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WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGE

Following are the topics on which our followers have written (and writing essays) every Sunday to hone their essay writing skills. The topics are chosen based on UPSC previous year topics. Writing one essay on each Sunday will help you get better marks in this paper.

ESSAY STRATEGY by Topper – Rank 1 CSE 2017

ESSAY STRATEGY by Topper – Rank 25 CSE 2015

ESSAY STRATEGY by Topper – Rank 40 CSE 2015

[VIDEO] How to Improve Marks in Essay and Ethics Papers?
[VIDEO] How to Write Philosophical Essays

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2024

10 November 2024 : Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
3 November 2024 : Social Media Is Triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ In Youth, Precipitating Depression and Loneliness.
27 October 2024 : The doubter is a true man of science.
20 October 2024 : There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
13 October 2024 : The empires of the future will be the empires of mind.
06 October 2024 : Forests precede Civilization and deserts follow them.
29 September 2024 : How you do anything is how you do everything
22 September 2024 : “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”
15 September 2024 : “The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.”
8 September 2024 : “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
1 September 2024 : The worst form of injustice is pretended justice
25 August, 2024 : Science is the poetry of reality.
18 August, 2024 : A Budget Tells Us What We Cannot Afford, But It Doesn’t Keep Us from buying it
11 August, 2024 : The world is not magic and that is the most magical thing about it.
4 August, 2024 : Art is I; Science is We.
28 July, 2024 : History, in general, only informs us what bad government is
21 July, 2024 : Sarcasam : the last refuge of the chaste-souled individuals when their privacy is coarsely invaded.
14 July, 2024 : Wound is the place where light enters you
7 July, 2024 : What is Religion to One is Superstition To Another
June 30, 2024 : Gender Is Spectrum
June 23, 2024 : Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.
June 16, 2024 : Saint Has A Past. Sinner Has A Future
June 9, 2024 : The worst disease in the world today is corruption and the cure for it is transparency.
June 2, 2024 : Escape Competition Through Authenticity.
May 26, 2024 : Creativity Is Allowing Yourself to Make Mistakes. Art Is Knowing Which Ones to Keep.
May 19 2024 : In No Man’s Land, the only way to survive is to adapt.
May 12, 2024 : Economics is concerned with what emerges, not what anyone intended.
May 5, 2024 : A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you.
April 28, 2024 : We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
April 21, 2024 : Well done is better than well said.
April 14, 2024 : Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.
April 07, 2024 : Came from plant, use it; made in plant, don’t.
March 30, 2024 : A Business That Makes Nothing More Than Money Is Poor Business
March 24, 2024 : If Voting Really Made Difference, They Would Not Let Us Do It
March 17, 2024 : Cinema Is Not A Slice Of Life, But A Piece Of Cake.
March 10, 2024 : Education Can give skill, but a liberal education can give dignity
March 3, 2024 : Sometimes when you lose your way you find yourself
February 25, 2024 : Who Looks Inside Awakes, Who Looks Outside Dream
February 18, 2024 : Never Let School Interfere With Your Education
February 11, 2024 : Whoever Controls the Media Controls the Mind
February 04, 2024 : A certain darkness is needed to see the stars
January 28, 2024 : Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
January 21, 2024 : Subtle Is powerful
January 14, 2024 : The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.
January 07, 2024 : Give them Quality. That’s The Best Kind of Advertising

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2023

December 31, 2023 : The only antidote to mental suffering is physical pain
December 24, 2023 : All Great Changes Are Preceded By Chaos
December 17, 2023 : We are drowning in information, but starved for Knowledge
December 10, 2023 : Violence Is the last resort of the incompetent
December 03, 2023 : Be a Voice, Not an Echo
November 26, 2023 : A Society that has more justice is the society that needs less charity
November 19, 2023 : Sell Your Cleverness and Buy Bewilderment
November 12, 2023 : love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within
November 5, 2023 : Clothes Make The Man
October 29, 2023 : Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.
October 22, 2023 : Mathematics is the music of reason
October 15, 2023 : Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines
October 08, 2023 : Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
October 01, 2023 : Not All Who Wander Are Lost
September 24, 2023 : Visionary Decision-Making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic
September 17, 2023 : Thinking Is Like A game. It does not begin unless there is an opposition team.
September 10, 2023 : Unless we have well-educated people, we are vulnerable on National Security
September 03, 2023 : Harsh Laws are, at times, better than No laws
August 27, 2023 : Nations Do Not Die From Invasion. They Die From Internal Rottenness
August 20, 2023 : In Individuals, insanity is rare; In groups, parties and nations, it is the rule.
August 13, 2023 : Economics Is Too Important To Leave To The Economists.
August 06, 2023 : A self without a book-shelf is naked.
July 30, 2023 : Wrong Choices Lead To Right Places
July 23, 2023 : Credit where credit is due.
July 16, 2023 : A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take away from you.
July 9, 2023 : The measure of intelligence is the ability to change
July 2, 2023 : Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
June 25, 2023 : In the long run , the sword will always be conquered by the spirit
June 18, 2023 : The company you keep determines your Success
June 11, 2023 : A disciplined mind brings happiness.
June 4, 2023 : Our moral responsibility is not to stop the future but to shape it
May 28, 2023 : Action breeds confidence and courage
May 21, 2023 : A library is a hospital for the mind
May 14, 2023 : Self-Education is Life-Long Curiosity
May 7, 2023 : Silence is Spurious Golden
April 30, 2023 : The price of greatness is responsibility
April 23, 2023 : Progress is impossible without change
April 16, 2023 : The Impact of Artificial Intelligence.
April 9, 2023 : People would rather believe than know.
April 2, 2023 : Prioritizing education technology for global growth
March 26, 2023 : Technology is a weapon against poverty
March 19, 2023 : Every choice you make makes you
March 12, 2023 : Patience is a virture ; virtue is a grace
March 5, 2023 : Before any fight, it is the fight of mind
February 26, 2023 : The Measure of a man is what he does with Power.
February 19, 2023 : When you kill time, you kill life.
February 12, 2023 : Delayed success mostly stays forever.
February 05, 2023 : The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
January 29, 2023 : Doubt is an uncomfortable condition, but certainty is a ridiculous one.
January 22, 2023 : I am what I am, so take me as I am
January 15, 2023 : Real learning comes about when the competitive spirit has ceased
January 08, 2023 : Time hurts but it also heals. It punishes but it rewards too- it is the greatest teacher ever for a human.
January 01, 2023 : The Beginning is the End and the End is The Beginning.

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2022

December 25, 2022 : To tolerate is purely an act of mind
December 18, 2022 : The arc of moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice
December 11, 2022 : Religion is a culture of faith; Science is a culture of doubt.
December 04, 2022 : My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read
November 27, 2022 : Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits
November 20, 2022 : We are always blind as we want to be
November 13, 2022 : By your stumbling, the world is perfected.
November 6, 2022 : You cannot step twice in the same river
October 30, 2022 : Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
October 23, 2022 : A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
October 16, 2022 : The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
October 9, 2022 : A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for
October 2, 2022 : History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
September 25, 2022 : Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
September 18, 2022 : Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence
September 11, 2022 : Culture changes with economic development.
September 4 2022 : We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.
August 28 2022 : The obstacle is the path.
August 21 2022 : What is to give light must endure burning.
August 14 2022 : “He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.” Aristotle.
August 7 2022 : Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” Albert Einstein
July 31, 2022 : A bad conscience is easier to cope with than a bad reputation. Friedrich Nietzsche.
July 24, 2022 : Time is all we have and don’t
July 17, 2022 : Life fritters away when distractions become your lifestyle
July 10, 2022 : After every darkness comes the dawn July 10, 2022 : After every darkness comes the dawn
July 3, 2022 : Mind – a beautiful servant? Or a dangerous master?
June 26, 2022 : Education Breeds Peace
June 19, 2022 : A great leader is never angry
June 12, 2022 : That which hurts, instructs; That which instructs, creates; Creates Wonders!
June 05, 2022 : Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do
May 29, 2022 : The journey is a reward as well as destination
May 22, 2022 : Imagination creates reality
May 15, 2022 : The curious paradox is, only if we accept things as they are, things can change
May 08, 2022: The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, while wiser people are so full of doubts
May 01, 2022: Loyalty To Country Always. Loyalty To Government Only When It Deserves
April 24, 2022: Successful Investing Is Anticipating The Anticipations of Others
April 17, 2022: Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear
April 10, 2022 : Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn
April 03, 2022 : Forgiveness is the final form of love
March 27, 2022 : The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless
March 20, 2022 : Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form.
March 13, 2022 : Everything we hear is an opinion; not a fact
March 5, 2022 : There are better practices to “best practices”
February 27, 2022 : History repeats itself first as a tragedy second as a farce.
February 20, 2022 : What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
February 13, 2022 : Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
February 6, 2022 : The real is rational and the rational is real.
January 30, 2022 : Philosophy of Wantlessness Is Utopian, while the philosophy of materialism is chimera.
January 23, 2022 : Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
January 16, 2022 : The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
January 09, 2022 : Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom
January 02, 2022 : Biased Media Is A Real Threat To Indian Democracy

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2021

December 26, 2021 : What Gets Measured Gets Managed
December 19, 2021 : The enemy of stability is complacency
December 12, 2021 : A clear conscience fears no accusation
December 05, 2021 : Power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of ideas
November 28, 2021 : The whole is more than a sum of its parts
November 21, 2021 : Scientific and technological progress cannot be equated with the progress of humanity
November 14, 2021 : The price of our vitality is the sum of all our fears
November 7, 2021 : Lawlessness is the result of failure to cultivate a sense of self-evaluation
October 30, 2021 : What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make
October 24, 2021 : Science for the economic freedom of humanity
October 17, 2021 : An interdependent world cannot be an inequitable world
October 03, 2021 : Strength comes from an indomitable Will
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 : Ethnocracy and concentration of power can derail even an affluent nation
SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 : Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 : Culture of entitlement comes with unreasonable expectations and insecurities
SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 : Literacy is a vital skill that enhances dignity, improves health outcomes, empowers people to access their rights and bolsters opportunities
AUGUST 29, 2021 : A parliamentary system of government rests on a functioning opposition as ‘no democracy can do without it’.
AUGUST 22, 2021 : Development must lead to dismantle all kinds of human unfreedom
AUGUST 15, 2021 : Sport is a reflection of larger social phenomena
AUGUST 8, 2021 : Every social stratum has its own Common Sense and its own good sense
AUGUST 1, 2021 : Capitalism without competition is not Capitalism. It is Exploitation.
JULY 25, 2021 : We don’t have to sacrifice a Strong Economy for a Healthy Environment
JULY 18,2021 : We Need not a social conscience, but a social consciousness.
JULY 11, 2021 : The cure for evils of democracy is more democracy.
JULY 04, 2021 : No Constitution by itself achieves perfect justice
JUNE 27, 2021 : Our world has achieved brilliance without conscience.
JUNE 20, 2021 : Our common humanity demands that we make the impossible possible.
JUNE 13, 2021 : Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
JUNE 06, 2021 : The political problem of mankind is to combine three things: economic efficiency, social justice and individual liberty.
MAY 30, 2021 : Economics without ethics is a caricature & ethics without economics is a fairy tale.
MAY 23 , 2021 : Indecisiveness is the rival of Progression
MAY 16 , 2021 : Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.
May 09, 2021 : The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth
May 02, 2021 : The truth of character is expressed through choice of act ions
April 25, 2021 : It is not our differences that divide us; It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.
April 18, 2021 : Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
April 11, 2021 : Solutions emerge if situations are not forced
April 04, 2021 : Morality is subservient to materialistic values in present times
March 28, 2021 : Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible
March 21, 2021 : Our major social problems are not the cause of our decadence but are a reflection of it
March 14, 2021 : The Future of Multilateralism : Towards a responsible Globalization
March 07, 2021 : Subtlety may deceive you; Integrity never will
February 28, 2021 :Technology as the silent factor in international relations
February 21, 2021 :Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
February 14, 2021:There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless
February 07, 2021: Culture is what we are civilization is what we have
January 31, 2021: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
January 24, 2021: Ships do not sink because of water around them , ships sink because of water that gets into them
January 17, 2021: Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
January 10, 2021: Life is long journey between human being and being humane
January 03, 2021: The Covid pandemic has revealed the urgent need for effective governance everywhere”
December 27, 2020: Challenges of 21st Century – insurmountable?
December 20, 2020: Too much Democracy is Detrimental to Development
December 13, 2020: Happiness is not an ideal of reason, but of imagination.

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2020

December 06, 2020 : As you Start to walk on the way, the Way appears
November 29, 2020: Need of the Hour is to Maximise Possibilities of Agriculture in India
November 22, 2020: The survival of democracy depends on its ability to lower social uncertainty
November 15, 2020: There is no greatness where there is no simplicity
November 08, 2020: Inequality can be Reduced by the Power of the Market rather than the Government
November 01, 2020: Civil liberties are fundamental to the functioning of modern democracies
October 25, 2020: Artificial Intelligence is Not All Evil – It can Promote Social Good Too
October 18, 2020: Wherever law ends, tyranny begins
October 11, 2020:Hyper-globalism is threat to human prosperity
September 27, 2020: Our World is in a Surplus of Multilateral Challenges and a Deficit of Solutions
September 20, 2020: In India Agriculture and the Farmer are both the Victims of Narrow Political Vision
September 13, 2020: India Needs Aggressive and Pragmatic Neighbourhood Policy
September 6, 2020: “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude .
August 30, 2020: The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal
August 23, 2020: Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.
August 16, 2020: Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.
August 09, 2020: Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value
August 02, 2020: New Education Policy 2020: A Progressive Policy with Diverse Challenges
July 26, 2020: In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility
July 19, 2020: Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance
July 12, 2020: The human spirit must prevail over technology
July 05, 2020: When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
June 28, 2020: Today India Needs ‘Harmony in Diversity’, Not Unity in Diversity.
June 21, 2020: A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
June 14, 2020: Post Independence, the Issue of Land is at the Core of India’s Non-Achievement of Its Development Aspirations
June 7, 2020: Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste
May 31, 2020: Despite Challenges, To be a Healthy and Successful Nation, India must Ensure Universal Health Coverage
May 24, 2020: Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.
May 17, 2020:The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little
May 10, 2020: Urban Exclusion of Migrant Workers in India is a Reality and Needs Urgent Robust Policy Measures
May 03, 2020: Uncertainty should ignite creativity, not depravity
April 26, 2020: The fool doth think he is wise but the wise man knows himself to be a fool
April 19, 2020: Social Harmony, not Social Distancing, is the final solution to all our problems
April 12, 2020: It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities
April 05, 2020: Education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking
March 29, 2020: “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them”
March 22, 2020: In order to understand the world one has to turn away from it on occasion
March 15, 2020: Pandemics such as COVID-19, though Catastrophic, are in the end Meant to Reset Humanity and its Priorities
March 08, 2020: Those who have wisdom have all: Fools with all have nothing
March 01, 2020: Indifferentism is the worst kind of disease that can affect people.
[VIDEO] Perspectives on Essay Topic of Feb 23
February 23, 2020: To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.
February 16, 2020 : When civil services does its job, people will not need social service
February 09, 2020 : The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
February 02, 2020: Ability will get you success, Character will keep you successful.
January 26, 2020: Media’s duty is to inform public, not manufacture opinion.
January 19, 2020: Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes
January 12, 2020 : Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition
J anuary 5, 2020 : All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal
December 29, 2019 : There cannot be daily democracy without daily citizenship
December 22, 2019: War is the ultimate Price we pay for lasting Peace
December 15, 2019 : Inclusivity and Plurality are the hallmarks of a peaceful society
December 08, 2019: Justice Loses Character if it becomes Revenge
December 01. 2019: Economic Growth and Development are Shaped by the Societies in which they Operate
November 24, 2019: Social Media is the Fourth Pillar of Democracy
November 17, 2019: Media is No More a Fourth Pillar of Democracy
November 10, 2019: Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling
November 03, 2019:Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy
October 27, 2019: Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness
October 20, 2019: South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities
October 13, 2019: Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success
October 06, 2019: Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society
September 29, 2019: Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
September 22, 2019: Wisdom finds truth

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2019

September 15, 2019: Kashmir Problem – Historical Injustice or Misguided Geopolitics?
September 08, 2019: India’s Space Ambitions – Are they Welfarist?
September 01, 2019: India – $5 Trillion Economy: Dream or Reality?
August 25, 2019 Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.
August 18, 2019 The mind is everything. What you think you become.
August 11, 2019: Virtue is Knowledge
August 04, 2019: Inclusive governance begets Inclusive growth
July 28, 2019: India’s headache: Unemployment or Underemployment?
July 21, 2019: The road to science and spirituality are opposite, but we should tread both
July 14, 2019: India is a leading power, rather than just a balancing power
July 07, 2019: Should the world embrace democratic socialism or progressive capitalism?
June 30, 2019: Impact of Digital Revolution on Human Wellbeing
June 23, 20 19: Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty
June 16, 2019: The definition of happiness is the full use of your powers, along the lines of excellence.
June 09, 2019: Not Corruption, Communalism is the Greatest Threat India is facing Today
May 19, 2019: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
May 12, 2019: Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake
May 05, 2019: Happiness equals reality minus expectations
April 28, 2019: Political correctness is tyranny with manners
April 21, 2019: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
April 07, 2019: Dogma is the sacrifice of wisdom to consistency
March 31, 2019: The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
March 24, 2019: Terrorism has No Religion
March 17, 2019: Money and Religion – Great Unifiers of Humankind?
March 10, 2019: Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay
March 03, 2019: Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower
February 24,2019: Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens
February 17, 2019: Problems worthy of attack prove their worth by fighting back
February 10, 2019: Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
February 03, 2019: You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality
January 27, 2019: Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
January 20, 2019: All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
January 12, 2019: All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.
January 06, 2019: National security is Irreversibly linked to good economic growth

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2018

December 28, 2018: To plan for smart development, governments and business must recognize nature’s role in supporting economic activity
December 23, 2018: Government Surveillance – Good or Bad?
December 16, 2018: Trade Wars – Economic or Geopolitical?
December 02, 2018: Immigration is Not a Threat, but Fundamentally it’s an Economic Issue
November 25, 2018: A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
November 18, 2018: “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
November 11, 2018: A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
November 04, 2018: Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task
October 28, 2018: Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
October 21, 2018: Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
October 14, 2018: Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it
October 07, 2018: Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
September 30, 2018: Commercialization of Space : Importance and the need for regulation
September 23, 2018: E-commerce as a new form of trade and its challenges to India.
September 16, 2018: Ability is nothing without opportunity
September 09, 2018: Death Penalty eliminates Criminals, not Crime.
September 02, 2018: Dissent is the foundation of democracy.
August 26, 2018: Mars Mission and Mob lynchings are two obverse faces of India
August 19, 2018: Strengthening Land Rights Strengthens Development
August 12, 2018: Age of Big Data: Data is the New Oil, History is its oldest bank
August 05, 2018: Strong Institutions and fair procedures, not personalities constitute the fundamentals of good governance
July 29, 2018: Social reform is a myth if places of worship are open only to all castes and not to all genders.
July 22, 2018: Section 377, not the carnal acts banned under it is ‘against the order of nature ‘
July 15, 2018: Schooling Is Not Education
July 08, 2018: Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to reveal a social disaster.
July 01, 2018: Normal human activity is worse for nature than the greatest nuclear accident in history
June 24, 2018: Gender Sensitive Indian Society is Prerequisite for Women and Child Empowerment
June 17, 2018: Where Should India Invest More – Human Capital or Human Development?
June 10, 2018: Has Democracy Taken Backseat Due to the Rise of Populists and Demagogues?
June 03, 2018: We won’t have a society ,if we destroy the environment
May 27, 2018: Can Development and Environment Protection Go Together?
May 20, 2018: Governor is the Choke Point of Federal Circuit of India
May 13, 2018: Anonymity is the Best and the Worst Feature of Urbanism
May 06, 2018: A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes
April 29, 2018: Guaranteeing Right to Vote may Establish a Democracy, But Ensuring it’s Right Use Only Will Bring a True Democracy
April 22, 2018: Stereotyping is an Ideological Force Which Hinders and Endangers Consolidation of India
April 15, 2018: Can Education and legislation Address Violence Against Women and Children in India?
April 8, 2018: Banking Crisis in India – Failure of Governance and Regulation?
April 1, 2018: Privacy is the fountainhead of all other rights
March 25, 2018: Impact of Technology on Human Relations and Human Productivity
March 18, 2018: India’s Focus should be on Ease of Living, not on Easy of Doing Business
March 11, 2018: A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody
March 04, 2018: Capitalism can not Bring Inclusive Growth
February 25, 2018: The unprecedented advance of technologies facilitate individual empowerment but at the cost of Institutions and Democratic societies
February 18, 2018: Threats being Faced by Liberal Democratic Systems are both Dangerous and Permanent
February 11, 2018: For India, Stigmatised Capitalism is Better than Crony Socialism
February 04, 2018: Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.
January 28, 2018: Politics of Identity is the Politics of the Weak
January 21, 2018: Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime
January 14, 2018: Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding
January 07, 2018: The Root Cause of Agrarian Distress in India – Failure of Policies or Failure of Governance?

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2017

December 31, 2017: Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India
December 24, 2017: Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth
December 17, 2017: Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
December 10, 2017: Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India
December 03, 2017: Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms
November 19, 2017: Has the Non- Alignment Movement(NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world
November 12, 2017: Social media is inherently a selfish medium.
November 04, 2017: We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws
October 29, 2017: Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
October 22, 2017: Harith Diwali, Swasth Diwali : What measures are needed to deal with Festivity and Air Pollution?
October 15, 2017: Biggest Threat to Humanity – Moral Crisis or Climate Change?
October 08, 2017: The monsoon is a defining aspect of India’s nationhood
October 01, 2017: India’s Infrastructure Story – Why is India not able to Build like China?
September 24, 2017: Impact of Digital Technologies on Globalisation
September 17, 2017: Urbanisation and Solid Waste Management in India – Challenges and Opportunities
September 10,2017: Gender Equality and Peace: Are They Connected?
September 03, 2017: Recent Natural Disasters – What do they Reveal about Humanity?
August 27, 2017: Godmen – A Threat to Indian Society and Culture
August 20, 2017: Corruption in India: Neither Systemic Reforms nor Surgical Strikes would End it
August 13,2017: Interrelationship between Gender Equality and Sustainable Development
August 06, 2017: Utility and relevance of Parliament in our polity
July 30, 2017: Caste System – Source of India’s Eternal Inequality?
July 23, 2017: Indian Democracy, Media and Public Opinion – Does Public Opinion Matter in Policymaking?
July 16, 2017: Poverty and Environment – Their Interrelationship is the Key to Sustainable World
July 09, 2017: Soft Power is India’s Strength, not its Weakness
July 02, 2017: Technology and Jobs – Is Technology a Curse?
June 25, 2017: Democracy’s Relevance in the Face of New Global Threats
June 18, 2017: Federalism in India – Competitive or Cooperative?
June 11, 2017: Peace, Environment and Development: Are these Interrelated?
June 04, 2017: Role of Technology in Development – Is Technology Helping or Hindering Development?
May 28, 2017: Poverty is a State of Mind
May 21, 2017: Does India Need Superpower Status?
May 14, 2017: India’s Achilles Heel – Lack of Ambition or Lack of Leadership in Achieving Greatness?
May 07, 2017: Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.
April 29, 2017: The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation
April 23, 2017: To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom
April 16, 2017: One-Party-Dominant System – Is it Good for India?
April 09, 2017: Should Youth in India Consider Politics as Career?
April 02, 2017: Can World Save Succeeding Generations from the Scourge of War?
March 26, 2017: Low, stagnating female labour-force participation in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms?
March 19, 2017: When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw
March 12, 2017: The marks humans leave are too often scars
March 05, 2017: Environmental Challenges and Geopolitics: How to save our Environment?
February 27, 2017: Radical Solutions are Needed to Address Today’s Radical Problems
February 19, 2017: India’s Importance in the Post-truth World
February 12, 2017: The Role of Politics in Development
February 05, 2017: Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored
January 29, 2017: Building Walls and Banning Refugees – Does this Help Humanity?
January 22, 2017: Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality
January 15, 2017: Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run
January 08, 2017: Water disputes between states in federal India
January 01, 2017: Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed

WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2016

(December 25, 2016) – Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality
(December 18, 2016) – Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare
(December 11, 2016) – Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms
(December 04, 2016) – If development is not engendered, it is endangered
(November 27, 2016) – Social media is better at breaking things than at making things
(November 20, 2016) – Deglobalization is good for the world
(November 12, 2016) – Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others
(November 06, 2016) – It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence
(October 30, 2016) – Reducing Poverty while also Conserving Nature is an Impossible Task
(October 23, 2016) – Poverty can be eliminated by putting science at the heart of development
(October 16, 2016) – People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people
(October 09, 2016) – Better Access is Key to Inclusive Cities
(October 02, 2016) – The weaker sections of Indian society – Are their Rights and Access to Justice Getting Better?
(September 25, 2016) – Imagination is more important than intelligence
(September 18, 2016) – Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life
(September 11, 2016) – Not what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance
(September 04, 2016) – It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it
(August 28, 2016) – If one can Address Moral Crisis, many of World’s Problems can be Solved
(August 21, 2016) – Overdependence on Technology will Advance Human Development
(August 14, 2016) – Geography may remain the same ; history need not
(August 07, 2016) – Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom
(July 31, 2016) – To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all
(July 24, 2016) – True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing
(July 17, 2016) – We Can Not Fight Terrorism – We have to Live With it
(July 10, 2016) – A house divided against itself cannot stand
(July 02, 2016) – When the going gets tough, the tough get going
(June 26, 2016) – India a Reluctant Participant in the New Global Order?
(June 19, 2016) – Inclusiveness in India – Still a Dream?
(June 12, 2016) – No one can make you feel inferior without your consent
(June 05, 2016) – Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted
(May 29, 2016) – It is hard to free fools from the chains they revere
(May 22, 2016) – Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress
(May 15, 2016) – Fire is a good servant but a bad master
(May 08, 2016) – The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
(May 01, 2016) – Labour Reforms in India and its Role in Economic Development
(April 24, 2016) – It takes a whole village to raise a child
(April 17, 2016) – Trust take years to Build, Seconds to Break
(April 10, 2016) – Cleanliness is next to Godliness
(April 03, 2016) – Honesty is the Best Policy
(March 27, 2016) – Before criticizing a man, walk a mile in his shoes
(March 20, 2016) – Caste System – India’s Enduring Curse
(March 13, 2016) – Fortune favors the bold
(March 06, 2016) – Quick but steady wins the race
(February 28, 2016) – Dreams which should not let India sleep
(February 21, 2016) – Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole
(February 14, 2016) – Technology cannot replace manpower
(February 7, 2016) – Character of an institution is reflected in its leader
(January 31, 2016) – Can Capitalism bring Inclusive Growth?
(January 24, 2016) – Crisis Faced in India – Moral or Economic?
(January 17, 2016) – Too many cooks spoil the broth
(January 10, 2016) – The Best Things in Life are Free
(January 3, 2016) – Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

WEEKLY ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES – 2015

27 December 2015
20 December 2015
13 December 2015
06 December 2015
28 November 2015
21 November 2015
15 November 2015
08 November 2015
01 November 2015
25 October 2015
18 October 2015
11 October 2015
04 October 2015
27 September 2015
20 September 2015
13 September 2015
06 September 2015
31 August 2015
30 August 2015
23 August 2015
16 August 2015
09 August 2015
01 August 2015
26 July 2015
19 July 2015
12 July 2015
05 July 2015
28 June 2015
21 June 2015
14 June 2015
07 June 2015
31 May 2015
24 May 2015
17 May 2015
10 May 2015
03 May 2015
26 April 2015
19 April 2015
12 April 2015
05 April 2015
29 March 2015
22 March 2015
15 March 2015
01 March 2015
22 February 2015
15 February 2015
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25 January 2015
18 January 2015
11 January 2015
04 January 2015

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Essay Writing for UPSC - Weekly Essay Writing Programme

by Vajiram & Ravi

Essay Writing for UPSC: Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach. The UPSC essay paper is not just limited to assessing a candidate's creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, express their ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. This article discusses the do’s and don'ts that need to be remembered while writing your Essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

Check: UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

Essay Writing for UPSC

The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and compose an essay spanning 1,000 to 1,200 words within the allocated three-hour duration. UPSC provides the following guidelines in its Notification on the Essay Paper:

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 exact expression.

Essay Writing for UPSC - What is Expected?

When preparing for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper, there are a few basic points that you should remember. The paper tests the diversity of your content and not its creativity .

When writing your Essay Paper for the UPSC Mains Exam, your focus should be on the following points-

Diversity of the content: Incorporating diverse content in the essay paper not only enriches the content but also showcases your depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to present a comprehensive perspective on complex topics.
Focus on the topic: Centre your essay around the core theme of the chosen topic. By maintaining a clear focus on the topic and consistently reinforcing its relevance, your essay becomes a well-structured and compelling piece that effectively communicates your ideas to the examiner.
Clarity, Depth, and Language: Language plays a crucial role in conveying your ideas effectively. Use precise and simple language to articulate your points and maintain a formal and coherent tone throughout the essay. Focusing on clarity of thought ensures that your ideas are easily understood by the examiner, and providing an in-depth analysis supported by relevant examples, data, and arguments, helps showcase your ability to engage with the topic critically.
Providing Evidence: While stating a Quote, there should be evidence to support your thought. This helps you to avoid the superficial treatment of the subject and delve into its complexities, showcasing your ability to engage with the topic critically.

How to Write Essay for UPSC Mains?

Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach.

Choose the Right Topic

Read the given UPSC essay topics carefully and choose the one that resonates with your strengths and interests. Pick a topic that allows you to showcase your knowledge and understanding effectively.

Brainstorm Ideas

Spend some time brainstorming ideas related to the chosen topic. Jot down key points, arguments, examples, and relevant data that you could use to support your essay.

Create a Structure

A well-structured essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction should introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of your stance. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point, argument, or example. The conclusion should summarise your main points and reiterate your thesis.

Format for UPSC Essay Writing

The UPSC essay format requires a thoughtful approach to convey your ideas effectively. There are three stages or steps in any essay - Introduction, Body paragraphs, and Conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph of an Essay

Craft a strong introduction paragraph that outlines your main argument or perspective. This paragraph should be concise and provide a roadmap for your essay. You can begin your essay with a quote, and the last line of the introduction paragraph should end with reinforcing the main topic.

For example: Topic: The Health of the Nation is more important than the Wealth of Nation

Start your essay with a quote-

“P ublic Health depends upon winning over Hearts and Minds. It's not enough to just have a good policy; you have to convince people to actually follow it .”

In a country's journey forward, we often talk about how having a lot of money is crucial. But there's another side to this story, which says that the good health of the people in a country is even more vital. If there is something that COVID-19 has taught us, it is how no economy with ample amounts of money can guarantee the health of its nation and how the health of its citizens eventually affects the wealth of the country. This idea highlights how the health of the nation is more important than the wealth of the nation.

Writing in Paragraphs

Writing in paragraphs is important in an essay because it enhances readability and organisation. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea, argument, or point, making it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of your thoughts . Paragraphs create visual breaks, helping to structure your essay into manageable sections. The following points have to be kept in mind while framing your Essay Paragraphs:

Address Counter-arguments:

Acknowledge potential counter-arguments and address them in your essay. This shows that you have considered multiple perspectives and strengthened your argument.

Use Examples:

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Examples make your essay more relatable and persuasive.

Gather Evidence:

Collect relevant current affairs facts, statistics, historical examples, and real-life incidents to support your arguments. Ensure that your evidence is accurate and well-researched.

Logical Flow:

Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs and ideas. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, creating a coherent narrative.

Use of simple Language:

Write in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Avoid using overly complex language that might obscure your message. Focus on communicating your ideas effectively.

Avoid Repetition:

Be mindful of repeating the same points or ideas. Each paragraph should contribute something new to the discussion.

Conclusion of the Essay

The conclusion serves the purpose of providing a seamless ending to the essay. It's worth noting that a strong ending holds the same level of significance as a compelling beginning. Both aspects contribute to achieving higher scores.

To effectively conclude an essay, you can utilise various elements, including facts, statistics, reasons, examples, quotes, opinions, experiences, and sensory details . The essay's conclusion can take on several forms: it might involve briefly reiterating the main points, suggesting potential future steps or actions, or injecting an engaging personal comment or relevant anecdote.

An alternative approach to concluding an essay involves revisiting the topic introduced in the introduction. This is known as a 'cyclic return,' and it's a straightforward method employed in many essays to bring the discussion full circle.

Ultimately, a conclusion should carry a positive perspective, seeking out the silver lining amidst challenges. It should also strive for clarity and brevity, ensuring the ideas are expressed concisely.

Proofread and Revise the Essay

Once you've finished writing, take some time to proofread and revise your essay. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression.

Vajiram & Ravi Essay Module

Our Essay Course,by Mr. Brijendra, offers a comprehensive platform to master essay writing, guiding aspirants through the demanding path of UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation.

Course Objectives:

Enhance Competency: Develop proficiency across diverse and essential themes.
Strengthen Understanding: Utilize provided handouts containing all pertinent information essential for crafting quality essays.
Refine Writing Proficiency: Improve language, grammar, and flow through two specialized classes.
Evaluate Proficiency: Assess skills with a thorough test series.

This meticulously designed Essay Course assists students in structuring their essay preparation and cultivating a crucial set of skills to enhance their chances of securing high scores. Clear, concise, and well-structured essays are indispensable for aspiring civil servants, and mastery of essential elements of essay writing is paramount.

Through this course, students will:

Organize and articulate ideas clearly.
Analyze primary sources with critical insight.
Apply critical thinking to evaluate information.

Course Features:

Comprehensive Classes: 11 sessions covering various themes used for framing essay topics.
Well-Curated Handouts: Concise handouts on each theme providing exam-ready content.
Special Emphasis: Focus on philosophical and quote-based essays.
Mini-Assignments: In-class assignments to master the nuances of essay writing.
Simulated Writing Practice: 6 tests (2 half-length and 4 full-length) for exam-like practice.
Detailed Evaluation: Objective evaluation of essay scripts with exhaustive feedback.
Guidance and Support: Post-test guidance for individual doubt clarification.

This comprehensive essay writing course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the essay component of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Join us to enhance your essay writing skills and significantly boost your chances of success in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

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How to Write an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for UPSC Success

Unlock success in UPSC exams with our comprehensive guide on how to write an essay. Learn effective strategies, structure, and language for top scores. Master the art of impactful essay writing now!

Essay Writing for Top Scores: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Write an Essay

The Union Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Exams every year which comprises three stages i.e Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. The UPSC Mains exam consists of multiple papers, with the first paper being the Essay paper. In this article, we will see how to write an essay so that candidates can fetch good marks in this UPSC essay paper. Before proceeding further let us look at the structure of UPSC exam structure.

UPSC Essay Writing for Top Scores: Learn How to Write an Essay in CSE Exam

If we analyze the past year’s trends of selected aspirants there is a pattern deciphered which indicates that almost all selected candidates get the highest marks in essay papers out of all papers of UPSC mains. Marks obtained in essay papers play an important role in overall marks in the UPSC CSE exam so it has become very important to know how to write an essay. Although essay papers should have good content, proper structure, and coherency, using quotes or statements but a proper structure is needed for putting all elements of the essay aligned to make an impactful essay.

UPSC Essay Paper Vs. GS Papers: The Art for Exam Success

Candidates who are thinking that the Essay and answer to GS question carry similar sense and content could be used exchangeably, then they should know what distinguishes the Essay paper from the other GS papers that marks in GS papers are explicitly for that type of related content, but Essay paper is kept just not to see the content but the language, coherence and the way arguments are lined up to explain one’s viewpoint.
The ideas cannot be put up here randomly but have to be arranged in an orderly fashion as UPSC demands along with the least spelling or grammatical errors.

Parameters for How to Write An Essay: Structure, Sources, and Language for Top Scores

Upsc’s recommendation on the essay: how to write an essay with precision and impact.

UPSC’s Essay Guidelines -UPSC has stated that “Candidates may be required to know how to write an 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 exact expression”.
Instruction in Essay Writing by UPSC- According to the instructions on essays by UPSC it is clear that Candidates may encounter the task of composing essays on various topics during the examination. It is essential that they adhere closely to the assigned subject , organize their thoughts in a systematic manner, and convey their ideas concisely. The evaluation process will reward candidates for effective and precise expression.
Differentiating the Essay Paper and General Science Paper- Distinguishing essay paper from the General Studies (GS) section, where marks are allocated solely for content, the essay section requires a more comprehensive evaluation. Examiners not only assess the substance of your essay but also scrutinize the language used, the coherence of your arguments, and the overall organization of your writing.
Importance of Structure in Essay- It is very important that candidates provide structure to their essay, ensuring that ideas flow logically and avoiding fundamental errors in spelling or grammar. While content remains significant, the essay section places a premium on language proficiency and the adept organization of your thoughts. Take ample care to present your ideas with clarity and coherence, pa ying attention to the finer details to maximize your essay’s impact.

Essay Writing Enrichment: How to Write an Essay, Leveraging Diverse Sources for Comprehensive Preparation

The majority of the content for the essay paper will be extracted from the General Studies (GS) preparation. However, to enrich the essay candidates can consider the following additional sources:

Engage with Non-Fiction- Reading non-fiction not only enhances knowledge of the candidates but also cultivates and nourishes a mature thought process. Apart from the factual information, non-fiction text give exposure to figures of speech, effective argumentation techniques , powerful rhetoric , and unique content. So, aside from UPSC-related materials, cultivating the habit of reading non-fiction books can significantly contribute to a candidate’s overall preparation.
Reference to specific magazines- It will be very wise to utilize the specific issues of magazines such as Yojana , E PW (Economic and Political Weekly), and the Economic Survey for certain topics. For example, if topics of the essay are somewhere related to tribal, public welfare and sustainable development etc. these magazines can offer valuable insights , including the latest statistics (Infant Mortality Rate , Maternal Mortality Rate , malnutrition levels, etc.) and evaluations of government schemes in those sectors.
Just remember that the objective is not to read one non-fiction book per essay topic but to gradually cultivate a habit of incorporating diverse sources into your preparation. Regularly integrating non-UPSC materials, referencing specific magazines, and collecting compelling anecdotes and quotes will prove beneficial in the long run. A comprehensive list of quotes and anecdotes I gathered is available in the link at the end of this article for your reference.

Language and Expression of an Essay Writing: How to Write an Impactful Essay, Simple Language, Concise Sentences, and Effective Expression

Focus on making sentence simple- It is advised to candidates that the language in their essay should be straightforward and devoid of unnecessary jargon. If it is necessary to incorporate complex terms like ‘Constitutionalism’ or ‘ Sanskritisation,’ put it under a clear definition in the sentence immediately preceding their use. This approach ensures that the examiner comprehends your intended meaning with clarity, as clear writing reflects clear thinking something every reader seeks.
Go for impacting sentences- Choose for concise and impactful sentences, avoiding lengthy and convoluted constructions. A proliferation of clauses through excessive conjunctions results in poor sentence structure, making it challenging for the reader to follow and comprehend the content.
For example below there is a paragraph which can be improved and can be made interesting to the examiner.

Vocabulary: How to Write an Essay with Impactful Words and Phrases

If a candidate thinks that complex vocabulary is the key player in the essay, in actuality it is a contrast. There’s no necessity to commit intricate words to memory to excel in essay writing. However, infrequent incorporation of potent words or compelling phrases can undoubtedly enhance the quality of your composition.
Moreover, there is a belief that mere rote memorization of numerous words doesn’t ensure their lasting retention in your memory. The most effective approach to enriching your vocabulary involves immersing yourself in non-fiction literature and English newspapers.
Expanding your vocabulary is a gradual process, but with sustained effort, anyone can improve their proficiency in employing a diverse range of words.

Subheading and Drafts: How to Write an Impactful Essay with Innovative Subheadings and Drafts

We can be a little innovative in our subheadings. Instead of bland subheadings such as ‘Benefits of Nuclear Energy’ we can use “Nuclear Energy: Promise or Peril? ’ Similarly, for the essay on Social Media, instead of writing ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media’, I wrote “Social Media: A Double Edged Sword”.

Things Should Be Avoided During the Essay Writing: How to Write an Essay with Precision and Balance for Top Scores

There are many small points we do and don’t do in an essay which mess up our essay and despite having good knowledge about the topic, the candidate can’t get marks in the essay that he/she deserves.

Avoid Singular Focus- Refrain from fixating excessively on a single point or dimension, ensuring your essay incorporates a broad, multifaceted approach.
Stay True to the Topic- Despite personal opinions developed during preparation, strictly adhere to the essay prompt. Resist the temptation to deviate from the assigned subject.
Revisit the Question- Incorporate the essay question within your composition to verify its alignment with the topic, preventing unintentional drift in your narrative.
Mind Your Comfort Zone- If abstract philosophical topics are challenging, consider avoiding them. The marks are not significantly affected by the choice of topic, so opt for familiarity over novelty.
Understand Technical Terms- Clarify the meaning of any technical terms in the question before proceeding. Misunderstanding technical terms can lead to lower marks, as experienced in the 2014 examination.
Balancing approach on Issues- When taking a definitive viewpoint on an issue try to avoid extreme or highly unpopular opinions. Try to create a balanced approach, presenting arguments for both sides before asserting your position.
Avoid lengthy and one-sided Arguments- The candidate should avoid indulging in ranting or presenting one-sided arguments. Even with strong personal opinions, candidates should maintain a balanced presentation in line with UPSC essay expectations.
Try to put both Sides- In topics like Capitalism try to put both positive and negative aspects. For instance, while discussing Capital Punishment try to cover arguments for both abolition and retention , concluding the essay on a balanced note.
Allocating Equal Time- Allocate equal time and effort to both essays mentioned in both sections of the paper as they carry equal weight in terms of marks. Try not to spend a disproportionate amount of time on the first essay, ensuring consistency in your approach.

Essay Development: How to Write an Impactful Essay, Time Management, and Topic Approach for Success

Dedicate 80 minutes for each essay.
Spend 60 minutes on writing, aiming for 8-9 pages per essay.
Allocate 20 minutes for thoughtful consideration.
Utilize the first 10 minutes for selecting the topic.
Reserve the last 10 minutes for revision.
Go with the topics with the potential for multiple dimensions, considering the broad scope they offer. While mainstream topics are common choices, venturing into a non-mainstream topic presents both risks and rewards. A slightly lower score is preferable to struggling with a less conventional topic.
After selecting the topic, the second crucial step is brainstorming. This involves listing keywords, phrases, and facts related to the chosen subject.
Develop 5-6 questions about the topic that you aim to answer in your essay.
Establish coherence by linking your ideas to the questions and crafting a cohesive narrative.
Dedicate the next few minutes to recalling relevant quotes, examples, data points, and insights from philosophers or leaders. This enriches the content of your essay and adds depth to your arguments.=

Paragraph Linking: Linking Paragraphs for Cohesive Essays in 3 Effective Steps

Effectively transitioning from one paragraph to the next can be accomplished using three methods:

Linking sentence at the end of the paragraph- Try to conclude a paragraph with a link sentence that previews the upcoming content.
Transition by Questions- If the paragraph is not structured with a link for the next paragraph try to insert a question at the end of a paragraph to naturally guide the examiner’s attention to the next topic.
Signal Shift at the Start- Introduce a word or two at the beginning of a paragraph to indicate a shift in the subtopic.
By incorporating these steps, you can ensure that the transition between paragraphs remains smooth and avoids abrupt shifts in your essay.”

Impactful Introduction of an Essay: Quotes, Overviews, and Historical Insights

Start with the relevant Quote- While writing an essay try to commence with a thought-provoking quote that aligns with the theme of the essay while adding depth to your introduction and put an impressive impact on examiner,
Presenting an overview of content- Try to present a concise thesis outlining the key arguments which candidates are going to explore in the essay this will provide a roadmap for the examiner
Historical Background- Provide a brief historical context related to the issue at hand, offering a foundation for your essay’s exploration.
Definition of Key Terms (Caution Advised)- As a last resort, offer simple definitions of terms from the question, though this is not recommended for essays due to its potential to lack the warmth and human touch needed for a compelling introduction. This approach is more suitable for General Studies (GS) answers.

Tools for Core Content: Approaches for Impactful Essay Writing

The styles that can be used to spin our essay around the given topic, depend on the nature of the topic and go as follows-

Problem & Solution Approach– Historical evolution, concept, benefits, problems, solutions
Stakeholder Approach- Individual, Family, Community, Society, National, Humanity or Global.
Dimensional Approach- Social (Education, Health, Women, Children, and other vulnerable groups), Political, Philosophical, Environmental, Economic, Cultural (Beliefs, Attitude, Values, and Ethics), Linguistic/Local, International, Humanistic Historical, Governance, Administration.
Temporal Approach– Past, Present, and Future
Sectoral Approach- Media, Science & Tech, Business, Sports, Religion, Politics, Administration, etc.
Question Approach- Use of rhetorical questions to build a structure of the essay.
Use of Diagrams is not advisable or must not be encouraged because this is the test of your language, argument building, and writing.

Supporting Your Arguments: Strengthening Arguments Effectively

For instance, when asserting that Capital punishment is a costly form of justice, provide a compelling example, and relevant statistics, or cite the opinion of authoritative bodies like the Law Commission. This might involve demonstrating how individuals subjected to the death penalty are disproportionately from economically disadvantaged communities.
Utilising Essential Elements- Utilizing statistics, real-life examples, expert opinions, and references to constitutional provisions is imperative. These elements not only reinforce your arguments but also lend them an authoritative and well-supported quality.

Conclusion of the Essay Writing: Strategies for Impactful Endings

The conclusion should project a forward-looking and optimistic stance. Summarize the entire essay concisely in 3-4 sentences, followed by articulating your vision for the future.
Incorporate impactful terms drawn from speeches by figures such as PM Modi, such as “Sabka saath sabka vikas,” “Reform-Perform-Transform,” or “Building A New India.” Employing rhetoric, elevated expressions, constitutional ideals, Sanskrit slokas, and quotes can enhance the conclusion’s resonance.
However, if your introduction introduces a fictitious character, it’s advisable to conclude your essay by referencing that character. This approach imparts a sense of completeness to your essay, creating a cohesive narrative.

Tips for Effective Argumentation: Beyond Categories: Tips for Impactful Essay Writing

Choice of topic- Select a subject that allows for a reasoned and well-balanced argument.
Linking and coherent argument- Organize your arguments cohesively for clarity.
Understanding the essence- Carefully discern the essence of the topic to steer clear of potential pitfalls.
Finding Counterarguments- Explore an antithetical perspective; refrain from assuming the inherent correctness of the topic.
Good Presentation- Eliminate unnecessary abbreviations for a polished presentation.
Inserting creativity- Inject creativity into your subheadings; for example, consider “World Peace: Navigating Conflict and Fostering Harmony.”
Eye-catching Introduction- Craft an introductory hook, background, or thesis with a positive tone. Infuse originality into your essay writing, providing a nuanced and balanced opinion.

How to Write an Essay FAQs

What is the most appropriate structure for an essay in upsc, how does the choice of essay topic affect essays in upsc exams, what is the recommended word limit for essays in upsc.

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