Question : Is There A Need To Adopt Different Approaches For Answer Writing In GS And Optional?

Answer :

• GS and Optionals’ answers are completely different. In Optionals, one can write a PhD types answer and be confident of getting good marks – because the examiner who is checking an economics paper would be an economist. But in GS, this will not work. The examiner who is checking the economics answer in a GS paper is more likely to be not an economist. He/She would be a generalist with limited knowledge and interest in the subject.
• So, if you write some specialized answer or use some specific terms or models from your optional while writing a GS answer, good luck! Most probably the examiner would not understand/appreciate it. And he/she would not spend additional time or effort in going back and study the term/model you wrote. She would simply give a zero.
• Similarly, if you write any unconventional answers like say Aadhar cash transfers are not going to increase inflation and even give a logic based proof from basic economics, the examiner will not give any marks. Because he/she would have read mainstream media where everybody is saying Aadhar transfers would increase inflation. And she has no interest in taking the pain to understand a contrarian view point in your answer. The examiner’s life would be much simpler if he/she just gives a zero.
• So the bottom line is, our answer should be such that they make the life easier for the examiner. He/She would be happy while reading them and would give us more marks. So no PhD type stuff. Just stick to basic points and present them in a way which is easy to read.

Use Diagrams, Facts and Figures

You have studied hard. You know everything, so what can you do to score high in the Mains examination? The following points can create wonders for your answer writing:

• Answers should be multifaceted
• Try and keep the introduction and conclusion very short
• Avoid reiteration of the similar thoughts
• Use as many concepts as possible especially for your optional papers
• Give as many examples as possible to support your view. Try to have a contemporary relevance to you answer
• Write in very simple English, academic jargons is not appreciated by the UPSC
• Your answers need to be more dynamic and holistic. As UPSC says “The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers”
• Write answers directly; do not beat around the bush. Some punctuation marks like this one (;) play a crucial role