upsc essay paper format

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ESSAY STRATEGY By Anudeep Durishetty, UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper, All India Rank – 1 CSE-2017 – How to write a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained 

Essay strategy.

How to write a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained 

By Anudeep Durishetty

UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper, All India Rank – 1 CSE-2017

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

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

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

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

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

What UPSC says about the essay paper 

• How and from where to prepare? 

Improving language and expression 

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

Substantiating your arguments 

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

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

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

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

How and from where to prepare?  

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

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

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

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

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

Example of a bad sentence sprawl: 

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

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

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

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

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

Vocabulary   

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

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

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

Subheadings & Rough Drafts 

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

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

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

What you must avoid in Essay 

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

How to transition smoothly from one para to the next 

This can be done in three ways. 

Through a link sentence at the end of a para:  

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

Through a question:    

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

Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph: 

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

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

How to write a good Introduction to your Essay? 

Essay introduction can be: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Developing the Main Content from the Topic 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concluding an Essay 

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

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

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

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

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

Link to handwritten notes: 

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

Quote collection:  

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

List of Topics one needs to prepare:  

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

Sample Essay:    

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

https://anudeepdurishetty.in/my-upsc-marksheet/

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Essay Writing

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How to Write a Perfect and Balanced Essay

“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” -- Friedrich Neitzsche

Essay writing is among those areas in UPSC IAS Exam that can be your savior and improve your marks significantly if worked efficiently. However lack of practice and rudimentary approach may also reduce your marks and jeopardize your chances of selection in Civil services exam . A well-developed approach and rigorous practice can significantly enhance your score in essay paper in UPSC mains Exam . But before delving into the techniques to write a perfect essay it is very important to understand what is an essay and what are its different organs?

What is an essay?

• An Essay Writing is a focused, descriptive and analytical write up on any particular topic. But this is different in format and presentation from any other kind of write up on the same topic.
• An essay is a tight write up which has a certain theme at its core and the write up is marked by its simplicity, lucidity, flow and orderliness.
• It should generally avoid terse and unwieldy expressions, unnecessary exposition and excessive facts, especially numbers.
• An essay is a write up that evolves from childhood to youth and thereafter to maturity.
• An essay should generally reflect the perceptions, understanding, and stance/take of the writer, which may be supported by facts, quotes and findings of similar kinds.

Let's have a look on Vikram Grewal's Copy

For full copy click here

What an essay writing should not be....

• It should not be a mere compilation of information or facts.
• It should not be a long note.
• It should not be a brief note.
• It should not be a theoretical exposition.
• It should not be a conglomeration of great ideas by great people.

What constitutes a good essay?

A good essay should have three distinct parts-

• Introduction
• Description

A good essay should be close to its subject or theme throughout the write up.

Essay Writing Strategy by Vikram Grewal (AIR 51, CSE 2018), A must watch session for more clarity.

A good essay should reflect...

• Understanding of the writer
• Thoroughness of the writer
• Analytical capacity of the writer
• Research and analytical capability of the writer
• Reading habits of the writer

For Example:

Vikram Grewal's Copy, all the following things are considered by him:

Click Here for Full Copy

Essay needs a higher level of communication abilities viz..

• Articulation
• Effective expression
• Logic, flow and rhythm
• Right grammar

Brief for practicing essay writing – pre exam hall approach.

How to write a good Essay can be viewed sequentially, as if going through ten sequential steps in an essay writing process.

• Research : Begin the essay writing process by researching your topic, making yourself an expert.Assuming you've been given a topic, or have narrowed it sufficiently down, your first task is to research this topic. You will not be able to write intelligently about a topic you know nothing about. To discover worthwhile insights, you'll have to do some patient reading and information gathering. Though IAS aspirants are hard pressed of time but don’t forget it is of 250 marks and highly neglected. It can be done through integration of your daily newspaper reading and through preparation of GS also. But you need some different strategy to do so.
• Analysis : Now that you have a good knowledge base, start analyzing the arguments of the essays/articles you're reading. Clearly define the claims, write out the reasons, the evidence, etc. Look for weaknesses of logic, and also strengths. Learning how to write an essay begins by learning how to analyze essays written by others.

In case of analysis Vikram Grewal shows it perfectly: Here is a look

For Full Copy Click Here

3 .Brainstorming : Your essay will require insight of your own. Ask yourself a dozen questions and answer them. Meditate with a pen in your hand. Think and think until you come up with original insights to write about.

• Thesis: Pick your best idea and pin it down in a clear assertion that you can write your entire essay around. Your thesis is your main point, summed up in a concise sentence that lets the reader know where you're going, and why. It's practically impossible to write a good essay without a clear thesis.
• Outline: Sketch out your essay before straight away writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essay's order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified.
• Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the reader's attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay's argument.(Note: The title and first paragraph are probably the most important elements in your essay. This is an essay-writing point that doesn't always sink in within the context of the classroom. In the first paragraph you either hook the reader's interest or lose it.)
• Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay.
• Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap-up sentence, and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her know exactly that.
• Style: Format your essay according to the correct guidelines for citation. All borrowed ideas and quotations should be correctly cited in the body of your text, followed up with a Works Cited (references) page listing the details of your sources.
• Language: You're not done writing your essay until you've polished your language by correcting the grammar, making sentences flow, incorporating rhythm, emphasis, adjusting the formality, giving it a level-headed tone, and making other intuitive edits. Proof read until it reads just how you want it to sound. Writing an essay can be tedious, but you don't want to bungle the hours of conceptual work you've put into writing your essay by leaving a few slippy misspellings and poorly worded phrases.

Steps to be followed during examination:

We must keep in mind that an essay writting in the examination hall is developed on the spot within a given time period, is something different from an essay written leisurely and with mature deliberation for a publication or for a prize competition.

A Candidate writing an essay for Civil Service Examination should keep in mind that he has to satisfy the examiner with regard to 3 things:

• He has good ideas on given subject / chosen field.
• He can arrange his ideas systematically.
• He can express, and analyze his opinion correctly using good language.

Required Steps to create a rough sketch before actual writing :

• Selection of suitable topic
• Make an outline of your ideas
• Write introduction points
• Write main points of the body
• Brief sketch about view, history, facts, illustrations, examples etc
• Idea about critical discussions, pro and opposite views
• Drawing a conclusion that clearly expresses your opinion and always end with a futuristic note

Selection of topic is the key for scoring in essay writing . Around 15 to 20 minutes can be spent on choosing best topic. we also needs to be sure about the flow of thought, rich facts and figures, history, analytical expression and all to be collectively rated high in the selected topic. It impacts your marks. Out of six topics consider each one independently in-depth your knowledge and presentation skills not in bird-eye-view manner.

Patience and perseverance must be maintained while selecting a topic and make it sure about excellence to present cogently.

Next step is outlining the selected topic by putting ideas in a separate page, in organized form by writing sub topics and important points to be covered in the essay. For this one can make use flow chart model or line chart or tabulation. Grouping of thoughts must in a way to categories the sub headings while writing the detailed essay. We can use 15 to 20 minutes for this task.

Then start with the introduction which can be a dialogue, quotation or anecdotes produces complete idea to the reader about the essay. A dialogue could be simply the pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you are planning to make. An anecdote is stories that illustrate the point. Be sure your anecdote is short, precise and relevant to the topic.

Three  problems that candidates face while writing an essay. They are:  

• Coherent arrangement
• Expression Ideas

Essay Copy: Vikram Grewal(AIR 51, CSE 2018)

About the subject is nothing but knowledge that needs to be looked in different perspective, whether social, economical, political, religious, cultural, literary, national, and environmental. Candidate should think on different questions

• What are definition / scope / history of the topic?
• What can be said on particular subject from various perspectives?
• What are positives / negatives?
• Answers for different questions/dimensions
• your thought for critical appraisal

Arrangement :

Arrangement of an essay means the contents with a definite structure to be framed. The structure must be exposed indirectly through the flow of writing with interlinking of sub topics and paragraphs explaining the scope meaning, description and discussion.

Illustration and quotations known can be presented lively aptly to increase the richness of the content. It is like the flavor added to the dishes to attract the reader to be perfectly relevant to the topic/ argument.  If the Quotations exceed unnecessarily, it will disturb the quality of presentation. Interlinking of thoughts, comparison and contrasting viewpoints can be expressed only with the special reference to the application of thoughts.

Opinions and arguments with strong self explanatory sentences will reflect the candidates’ solid and clear understanding of the subjects.

Now you need to give the powerful and logical conclusion which is the consequence of everything discussed earlier. Conclusion brings the reader closure or summing up of points and also gives final perspective. It should not be rhetoric outburst. It must be balanced and free from prejudice. Mind it, give proper space to the conclusion. Don’t sump in haste.

Do s and Don’ts for that ‘killer’ 3 Hrs:

• Read the title, understand the meaning and scope.
• Think and comprehensive planning before start.
• Effective, brief and strong words consist of good thoughts makes your essay best.
• Avoid vague generalization, slang’s and colloquialism
• Don’t try to present whatever you know on the subject.
• In controversial topic discuss pros and cons dispassionately and give effective conclusion.
• Length of essay is not fixed. But don’t be exhaustive. This time you may to write multiple essay
• Never forget to read and revise the essay written before submission to examiner.

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

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 10th August. Click Here for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

What UPSC says about the essay paper

How and from where to prepare?

Improving language and expression

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

Substantiating your arguments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example of a bad sentence sprawl:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subheadings & Rough Drafts

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

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

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

What you must avoid in Essay

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

How to transition smoothly from one para to the next

This can be done in three ways.

Through a link sentence at the end of a para:

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

Through a question:

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

Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph:

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

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

How to write a good Introduction to your Essay?

Essay introduction can be:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Developing the Main Content from the Topic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concluding an Essay

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

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

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

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

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

Link to handwritten notes:

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

Quote collection:

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

List of Topics one needs to prepare:

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

Sample Essays:  

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

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

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UPSC Exam Pattern 2024 for Prelims, Mains & Interview, PDF

by Vajiram & Ravi

UPSC Vacancy 2024

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UPSC Exam Pattern There are three phases of the UPSC Civil Services Exam - Prelims, Mains, and Interview. There are lakhs of aspirants who appear for the Prelims exam every year, but only a few thousand are able to make it to Mains. If you have started preparing for the upcoming CSE exam, it is crucial for you to check the latest UPSC exam pattern to understand the subjects and papers covered in each stage, the number of questions asked, duration, total marks, etc.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2024 Overview

The UPSC exam pattern comprises multiple stages, culminating in the selection of candidates for various civil services roles. This pattern includes the Prelims exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Each phase evaluates different skills, knowledge domains, and aptitudes, ensuring that candidates possess a well-rounded profile for effective public service.

The two stages of the UPSC CSE Exam Pattern, as mentioned in the official notification, are:

• Stage I - Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
• Stage II - Civil Services (Mains) Examination

UPSC Exam Pattern for Prelims 2024

The UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern consists of two papers : General Studies Paper 1 and Civil Services Aptitude Test or GS Paper 2. The GS paper 1 assesses a candidate's grasp of diverse subjects, including History, Geography, Polity, etc., while the CSAT evaluates the logical reasoning and analytical skills of the candidate. The Prelims serve as a filtering mechanism, allowing a limited number of candidates to progress to the Mains Examination.

UPSC Exam Pattern for Mains 2024

The UPSC Mains paper pattern is the core evaluation phase, comprising a mix of compulsory and optional papers. It includes language papers, essay writing, general studies papers, and optional subject papers. This stage delves deep into a candidate's understanding of subjects, their ability to articulate ideas, and their analytical prowess.

The written examination consists of 9 papers out of which 2 papers are qualifying in nature. The marks obtained in the remaining 7 papers and the interview test together are considered for making the final merit.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2024 for Interview Round

The final stage, the UPSC Interview or Personality Test, is where aspirants' personalities are evaluated. A panel of experts assesses qualities such as mental alertness, clear and logical exposition, critical powers of assimilation, balance of judgement, ability for social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity. The number of candidates selected for the Interview will be around twice the number of vacancies to be filled. This stage aims to determine the candidate's suitability for the dynamic and diverse responsibilities of civil services. The interview process typically follows a structured pattern:

• Duration: The interview usually lasts for about 20-30 minutes.
• Panel: The interview is conducted by a panel of experts, including experienced bureaucrats, academicians, and subject-matter specialists.
• Venue: The interviews are usually conducted at the UPSC office in New Delhi.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims & Mains

Negative Marking is a significant aspect of the UPSC Prelims exam, which cannot be ignored. It is important to note by the aspirants that there is no negative marking in the UPSC Mains exam as it is a subjective paper, and the assessment is based on the quality of your descriptive answers.

Negative Marking in UPSC Prelims

In the UPSC Prelims exam pattern, there are two papers - GS paper 1 and CSAT. Each paper consists of objective-type questions. The negative marking pattern for both papers is as follows:

• For each incorrect answer, there is a penalty of 1/3rd of the assigned marks to that question.
• If a candidate provides multiple answers to a single question, even if one of the given answers is correct, it will still be considered an incorrect response. In such cases, the same penalty as mentioned above will apply to that particular question.
• Unattempted questions do not have any penalty.

UPSC Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

How many papers are there in upsc exam.

As per the UPSC exam pattern , there are two papers in the Prelims exam, namely GS Paper 1 and CSAT, and 9 papers in the Mains exam, which are - 1 Compulsory Indian Language, English, Essay paper, GS 1, GS 2, GS 3, GS 4, Optional Papers 1 and 2.

What are the 9 Papers in UPSC Mains Exam Pattern?

The nine papers in the UPSC Mains exam pattern are as follows:

• Paper-A: Any Indian Language (Qualifying)
• Paper-B: English (Qualifying)
• Paper-I: Essay
• Paper-II: General Studies I
• Paper-III: General Studies II
• Paper-IV: General Studies III
• Paper-V: General Studies IV
• Paper-VI: Optional Subject Paper 1
• Paper-VII: Optional Subject Paper 2

Is there any negative marking in UPSC?

Yes, there is a negative marking of one-third of the marks assigned to a particular question in the UPSC Prelims exam. There is no negative marking in the Mains exam.

What is UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern?

The UPSC Prelims Exam Pattern consists of two papers: General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT. Both are MCQ-based papers having four options with each question, out of which the candidate has to mark one correct answer. The UPSC Prelims Exam is designed to test a candidate's general awareness, knowledge of current events, analytical ability, and aptitude.

What are the total marks of the UPSC Mains Exam?

The UPSC Mains consists of a total of 1750 marks, in which papers A and B consist of 300 marks each, and the remaining 7 papers consist of 250 marks each.

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

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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: CSAT

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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.

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UPSC Essay Paper: Structure, Significance, Toppers and Their Marks

Unlock success in UPSC Mains with expert insights on the UPSC Essay Paper. Learn structure, scoring, and top scorer trends. FAQs answered for mastering this 250-mark exam challenge.

UPSC Essay Paper: Structure

The Union Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Exams every year which comprises three stages i.e Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. The Mains exam consists of multiple papers, with the first paper being the UPSC Essay paper. In this article, we will explore every aspect of the UPSC Essay paper. Before going further let’s see the structure of the UPSC exam .

Marks Distribution of Mains Examination: The 250-Mark Weightage of UPSC Essay Paper

Each Paper of mains exam of UPSC has an equal weightage of 250 marks. So UPSC Essay paper has a weightage of 250 marks, and marks scored in the UPSC Essay paper were considered for evaluation.

Structure of UPSC Essay Paper: Sections, Topics, and Scoring

• The UPSC CSE Essay Paper in Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks.  
• Candidates are given a choice 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.

Importance of UPSC Essay Paper: Probing Skills, Knowledge, and Ethics for Administration

The UPSC essay paper of the UPSC mains examination is a comprehensive tool for evaluating a candidate’s intellectual, analytical, communication, and decision-making abilities. It extended beyond the factual knowledge, emphasizing the qualities necessary for effective and ethical administration. Let us see the importance of essay paper in UPSC Mains:

• Articulation of Ideas- The UPSC Essay paper assesses a candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts and ideas coherently. It tests the candidate’s proficiency in expressing complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Analytical Skills- The UPSC essay paper evaluates analytical and critical thinking skills. Candidates are expected to analyze a given topic from various angles and present a balanced view.
• Integration of Knowledge- It requires candidates to integrate knowledge acquired from various subjects. This reflects the interdisciplinary approach necessary for administrative services.
• Current Affairs Awareness- The UPSC Essay topics often cover contemporary issues. This ensures that candidates are not only aware of current affairs but also capable of providing insightful perspectives on them.
• Language Proficiency- It assesses the candidate’s command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and overall language proficiency.
• Time Management- Writing two essays in a span of three hours challenges a candidate’s time management skills. It assesses their ability to prioritize and allocate time effectively.
• Personality Assessment- The UPSC essay paper provides insight into a candidate’s personality, thought process, and values. It helps the UPSC to evaluate whether the candidate possesses the qualities required for a career in public service.
• Communication Skills- Effective communication is a crucial aspect of administrative roles. The UPSC Essay paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Decision-Making Abilities- The UPSC Essay topics often require candidates to take a stance or make a decision. This helps in assessing their decision-making abilities and the rationale behind their choices.
• Ethical Dimension- Essay topics may also touch upon ethical dilemmas. This allows the UPSC to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of ethical principles and their ability to apply them in real-life situations.

Key Areas Evaluated in UPSC Essay Paper: Skills, Knowledge, and Effective Communication

Candidates should keep in mind that the UPSC Essay paper is an opportunity to showcase not only their knowledge but also their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Practicing diverse topics and refining writing skills are essential for success in this component of the UPSC examination.

• This involves demonstrating knowledge, facts, and insights about the subject matter. 
• The ability to incorporate relevant data, examples, and references is essential.
• Ideas should be presented in a coherent manner, with a well-defined introduction, body, and conclusion. 
• Logical sequencing of thoughts is crucial for effective communication.
• This involves evaluating different perspectives, weighing pros and cons, and presenting a balanced view. 
• Analytical skills are essential for addressing complex issues and offering nuanced solutions.
• Language Proficiency: The command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, is a vital aspect of the evaluation. 
• Merely reproducing information from study materials is not sufficient. 
• Candidates are encouraged to present their own ideas, viewpoints, and conclusions.
• The essay should directly address the key issues raised in the question.
• Transitions between paragraphs and ideas should be smooth, ensuring a cohesive narrative throughout the essay.
• Conclusion and Summation- The essay should conclude with a strong summary of the key points discussed. The conclusion should be insightful and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Significance of UPSC Essay Paper in Mains: Trends and Analysis

• High Scoring Potential- If we go through the marksheet of toppers and selected candidates in general we can see that candidate gets highest marks in essay out of other nine subjects in UPSC mains.
• No barrier in content- There are no content barriers in the essay paper. It stands unique among the exam components as candidates enjoy the freedom to explore and elaborate on the topic without being constrained by specific question conditions.
• Gives a boost for other papers- Essay paper of UPSC mains is scheduled on the first day of UPSC mains exam schedule so writing a good essay can give a confidence boost which will help in rest of the papers.
• Opinion Based Topics- Last few years papers of essay shows the inclination of essay topics towards opinion based topics either focusing on society or philosophy. In a nutshell UPSC puts a general topic in which its test candidate’s intelligence and opinion about the topic.

Top Scorer Trends in UPSC Essay Paper: Marks of Toppers Over the Years

Let us see the marks in essay paper of the toppers over the years

• The UPSC Essay Paper of the UPSC Mains examination is a pivotal component, embodying the essence of the Commission’s assessment philosophy. Beyond its weightage of 250 marks , the UPSC Essay holds the power to illuminate a candidate’s intellectual prowess, analytical acumen, and communication finesse. 
• The structured evaluation criteria, ranging from articulation of ideas to decision-making abilities and ethical considerations, reflect the multifaceted demands of a career in public service. 
• As evidenced by the consistently high scores of toppers in this section, the UPSC Essay Paper not only distinguishes itself as a scoring opportunity but also as a platform for candidates to exhibit their unique perspectives and original thinking. 
• By emphasising the significance of critical analysis, effective communication, and a nuanced understanding of diverse topics, the UPSC essay remains a cornerstone in identifying individuals equipped for the challenges of responsible and ethical administration.

UPSC Essay Paper FAQs

What is the upsc essay paper, is the essay paper in upsc mains qualifying in nature, do toppers always get highest marks in upsc essay paper, what is the word limit for each essay.

UPDATED :     

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• IAS Preparation
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• Topic Wise Essay Questions From UPSC Mains 1994 2018

Last 25 Years Topic-wise Essay Questions From UPSC Mains (1994 - 2018)

Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services mains exam is the Essay. Here, prelims-qualified IAS aspirants have to write two essays out of a few given topics. The paper is for a total of 250 marks and its marks are taken into consideration for the Final Merit List. In this article, we have listed all the essay topics asked in the UPSC mains exam from 1994 to 2018. We have also classified the last 25 years essay questions into topics to make your preparation easier.

Latest – See the UPSC Essay Topics in the IAS Mains 2020 Essay Paper. Download UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper from the linked article.

Explore The Ultimate Guide to IAS Exam Preparation

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UPSC Essay Topics

Administration.

• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. (1994)
• 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)
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? (2003)

Democracy/India since independence

• Whither Indian democracy? (1995)
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. (1997)
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? (2000)
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? (2001)
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? (2003)
• National identity and patriotism. (2008)
• 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)
• Is the colonial mentality hindering India’s success? (2013)
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. (2015)
• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task. (2018)

Economic growth and development

• Resource management in the Indian context. (1999)
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country. (2013)
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? (2014)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. (2015)
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. (2016)
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. (2016)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. (2016)
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. (2017)

Federalism, Decentralisation

• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. (1998)
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. (2004)
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. (2007)
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? (2007)
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication. (2011)
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality. (2016)
• Water disputes between States in federal India. (2016)

Indian Culture & Society

• The Indian society at the crossroads. (1994)
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion. (1996)
• The composite culture of India. (1998)
• Youth culture today. (1999)
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. (2000)
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? (2000)
• As civilization advances culture declines. (2003)
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? (2010)
• Judicial activism. (1997)
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. (2004)
• Justice must reach the poor. (2005)

Social justice/Poverty

• Reservation, politics and empowerment. (1999)
• Food security for sustainable national development. (2005)
• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. (2009)
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India. (2017)
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. (2018)

Media & Society

• Misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. (1998)
• Mass media and cultural invasion. (1999)
• Responsibility of media in a democracy. (2002)
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? (2007)
• Role of media in good governance. (2008)
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? (2011)
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? (2014)

Environment/Urbanisation

• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. (1997)
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. (2006)
• Urbanisation and its hazards. (2008)
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? (2010)
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. (2017)

Economic sectors/MNCs

• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs. (1994)
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. (2006)
• BPO boom in India. (2007)
• Special economic zone: boon or bane? (2008)
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? (2009)
• 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)
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? (2014)
• Restructuring of Indian education system. (1995)
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. (1996)
• Irrelevance of the classroom. (2001)
• Privatization of higher education in India. (2002)
• Modern technological education and human values. (2002)
• What is real education? (2005)
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. (2006)
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right from the childhood. (2007)
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses? (2008)
• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges. (2011)
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? (2014)
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? (2014)
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. (2015)
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. (2017)
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. (1995)
• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. (1997)
• Woman is god’s best creation. (1998)
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. (1999)
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. (2001)
• Whither women’s emancipation? (2004)
• If women ruled the world. (2005)
• The hand that rocks the cradle. (2005)
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. (2006)
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? (2012)
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. (2016)
• Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. (2017)

Quotes-based/Philosophy

• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. (1994)
• Useless life is an early death. (1994)
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. (1995)
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. (1995)
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. (1995)
• Truth is lived, not taught. (1996)
• True religion cannot be misused. (1997)
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. (2002)
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. (2002)
• If youth knew, if age could. (2002)
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. (2003)
• Be the change you want to see in others. (2013)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility. (2014)
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. (2014)
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. (2015)
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. (2018)
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. (2018)
• Attitude makes habit, habit makes character and character makes a man. (2007)
• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin. (2008)
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. (2015)
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. (2016)
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. (2017)
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. (2018)
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. (2018)
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life. (2018)

Globalisation

• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. (1994)
• The world of the twenty-first century. (1998)
• The implications of globalization for India. (2000)
• My vision of an ideal world order. (2001)
• The masks of new imperialism. (2003)
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. (2004)
• ‘Globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’. (2009)
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. (2010)

Science & Tech

• The modern doctor and his patients. (1997)
• Value-based science and education. (1999)
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. (2001)
• Spirituality and scientific temper. (2003)
• The lure of space. (2004)
• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible? (2012)
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation. (2013)
• Technology cannot replace manpower. (2015)
• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. (2018)

Internet/IT

• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. (2000)
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. (2006)
• Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run. (2016)
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium. (2017)

International organisations/relations

• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities. (1996)
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. (2004)
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement. (2006)
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world. (2017)
• Terrorism and world peace. (2005)
• Are we a ‘soft’ state? (2009)
• Good fences make good neighbours. (2009)
• In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism. (2011)

Miscellaneous

• India’s contribution to world wisdom. (1998)
• The pursuit of excellence. (2001)
• Geography may remain the same; history need not. (2010)
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? (2014)
• Quick but steady wins the race. (2015)

When preparing for IAS Mains, aspirants must focus on UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practise as this will improve one’s speed, efficiency and writing skills. It will automatically help in essay writing as well. 

Also, read:

Frequently Asked Questions on UPSC Essay Topics for UPSC Mains

Q 1. how can i write a good essay in upsc, q 2. does handwriting matter in upsc.

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