upsc essay

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

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

1.1 India Since Independence

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

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

2 Economy, Development

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

3 Education

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

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

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

5 Women empowerment

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

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

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

7 Science-Technology

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

Section-A (write any one)

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

Section-B (write any one)

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

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

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

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

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

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The UPSC essay paper is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. With this, the scores obtained in the UPSC essay topics will also be considered in the merit list. Hence, it is important to cover all the aspects of the UPSC essay syllabus .

In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. Moreover, they are required to choose one IAS essay topic out of the four options in each section i.e. A and B.

The UPSC essay paper is conducted for 250 marks with one essay UPSC paper for 125 marks. Therefore, aspirants should use the best books and strategies to excel in this section.

In this article, we have compiled all the details of the UPSC IAS essay for the candidates aspiring for the upcoming civil services exam.

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UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Structure

As per the UPSC exam pattern , the essay paper is one of the nine subjects in the civil services main exam. In this paper, aspirants need to write essays on assigned UPSC essay topics .
Candidates should practice writing essays on multiple topics in order to learn how to arrange their ideas and execute the same in the proper order.
Furthermore, the UPSC essay paper will carry 250 marks with an exam duration of 3 hours.

UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers

The previous year’s UPSC essay paper is one of the finest resources to prepare well for this section. This will strengthen their vocabulary and writing skills and also provide them insights into the type of essay topics UPSC asked over the years.

Hence, we have compiled below the official UPSC essay previous paper PDF link for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 for the reference of the candidates.

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2022
2021
2020
2019
2018

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Best Strategy for UPSC Essay Writing

UPSC essays must be well-formatted and presented in a manner that the readers can easily understand without any obstacles. Above all, it must include the ideas about the issue mentioned in the question.

Candidates must note that the general essay papers also play an important role in compensating for the less scores in general studies and optional papers. Hence, it is advisable to focus on improving the vocabulary and writing skills from the first leg of the preparation.

Let’s look at the best strategy to score high marks in the UPSC essay topics in the main exam.

Go through the entire UPSC essay syllabus to cover all the aspects of the section.
Build a habit of reading newspaper editorials and journals every day. Going by the trend analysis, it is found that many essay questions were asked directly from current affairs in the past few years.
Next, note down relevant quotes from the books/magazines/journal and implement them whenever required in the essay writing.
Focus on IAS essay topics related to democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc as questions can be asked from these topics.
Pick the essay topic very carefully. Also, it is advised to take some time to think about the topic and collect ideas and thoughts.
One should make sure that the essay comprises sections like introduction, main body, theme, and conclusion.
Moreover, aspirants can also reach out to their mentors, experts, seniors, or teachers for feedback on their essay writing. This will allow them to recognize their mistakes and focus more on their weak points for effective preparation.

Read More: How to write an essay for UPSC here!

Best Books for UPSC Essay Writing

Along with the best UPSC essay strategy , aspirants should also choose the finest books that comprise multiple essay topics UPSC for the exam. Here, we have shared below the best books and resources to strengthen the preparation of the general essay section:

Monthly Current Affairs Magazines by OnlyIAS
Only IAS Yogana Magazine
Only IAS Praarambh Post-Independence India
Only IAS Kurukshetra Magazine
Only IAS Praarmabh Indian Society
The Hindu (editorial articles)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How to score 150 in UPSC essay?

Ans. One can score 150 marks on the UPSC essay paper by managing time effectively throughout the exam and avoiding any kind of deviation from the topic.

Q2. What are the topics for UPSC essay?

Ans. Some of the important IAS essay topics include democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc

Q3. What is essay paper 1 in UPSC?

Ans. The UPSC essay paper 1 is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. The maximum mark is 250 with a duration of 3 hours.

Q4. Is UPSC essay tough?

Ans. Yes, the UPSC essay paper is moderately tough as per the past year’s exam analysis. However, it also depends on the aspirant knowledge of the topic.

Q5. How many pages is 1,000 words in UPSC?

Ans. 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced is about 1000 words in UPSC.

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UPSC CSE Mains 2024: Finding essay-writing difficult? Experts show how to write impactful essays effectively

Upsc cse mains 2024: it is essential for candidates to know the art of essay writing, and secure the maximum number of marks. check what experts suggest..

With just a little over a month left for the UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examination, 2024 to begin, candidates are probably racing against time to complete the syllabus to crack the country’s most prestigious exam. However, proper planning and practice can help candidates prepare for the exams effectively, thereby ensuring best results.

UPSC CSE Mains Preps 2024: Experts suggest easy hacks to learn the art of essay writing. Check out below. (Pxabay)

Clearly, the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 will be a litmus test for candidates who qualified for the preliminary exams, the results of which was declared on July 1, 2024.

PRELIMS VS MAINS: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

While the preliminary exams consisted of two papers, the Civil Services (Main) Examination will consist of a Written Examination and an Interview/Personality Test. It will consist of 9 conventional essay-type papers of which two papers will be of qualifying nature.

Now Paper I of the CSE Finals 2024 consists of Essay writing, which will carry a total of 250 marks, and candidates will get three hours to attempt the paper. As seen in the previous year’s question paper, there are two sections – Section A and Section B, with four essay topics in both the sections. Candidates were asked to choose any one topic in each of the sections, and write an essay in 1000 to 1200 words.

Also read: How aspiring designers can transform their productivity using Generative AI

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

For a clear understanding, candidates can refer to the previous year’s question paper given below:

As such it is essential for a candidate to know the art of essay writing, and thereby secure the maximum number of marks out of the total 250.

Also read: More than 13.35 lakh Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad, Canada top destination, US next, check list

Now it is understandable that writing an essay may not be as easy as it sounds, especially for an exam as crucial as the UPSC civil service exams. To make it easier for the candidates, team Hindustan Times spoke to experts from academic circles who have substantial experience in the field, and here’s what they recommend:

1. A POWERFUL INTRODUCTION

The first significant point about an essay is its introduction. The success of the essay lies in its ability to place the matter at hand in a way that it immediately arouses the curiosity of the reader. Dr Gautam Sarma, former HOD of English at Cotton University, said “It is imperative that the introduction of an essay carries, as it were, a gist of the entire argument that is going to be presented in the essay.

“While there are different ways of beginning an essay, an appropriate quote or a proverb stands to make the introduction impressive. A good introduction always sets the tone and tenor of the argument,’ added Dr Sarma.

2. FOCUS ON ORGANIZATIONAL HARMONY

Dr Sangeeta Goswami, a retired teacher of English, said “ What is most important while writing an essay is the fact that the subject of the essay should be understood properly so that a unified logical and coherent argument can be built up. It should be kept in mind that a streak sense of organizational harmony be observed without allowing any irrelevant or unnecessary details nearly in order to increase the length of the essay.

Dr Goswami, who has more than three decades of experience in teaching, added the points of the essay should be so organized that they appear to come automatically to establish themselves as inevitable and integrated elements of the essay itself.

3. PRACTICE WRITING FOR EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE

The language of the essay is what can make or mar the prospect and quality of the essay, believes Dr Mayuri Pathak, a former faculty of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). She said, “Language plays an important role while writing an essay. While the language when used should be simple and free from glitches, it should also be at the same time appropriate and capable of conveying the sense of what is meant to be said.”

“I suggest candidates who are preparing for the Civil Service examinations to practice writing simple yet effective English, free from bombast and jargon,” she added.

Also read: UPSC Mains Exam 2024: Subject-wise strategy for GS papers, expert analysis of trends emerging from past exams

4. CLARITY OF THOUGHT

The style of an essay is also responsible for maintaining the quality of the essay. Depending on the context of the essay, the candidate may take recourse to various styles such as formal, candid, argumentative, or analytical. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Champak Goswami, faculty at the Department of English at University Law College, and a researcher, said, “It is imperative that the essay in question is guided by a clarity of thought, aptness of diction and lucidity of expression. Slang and colloquial expressions are to be completely avoided while writing a formal essay.

5. EFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

Dr Gautam Sarma stated further, “Having written all the important points of the argument in the body of the essay, it now remains to be seen as to how the essay is concluded in a manner convincing and satisfactory to the reader. It should sum up the argument in a way that nothing important is left out, nor any superficial details added. In all, the conclusion should be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally gratifying.”

It may be mentioned here that the UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examinations 2024 is scheduled to be held for five days, starting from September 20, 2024. Candidates who qualify in the written examination will appear for the personality test (interview round).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What UPSC says about the essay paper

How and from where to prepare?

Improving language and expression

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

Substantiating your arguments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example of a bad sentence sprawl:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subheadings & Rough Drafts

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

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

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

What you must avoid in Essay

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

How to transition smoothly from one para to the next

This can be done in three ways.

Through a link sentence at the end of a para:

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

Through a question:

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

Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph:

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

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

How to write a good Introduction to your Essay?

Essay introduction can be:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Developing the Main Content from the Topic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Concluding an Essay

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

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

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

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

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

Link to handwritten notes:

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

Quote collection:

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

List of Topics one needs to prepare:

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

Sample Essays:

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

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

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

Essay strategy.

How to write a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained

By Anudeep Durishetty

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

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

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

What UPSC says about the essay paper

How and from where to prepare?

Improving language and expression

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

Substantiating your arguments

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

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

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

How and from where to prepare?

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

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

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

Example of a bad sentence sprawl:

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

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

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

Vocabulary 

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

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

Subheadings & Rough Drafts

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

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

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

What you must avoid in Essay

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

How to transition smoothly from one para to the next

This can be done in three ways.

Through a link sentence at the end of a para:

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

Through a question:   

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

Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph:

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

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

How to write a good Introduction to your Essay?

Essay introduction can be:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Developing the Main Content from the Topic

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

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

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

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

Concluding an Essay

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

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

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

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

Link to handwritten notes:

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

Quote collection:

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

List of Topics one needs to prepare:

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

Sample Essay:  

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

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

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Home » Mains Practice Questions » Essay

This exam necessitates a lot of serious study and devotion. Every applicant who understands the UPSC’s trends and expectations and works diligently toward achieving a rank under suitable supervision has a chance to succeed.

This year’s Mains – 2021 questions in GS, Essay, and even Optional papers need in-depth examination of trending topics as well as certain key static topics that may or may not be in the news.

Analytical skills can only be enhanced by regularly thinking and writing. Regular writing, in particular, is essential for improving your analytical abilities. Writing answers after reading other people’s answers or reading a synopsis will get you nowhere.

You must adhere to the standards outlined in the preceding article. You can get knowledge but not wisdom by consulting a summary.

Legacy IAS team will frame as many questions as feasible on each and every component of the GS syllabi as part of this initiative. This will allow you to take continuous notes and write answers until your UPSC Mains Exam 2022-2023.

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

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

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

Do not worry, we have you covered!

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

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

Right Knowledge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoid Unnecessary Jargon

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

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

Keep up the Good Vocabulary

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

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

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

Create Intelligent and Worldly-Wise Subheadings

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

Keep your Paragraphs Coherent to Each Other

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Introduction Should Ideally be a Relatable Quote or an Event

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

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

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

Let’s Take the Same topic as above

Starting with a definition

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

Starting with an interesting fictional event/ story

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

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

Create Your Essay’s Content as per the Topic

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

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

Back-up Your Arguments with Substantial Reasons

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

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

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

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

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

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

Write a Powerful Conclusion

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

Important Topics for UPSC CSE Essay Syllabus

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

Rural Empowerment
Women Empowerment
Internal Security
Social Justice

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

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

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

Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible?
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implications
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?
Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified?

Conclusion:

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

Very nicely guided

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

About the Author

Greeta sulochana.

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

Essay Question Paper – UPSC Mains 2023

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Essay Writing for UPSC - Weekly Essay Writing Programme

by Vajiram & Ravi

Essay Writing for UPSC: Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach. The UPSC essay paper is not just limited to assessing a candidate's creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, express their ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. This article discusses the do’s and don'ts that need to be remembered while writing your Essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

Check: UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

Essay Writing for UPSC

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

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

Essay Writing for UPSC - What is Expected?

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

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

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

How to Write Essay for UPSC Mains?

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

Choose the Right Topic

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

Brainstorm Ideas

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

Create a Structure

A well-structured essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction should introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of your stance. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point, argument, or example. The conclusion should summarise your main points and reiterate your thesis.

Format for UPSC Essay Writing

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

Introduction Paragraph of an Essay

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

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

Start your essay with a quote-

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

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

Writing in Paragraphs

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

Address Counter-arguments:

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

Use Examples:

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

Gather Evidence:

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

Logical Flow:

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

Use of simple Language:

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

Avoid Repetition:

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

Conclusion of the Essay

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

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

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

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

Proofread and Revise the Essay

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

Vajiram & Ravi Essay Module

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

Course Objectives:

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

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

Through this course, students will:

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

Course Features:

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

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

IAS Preparation
UPSC Preparation Strategy
7 Easy Steps Essay Writing UPSC Mains Exam

7 Easy Steps on Essay Writing for UPSC Mains Exam

The UPSC Mains Exam has a total of 9 papers which includes an essay paper as well. The Essay Paper in the IAS Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks. Candidates have to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours. The Essay paper is considered as crucial in determining the final result of selection and ranking of a candidate. The Essay Paper is considered as crucial as it is a compulsory paper and its marks are incorporated in computing the total and moreover what makes it crucial is that there is no in-depth study in an essay unlike optional subjects where any aspirant can claim expertise. Let us take a look at the conventional way of writing an essay that includes introduction, body and conclusion. Though this is fundamental but the concept of an essay when it comes in terms of UPSC Paper it is quite tricky. An essay should be of topical text that is easy to understand or follow and comprehensive, succinct, composite and definite, as well as informative and logical. So, here are a few tips on how to structure an Essay Paper in the UPSC Mains Exam. For the effective composition of an essay one should generally follow the below points that are ideally suggested by the senior UPSC Aspirants and toppers: What to write in the Essay?

Read the topic carefully
Think and recollect the points to be included in the topic for 30 minutes

What not to write in the Essay?

Provoking Essay
Do not get personal
Deviating from the subject

Tips to enhance your Essay writing

Recommended Reading
Reading Books as Hobby

Before choosing the topic, read all the topics more than once and choose the topic wisely from the given choices so that you will find enough points to write about the topic. Once you choose a topic and start to write you may find difficult and tend to change the topic in between which would be foolishness and it will be too late to change the topic as you would have already utilized much time. Read the topic twice and think about the topic for 30 minutes.

Once you have chosen the topic to write don’t start to write immediately instead ‘think about the topic for 30 minutes’. Because when one starts writing without thinking about the topic they may miss out on many important points and in between or at the end they may remember more significant points which would be too late as there would be no enough pace left in the answer sheet or time to write more. Hence, it is recommended to utilize the first 30 minutes to think about the topic before starting to write as you have three hours to write the essay.

Think about the topic for 30 minutes
Write down the random points that come to your mind at the end of the sheet
Arrange the points that you have jotted down in sequence

Some important tips to make your Essay worthy

Once you have recalled, collected and noted the points then the next step is to structure it as given below:

Introduction
Background/past example
Main concept/theory
Correlate with current event
Advantages and disadvantages
Suggested Changes

Step-4: Don't be provocative in your writing

It is advised while writing an essay on a topic that may be provocative not to get personal and criticize a person or government in your writing. Some topics would be provocative where you may tend to lose control of your writing and write something in an offensive way, which is not appreciable and recommended as well. If you are writing about the disadvantages it is suggested to come up with a few reforms that may change the disadvantages into advantages.

Always memorize the quotes correctly and the name of the person who has quoted them. If you are not sure about the quote then it is advised to leave it instead of writing it incorrectly.

For effective essay writing one should clearly be sure of the purpose of writing the essay and should remember the “Five Wives and One Husband” concept i.e., – Who?, Why?, What?, When?, Where?, and How?, that is taught in the school on the first day of Essay Writing. Following this concept will make you stick around the topic and not paddle away from the topic.

Essay writing also needs continuous reading; hence it is suggested to candidates read diverse topics and books some of the recommended are:

Editorial section of The Hindu Newspaper
Magazines like Frontline, Kurukshetra, Yojana
Watch discussions and debates on television
Work on previous question papers essay topic

Finally, when it comes to Essay as one of the papers in the UPSC Exam , it is all about understanding and assessing the personality of a candidate through which his/her views, ideas, suggestions, values, attitude, aptitude, coordination, and communication (written) abilities and other attributes are analyzed that especially UPSC looks for in an aspirant. If you want to analyze or enhance your essay writing skills then participate now in our UPSC Essay Contest and win a cash prize as well as free registration for UPSC Civil Services Mains Test Series.

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Mains practice questions is now being continued in Be Mains Ready program with a dedicated syllabus coverage for Mains 2019. To join this program, click here "Be Mains Ready program"

Total Questions : 229

Essay topics.

1. There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy and a grace in forgiveness.

2. When the winds of change blow, some build walls while others build windmills

1. What you are afraid to do is the clear indication of what you need to do.

2. It is a mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it

1. The weight of a decision is not in its making, but in the shadows it casts on the souls it touches.

2. Every dawn brings a promise, and every dusk a reflection.

1. Power is the invisible current that shapes the landscape of human interaction, eroding some structures while fortifying others.

2. Freedom is the space between stimulus and response, expanding and contracting with each conscious choice

1. The unexamined life is not worth living, but the unlived life is not worth examining.

2. The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

1. We are simultaneously the observer and the observed, caught in a recursive loop of self-perception that defines our reality.

2. Consciousness is both the canvas and the brush, painting realities that collapse and expand with each thought.

1. The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

2. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.

1. Every problem is a gift—without problems we would not grow.

2. No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.

1. Wisdom whispers in the winds of change, reminding us that growth springs from the fertile soil of adaptability.

2. Stars are born from the darkness they emerge from

1. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.

2. Creativity is intelligence having fun.

1. There's no shortage of remarkable ideas, what's missing is the will to execute them.

2. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier

1. Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

2. What one hears is often an opinion rather than a fact, and what one sees is typically a perspective rather than the truth

1.The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.

2. The puzzle of existence is not in finding the missing pieces but in realizing that each piece is a mirror reflecting the whole

1 The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

2 Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike.

1. Education is not a destination, it’s a journey that never ends.

2. Liberty consists in doing what one desires.

Essay Topics:

1. No citizen shall ever be wealthy enough to buy another, and None poor enough to be forced to sell himself.

2. Economic growth cannot be achieved at the cost of environmental destruction and people’s right to healthy environment.

1. No matter how far you rise, you are still fundamentally equal to others.

2. Bureaucracy is not an obstacle to democracy but an inevitable complement to it.

1. Keeping the forest in sight, do not get lost in the trees.

2. In times of uncertainty, people yearn for certainty.

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

2. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.

1. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

2. The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

1. Strongest Minds are Often Those Whom the Noisy World Hears Least.

2. More Honoured in the Breach Than in the Observance.

Essay Topic:

1. The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.

2. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Essay Topic

1. Power doesn't corrupt people, people corrupt power.

2. Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.

1. Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.

2. The external world is only internal nature writ large.

1. Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible.

2. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

1. The Impact of Urbanization on Governance and Civic Engagement in Urban Communities

2. Navigating the Path to Success Embracing Failure with Enduring Enthusiasm

1.The highest result of education is tolerance.

2. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) Would Be The Right Indices For Judging The Well-being Of A Country

1. Desire is a contract that you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.

2. The unexamined life is not worth living.

1. Sustainability is not a cost, it's an investment.

2. Science without humanity is but a roaring chaos.

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Essay Paper UPSC 2020 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on January 9, 2021 by ClearIAS Team

UPSC conducted the Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2020 on 08-01-2021.

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

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2020 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) 2020

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

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
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

Though aspirants were asked to write only two essays out of eight, most aspirants faced difficulty to select the right combination of two essays.

A philosophical theme was present in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B.

As per most aspirants, the essay topic ‘Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self’ seemed the most tricky one. Only a few attempted that topic.

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

As we have mentioned many times, Essay needs a different approach than GS. Only those candidates with good essay writing skills will score high in this year’s essay paper.

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

1.1 India Since Independence

2 Economy, Development

3 Education

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

5 Women empowerment

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

7 Science-Technology

Section-A (write any one)

Section-B (write any one)

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UPSC CSE Mains 2024: Finding essay-writing difficult? Experts show how to write impactful essays effectively

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

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

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

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

Right Knowledge

Avoid Unnecessary Jargon

Keep up the Good Vocabulary

Create Intelligent and Worldly-Wise Subheadings

Keep your Paragraphs Coherent to Each Other

The Introduction Should Ideally be a Relatable Quote or an Event

Create Your Essay’s Content as per the Topic

Back-up Your Arguments with Substantial Reasons

Write a Powerful Conclusion

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

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