how to prepare for essay paper in upsc

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UPSC CSE 2021: AIR 17 Sarthak Agrawal’s step-by-step strategy for essay paper

Essay is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet - mostly on university websites - so make sure to look at them instead of just relying on the typical upsc resources, says agrawal  .

My key advice for the essay paper is to be argumentative and imaginative. An academic essay is a formal piece of writing with a clear structure. This is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet — mostly on university websites — so make sure to read them up instead of just relying on the typical UPSC resources.  

The following approach worked best for me: start with a story that is relevant to the prompt. Then, state in a few words the “thesis” of your essay – what is the main argument you’re making? Next, support this central thesis with several claims, each one backed by strong evidence or reasoning, and occupying a separate paragraph. As you go along, address the counterclaims. But resist the urge of writing an essay like a mystery novel. This is best practiced when you have devoted some 10-20 minutes to plan and outline what you will write. 

Ultimately, the key to putting together a strong response is to make an innovative and strong argument – don’t just provide relevant information around the central topic but take a refined stand and stick to it. For instance, if I wrote an essay on the topic, “Are we entering an era of globalisation”, I wouldn’t just regurgitate data on both sides of the debate. Instead, I would present an incisive and informed opinion defended by evidence and reasoning with an intention to persuade the reader. Remember, variety goes a long way in achieving this aim – avoid repetition and alter your sentence length and vocabulary to keep things interesting. It is also useful to vary the kind of evidence you cite. In some places, data and figures are most appropriate; in others, a vivid example can go a long way in hammering in your point. 

When you choose a topic, first make sure that you fully understand what each word in the prompt means. I would prefer a simple one over a more convoluted statement so that you have more latitude to experiment. The next thing to ask is whether you will be able to construct a novel argument around that prompt. Some topics are more conducive to a descriptive type of response, and others to a debate. The latter provides more scope for showing off your critical thinking skills. That’s the real “smartness” essays test, which is why writing them well is a pre-requisite for academic success in the top universities. When you start, make sure you introduce the topic and what you understand by it. This way, even if you make an error in interpreting the prompt, the examiner will know from the get-go what you are responding to and might be a bit more generous. 

I find the best essays often start and end with a story. My favourite argumentative pieces are those that feature in The Economist’s leaders’ section; they often start with examples to invite the reader’s interest. In the same vein, I spent time thinking about the kind of stories that would align with different topics instead of memorising quotations. For example, in a mock response to the topic, “Digital infrastructure is key for future ready governance”, I included a fictional example of a future health secretary who can get her department to respond quickly to a SARS-kind of virus in rural Odisha thanks to a mature National Digital Health Mission. 

I wrote five practice tests before appearing for the exam; incidentally, none of them was the ‘philosophical type’ that I had to write in the actual paper. The same advice applies for these kinds of essays too, except that the evidence here would be real-world examples and logical reasoning instead of data. There’s also more scope to be creative and critical, which is good for fetching higher marks. I think coaching institutes tend to be overly concerned about analysing the “social, economic, political, legal etc.” angles in an essay, while the essay is an argumentative piece of writing that provides the means to showcase your creativity. It is certainly not a test of your memory, vocabulary, or handwriting so don’t worry if you are a laggard on either (or all) of these.

A word on formatting — start a new paragraph from the middle of the line, leaving a forefinger’s space in the beginning. Try to connect one sentence with the next using bridge words like however, despite, moreover, etc; do the same for paragraphs as it gives the entire piece a nice, logical flow. Underlining important keywords and phrases is also useful to direct an examiner’s attention. Keep cuttings to a minimum and ensure that all paragraphs are of similar length, but these tips are much harder to follow in practice. And it’s okay to use the first person (“In this essay, I argue…”). Bureaucrats are taught to be self-effacing and not present their own front but when writing an academic essay, I think it’s best to lead with the first person.  

Finally, even the examiners know that writing a strong 1000–1200-word piece by hand in 1.5 hours that is sufficiently argumentative and delightfully imaginative is fiendishly difficult. They will definitely cut you some slack as long as your approach is right. Make the most of this window, and good luck!

(The author is AIR 17 in UPSC Civil Services 2020 and is a researcher at the World Bank)

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Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains by Expert & IAS Officers

Preparing for UPSC CSE Mains? Here are some important tips to help you write well and ace the essay paper.

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Aspirants could pick up Yojana and read the first article in the magazine to get a sense of how governmental essays are written.

He urges aspirants to weave a story while writing the essay, while keeping three pointers in mind:

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Tips on Essay Writing for UPSC Mains Exam

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Tips on Essay Writing Made Easy for UPSC Mains Examination” is a comprehensive and enlightening resource designed to enhance your proficiency in crafting essays. The UPSC Mains Exam encompasses a rigorous evaluation spanning 9 papers, including an essay paper. This essay segment carries substantial importance, contributing 250 marks (125 marks per section) to the candidate’s final score. This underscores its pivotal role in selection and ranking. Differing from optional subjects that demand extensive study, the essay paper requires a distinct approach. Within this guide, we delve into the traditional essay structure and offer invaluable insights to excel in the Essay Paper of the UPSC Mains Examination.

How to Prepare for the Essay Paper in UPSC Civil Service Exam

Introduction.

Preparing for the Essay Paper in the UPSC Civil Service Exam is crucial for aspirants aiming to crack this prestigious examination. The essay paper holds significant weightage and is an excellent opportunity for candidates to showcase their analytical and writing skills. This article will provide you with 7 easy steps to master essay writing for the UPSC Mains Exam, helping you effectively structure and present your ideas.

Step 1: Understand the Essay Topics

The first step in excelling at essay writing for the UPSC Exam is to thoroughly understand the essay topics. UPSC often presents broad and contemporary themes, and candidates are expected to address them comprehensively. Analyze the given topics, break them down into sub-themes, and brainstorm ideas to form a well-rounded perspective.

Step 2: Extensive Research

A well-researched essay reflects depth and insight. Utilize both primary and secondary sources to gather relevant information. Rely on authentic and credible sources such as government publications, research papers, and reputable websites. Remember to make notes, highlighting essential points and quotes for future reference.

Step 3: Develop a Cohesive Outline

Creating a clear and cohesive outline is the backbone of a well-structured essay. Divide your essay into logical sections – introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Ensure that each section flows logically and supports the central argument of your essay. Your outline should act as a roadmap to guide you through the writing process.

Step 4: Craft a Powerful Introduction

An impactful introduction sets the tone for your essay and grabs the reader’s attention. Start with a compelling hook, pose a thought-provoking question, or share a relevant anecdote. Clearly state your thesis or main argument and provide a brief overview of how you plan to address the topic.

Step 5: Master the Art of Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you elaborate on your ideas, arguments, and examples. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main point, followed by supporting evidence and analysis. Ensure that your arguments are coherent and well-articulated, with a smooth transition from one paragraph to the next.

Step 6: Address Counterarguments

Addressing counterarguments showcases your ability to consider different perspectives. Acknowledge potential opposing viewpoints and skillfully refute them with sound reasoning and evidence. This strengthens your essay and displays a balanced approach to the topic.

Step 7: Craft an Impactful Conclusion

A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Summarize your key points and restate your thesis in a new light. Avoid introducing new information at this stage. Instead, leave the reader with a thought-provoking insight or a call to action related to the essay topic.

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of essay writing for the UPSC Mains Exam is a gradual process that requires practice, dedication, and continuous improvement. By following the 7 easy steps outlined in this article, you can confidently approach the essay paper, showcasing your analytical abilities and writing prowess. Remember, practice is the key to success, so write regularly and seek feedback to refine your skills further. Best of luck in your UPSC journey!

Some important points you can follow while write essay in UPSC examination

1. understand the format.

The essay paper consists of two sections, A and B, each containing four topics. Candidates must choose one topic from each section and compose an essay within the allotted time of three hours. The word limit for the essay should range between 1,000 to 2,000 words.

2. Emphasise Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

While the standard essay structure comprises an introduction, body, and conclusion, it is important to understand how this structure applies specifically to the UPSC Paper. The essay should be topical, easily comprehensible, and logically organised. Ensure that your introduction clearly states your stance on the topic, the main points you will address, and an engaging hook to captivate the reader’s attention. In the body paragraphs, present coherent arguments, supporting evidence, and relevant examples to strengthen your position. Conclude the essay by summarising your key arguments and offering a concise resolution.

3. Be Brief and Informative

Keep your essay brief and minimise extraneous details or tangents. Every paragraph in the essay should have a distinct purpose and add to its overall cohesion. Be enlightening by including pertinent information, figures, and illustrations to back up your claims. However, keep in mind to keep a balanced perspective and offer a thorough analysis of the subject.

4. Keep Your Essay Clear and Coherent

Ensure that your essay keeps a logical flow and is simple to understand. Use transitional language to move ideas and paragraphs forward smoothly. This will make your essay easier to read and will aid the examiner in comprehending your thought process.

5. Practice Time Management

Given the limited time of three hours, it is crucial to manage your time effectively. Allocate sufficient time for brainstorming, outlining, writing, and revising. Prioritise the topics you feel most confident about, but don’t neglect the other topics entirely.

6. Revise and Proofread

Allocate some time at the end of the exam to review your essay. Check for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear sentences. Make necessary revisions and ensure that your essay is well-polished and cohesive.

The UPSC Mains Exam’s essay paper structure requires practice and writing skill development to master. Candidates can improve their chances of passing this important section of the test by using these techniques to help them convey their ideas in a clear, succinct, and convincing way.

Tips you should follow for essay writing in UPSC examination

1. understand the question.

Carefully read and analyse the essay question to grasp its essence. Identify the key themes, arguments, or perspectives that need to be addressed in your essay.

2. Plan and Outline

Take some time to brainstorm ideas, jot down relevant points, and create a logical outline for your essay. This will provide a clear structure and ensure that you cover all necessary aspects of the topic.

3. Maintain a Balanced Approach

While expressing your opinion is important, maintain a balanced viewpoint by considering multiple perspectives. Present a well-rounded argument, discussing both sides of the issue and providing evidence and examples to support your claims.

4. Use Relevant Examples and Evidence

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, or historical events to support your arguments. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic and adds credibility to your essay.

5. Put an emphasis on coherence and clarity

Write in a clear, succinct, and structured way. To effectively communicate your views, use basic language. Make sure your essay is coherent throughout and that each paragraph transitions properly into the next.

6. Develop a Strong Introduction

Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling introduction. State your thesis or main argument clearly, providing a roadmap for the essay. Engage the reader from the beginning to make a lasting impression.

7. Structured Body Paragraphs

Give each paragraph in the body of your essay a specific topic or theme. The topic phrase that introduces the primary idea should be first in each paragraph, then the supporting details and analysis should come next. Ensure that your ideas flow logically.

8. Effective Conclusion

Summarize your main points in the conclusion, reiterating your thesis or main argument. Provide a concise summary of the key ideas discussed in the essay. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

9. Time Management

Allocate time wisely during the examination. Divide your time according to the weightage of each section and topic. Priorities topics you are confident about and allocate sufficient time for writing, revising, and editing.

10. Revise and Edit

Reserve time to review your essay for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear sentences. Ensure that your essay is well-structured and free from any inconsistencies or ambiguity. Make necessary revisions to improve the clarity and coherence of your writing.

By following these tips, you can enhance your essay writing skills and effectively tackle the essay paper in the UPSC examination. Practice regularly, seek feedback, and refine your approach to master the a

Moreover, the essay paper provides an opportunity for candidates to display their creativity, originality, and ability to think outside the box. It requires them to explore diverse perspectives, provide logical reasoning, and substantiate their viewpoints with relevant examples and evidence.

Additionally, the essay paper assesses the candidate’s proficiency in written communication. Clarity, coherence, grammar, vocabulary, and structure play vital roles in effectively conveying ideas and maintaining reader engagement.

Overall, the essay paper is a significant component of the  UPSC  Exam, as it provides valuable insights into a candidate’s intellectual capacity, personal attributes, and overall suitability for the administrative services. Aspirants should approach this paper with thorough preparation, critical thinking, and a well-structured approach to leave a lasting impression on the evaluators.

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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.”

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5 Essential Steps: How to Write an Essay in UPSC Mains

Writing an essay in the Union Public Service Commission ( UPSC ) Mains examination can be a daunting task for many aspiring civil servants.

The essay paper carries a weightage of 250 marks and requires a high level of language proficiency, analytical thinking and writing skills. The essay is also one of the few opportunities for candidates to showcase their knowledge and views on a wide range of topics and make a lasting impression on the examiners.

In this blog, we will provide you with steps and strategies on how to write an essay in UPSC Mains exam.

Whether you are a first-time aspirant or an experienced candidate, you will find useful insights to help you approach the essay paper with confidence and write an essay that stands out. So, let’s get started!

UPSC CSE Mains Essay Writing Exam Pattern

What is a good score in essay writing paper in upsc mains, structure of an essay in upsc mains, 5 essential steps: how to write a well-structured essay in upsc mains, 1. t- time limit, 2. i- introduction, 3. p- paragraphs and pointers, 4. c- conclusion, 5. r- revision, strategy for essay writing in upsc mains exam, 1. the central idea is the key, 2. brainstorming for a better idea, 3. making a blueprint, essential elements of essays in upsc mains, the super 3, the supportive 3, personal comments and opinions, reference books for essay writing in upsc mains, faqs on how to write an essay in upsc mains exam, what is the format of an essay in upsc mains, how to choose a topic for an essay in upsc mains, how to write the introduction of an essay in upsc mains, how to write the body of an essay in upsc mains, how to write the conclusion of an essay in upsc mains, what are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an essay in upsc mains.

• How to improve one's essay writing skills for UPSC Mains?
• The paper comes under the UPSC CSE Mains exam in which two essays must be written within 3 hours, each within a 1000-1200 word limit.
• Each carries 125 marks, so the total is 250 marks.
• The paper is divided into two sections, each carrying a choice of 4 essays. The aspirant has to choose only one from each section.
• UPSC CSE Syllabus clearly instructs aspirants to keep their thoughts close to the subject and arrange their ideas accordingly. It further states that credit will be given for effective essays and coherent expression’.

Also Read : How To Complete UPSC Mains Paper in 3 Hours? – A Clear-Cut Guide

The essay paper counts for up to 250 marks. A score above 50% could be considered good. 125 is the perfect example.

A score of around 110-125 is considered average.

For an exceptional essay, you might score a perfect mark in the range of 150-160.

How to structure an essay for the UPSC exam is the first and foremost thing that should be learnt while taking into consideration how to write an essay in UPSC Mains.

The traditional way of UPSC CSE Mains essay writing is to break it into paragraphs with pointers in simple language. This technique is still working in structuring an informative and well-written essay for UPSC Mains.

A body paragraph is of utmost importance besides the introduction and conclusion part. The body paragraph contains important facts, figures, data, and information along with several relevant quotes.

Here are some points regarding the structuring of an essay in the form of an introduction, body, and conclusion that will help you in writing a well-balanced essay.

• The introduction part is the most important of all. Your introduction creates a first impression on the examiner. Your essay should always have a good starting and a conclusion.
• Body paragraphs are equally important parts of the essay that can be supportive, critical, or narrative. However, it is advised to have a mature thought process in all forms and to not take any side or get emotional in writing a certain opinion.
• Essays, along with facts and language skill also demands your opinion that should be written in a well-balanced way. The narrative part should be written by starting with an argument along with different facts.
• Further, a supportive paragraph is necessary to contain positive facts/ideas. Talking of a critical paragraph, it is advised to place it in the last part with the exact expression. However, it depends on your will. You can also open with a critical part.
• The conclusion is also crucial as it can bring you additional marks if done properly. Your concluding statement reveals a lot about you, as balancing every statement after a lot of critical evaluation and facts is a form of art.

Related Reading: How To Start Answer Writing Practice For UPSC: 5 Effective Pointers

Remember the mnemonic provided here that will help you to keep the important pointers in mind on how to write an essay in UPSC Mains.

Stick to the  TIPCR  formulae always. If you write with this structure, along with filling in a good amount of content, you are definitely going to score well in this paper.

Time management  is very important for UPSC CSE Main essay writing. You get 3 hours to write two essays in the exam which means you have 1 hour and 30 minutes for each essay.

It is a fact that any aspirant needs 45 minutes to 1 hour to write one essay. Another 10 minutes is required for the revision of one essay.

Before all this, you need at least 20-30 minutes to brainstorm, jot down some points, and make an outline. Dividing the time and sticking to it is the only key to scoring good marks.

A good start of the introduction always arises the interest in the examiner. The examiner’s judgment and how they are going to take your whole piece depends on your starting.

If you start well, you must also end in an impressive manner. A good introduction can be a brief explanation of the given topic and you can make it effective by adding some quotes, a critical narrative, or your own narrative.

Paragraphs and pointers provide a smooth flow to your essay which not only looks like a structured essay but also feels like a more informative but less hectic to read a piece of writing.

Paragraphs in small chunks or pointers like short paragraphs provide an establishment that leads towards a conclusion.

Examiners are habitual of reading something in an ordered way, especially in Mains essay writing section.

Finishing on a good or smooth note is as important as starting on a good note. A smooth and positive conclusion with a clear explanation will help you in scoring good marks.

There should be a ‘Cyclic-return’ approach in your essay. The introduction should end with a question or discussion and in the conclusion, you can again come to that question to conclude it with a positive statement or anecdote.

To revise or read your whole piece in the entirety is as important as writing it. Keep a check on grammatical mistakes, and some missing points, or make sure your answer looks clean and tidy.

These things can be done only when you revise your answer. Add/omit some words as per your demands but should not be overdone.

You Might Also Like: How To Prepare For UPSC Prelims And Mains Together Like An Absolute Pro!

Just like the UPSC CSE your essay writing also needs planning. There are broadly three steps to writing a structured essay defining what the essay is going to talk about i.e. the central idea, brainstorming, and making a blueprint of it.

Mains essay writing demands a well-structured format from your side as it is one of the most prestigious and tough examinations in India .

“Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare” . 

This is basically a thesis statement of an essay question of UPSC CSE Mains 2016. In this statement, the central idea is ‘innovation’.

Here, the aspirant is supposed to bring out a dimension of innovation that directly or indirectly affects economic growth and social welfare. Aspirants are supposed to write that statement of facts only which supports the central idea or those statements that supplement the overall idea.

Brainstorming is one of the most powerful tools in the examination phase. Brainstorming leads to developing new ideas quickly or listing those ideas that align with your knowledge of the given topic.

There is no specific rule or technique for brainstorming, instead, you can jot down points on a paper that are necessary for your Mains essay writing.

Making a blueprint or outlining your essay means deciding what to write in the introduction, body, and conclusion parts. What ideas to represent in which section, which quotes are relevant to the given thesis, etc.

Before the actual writing, it is very important to see it in its entirety. It helps you to see the big picture. The blueprint also helps you in finding the right conclusion to wrap up your essay.

Check Out Our Blog On: Why is Self Assessment for UPSC CSE Necessary?

• Social element
• Political element
• Economical element

These three points should be considered while writing an essay. These three elements give a proper shape to an essay or any piece of the thesis.

Writing a formal one always demands dimensions and these three dimensions will always support your arguments concerning various areas of society. It enhances the effectiveness and creates a proper report-like structure along with your narratives to form well-balanced and good writing in your Mains essay writing.

• Constitutional
• Technological

These three additional dimensions also enhance the quality of your writing. You can use various technological perspectives, constitutional facts, remedies, laws, and legal terms to support the thesis in your Mains essay writing.

Your opinions matter a lot. UPSC CSE Mains essay writing demands a subjective approach to writing. It is very important to express your personal opinion on the issue or the given statement.

However, it should be kept in mind that your personal opinions should not be too biased in nature. Neutral and well-balanced writing is always appreciated by the UPSC.

Additional Reading: 3 Ways to Build a Revision Strategy for UPSC – A Must

You may seek help from books that will assist you with Essay Writing for UPSC Civil Services Exam. 

• Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Examinations by Pulkit Khare.
• Essay Paper For Civil Services Main Examination by Pavneet Singh and Sonali Bansal
• Selected Contemporary Essays by Saumitra Mohan (MHE)
• My Experiment With Truth by M.K. Gandhi
• J.L. Nehru Getting India Back on Track by Ratan Tata

In addition to the above-mebtioned books, you make take help of English newspapers such as The Hindu and the newspaper editorial section to expand your vocabulary.

Staying updated with the current affairs is also necessary. Take a look at the Best Current Affairs Magazine For UPSC to keep yourself informed about the latest events happening around the world.

Practice is the key to success. Focus on reading, the art of argumentation, and correct sequence to achieve good scores in essays. Remember there is no such thing as a perfect essay, just arrange the ideas in an orderly fashion and keep writing.

Essays in the UPSC Mains exam must be written with the help of facts and figures along with data, like statistics from a government report or any data from a major research paper that supports a writer’s perspective on a given topic.

Conversational form, the use of first-person references, and getting emotional with the audience are not allowed in a formal structure.

The points made by the candidate need to be neutral, supported by logical facts and not someone’s biased personal opinions. A certain degree of straightforwardness should be there while writing a formal exam, especially for an exam like UPSC CSE.

The tips mentioned above revolve around how to write an essay in UPSC Mains. These will help improve your writing skills and build a better essay structure.

Also Read: Powerful Tips on How to Stay Motivated for UPSC Preparation

The format of an essay in UPSC Mains is as follows: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. The introduction should state the main idea of the essay and the body should elaborate on it with examples and arguments. The conclusion should summarize the key points made in the essay. The word limit for an essay in UPSC Mains is usually around 250-300 words.

Choose a topic that you are well-versed in and have a strong opinion on. It is advisable to choose a topic that is relevant to current events and has social and political significance. This will help you present a well-researched and thought-out argument in your essay.

The introduction of an essay in UPSC Mains should be concise and clear. Start with a hook that grabs the reader’s attention, state the main idea of the essay, and provide a thesis statement. The thesis statement should provide a clear direction for the rest of the essay.

The body of an essay in UPSC Mains should elaborate on the main idea presented in the introduction. Divide the body into paragraphs and make sure each paragraph has a clear focus and supports the thesis statement. Use examples, facts, and statistics to make your arguments more persuasive.

The conclusion of an essay in UPSC Mains should summarize the key points made in the essay and restate the thesis statement. End with a final thought or a call to action that provides closure to the essay. Make sure the conclusion is not repetitive and adds value to the essay.

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing an essay in UPSC Mains include: poor structure, unclear arguments, repetitive information, grammatical errors, and using informal language. Make sure to proofread your essay before submitting to avoid these mistakes.

How to improve one’s essay writing skills for UPSC Mains?

To improve your essay writing skills for UPSC Mains, you can practice writing essays on a regular basis, read newspapers and articles to stay updated on current events, improve your vocabulary, and seek feedback from peers and teachers.

Additionally, reading sample essays and learning from the writing style of experienced writers can also help improve your skills.

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UPSC Essay Topics - Important Essay Topics for UPSC Mains 2023

By vajiram & ravi.

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Understanding UPSC Essay Topics holds significant importance as it evaluates the candidate's ability to analyse, present arguments, and communicate effectively. In this article, we will explore the diverse range of UPSC essay topics, their significance, and essential tips to excel in this section. Get ready to enhance your writing and analytical skills and make a strong impression on the evaluators with well-crafted essays.

UPSC Essay Paper

The Essay paper in the UPSC Mains examination requires candidates to write multiple essays , each on a different topic, chosen from a given list of options. The essay topics for UPSC cover a wide range of issues, including social, economic, political, cultural, and philosophical aspects, both national and international.

The essay paper holds significant weightage in the UPSC Mains examination, contributing 250 marks out of the total 1750 marks . Scoring well in this section can have a considerable impact on the overall ranking and selection for the coveted civil services.

Weekly UPSC Essay Topics By Vajiram & Ravi

The UPSC Essay Paper is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in expressing ideas and analysing complex issues. Vajiram & Ravi Pensive-Weekly Essay Writing Programme provides you with two Essay Topics every Saturday based on the previous year's question papers and the changing trends analysis. You can submit your Essay for peer evaluation on vajiramandravi.com. This will help you nourish your writing skills, give you clarity of thought, and build the capacity to express opinions in a logical and coherent manner.

Important Essay Topics for UPSC 2023

The purpose of the essay paper is to assess the candidate's ability to critically analyse a topic, present well-structured arguments, and communicate their ideas effectively. It also evaluates their knowledge of various issues, their clarity of thought, and their capacity to express opinions in a logical and coherent manner.

Some of the Important Essay Topics to prepare for the UPSC Mains Examination 2023 are:

• Gender Equality
• Environment/Urbanization
• Economic Growth
• Federalism/Decentralization
• Agriculture
• Economics 

UPSC Essay Topics on Philosophy

Every year, UPSC typically provides you with two or more essay topics centred around philosophical thoughts, Indian philosophical schools, or quotes from notable personalities. To effectively address these philosophical topics, you should refer to Philosophy Books to gain a foundational understanding. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Philosophy :

• Everything comes to him, who hustles while he waits.
• We are always blind as we want to be.
• You cannot step twice in the same river.
• A disciplined mind brings happiness.
• The price of Greatness is Responsibility.
• People would rather Believe than Know.
• Mind - A beautiful Servant? Or a dangerous Master?

UPSC Essay Topics on Art and Culture

The UPSC Essay Topics related to Indian society, art, and culture cover a wide range of subjects, offering great diversity. To gain knowledge about the static content on these topics, you should rely on fundamental books on society, as recommended for the exam. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Indian Art and Culture :

• Culture changes with economic development.
• Culture is what we are, Civilization is what we have.
• Social reform is a myth if places of worship are open only to all castes and not to all genders.
• Impact of Globalization on Indian Art and Culture.
• Caste System - India’s Enduring Curse.
• Godmen - A Threat to Indian Art and Culture?

UPSC Essay Topics on Science and Technology

UPSC essay topics on Science and Technology can largely be addressed through current affairs. You may also benefit from consulting a Science and Technology Book for UPSC to compose a comprehensive and well-rounded essay. Here are some UPSC Essay Topics on Science and Technology:

• Deglobalisation is good for the world.
• Science is organised Knowledge. Wisdom is Organised life.
• Technology is a Weapon against Poverty.
• Prioritising Education Technology for Global Growth.
• Technology is the silent factor in International Relations.
• Scientific and Technological Progress cannot be equated with Human Progress.

UPSC Essay Topics on Education

Education stands as one of the preferred UPSC Essay Topics, with an essay related to this subject often appearing in the paper each year. To tackle this topic effectively, you should stay abreast of Current Affairs , incorporating significant changes and advancements in the field. Let's explore some of the Essay topics for UPSC centred around education:

• Self Education is a lifelong curiosity.
• Education Breeds Peace.
• Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
• Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking.
• Schooling is not Education.

UPSC Essay Topics on Polity and Governance

To comprehensively address Polity and Governance topics, you should acquire fundamental knowledge from Polity Books for UPSC and Current Affairs. These resources offer static information about relevant issues and their historical context, which proves valuable while writing UPSC Essay Topics on Polity. Here are some Essay Topics on Polity and Governance:

• The Role of Politics in Development.
• Should Youth in India Consider Politics as a Career?
• Art, Freedom and Creativity will change society faster than politics.
• The politics of Identity is the Politics of the Weak.
• People should not be afraid of their Government. The Government should be afraid of its people.
• Government Surveillance - Good or Bad?

UPSC Essay Topics on Economy

Essays concerning economic growth are frequently included in the Essay Paper. To tackle these topics effectively, you should refer to Economy Notes for UPSC to gain a comprehensive understanding. Once the fundamentals are grasped, you can enhance their essays by incorporating examples, data, and statistics to create a multidimensional perspective. Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics on Economy:

• We don't have to sacrifice a Strong Economy for a Healthy Environment.
• India, a $5 trillion Economy - Dream or Reality?
• Digital Economy: A leveller or a source of Economic Inequality?
• Innovation is the key determinant of social welfare and economic growth.
• Labour Reforms in India and its Role in Economic Growth.

UPSC Essay Topics on Social Issues

Social issues are a significant aspect of the UPSC essay paper, reflecting the candidates' understanding of societal challenges and their ability to propose viable solutions. These essays provide a platform for candidates to analyse, critique, and suggest measures for pressing social concerns. Topics related to social issues in the UPSC Essay paper may include:

• Inclusivity and Plurality are the hallmarks of a Peaceful Society.
• A Gender-sensitive Indian Society is a prerequisite for Women and Child Empowerment.
• The weaker sections of Indian Society - are their Rights and Access to Justice getting Better?

Previous Year UPSC Essay Topics

Practising previous year's essay topics will help you become familiar with the UPSC exam pattern , word limit, and the types of essay questions frequently asked in the Mains Examination. Analysing past essay topics will also allow you to identify recurring themes and trends, enabling you to prioritise their preparation accordingly. Regular practice with past essay topics will instil confidence in you, helping you feel more comfortable and prepared for the actual exam.

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
• A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Tips to Excel in UPSC Essay Paper

• Understand the Topics: Thoroughly comprehend the essay topics, including the keywords and instructions. Choose a topic that aligns with your strengths and interests.
• Plan and Structure: Devote some time to plan your essay. Create an outline and organise your thoughts in a structured manner, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Be Objective: Present balanced arguments and avoid a biased or one-sided approach. Consider multiple perspectives and present a holistic view.
• Provide Examples and Evidence: Support your arguments with relevant examples, data, quotes and evidence to strengthen your essay.
• Maintain Clarity: Write in a clear and concise manner. Use simple language and avoid jargon or overly complex vocabulary.
• Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential to improve Essay writing skills. Write essays on diverse topics to enhance your versatility.
• Time Management: Allocate appropriate time for planning, writing, and revising each essay to manage time effectively during the examination.
• Revise and Edit: Review your essays for coherence, grammar, and structure. Make necessary edits to refine your work.

FAQs on UPSC Essay Topics

What are the important UPSC Essay Topics?

Here is a list of UPSC Essay Topics asked in Mains Examination previously:

• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• What is research but a blind date with knowledge?
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for society.
• Wisdom finds truth.
• Ships don’t sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations.

How do I Prepare for the UPSC Essay?

To prepare for the UPSC essay, focus on understanding the essay syllabus and past topics to identify recurring themes. Regularly practise writing essays on various topics to improve your writing skills and time management. Structure your essays with a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Which is the best source to practise UPSC Essay Topics?

The best sources to prepare Essay for UPSC include official UPSC materials, newspapers, and magazines like The Hindu, Yojana , and Kurukshetra for current affairs, standard books on diverse subjects, government reports and publications, online platforms like PIB and PRS India, UPSC previous year papers for understanding the exam pattern, and regular practice of essay writing on various topics.

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UPSC Mains Essay Paper

The UPSC essay paper is one of the important papers of the civil services mains exam. Furthermore, the marks obtained in the UPSC essay paper 2022 will be counted for merit ranking. Thus, it is essential to give priority to essay papers in preparation.

In broader terms, candidates are required to write two essays, pick one IAS essay topics from each of sections A and B and write in about 1000-1200 words each. Moreover, each UPSC essay paper carries 125 marks, making a maximum of 250 marks.

Thus, the candidates should adhere to the best books, and strategies, and solve the previous year’s UPSC essay paper with answers to prepare well for this section.

In this article, we have shared complete details on the Essay 1 exam paper for the candidates aspiring for the upcoming UPSC IAS exam.

UPSC Essay Topics-Overview

• As per the UPSC notification , the essay paper is one of the nine subjects in the IAS main exam. Thus, the candidates are required to write essays on multiple topics.
• Hence, it is advised to stay updated with the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in proper order and write concisely.
• Moreover, credit is usually given for effective and exact expression. The maximum mark for essay questions UPSC is 250 and the exam duration is 3 hours.

UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers

Candidates should solve past UPSC essay paper with answers to strengthen their preparation. This will improve their writing skills and also help them to understand essay UPSC topics asked in the exam over years.

Hence, we have shared below the official UPSC essay previous paper PDF link for ease of the aspirants.

How to Prepare for UPSC Essay Topics in IAS 2023 Exam?

While preparing for the IAS mains exam, candidates devote their maximum time to studying general studies and optional subjects. However, they should give equal importance to the UPSC essay paper .

Let’s look at the best preparation tips to excel in the Essay 1 exam paper .

• Inculcate the habit of reading newspaper editorials on a daily basis. It is also observed that many times essay questions are based on current affairs.
• Next, jot down relevant quotes from the newspaper/books and use them when writing an essay.
• Practice writing on the IAS essay topics related to health, women, education, science, internet, technology, etc to improve your vocabulary and overall writing skills.
• Select the essay topic wisely. Candidates should go through all the topics carefully and pick the topic they are familiar with.
• Candidates should also ensure that their essay includes an introduction, body, basic theme, and conclusion.
• Lastly, ask for feedback on the essay from the mentors, seniors, or teachers. This will help them to discover their weak points and allow them to focus more on improving the same for better results.

Best Books for UPSC Essay Paper

Along with the best preparation strategy, candidates should pick the most reliable Books for UPSC and study material for the essay paper. Let’s look at the expert-recommended books for essay preparation shared below:

Check the latest CSAT books for UPSC.

Q1. How to write an essay for IAS exam?

Ans. Candidates must prepare an outline first before writing the essay. This will also help them to prepare an introduction/conclusion, ideas, quotes, etc that can be used to write a good essay for the IAS exam.

Q2. What comes in essay paper of UPSC?

Ans. The UPSC essay paper is one of the nine subjects in the IAS main exam. Moreover, candidates need to write two essays with a word limit of 1000–1200 for each paper. Each essay paper carries 125 marks, making a maximum of 250 marks.

Q3. Which type of essay comes in IAS exam?

Ans. There are four types of essays in the IAS mains exam including narrative essay, descriptive essay, informative essay, and persuasive essay.

Q4. Is handwriting important for IAS?

Ans. Candidates will not get extra marks for good handwriting in the essay paper because the quality of the answer matters. However, bad handwriting can definitely decrease the chances of scoring high marks on the paper.

Q5. How can I improve my UPSC essay?

Ans. To improve the UPSC essay preparation , one should keep their outline consistent, avoid using too many jargon/technical terms, and practice essay writing to strengthen the preparation.

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How to Prepare General Studies and Essays for UPSC?

• Post author: Zafar Malik
• Post published: August 12, 2021
• Post category: Essay Paper
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Essays for UPSC: The importance of the Mains exam can be attributed to three factors. The first is the weighting of marks in the final list. Second, the General Studies paper’s extensive syllabus and wide range of optional courses. The competition among candidates who have passed the arduous Preliminary round is the third. To pass the second level, a Civil Services aspirant must devise a determined approach.

Split the syllabus during your preparation so that you can approach it from various angles. The two optional subjects will be worth 500 points each, with the essay being a separate 250-point paper. The remaining 1000 marks are divided into General Studies categories, which include a wide range of topics. Make sure you’re prepared for your optional subjects.

You Can Read Also: Importance of Test Series in UPSC Exam

General Studies Strategy for UPSC: –

UPSC general Studies preparation requires the aspirants to cover an extensive. 

1. Aspirants should begin their studies with NCERT 10th and 12th grade textbooks on history, geography, politics, science, Indian foreign policy, and international relations, among other subjects.

2. After finishing the NCERT, look over the additional G.S. reference works that have been recommended.

3. After reading the prescribed reference materials, applicants should look for value addition in a variety of themes. Magazines and newspapers can be used to do this.

4. The work of practising Answer Writing follows. Because you only have a restricted number of words to answer the questions, aspirants should be very careful with the word limit. This can also be accomplished with practise.To score good marks in General Studies Mains papers aspirants should focus on improving their answers. 

5. There should be any introductory remark while answering the questions of G.S Mains. 

How to write a good Answer(Essays for UPSC)?

• Many people are concerned with what they refer to as “a decent answer.” Although there is no single definition, general parameters include clarity of thinking and expression, as well as effective presentation.
• The responses can be written as essays, points, or a combination of the two. This will be determined by the nature of the query.
• Given the enormous scope of the material, the Mains exam can be exceedingly unpredictable. As a result, the candidate must be prepared for unexpected events.
• When studying, attempt to cover as much of the syllabus as feasible. Do not overlook areas of weakness while bolstering your strong points. If you’ve prepared effectively, you’ll be able to connect all of the dots as the question requires.
• Cover the syllabus with a multi-pronged approach. Rather than exploring for additional resources, concentrate on content enrichment.
• In order to integrate diverse perspectives, candidates will need to extend their thinking and analytical ability. 
• The Governance, Constitution, Politics, Social Justice, and International Relations papers, for example, have linkages to the Ethics and Integrity papers. A review of previous articles will reveal similar relationships.
• The Civil Services Examination is a mountain that can be climbed in a variety of ways. While some methods are universal, it is vital to determine which path will take you to the top.

Essay Strategy for UPSC: –

Essays for UPSC: An essay is described as a well-organized compilation of YOUR IDEAS that is professionally written and delivered. In other words, the essay must be well-structured and presented in such a way that the reader can easily follow it, and it must be neat and free of obstructions. It must be written in a clear, readable, and engaging language. Above all, it must contain your thoughts on the subject at hand. Preparation is required before the examination phase in order to develop the skill of writing an excellent essay. 

• Writing is the key to a successful essay since it is the vehicle for transferring thoughts from your head to paper. It takes time to develop a language skill. It necessitates hard work and perseverance.
• Your drive to master a language determines your command of it. 
• The general essay paper is critical in making up for the lack of good results on the GS and optional papers. 
• Many of us make the error of gathering facts and knowledge on potential themes at the eleventh hour of preparation, believing that we will be able to produce a good piece of work in the test room. 
• What we must realise is that organising accumulated ideas using suitable language is a time-consuming task, especially when time is of the essence.

Strategy for Preparing for Essay: –

Essay differs from GS in that marks will be given only on the basis of substance in GS. Examiners will pay close attention to not just the substance, but also the language, coherence, and organisation of your writing in an essay.

As a result, you must take special care to organise your thoughts effectively and avoid common spelling and grammatical problems. The majority of the content in your Essay will be drawn from your GS preparation.

• Understand the format: -There are two sections in essay paper – Section A and Section B each of which has four topics of essays. Out of these, candidates can select one topic from each section to write an essay. Candidates can select the topic of their choice from a choice of four topics. The UPSC Essay Paper is for a total of 250 marks with one essay for 125 marks.
• Improving language and expression: In an essay, the language should be basic and straightforward, with as little jargon as possible. If you want to employ complicated definitional concepts like “Constitutionalism” or “Sanskritization,” define them in a sentence before using them. The examiner will also be able to grasp exactly what you’re trying to say. Writing clearly is the same as thinking clearly. And that is exactly what a reader is looking for. Keep your sentences succinct and to-the-point. It’s tough to read and understand because of the long, twisting sentences. When you employ conjunctions to add one clause after another, you end up with a terrible sentence sprawl.
• Vocabulary: – It is not necessary to memorise difficult words in order to write an excellent essay. However, using a strong term or a clever phrase every now and then will give your article an edge. Reading nonfiction and English newspapers is the best approach to expand your vocabulary. If you come across a good turn of phrase or a word you don’t recognise while reading them, write it down in a book, look up its meaning, and comprehend the context in which it was used. Long-term memory is aided by this. It also helps to have a dictionary app on your phone. Building a large vocabulary takes time, but with practise, anyone can improve their ability to use a diverse variety of words.
• Rough Drafts & Subheadings : – In terms of subheadings, we can be a little more creative. You can make a list of a few appropriate subheadings that you can use while you write your essay. You may need to adjust the structure based on the question’s requirements.
• Making Specific References to Magazines: You can refer to various issues of Yojana/EPW/Economic Survey, etc. for specific topics. For example, if you’re writing an essay about tribal issues or public health, you can look through specific issues of these magazines to get the most up-to-date statistics (IMR, MMR, malnutrition levels, and so on) as well as information about the benefits and drawbacks of government programmes in those areas.
• Gathering good tales/anecdotes and quotes: Make a list of anecdotes, quotes, and real-life stories that you find in newspapers and books that you might include in your essay. Starting the essay with a relevant storey or anecdote with the essay topic as its underlying theme is a good idea.
• Previous Year Questions: Scanning previous year papers will reveal a plethora of themes that have previously been asked in UPSC Exams. These subjects do not recur, but they can be used to appraise the document and practised to get a strong hold on the essay paper.

You Can Read Also: IAS Topper Shares Strategy to Ace the Essay Paper In UPSC CSE Exam

Does and Don’t for Essay 

•  An essay should have logical flow of movement. Hence, all paragraphs should be connected to each other. 
• Quotes should be there in proper place and it should not be there only for the sake of quoting. 
• Introduction should contain opening remarks and conclusion should connect all the dots.
• We read a lot during the preparation process, so it’s reasonable that we have strong feelings about certain topics. 
• Make sure you write what the question is, not what you think or feel.
• Your essay should be broad in scope and multi-dimensional in nature.
• Always keep to the topic’s main point. It’s a good idea to read the question in the middle of your essay to make sure you’re not getting off track.
• You must convey both the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism, and the essay must end on a balanced tone.

Don’t 

• Avoid queries that require you to focus just on one point or dimension (such as the historical or political component). If you are uncomfortable writing about abstract philosophical themes, stay away from them.
• Your topic selection has no influence on your grades, so picking a controversial topic just for the sake of it is a bad idea.
• Avoid radical or unpopular viewpoints.
• There will be no ranting. If there is an issue about capitalism, do not scream or rail against it, even if you are a big fan of Karl Marx.
• Don’t spend an excessive amount of time on the first essay and rush through the second. Both are worth the same amount of points, so please devote the same amount of time to them.
• It should not be abrupt and blunt. Essay is not only about filling the pages but it’s an art of articulation.

Books and References For Essay Writing

For general reading –

• My experiment with truth – M.K Gandhi
• India after independence – Bipin Chandra
• Discovery of India – J.L Nehru
• Getting India back on track – by Ratan Tata

For detailed reading –

• Democracy in India NCERTe
• Social Problems in India – Ram Ahuja
• Women in Indian Society – Neera Desai and Usha Thakkar ( NBT Publication)
• The Hindu ( editorial articles)
• Kurukshetra

Tips for Writing a Best Essay: –

• The essay is not merely a test of your factual knowledge. It is a test of your creativity, inventive spirit, and capacity for the generation of new ideas.
• The choice of words and the proper statement is important.
• For that make a list of the alternative words for the words you use often.
• Note down powerful sentences, paragraphs, and quotations whenever you find them.
• Keep close to the subject matter. Whatever you write it must be totally relevant to the subject matter.
• The introductory note should be around 5 to 7 percent of the length of the essay, the body around 86 to 90 percent, and the concluding remark again around 5 to 7 percent.
• To obtain good marks remember the abc of essay which stands for a – for accuracy; b – for brevity and c – for creativity.
• Don’t take extreme views. Your essay should reflect your balance of judgment, holistic approach, and an analytical bend of mind
• Select the topic wisely- A topic about which you are too passionate or feel strongly about. In this case, you may tend to get excited and fail to write a balanced essay. This can work against you.
• After selecting the topic judiciously, you should not start writing straight away. It is advisable to think for some time and collect your thoughts. Write in pencil the points you want to write as doing so you can write your points in the correct sequence.
• Once you have the rough points in hand, you can start writing the essay. While writing, you must adhere to a good structure.

Essays for UPSC: During your UPSC preparation, you will become a master of information longitude. The essay paper needs you to sift, arrange, organise, and even invent new ideas from that knowledge while staying on track with the chosen topic. Many pupils are held back by a lack of organising skills rather than a lack of content.

With consistent practise, expert evaluation, and working on the mistakes, this may be readily mastered. Once you’ve completed this, the UPSC essay paper will become the most rewarding section of the exam, taking you beyond the ‘the’ line.

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• IAS Preparation
• UPSC Preparation Strategy
• How To Write The Essay Paper For UPSC Mains

How to Write the Essay Paper in UPSC Mains?

The essay paper is an important aspect of the UPSC civil services exams. It can make or break your outcome. There are two sections in this paper. Each section gives you four topics; you have to choose one topic each. Each essay you write is marked out of 125, making a total of 250 marks.

Click here to download the  UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2020 .

To download UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Papers PDF, visit the linked article.

Your general studies preparation is enough to cover possible topics, and you don’t have to study separate content for the civil services essay paper. You do have to remember certain aspects of writing a good essay if you want to have the edge over your fellow UPSC aspirants. A lot of IAS aspirants make the mistake of not focusing on the essay paper because of its general nature. However, there are many advantages of concentrating on this paper, such as:

• You have the option of selecting one topic out of four. You should be able to leverage this to your advantage and shine in this paper.
• The essay paper is an area where you can let loose your creativity while displaying your knowledge about the topics.
• Also, you have three hours to write about 1000 to 1200 words per topic (word limit for essay in UPSC exam). Hence, you can do justice to the essay topic as you have ample time to structure your thoughts and then start writing.

Let us look at how your essay should be structured!

Your essay should ideally have an introduction, content, basic theme and conclusion. The introduction and conclusion are self-explanatory. Content should give a historical perspective to your topic. It should also include facts and events related to your topic. Try to cover relevant aspects of the topic. The basic theme should talk about your views on the topic. Take a stand but a balanced one. You should also describe the negative and positive aspects of the topic chosen.

How to select the UPSC essay topic?

• Go through all the given topics well.
• Choose a topic you know most and have significant knowledge about.
• Try to avoid provocative issues where personal opinions can be controversial.
• Select the topic only if you are sure of the meaning. For example, know what IT refers to in a given case – information technology or income tax.
• Don’t necessarily pick a topic because it excites you. You should have content and a balanced approach while writing about it.

Features of a good essay

• It should resonate with the topic given. Don’t stray from the topic merely to fill up the word count.
• It should engross the reader. A good essay should ignite the reader’s curiosity about the topic. It should not be boring. The reader should feel like going on reading it.
• It should be multi-dimensional. Don’t have a single viewpoint. Analyse the topic from different perspectives. You can provide new insights into the topic and impress the examiner.
• It should be simple but effective and coherent. You need not write the Queen’s English but let the language drive home whatever point you are trying to make.
• It should be grammatically perfect. Not only does it enhances your essay’s clarity it also avoids a negative impression.
• It should be neat. This is why it is important to think about what you want to write before starting. This avoids scratching.
• There should be continuity in your essay. Don’t jump from one point to another. Make your shifts seamless and smooth. Let there be a natural flow of points. This indicates clarity of thoughts.
• It should contain quotes, headings, sub-headings and diagrams if required.
• It should be structured appropriately.

Things to avoid in a UPSC essay question paper

• Avoid writing in the first person.
• Avoid being too aggressive in your writing. You want to portray an image of a composed person with balanced views. Aggressiveness can also show inflexibility.
• Avoid being pessimistic in your writing. UPSC wants officers with a cheerful and positive disposition!
• Avoid writing in points. Remember you are writing an essay.
• You don’t have to agree with the stand taken by the question. Sometimes, a question can be a statement giving a particular view. You can write both negative and positive aspects of it.
• Don’t stray away from the topic.
• Don’t get too personal and name politicians or political parties unnecessarily. You are going to be a bureaucrat, not a politician or journalist!
• Avoid giving quotes that you are not sure of. Don’t attribute quotes to the wrong people. And, definitely do not create your own quotes . You can’t fool the examiner. Doing so will certainly get you penalised.

You can write good essays if you develop the habit of reading good UPSC essays on a regular basis. Incorporate reading essays as a part of your UPSC civil services preparation. Also, do note that referring to UPSC previous year’s essay papers will help immensely. Remember, practice makes perfect!

For more on UPSC essay writing, read Useful technique to practice on essay topics for UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam .

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Donuru Ananya Reddy UPSC Topper 2023, Complete Details

Donuru Ananya Reddy Secured AIR 3rd in UPSC CSE 2023. Check out Biography of Donuru Ananya Reddy (Rank 3) UPSC 2023 Topper

Table of Contents

Donuru Ananya Reddy, born and raised in Telangana, India, emerged as a beacon of inspiration for aspirants of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, securing the remarkable third rank in her very first attempt in the year 2023. Her journey to success is a testament to dedication, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to public service.

Donuru Ananya Reddy UPSC Topper Biography

Check here: UPSC CSE Final Result 2023

Early Life and Education

Ananya’s academic journey began with a strong foundation laid by her family, particularly her grandfather, who introduced her to the world of civil services at a young age. Born with a keen intellect and a drive to serve her nation, she pursued her undergraduate studies in geology, graduating with honors from Delhi University’s esteemed Miranda House college in 2021.

Career Aspirations

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on society and inspired by the prospect of contributing to the nation’s governance, Ananya embarked on her journey to prepare for the UPSC examinations soon after completing her graduation. The unique blend of serving her country while engaging in administrative duties captivated her, leading her to set her sights on joining the esteemed Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Check here:  UPSC Topper Aditya Srivastava

Donuru Ananya Reddy UPSC Journey

Ananya’s dedication and perseverance bore fruit when she cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her maiden attempt, securing an impressive third rank nationwide. Her success not only exemplifies her academic prowess but also underscores her ability to navigate the rigorous selection process with confidence and grace.

During the intimidating interview round of the civil services final examination, Ananya’s confidence shone through, despite facing rigorous questioning from the panel. Her ability to stay composed under pressure and provide thorough, well-thought-out answers impressed the board members, further cementing her credentials as a formidable candidate.

Ananya’s approach to preparation reflects her pragmatic philosophy towards success. She advocates for a personalized approach to UPSC exam preparation, emphasizing the importance of identifying individual strengths and weaknesses. Her advice to aspirants highlights the need to adapt and evolve strategies according to one’s unique circumstances, rather than blindly following conventional methods.

Check here:  UPSC Topper Animesh Pradhan  

Donuru Ananya Reddy Legacy

Ananya’s journey serves as an inspiration to countless aspirants across the country, demonstrating that with dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach, even the most formidable challenges can be overcome. Her success not only symbolizes individual achievement but also embodies the spirit of service and excellence that defines the civil services.

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Donuru Ananya Reddy (Rank 3) UPSC 2023 Topper FAQs

Who is donuru ananya reddy.

Donuru Ananya Reddy is a top-ranking civil servant who secured the third rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination of 2023 in her first attempt.

What is Ananya Reddy's educational background?

Ananya graduated with a BA (Honours) in Geology from Miranda House, Delhi University, in 2021.

What are Ananya Reddy's career aspirations?

Ananya aims to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to contribute to governance and public service.

Greetings! I'm Piyush, a content writer at StudyIQ. I specialize in creating enlightening content focused on UPSC and State PSC exams. Let's embark on a journey of discovery, where we unravel the intricacies of these exams and transform aspirations into triumphant achievements together!

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'Verbose, pointless': UPSC topper Aditya Srivastava's mock essay goes viral, but netizens are not impressed

Aditya srivastava, an alumnus of iit-kanpur, secured the first rank in the upsc civil services examination..

• Updated Apr 18, 2024, 1:45 PM IST

The essay starts by mentioning Oppenheimer's concept of the Manhattan Project and explores the interplay between logic and emotion.

IAS Topper Aditya Srivastava CSE AIR-1 Essay Mock Test Copy 👇 A Thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Y2SjL2Igff — UPSC NOTES (@UPSC_Notes) April 17, 2024

Despite the high expectations surrounding any content associated with the top-ranking civil servant aspirants, the reaction from netizens has been surprisingly mixed and unenthusiastic. Srivastava's essay failed to impress many of them.

The essay thread garnered substantial attention, accumulating 1.5 million views and sparking considerable engagement with over 7,000 likes and 2,000 shares. Yet, the consensus among viewers does not seem overwhelmingly positive.

Commenting on the thread one of the users wrote, "This is so worthless. Dumping Oppenheimer story in basic English - verbose & pointless."

This is so worthless. Dumping Oppenheimer story in basic english - verbose & pointless. Our priorities seem skewed when we test outdated skills in exams instead of nurturing critical thinkers and innovators. We urgently need to reassess this exam and the candidates. — Ishwar Singh (@IshwarBagga) April 18, 2024

Another user replied, "Fell asleep after reading 2 sentences, can imagine the quality of people who grade these troopers sorry toppers."

Fell Asleep after reading 2 sentences, can imagine the quality of people who grade these troopers sorry toppers — Munda Chan Varga (@munda53870363) April 18, 2024

Have a look at the other reactions here-

If he is AIR 1, then Lord Rama save this country. — Saurabh Srivastava 🇵🇸 (@sasri108) April 18, 2024

The answer seems exactly like ChatGPT answer when it hallucinates. — Sadhu baba (@dosnt_shar_food) April 17, 2024

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UPSC CMS Exam 2024: Pattern, Eligibility, Selection Criteria

Image: Unsplash

17 April 2024

The union public service commission (upsc) is currently accepting applications for the combined medical services (cms) examination 2024, candidates aspiring to serve as medical officers, assistant divisional medical officers can submit their applications by april 30 on the official website, the recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 827 posts. the examination will be held on july 14.

Image: Pixabay

Candidates must not exceed 32 years of age as of August 1, 2024, meaning they must have been born no earlier than August 2, 1992

Applicants must have passed their final mbbs examination to qualify for the cms exam , those who have not completed their mandatory rotating internship are also eligible, but their admission will be provisional until the internship is completed, the selection process comprises written test (objective mcqs), personality test (interview), the written examinations will be held for two papers, each carrying 250 marks, lasting two hours, the personality test, worth 100 marks, will be conducted for candidates who qualify for the written examination, both papers will consist entirely of objective (multiple choice questions) type questions and will be conducted only in english, check more stories.

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[MISSION 2024] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 15 April 2024

Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.

How to Follow Secure Initiative?

How to self-evaluate your answer , mission – 2023: yearlong timetable, join ipm 4.0 to get an assured review of 2 secure answers everyday, general studies – 1.

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

1. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence from British rule, marking a shift towards more organized and concerted efforts to achieve independence. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express ,  Insights on India

Why the question: According to many historians, this was a turning point in Indians’ relationship with their British colonisers, and thus a pivotal moment in the course of India’s struggle for independence. Key Demand of the question:  To write the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its impact as a pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence. Directive word:  Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by giving context. Body: First, write about the incident in detail. Next, write about the incident as turning point – galvanized nationalist sentiment, shifted leadership to figures like Mahatma Gandhi, drew international attention, accelerated the independence movement, and eroded faith in British rule. Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.

2.  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping India’s journey towards becoming a democratic and inclusive nation where all citizens have equal rights and opportunities. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question: As a grateful nation celebrates the 133nd birth anniversary of the father of India’s Constitution, the article recalls the Mahad Satyagraha. Key Demand of the question:  To write contributions of Dr B.R Ambedkar’s in promoting democratic unity as well protection of equal rights. Directive word:  Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by writing a few introductory lines regarding Dr B.R Ambedkar Body: First, write about his role and contributions; His role as a social reformer, chairman of the draft committee of the Indian Constitution, and first law minister of the country is well-known. He was an educationist, economist, jurist, politician, journalist, sociologist and social reformer and worked in the fields of culture, religion and spirituality. Next, write about his measures in promoting democratic unity and as champion of domestic rights. Mention about key learnings from his teaching in the present day. Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

3. Casteism in Indian cities persists as a social issue despite urbanization and modernization. Efforts must be undertaken to create a more equitable and inclusive urban society. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question: The article discusses how the Indian city has failed the aspirations and expectations that the Dalit liberation movement had placed in urbanization. Key Demand of the question: To write about the issues of casteism in Urban areas and measures needed. Directive word:  Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by giving context. Body: First, write about the causes of casteism in urban areas and its impact – social segregation, employment discrimination, and unequal access to resources. Next, write about the various measures needed to prevent it – legal enforcement, awareness campaigns, social integration programs, economic empowerment, political reforms, community engagement, and media initiatives to foster inclusivity and challenge stereotypes. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

4. Define nanotechnology. Discuss its wide-ranging applications across sectors. (150 words)

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question: Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To write about applications of nano technology for the betterment of the society. Directive word:  Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by defining nanotechnology. Body: First, write about the applications of nanotechnology – The applications of nanotechnology, commonly incorporate industrial, medicinal, and energy uses. These include more durable construction materials, therapeutic drug delivery, and higher density hydrogen fuel cells that are environmentally friendly. Next, write about how these will help in our developmental objectives and our society, Conclusion: Conclude by summarising.

5. India has made significant strides in developing indigenous missile systems, bolstering its defense capabilities and strategic deterrent. Critically analyse its strengths and weaknesses. (150 words)

Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To write about the its strengths and weaknesses of indigenous missile systems. Directive word:  Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by giving context of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme Body: First, write about the various missiles developed under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Next, write about the strengths and weaknesses in the above. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward to overcome the weaknesses.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators.

6. The nature of truth is that it remains indisputable despite attempts to attack or ridicule it. Analyse. Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4. Directive word:  Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments. Structure of the answer: Introduction:  Begin by writing by a truth. Body: Write about resilience of truth is discussed in light of factors such as objective reality, skepticism, confirmation bias, and the role of evidence and reasoning. While truth may face challenges from misinformation and subjective perspectives, critical thinking and open discourse are crucial in upholding its integrity. Conclusion: Conclude by emphasising on the importance of leading a truthful life.

Topic: Case Study

7. Miss ABC, a physically healthy Dutch woman, has made the difficult decision to legally end her life in May, despite her apparent physical health. Throughout her life, she has grappled with severe mental health challenges. Once harbouring dreams of becoming a psychiatrist, Miss ABC now finds herself scheduled for euthanasia, even as she remains in love with her boyfriend and shares her life with two beloved cats.

Miss ABC’s struggles with crippling depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder have been profound and enduring. Despite her love for her partner and the companionship of her feline friends, the weight of her mental health conditions has become unbearable. The decision to pursue euthanasia represents a deeply personal choice for Miss ABC, one that reflects her own assessment of her quality of life in the face of relentless mental anguish.

Miss ABC’s decision to pursue euthanasia in the face of her mental health struggles has ignited a profound debate surrounding the ethical and moral dimensions of end-of-life choices, particularly in cases where individuals contend with severe mental illness.

• Mention ethical dilemmas the above case.
• Is euthanasia of physically healthy individuals morally right?
• Do you think persons with mental health issues be allowed to make such choices about euthanasia?

(250 words)

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Amanda Hoover

Students Are Likely Writing Millions of Papers With AI

Students have submitted more than 22 million papers that may have used generative AI in the past year, new data released by plagiarism detection company Turnitin shows.

A year ago, Turnitin rolled out an AI writing detection tool that was trained on its trove of papers written by students as well as other AI-generated texts. Since then, more than 200 million papers have been reviewed by the detector, predominantly written by high school and college students. Turnitin found that 11 percent may contain AI-written language in 20 percent of its content, with 3 percent of the total papers reviewed getting flagged for having 80 percent or more AI writing. (Turnitin is owned by Advance, which also owns Condé Nast, publisher of WIRED.) Turnitin says its detector has a false positive rate of less than 1 percent when analyzing full documents.

ChatGPT’s launch was met with knee-jerk fears that the English class essay would die . The chatbot can synthesize information and distill it near-instantly—but that doesn’t mean it always gets it right. Generative AI has been known to hallucinate , creating its own facts and citing academic references that don’t actually exist. Generative AI chatbots have also been caught spitting out biased text on gender and race . Despite those flaws, students have used chatbots for research, organizing ideas, and as a ghostwriter . Traces of chatbots have even been found in peer-reviewed, published academic writing .

Teachers understandably want to hold students accountable for using generative AI without permission or disclosure. But that requires a reliable way to prove AI was used in a given assignment. Instructors have tried at times to find their own solutions to detecting AI in writing, using messy, untested methods to enforce rules , and distressing students. Further complicating the issue, some teachers are even using generative AI in their grading processes.

Detecting the use of gen AI is tricky. It’s not as easy as flagging plagiarism, because generated text is still original text. Plus, there’s nuance to how students use gen AI; some may ask chatbots to write their papers for them in large chunks or in full, while others may use the tools as an aid or a brainstorm partner.

Students also aren't tempted by only ChatGPT and similar large language models. So-called word spinners are another type of AI software that rewrites text, and may make it less obvious to a teacher that work was plagiarized or generated by AI. Turnitin’s AI detector has also been updated to detect word spinners, says Annie Chechitelli, the company’s chief product officer. It can also flag work that was rewritten by services like spell checker Grammarly, which now has its own generative AI tool . As familiar software increasingly adds generative AI components, what students can and can’t use becomes more muddled.

Detection tools themselves have a risk of bias. English language learners may be more likely to set them off; a 2023 study found a 61.3 percent false positive rate when evaluating Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exams with seven different AI detectors. The study did not examine Turnitin’s version. The company says it has trained its detector on writing from English language learners as well as native English speakers. A study published in October found that Turnitin was among the most accurate of 16 AI language detectors in a test that had the tool examine undergraduate papers and AI-generated papers.

Amit Katwala

Andy Greenberg

Caroline Haskins

Schools that use Turnitin had access to the AI detection software for a free pilot period, which ended at the start of this year. Chechitelli says a majority of the service’s clients have opted to purchase the AI detection. But the risks of false positives and bias against English learners have led some universities to ditch the tools for now. Montclair State University in New Jersey announced in November that it would pause use of Turnitin’s AI detector. Vanderbilt University and Northwestern University did the same last summer.

“This is hard. I understand why people want a tool,” says Emily Isaacs, executive director of the Office of Faculty Excellence at Montclair State. But Isaacs says the university is concerned about potentially biased results from AI detectors, as well as the fact that the tools can’t provide confirmation the way they can with plagiarism. Plus, Montclair State doesn’t want to put a blanket ban on AI, which will have some place in academia. With time and more trust in the tools, the policies could change. “It’s not a forever decision, it’s a now decision,” Isaacs says.

Chechitelli says the Turnitin tool shouldn’t be the only consideration in passing or failing a student. Instead, it’s a chance for teachers to start conversations with students that touch on all of the nuance in using generative AI. “People don’t really know where that line should be,” she says.

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Aditya Srivastava Tops UPSC CSE 2023 with All India Rank 1

Last updated on April 16, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

In a tale of dedication and academic excellence, Aditya Srivastava, originally from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination for 2023

His achievement, declared on April 16, 2024, stands as a testament to his perseverance and commitment to public service.

Table of Contents

A Stellar Academic Background

His academic pursuits took him to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur).

He completed a dual B.Tech and M.Tech degree with stellar performance.

Corporate Experience to Civil Aspirations

Post-IIT, Aditya briefly ventured into the corporate world, securing a position at Goldman Sachs where he worked for 15 months.

This stint, however, was more than just a job—it was a stepping stone that clarified his true calling.

Realizing that financial gain was not his ultimate goal, Aditya decided to switch tracks and prepare for the Civil Services , driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to society and work at the grassroots level.

Aditya Srivastava’s Call of Civil Services

In a revealing YouTube mock interview, Aditya shared that his initial focus was on financial security which led him to the corporate sector.

However, his perspective shifted over time as he sought a more impactful way to make a difference.

The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) beckoned as a career that would allow him to not only contribute positively to the system but also innovate within a framework of governance.

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Perseverance and Family Support of Aditya Srivastava

Aditya’s journey to the top of the UPSC ranks is a story of resilience.

Previously ranked 236th in the 2022 UPSC CSE, he was already undergoing training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad for the Indian Police Service (IPS) .

However, his relentless spirit and the unwavering support of his family, especially his father, Ajay Srivastava, who is an assistant audit officer at the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, spurred him on to aim higher and achieve the top rank in his subsequent attempt.

Looking Forward

Aditya Srivastava’s story is not just one of academic and professional success; it is one of finding one’s true purpose and relentlessly pursuing it.

His approach and achievements serve as an inspiring beacon for many aspiring civil servants across India.

As he prepares to take on his role in the IAS, it will indeed be interesting to see how he applies his talents and knowledge to serve and uplift the nation.

Aditya’s narrative reinforces the idea that with the right mix of perseverance, support, and a clear vision, significant milestones are not only possible but achievable.

He stands as a role model, proving that transitioning from a secure corporate job to public service is not just a dream but can be a rewarding reality.

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