essay 2023 paper

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

UPSC Coaching, Study Materials, and Mock Exams

Enroll in ClearIAS UPSC Coaching Join Now Log In

Call us: +91-9605741000

Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on September 27, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

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.

Table of Contents

UPSC CSE Essay Paper 2023 Instructions

General instructions mentioned on the essay paper, that need to be followed by every aspirant are provided here.

• 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 a 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) 2023

The question paper of the UPSC CSE mains essay paper is provided here.

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

UPSC CSE 2025: Study Plan ⇓

(1) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Prelims cum Mains

(2) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Prelims Test Series

(3) ⇒ UPSC 2025: Fight Back

1: Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

2: Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

3: Not all who wander are lost.

4: Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

5: Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines.

6: Mathematics is the music of reasons.

7: A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.

8: Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023: Exam Analysis

The essay topics for the UPSC Civil Services Main Exam in 2023 were intellectually demanding and philosophical in nature.

They required candidates to engage in deep critical thinking and present their thoughts logically.

All the questions in this year’s paper aimed at assessing the candidates’ ability to handle abstract concepts and express their ideas effectively in a structured manner.

This year’s essay topics look like that UPSC has taken inspiration from a wide range of sources, including philosophical and literary works.

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team

This topic seems to revolve around the idea that critical thinking often emerges in response to opposing viewpoints or challenges.

Candidates may have been asked to explore how the clash of ideas leads to innovation and progress.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

This famous saying belongs to Paul O’Brien.

This statement likely prompted candidates to discuss the balance between intuition and rationality in making important decisions.

It encourages a reflection on the role of both factors in effective leadership and problem-solving

Not all who wander are lost

This saying belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien,  The Fellowship of the Ring.

The topic expected from candidates to think about how exploring and being spontaneous in life’s journey can be really good.

It’s a deep topic that can be understood in many different ways.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

This essay topic appears to emphasize the idea that creativity is not limited to rare moments of inspiration but can be found in everyday experiences.

It probably asked people to think about where creativity comes from and how we can express it in our daily lives.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines

This is the saying of Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir was a prominent French existentialist philosopher and feminist thinker. She made significant contributions to feminist philosophy through her work, including “The Second Sex,” where she discussed the concept of “The Other” and examined the role of societal expectations in shaping women’s lives.

The quote by Simone de Beauvoir presented the idea that both girls and boys or individuals of different genders, often face distinct but equally harmful forms of societal pressures and constraints.

It suggests that expectations placed on girls (referred to as “restrictions”) and boys (referred to as “demands”) can be damaging and limit their potential.

Mathematics is the music of reasons

The complete saying of James Joseph Sylvester is that mathematics is the music of reason. May not music be described as the mathematics of the sense, mathematics as music of the reason? The musician feels mathematics, the mathematician thinks music: music the dream, mathematics the working life.”

This statement suggests a poetic connection between mathematics and music. Candidates likely had to discuss the beauty and logic inherent in mathematics and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

This topic seems to touch upon the ideas of social justice and charity, which have been discussed by philosophers like John Rawls and the concept of the “veil of ignorance.”

Candidates may have been asked to explore the relationship between justice, equality, and philanthropy in society.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school –  Albert Einstein .

This essay topic likely demands from candidates to reflect on the value of education beyond rote memorization.

It may have expect discussion on the practical application of knowledge and lifelong learning.

What Should Aspirants Preparing for UPSC CSE for Next Year do for an essay paper?

Taking the essay paper in the UPSC exam seriously is important. This paper requires you to write 10-12 pages about abstract or philosophical topics, which can be challenging if you’re not well-prepared.

To succeed in this exam and perform well in the essay paper, you should work on improving your comprehension and analytical skills. To get additional guidance you can join the ClearIAS essay writing program as well.

One helpful way to prepare is by reading various types of essays, especially philosophical ones. Pay special attention to the ideas of famous philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and others.

Practice writing essays based on famous quotes, as this is a common format in UPSC exams.

Additionally, be ready to write essays on a wide range of topics, including society, politics, the economy, and technology. UPSC asks such types of questions too.

Keep in mind that there isn’t a fixed pattern for UPSC questions. Analyze previous year’s question papers to get valuable insight. So, focus on understanding the way UPSC frames questions rather than expecting a consistent trend.

Related Posts

• Essay Course for UPSC CSE – The Art of Essay Writing
• ClearIAS launches Essay Writing Course for UPSC
• 10 Common Essay Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Top 10 Best-Selling ClearIAS Courses

Upsc prelims cum mains (pcm) gs course: unbeatable batch 2025 (online), rs.75000   rs.29000, upsc prelims test series (pts) 2025 (online), rs.9999   rs.4999, upsc mains test series (mts) (online), rs.19999   rs.9999, csat course 2025 (online), current affairs course 2025: important news & analysis (online), ncert foundation course (online), essay writing course for upsc cse (online), ethics course for upsc cse (online), fight back: repeaters program with daily tests (online or offline), rs.55000   rs.25000.

About ClearIAS Team

ClearIAS is one of the most trusted learning platforms in India for UPSC preparation. Around 1 million aspirants learn from the ClearIAS every month.

Our courses and training methods are different from traditional coaching. We give special emphasis on smart work and personal mentorship. Many UPSC toppers thank ClearIAS for our role in their success.

Download the ClearIAS mobile apps now to supplement your self-study efforts with ClearIAS smart-study training.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Follow the ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Approach.

Join ClearIAS PCM Course Now

UPSC Online Preparation

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• IAS Exam Eligibility
• UPSC Free Study Materials
• UPSC Exam Guidance
• UPSC Prelims Test Series
• UPSC Syllabus
• UPSC Online
• UPSC Prelims
• UPSC Interview
• UPSC Toppers
• UPSC Previous Year Qns
• UPSC Age Calculator
• UPSC Calendar 2024
• About ClearIAS
• ClearIAS Programs
• ClearIAS Fee Structure
• IAS Coaching
• UPSC Coaching
• UPSC Online Coaching
• ClearIAS Blog
• Important Updates
• Announcements
• Book Review
• ClearIAS App
• Work with us
• Advertise with us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Talk to Your Mentor

Featured on

and many more...

ClearIAS Programs: Admissions Open

Thank You 🙌

UPSC CSE 2025: Study Plan

Subscribe ClearIAS YouTube Channel

Get free study materials. Don’t miss ClearIAS updates.

Subscribe Now

IAS/IPS/IFS Online Coaching: Target CSE 2025

Cover the entire syllabus of UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains systematically.

Download self-study plan.

Analyse Your Performance and Track Your Progress

Download Study Plan

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

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.

Sample Essays: Writing with MLA Style

Congratulations to the students whose essays were selected for the 2024 edition of Writing with MLA Style! Essays were selected as examples of excellent student writing that use MLA style for citing sources. Essays have been lightly edited. 

If your institution subscribes to MLA Handbook Plus , you can access annotated versions of the essays selected in 2022 and 2023. 

Writing with MLA Style: 2024 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2024 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The selection committee for high school submissions was composed of Lisa Karakaya, Hunter College High School; and Heather Smith, Dedham Public Schools. The selection committee for postsecondary submissions was composed of Rachel Ihara, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York; Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College; and Joyce MacDonald, University of Kentucky.

High School Essays

Miguel Kumar (Ransom Everglades School)

“McCarthyism at the Movies: The Effects of Hollywood McCarthyism on the American Public”

Catherine Mao (Hunter College High School)

“ Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder, and the Beholder Is a White Man: The 1875 Page Act, Eugenics, and Beauty Standards for Chinese Women versus American Women ”

Undergraduate Essays

Rachelle Dumayas  (California State University, Sacramento)

“Should Deaf Children Get Cochlear Implants?”

Holly Nelson (Johns Hopkins University)

“Creating Space? Representations of Black Characters in Regency Romance”

Chloe Wiitala (University of Minnesota, Duluth)

“ Reanimating Queer Perspectives through Camp: A Study of Frankenstein and Its Parodic Film Adaptations ”

Writing with MLA Style: 2023 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2023 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2023 selection committee was composed of Ellen C. Carillo, University of Connecticut (chair); Rachel Ihara, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York; and Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College.

Caroline Anderson (Pepperdine University)

“ L’Appel du Vide : Making Spaces for Sinful Exploration in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ”

Hunter Daniels (University of South Carolina, Aiken)

“Biblical Legalism and Cultural Misogyny in The Tragedy of Mariam ”

Aspen English (Southern Utah University)

“Putting the ‘Comm’ in Comics: A Communication-Theory-Informed Reading of Graphic Narratives”

Raul Martin (Lamar University)

“The Book-Object Binary: Access and Sustainability in the Academic Library”

Grace Quasebarth (Salve Regina University)

“Finding a Voice: The Loss of Machismo Criticisms through Translation in Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits ”

Writing with MLA Style: 2022 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2022 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2022 selection committee was composed of Ellen C. Carillo, University of Connecticut; Jessica Edwards, University of Delaware (chair); and Deborah H. Holdstein, Columbia College Chicago.

Kaile Chu (New York University, Shanghai)

“Miles Apart: An Investigation into Dedicated Online Communities’ Impact on Cultural Bias”

Sietse Hagen (University of Groningen)

“The Significance of Fiction in the Debate on Dehumanizing Media Portrayals of Refugees”

Klara Ismail (University of Exeter)

“Queering the Duchess: Exploring the Body of the Female Homosexual in John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi ”

Yasmin Mendoza (Whittier College)

“Banning without Bans”

Niki Nassiri (Stony Brook University)

“Modern-Day US Institutions and Slavery in the Twenty-First Century”

Samantha Wilber (Palm Beach Atlantic University)

“‘Pero, tu no eres facil’: The Poet X as Multicultural Bildungsroman”

Writing with MLA Style: 2019 Edition

The following essays were selected for the 2019 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2019 selection committee was composed of Jessica Edwards, University of Delaware; Deborah H. Holdstein, Columbia College Chicago (chair); and Liana Silva, César E. Chavez High School, Houston, Texas.

Catherine Charlton (University of King’s College, Nova Scotia)

“‘Coal Is in My Blood’: Public and Private Representations of Community Identity in Springhill, Nova Scotia”

Alyiah Gonzales (California Polytechnic State University)

“Disrupting White Normativity in Langston Hughes’s ‘I, Too’ and Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’”

Meg Matthias (Miami University, Ohio)

“Prescriptions of (Living) Historical Happiness: Gendered Performance and Racial Comfort in Reenactment”

Jennifer Nguyen  (Chaminade University of Honolulu)

“The Vietnam War, the American War: Literature, Film, and Popular Memory”

Emily Schlepp (Northwest University)

“A Force of Love: A Deconstructionist Reading of Characters in Dickens’s  Great Expectations ”

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis, Check PDF Download Link

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has administered the CSE Mains 2023 Essay Paper on September 15. Download PDF and Check the UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis of question here.

Table of Contents

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis

The UPSC Essay Paper is an important component that evaluates candidates’ knowledge as well as their ability to clearly and simply express concepts. This analysis explores the subtleties of this exam section, revealing trends, approaches, and ideas for future civil employees. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the IAS Mains 2023 Essay Paper on September 15, 2023. Check here UPSC Essay Paper 2023 detailed analysis below with proper model answers.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF

The Essay Paper of UPSC Mains 2023 is available in PDF format. The exam was successfully administered by UPSC at Forenoon on September 15, 2023. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, session. The UPSC Essay Paper is of  250 Marks. Candidates can check the UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF Link below

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Questions

The questions asked in the UPSC Essay paper 2023 have been mentioned below:

• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
• Not all who wander are lost
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane
• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines
• Mathematics is the music of reason
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity
• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section A

Check here 4 questions of a UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section A.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section B

Check here 4 questions of a UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Section B.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Detailed Discussion Question-wise

Check the Question-Wise detailed discussion on UPSC Essay Paper 2023 below:

1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

Approach : 

• Thinking as a human nature.
• Features of thinking as a GAME – connecting thinking to a game.
• Game is based on competition. 
• Various dimensions to connect

Thesis – Thinking (like a game)  begins with a competition (it can be opposite views, adversary conditions/Challenges.

Philosophical basis : Hegels idea of dialectics.

Meaning/Context:  

• Thinking  in simple terms is  a  problem-solving activity.
•  pondering or reflecting on something. 
• Analysing and evaluating options
• Goal-directed behaviour. 
• From choosing a dress to wear to solving a mathematical problem, all activities involve thinking.

Historical Examples:

• Ancient : To protect from animal attacks and other dangers , humans started to live in bands–thats the basis of community/society.
• Modern: Masses of Indian -sub-continent as a united against the oppressive policies of the British in the National Movement.

Examples from Different Dimensions

• Individual : In day to day life of individual, its the competition that drives our thinking from simple decisions like chosing a dress to major decisions like deciding on the careers.
• Societal : Ex: Social reforms in Hindu society were initiated through Arya Samaj due to the fear of westernisation and threat of conversions.
• Political : Fear of opposition from rival political parties  in the Parliament checks the misuse of  power by the incumbent government. (or) Presence of multiple political parties and their debates during the election campaigns ignites the thinking of the common man towards the major issues.
• Ex: Presence of multiple competitors in the telecom sector resulted in faster adoption of 4g technology in India.
• Governance : Competitive fedaralism by NITI Aayog giving best outputs,
• Environmental : Modern Environmentalism started due to the opposition to industrial revolution.
• International Relations :   Countries’ goal to  become superpower makes them to adher to the principles of peace.
• Other examples – Covid, globalization 

Anti-Thesis : Thinking does not always require Competition to begin.

• Thinking can also happen by chance without any goal –For ex: it can happen through curiosity–Example: Newtons’ discovery of gravity, Human discovery of fire etc.
• Destructive thinking: Hitler

2. Visionary decision making happen at the intersection of intuition and logic

• Decision making in everyday life – basis of human survival. E.g. Evolution of Humans from apes and role of decision making
• Role of Intuition in decision making ( Navigating Ambiguity, Intuition is a source of creativity, as are innovation,​​ Making social and interpersonal decisions, Risk assessment: Personal Values and Ethics )
• Logic as assistance in decision making ( Identifying Relevant Information, Analyzing Options, Consistency, Problem Solving)
• Requirement of both intuition and logic for visionary decision.
• How to develop intuition and logic and balance them for visionary decision making. 

Thesis: Visionary decision possible at intersection. 

Examples and Arguments: 

• Innovation and creativity – Steve Jobs’ visionary choice to create the iPhone –  result of his creative vision and intuition about what consumers needed.
• Financial innovations in the form of UPI – logic made it difficult as financial transactions were already happening, but intuitive ness about its adoption was the major factor for its success.
• Risk-taking: Elon Musk’s visionary choice to use SpaceX – intuition about the significance of extraterrestrial colonisation drove him to take the risk despite logic’s assertions to the contrary.
• Long-Term Perspective: Mahatma Gandhi had a brilliant idea to use nonviolent resistance – while logic might have suggested a more combative strategy, his gut feeling about the long-term advantages of nonviolence and unity resulted in a historic change.
• Human and societal factors: requires knowledge of societal dynamics, human behaviour, and values. E.g. A doctor may have logical medical data but also needs to consider the patient’s emotional state and unique circumstances .
• Transcending Conventions: Visionary choices go against accepted beliefs and norms. Nelson Mandela’s visionary choice to seek out forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa after the end of apartheid.

More examples –

• Watson and Crick’s Discovery of DNA’s Structure.
• Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin.
• Alfred Wegener’s intuition about continents drifting led to the plate tectonics theory and logic through dscoveries of fossils.
• Charles Darwin’s intuition about natural selection and the evolution of species led to his groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species.”
• Franklin D. Roosevelt – The New Deal: FDR’s intuition led him to understand the desperation and suffering caused by the Great Depression. The New Deal was a well-thought-out set of policies aimed at reviving the economy through public works projects, banking reforms, and social programs.

Anti Thesis: Why intuition and logic alone are not sufficient to achieve it.

Challenges and Pitfalls: Potential challenges of relying too heavily on intuition or logic in visionary decision making.

• Over Reliance on logic: Nokia’s Missed Smartphone Revolution – Over Reliance on logic can lead to a reluctance to embrace disruptive innovations. Fall of Kodak cameras.
• Over Reliance on intuition: Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, had a vision to revolutionize blood testing. Holmes ignored red flags and critical feedback, ultimately undermining the company’s credibility . Also – 2008 economic crisis, NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 was partially attributed to a decision made based on intuition  
• Importance of self-awareness in decision-makers: Balancing intuition and logic is crucial in visionary decision-making. Self-awareness is the key to achieving this balance.

How to develop intuition and logic and balancing them for visionary decision making:

• Cultivate Intuition: Self-Reflection, Trust Your Gut, Embrace Creativity, Mindfulness and Meditation etc.
• Develop Logical Thinking: Analytical Exercises, Data Analysis, Scenario Planning
• Balancing Intuition and Logic: Collaborate, Feedback Loops, Continuous Learning

Conclusion: Visionary decision-making resulted from the harmonious interplay of intuition and logic. Intuition provided the overarching purpose and direction, while logic offered the means to translate those visionary goals into practical, achievable outcomes. – “Intuition alone can be a powerful guiding force, but logic is the tool that transforms vision into reality.”

3. Not all who wander are lost

• Introduction with anecdote
• Arguments on essence of wandering – Integrating examples
• Counter viewpoints
• Pre-conclusion – Administrative dimension – Need of balancing wandering with clarity of purpose

Introduction – Story of Siddhartha Gautama/ Columbus’ quest of exploring the unknown

The topic reflects the idea that those who may appear lost or aimless may, in fact, be on a heroic quest . This perspective challenges preconceived notions and encourages us to look beyond appearances.

Essence of Wandering 

• Leads to exploration – Societal level, Individual introspection (Linking this with introductory story of Gautam Buddha)
• Personal growth and self-discovery (Introspection leads to critical thinking, we understand why one behaves in a certain way). Example – Philosophy of Tao 
• Quest for knowledge (Such deep wandering into the psyche of oneself and others may lead to gaining significant knowledge). Ex – Ferdinand Magellan discovery of the nature of Earth surface. 
• Creativity and innovation (Insights and knowledge acquired through wandering may lead to creativity and innovation) Thomas Alva Edison
• Breaking free from conformity (Innovation/Creativity will challenge deep seated stereotypes and prejudices and in turn lead to breaking the conformity bias) 
• Struggling for change/reform –  Cuba cost effective health care and education despite being wandering with revolutions and system of government 

Embracing uncertainty/Resisting the fear of unknown

It suggests that not having a fixed destination can be liberating, allowing us to adapt to the unexpected and be open to new experiences. This is particularly relevant in a rapidly changing world where flexibility and adaptability are highly valued.

Movements for social justice – LGBTQIA+, Environment, Women Empowerment, Caste equality movements.

Counter viewpoint  

Survivorship bias

• Bias for those who do not get lost after wandering – but what about those who have / will lose after wandering?

Potential for Wasted Time :

• Wandering without a purpose or goal can lead to a significant amount of time and resources being spent without tangible results. 
• In certain contexts, such as education or career planning, meandering aimlessly may result in missed opportunities or delayed achievements.

Risk of Disconnection

Individuals who prioritise aimless exploration over obligations to family, work, or community may find themselves isolated or struggling to meet their obligations.

Pre conclusion remarks – Linkage with Indian administration – 

How wandering in the realm of bureaucratic rigidities led to the loss of purpose (welfare state). However, the decision to explore the path of “Digital world” has made governance citizen-centric. Balancing the wandering/exploration with clarity of purpose is paramount to achieve the dreams of AMRIT KAAL.

“Not all who wander are lost” invites us to navigate the complexities of life with an open heart and a curious mind, to embrace uncertainty and spontaneity, and to recognize that even those who appear to be wandering aimlessly may be on profound journeys of self-discovery and growth. It is an intellectual call to balance the pursuit of goals and the pursuit of wisdom, acknowledging that both are valuable and, at times, intertwined in the tapestry of human existence.

4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

• Idea of creativity and basis for inspiration
• Creativity thrives when we uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary—finding magic in the mundane.
• This drives innovation across art, science, and technology, spurring personal growth, solving everyday problems, and shaping history.
• It serves as a catalyst for progress and enriches the human experience.

Anecdote for Introduction

Walking on the sand – taking a stroll on a beach, same sand – Silicon – semiconductors , Uranium – nuclear weapons/energy.

Thesis: Creativity is the spark that ignites our imagination, enabling us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.  What fuels this inexhaustible well of creativity?

It is the ability to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, to find the magical in the mundane. 

It reminds us that the world is full of wonder waiting to be discovered, even in the most ordinary of circumstances.

Dimensions:

• Art and Aesthetics

Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” 

Artists take commonplace objects, scenes, and emotions and elevate them to the realm of the extraordinary. 

• Startups and small businesses
• Companies like Uber and Airbnb turned everyday tasks like transportation and lodging into magical, on-demand experiences, revolutionizing their respective sectors.
• The “Dabbawalas” of Mumbai , who efficiently deliver home-cooked lunches to workers across the city.
• Science and Innovation
• Think of Isaac Newton’s observation of an apple falling from a tree, which led to his groundbreaking insights into gravity.
• Consider Iphones ( Steve Jobs) , initially designed for communication but now integral to our lives, connecting us to an expansive digital world.
• Economy/Finance
• UPI Payments – brining financial revolution – from McDonalds to Street vendors
• Energy Security
• Renewable energy – like Solar – tapping the potential of Sun 
• Biofuels – driving vehicles with cleaner, simple fuels 
• Administrative Innovation : Bureaucrats using simple /mundane solutions for fixing societal issues.
• Armstrong Palme – People’s Road
• Operation Sulaimani – Prashant Nair – ‘’Compassionate Kozhikode’ – hunger and food security
• Problem Solving/ Challenges

Consider a chef in a bustling restaurant kitchen. They take ordinary ingredients—flour, water, and yeast—and transform them into the magical delight of freshly baked bread.

• On a personal level, seeking the magical in the mundane is a pathway to self-discovery and personal growth. The daily routines and tasks of life may seem routine, but they can be opportunities for mindfulness and reflection. 

Antithesis /Alternate Perspective

• AI usage – killing creativity – only some will use AI for creativity but for the majority, creativity will get killed.
• Specific class of intellectuals – Gramsci’s Manufacturing Consent 
• Circumstances for thinking – societal norms controlling mind – reducing innovation

Conclusion:

• Embracing the idea that inspiration can be found in everyday experiences is crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring a brighter, more imaginative future. 
• As we navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world, let us remember that even the most ordinary of things can hold the spark of creativity and the potential for magic.
• The magic is not just out there; it’s within us, waiting to be uncovered in the world around us.

5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines

Introduction

• Breaking down the first part- Girls are weighed down by restrictions
• Breaking down the second part – Boys are weighed down with demands
• Why such a scenario
• Multidimensional Impact of these harmful disciplines – Family level, society, nation, Political, economical, etc.
• Are these two disciplines equally harmful?

Countering these harmful disciplines

• India, a nation heralded for its rich cultural heritage and a history spanning millennia , is also a place where gender disparities have endured for generations. 
• The intricate web of expectations placed upon girls, often characterised by social, familial, and cultural restrictions, can inhibit their aspirations, education, and personal freedoms. 
• Simultaneously, boys face the weight of societal demands that prescribe specific notions of masculinity, often emphasising stoicism, competitiveness, and emotional restraint

Girls are weighed down by restrictions

• Traditional gender roles and expectations may dictate that girls should prioritise domestic responsibilities over personal aspirations, conform to rigid standards of beauty and behaviour , and shy away from traditionally male-dominated fields. 
• Emotional: Cannot express anger /aggressiveness–only love, empathy, care etc. are acceptable. 
• Family and Marriage:   Patriarchy; Restrictions on choosing life partner; child birth  etc.
• Career: Restrictions on  taking up professions like Mechanical Engineering , Combat role in Army etc. ( Gender ceiling ; Pink collared jobs etc.)
• Economy: Restrictions/ non-inclusion /no independence  in major  financial decisions.
• Consequences : These restrictions can stifle their ambitions, self-expression, and personal growth.

Boys with demands

• Boys often grapple with societal demands that pressure them to conform to notions of masculinity that may not align with their authentic selves. 
• Emotional : Boys are not supposed to cry even in bitter conditions.
• Clothes : Colours and style as set up the society Ex: Pink is almost not acceptable
• Physical : Physical Strength
• Relationship :  Not to show equality towards spouse
• Marriage: Taking Dowry 
• Career :  Towards  Engineering, Army, Police etc.
• Economy: To bear the financial burden of the entire family
• Culture: To carry out the legacy of family
• Consequences : These demands may include suppressing emotions, pursuing aggressive behaviours, and demonstrating dominance. The pressure to meet these demands can lead to emotional repression, mental health issues, and a perpetuation of harmful stereotypes about masculinity.

Why? – Social norms, Perpetuation of stereotypes through social interactions, misinterpretation of religious texts, popular culture, cinema, etc.

Impact of these two harmful disciplines: 

• Limiting Personal Growth
• Impeding social progress – Not conducive for national development
• Non inclusive society

Are the two disciplines equally harmful or not? 

• Arguments in favour
• Reinforces Gender stereotypes – limits individual freedom and self expression 
• Adversely impacts emotional well being .
• Perpetuates gender inequality and disturbs social peace–Men Vs. Women debate will continue.
• Limits life choices thereby repressing personal autonomy and Individual freedom 
• Arguments against
• Biological limitations:  Physical strength is a natural fact. Therefore, such limitations may not be harmful for certain segments.
• Cultural limitations:  To preserve the culture to bind together the families through division of work and responsibilities.
• Societal Limitations: Society is not yet matured enough to accept breaking the gender roles and stereotypes.
• Infrastructural Limitations: Ex:  Lack of Toilets and other necessary infrastructure for women is an issue to recruit women in combat roles in the army.
• More harmful to girls than boys as boys through demands at least get opportunities. However such opportunities are denied to girls due to restrictions.

Breaking barriers and building the nation – Countering the two harmful disciplines.

Conclusion: 

• There are examples of women breaking their restrictions. Ex- Kiran Bedi
• Matrelinial societies build on breaking restrictions.
• Husbands also contributing in breaking limitations. Ex – division of house work.

6. Mathematics is the ‘music of reason’

• Similarity between Maths and Music 
• Linkage between Maths and Reason 
• Why Maths is considered as the ‘Music of Reason’
• Way Ahead – Steps which can be taken to build Passion for Maths among young people

Similarity between Maths and Music

Similar to Music, to do mathematics is to engage in an act of

• Discovery of Pythagorous 
• Ex Srinivisa Ramanujan contribution to pure mathematics, without any formal knowledge, which led to many discoveries. 
• His last notebooks just before his death caused excitement among Mathmaticians 
• Aryabhatta discovery of zero
• to be in a state of confusion— Do not know what your creation can lead to
• Newton contributions in calculus, technology of telescope etc and how it helped in Modern Physics
• Recent research, in which Math models were used to gain new insight on how breast cancer metastasizes.
• to be frustrated as an artist; 
• to be awed and overwhelmed by an almost painful beauty; to be alive, damn it.”

Linkage b/w Maths and Reason

• Mathematics is often described as a discipline rooted in pure reason. While it is influenced by empirical observations and practical applications, it is ultimately built on a foundation of abstract reasoning and logical deduction.

Reason why Mathematics is considered the ‘Music of Reason’

Requires Passion 

Continuous pursuit of Knowledge

Can lead to collaborations for greater good 

Inculcates logical Thinking and Reason 

Results in creation which stand the test of time

• Provides Harmony in patterns – music of reason because it emphasized beauty of patterns, symmetry and harmony. 
• Mathematical concepts underpin various technological advancement.  
• Mathematical equation and concepts reveal the inherent order in the Universe. 
• Transcends cultural and linguistic barriers → Universal language Understood by scientist, engineering and Finance
• International collaboration in the above field takes place. 
• Cultivates Problem solving skills and logical thinking → Helps tackle real world problems. 
• Cultivates Reason → Valuable in decision making 
• Forms the basis of artificial intelligence, cryptography and data science etc.
• Ancient times – Jantar Mantar, 
• Add examples – 
• Economic Significance → Role played by Maths in economics finance, resource allocation etc. 
• for example calculus is used to determine the rate of speed required for the spaceship to successfully reach space from the Earth. 
• India’s achievements in space exploration, especially Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Chandrayaan 3 mission which was celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and precision in trajectory calculations, demonstrating the role of mathematics in space endeavours.
• Educational and Skill development  → Provides Individuals with analytical skills and problem solving → example of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will help develop future professionals. 
• Interdisciplinary Connections: Intersects with various other disciplines such as Computer Science, economics and Social Science. Thus, helps with Interdisciplinary research to provide Innovative solutions to the problems 

Way Ahead – Change in culture to make Maths be seen as an artistic pursuit

• Talk about why Maths should be taken as an intellectually engaged, artistic pursuits. 
• Take Maths as a a tool for collaboration (Similar to Music where artists collaborate example of collaboration in field of Space), persistence (similar to music work towards persistently finding new algorithms etc.), growth mindset (offer praise, nurturing the passion for Maths among student), Make students love Maths (stop the culture of hating Maths etc.) 

7. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

• Meaning/Context  : A just society is one that strives to eliminate the root causes of inequality and suffering , thereby reducing the need for charitable assistance.
• Idea of Justice
• Historical dimension
• Interplay of Justice and Charity through multiple layers of society
• Significance of charity in today’s society

Historical Dimension 

• Concept of charity started when social justice took a backseat with caste and gender divisions–charity in fact shows the inequalities in society (where rich are able to donate to poor).

Different Dimensions of Society

• Ex: Stephen Hawking’s disability did not let him to depend on charity.
• Community :  Historically Disadvantaged sections of Indian society like SC/STs- were ensured with  social justice through affirmative action in the constitution.
• Subnational level : Hilly and tribal regions are provided with special provisions  in the constitution. (Fifth and Six Schedule )
• Social Justice has no room for freebies in elections , farm loan waivers etc. 
• World :   Inclusion of African Union to G20–African nations need no charity but chances for opportunities for growth.

Significance of  Charity in Current Times 

• Historical injustices have perpetuated inequalities in the society in the form of caste class, gender , religion etc.— constitution ensures social justice to these sections– but it will take a long time to correct these (even though progress has been significant) -hence charity (from individuals. Corporates and institutions) provide support to the desired sections of population to a certain extent.
• Global North vs Global South
• Impact of Climate Change – Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) 
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – balancing profits with the social needs.

Conclusion : The ultimate goal of society is to reduce  the need for charity.

8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school

• Meaning of Education and significance for humans.
• Role of learning: Learning is a process which results in a more or less permanent modification of behaviour as a result of practice or experience.
• Distinguish between education and schooling/learning → Only positive or desirable learning contributes to the process of education while negative or undesirable learning is not considered a part of education.
• The Importance of Lifelong Learning and how education inculcates this.

Meaning/Context 

• Education has different contextual meaning – the economist would see education as a commodity in which it is profitable for the community to invest. Sociologists would tell people that education is a socializing force, Education as a Spiritual Pursuit: According to the Upanishads, “Education is that whose end product is salvation”
• Nevertheless, education is there in all of the above and each one is linked to the process of education, yet it lies above all these.
• It is believed that education should prepare individuals for active participation in a democratic society.

Historical Dimension

• Education is derived from  – “Educare”, which refers to “to bring up’ or “to nourish”.
• In India, the concept of education is traced back to the “Gurukula Parampara” which developed in ancient times.

Distinguish between education and schooling/learning

• Value system/ wisdom comes from experience while learning teaches academic knowledge and information. Example –  only after seeing pain, death and suffering  Siddhartha became Buddha.  
• True education extends beyond memorization and tests, leaving a lasting imprint on an individual’s character, values, and ability to navigate the complexities of life. E.g. NEP fosters foundational learning away from rote learning.
• Education exposes individuals to diverse cultures, histories, and perspectives, nurturing cultural and social awareness. This understanding promotes tolerance, inclusivity, and the ability to thrive in a globalized world. 

The success of renowned entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who dropped out of college, highlights how the problem-solving skills and innovative thinking acquired in their educational journey laid the foundation for their groundbreaking careers.

The Importance of Lifelong Learning and how education inculcates this?

• Adaptation to Change : In a rapidly changing world.
• Personal Growth : Lifelong learning fosters personal growth and self-improvement.
• Career Advancement : Lifelong learners are often more competitive in the job market. 
• Problem Solving : Lifelong learning enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Cognitive Health : Continuous learning helps maintain cognitive health and may delay cognitive decline associated with aging. 
• Increased Confidence : Acquiring new knowledge and skills boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. 
• Enhanced Communication : Lifelong learning can improve communication skills, including written and verbal communication.
• Social Engagement : Lifelong learners often engage in social activities related to their interests, fostering connections and a sense of belonging within communities of learners.
• Innovation and Creativity : Exposure to diverse ideas and experiences through lifelong learning can inspire innovation and creativity.

Way Forward: John Dewey’s 7 principles: Experiential Learning, Child-Centered Education , Learning by Doing, Integration of Subjects, Democratic Education, Continuous Learning, Problem-Centered Curriculum, Social Interaction.

Conclusion: Aristotle advocated for a balanced education that included the cultivation of moral virtues, intellectual virtues, and practical skills.  In essence, education endures as a beacon that guides individuals throughout their lives, illuminating the path toward personal growth, societal progress, and the betterment of humanity as a whole.

Sharing is caring!

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis FAQs

What are the rules for writing essay in upsc.

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 three hours.

How to score good marks in essay UPSC?

Here are a few tips to help you achieve this score: - Understand the essay topic: Read the topic carefully and analyze its various dimensions. Develop a clear understanding of what the essay demands. - Plan your essay: Spend some time brainstorming and organizing your thoughts before you start writing.

Do essay questions repeat in UPSC?

Yes, UPSC does repeat its previous year's questions in the Prelims exam.

Can essay be written in bullet points?

Yes. There is no hard and fast rule; that being said, if this is for a course assignment, I would be careful about it. Some instructors might consider bullet points too informal for an essay.

What is a decent score in essay UPSC?

As the essay paper is out of 250, marks which are above 50% can be considered good, ie. 125. Marks between 110-125 is considered as average.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Trending Event

• RJS Prelims Result 2024
• UPSC CMS Answer Key 2024
• UPSC CMS Question Paper 2024
• UKPSC Question Paper 2024
• UKPSC Answer Key 2024
• TNPSC Group 1 Question Paper 2024
• TNPSC Group 1 Answer Key 2024

Recent Posts

• UPSC Online Coaching
• UPSC Exam 2024
• UPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPSC Age Limit 2024
• UPSC Calendar 2024
• UPSC Syllabus in Hindi
• UPSC Full Form
• UPPSC Exam 2024
• UPPSC Calendar
• UPPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPPSC Application Form 2024
• UPPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024
• UPPSC Admit card 2024
• UPPSC Salary And Posts
• UPPSC Cut Off
• UPPSC Previous Year Paper

BPSC Exam 2024

• BPSC 70th Notification
• BPSC 69th Exam Analysis
• BPSC Admit Card
• BPSC Syllabus
• BPSC Exam Pattern
• BPSC Cut Off
• BPSC Question Papers
• MPPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024
• MPPSC Answer Key 2024
• MPPSC Exam Date 2024
• MPPSC Syllabus 2024

SSC CGL 2024

• SSC CGL Exam 2024
• SSC CGL Syllabus 2024
• SSC CGL Cut off
• SSC CGL Apply Online
• SSC CGL Salary
• SSC MTS 2024
• SSC MTS Syllabus 2024
• SSC MTS Salary 2024
• SSC MTS Previous Year Paper

IMPORTANT EXAMS

• Terms & Conditions
• Return & Refund Policy
• Privacy Policy

[Download] UPSC Mains 2023 – Essay Paper PDF – Hindi | English

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 26th June. Click Here for more information.

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper has been conducted on the first day of the Civil Services mains Examination. The question paper of the same is out. You can download the question paper from the link given below:

Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper

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

1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. चिंतन एक तरह का खेल है, यह तब तक प्रारम्भ नहीं होता, जब तक एक विरोधी पक्ष न हो ।

2. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते हैं जब अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।

3. Not all who wander are lost. सभी भटकने वाले गुम नहीं होते हैं ।

4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane. रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा लौकिकता में चमत्कार ढूँढने के प्रयास से उपजती हैं।

Section – B

5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands two equally harmful disciplines. लड़कियाँ बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएँ हैं।

6. Mathematics is the music of reason. गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है ।

7. 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।

8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है।

The Essay Paper is a crucial part of the UPSC Mains Examination. It carries 250 marks and is divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. Each section has four essay topics, and you must pick one topic from each section to write on. The time allotted is 3 hours.

UPSC CSE Main exam 2023 schedule

If you are looking for previous mains question papers – click here

Mains 2023 Essay Paper

Type your email…

Search Articles

Prelims 2024 current affairs.

• Art and Culture
• Indian Economy
• Science and Technology
• Environment  & Ecology
• International Relations
• Polity &  Nation
• Important Bills and Acts
• International Organizations
• Index, Reports and Summits
• Government Schemes and Programs
• Miscellaneous
• Species in news

All India Open Test(Simulator X)

Civilsdaily

No. 1 UPSC IAS Platform for preparation

[Download PDF] UPSC Mains 2023: Essay Paper | Join for LIVE Analysis & Discussion

Today marked the commencement of the UPSC Mains 2023, and the first hurdle to clear was the Essay paper. From issues of social importance to topics rooted in the governance system, the Essay paper had it all, offering challenges and opportunities in both Section A and Section B.

What’s Inside the Essay Paper?

We’ve got you covered! You can download the full Essay paper PDF here to see what UPSC had in store this year. Examine the questions, analyze their complexities, and think about how you would have approached them.

• चिंतन एक तरह का खेल है, यह तब तक प्रारम्भ नहीं होता, जब तक एक विरोधी पक्ष न हो । Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
• दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते हैं जब अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
• सभी भटकने वाले गुम नहीं होते हैं । Not all who wander are lost.
• रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा लौकिकता में चमत्कार ढूँढ़ने के प्रयास से उपजती है। Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
• लड़कियाँ बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं – दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएँ हैं । Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands two equally harmful disciplines.
• गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है। Mathematics is the music of reason.
• जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है, उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है । A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
• शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है। Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Join Us for a Deep Dive

Feeling curious or maybe a bit overwhelmed? Join us at 6:30 pm tonight for a detailed discussion on today’s Essay paper.

Here’s what you can expect from the session:

• A thorough analysis of both Section A and Section B.
• How the essay topics relate to past trends in UPSC Mains.
• A look ahead: What could the upcoming GS papers bring?
• Tips and strategies on how to prepare for UPSC Mains 2024 Essay paper.

UPSC Essay 2023 paper

Why Should You Tune In?

Understanding the pattern and intricacies of the Essay paper can be your secret weapon for scoring high. Our session aims to demystify the paper, offer insights into effective preparation strategies, and forecast upcoming trends.

Don’t miss this chance to get a leg up on your UPSC preparation. Click here to join us at 6:30 pm and be a part of this enriching discussion!

Register below to discuss Essay strategy with Senior IAS Mentors and prepare your Mains Answer Writing studyplan

Next 8 months strategy for UPSC Prelims 2024 by AIR 48, IAS Aaditya Pandey | Strategic blueprint by IAS Topper. Get CD Atomic Notes PDF on registration

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across social media platforms..

Your better version awaits you!

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper - Download PDF

The UPSC Mains exam commenced on 15 September 2023. It started with the UPSC Essay paper. It is an important paper and counts for 250 marks in total in the UPSC Mains exam. In this article, you can download the UPSC Mains essay paper PDF. There are a total of nine papers in the IAS mains exam. On the first day, i.e., 15 September, only one paper, the UPSC Mains essay paper was conducted. Candidates can go through the UPSC calendar for a detailed schedule of the UPSC mains 2023 exam.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023

The UPSC essay paper was held at 9 AM on 15 September. You can download the UPSC essay paper 2023 from the link below.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023 – Question Paper Download Download PDF Here

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper Topics

• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
• Not all who wander are lost.
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines.
• Mathematics is the music of reason.
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

Download the other UPSC 2023 Mains question papers in the link.

UPSC Essay Paper Pattern

• The UPSC Essay paper segment consists of two sections A and B.
• Both sections have about four questions each.
• The candidates have to choose one topic from each section, thus having to answer 2 essay questions in total.
• The word limit for each question is to be within the range of 1000-1200 words.
• The marks for each question is 125, thus the total allotted marks are 250.
• The paper will be included for merit ranking and is not just for qualifying purposes.
• The candidates are expected to keep close to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion and to write concisely. To understand how to approach the essay paper and the topics to be focused on during preparation, check the link here .

Candidates can download the UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022 in the linked article.

For more information about the UPSC essay paper and preparation strategy, check the links below.

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation, register with byju's & download free pdfs, register with byju's & watch live videos.

Prelims Qualified? Get Free Access to SRIJAN

• UPSC Online
• UPSC offline and Hybrid
• UPSC Optional Coaching
• UPPCS Online
• BPSC Online
• MPSC Online
• MPPSC Online
• WBPSC Online
• OPSC Online
• UPPCS Offline Coaching
• BPSC Offline Coaching
• UPSC Test Series
• State PSC Test Series
• DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
• SUBJECT WISE CURRENT AFFAIRS
• DAILY EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
• DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ
• Daily Prelims(MCQs) Practice
• Daily Mains Answer Writing
• Free Resources

• Offline Centers
• NCERT Notes
• UDAAN Notes
• UPSC Syllabus
• UPSC Prelims PYQs
• UPSC Mains PYQs
• Prelims Preparation

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023

7-minute read

• 28th December 2022

Essay contests are not only a great way to exercise your essay-writing skills but also an awesome way to win cash prizes, scholarships, and internship or program opportunities. They also look wonderful on college applications as awards and achievements.

In this article, you’ll learn about 7 essay writing contests to enter in 2023. Watch the video below, or keep reading to learn more.

1. Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest 

Deadline: Now–April 30, 3023

Who may enter:

This is an international contest for people of all ages (except for residents of Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus due to US government restrictions).

Contest description:

●  The contest is organized by Winning Writers, located in MA, USA.

●  They accept stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. This contest defines a story as any short work of fiction and an essay as any short work of nonfiction.

●  Your stories and essays must be submitted in English.

●  You may submit published or unpublished work.

Entry fee: USD 22 per entry

●  Story: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  Essay: First Prize is USD 3,000.

●  10 Honorable Mentions will receive USD 300 each (any category).

●  The top 12 entries will be published online.

Official website

Please visit the competition’s official website for more information on judges and submissions.

2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize 

Deadline: Now–January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm

Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted.

●  This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review.

●  Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words.

●  You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political, literary, or speculative.

●  You may enter multiple essays but will need to pay separate fees for each one.

●  Your essay must be unpublished.

Entry fee: AU 30 for non-members

Prize: AU 7,500

Official website:

For more information on this contest, please visit its official website.

3. John Locke Institute Essay Competition 

Deadline: June 30, 2023

●  Students from any country.

●  Students aged 15 to 18 years by the competition deadline.

●  Students aged 14 years or younger by the competition deadline are eligible for the Junior prize.

●  The contest is organized by the John Locke Institute.

●  Your essay cannot exceed 2,000 words.

●  There are seven subjects or categories for essay submissions: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law.

Entry fee: Free to enter

●  The best overall essay winner receives an honorary John Locke Fellowship, which comes with a USD 10,000 scholarship to attend one or more summer schools or gap year courses.

●  There is also a prize for the best essay in each category. The prize for each winner of a subject category and the Junior category is a scholarship worth USD 2,000 toward the cost of a summer program.

●  All winning essays will be published on the Institute’s website.

For more information about this competition and the John Locke Institute, please visit the official website . Also, be sure to check out our article on all you need to know about this contest.

4. The American Foreign Service Association 2023 Essay Competition 

Deadline: April 3, 2023

●  Students in grades 9–12 in any of the 50 states, DC, the US territories, or if they are US citizens or lawful permanent residents attending high school overseas.

●  Students attending a public, private, or parochial school.

●  Home-schooled students.

●  Your essay should be 1,000–1,500 words.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

●  You will select a country or region in which the United States Foreign Service has been involved at any point since 1924 and describe how the Foreign Service was successful or unsuccessful in advancing American foreign policy goals – including promoting peace – in this country or region and propose ways in which it might continue to improve those goals in the coming years.

●  Your essay should follow MLA guidelines.

●  Your essay should use a variety of sources.

●  The first-place winner receives USD 2,500, a paid trip to the nation’s capital from anywhere in the U.S. for the winner and their parents, and an all-expense-paid educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea.

●  The runner-up receives USD 1,250 and full tuition to attend a summer session of the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program.

Please visit the American Foreign Service website for more information.

5. The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) 2023 Essay Contest 

Deadline: Mid-February 2023–June 1, 2023

Who may enter: High school (including homeschooled), college, and graduate students worldwide.

●  The 2023 essay contest topic is marriages and proposals.

●  High school students may focus on Pride and Prejudice only or bring in other Austen works.

●  Undergraduate and graduate students should discuss at least two Austen novels of their choice.

●  Your essay must be in MLA format and 6 to 8 pages (not including your Works Cited page).

●  Your essay must be written in English.

●  First place wins a USD 1,000 scholarship.

●  Second place wins a USD 500 scholarship.

●  Third place wins a USD 250 scholarship.

●  Winners will also receive one year of membership in JASNA, publication of their essays on this website, and a set of Norton Critical Editions of Jane Austen’s novels.

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit JASNA’s official website .

6. 2023 Writing Contest: Better Great Achievements by EngineerGirl

Deadline: February 1, 2023

●  Students in Grades 3–12. If international or homeschooled, please select your grade level based on if you were attending a public school in the U.S.

●  This contest is organized by EngineerGirl.

●  Students should write a piece that shows how female or non-white engineers have contributed to or can enhance engineering’s great achievements.

●  You should choose one of the 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century as a topic and explore the technologies developed in the last century and the new ones being developed today. Make sure to follow the specific guidelines for your grade level.

●  Essays should be 650–750 words based on your grade level.

●  Please visit the contest’s website to see specific requirements based on your grade.

Winners in each grade category will receive the prizes listed below:

●  First-place winners will be awarded USD 500.

●  Second-place entries will be awarded USD 250 .

●  Third-place entries will be awarded USD 100 .

For more information and submission guidelines, please visit the official website .

7. World Historian Student Essay Competition

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Who may enter: Students enrolled in Grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools and home-study programs worldwide.

●  Your essay must address the following issue: In what way has the study of world history affected my understanding of the world in which I live?

●  Your essay should be 1,000 words.

Prizes: USD 500

For more information and submission requirements, please visit the contest’s official website.

Essay contests are a great way to expand your writing skills, discuss a topic that is important to you, and earn prize money and opportunities that will be great for you in the long term. Check out our articles on writing thesis statements, essay organization, and argumentative writing strategies to ensure you take first place every time.

If you need help with your essays and would like to make sure that every comma is in place, we will proofread your first 500 words for free !

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

9-minute read

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

8-minute read

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

4-minute read

Five Creative Ways to Showcase Your Digital Portfolio

Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...

How to Ace Slack Messaging for Contractors and Freelancers

Effective professional communication is an important skill for contractors and freelancers navigating remote work environments....

3-minute read

How to Insert a Text Box in a Google Doc

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

• Beginner's Guide
• Past Papers
• CSP Members

> > Today's Posts Community Links Search Forums   Go to Page...               Wednesday, February 01, 2023     Saturday, July 29, 2023   Thread Tools Search this Thread Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Mazhar Ali Khokhar Essay 1 Wednesday, November 01, 2017 09:14 PM Amna Subject Analysis 3 Tuesday, July 25, 2017 03:43 PM waqarkakar Essays 2 Friday, February 06, 2015 03:47 PM marwatone Essay 0 Monday, January 05, 2015 01:01 PM - - - LinkBack Princeton-specific Questions In addition to the Coalition Application ,  Common Application  or the QuestBridge Application , Princeton University requires you to answer Princeton-specific questions. Below you will find the questions for the 2023-24 application cycle. Depending on which degree you wish to pursue at Princeton (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided), you will answer one of the two academic prompts, then there are three additional sections meant to help us get to know you even better. First-Year Essay Questions Please note: Princeton also requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided   As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.) For B.S.E Degree Applicants   Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.) Your Voice   Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?  (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.) Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.) More About You   Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? What brings you joy?  What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? From Our Blog and Podcast Building, birding and b.s.e.: experiences in engineering, the art of trying new things, poets should come ready to move/yell/play/discover. UPSC CSE 2023 Mains Essay Paper Model Answers The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2023 began with an Essay paper. There were eight essay topics separated into two groups, and aspirants were supposed to write on two of them in three hours, one from each. Candidates were asked to write 1000-1200 words for each essay. Initial Thoughts This year's essay paper followed the predicted pattern, with five of the eight themes being philosophical in nature. Furthermore, the general tone of the paper was thoughtful and philosophical. Although the topics were simple to understand, it was challenging to select the right topic and then come up with enough content to complete 1000–1200 words. The paper was manageable for aspirants who adhered to the fundamentals of UPSC preparation, such as having a firm understanding of the static syllabus, broad knowledge of current events, and adequate writing practice. Now, let us discuss each topic separately. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team This topic appears to be centered on the notion that critical thinking frequently occurs in the interaction to competing ideas or challenges. Candidates may have been asked to investigate how clashes of ideas result in innovation and advancement. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic Paul O'Brien is the author of this well-known proverb. This comment most likely encouraged candidates to explore the importance of balancing intuition and logic when making crucial decisions. It promotes thinking on the roles of both aspects in good leadership and problem-solving. Not all who wander are lost This saying belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring. The topic expected from candidates to think about how exploring and being spontaneous in life’s journey can be excellent. It’s a deep topic that can be understood in many different ways. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane This essay topic appears to promote the notion that creativity is not restricted to rare moments of inspiration, but can also be found in ordinary events. It most likely prompted individuals to consider where creativity comes from and how we may exhibit it in our daily lives. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines This is the saying of Simone de Beauvoir. Simone de Beauvoir was a prominent French existentialist philosopher and feminist thinker. She made significant contributions to feminist philosophy through her work, including “The Second Sex,” where she discussed the concept of “The Other” and examined the role of societal expectations in shaping women’s lives. The quote by Simone de Beauvoir presented the idea that both girls and boys or individuals of different genders, often face distinct but equally harmful forms of societal pressures and constraints. Mathematics is the music of reasons Mathematics is the music of reason, according to James Joseph Sylvester. Isn't music the mathematics of the senses, and mathematics the music of the reason? The musician feels mathematics, while the mathematician thinks music: music is a dream, and mathematics is a job.” This remark implies a poetic link between mathematics and music. Candidates would almost certainly be required to address the beauty and rationality inherent in mathematics, as well as its role in molding our understanding of the world. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity This topic appears to touch on the concepts of social justice and charity, which have been studied by philosophers such as John Rawls, as well as the “veil of ignorance.” Candidates may have been asked to investigate the relationship in society amongst justice, equality, and generosity. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school Albert Einstein once said, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” This essay topic will most likely require candidates to consider the value of education beyond rote memorization. It could have been expected to have a discussion about the practical application of knowledge and lifelong learning. Conclusion: It makes no difference whether aspirants know where the quotes came from. The only thing that matters is how the given quote is elaborated and supplemented by examples and case studies. All of this is dependent on the critical topic selection. All of this depends on the proper selection of the topic. Takeaways for 2024 As previously stated, the paper was manageable for those who strictly followed the fundamentals of UPSC preparation. The main takeaway from this year's paper is that sufficient writing practise is necessary now. More about the Art of Essay Writing can be found in Samajho's Corner: Samajho UPSC Essay Series | Part 1 | How to Write an Effective Essay? Samajho UPSC Essay Series | Part 2 | Quotes For Writing an Effective Essay Samajho UPSC Essay Series | Part 3 | Anecdotes For Writing an Effective Essay Samajho UPSC Essay Series | Part 4 | Theme-wise Previous Years Essay Papers Samajho UPSC Essay Series | Part 5 | How to Tackle Philosophical Essays? Recent Articles Government schemes & bodies 2024 prelims 365, society 2024 prelims 365, economy 2024 prelims 365, polity 2024 prelims 365, science and technology 2024 prelims 365. International Relations 2024 Prelims 365 History, Art and Culture 2024 Prelims 365 Environment 2024 Prelims 365 Most Important Acts, Bills in News 2024 Most Important Places in News 2024 Popular Articles UPSC CSE 2022 Mains GS 1 Paper Model Answers Model Answers for UPSC CSE 2021 GS 2 Paper SPR 2023 | SPECIES IN NEWS UPSC CSE 2023 Mains GS 2 Paper Model Answers Model Answers for UPSC CSE 2020 GS 2 Paper UPSC CSE 2023 Mains GS 1 Paper Model Answers PDS: objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping Land Revenue System during British rule in India Govt policies & interventions for development in various sectors, and issues arising out of their design and implementation UPSC CSE 2022 Mains GS 2 Paper Model Answers Popular Topics You might also be interested in:, download the samajho app. SUBSCRIBE to Get FREE PDF Notes , Current Affairs, and Updates related to the UPSC Civil Services Exam. CSS Essay Special Exam 2023 Paper October 12, 2023 CSS Past Papers 2023 Here you will find the CSS Essay past paper. This exam is a special exam held in 2023. This is called special competitive exam held by FPSC. Find below the past paper of Essay of CSS special exam 2023. CSS Past Paper of Essay 2023 The following essay topics were given in the paper of special CSS exam 2023: 1. “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be”. 2. Developing countries must be able to reap the benefits of international trade. 3. Artificial intelligence has overpowered its bounds. 4. No legacy is so rich as honesty. 5. Social media has destroyed real life communication. 6. Globalization: The end of austerity. 7. Children must be taught how to thin, not what to think. 8. Pakistani women have the same chances as men. 9. Unipolar, bipolar or multipolar: new direction of the world. 10. So, surely with hardship comes ease. View the CSS Essay Past Paper 2023: CSS Notes & Study Material See other CSS Past Papers CSS Guide 2024 I am interested in writing content for educational purpose. Most relevant ▼ CSS Pakistan Affairs Special Exam 2023 Paper CSS Current Affairs Special Exam 2023 Paper CSS English (Precis & Composition) Special Exam 2023 Paper CSS Geology Paper 2023 CSS Pure Mathematics Paper 2023 CSS Physics Paper-II 2023 CSS Chemistry Paper-II 2023 CSS Applied Mathematics Paper 2023 CSS Physics-I Paper 2023 2023 A-Level General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions Analysis for the A Level 2023 GP essay questions will be out soon! As predicted, the niche topic of ‘space’ came out—likely due to the “billionaire space race” and various advancements in recent times. Environment and sports were also predicted, based on the fact the former had not been tested in recent years despite its importance, while sports tends to appear almost every alternate year and was made more likely to be tested due to various events. Typical themes such as Arts and Science & Tech also appeared. 2023 A-Level GP Questions: 1. ⁠How realistic is it for countries to implement a national minimum wage for all their workers? 2. ⁠‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss. 3. ⁠Consider the view that spending money on space travel cannot be justified in today’s world. 4. ⁠Consider the argument that there should be no censorship of the arts in modern society. 5. ⁠‘People who undertake voluntary work do so more for their own benefit than for the benefit of others.’ Discuss. 6. ⁠Assess the extent to which all people in your society have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. 7. ⁠‘The quality of human interaction is diminished by modern communication devices.’ How far do you agree? 8. ⁠To what extent are festivals and national holidays effective in promoting unity in your society? 9. ⁠‘Regret for past actions is vital for progress.’ What is your view? 10. ⁠Evaluate the claim that sports personalities make good role models for young people. 11. ⁠Assess the view that accurate translation between languages is always necessary. 12. ⁠‘Young people want to change the world because they do not know it is impossible.’ How far do you agree? Announcing the NeurIPS 2023 Paper Awards  Communications Chairs 2023 2023 Conference awards , neurips2023 By Amir Globerson, Kate Saenko, Moritz Hardt, Sergey Levine and Comms Chair, Sahra Ghalebikesabi  We are honored to announce the award-winning papers for NeurIPS 2023! This year’s prestigious awards consist of the Test of Time Award plus two Outstanding Paper Awards in each of these three categories:  Two Outstanding Main Track Papers  Two Outstanding Main Track Runner-Ups  Two Outstanding Datasets and Benchmark Track Papers   This year’s organizers received a record number of paper submissions. Of the 13,300 submitted papers that were reviewed by 968 Area Chairs, 98 senior area chairs, and 396 Ethics reviewers 3,540  were accepted after 502 papers were flagged for ethics reviews .  We thank the awards committee for the main track: Yoav Artzi, Chelsea Finn, Ludwig Schmidt, Ricardo Silva, Isabel Valera, and Mengdi Wang. For the Datasets and Benchmarks track, we thank Sergio Escalera, Isabelle Guyon, Neil Lawrence, Dina Machuve, Olga Russakovsky, Hugo Jair Escalante, Deepti Ghadiyaram, and Serena Yeung. Conflicts of interest were taken into account in the decision process. Congratulations to all the authors! See Posters Sessions Tue-Thur in Great Hall & B1-B2 (level 1). Outstanding Main Track Papers Privacy Auditing with One (1) Training Run Authors: Thomas Steinke · Milad Nasr · Matthew Jagielski Poster session 2: Tue 12 Dec 5:15 p.m. — 7:15 p.m. CST, #1523 Oral: Tue 12 Dec 3:40 p.m. — 4:40 p.m. CST, Room R06-R09 (level 2) Abstract: We propose a scheme for auditing differentially private machine learning systems with a single training run. This exploits the parallelism of being able to add or remove multiple training examples independently. We analyze this using the connection between differential privacy and statistical generalization, which avoids the cost of group privacy. Our auditing scheme requires minimal assumptions about the algorithm and can be applied in the black-box or white-box setting. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework by applying it to DP-SGD, where we can achieve meaningful empirical privacy lower bounds by training only one model. In contrast, standard methods would require training hundreds of models. Are Emergent Abilities of Large Language Models a Mirage? Authors: Rylan Schaeffer · Brando Miranda · Sanmi Koyejo Poster session 6: Thu 14 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #1108 Oral: Thu 14 Dec 3:20 p.m. — 3:35 p.m. CST, Hall C2 (level 1)  Abstract: Recent work claims that large language models display emergent abilities, abilities not present in smaller-scale models that are present in larger-scale models. What makes emergent abilities intriguing is two-fold: their sharpness, transitioning seemingly instantaneously from not present to present, and their unpredictability , appearing at seemingly unforeseeable model scales. Here, we present an alternative explanation for emergent abilities: that for a particular task and model family, when analyzing fixed model outputs, emergent abilities appear due to the researcher’s choice of metric rather than due to fundamental changes in model behavior with scale. Specifically, nonlinear or discontinuous metrics produce apparent emergent abilities, whereas linear or continuous metrics produce smooth, continuous, predictable changes in model performance. We present our alternative explanation in a simple mathematical model, then test it in three complementary ways: we (1) make, test and confirm three predictions on the effect of metric choice using the InstructGPT/GPT-3 family on tasks with claimed emergent abilities, (2) make, test and confirm two predictions about metric choices in a meta-analysis of emergent abilities on BIG-Bench; and (3) show how to choose metrics to produce never-before-seen seemingly emergent abilities in multiple vision tasks across diverse deep networks. Via all three analyses, we provide evidence that alleged emergent abilities evaporate with different metrics or with better statistics, and may not be a fundamental property of scaling AI models. Outstanding Main Track Runner-Ups Scaling Data-Constrained Language Models Authors : Niklas Muennighoff · Alexander Rush · Boaz Barak · Teven Le Scao · Nouamane Tazi · Aleksandra Piktus · Sampo Pyysalo · Thomas Wolf · Colin Raffel Poster session 2: Tue 12 Dec 5:15 p.m. — 7:15 p.m. CST, #813 Oral: Tue 12 Dec 3:40 p.m. — 4:40 p.m. CST, Hall C2 (level 1)   Abstract : The current trend of scaling language models involves increasing both parameter count and training dataset size. Extrapolating this trend suggests that training dataset size may soon be limited by the amount of text data available on the internet. Motivated by this limit, we investigate scaling language models in data-constrained regimes. Specifically, we run a large set of experiments varying the extent of data repetition and compute budget, ranging up to 900 billion training tokens and 9 billion parameter models. We find that with constrained data for a fixed compute budget, training with up to 4 epochs of repeated data yields negligible changes to loss compared to having unique data. However, with more repetition, the value of adding compute eventually decays to zero. We propose and empirically validate a scaling law for compute optimality that accounts for the decreasing value of repeated tokens and excess parameters. Finally, we experiment with approaches mitigating data scarcity, including augmenting the training dataset with code data or removing commonly used filters. Models and datasets from our 400 training runs are freely available at https://github.com/huggingface/datablations . Direct Preference Optimization: Your Language Model is Secretly a Reward Model Authors: Rafael Rafailov · Archit Sharma · Eric Mitchell · Christopher D Manning · Stefano Ermon · Chelsea Finn Poster session 6: Thu 14 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #625 Oral: Thu 14 Dec 3:50 p.m. — 4:05 p.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (level 2)   Abstract: While large-scale unsupervised language models (LMs) learn broad world knowledge and some reasoning skills, achieving precise control of their behavior is difficult due to the completely unsupervised nature of their training. Existing methods for gaining such steerability collect human labels of the relative quality of model generations and fine-tune the unsupervised LM to align with these preferences, often with reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF). However, RLHF is a complex and often unstable procedure, first fitting a reward model that reflects the human preferences, and then fine-tuning the large unsupervised LM using reinforcement learning to maximize this estimated reward without drifting too far from the original model. In this paper, we leverage a mapping between reward functions and optimal policies to show that this constrained reward maximization problem can be optimized exactly with a single stage of policy training, essentially solving a classification problem on the human preference data. The resulting algorithm, which we call Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), is stable, performant, and computationally lightweight, eliminating the need for fitting a reward model, sampling from the LM during fine-tuning, or performing significant hyperparameter tuning. Our experiments show that DPO can fine-tune LMs to align with human preferences as well as or better than existing methods. Notably, fine-tuning with DPO exceeds RLHF’s ability to control sentiment of generations and improves response quality in summarization and single-turn dialogue while being substantially simpler to implement and train. Outstanding Datasets and Benchmarks Papers In the dataset category :  ClimSim: A large multi-scale dataset for hybrid physics-ML climate emulation Authors:  Sungduk Yu · Walter Hannah · Liran Peng · Jerry Lin · Mohamed Aziz Bhouri · Ritwik Gupta · Björn Lütjens · Justus C. Will · Gunnar Behrens · Julius Busecke · Nora Loose · Charles Stern · Tom Beucler · Bryce Harrop · Benjamin Hillman · Andrea Jenney · Savannah L. Ferretti · Nana Liu · Animashree Anandkumar · Noah Brenowitz · Veronika Eyring · Nicholas Geneva · Pierre Gentine · Stephan Mandt · Jaideep Pathak · Akshay Subramaniam · Carl Vondrick · Rose Yu · Laure Zanna · Tian Zheng · Ryan Abernathey · Fiaz Ahmed · David Bader · Pierre Baldi · Elizabeth Barnes · Christopher Bretherton · Peter Caldwell · Wayne Chuang · Yilun Han · YU HUANG · Fernando Iglesias-Suarez · Sanket Jantre · Karthik Kashinath · Marat Khairoutdinov · Thorsten Kurth · Nicholas Lutsko · Po-Lun Ma · Griffin Mooers · J. David Neelin · David Randall · Sara Shamekh · Mark Taylor · Nathan Urban · Janni Yuval · Guang Zhang · Mike Pritchard Poster session 4: Wed 13 Dec 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. CST, #105  Oral: Wed 13 Dec 3:45 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (level 2) Abstract: Modern climate projections lack adequate spatial and temporal resolution due to computational constraints. A consequence is inaccurate and imprecise predictions of critical processes such as storms. Hybrid methods that combine physics with machine learning (ML) have introduced a new generation of higher fidelity climate simulators that can sidestep Moore’s Law by outsourcing compute-hungry, short, high-resolution simulations to ML emulators. However, this hybrid ML-physics simulation approach requires domain-specific treatment and has been inaccessible to ML experts because of lack of training data and relevant, easy-to-use workflows. We present ClimSim, the largest-ever dataset designed for hybrid ML-physics research. It comprises multi-scale climate simulations, developed by a consortium of climate scientists and ML researchers. It consists of 5.7 billion pairs of multivariate input and output vectors that isolate the influence of locally-nested, high-resolution, high-fidelity physics on a host climate simulator’s macro-scale physical state. The dataset is global in coverage, spans multiple years at high sampling frequency, and is designed such that resulting emulators are compatible with downstream coupling into operational climate simulators. We implement a range of deterministic and stochastic regression baselines to highlight the ML challenges and their scoring. The data (https://huggingface.co/datasets/LEAP/ClimSim_high-res) and code (https://leap-stc.github.io/ClimSim) are released openly to support the development of hybrid ML-physics and high-fidelity climate simulations for the benefit of science and society.    In the benchmark category : DecodingTrust: A Comprehensive Assessment of Trustworthiness in GPT Models Authors: Boxin Wang · Weixin Chen · Hengzhi Pei · Chulin Xie · Mintong Kang · Chenhui Zhang · Chejian Xu · Zidi Xiong · Ritik Dutta · Rylan Schaeffer · Sang Truong · Simran Arora · Mantas Mazeika · Dan Hendrycks · Zinan Lin · Yu Cheng · Sanmi Koyejo · Dawn Song · Bo Li Poster session 1: Tue 12 Dec 10:45 a.m. — 12:45 p.m. CST, #1618   Oral: Tue 12 Dec 10:30 a.m. — 10:45 a.m. CST, Ballroom A-C (Level 2) Abstract: Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) models have exhibited exciting progress in capabilities, capturing the interest of practitioners and the public alike. Yet, while the literature on the trustworthiness of GPT models remains limited, practitioners have proposed employing capable GPT models for sensitive applications to healthcare and finance – where mistakes can be costly. To this end, this work proposes a comprehensive trustworthiness evaluation for large language models with a focus on GPT-4 and GPT-3.5, considering diverse perspectives – including toxicity, stereotype bias, adversarial robustness, out-of-distribution robustness, robustness on adversarial demonstrations, privacy, machine ethics, and fairness. Based on our evaluations, we discover previously unpublished vulnerabilities to trustworthiness threats. For instance, we find that GPT models can be easily misled to generate toxic and biased outputs and leak private information in both training data and conversation history. We also find that although GPT-4 is usually more trustworthy than GPT-3.5 on standard benchmarks, GPT-4 is more vulnerable given jailbreaking system or user prompts, potentially due to the reason that GPT-4 follows the (misleading) instructions more precisely. Our work illustrates a comprehensive trustworthiness evaluation of GPT models and sheds light on the trustworthiness gaps. Our benchmark is publicly available at https://decodingtrust.github.io/. Test of Time This year, following the usual practice, we chose a NeurIPS paper from 10 years ago to receive the Test of Time Award, and “ Distributed Representations of Words and Phrases and their Compositionality ” by Tomas Mikolov, Ilya Sutskever, Kai Chen, Greg Corrado, and Jeffrey Dean, won.  Published at NeurIPS 2013 and cited over 40,000 times, the work introduced the seminal word embedding technique word2vec. Demonstrating the power of learning from large amounts of unstructured text, the work catalyzed progress that marked the beginning of a new era in natural language processing. Greg Corrado and Jeffrey Dean will be giving a talk about this work and related research on Tuesday, 12 Dec at 3:05 – 3:25 pm CST in Hall F.   Related Posts 2023 Conference Announcing NeurIPS 2023 Invited Talks Reflections on the neurips 2023 ethics review process, neurips newsletter – november 2023. UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper, Download PDF with Answer Key Ugc net previous year paper: ugc net revised exam dates will be announced soon. candidates aiming to crack the exam should solve previous year question papers to assess their preparation level and identify areas where they are lagging. download the solved ugc net previous year question papers for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and more here in both hindi and english.. UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper with solutions is a powerful tool to prepare adequately for the written exam. Solving the previous year question papers allows candidates to revise the fundamentals and advance their preparation. UGC NET previous year question papers provide insights into the actual exam pattern, topic-wise difficulty level, and the marking scheme. Furthermore, it also improves the question-solving speed and accuracy of the aspirants. UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper UGC-NET is conducted twice every year to determine the eligibility of candidates for ‘Assistant Professor’ as well as ‘Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges. UGC NET exam is divided into two objective-type papers i.e. Paper 1 & Paper 2. Paper 1 focuses on the teaching and research aptitude section whereas Paper 2 is subject-related. Solving previous year papers of both sections will provide in-depth information about the actual exam pattern and important questions. The officials release the UGC NET question paper along with the provisional answer key for all the subjects soon after the exam is conducted successfully. Those who are planning to appear in the upcoming exam are advised to solve UGC NET previous year papers with solutions to determine topics from which most of the questions are asked every year and prepare accordingly. UGC NET Syllabus UGC NET Exam Analysis UGC NET Last-Minute Preparation Tips UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper PDF Having free access to UGC NET previous year papers in PDF files is advantageous for aspirants preparing for the upcoming exam. It is a valuable resource for those who are willing to improve problem-solving skills and build effective time-management strategies for the actual exam. UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper 2023 December 19, 2023 Sociology December 19, 2023 Social Work December 19, 2023 Mass Communication and Journalism December 14, 2023 English UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper with 2021 Commerce English Management Psychology History Hindi Geography Political Science Education UGC NET Previous Year Paper PDF 2020 UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper 1 UGC NET Previous Year Papers with Answer UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper with Answer: Subject-wise How to Download UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper PDF Candidates who are going to appear in the upcoming UGC NET exam must solve the previous year's question papers to strengthen their preparation. Follow the steps shared below to download UGC NET previous year's papers without hassles. Step 1: Go to the official UGC NET website, ugcnet.nta.ac.in. Step 2: On the homepage, press the answer key & question paper link. Step 3: Enter the correct credentials in the login portal. Step 4: The previous paper will appear on the screen. How to Solve UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers Download the UGC NET previous year's question paper from the official website or direct links shared above. Set a stopwatch or timer mimicking the actual exam duration. Try to find a quiet space with minimum distractions to establish the real exam environment. Solve the past papers in sequence year by year to maintain a robust approach to your practice. After each attempt, cross-check the solutions with the official keys and identify your mistakes. It will help them to focus more on improving their weak areas. Benefits of Solving UGC NET Previous Year Papers It will help you understand the exam pattern including the types of questions, distribution of marks of different topics, and the overall format of the paper. UGC NET previous year question papers help you to identify areas that require more revision. Regularly practising the previous year's question papers improves your problem-solving skills and also boosts your confidence in the exam. Solving UGC NET previous year papers will help them to improve their speed, and accuracy and strengthen their overall preparation. UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers Pattern The UGC NET exam consists of objective-type questions with multiple-choice answers. The medium of the exam shall be English & Hindi except for language papers. As per the marking scheme, each question carries 2 marks and there shall be no negative marking for incorrect answers. UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper Book Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari and Sarkari Result . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App . What is the format of the UGC NET Previous Year Paper? + The UGC NET Previous Year Paper pdf is divided into two papers i.e. Paper I and Paper II. Paper I carries a total of 100 marks whereas Paper II carries a total of 200 marks. Is it necessary to solve the UGC NET Previous Year Paper PDF? + Yes, solving UGC NET previous year question paper will provide insights into the exam structure, number of sections and marking scheme prescribed by the officials. How to download the UGC NET Previous Year Papers PDF? + To access the UGC NET Previous Year Paper PDF, you can either go to the official website of UGC or click on the direct link mentioned above. CTET Cut Off 2024 WBCS Prelims Result 2024 India Post GDS Apply Online 2024 CTET Answer Key 2024 Bihar BEd Result 2024 NEET PG Exam Date 2024 AP TET 2024 Notification Bihar STET Answer Key 2024 APSC SO Admit Card 2024 UPSC CSE Admit Card 2024 Latest Education News MPSOS Ruk Jana Nahi Result 2024: क्या आज आएगा एमपी बोर्ड रुक जाना नहीं का रिजल्ट? जानें क्या है अपडेट APSC JE Answer Key 2024 Out at apsc.nic.in: Here's Direct Link to Raise Objection India Post GDS 2024: इंडिया पोस्ट जीडीएस पदों के लिए ऑनलाइन आवेदन indiapostgdsonline.gov.in पर शुरू, 44228 रिक्तियों के लिए तुरंत करें Apply India Post GDS Eligibility 2024: Age Limit, Qualification & More MAH CET 5 Year LLB Counselling 2024 Round 1 Alphabetical Merit List Out, Get Direct Link Here India Post GDS 2024 के 44 हजार पदों के लिए आवेदन शुरू, 10वीं पास के लिए सुनहरा मौका India Post GDS Apply Online 2024: Direct Link to Fill Application Form 44228 Vacancies at indiapostgdsonline.gov.in Spot 3 Differences Between Old Man in Gym Pictures in 46 Seconds Bharathiar University Result 2024 OUT on b-u.ac.in; Direct Link to Download UG, PG Marksheet TNPSC AAO Hall Ticket 2024 Out at tnpsc.gov.in: Download Horticulture Officer Admit Card मिलेगा 2.46 लाख तक का सालाना रिटर्न, देखें सीनियर सिटीजन के लिए सरकार की यह योजना AP EAMCET Counselling 2024 Round 1 Allotment Result Today, Download At eapcet-sche.aptonline.in CBSE Class 10 Compartment Previous Year Question Papers PDFs: Download Last 4 Year Question Papers For Free CTET Answer Key 2024: ctet.nic.in पर जारी होने वाली है सीटीईटी पेपर 1 और 2 उत्तर कुंजी, जानें कब आएगा रिजल्ट RECPDCL Recruitment 2024: Apply Online For Manager, Officer and other posts, Check Eligibility Top 5 Word of the Day for Morning Assembly 16 July, 2024 CG SET Admit Card 2024 OUT: छत्तीसगढ़ राज्य पात्रता परीक्षा के लिए एडमिट कार्ड vyapam.cgstate.gov.in पर जारी, यहां से करें डाउनलोड JNVU Result 2024 OUT: जय नारायण व्यास यूनिवर्सिटी रिजल्ट jnvuiums.in पर घोषित, यहां से डाउनलोड करें UG, PG मार्कशीट PDF Brain Teaser: Can You Spot the Hidden Word? Your Focus Gets Tested! Narendra Modi Becomes Most Followed Indian on 'X', Surpasses 100 Million Followers OUR CENTERS Bangalore Delhi Lucknow Mysuru --> Srinagar Dharwad Hyderabad Call us @ 08069405205 Search Here An Introduction to the CSE Exam Personality Test Annual Calendar by UPSC-2024 Common Myths about the Exam About Insights IAS Our Mission, Vision & Values Director's Desk Meet Our Team Our Branches Careers at Insights IAS Daily Current Affairs+PIB Summary Insights into Editorials Insta Revision Modules for Prelims Current Affairs Quiz Static Quiz Current Affairs RTM Insta-DART(CSAT) Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024 Secure (Mains Answer writing) Secure Synopsis Ethics Case Studies Insta Ethics Weekly Essay Challenge Insta Revision Modules-Mains Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Mains Secure (Archive) Anthropology Law Optional Kannada Literature Public Administration English Literature Medical Science Mathematics Commerce & Accountancy Monthly Magazine: CURRENT AFFAIRS 30 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) InstaMaps: Important Places in News Weekly CA Magazine The PRIME Magazine Insta Revision Modules-Prelims Insta-DART(CSAT) Quiz Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022 Insights SECURE(Mains Answer Writing) Interview Transcripts Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims Answer Keys for Prelims PYQs Solve Prelims PYQs Previous Years' Question Papers-Mains UPSC CSE Syllabus Toppers from Insights IAS Testimonials Felicitation UPSC Results Indian Heritage & Culture Ancient Indian History Medieval Indian History Modern Indian History World History World Geography Indian Geography Indian Society Social Justice International Relations Agriculture Environment & Ecology Disaster Management Science & Technology Security Issues Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude Indian Heritage & Culture Enivornment & Ecology [ GENERAL STUDIES PAPER – 1 ] : UPSC MAINS CIVIL SERVICES IAS EXAM 2023 QUESTION PAPER DOWNLOAD ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 DOWNLOAD General Studies 2 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 DOWNLOAD General Studies 3 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER – 1  MAINS 2023 GENERAL STUDIES DOWNLOAD GS – 1 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 [here] Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? (Answer in 150 words) 10 How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Why is the South-West monsoon called ‘Purvaiya’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Do you think marriage as a sacrament in loosing its value in Modern India?   (Answer in 150 words) 10 Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian Society. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (Answer in 150 words) 10 What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (Answer in 250 words) 15 What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society? (Answer in 250 words) 15 How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (Answer in 250 words) 15  Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forests regions of India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15 From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Join our  Official Telegram Channel  HERE  for Motivation and Fast Updates Subscribe to our  YouTube Channel   HERE  to watch Motivational and New Join our  Twitter Channel   HERE   Follow our  Instagram Channel   HERE Follow us on  LinkedIn :  HERE Our Mission, Vision & Values Director’s Desk Commerce & Accountancy Previous Years’ Question Papers-Prelims Previous Years’ Question Papers-Mains Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Classroom Programme Interview Guidance Online Programme Drishti Store My Bookmarks My Progress Change Password From The Editor's Desk How To Use The New Website Help Centre Achievers Corner Topper's Interview About Civil Services UPSC Prelims Syllabus GS Prelims Strategy Prelims Analysis GS Paper-I (Year Wise) GS Paper-I (Subject Wise) CSAT Strategy Previous Years Papers Practice Quiz Weekly Revision MCQs 60 Steps To Prelims Prelims Refresher Programme 2020 Mains & Interview Mains GS Syllabus Mains GS Strategy Mains Answer Writing Practice Essay Strategy Fodder For Essay Model Essays Drishti Essay Competition Ethics Strategy Ethics Case Studies Ethics Discussion Ethics Previous Years Q&As Papers By Years Papers By Subject Be MAINS Ready Awake Mains Examination 2020 Interview Strategy Interview Guidance Programme Current Affairs Daily News & Editorial Daily CA MCQs Sansad TV Discussions Monthly CA Consolidation Monthly Editorial Consolidation Monthly MCQ Consolidation Drishti Specials To The Point Important Institutions Learning Through Maps PRS Capsule Summary Of Reports Gist Of Economic Survey Study Material NCERT Books NIOS Study Material IGNOU Study Material Yojana & Kurukshetra Chhatisgarh Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Test Series UPSC Prelims Test Series UPSC Mains Test Series UPPCS Prelims Test Series UPPCS Mains Test Series BPSC Prelims Test Series RAS/RTS Prelims Test Series Daily Editorial Analysis YouTube PDF Downloads Strategy By Toppers Ethics - Definition & Concepts Mastering Mains Answer Writing Places in News UPSC Mock Interview PCS Mock Interview Interview Insights Prelims 2019 Product Promos Joy is the Simplest Form of Gratitude 10 Jul 2024 Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Lost Its Relevance in a M... 04 Jul 2024 Destiny of a Nation is Shaped in its Classrooms 27 Jun 2024 Impact of the New Economic Measures on Fiscal Ties Between the... 21 Jun 2024 The Character of An Institution is Reflected in Its Leader 13 Jun 2024 Farming has Lost the Ability to be a Source of Subsistence for... 06 Jun 2024 Reality does not Conform to the Ideal, but Confirms It 31 May 2024 A People that Values Its Privileges Above Its Principles Loses... 23 May 2024 The Past is a Permanent Dimension of Human Consciousness and V... 16 May 2024 Customary Morality cannot be a Guide to Modern Life 10 May 2024 Management of Indian Border Disputes - A Complex Task 02 May 2024 Poverty Anywhere is a Threat to Prosperity Everywhere 24 Apr 2024 A Good Life is One Inspired by Love and Guided by Knowledge 18 Apr 2024 Alternative Technologies for a Climate Change Resilient India 12 Apr 2024 Rise of Artificial Intelligence: The Threat of Jobless Future ... 04 Apr 2024 Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy 29 Mar 2024 Neglect of Primary Health Care and Education in India are Reas... 18 Mar 2024 Best for an Individual is not Necessarily Best for The Society 08 Mar 2024 Values Are Not What Humanity Is, But What Humanity Ought To Be 01 Mar 2024 Courage to Accept and Dedication to Improve are Two Keys to Su... 14 Feb 2024 390 IMAGES English Essay Paper CSS 2023 English Essay CSS 2023 Past Paper CSS English Essay Past Paper 2023 PMS Paper 2023 Essay CSS Special 2023 English Essay Paper by SeekerGK CSS English Essay Past Paper 2023 VIDEO How to attempt paper 2024 Degree semester III English Paper key 2023 CSS Essay Tips & Tricks! NEET 2023 QUESTION PAPER WITH PDF CSS English Precis 2023 Paper Analysis by renowned CSS Mentors SEAS Exam October 2023 Question paper and Answer Key Class 3|State Achievement Test English Medium COMMENTS ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam MAINS 2023 ESSAY QUESTION PAPER - UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains - 2023 . DOWNLOAD ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2023 [here] Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. 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. Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 10/07/2023: Question Paper : Essay General Studies Paper - I, General Studies Paper - II, General Studies Paper ... UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 30 years (1993-2022) Appendix: Linear Paper of UPSC Essay 2023 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 ... Sample Essays: Writing with MLA Style The following essays were selected for the 2023 edition of Writing with MLA Style. The 2023 selection committee was composed of Ellen C. Carillo, University of Connecticut (chair); Rachel Ihara, Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York; and Tarshia L. Stanley, Wagner College. PDF. Caroline Anderson (Pepperdine University) UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Analysis, Check PDF Download Link The Essay Paper of UPSC Mains 2023 is available in PDF format. The exam was successfully administered by UPSC at Forenoon on September 15, 2023. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, session. The UPSC Essay Paper is of 250 Marks. Candidates can check the UPSC Essay Paper 2023 PDF Link below. Essay Previous Year Papers Reach Us 12, Main AB Road, Bhawar Kuan, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 452007 641, 1 st Floor, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 ; 21, Pusa Rd, WEA, Karol Bagh, Delhi-110005 [Download] UPSC Mains 2023 Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023. UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper. Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each: Section A. 1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. [Download PDF] UPSC Mains 2023: Essay Paper Get CD Atomic Notes PDF on registration. September 15, 2023. Categorized as Strategy Sessions. Today marked the commencement of the UPSC Mains 2023, and the first hurdle to clear was the Essay paper. From issues of social importance to topics rooted in. PDF UPSC / ESSAY Time Allowed : Three Hours SKYC-G-ESSY : 250 Maximum Marks : 250 (?l.û.q.) Question Paper Specific Instructions Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions : The ESSAY must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must ... 9/15/2023 3:12:07 PM ... UPSC Essay Paper 2023, UPSC Essay Paper Download UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Paper Topics. Choose one topic from each section. Word limit: 1000 - 1200 words. [125 X 2=250] Section A. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. Application and Essays : Stanford University The Common Application includes essay prompts for your personal essay. In addition to the personal essay, we also require the Stanford Questions, which you can access and submit through the Common Application once you add Stanford University to your list of colleges. The essays are your chance to tell us about yourself in your own words; there ... UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023, Important Questions Asked, PDF UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023. UPSC Essay Paper Analysis 2023: The Union Public Service Commission is prepared to administer the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2023 on September 15 and over the course of five days, including September 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2023, at multiple examination centers.This exam will consist of two sessions: one in the morning and another in the afternoon. 7 Essay Writing Contests to Look Out For in 2023 2. 2023 Calibre Essay Prize . Deadline: Now-January 15, 2023, 11:59 pm. Who may enter: All ages and any nationality or residency are accepted. Contest description: This contest is hosted by the Australian Book Review. Your essay must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words. You may submit nonfiction essays of all kinds, e.g., personal, political ... Solved CSS English Essay 2023 Paper: Explanations and outlines In this article, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of the solved CSS English Essay Paper 2023, including an outline for each of the essay questions that were asked. This information will be useful for current and future CSS aspirants who are looking to understand the structure and format of the English Essay Paper. As FPSC has changed ... Princeton-specific Questions Below you will find the questions for the 2023-24 application cycle. Depending on which degree you wish to pursue at Princeton (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided), you will answer one of the two academic prompts, then there are three additional sections meant to help us get to know you even better. First-Year Essay Questions Transfer Essay Questions ... UPSC CSE 2023 Mains Essay Paper Model Answers The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2023 began with an Essay paper. There were eight essay topics separated into two groups, and aspirants were supposed to write on two of them in three hours, one from each. Candidates were asked to write 1000-1200 words for each essay. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite ... CSS Essay Special Exam 2023 Paper CSS Past Paper of Essay 2023. The following essay topics were given in the paper of special CSS exam 2023: 1. "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be". 2. Developing countries must be able to reap the benefits of international trade. 3. Artificial intelligence has overpowered its bounds. 4. 2023 A-Level General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions Analysis for the A Level 2023 GP essay questions will be out soon! As predicted, the niche topic of 'space' came out—likely due to the "billionaire space race" and various advancements in recent times. Environment and sports were also predicted, based on the fact the former had not been tested in recent years despite its … 2023 A-Level General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions ... PDF Writing Tips For Economics Research Papers Let's examine the introduction of the Nikolov and Hossain (2023) paper to see how they tackled this task. Here is another excerpt from their article: "Our study contributes a new angle to the existing literature on participation in retirement programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). First, we are SNAP Previous Year Papers 2024: Latest Update, Questions Paper (Yet to Benefits of Solving 2023 SNAP Previous Year Papers . ... The authorities had earlier formally released the SNAP question papers. However, no question paper was made public after 2019. Describe the SNAP cutoff. The SNAP cut-off differs throughout institutes. The 90th percentile or more is typically the cutoff for the best B-schools. Announcing the NeurIPS 2023 Paper Awards Announcing the NeurIPS 2023 Paper Awards By Amir Globerson, Kate Saenko, Moritz Hardt, Sergey Levine and Comms Chair, Sahra Ghalebikesabi . We are honored to announce the award-winning papers for NeurIPS 2023! This year's prestigious awards consist of the Test of Time Award plus two Outstanding Paper Awards in each of these three categories: . Two Outstanding Main Track Papers Downloads UPSC Mains 2023: Paper II 16 Sep 2023 download. UPSC Mains 2023: Essay Paper 15 Sep 2023 download. Newsletter Subscription. Subscribe Now. SMS Alerts. Subscribe Now. Reach Us 12, Main AB Road, Bhawar Kuan, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 452007 ... UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper PDF with Answer Key UGC NET Previous Year Paper: Download UGC NET previous year question papers for 2023/2022/2021/2020 and more with answer key here. Also, find direct link to download UGC NET Paper 1 and 2 question ... Essay Paper for UPSC (2013-2023) 2023 SECTION-A Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. Not all who wander are lost. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane. SECTION-B Girls are weighed down by restrictions, … Continue reading "Essay Paper for UPSC (2013-2023)" Postpartum Depression—New Screening Recommendations and Treatments Antiretroviral Drugs for HIV Treatment and Prevention in Adults - 2022 IAS-USA Recommendations CONSERVE 2021 Guidelines for Reporting Trials Modified for the COVID-19 Pandemic Creation and Adoption of Large Language Models in Medicine Global Burden of Cancer, 2010-2019 Global Burden of Long COVID Global Burden of Melanoma Global Burden of Skin ... Tactical Lessons from Israel Defense Forces Operations in Gaza, 2023 This paper seeks to identify lessons relevant to the British Army, based on analysis of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in autumn 2023. The IDF's operations in Gaza, beginning in October 2023, provide valuable lessons for the conduct of urban operations. While there are many aspects of the ... [ General Studies Paper download essay question paper : upsc cse mains 2023. download general studies 2 question paper : upsc cse mains 2023. download general studies 3 question paper : upsc cse mains 2023. upsc mains general studies paper - 1 mains 2023. general studies . download gs - 1 question paper : upsc cse mains 2023 [here] 2022 Conference 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 ... Call for Papers Paper FAQ Call for Tutorials Call for Competitions ... and oral and poster presentations of refereed papers. Along with the conference is a professional exposition focusing on machine learning in practice, a series of tutorials, and topical workshops that provide a less formal setting for ... Model Essays Mains Marathon 2024 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. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis