Essay Strategy and Approach for UPSC CSE Mains
The essay paper in the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination plays a crucial role in determining your overall rank. It consists of two essays, each worth 125 marks. The scoring spectrum for this paper varies significantly, with marks ranging from 70 to 150. This range highlights the potential of the essay paper to make or break your final rank.The changing trend in essay topics, which is increasingly moving toward philosophical, inference-based, and interpretive subjects, provides candidates with an opportunity to showcase their creativity, personality, and thoughts. However, this shift has also posed challenges for many aspirants, requiring a structured approach to crafting a compelling essay.
In the 2022 UPSC Mains, I secured 131 marks in the essay paper, and I'd like to share my strategy and approach for tackling this paper effectively.
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Key Resources
- UPSC Essay Papers (2017 onwards): These provide a clear understanding of the kind of topics to expect and the trend in topic selection.- Model Solutions from Institutes: Referring to model solutions helps gain insights into the structure and flow of well-written essays.
- Topper Essay Copies: Reading essays written by successful candidates such as Vikram Grewal and Anudeep Durishetty gives a perspective on high-scoring essays.
- Collection of Examples, Anecdotes, and Quotes: Having a repository of relevant content to enhance your essays is essential. Examples from current events, historical anecdotes, and meaningful quotes add value to your writing.
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Approach
Structuring an Essay
One of the most important steps in essay writing is structuring. Before jumping into writing, spend 30 minutes planning the flow and structure of your essay. I practiced this approach with previous years' topics, and instead of writing the full essay, I focused on creating a well-thought-out framework.Example:
- 2020 Section B Essay: "There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless."
Introduction: Begin with an anecdote or story that captures the essence of the essay. For instance, describing a big urban city with sky-high buildings but high crime rates and social unrest can emphasize the contrast between economic prosperity and social justice. This sets the stage for the argument that economic prosperity without social justice is hollow.
Body Structure:
- What is Economic Prosperity?: Define and explain the concept.
- Comparison to Other Countries: Illustrate through global examples.
- Interrelation: Discuss how economic prosperity can be a precursor to social justice by increasing the overall wealth of a society.
- Economic Prosperity Isn't Enough: Address the importance of inclusion, welfare schemes, and policies that ensure the benefits of growth reach all sections of society.
Conclusion: Reconnect to the story you began with, illustrating how a society focused on both economic and social justice creates a harmonious environment.
Philosophical Essays
For essays requiring philosophical insight, I followed a similar strategy of conceptualizing and illustrating through anecdotes.Example:
- 2022 Section A Essay: "Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence."
Introduction: Start with an analogy or anecdote, such as the growth of a bamboo plant that remains dormant for years before suddenly shooting up. This can serve as a metaphor for long-term investment in infrastructure, which may take time to yield results.
Body Structure:
- What is a Case Study?: Define what constitutes a case study and explain how forests can serve as a model.
