list of essay topics for upsc mains

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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.

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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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Essay Topics and Previous papers for UPSC Civil service exam

List of essay topics.

• Cookie Cutter Templates Ep1: Arrogance, History Repeats for Essay / Ethics UPSC Mains 15+ Examples
• [Essay] No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. — HERACLITUS
• [Mock] Essay Paper for UPSC Mains-2016: Identity Groups vs Democracy, Chakra vs Charkha, Wisdom vs Force, UBI vs Skill Development
• [Mock] Essay Paper for UPSC Mains-2016: Role of Educator, Taste for Literature, Cost of Liberty, Success in Dictionary
• [Essays] February Week2: Equidistant diplomacy, Strategic Autonomy without Military Alliance, Censorship & Moral responsibility
• [Essays] February Week1: Censorship of Ideas, Acts of Kindness, Childhood to Adulthood, consciously secular society
• [Essays] January Week4: Socialist Preamble, Democracy without participation, women-the deities of household fire
• [Essays] January Week3: Ideological Colonization, Dovish vs Hawkish Foreign Policy, limits of free speech
• [Essays] January Week2: competitive vs. cooperative federalism, God above all gods, Suicide- a social shame
• [Essays] January 2015 Week1: Religion-A form of Enslavement, Market Oriented Education, Constructive Criticism
• [Essays] December Week4: Apoplectic Secularism, Syncretism, Spiritual Alzheimer, Pragmatic Diplomacy
• [Essays] December Week1: Social suffocation, true Sovereignty, Arc of revanchist states
• [Essays] November Week4: Classical Arts, Security Trilemma, Think in India, Soullessness of men
• [Essays] November Week3: Garrison Governance, Dignity of Labour, Rationalist Thinking, Age of Knowledge
• [Essays] November Week2: Nehru legacy, knowledge society, age of discontinuity (only Topiclists)
• [Essays] November Week1: New Urbanism, Regional Chauvinism, Majoritarian Populism
• [Essays] October Week4: End of American Century, Activism vs Restrain, Censorship vs Lynching
• [Essays] October Week3: Militant Atheism, Rational Consumption, Ecocide, Prosperity without Morality
• [Essays] October Week2: Corruption, Child Labour, Probity, Good Governance, Injustice, Optimism
• [Essays] October Week1: Colonization, Gandhiism, Volunteerism, Personification, Social Transformation
• [Essays] September Week4: De-bureaucratizing the executive, Hidden Euthanasia, Gender equality
• [Essays] September Week3: India-China, Zero Sum Game, Parliamentary minority, Daughter aversion
• [Essays] September Week2: 21 Topics for UPSC Mains: Fanaticism, Colonizing Culture, Age of Loneliness, piecemeal WW-III
• [Essays] September Week1: 16 Topics for UPSC Mains- Expansionism, Buried Justice, India-the Model international citizen
• [Download] Essay 2013 Question Paper of UPSC Civil Service Mains
• [Essay Tip for Newcomers] What to write & What not to write in Mains IAS exam?

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List of Essay Topics asked in UPSC Mains Examination

October 18, 2019 by Sandeep

An essay is a written piece of content, a short one, a detailed one or a very elaborate one, usually pertaining to a particular topic, chosen from a specific subject of study. An essay contains useful information and researched notes about a subject topic, writer’s opinions and personal comments, views, facts and anecdotes.

The structure and organization of an essay makes it beautiful and interesting to read. Essays could vary from general essays, topical essays, subjective essays, travel essays, spiritual essays, educational essays, technical essays and much more. An essay should quintessentially contain a good introduction, followed by a detailed body and finally a good conclusion.

45 Essay Topics for UPSC CSE Mains Exam

• Judiciary  and its working
• Water disputes between States
• Modi’s agricultural schemes in the era of rampant farmer suicide
• Apolitical Education
• The importance of higher education
• Skilling the youth of India
• Environment  vs Growth
• Why is administration insensitive about the plight of slum dwellers
• India’s role in changing global world order
• Foreign Policy of Modi era
• National  health  protection  scheme
• Universal Basic Income vs Subsidy
• Nationalism debate
• Indian Model of Secularism
• Feminization of agriculture
• Digitalization  Drive
• India’s standing in BRICS countries.
• Pollution Crisis in urban areas
• Cultural Transformation in 21st century
• Artificial intelligence
• Higher Education versus skill acquisition
• Entrance exams versus Qualifying exams – what is the relevance of entrance exams for admissions to UG and PG courses in India?
• Scrapping of section 377 – the latest addition to Human rights protection
• Pro poor policies of Modi Government
• Controversies surrounding the Present day NDA government in India
• Relevance of the Supreme court’s decision to decriminalise the crime of adultery laid under section 497 of IPC
• Worsening INR
• Impact of increasing oil prices on Indian economy
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
• Joy is the simplest form of Gratitude
• Fulfilment of ‘new women’ in India a myth.
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
• ‘Social Media’ is inherently a selfish medium.
• Relevance of Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)
• If Development is not engendered, it is endangered
• Need Brings Greed , if need increases it spoils breed
• Water Dispute Between States in Federal India
• Innovation is the key determinant to Economic Growth and Social welfare
• Co-operative Federalism –Myth or Reality
• Cyberspace and Internet – Blessing or curse to the Human Civilisation in the long run
• Digital Economy- A leveler or a source of Economic Inequality

Preparation tactics for essay paper in UPSC Mains

There are certain subjects in  UPSC , whose preparation will help you in the subject plus the essay paper. For instance, the general studies paper covers an entire lot of topics and important information that will help you crack the general studies paper and simultaneously building your confidence for the essay paper as well. In this section, we explore more of such points that will help you gain an edge in preparation for the essay paper.

• Familiarise yourself with all the parts of speech.
• Basics of grammar and grammatical theory are truly important.
• When focusing on a subject, be careful enough to present arguments on both sides of the central theme.
• Do not blindly read and follow previously written essays. Innovation is the key to climbing a higher ladder of success.
• Learn to present your suggestions in a unique way.
• Read a lot of fiction and nonfiction books. They improve your language, communication skills, plus presentation skills.
• Reading should become your favourite hobby if you are dreaming of clearing the essay paper with good marks. Spend at least an hour every day reading something that helps you score in your general studies and essay paper.
• Current affairs in the financial and economic spheres of the country are always a hot choice of topics for the examiners. You can directly or indirectly expect a lot of questions from these sections. Improve your general awareness. Read through critical opinions and comments.
• It pays to read good magazines. Reading at least two newspapers in your reading time and following various patterns in writing will help improve writing skills. Develop a unique style of writing.
• Make your essay powerful. Strengthen your essay with subject-appropriate words and terms. A standard dictionary for reference should be kept handy during preparation.
• Memorising difficult words is not going to help much. Instead, work on developing and building a good vocabulary.
• Everybody likes consistency. Be consistent in your language, word choice, and expressions.
• Do not use redundant words over and again. If you have to use the same word at different places, replace the common word with a new word meaning the same.

Essay writing skills to be practiced to deliver a good essay in the IAS exam

• Never drift from the central theme given in the paper. Staying on-spot with the subject given leaves a good impression with the examiner.
• Structure your essay as per the topic. Organization of the essay plus your writing must be followed.
• Write concisely. Keep your sentences short; make them clear and understandable to the reader.
• When you write, you should write for an audience. You aren’t writing to read it yourself, so make it appealing to the reader.
• Writing should be effective; nobody is interested in abstract reading, make it creative and interesting.
• Expression of ideas and clarity in communication are essential pre requisites.
• Use language that is commonly used by everyone. Using complicated language that is technically perfect, but poor communication-wise does not fetch good marks.
• Avoid grammatical mistakes. Take care not to make spelling errors; they leave a very bad impression on the evaluator.
• Important things to avoid in essay writing:
• Concentrating all your writing on a single point or perspective. Bring in multiple dimensions to your topic, do not isolate or stagnate your writing on one platform alone.
• Expressing extreme personal views in essays. Be neutral in your language and expression. Do not try to hurt anybody’s sentiments with your writing. Your writing should open doors to more thinking and not make the examiner shut it down from a negative perspective.

Points to remember

• When it comes to an essay paper, candidates usually tend to be overconfident, thinking they can write well, irrespective of their preparation for it. This is just a myth, and every paper in UPSC needs its share of good preparation.
• Your preparation should involve writing down important quotes, and anecdotes said by famous personalities, they will help you gain higher marks in the essay paper.
• Preparing notes is not just a necessity; it will simultaneously help you develop very good writing and written communication skills.
• A few topics are asked over and again in the UPSC papers. For such common topics, you could write your brief draft or framework, which you can use as a ready reckoner when attempting them. It saves you a lot of time.
• Completely keep away from SMS languages, they pull your marks away. No short forms for long words, use words as is.
• Be creative in writing subheadings. The content following a subheading should contain the main element linked to the main topic plus follow the extra information intended to provide under that.

• UPSC IAS Exam Pattern
• UPSC IAS Prelims
• UPSC IAS Mains
• UPSC IAS Interview
• UPSC IAS Optionals
• UPSC Notification
• UPSC Eligibility Criteria
• UPSC Online
• UPSC Admit Card
• UPSC Results
• UPSC Cut-Off
• UPSC Calendar
• Documents Required for UPSC IAS Exam
• UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus
• General Studies 1
• General Studies 2
• General Studies 3
• General Studies 4
• UPSC IAS Interview Syllabus
• UPSC IAS Optional Syllabus

Topic-Wise Essay Questions from UPSC Mains (1994 -2018)

The initial paper in the UPSC mains examination is the Essay (Paper I). In this section, candidates who have qualified in the prelims stage must compose two essays from a selection of provided topics. The paper holds a total of 250 marks, and these marks contribute to the determination of the Final Merit List. This article compiles all the essay topics presented in the UPSC mains exam from 1994 to 2018. Additionally, we have organized the essay questions from the last 25 years into distinct topics to facilitate your preparation.

Table of Contents

UPSC Essay Topics

Administration.

• 1994: The nexus of politics, bureaucracy, and business – a lethal trio.
• 1995: Politics bereft of ethics spells disaster.
• 1996: The VIP cult poses a detriment to Indian democracy.
• 1996: Advocating the necessity for transparency in public administration.
• 2000: Addressing the nation’s imperative for an improved disaster management system.
• 2003: Guidelines on the conduct expected of a civil servant.

Democracy/India since independence

• 1995: The trajectory of Indian democracy—where does it lead?
• 1997: Unlearned lessons in fifty years of independence.
• 2000: Reasons to take pride in our Indian identity.
• 2001: Assessing the gains from our democratic framework.
• 2003: Evaluating the effectiveness of democracy in delivering positive outcomes in India.
• 2008: Exploring national identity and patriotism.
• 2012: Examining the evolutionary significance of ‘Swadhinata,’ ‘Swaraj,’ and ‘Dharmarajya’ in the context of Gandhiji’s views and their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy.
• 2013: Is India’s success hindered by a lingering colonial mentality?
• 2015: Aspirations that should keep India awake.
• 2018: Navigating the intricate challenge of managing Indian border disputes.

Economic growth and development

• 1999: Managing resources in the Indian context.
• 2013: GDP (Gross Domestic Product) alongside GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) as apt measures for assessing a country’s well-being.
• 2014: The hindrance to our country’s growth—was it policy paralysis or implementation inertia?
• 2015: Assessing the crisis in India—moral or economic in nature.
• 2016: Jobless growth in India: An aberration or a consequence of economic reforms.
• 2016: The digital economy: An equalizer or a source of economic inequality.
• 2016: Identifying innovation as the pivotal factor influencing economic growth and social welfare.
• 2017: Examining the impact of new economic measures on fiscal relations between the union and states in India.

Federalism, Decentralisation

• 1998: Tracing the language problem in India—its historical evolution, current status, and future prospects.
• 2004: Advocating for central government control over water resources.
• 2007: Assessing the effectiveness of the panchayati raj system in India in empowering the people.
• 2007: Examining whether autonomy is the optimal solution to counter balkanization.
• 2011: The establishment of smaller states and its resultant administrative, economic, and developmental implications.
• 2016: Cooperative federalism in India: Myth or reality?
• 2016: Exploring water disputes between states in federal India.

Indian Culture & Society

• 1994: The Indian society standing at a crucial juncture.
• 1996: Emerging cults and spiritual leaders posing a challenge to traditional religion.
• 1998: Examining the mosaic of India’s composite culture.
• 1999: Contemporary youth culture in focus.
• 2000: Navigating the intersection of modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values.
• 2000: Indian culture today—myth or reality?
• 2003: Contemplating the correlation between civilization’s advancement and cultural decline.
• 2010: From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffett model—natural progression or paradigm shift?
• 1997: Exploring the realm of judicial activism.
• 2004: Investigating the intersection of judicial activism and Indian democracy.
• 2005: Advocating for the imperative that justice extends to the impoverished.

Social justice/Poverty

• 1999: Reservation, politics, and the pursuit of empowerment.
• 2005: Envisioning food security as a foundation for sustainable national development.
• 2009: The disproportionate focus of healthcare on the privileged segments of our society.
• 2017: The diminishing capacity of farming to serve as a subsistence source for the majority of Indian farmers.
• 2018: Recognizing poverty anywhere as a menace to prosperity everywhere.

Media & Society

• 1998: The misinterpretation and abuse of freedom in India.
• 1999: Mass media and its impact on cultural invasion.
• 2002: The democratic role and responsibility of the media.
• 2007: Examining the cultural shift in Indian mindsets brought about by satellite television.
• 2008: The contribution of media to fostering good governance.
• 2011: Assessing whether Indian cinema shapes our popular culture or simply mirrors it.
• 2014: Contemplating whether sting operations constitute an invasion of privacy.

Environment/Urbanisation

• 1997: Unraveling the hidden benefits of urbanization.
• 2006: Asserting the crucial role of safeguarding ecology and the environment for sustained economic development.
• 2008: Exploring the perils associated with urbanization.
• 2010: Debating the imposition of a moratorium on new mining activities in tribal areas of the country.
• 2017: Acknowledging the inevitability of succumbing to natural laws despite challenging human laws.

Economic sectors/MNCs

• 1994: Multinational corporations—saviors or underminers.
• 2006: Contemplating the potential demise of small-scale industries in India due to globalization.
• 2007: The surge of BPOs in India.
• 2008: Evaluating the Special Economic Zone—benefit or detriment?
• 2009: Pondering the fate of our traditional handicrafts, destined for a gradual decline.
• 2012: Scrutinizing the criticism that the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model is more of a curse than a blessing in the Indian context.
• 2014: Exploring the prospect of tourism as the next major venture for India.
• 1995: Overhauling the structure of the Indian education system.
• 1996: Noting the rapid increase in literacy without corresponding growth in education.
• 2001: Questioning the relevance of traditional classrooms.
• 2002: Examining the privatization of higher education in India.
• 2002: Navigating the intersection of modern technological education and human values.
• 2005: Reflecting on the essence of real education.
• 2006: Investigating the “Education for All” campaign in India—myth or reality.
• 2007: Advocating for the cultivation of independent thinking from early childhood.
• 2008: Contemplating whether educating the masses can pave the way for an egalitarian society.
• 2011: Assessing the status, opportunities, and challenges of the credit-based higher education system.
• 2014: Evaluating the impact of growing competition on the youth.
• 2014: Questioning the effectiveness of standardized tests as a measure of academic ability or progress.
• 2015: Highlighting the limitations of education without values.
• 2017: Acknowledging the pivotal role of classrooms in shaping the destiny of a nation.
• 1995: Unveiling the emerging power of women: the realities on the ground.
• 1997: Asserting that greater political power alone won’t improve the plight of women.
• 1998: Contemplating woman as God’s finest creation.
• 1999: Delving into the challenges and prospects of women’s empowerment.
• 2001: Emphasizing that empowerment alone cannot fully uplift our women.
• 2004: Questioning the trajectory of women’s emancipation.
• 2005: Imagining a world where women rule.
• 2005: Acknowledging the influential role of the hand that rocks the cradle.
• 2006: Advocating for the Women’s Reservation Bill as a catalyst for empowerment in India.
• 2012: Evaluating whether the Indian working woman receives a fair deal in managing work and home.
• 2016: Stating that if development is not engendered, it is endangered.
• 2017: Dispelling the myth of the fulfillment of the ‘new woman’ in India.

Quotes-based/Philosophy

• 1994: Youth is a mistake, manhood a challenge, old age a remorse.
• 1994: A purposeless life is an untimely demise.
• 1995: Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the life force of civilization.
• 1995: When money speaks, the truth remains silent.
• 1995: Our actions define us as much as we shape our actions.
• 1996: Truth is something to be lived, not just taught.
• 1997: True religion cannot be misappropriated.
• 2002: The pursuit of truth is inherently a spiritual challenge.
• 2002: The paths of glory ultimately lead to the grave.
• 2002: If youth possessed knowledge, if age possessed capability.
• 2003: Nothing is inherently good or bad; it is our perceptions that shape it.
• 2013: Be the change you wish to witness in others.
• 2014: With greater power comes greater responsibility.
• 2014: Words have a sharper impact than a two-edged sword.
• 2015: Extending a helping hand is superior to merely giving charity.
• 2018: The past is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values.
• 2018: Reality may not conform to the ideal, but it affirms it.
• 2007: Attitude shapes habits, habits form character, and character defines a person.
• 2008: Discipline paves the way to success, while anarchy leads to ruin.
• 2015: The character of an institution is a reflection of its leader.
• 2016: Need fosters greed, and an increase in greed tarnishes the lineage.
• 2017: Joy is the purest expression of gratitude.
• 2018: A fulfilling life is one fueled by love and steered by knowledge.
• 2018: A society that prioritizes privileges over principles forfeits both.
• 2018: Traditional morality cannot serve as a guide for modern living.

Globalisation

• 1994: Modernization and Westernization are distinct concepts.
• 1998: Envisioning the world in the twenty-first century.
• 2000: Unraveling the implications of globalization for India.
• 2001: Articulating my vision of an ideal world order.
• 2003: Unmasking the facades of new imperialism.
• 2004: Assessing the impact of globalization on Indian culture.
• 2009: Contemplating the clash between ‘Globalization’ and ‘Nationalism.’
• 2010: Evaluating the readiness of our society for India’s global leadership role.

Science & Tech

• 1997: The contemporary physician and their relationship with patients.
• 1999: Embedding values in science and education.
• 2001: Examining the progress of science and its impact on human values.
• 2003: Exploring the interplay between spirituality and scientific temper.
• 2004: The magnetic appeal of space.
• 2012: Debating the compatibility of Science and Mysticism.
• 2013: Asserting that science and technology serve as the cure-all for the nation’s growth and security.
• 2015: Emphasizing that technology cannot replace human manpower.
• 2018: Advocating for alternative technologies to build a climate change-resilient India.

Internet/IT

• 2000: The allure and challenges of the cyberworld.
• 2006: The rise of computerization and its potential to foster a dehumanized society.
• 2016: Reflecting on the long-term impact of cyberspace and the Internet on human civilization—blessing or curse?
• 2017: Contending that social media, by its nature, is a self-centered medium.

International organisations /relations

• 1996: The restructuring of the UNO as a reflection of current realities.
• 2004: Analyzing India’s contribution to fostering ASEAN cooperation.
• 2006: Assessing the significance of the Indo-US nuclear agreement.
• 2017: Questioning the continued relevance of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) in a multipolar world.
• 2005: The impact of terrorism on global peace.
• 2009: Examining whether we are a ‘soft’ state.
• 2009: Asserting the value of well-defined boundaries in fostering good relations between neighbors.
• 2011: Recognizing the importance of both human intelligence and technical intelligence in addressing terrorism in the Indian context.

Miscellaneous

• 1998: India’s impact on global wisdom.
• 2001: The quest for excellence.
• 2010: Geography may be constant, but history is subject to change.
• 2014: Aspiring for fifty gold medals in the Olympics—can India turn this into a reality?
• 2015: Embracing the strategy of swift yet consistent progress.

Topic-Wise Essay Questions from UPSC Mains (1994 -2018) FAQS

Q 1. how can i write a good essay in upsc.

 Essay writing not only checks your ability to understand the topic but also how well you can explain the same. While preparing for any subject, keep making notes. Read editorial articles in newspapers like The Hindu. Listen to analysis of particular topics on Rajya Sabha TV. There is no shortcut to master the essay, it is all about regular practice.

Q 2. Does handwriting matter in UPSC?

If the answer is good and the handwriting is not good, then there is a possibility of being at a state of disadvantage because the person who evaluates your paper will be evaluating thousands of other papers. Hence, to make sure that your evaluator has not missed out on any piece of information that you have written, it is better to have good and legible handwriting.

3.  What is the format of the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination?

The UPSC Civil Services Mains examination includes an Essay paper (Paper I), which is the initial paper in the exam.

4. How many essays are candidates required to write in the Essay paper?

Candidates are required to compose two essays from a selection of provided topics in the Essay paper.

5. How many marks does the Essay paper hold, and how does it contribute to the Final Merit List?

The Essay paper holds a total of 250 marks, and these marks contribute to the determination of the Final Merit List.

6. What is the time duration for the Essay paper in the UPSC Mains examination?

The time duration for the Essay paper is not specified, but candidates are advised to manage their time effectively.

7. Can candidates choose any topic for their essays, or are there specific topics provided?

Candidates must choose two essay topics from a selection of provided topics.

8. How are the essay topics categorized in the provided list?

The essay topics from the last 25 years are categorized into distinct topics such as Administration, Democracy/India since independence, Economic growth and development, Federalism, Decentralisation, Indian Culture & Society, Judiciary, Social justice/Poverty, Media & Society, Environment/Urbanisation, Economic sectors/MNCs, Education, Women, Quotes-based/Philosophy, Character, Globalisation, Science & Tech, Internet/IT, International organisations/relations, Security, and Miscellaneous.

9. What are some examples of essay topics related to Indian Culture & Society?

Examples include “The Indian society standing at a crucial juncture,” “Contemplating the correlation between civilization’s advancement and cultural decline,” and “Navigating the intersection of modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values.”

10. Are there specific essay topics related to Economics and Development?

Yes, essay topics related to Economics and Development include “Managing resources in the Indian context,” “Jobless growth in India: An aberration or a consequence of economic reforms,” and “Exploring the impact of new economic measures on fiscal relations between the union and states in India.”

11. How can candidates prepare for the essay paper effectively?

Candidates can prepare by reviewing and understanding essay topics from previous years, practicing essay writing, and staying updated on current affairs and relevant issues.

12. Are there any specific guidelines for essay writing provided by UPSC?

While specific guidelines are not mentioned, candidates are expected to express their thoughts coherently, provide well-reasoned arguments, and adhere to the given word limit. It is advisable to maintain clarity, conciseness, and a balanced perspective in essay writing.

In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.  

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List of Essays Asked in Civil Services Mains Exam

Reading and analyzing the Previous year essay paper would provide a very good insight into the nature of the question. You are required to attempt essay on one topic out of a given set of 6 to 8 topics. Since 1996 there have been six topics. In 1995 and 1994, there were seven topics and prior to that there used to be 8 topics. Therefore, one may reasonably assume that in the years to come the number of topics given may not remain constant. However, there will be enough choice to select and write on.

Trend analysis

At the outset it should be clear, that any classification is not hard and fast. We are making trend analysis of the topics to be covered in essay paper . Broadly speaking, all the topics within the essay paper may be divided into two distinct categories:

• Statement based essay topics
• Issue based essay topics

Statement Based Topics

Under this class, a pithy statement, often in the form of a slogan or a phrase may be provided. For instance see the topics below:

• Compassion is the basis of all morality. (1993)
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. (1994)
• A useless life is an early death. (1994)
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the life blood of real civilization. (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)
• Woman is God's best creation. (1998)
• The pursuit of excellence. (2001)
• If youth knew, if age could. (2002)
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. (2003)

If you notice these topics carefully, you might realize that these topics are more of philosophical in nature than factual. However, in writing or attempting these topics, analysis and interpretation must be backed by facts, information, examples etc. So as to make your essay writing more effective.

Issue based topics

The next set of topics is issue-based in nature. They are current topics or topics of burning nature. These topics may be found currently being debated, discussed and written about in various forums and media. For example, see the topics below:

• The emerging global order, political and economic. (1993)
• Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. (1993)
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. (1993)
• Computer : The harbinger of a silent revolution. (1993)
• Politics, business and bureaucracy: A fatal triangle. (1994)
• Multinational corporations : Saviors or saboteurs. (1994)
• Restructuring of Indian education system. (1995)
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. (1995)
• Whither Indian democracy. (1995)
• Restructuring of the UNO to reflect present realities. (1995)
• Need for transparency in public administration. (1995)
• Language problem in India: Its past, present and prospects. (1998)
• Reservations, politics and empowerment. (1999)
• The country's need for a better disaster management system. (2000)
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. (2001)
• Privatization of Higher education in India. (2002)
• The masks of new imperialism. (2003)

In attempting these topics, a thorough understanding of the subject matter in all its aspects is essential. Besides, you must be able to form and hold an opinion and convincingly put it across. It is not denied that the essay writing topics of these types can be easily attempted by any one as everyone is aware of the issues involved there in. But a marked qualitative difference would be visible between someone who has done his home-work well and someone who has not done it well. Apart from a sound grasp over facts and information, one must also undertake exercises in improving one's writing skills. The very nature of the questions under even this category demands it.

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

For Full Copy Click Here

These two broad categories of topics are not really water tight. Within these two broad categories you may come across some kind of a twilight zone, the kind of topics, that could well be somewhere at the inter section of the two. For convenience, call these topics, “Describe Topics”. While touching upon the current issues, these topics also demand a philosophical and logical insight, analysis and discussion. Examples of such topics are given below:

• My vision of India in 2001 AD. (1993)
• Men have failed, let women take over. (1993)
• Indian society at the cross roads. (1994)
• The challenges before a civil servant today. (1994)
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. (1995)
• Literacy is growing very fast but there is no corresponding growth in education. (1996)
• New cult of God men : a threat to traditional religions (1996)
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. (1997)
• The modern doctor and his patients. (1997)
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. (1997).
• India's contribution to world wisdom. (1998)
• Value based science & education. (1999)
• Why should we be proud of being Indians. (2000)
• My vision of an ideal world order. (2001)
• Modern technological education and human values. (2002)
• How should a civil servant conduct himself. (1993)

We shall briefly indicate with the help of few actual examples of essays asked in the exam as to how points on those topics can be developed which will help in expanding the narrative in our writing.

For Instance: Vikram Grewal's Copy

Men have failed, let women take over

• Status of men vis-a-vis women throughout the ages
• Nature of duties and responsibilities of both men and women.
• The achievements and failures of men can be contrasted with those of women.
• The rise of the modern women in the 20th century- educated, independent and free from economic dependence on men.
• The speed with which male bastions are being taken over by women e.g, sports, aviation, defense, etc.
• Analyzing the reasons why women are becoming successful in their way of th
• The intrinsic nature of woman that makes her more responsive and accommodative to human needs.

Computer: Harbinger of silent revolution

• Life before the computer and life after computer. A brief intro¬duction.
• Coming of computer and beginning of changes in work and leisure activities.
• Brief description of the principles on which computer functions and the possibilities of its capabilities on the basis of this principle.
• Changes and likely changes in our society due to computers and likely modifications in computer. Expansion and popularity among PC users — both horizontal and vertical dimension.
• Problems due to computers.
• Suggested remedies.
• Conclusion and description of the revolutionary dimension of computers

Ecological consideration need not hamper development

• Introduction: definition of ecology and development.
• Importance of ecological balance.
• Importance of development and its economic aspects.
• Consequences of ecological neglect with suitable examp
• Consequences of blind race for development, and its harmful consequence.
• The best alternative and reason thereof

In the above essays topics you may either take the view in favor or against or you may even strike a balance between the two.

Essay Strategy by:- Vikram Grewal, (AIR 51, CSE 2018)

Analyzing further, we notice that these questions, though issue based are of a broader nature unlike the specificity of the issue-based questions that we saw earlier. The issue based questions are specific and contextual. For instance, the topic ‘ Men have failed, let women take over ’ may appear apparently similar to ‘The new emerging women power: the ground realities, but both the topics are inherently different. The thrust and emphasis required in answering the two are different.

We Have uploaded Essay copies of Toppers like: Vikram Grewal (AIR 51, CSE 2018) , Khushboo Lather , Ankur Kaushik , Mirant Parikh and many more.

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Important Topics for UPSC Prelims 2024

by Vajiram & Ravi

Important Days in August 2023

Daily Newspaper Analysis for UPSC

Daily Prelims Pointers

Daily Mains Current Affairs

Important Topics for UPSC: Crucial subjects and themes for the UPSC examination pertain to the subjects and areas of significance within the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. The curriculum encompasses an extensive array of subjects, and being aware of those that are pivotal can substantially influence a candidate's prospects of success. Here, the important topics for Prelims 2024 are categorised paperwise and subjectwise, which would provide ease to the aspirants while going through them. Along with the Static topics, a list of the most important current affairs topics is also provided to interrelate them.

Important Topics for UPSC Prelims

Though there are several important topics for UPSC Prelims and Mains that overlap, but here is the list of topics which are more significant from the UPSC Prelims perspective. The important topics for UPSC Prelims are given below:

Places on Map in News

Top Current Affairs Topics for UPSC Prelims 2024

The Current affairs occupy a very significant place in both UPSC Prelims as well as Mains. Following is the list of most important current affairs topics relevant to the UPSC Prelims 2024 examination:

History and Culture:

• Guru Tegh Bahadur
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale
• Rani Durgavati

Social Issues:

• Practice of Polygamy In India
• Manual Scavenging in India
• Child Trafficking In India
• Freedom of Religion
• Same-Sex Marriage

International Relations:

• First Global Buddhist Summit
• Centre Looking To Design Human Development Index for PVTGs
• Assam-Arunachal Border Dispute
• Indus Water Treaty
• NATO Summit
• BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ meet
• Quad Summit 2023
• Official Visit of Prime Minister of Nepal to India
• Sudan Crisis
• Mizoram, Assam New Active Sectors For Infiltration: BSF
• UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF)

Economics and Trade:

• Foreign Trade Policy 2023
• Falling Long-Term Growth Prospects
• Falling Bond Yields
• Changes In GST
• Volatility In Edible Oil Prices

Science and Technology:

• Chandrayaan - 3
• CoWIN Data Breach
• Electronic Interlocking System in Railways
• Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) Waves
• LIGO-India Project
• Human Genome Project
• Seed Bank At Asola Bhatti Sanctuary
• Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)
• Foucault Pendulum
• Dark Patterns

Governance and Policy:

• Mission Vatsalya Scheme
• Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023
• National Medical Commission
• Model Prisons Act
• National Medical Devices Policy 2023
• Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
• Foreign Exchange Management Act
• Universal Basic Income (UBI)
• India Rethinking Its Anaemia Policy
• The PoSH Act
• Violence in Manipur
• Article 370

Finance and Trade:

• India’s Remittance Inflows Growth Could Slow to Just 0.2% in 2023
• India’s Gold Reserves

Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2024

The IAS syllabus is extensive and might overwhelm many candidates. Developing a lucid comprehension of the important topics for UPSC aids them in refining their preparation approach and prevents wastage of effort on less pivotal areas.

General Studies I

Indian Heritage and Culture; and History and Geography of the World and Society:

General Studies II

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations:

General Studies III

Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management:

General Studies IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude:

FAQs on Important Topics for UPSC

Which topics are important for upsc prelims 2024.

The vital topics for UPSC Prelims include Indian National Movement, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, General Science, Environment, Current Affairs , Art and Culture, History of India, World History, Technology, Indian Society, and Logical Reasoning. A thorough understanding and coverage of these subjects are essential for success in the examination.

What should I study for UPSC Mains 2024?

Study the syllabus comprehensively, focusing on important topics for UPSC from subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science and Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs. Solve previous year's papers to get an idea about the pattern in which questions are framed.

Which Current Affairs Topics Are Important for UPSC Mains 2024?

The significant current affairs topics for UPSC Mains 2024 encompass Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) Waves, LIGO-India Project, Human Genome Project, Model Prisons Act, National Medical Devices Policy, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and other evolving international relations.

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2024's Essay Topics for UPSC: Themes and Approaches

• Mujtaba Hussain
• 03 Apr 2024

The UPSC essay paper is one of nine papers in the UPSC Mains examination. It allows candidates to express their views on social, economic, and political concerns. UPSC often selects themes that are relevant to current events or have a significant influence on society. The Upsc Essay Topics fluctuate each year, and candidates never know what they will be. They might be about the current status of economy, social issues, art and culture, or how the media influences our lives.

Furthermore, it is a good idea to understands previous years' essay papers to get a sense of what may be requested. This will help you for the UPSC 2024 essay writing practice and do well in the exam. With enough practice, you may improve your essay writing skills for the UPSC test. The IAS Essay portion is quite crucial in the UPSC exam. It carries 250 points, and you must complete two essay questions of 1000 to 1200 words each within three hours. Here are some important UPSC 2024 essay topics that you must know.

Environment

1.        Organic Farming in India

2.        Shifting of Earth's Geo-Magnetic field and its impact

3.        Money Laundering and Illegal Wildlife trade

4.        Hyper-globalism is threat to human prosperity

5.        Ban on plastic: Environment vs. Economy

6.        Seed Bombs: Solution to Man-Animal Conflict

7.        Biodiversity Conservation– Our Solutions are in Nature

8.        Merger of Project Tiger and Project Elephant: Pros and Cons

9.        Growing Pollution in Rivers

10.    Net Zero Carbon Emission

Social Issues

1.        Transparent Taxation- honoring the honest platform

2.        Urban exclusion of migrant workers in India is a reality and needs urgent robust policy measures.

3.        Economic Growth and Development are shaped by the societies in which they operate.

4.        The ‘Dunki’ route to illegal migration

5.        Social media is the fourth pillar of democracy

6.        Lack of civic sense among Indians is pushing the country backwards

7.        Legalizing Betting in India

8.        Caste Census: Equity or casteism?

9.        Feminism

10.    The Cry of Transgenders

11.    Media’s duty is to inform public, not manufacture opinion

12.    Sub-categorisation of castes in India

13.    How does a leader impact the destiny of his country?

14.    One Nation, One Ration Card

15.    Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition

16.    Elderly Population in India

Indian polity

1.        Atmanirbhar Bharat

2.        India and SDGs

3.        Falling parliamentary morals in India

4.        India needs aggressive and pragmatic neighborhood policy

5.        Is the era of coalitions over?

6.        India as the World’s fifth largest economy

7.        Controversies surrounding the Present-day NDA government in India

8.        Supreme Court Judgment on Demonetisation

9.        India’s Neighbourhood Policy

10.    Supreme Court Judgment on Jammu and Kashmir

11.    India China border issues – Where is it headed?

12.    New India @75

13.    Compatibility of the Contempt of Court with International Standards

14.    India’s Participation in Central Asian Region

15.    Presidential vs Parliamentary form of government: which one India should go for?

16.    Pro poor policies of Modi Government

17.    Too much Democracy is Detrimental to Development

18.    India’s deepening malnutrition

19.    One nation one election

20.    Today India Needs ‘Harmony in Diversity’, Not Unity in Diversity

1.        Non-Performing Assets and their impact on economy

2.        India becoming a leader in Renewable Energy

3.        Central Bank Digital Currency by RBI

4.        Fugitive Economic Offenders and the need to bring them back

5.        Global Recession and shapes of Economy

6.        Government’s Vision of Amrit Kaal

7.        RBI’s strategies to tackle inflation in Economy

8.        50 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts: Giant leap towards financial inclusion

9.        Privatization in Defence Manufacturing

10.    Crypto-currency and issues related to it

11.    Need of the Hour is to Maximize Possibilities of Agriculture in India

12.    How important is flow of money for the economy?

13.    Growing trends of Privatisation

14.    India to be the world’s third largest economy

15.    Is a 70-Hour Work Week Healthy?

International Relations

1.        Importance of regional trade blocs like NAFTA, RCEP etc.

2.        SCO and its evolution

3.        Russia-Ukraine War and its impact on geopolitics

4.        G20 New Delhi Summit

5.        Climate Diplomacy and COP 28

6.        Democracy in its neighbourhood is in India’s interest

7.        Rising Chinese hegemony in Indo-Pacific and implications for India

8.        10 years of One Belt One Road (OBOR) Policy and India's Counter

9.        Israel-Hamas Conflict and Operation Ajay

10.    India: From SAARC to BIMSTEC

11.    NASA’s Artemis Program

12.    Has UNSC become redundant?

13.    IMEEEC and its prospects

UPSC 2024 Essay Writing Practice Tips

1. Draft a rough version of the essay topic. An impressive essay must follow a set format. In what way will you begin? Which dimensions pertain to the subject matter? How are you going to proceed with your analysis to explain it? Which instances will you give for each dimension? In what way will you wrap up? Writing naturally would be simpler for you if you had previously written a draft. 2. Expand on the subject It's not necessary to convince the examiner of your argument with a single, well-written, and repeated explanation. Rather, the emphasis need to be on writing with depth. The essay must have connections. Let's start with a story. Can you imagine the examiner's reaction when you link the story from the beginning to the conclusion? 3. Use expressive and good language. While the examiner only considers content when assigning a grade for a General Studies paper, other factors such as "coherence," "language used," and "effective and exact expression" are also taken into account. Essay must be structured such that a reader who is unfamiliar with it won't feel that there is a break in the flow and may gradually understand the concept without feeling that it is unfinished due to glaring language and spelling errors. 4. Compose a Strong Summary The beginning must include background information or a fact by using the latest context. Naturally, use some creativity when writing relevant information and avoid doing so for the purpose of creativity alone. Use instances, tales from real life, and anecdotes that you come across in novels, books, and newspapers can serve as excellent starting points for discussing the subject. 5 . Join the dots In order to keep the essay flowing, connections are crucial. A paragraph should not be ended carelessly without providing a succinct conclusion to the idea. Similar to this, you may make the point and connection flow more easily by using connectors while switching between ideas. The extent to which you can discuss certain dimensions depends on how well you grasp the subject. 6. Compose a strong conclusion When writing the UPSC 2024 essay topics, you must demonstrate to the examiner why, as an administrator, you remain upbeat and positive about the future despite all of the issues you address in your essay. The summary should be succinct enough to wrap up the whole point that you made in the paragraphs. Make sure the ending has some substance in addition to being somewhat lovely. Additionally, as a finishing touch, be sure to constantly make a connection between the Introduction and the Conclusion so the examiner knows you weren't just writing an essay but also that you can effectively explain and communicate yourself.

Essay (UPSC Mains) - Previous Year Questions

• 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.

Value based / Ethical Issues

• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Philosophical

• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
• You can not step twice in the same river.
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for.

Miscellaneous / Mixed

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. (Environment / Economics)
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world ( Literature / Socio-political-economic impacts)
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man ( History / Values / Philosophy)
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
• Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
• The real is rational and the rational is real.
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

History / Culture

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

Science and Technology

• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
• There are better practices to “best practices”. ( Multiple Themes )
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. ( Philosophy / Technology)
• Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
• Ships do not sink because of water around them; ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.

Social Issues

• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations ( Technology / International Relation ).
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be.
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success.
• Wisdom finds truth.
• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities.
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.

Science & Technology

• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
• A people that value its privileges above its principles lose both.
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values.
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life.
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.

Environment

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.

IR & Security

• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task.
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium Domain.
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multi-polar world Domain.
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India Domain. ( Agriculture )
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India Domain.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

Polity & Governance

• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws Domain.
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
• Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run Domain.
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms.
• Water disputes between states in federal India Domain.
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality India.
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. ( Technology / Economy)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare Domain. ( Technology / Economy / Social Sector)
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
• Quick but steady wins the race.
• Technology cannot replace manpower.
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. ( Education / Ethics)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. ( Morality / Economics)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility.
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
• Are the standardized tests, good measure of academic ability or progress?
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. ( Multiple themes )
• Fifty Gold’s in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? ( Sports / Governance )
• Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? ( History / Culture / Growth & Development / Ethics )

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UPSC essay topics list

Upsc essay topics -mains 2019.

SECTION A – 125 marks

Write any one of the following essays in 1000-1200 words.

• Wisdom finds truth
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success

SECTION B – 125 marks

• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2018

SECTION – A – 125 marks

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task

SECTION – B – marks

• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2017

• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement(NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world.

SECTION – B – 125 marks

• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium.

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2016

• If development is not engendered, it is endangered
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed
• Water disputes between states in federal India
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality
• Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2015

• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
• Quick but steady wins the race.
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.
• Technology cannot replace manpower.
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.
• Dreams which should not let India sleep.
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2014

1.With greater power comes greater responsibility.

2.Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?

3.Are the standardized tests a good measure of academic ability or progress?

4.Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.

• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?

UPSC essay topics- Mains 2013

Write an essay on any one of the following topics, in NOT MORE than 2500 words. (250 marks)

1. Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhi.

2.Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success?

3.A Compilation of Essays | Year Wise Question Trend Analysis GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross DomesticHappiness) would be the right indices for judging the well- being of a country.

4. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.

UPSC essay topics- Topic Wise Analysis

Economy and development.

• 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
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009
• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
• BPO boom in India. -2007
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. – 1993
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
• Credit – based higher education system challenges -2011 – status , opportunities and
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ?-2008
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. –
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
• What is real education? -2005
• Modern technological education and human values. -2002
• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
• Value-based science and education. -1999
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
• Restructuring of Indian education system. -19952007

Democracy, Society, Culture, Mindset

• 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
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
• Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
• globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
• National identity and patriotism -2008
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
• Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
• Youth culture today. -1999
• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
• The composite culture of India. -1998
• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
• True religion cannot be misused. -1997

Women Empowerment

• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? -2012
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
• If women ruled the world -2005
• 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
• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
• Men have failed: let women take over. -1993

Polity and Administration

• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
• In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
• Justice must reach the
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
• Are we a ‘soft’ state ?-2009poor-2005
• Role of media in good governance -2008
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
• Food security for sustainable national development -2005
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government.2004
• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
• Judicial activism. -1997
• The vip cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
• Need for transparency in public administration -1996
• Whither Indian democracy? -1995
• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
• My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993

Science and Technology

• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible ?-2012
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
• The lure of space. -2004
• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
• Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993

 International relations and International Issues

• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. -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
• The global order: political and economic -1993
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
• Good fences make good neighbours -2009
• Terrorism and world peace -2005
• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996

Philosophy and Ethics based

• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
• Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
• If youth knew, if age could. -2002
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
• The pursuit of excellence. -2001
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret-1994
• Useless life is an early death. -1994
• He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
• Compassion is the basic of all morality would -1993
• Truth is lived, not taught -1996

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

Last updated on January 8, 2022 by Alex Andrews George

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2021 Instructions

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

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

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

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

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

UPSC CSE 2025: Study Plan ⇓

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

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

5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repeated questions from previous years

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

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

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

Thinkers, Philosophers, and their Quotes

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

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

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

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

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

This has also connections with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy.

The real is rational and the rational is real.

This is a quote by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel .

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

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

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

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

What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You need to polish your comprehension and analytical skills.

Read different kinds of essays – particularly philosophical essays.

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

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

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

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

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

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Reader Interactions

January 8, 2022 at 11:36 am

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

January 9, 2022 at 1:44 pm

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

June 13, 2022 at 12:41 pm

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

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

January 8, 2022 at 4:02 pm

Yeah!I’ve passed upsc .

January 25, 2022 at 2:21 pm

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

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Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024

Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024 are provided here for candidates appearing for UPSC Mains along with Essay Mains PYQs and answers.

Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024: Preparing for the Essay paper in the UPSC Mains 2024 exam requires an understanding of key themes and the ability to articulate your thoughts effectively. To excel, aspirants must focus on Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024, analyze previous years’ questions, and practice writing on a variety of topics. Here, we provide insights into Essays Mains PYQs and Essays topics for Mains 2024 to help you prepare comprehensively.

List of Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024

The Essay paper in UPSC Mains is crucial as it tests your ability to present ideas coherently and logically. Writing an impactful essay requires a deep understanding of the subject, clear articulation of thoughts, and effective structuring. Check out the Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024 and strategies to tackle them:

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Aalyzing Essays Mains PYQs

Analyzing Essays Mains PYQs helps in understanding the examiner’s expectations and identifying common themes. Some frequently asked topics in previous years include:

Suggested Essays Topics for Mains 2024

For Essays topics for Mains 2024 , consider focusing on current events and emerging issues. Here are some suggestions:

• Impact of Digital Revolution on Society
• Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Governance
• Climate Change and Its Implications for Future Generations
• The Intersection of Technology and Ethics
• Sustainable Development Goals: Progress and Challenges

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By focusing on these Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024 and implementing the suggested strategies, you can enhance your essay writing skills and perform well in the exam. 

FAQs On Important Topics for Essay for UPSC Mains 2024

How should i prioritize important topics for essay for upsc mains 2024, how can i effectively analyze essays mains pyqs, what are some crucial essays topics for mains 2024, how can i improve my essay writing skills for upsc mains a4:, why is the essay paper important in upsc mains.

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Essay Topics for UPSC Mains from Past 25 Years

Revise entire year current affairs in a week, essay topics for upsc mains from past 25 years [1993-2017].

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Strategize and Succeed in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 with Abhyaas 2024

Updated on: 16 August,2024 08:05 PM IST  |  Mumbai Buzz | [email protected]

• Text  

GS Paper 2 covers a wide range of topics, including Polity & Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice.

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 with Abhyaas 2024

As the UPSC Mains fast approach, the key to success lies not just in extensive preparation but in strategic mastery. With only a month left, the pressure to critically analyze and articulate your thoughts especially in General Studies Paper 2 becomes increasingly crucial.

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GS Paper 2 covers a wide range of topics, including Polity & Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice. To maximize your score in this paper, it’s essential to focus on high-impact areas and refine your ability to deliver well-structured, persuasive answers.

This blog will guide you through the strategic preparation for GS Paper 2 and demonstrate how Abhyaas Mains 2024 can play a pivotal role in your journey toward UPSC success.

Strategize for High Scores in GS Paper 2

To excel in GS Paper 2, you need to prioritize areas that will have the greatest impact on your score. Each subject within GS Paper 2 requires a unique approach to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective retention. Here’s how to strategically approach each subject:

A) Polity and Governance: Reflecting on the PYQ trends, Polity and Governance has consistently been a major component of GS Paper 2, with a focus on constitutional provisions, amendments, and the functioning of the judiciary and executive. Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 65 questions were asked from this section.

Topics such as federalism, devolution of powers, and judiciary independence have been prominent. Questions often revolve around the role of the executive and judiciary in maintaining the balance of power, with emphasis on landmark judgments and constitutional amendments.

Preparation Strategy:

• Constitutional Provisions and Landmark Judgments: A thorough understanding of the Indian Constitution is the bedrock of Polity & Governance. Focus on key articles, amendments, and landmark judgments that have shaped the legal and political landscape. Regularly update yourself on recommendations from the 2nd ARC, important committee reports, and international best practices.
• Statutory Frameworks and Reports: Familiarize yourself with key statutory acts, committee reports, and authoritative sources. These not only provide substance to your answers but also help in constructing well-grounded arguments. Incorporating relevant statistics and references to authoritative sources will strengthen your points.
• Interlinking Across GS Papers: Connect topics from Polity & Governance with issues in Social Justice and International Relations. For example, the federal structure can be linked to regional disparities, which in turn affect social justice.

B) International Relations (IR): Drawing from the analysis of PYQ’s, International Relations (IR) accounted 20 questions over the period 2019-2023, with recurring themes including India's bilateral relations with major powers like the USA, Russia, and China, as well as its role in regional and multilateral organizations such as SAARC, ASEAN, and the UN. India's foreign policy strategies, particularly concerning non-alignment and strategic autonomy, have also been significant.

• Adopt a Multidimensional Approach: IR demands an understanding of multiple perspectives. Use IR-specific keywords, quotes from diplomats or scholars, and viewpoints to enrich your answers. Utilize maps for locational clarity, especially when discussing regions of strategic interest.
• Data and Treaties: Back up your arguments with data and key treaties. For example, when discussing climate change, refer to the Paris Agreement and India’s commitments under it.
• Stay Updated: Keep track of global events, especially those involving India. Link these events to India's strategic interests and historical context to present a comprehensive analysis. Understand how global developments impact India's foreign policy and security concerns.

C) Social Justice: Based on the PYQ trends, Social Justice featured in 15 questions from 2019 to 2023, focusing on government welfare schemes, issues related to poverty, hunger, education, and health policies. The role of NGOs and SHGs in societal development has also been a key theme, alongside the effectiveness of government interventions in reducing social inequalities.

• Focus on Current Societal Trends: Social Justice is deeply rooted in current societal trends. Connect your understanding of these trends to government policies, welfare schemes, and ongoing social programs. For example, analyzing the impact of the National Food Security Act on reducing hunger.
• Highlight Interlinkages: Demonstrate how issues in Social Justice are interlinked with other section of GS papers, such as Polity & Governance (e.g., the role of constitutional provisions in ensuring social equity) and International Relations (e.g., international conventions on human rights).
• Use Data, Case Studies, and Examples: Incorporate relevant data, case studies, and examples of successful initiatives to add depth to your answers. For instance, use census data to discuss demographic trends or case studies of successful health interventions to illustrate your points.

PYQs and Toppers' Copy Analysis

A critical step in refining your preparation is analyzing Previous Years' Questions (PYQs) and reviewing Toppers' Copies . This process provides valuable insights into exam patterns and effective answer-writing techniques.

• Review PYQs: Analyzing the questions from previous years helps identify recurring themes and important topics that you should prioritize. This ensures that you are focusing on areas with the highest likelihood of being tested.
• Study Toppers' Copies: Observing how successful candidates structured their answers, incorporated key terms, and presented their arguments provides practical insights into effective answer writing. Adopting these techniques can significantly enhance the quality of your own responses.

Abhyaas Mains 2024: A Crucial Step in Your UPSC Journey

As you refine your knowledge across these critical areas, the ability to translate this knowledge into high-quality answers is what will set you apart. This is where our Abhyaas Mains 2024 - All India Mains (GS + Essay + Optional) Mock Test becomes indispensable.

Driven by our Innovative Assessment System™ , developed through extensive research, Abhyaas aligns with the latest UPSC patterns while reflecting the complexity and depth of the actual exam. The system has consistently shown strong coherence between Abhyaas scores and actual UPSC marks, as demonstrated in the 2023 GS Paper 2 results.

Abhyaas Mains 2024 provides a targeted approach to mastering GS Paper 2:

• Simulates the UPSC Mains environment: Build confidence and readiness by practicing under exam-like conditions.
• Focuses on high-priority topics: Ensure deep and relevant preparation that covers the most critical areas.
• Provides personalized feedback: Gain insights into your strengths and areas where improvement is needed.

Scheduled on the 24th, 25th, 31st of August, and 1st of September across 40+ cities, the Abhyaas Mains 2024 program is your pathway to perfecting your preparation and achieving top marks.

In these final days, the emphasis should be on refining your knowledge, honing your answer-writing skills, and practicing under exam-like conditions. With a strategic approach and the support of programs like Abhyaas Mains 2024, you can maximize your potential and approach the UPSC Mains with confidence.

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UPSC Syllabus 2024: Download PDF for IAS Prelims and Mains Syllabus

Upsc syllabus 2024: the cse syllabus comprises prelims, mains and interviews. the prelims examination syllabus is divided into parts such as general studies and csat. the marks scored in general studies will be considered for the shortlisting of candidates in mains examination. overall, the nature of prelims examination is qualifying and the marks in this will not be added to the final merit list..

UPSC Syllabus 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Service Examination (CSE), which is the most prestigious examination in the country. Every year, lakhs of candidates fill out the application form to compete for approximately a thousand posts. With over 10 lakh candidates who apply for the exam, candidates need to focus on establishing a solid understanding and foundation of the UPSC syllabus to crack the exam.

The UPSC syllabus is composed of three phases, prelims, mains and interview. The UPSC prelims examination is qualifying in nature and the marks scored in this exam will not be added while preparing the final merit list. Candidates who qualify the Prelims appear for the MAins exam which is descriptive in nature and lastly an interview is held for those who are successful in the Mains exam. 

UPSC Syllabus 2024

The UPSC syllabus 2024 is broadly divided into two stages, i.e., prelims and mains. The UPSC Prelims is the first stage of the UPSC IAS exam, consisting of two papers such as General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). The CSAT paper is qualifying in nature and candidates need to score a minimum of 33% marks to qualify while the marks scored in the GS paper are counted to shortlist candidates for the UPSC mains examination which consists of 9 papers and each paper is descriptive in nature where candidates need to write detailed answers. The UPSC Mains papers are Essay, English language, Indian language, General Studies 1, General Studies 2, General Studies 3, General Studies 4, Optional Paper 1 and Optional Paper 2. Continue reading below to know more about the UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains detailed syllabus.

UPSC Syllabus 2024 Highlights

UPSC Syllabus 2024 PDF Download 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus

The UPSC prelims exam is the first stage of IAS selection process. This examination is conducted to shortlist candidates for the UPSC Mains exam and the marks scored by candidates in this stage will not be added while preparing the merit list. The UPSC Prelims exam consists of two papers that are Paper 1 (GS) and Paper 2 (CSAT). 

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper 1

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on environmental ecology, Biodiversity and climate change that do not require subject specialisation.
• General Science.

UPSC Prelims Syllabus for Paper 2

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills, including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision making and problem solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data
• interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.)—Class X level

UPSC Mains Syllabus

Candidates who clear the UPSC Prelims exam will be eligible to appear for the Mains Exam. The UPSC mains exam is a descriptive paper consisting of nine papers that includes an essay, general studies paper, and an optional subject. The UPSC Mains examination assesses a candidate's in-depth understanding of a certain issue as well as their ability to express that information within the time period specified. 

UPSC Mains Syllabus for Qualifying Papers (Indian Languages and English)

The aim of this paper is to assess candidates ability to read and understand the languages and provide their ideas clearly and concisely in English and Indian languages. The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:

(i) Comprehension of given passages.

(ii) Precise Writing.

(iii) Usage and vocabulary.

(iv) Short Essays.

Indian Languages

UPSC Essay Syllabus

Upsc mains gs 1 syllabus.

The UPSC Mains GS 1 paper is also known as paper II. It majorly covers Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. Check the list below for important subtopics.

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, and issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
• Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
• Role of women and women’s organisations, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanisation, their problems and their remedies.
• Effects of globalisation on Indian society.
• Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
• Salient features of world’s physical geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
• Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Check the official syllabus below: 

UPSC Mains GS 2 Syllabus

• Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
• Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
• Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
• Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
• Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
• Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
• Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
• Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
• Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
• Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
• Role of civil services in a democracy.
• India and its neighborhood- relations.
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
• Important International institutions, agencies and forums—their structure, mandate.

UPSC Mains GS 3 Syllabus

• Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
• Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
• Government Budgeting.
• Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
• Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System-objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
• Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
• Land reforms in India.
• Effects of liberalisation on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
• Investment models.
• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
• Disaster and disaster management.
• Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
• Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
• Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
• Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organised crime with terrorism.
• Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.

UPSC Mains GS 4 Syllabus

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
•  Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
• Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilisation of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues.

UPSC Optional Syllabus 

Once you have a good understanding of the UPSC syllabus and pattern, you should create a study plan to make the most of your preparation time. We created an exclusive article on some of the most significant recommendations after speaking to many experts, which will help you create a successful plan. Read about the UPSC preparation plan for beginners.

Get here latest School , CBSE and Govt Jobs notification and articles in English and Hindi for Sarkari Naukari , Sarkari Result and Exam Preparation . Download the Jagran Josh Sarkari Naukri App .

• What is UPSC Mains Syllabus? + The UPSC Mains syllabus consists of 9 papers i.e. Essay, English, Indian Language, Ethics, Science and Tech, Optional Papers, stc.
• What is UPSC Prelims Syllabus? + The UPSC Prelims syllabus which consists of General Studies Paper 1 and CSAT include subjects such as History, Polity, Indian constitution, Science & Tech, English Comprehension, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.
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UPSC Mains Exam Date Announced: Check CSE 2024 Mains Schedule

UPSC CSE Mains Exam Date 2024 was announced by the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC CSE Mains 2024 is scheduled to take place from 20 to 29 September 2024. Earlier UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 was conducted on 16 June 2024 and the result for the same was announced on 1 July 2024. Those who have successfully cleared the UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims are eligible to appear in the UPSC CSE Mains 2024. 

UPSC CSE Main Exam Date 2024 PDF

UPSC CSE Mains Exam Date 2024

UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2024 will be held from 20 to 29 September 2024 in two shifts i.e. from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. for those who are shortlisted to appear for the UPSC CSE Mains 2024. Check the below table for detailed UPSC CSE Mains Schedule 2024:-

UPSC Civil Services Main Exam Pattern 2024 

UPSC CSE Mains 2024 will take place from 20 to 29 September 2024. Those who are going to appear in the UPSC Mains 2024 should be familiar with the UPSC CSE Mains Pattern 2024. Understanding the examination pattern and preparing for the exam accordingly will give you an extra edge to score well. Below we are providing a detailed UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern 2024:-

Duration and Extra Time:

• Each paper lasts 3 hours.
• Candidates with a scribe get an additional 30 minutes.

Paper Types:

• Qualifying Papers: Paper A and Paper B (Language papers), each worth 300 marks. You need 75 marks (25%) in each to have your other papers evaluated.
• Merit Papers: The remaining 7 papers, each worth 250 marks. These are used to determine your final score.

Total Marks and Final Result:

• The total marks for the merit papers are 1750.
• This score contributes to the final merit list or result.

Minimum Marks Requirements:

• Qualifying Papers: At least 75 out of 300 marks (25%).
• Merit Papers: At least 10% of the marks to be eligible for the cutoff.

Essay Paper:

• Write 2 essays, each worth 125 marks.
• Choose one topic from each of the two sections, each with 4 topics.

General Studies Papers:

• GS I, II, III: 20 questions per paper. 10 questions are worth 15 marks each, and 10 questions are worth 10 marks each.
• Section A: About 15 questions worth 10 marks each.
• Section B: 6 case studies, each worth 20 marks.

Optional Papers:

• Optional Paper 1 & 2: 8 questions each. Questions can be worth 10, 15, or 20 marks.

UPSC CSE Mains Admit Card 2024

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the UPSC CSE Mains Admit Card on its official website about 3-4 days before the exam in September 2024. You must present this admit card at the exam centre; otherwise, you won't be allowed to take the exam.

To download your 2024 admit card, follow these steps:

• Visit the official UPSC website.
• Click on the "ADMIT CARD" tab on the homepage, choose "E-Admit Cards for various Examinations of UPSC," and then select "Download Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024 Admit Card."
• Enter your Registration Number and Password. Your IAS Admit Card will appear on the screen.
• Download the PDF of your admit card and print two or three copies for your records.

Make sure to have your admit card with you on the day of the exam!

What are the dates for the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 exam?

How many shifts are there for the upsc cse mains exam, what papers will be conducted on 20 september 2024, when will the upsc cse mains admit card 2024 be released, what is the minimum score required in the qualifying papers, what is the minimum mark required to be eligible for the merit papers cutoff.

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