upsc cse essay 2020

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ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam MAINS 2020

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ESSAY QUESTION PAPER – UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains – 2020

Life is long journey between human being and being humane
Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
Ships do not sink because of water around them , ships sink because of water that gets into them
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
Technology as the silent factor in international relations

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UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2020: ESSAY Paper

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UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2020: ESSAY Paper

Time Allowed: Three Hours

Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)

The ESSAY must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.

Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each: 125×2=250

Life is long journey between human being and being humane
Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
Technology as the silent factor in international relations.

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[Download] UPSC Mains-2020 Essay Paper, Including Topicwise last 28 YEARS Essay Question Papers (1993-2020) with booklist, strategy!

Upsc mains-2020’s essay paper compared to the past papers..

UPSC Essay Preparation/Strategy/Booklist?

UPSC-CSM20-Essay: Section-A

Upsc-csm20-essay: section-b.

1 India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture

1.1 India Since Independence

1.2 Federalism, Decentralization

1.3 Administration

1.4 Judiciary

1.5 Poverty, Social Justice

1.6 Indian Society, Culture and Values

1.7 Media, TV & Cinema

2 Economy, Development

2.1 Growth vs Development

2.2 Environment vs Development

2.4 Sectors of Economy

3 Education

3.1 Values in Education

3.2 Scheme implementation

3.3 Higher education

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

4.1 Character, Honesty, Ethics

4.2 Knowledge

4.3 Compassion

4.4 Truth and reality

4.5 Youth, Discipline

4.6 Towards excellence

5 Women empowerment

5.1 @National Politics

5.2 @World / Quote type

5.3 Empowerment overall

5.4 Compared to men

6 International issues, Internal Security

6.1 Globalization

6.2 International Org./ Bilateral

6.3 Security

7 Science-Technology

7.1 Science and Religion

7.2 Science and Education

7.3 Computer and internet

7.4 Sci-Tech: others

On Jan-08-2021, UPSC Conducted Civil Services Mains Exam (CSM-2020)’s Essay Paper (Because of the Corona lockdown, the exam cycle is running late).

[Download] UPSC Mains-2020 Essay Paper, Including Topicwise last 28 YEARS Essay Question Papers (1993-2020)

New aspirants need to take care not to get brainwashed by one sided analysis of coaching-classes that “ just because so many philosophical topics are asked so you should blindly take philosophy as an optional subject And automatically you will get a ticket to IAS selection! ” – As per the latest annual report of UPSC uploaded on their website, the number of UPSC selection from Philosophy was 53 candidates among 1056 candidates selected in 2017 i.e. 7% (btw, It seems UPSC uploads the annual reports with a lot of delay so as to avoid controversies about selections)

What to do for Essay Preparation/Strategy/Booklist?

In the market there are lot of readymade books available for the essay. However, as far as the Civil Service exam is concerned they’re not very useful.
you have to manually gather the content and cultivate the skill for essay writing. Common resources include:
Last 3 years Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines: They are available in English, Hindi and other Vernacular languages. They can be downloaded for free from their official website: http://yojana.gov.in/Recent_archive_2018.asp (Tip: Replace the year in URL, when you want to access previous years). There is no need to read each and every article, at least go through the preface / Editor’s Note in the beginning of each PDF.
Last 3-5 years economic surveys available for free at https://indiabudget.gov.in/bspeecha.asp No need to read entire PDFs, just the introductions and conclusions of each chapter.
IGNOU MPS-003 module. Available for free at https://egyankosh.ac.in
NCERT textbooks, especially those related to Sociology, Political Science and World History.
Newspaper Columns: English (TheHindu or IndianExpress), Hindi (JanSatta). In the vernacular language newspapers (e.g. Divya-Bhaskar Gujarati etc)= the quality of the column is not worthy of civil service exam essays.
Ethics (GS Paper 4) related preparation would also come handy here.

2020’s Essay Paper in linear/sequential format

(write any one essay in 1000-1200 words, 125 marks)

1) Life is a long journey between human being and being humane. (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)
2) Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )
3) Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं )
4) Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है )
5) Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता )
6) There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है )
7) Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है)
8) Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी)

Topic wise Essays of last 28 years (1993-2020)

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
Whither Indian democracy? -1995
How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
Need for transparency in public administration -1996
The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
Justice must reach the poor -2005
Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
Judicial activism. -1997
There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
Food security for sustainable national development -2005
Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता ) -2020
Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
The composite culture of India. -1998
The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019
Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
Role of media in good governance -2008
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
BPO boom in India. -2007
Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009
Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
What is real education? -2005
“Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
Life is a long journey between human being and being humane. (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
Wisdom finds truth -2019
A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
Truth is lived, not taught -1996
When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
If youth knew, if age could. -2002
Youth culture today. -1999
Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
Useless life is an early death. -1994
Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
The pursuit of excellence. -2001
Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
If women ruled the world -2005
The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है) -2020
Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012
South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019
Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010
Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
National identity and patriotism -2008
Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
The masks of new imperialism. -2003
As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
The implications of globalization for India. -2000
My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
The global order: political and economic -1993
India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
Good fences make good neighbours -2009
Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
Terrorism and world peace -2005
True religion cannot be misused. -1997
Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
Modern technological education and human values. -2002
Value-based science and education. -1999
The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019
‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
The lure of space. -2004

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