In the UPSC and APSC Mains examinations, the essay paper plays an important role in your selection for the mains exam and ultimately determines your rank in the final result. It is said that writing reflects your thought process. Similarly, your essay reveals to the examiner your viewpoint and how effectively you can convey your ideas and articulate your thoughts. A well-written essay demonstrates your depth of understanding and analytical abilities. Often, due to paucity of time and a greater focus on General Studies subjects, candidates give little importance to the Essay Paper and as a result, they score low in this section. In this article, we will discuss the effective strategies for writing a good essay in the UPSC and APSC Mains Examination.
Syllabus And Exam Pattern Of The Essay Paper:
Before diving into the strategies, let’s first examine the syllabus and exam pattern of the Essay paper.
Paper 1 of the Mains Examination is the Essay paper which carries 250 marks equivalent to a General Studies paper. According to the syllabus:
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and precis expression.
The Essay Paper is divided into two sections, A and B, each containing four topics. Each topic is worth 125 marks, totaling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and compose an essay of 1000-1200 words within the allotted three-hour duration.
Now that we have examined the syllabus and the exam pattern, let us explore what UPSC and APSC expect from a candidate in the Essay Paper:
Understanding The Expectations For The Essay Paper:
As the syllabus mentions, that ideas should be arranged in orderly fashion- This means you should present your thoughts logically, effectively in a structured format, maintaining the coherence and flow. Additionally, you need to centre your essay around the core theme of the chosen topic without deviating from the theme. Staying focused on the central idea demonstrates your ability to comprehend the topic thoroughly and engage critically with it.
Next, you need to explore the different dimensions relevant to the topic providing a well rounded analysis, thus bringing diversification in your content. Approaching a topic from multiple perspectives adds depth and diversity to your content, showcasing not only your knowledge but also your analytical skills. A comprehensive perspective highlights your ability to connect various aspects of the topic and present a balanced argument. For instance, if the topic is about climate change, you can analyze it from environmental, economic, social, and political angles. This approach will make your essay more insightful and impactful.
Moreover, using clear and simple language is highly valued by the examiner.A clear and well-articulated language presented in a straightforward style is preferred over complex or flowery language. Avoid using jargon words or overly technical terms.
Furthermore, you should support your arguments with relevant data, facts, examples, and quotes. For instance, if you are writing an essay on Poverty, you can quote official reports such as Findings of NITI Aayog’s Discussion Paper ‘Multidimensional Poverty in India. According to the Discussion Paper, India has registered a significant decline in multidimensional poverty removal in India from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23.
Let us look into how and from where to prepare for the Essay:
How and from where to prepare for an Essay:
The content for the essay comes from your General Studies(GS) preparation. Your thorough understanding, depth of knowledge, and analytical skills developed during GS will enhance your performance in the Essay paper. The sources for preparation are similar to the GS papers. However, apart from that there are additional resources you can refer to which include the following:
Firstly cultivate the habit of reading Non-Fiction Books or you can take up reading as a hobby as it will help you develop a structured thought process which is important for writing high-scoring Essays. Not only this, reading such books will enrich your content by providing unique insights and examples that you can quote in your essay. While this is not mandatory, it can significantly enhance the quality of your content.
Secondly, reading the daily newspaper religiously, and collecting examples, facts, and data will strengthen your content. Apart from that you can refer to the Government websites such as ministry portals, PIB, and official reports. Additionally, you can also refer to specific magazines for specific issues such as Yojana, Kurukshetra, EPW, Economic Survey etc.
Next, while preparing for GS preparation, simultaneously you can collect anecdotes, quotes, phrases, and stories. Starting your essay with relevant anecdotes or quotes can immediately capture the examiner’s attention and create a strong first impression.
Furthermore, you can also refer to the previous year’s Essay papers from both UPSC and APSC, as the questions reflect a rich tapestry of themes, encompassing philosophy, governance, technology, education, and current affairs. Carefully analyze these papers to gain a deep understanding of global and societal issues and prepare accordingly.
Now let us understand how to approach and attempt the Essay Paper in the main examination.
How to approach and attempt: the Essay Paper in the Mains Examination:
- Selecting The Right Topic: Topic Selection plays an important role in the Essay paper. You should spend at least 5 minutes selecting the right topic. Choose a topic based on your interest, your comfort level in writing and whether you have enough content to develop it effectively. Avoid selecting highly technical or uncommon topics if you lack sufficient knowledge or feel uncomfortable writing about them. What matters most is your ability to write a structured and coherent essay of 1000-1200 words while maintaining a logical flow.
- Brainstorming The Essay: Devote the next 10-15 minutes for effective brainstorming for the two topics that you have chosen. Brainstorming helps generate unique ideas and creates a structured foundation for the essay. Write a basic outline at the end of the paper and jot down important keywords, and points relevant to the essay. After brainstorming, organize the points logically to form a clear structure for your essay.
- Start Writing The Essay: After organizing the points logically start writing the first essay. Aim to complete the essay within one hour. The format of the essay should consist of the following three key sections:
- Introduction: A good introduction should directly relate to the core theme and provide the necessary context for understanding the topic. The introduction sets the tone for the essay and should immediately engage the reader’s interest. Ensure that your introduction is clear and focused, providing a smooth transition into the body of the essay. You can introduce your essay using various techniques such as:
- A relevant quote that reflects the essence of the topic.
- A fictitious anecdote or a real-life story to create a personal connection.
- Narrating an incident that illustrates the core issue.
- A thought-provoking question to engage the readers- curiosity.
- Body: The body of an essay is a critical component where you should devote more time and space to properly express your ideas and thoughts. It should be well structured and comprehensive covering different dimensions of the topic. You can approach the body using different frameworks such as the temporal approach i.e. discussing the topic from a past, present, and future perspective. Then PESTEL or PESTLE approach analyzes the topic from political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental aspects. You can also organize the body in multiple headings, paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, point format, etc for more clarity and coherence. Use transition words like furthermore, in addition, on the other hand, etc to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs and ideas. While crafting the body of the essay, remember to maintain a smooth flow and coherence. Also, keep the language as simple as you can. Simplicity enhances clarity and ensures that the reader can easily understand your perspective.
- Conclusion: Like the introduction, the conclusion plays an important role in an essay where you summarize the entire essay. Your conclusion should be forward-looking and optimistic. Offer potential solutions to the problems discussed and suggest a strong way forward. Your conclusion not only summarizes your arguments but also leaves the reader with a sense of purpose and a lasting impression.
- Introduction: A good introduction should directly relate to the core theme and provide the necessary context for understanding the topic. The introduction sets the tone for the essay and should immediately engage the reader’s interest. Ensure that your introduction is clear and focused, providing a smooth transition into the body of the essay. You can introduce your essay using various techniques such as:
After completing your essay, set aside some time to proofread and revise it. Look for grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes and ensure that your ideas are expressed clearly and effectively.
Practice the philosophy of continuous improvement. Get a little better every single day. – Brian Tracy
Similarly alongside your GS preparation, you should devote time to Essay preparation as well. Start by preparing content for essays based on thematic topics from the previous year’s papers. In addition, practice writing essays regularly and attempt mock tests on essays. With consistent practice and focused improvement, you will be able to score well on the essay paper of the main examination.
In conclusion, mastering the Essay paper in UPSC and APSC Mains requires a strategic approach that combines structured preparation, regular practice, and clear expression. A well-organized essay, supported by relevant examples, data, and a logical flow, reflects not only your analytical abilities but also your depth of understanding. Selecting the right topic, brainstorming effectively, and maintaining clarity in language is key to success. With consistent effort, thoughtful preparation, and a focus on continuous improvement, you can significantly enhance your essay-writing skills and secure a strong score.
Also Read: UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus | APSC CCE Syllabus
FAQs
How many essays are to be written in the Essay Paper?
You must write two essays, one each from Section A and Section B. Each section contains 4 topics, and each essay carries 125 marks.
Should I use quotes or anecdotes in the essay?
Yes. Starting your essay with a relevant quote, story, or anecdote can create a strong first impression and engage the examiner. Make sure they are relevant and authentic.
What does UPSC/APSC expect in an Essay?
The Essay should:
Be closely related to the topic
Present ideas in an orderly, logical structure
Use clear and precise language
Reflect analytical ability and depth of understanding
Be diversified in perspective (e.g., political, economic, social, environmental angles)”