• Focus on sequential flow and presentation of ideas. It is essential to have a balanced and comprehensive view while writing essays.
• Always maintain a neutral approach while writing essays. Do not criticize the government for the sake of criticizing the government.
• Since most of the time, essay questions are asked from current affairs, it is imperative to read newspapers daily (The Hindu/The Indian Express).
• While reading newspapers/books, always jot down the relevant quotes or lines you can use while writing essays. 
• Focus on your vocabulary while essay writing.
• To make your essay more effective, try to approach and write it from different dimensions like social, political, historical, ethical, environmental, etc. 
• Structure your essay with a compelling introduction, main body, and a proper conclusion.

Also read: How to Prepare International Relations for UPSC Mains

Now when you are aware of what has to be done while writing essays that inspire, there are a few things that you must avoid at all costs, such as:

• Rather than directly jumping to write the essay, spend some time introspecting about the topic, its pros and cons, the arguments, facts, figures that will add value to the essay.
• Avoid focusing too much on one point or one particular dimension (Political/Historical/Social). It will make your essay dull. 
• Don’t deviate from the topic and write unnecessarily just because you can write! Instead, only write what is asked and stick to the theme of the essay topic. 
• Since you are given a choice of selecting topics to write in the Essay paper, use it wisely! Do not pick a topic just for the sake of writing.
• Avoid using too much technical jargons.
• Do not spend too much time writing the first essay as you don’t want to create chaos while writing the second essay. Since both carry equal marks, it is recommended to invest equal time in them. 

Level up your exam preparation with PrepLadder, Civil Services aspirant’s first choice for UPSC (IAS preparation).

It has everything you need to ace the Civil Services exam on one single platform.

This includes concise, effective, and well-planned video lectures by our Dream Team for UPSC , a well-structured and high yield QBank, highly competitive PrepTests based on real exam patterns, and Previous Year Papers in the form of tests. 

Keep following our articles to apprise yourself with the latest information about the exam. You can also join our Telegram channel for UPSC exam preparation to always stay ahead.

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Raminder is a Content Manager at PrepLadder. He has worked in several aspects of the education industry throughout his career and has assisted numerous candidates in cracking major competitive exams.

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• How to Prepare Philosophical Essays Topics for UPSC Mains

How to prepare for Philosophical essay topics for the UPSC Exam?

The UPSC Mains Exam consists of nine papers, one of which is an essay. The Essay Paper in the IAS Mains Exam is divided into two parts A and B, each containing four themes of 125 marks, for a total of 250 marks. Candidates must choose a topic from each area and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words in three hours. The essay paper is regarded as critical in deciding the ultimate outcome of a candidate’s selection and ranking.

Writing helps you to explore your own ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. What you put on paper will reveal to the reader how you argue, think, and defend your point of view. However, many candidates find essay writing to be a difficult task. Though one segment is relatively simple to tackle, with topics ranging from social, political, environmental, and economic aspects, writing an essay on philosophical topics is a huge challenge. In this article we will share some tips and tricks to approach a philosophical essay.

Selecting the topic for UPSC Essay

A good essay will undoubtedly have a variety of dimensions and components. There are certainly numerous fundamental guidelines for essay writing that should be followed when looking for these aspects and dimensions. The first and most important step is to choose a topic, particularly a philosophical one.

While choosing a topic, choose a topic on which you have sufficient knowledge and you can express yourself in 10-12 pages. If you are unfamiliar with a topic or do not have many dimensions to write upon, your ideas will be exhausted in 2-3 pages, and you will wind up repeating yourself. Unlike the GS topics or the current affair topics in the philosophical essay, marks will not be assigned purely based on the content of your essay but also, to its language, consistency, and organisation of your thoughts. Hence, select a topic on which you have sufficient information and on which you can express yourself really well. There are several concerns associated with how to address the philosophical topic in an effective and safe manner. This is what we are going to discuss in the next section.

Tips to write a Philosophical Essay for UPSC Exam

The idea of a philosophical essay for UPSC is not to use flowery language, use story-telling tactics, or surprise the examiner. The brilliance of a philosophical essay is found in your well-organised thoughts; the language you employ is just a powerful tool for communicating these ideas to the examiner. The subtle art lies in proving one’s points in a clear and concise manner.

Approaching the topic- the first thing after selecting the topic is deciphering or decoding the topic . Decoding the topic means drawing an outline of the essay before writing it. Outlining an essay entails determining what to say in the introduction/conclusion, which ideas come where, and even which quote to utilise for the essay, among other things. The knowledge of GS Paper-4 Ethics , can be used in writing this type of essay.

Defining essential concepts and connecting them will expand the scope of the essay. Furthermore, quotes, instances, reports, and stories greatly contribute to the attraction of philosophical works. Otherwise, simply writing philosophical thoughts becomes uninteresting in essays. For instance in the topic- “Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success”, one must have a firm grasp of the concepts of bravery, devotion, and achievement. And use these concepts to interlink with each other.

Adding dimensions to your essay- To make your essay comprehensive, it is important to cover more and more dimensions related to the subject. You can use the “ PESTLEE ” Approach (Political – Economic – Sociological – Technological – Legal – Environmental –Ethics Analysis). However, explaining each of these dimensions one should be extremely cautious about his/her ideological beliefs. The essay should not represent your viewpoint; instead, the topic should be written with a more rational approach. Keep the following points in mind when writing on the above dimensions-

• While writing an essay it is important to maintain the ideological balance that is required. When dealing with issues, one must also be democratic. When proposing remedies or analysing events or issues, the values of ‘freedom and equality’ should be the driving principles.
• Always adhere to and preserve Constitutional ideals throughout your essay. It is critical for a philosophical essay that the ideals contained in our Constitution are reflected in whatever topic, issue, or answer we explore. The viewpoint can be extra constitutional but not unconstitutional.
• Do not call into question the issue itself, which is to say, do not contradict yourself. Choose a stance (preferably, the middle approach) and stick to it throughout the essay.
• In general, one should avoid idealist or non compromising viewpoints. In reality, finding the middle ground is the greatest method to deal with difficult challenges. It is likewise important not to draw broad generalisations about any specific problem. Instead, while addressing or debating any specific issue, there should be suggestions of tolerance, fairness, and understanding.
• Never describe something as positive that is commonly perceived or used negatively, and vice versa.

Concluding your essay – For an effective conclusion, a ‘ cyclic return ‘ strategy is required. To put it another way, end concepts with the introducing ideas at the starting of your essay. It is critical to remember that a solid finish is just as vital as a strong start. Both are necessary for better scores, as is a fair amount of brainstorming.

Philosophical themes are more difficult to write about than others since they relate to so many complex concepts. This implies that, even if you address the core concept of the essay question in the UPSC exam, there may be essential components of it that you overlooked. Thus, using the PESTLEE approach will help you go over all the rewired dimensions, making your essay a comprehensive one.

Hopefully, the preceding article was informative, and it helps you to tackle the philosophical essays, ratio of which are increasing year by year in the UPSC exam. While essay writing takes time, with the above points reading the question attentively, analysing it, and writing it should be completed in a reasonable length of time.

Download UPSC Mains 2021 Essay Paper from the linked article.

Download UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper from the linked article.

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EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : The climate crisis is not gender neutral

Source: The Hindu

• Prelims: Current events of international importance, G20, UNDP, NFHS, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), PM 2.5, SHGs, UNFPA, SDG, ILO etc.
• Mains GS Paper II & III: Bilateral, regional and global grouping and agreements involving India or affecting India’s interests.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a disaster.
• The Supreme Court ruled that people have a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change under Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (right to life).

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Impact of climate change on women:

• Climate-driven crop yield reductions increase food insecurity, adversely impacting poor households that already suffer higher nutritional deficiencies.
• Within small and marginal landholding households, men face social stigma due to unpaid loans (leading to migration, emotional distress, and sometimes even suicide),
• Women experience higher domestic work burdens, worse health, and greater intimate partner violence.
• more underweight
• experienced more intimate partner violence
• higher prevalence of girl marriages.
• It impacts their mental health and emotional well-being.

Gender-based violence

●      a report from the council on energy, environment and water (ceew) in 2021 f ound that 75% of indian districts are vulnerable to hydromet disasters (floods, droughts and cyclones)., ○      nfhs 5 data showed that over half of women and children living in these districts were at risk., ●      studies are increasingly showing a direct correlation between these natural disasters and gender-based violence against women., ●      extreme weather events and subsequent changes in water cycle patterns severely impact access to safe drinking water, ○      which increases the drudgery and reduces time for productive work and health care of women and girls., ●      prolonged heat is particularly dangerous for pregnant women (increasing the risk of preterm birth and eclampsia), young children, and the elderly., ●      exposure to pollutants in the air (household and outdoor) a ffects women’s health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, unborn child, ○      impairing its physical and cognitive growth., ●      emerging data from cohort studies in india s how that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in pm2.5, ○      the risk of lung cancer increases by 9%, ○      the risk of cardiovascular deaths on the same day by 3%, ○      stroke by 8%., ○      for dementia, t he risk increased by 4% for 2 micrograms inc rease in annual pm2.5..

Why does climate action need women?

• Climate action requires 100% of the population to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 5° C.
• Empowering women: provided with the same access to resources as men, women increased their agricultural yields by 20% to 30%.
• Giving women and women collectives (Self-help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations) the knowledge, tools and access to resources would encourage local solutions to emerge.
• Adaptation measures will necessarily be different in rural and urban areas as exposure to heat, air pollution and access to water and food will vary by context.

Best Practices for the effective involvement of women in climate change plans:

• In addition to enhancing community health outcomes, this lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
• These grids also lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
• In laboratories and research departments all over Africa, female scientists are bridging gender gaps by contributing first-hand knowledge of local conditions and agriculture.
• Gender and Climate Change Development Programme(Programme in South Asia): which aims to increase women’s influence in policy making by providing them with a stronger voice.
• In India, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) teaches women farmers how to respond to shifting climate patterns to support themselves better financially.

Way Forward

• Reduce the impact of prolonged heat on priority groups (outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants and young children and the elderly).
• Urban local bodies, municipal corporations and district authorities in all vulnerable districts need to have a plan and provide training and resources to key implementers.
• Heat wave warnings (based on local temperature plus humidity), change of timings for outdoor work and schools, cooling rooms in health facilities, public drinking water facilities, and immediate treatment of those with heat stroke will minimize deaths.
• The Mahila Housing Trust in Udaipur showed that painting the roofs of low-income houses with reflective white paint reduced indoor temperatures by 3° C to 4° C and improved quality of life.
• Work by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in a few districts of Tamil Nadu s howed that using geographic information systems
• panchayat could map key water sources, i dentify vulnerabilities and climate hazards and develop a local plan to improve water access by directing government schemes and resources.
• Convergence of sectors and services and prioritization of actions can happen most effectively at the village or panchayat levels.
• Devolution of powers and finances and investing i n building the capacity of panchayat and SHG members can be India’s way of demonstrating how to build resilience in a community-led and participatory way.
• A gender lens needs to be applied to all State-action plan s on climate change.
• A review of 28 SAPCCs showed a lack of transformative approaches, with only a few recognising women as agents of change.
• To ensure a comprehensive and equitable approach to climate adaptation.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

What is an Integrated Farming System ? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India?(UPSC 2022) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 10 April 2024

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