Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti
In recent years, upsc essay topics incorporating elements of psychology have become increasingly relevant. from emotional intelligence to motivation and more — here's how to structure and what to write in essays with psychological dimension..
UPSC Mains is approaching. One of the most popular questions in the aspirants’ minds for the mains preparation is: How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams? We have an answer for you in the form of our this series.
In UPSC Essentials’ special series UPSC Essays Simplified , we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed, Manas Srivastava talks to Ravi Kapoor , our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss ‘The Essay Exercise’ towards the end of the article.
About our Expert: Ravi Kapoor (Ex-IRS) offers free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.
From last 3 weeks, we have started to devote one article to each of the dimensions of essay topics and go into the details of the themes, so that you never run out of content while writing an essay on any topic. In past we have discussed spiritual essays , temporal Essays and ethical essays . Today, let’s talk about essays with psychological dimensions.
In recent years, UPSC essay topics incorporating elements of psychology—such as intelligence, creativity, and emotional well-being—have become increasingly relevant. These topics require an understanding of psychological concepts, their application in everyday life, and their broader societal implications.
Drawing from previous UPSC essay topics, we can anticipate how these themes might be explored in the examination.
1. The Concept of Emotional Intelligence:
“Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Success in Life”
Theme: Emotional intelligence (EI) involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. It is increasingly recognized as critical to personal and professional success.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, particularly in public service. Use examples like Mahatma Gandhi, whose ability to connect emotionally with the masses played a significant role in India’s independence movement.
Analyze the role of EI in conflict resolution, both in personal relationships and in larger social contexts, such as peace negotiations or community mediation.
Reflect on the integration of emotional intelligence into the education system, with initiatives like the introduction of life skills education in Indian schools, which emphasize the development of social and emotional learning.
2. The Power of Creativity:
“Creativity is the Greatest Rebellion in Existence”
Theme: Creativity is often seen as a form of rebellion against conventional thinking, leading to innovation and progress. This theme invites exploration of how creativity drives societal change.
Discuss the role of creativity in innovation and entrepreneurship, using examples like India’s tech industry, where creative problem-solving has led to the emergence of successful startups.
Reflect on the role of creativity in the arts and culture, such as the Indian film industry (Bollywood), which blends traditional narratives with innovative storytelling techniques to reach a global audience.
Analyze the importance of fostering creativity in education, where a balance between rote learning and creative thinking is necessary to prepare students for the challenges of the future.
3. The Psychology of Motivation:
“Success is 99% Perspiration and 1% Inspiration” (UPSC 2017)
Theme: This theme explores the balance between hard work and inspiration in achieving success, emphasizing the psychological aspects of motivation and perseverance.
Discuss the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in achieving personal and professional goals, using examples of Indian sports personalities like P.V. Sindhu, who has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and dedication.
Reflect on how motivation influences productivity in the workplace, drawing on examples from the Indian corporate sector where employee engagement initiatives have been used to boost morale and performance.
Analyze the impact of societal expectations on motivation, particularly in the context of India’s competitive examination culture, where students face immense pressure to succeed, sometimes at the cost of their mental well-being.
4. Intelligence and its Various Forms:
“The True Measure of Intelligence is Not Knowledge but Imagination” (UPSC 2016)
Theme: This theme challenges the conventional understanding of intelligence as merely the ability to acquire knowledge, emphasizing instead the role of imagination and creativity.
Discuss the multiple intelligences theory proposed by Howard Gardner, highlighting how different types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal intelligence, contribute to success in various fields.
Reflect on the role of imagination in scientific discoveries and technological innovations, using examples like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s contributions to India’s space and missile programs, where imaginative thinking played a key role.
Analyze the limitations of standardized testing in measuring intelligence, and discuss the need for a more holistic approach to assessing cognitive abilities in India’s education system.
5. The Role of Mindfulness and Mental Health:
“Mindfulness is the Art of Living in the Present Moment”
Theme: Mindfulness, or the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, is increasingly recognized as vital for mental health and overall well-being.
Discuss the growing importance of mindfulness in managing stress and anxiety, particularly in high-pressure environments like the civil services or corporate sector in India.
Reflect on the integration of mindfulness practices into Indian schools and workplaces, where programs like yoga and meditation are being used to enhance mental well-being and productivity.
Analyze the impact of mindfulness on personal growth and self-awareness, using examples of Indian spiritual leaders like Swami Vivekananda, who emphasized the importance of inner peace and self-realization.
6. The Psychology of Success and Failure: “Failure is the Stepping Stone to Success” (UPSC 2017)
Theme: This theme explores the psychological aspects of dealing with failure and how it can be a catalyst for growth and eventual success.
Discuss the role of resilience in overcoming failure, using examples from Indian entrepreneurs like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who faced numerous setbacks before building Biocon into a global biotech company.
Reflect on the societal attitudes towards failure in India, particularly in the context of education and career choices, and how these attitudes can either motivate or discourage individuals.
Analyze the importance of a growth mindset, where failure is viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a setback, and how this perspective is being promoted in Indian schools and universities.
To effectively address these themes in an essay, it is essential to maintain a well-organized structure:
1. Introduction: Begin by introducing the concept of pop psychology and its relevance in understanding human behavior and societal dynamics. Briefly outline the specific theme or topic of the essay and its importance in the modern world.
2. Main Body:
Psychological Insights: Incorporate key psychological theories and concepts, presented in a way that is accessible to the layperson, to provide depth to the discussion.
Practical Examples: Use relevant Indian examples to illustrate key points, demonstrating how psychological principles are applied in various contexts.
Contemporary Relevance: Connect psychological principles to contemporary issues, showing how they continue to be relevant in addressing the challenges of modern society.
Conclusion: Summarize the key arguments made in the essay, reflecting on the broader implications of pop psychology in shaping individual and collective behaviour. Emphasize the importance of understanding psychological concepts in personal and public life and suggest areas for further exploration or action.
By exploring these themes and content ideas in detail, candidates can craft essays that are not only insightful but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between psychological principles and everyday life. The use of previous UPSC essay topics as a reference enriches the content, making the essay more compelling and relevant for the examination.
|
| |
)
| Smile, ambiguities | |
non-verbal communication, manipulation, body language, empathy, emotional intelligence, mirror neurons, diplomacy, social protocol | ||
| Out of the many ways humans communicate, smile is the most ambiguous – it can mean malice or friendliness. We all learn to smile regardless of how we truly feel. This underscores the ability of humans to fake their true emotions and the persistent necessity of social protocol to do so. |
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
The UPSC articles of Indian Express is now on Telegram. Join our Telegram channel- Indian Express UPSC Hub and stay updated with the latest Updates.
For your answers, queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@ indianexpress.com .
Keeping Vijayanagara Empire alive: What it takes to conserve Hampi Subscriber Only
How a group of doctors are fighting for justice, minus Subscriber Only
ISRO finalises design of skull for humanoid on Gaganyaan mission Subscriber Only
UPSC Key | Unified Lending Interface, Gaganyaan mission Subscriber Only
How the lid was blown off a murder disguised as Subscriber Only
In 9 years, Govt got 1,084 complaints of fake caste Subscriber Only
All you need to know about Milind Soman’s doable fitness Subscriber Only
Ronaldo’s YouTube channel: Another foray into self-celebration Subscriber Only
Lateral entry to Waqf: Need for Modi govt to keep Subscriber Only
Trump or Harris, US-India relations must continue on an upward Subscriber Only
‘India is influencing world affairs… Its role is bigger than Subscriber Only
Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘You Ask We Answer’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
The Union Cabinet has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for Central government employees, guaranteeing 50% of their average salary as pension. The BJP hopes this will pacify angry employees and regain support in upcoming state elections, despite a decline in postal ballot share due to transparency efforts.
Read UPSC Magazine
Call us @ 08069405205
DOWNLOAD ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2022
DOWNLOAD General Studies 2 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2022
DOWNLOAD General Studies 3 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2022
DOWNLOAD General Studies 4 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2022
UPSC MAINS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER – 1 MAINS 2022
GENERAL STUDIES
1. How will you explain the medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Answer in 150 words) 10
2. Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising of Indian soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the Indian rulers? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10
3. Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words) 10
4. Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (Answer in 150 words) 10
5. Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological department. (Answer in 150 words) 10
6. Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan trap’. (Answer in 150 words) 10
7. Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (Answer in 150 words) 10
8. Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships. (Answer in 150 words) 10
9. How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption? (Answer in 150 words) 10
10. Given the diversities among the tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category? (Answer in 150 words) 10
11. The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (Answer in 250 words) 15
12. Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture . (Answer in 250 words) 15
13. Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (Answer in 250 words) 15
14. What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. (Answer in 250 words) 15
15. Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (Answer in 250 words) 15
16. Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (Answer in 250 words) 15
17. Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How? (Answer in 250 words) 15
18. Analyze the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (Answer in 250 words) 15
19. Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words) 15
20. Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Check the recently released flagship course of InsightsIAS – IPM 4.0 , IPM+ & IPM ++ Here
IMAGES
COMMENTS
DOWNLOAD General Studies 4 QUESTION PAPER : UPSC CSE MAINS 2022. ESSAY QUESTION PAPER - UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains - 2022 . Section A. 1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. 2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. 3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
06/07/2022: Question Paper : General Studies - I, General Studies - II, General Studies - III, General Studies - IV Essay Agriculture Paper - I, Agriculture Paper - II, ... Notice_CSM-2022_Eng_24112022.pdf E-Smm-Notice-CSM-22-engl-N-050423.pdf: 24/11/2022, 05/04/2023: Written Result (with name) WR_csm_2022_english-name-061222.pdf:
UPSC conducted the Essay Paper, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2022 on 16-09-2022. The question paper was not as shocking as last year. There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours. Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000 words for each essay (about 10-12 pages).
In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants. 1 India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture. 1.1 India Since Independence. 1.2 Federalism, Decentralization.
If you are preparing for the 2023 examination, you can go through the question paper and check the type of topics that are being asked. Download pdf of UPSC IAS Mains 2022 - Essay Question Paper or View the Images of UPSC IAS Mains 2022 - Essay Question Paper below: Section A. Section B. To access Previous Year Question Paper - Click Here.
The UPSC Mains Essay paper was conducted on Friday, 16th September 2022, in the forenoon session (9 AM to 12 PM). The UPSC Mains 2022 is set to take place on 16, 17, 18, 24 and 25th September 2022.. For other papers in the Mains segment of UPSC, candidates can further check the UPSC Mains 2022 Question Papers page at their own behest.. UPSC Mains Essay Questions 2022 - Download PDF Here
A B à 1000-1200 Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000 —1200 words each 1250=250 1. 2. 3. 4.
EOP for PwD Employees of UPSC; Directory; Museum; Virtual Tour of Museum; Examination . Calendar; Active Examinations; ... Previous Year Question Papers. Search Exam Name . Apply. Year: 2024. ... (For Year - 2021 - 2022) Paper - III Noting and Drafting, Precis Writing (For Year - 2021 - 2022) Combined SO (Gr B) LDCE Year 2019 - 2020 : Paper - I ...
DOWNLOAD UPSC MAINS ESSAY (Compulsory) PAPERS PDF Section-B Section-B (125 marks)- Choose any one Essay Q-1.The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. Q-2.You cannot step twice in the same river. Q-3.A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities. Q-4.Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
UPSC Mains 2022 Essay Paper Synopsis NOTE: This is a mere outline to get you to start thinking about the topic. This is not a synopsis or a model essay. Just brainstorming. Were eager to read your insightful essays! Please post them in the comments. SECTION - A 1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
Below, we have provided the last 10 years UPSC question papers with answers PDF to strategize, revise, and get helpful insights towards your preparation. These papers are essential tools to help you improve your efficiency in clearing the UPSC exam. Show more. Political Science Question Paper-1&2 (2023) Download.
The Essay paper of UPSC mains gives aspiring civil servant candidates with most freedom for creative expression, analysis and displaying understanding of complex topics. The constraints of word limit in the other General ... Services Mains Exam in 2022. Various essays have been provided for reference to students to understand the art
download essay question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 1 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 2 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 3 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022 . upsc mains general studies paper - 4 mains 2022 general studies. paper - 4. section a
Download UPSC Mains 2022 GS Question Paper PDFs. In this section candidates willing to appear for the upcoming exam can check and download UPSC Mains exam question papers PDF 2022. Based on the UPSC Mains question paper, the aspirants can analyze and formulate their strategy to crack the Mains level of the upcoming Civil Services Examination.
Step 1: Go to the official Testbook website or download the Testbook app. Step 2: Sign in or create your account. Step 3: Go to the previous year's papers section. Step 4: Search for the " UPSC Civil Services " exam. Step 5: A list of the previous year's papers will open up.
UPSC 2022 Mains Question Paper PDF for Essay. UPSC Essay paper has two sections: A and B. Each section includes about four questions. Candidates must choose one topic from each section, answering a total of 2 essay questions. The word limit for each question is 1000-1200 words. Each question carries 125 marks, totaling around 250 marks.
Essay Previous Year Papers. This just in: UPSC CSE Notification 2024 Mains Marathon 2024 UPSC IFoS Prelims Result 2024 UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT (Answer Key) Revised Answer Key UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT UPSC Prelims 2024 GS 1 UPSC Calendar 2025 Final Result - Civil Services Examination 2023 UPSC ...
Download UPSC Previous Year Paper PDF for Prelims & Mains Exam. Also check Last 10 Years UPSC CSE Question Paper for Prelims, Subject wise UPSC Mains PYQ's here ... you can download the last 10 years UPSC question papers PDF and understand how they aid aspirants in their journey toward success. ... 2022: GS Paper. CSAT. 2021: GS Paper. CSAT ...
Mains Marathon 2024 UPSC IFoS Prelims Result 2024 UPSC CSE Prelims Result 2024 UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT ... 2022; Sambhav. 2024; 2023; 60 Steps To Prelims; Prelims Refresher Programme 2020; UPSC CSE Results; ... Previous Years Papers. GS Paper-I (Year Wise) GS Paper-I (Subject Wise) CSAT. CSAT Strategy; CSAT MCQs; Previous Years Papers;
IAS Exam Latest Updates. 09 August, 2024 : UPSC Mains Schedule 2024 Out; Exam from September 20. UPSC IAS Prelims Question Paper 2024 is available here to download in PDF format. UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Exam is conducted on June 16, 2024. The UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Exam shift timings are 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
UPSC CSE Mains 2022 Essay Paper Download. Question Asked: write two essays, choosing one topic from each of Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each (125×2 = 250) SECTION-A. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
Common mistakes committed by the candidates in Conventional Papers; Revised Syllabus and Scheme; Representation on Question Papers; Demo Files; Recruitment . ... FF-CSP-22-engl-110322.pdf: 11/03/2022: Question Paper : General Studies Paper I, General Studies Paper II: 05/06/2022: ... 10 Feb 2022. Visitor No:747357896 (Since: 15 Sep 2016) ...
The 2 qualifying papers are the Language papers- English and a compulsory Indian Language. The remaining 7 papers are- General Studies I, II, III, IV, V, Optional Paper I & II, and an Essay. The duration of all these papers is 3 hours each. UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Paper- General Studies
NDLI is a conglomeration of freely available or institutionally contributed or donated or publisher managed contents. Almost all these contents are hosted and accessed from respective sources.
UPSC Mains is approaching. One of the most popular questions in the aspirants' minds for the mains preparation is: How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams? We have an answer for you in the form of our this series. In UPSC Essentials' special series UPSC Essays Simplified, we take you through various steps of writing a good essay.. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria ...
download essay question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 2 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 3 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022. download general studies 4 question paper : upsc cse mains 2022 .