Approach to the Essay Paper of the UPSC CSE
Essay is one paper for which many aspirants do not really prepare much. It is also the only paper where huge fluctuations happen in Test Series marks.
But it’s utility
- Carries 250 marks, the same as a GS or Optional paper.
- High-scoring paper, which has frequently yielded scores above 150.
- Sets the tone for the Mains, as it is the first paper to be conducted.
- Requires systematic, but limited preparation.
- Game-changer in the final result – all toppers invariably have a high score in the Essay paper.
- Read the syllabus to understand what is expected from an Essay.
Syllabus
After the change in UPSC Syllabus in 2013, one has to write 2 essays in 3 hours on diverse topics, contrary to what was earlier a single essay in 3 hours. The instructions mentioned in the UPSC Essay Paper are clear and expect the aspirants to keep their thoughts close to the subject and arrange their ideas accordingly. The instructions in the UPSC Essay Paper further state that the credit will be given for effective and coherent expression of thoughts only.
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UPSC Essay Paper Highlights
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Information
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Number of Essays to be Written
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2
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Maximum Time allotted
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3 Hours
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Word Limit
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1000-1200 each
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Marks
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250 marks total; 125 each
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How to Write Essay in UPSC?
- It should be multi-dimensional – historical, social, political, economic, cultural, legal, technological, psychological, environmental, ethical, humanist, local, national, international issues and prospects of the topic.
- Interlinking of topics
- Logical organization and coherence in writing
- Lucid language and conceptual clarity
- Passion in words
Qualities of a good Essay are:
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- Originality
- Explanatory – explain every argument
- Specific
- Analytical – many ways of analysis, substantiate with facts and arguments
- Completeness – give examples justifying your arguments, relate with current affairs
- Concise
- Cohesive
- Relevant
- There must be a link between the paragraphs
- Signposted – relating to the topic
- Should not be highly opinionated or biased
- Can be critical, but do not criticize – the tone should not be negative
- Clarity of expression is very important. Use simple English to express your point clearly. You need not use flowery language. Simple logical presentation is sufficient.
- Trend Analysis of past papers gives the following broad subject areas from which the UPSC frames Essay topics – have quotes, anecdotes, data, examples ready for them:
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Social Justice, Poverty
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Women
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Education
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Children, Youth
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Health
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Political Issues
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Judiciary
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Components of Democracy like Federalism, Decentralization
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Agriculture, Rural Development
Socio-Economic Issues
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Media, Television and Cinema
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Indian Culture
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Environment,Sustainable Development
Current Events
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Economy
Energy Security
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Globalization,Urbanization, International Relations
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Administration
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Quote-based, Philosophical, Value-based
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- Make sure that you have sufficient understanding and fodder to write, before choosing the topic.
- Introduction, Body, Conclusion – all three parts are equally important.
How to write an Introduction:
- It should be a guide to what you intend to convey in the Essay
- Introduce the topic
- Premise should be the ‘theme’ of the Essay
- Reflect of your ‘theme’
- Why is the topic important
- Explain the central idea, basic or core concepts, and definitional criteria
- Use of quote – it is to be explained with reference to the Essay
- Use of anecdote – newspapers can be used as a source for this
- Posing question
- Background based on which that topic has been asked
- Paradox
- Deconstructing of the topic
- Arouse interest and generate curiosity
- Can be around 1 page
How to write a Body:
- The Body of the Essay must develop, support and explain the main ideas stated in your Introduction.
- This essentially is a systematic organization of information based on a consistent methodology.
- It deals with the topic and the related issues to be addressed, the correlation of facts, figures, ideas, views, concepts; an in-depth, systematic, coherent analysis based on the topic leading to logical inferences; as well as making (if it is required) plausible projections and providing with (if necessary) viable solutions.
- Pay attention to ‘keywords’ mentioned in the topic
- Inform and persuade
- After writing every paragraph, read the topic again to ensure that you are not moving off track
- Temporal dimension – in phases, through time periods – at least one paragraph of history, if possible
- Subheadings according to the UPSC syllabus
- Concentric approach based on – individual, family, national-level and global-level
- Prospect – Issues – Challenges
- Role and impact on institutions like family, religion, community, government, media, education system
- Issue-based topics – background, examples, current status, future implications, government efforts, successful cases, challenges, suggestions
- Smooth transitions
- Can make diagrams, maps, pie-charts; can quote facts, reports, scholars but do not overdo
- No repetition of points
- Do not divert into areas which are irrelevant to the topic
How to write a Conclusion:
- As the Essay draws close to the finish, it should have reached the stage of ‘critical mass’, a sort of a climax. The Conclusion should express the essence of the Essay. It should not contain any fresh evidence, facts or figures.
- Not just a summary
- Cannot be only 1-2 sentences
- Way forward, prospects
- Assertive and problem-solving
- Optimistic, visionary
- Not to start new arguments
- Penultimate and ultimate paragraphs
- Can be around 1 page
Exam hall tips
- Try to stick to the above points while writing the Essay paper.
- In the exam divided time before writing
- Created a rough framework of the first topic, then wrote that Essay in 1 hour
- Then created a rough framework of the second topic, then I wrote that Essay in 1 hour.
Link: https://www.iasgyan.in/toppers-answerscript
Reference books for Eassy
While it takes time to learn concepts for UPSC Prelims and Mains, the UPSC Essay Paper can be faced with sufficient practice of the trending topics. While writing the Essay Paper for UPSC, one needs to be updated with all the recent happenings and read the EPW, Yojana, or Hindu/The Indian Express editorials to present viewpoints. The books for Essay writing for UPSC provide the aspirants with an idea of how to approach the essay. Some of the popular books are:
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List Of Best Essay Books for UPSC
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Book Name
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Author/Publication
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Highlights
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Essays For Civil Services
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Pulkit Khare
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This essay book for UPSC covers 40 descriptive & relevant topics asked in the UPSC CSE exam. Plus, it decodes the art of creative writing in easy steps.
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Selected Contemporary Essays For Civil Services
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Saumitra Mohan
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It is imbued with first-hand coverage of major socio-political & economic topics of Essay writing for UPSC.
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Mastering Essay & Answer Writing for UPSC Civil Services
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Dr. Awadesh Singh
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This thoroughly revised contains 27 new Essay chapters, 6 essay-type structural explanations, 30 Model Essays with several mindmaps, quotations, stories, poems, anecdotes, and 1 dedicated Philosophical essay chapter for best practice.
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151 Essays for IAS/ PCS & Other Competitive Exams
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Disha Experts
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This essay book for UPSC covers Static & Current Affairs topics focusing on Polity, Governance, Economy, Environment, and Social Development. Education, Culture, Science & Technology, Philosophy, etc.
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A Book of Essays
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Kalpana Rajaram
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This UPSC Essay book is an intellectually stimulating coverage of various contemporary facts and figures, a large selection of famous quotations and works of eminent personalities.
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Essay Paper for Civil Services Main Examination
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Pavneet Singh and Sonali Bansal
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This Essay book for UPSC is divided into 4 sections - Basic introduction & paper pattern changes post-2013, powerful words & phrases, model essays, and short essays on the latest themes and questions.
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Essay book for civil services
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Apti plus
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This Essay book for UPSC has Basic introduction & paper pattern , words & phrases, model essays, and essays on the latest themes
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