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Question : Essay: The Game Changer - Really?

Answer :

  • The Essay Paper of Mains will be the 1st paper you’ll be facing after having cleared the Prelims. It’s one of the most important papers in terms of weightage by marks. It’s also one of the most ignored papers of the Mains as most aspirants feel that their answer writing practice will be good enough for fetching 170 marks in the two essays.
  • Let’s address some facts and myths as far as the essay paper is concerned.
  • The essay paper comprises two questions carrying 125 marks each summing up to a total of 250 marks for the entire paper.
  • The 1st question will have 4 topics to choose from and you have to write on any one topic.
  • Similarly the 2nd question will again have 4 topics to choose from for you to write on one topic.

The genre of the questions can be:

  • Philosophical (1 or 2 in number out of 8 topics)
  • Topical
  • Issues of international importance

The topics are from a wide range of subjects such as ‘women/gender issues’, ‘social justice’, ‘science and technology’, ‘environment’, ‘education’, ‘health’, the flagship programs of the union government and recent major happenings.

A UPSC aspirant is usually well versed with the recent happenings and topics mentioned above, yet most of them struggle hard to secure even 50% of the allotted 250 marks for the essay writing paper. It is estimated that majority of the students score around 100 to 110 out of 250 total. A sizeable number score around 125 to 135 while a handful of candidates cross 60% (150+) marks.

Reason: Most candidates fall prey to the nuances of English language and proceed with faulty understanding of the essay topic, while others to anxiety or undue haste. Not maintaining a steady flow of information and jumping from one argument to the other, giving examples just for the sake of it and ending up with an abruptly written piece.

Mistake: Many aspirants think that by reading for GS optional papers, they have also completed studying for the essay papers. They do not prepare for essay at all and therefore come unprepared to the exam. This approach might cost you because you lose valuable marks which could have led to ‘make or break’ in your cut-off.