highest marks in upsc mains essay

ADITYA SRIVASTAVA

RANK 1

1099

ANIMESH PRADHAN 

RANK 2

1067

DONURU ANANYA REDDY

RANK 3

1065

P K SIDHARTH RAMKUMAR

RANK 4

1059

RUHANI 

RANK 5

1049

SRISHTI DABAS

RANK 6

1048

ANMOL RATHORE 

RANK 7

1045

ASHISH KUMAR

RANK 8

1045

NAUSHEEN

RANK 9

1045

AISHWARYAM PRAJAPATI

RANK 10

1044

Ishita Kishore

901

193

1094

Garima Lohia

876

187

1063

Uma Harathi N

873

187

1060

Smriti Mishra

882

173

1055

Mayur Hazarika

861

193

1054

Gahana Navya James

861

193

1054

Waseem Ahmad Bhat

871

182

1053

Aniruddh Yadav

856

195

1051

Kanika Goyal

865

180

1045

Rahul Srivastava

863

180

1043

Rank 1

Ishita Kishore

PSIR

313

Rank 10

Avinash Kumar

Philosophy

319

Rank 12

Laghima Tiwari

Anthropology

304

Rank 17

Manan Agarwal

Mathematics

310

Rank 34

Siddharth K Misra

Mathematics

311

Rank 36

Nidhi Pal

Anthropology

325

Rank 40

Gagan Singh Meena 

Mathematics

312

Rank 59

Mehta Keval Nilesh 

Anthropology

305

Rank 74

Komal Aggarwal

Sociology

315

GS Paper-1

128

Abhishek Dawachya

Rank 110

GS Paper-2

135

Vaishali

Rank 14

GS Paper-3

102

Mayur Hazarika

Rank 5

GS Paper -4

141

Garima Lohia

Rank 2

Rank 1

Shruti Sharma

1105

Rank 2

Ankita Agarwal

1050

Rank 3

Gamini Singla

1045

Rank 4

Aishwarya Verma

1039

Rank 5

Utkarsh Dwivedi

1036

Essay 

155

General Studies-I

123

General Studies -II

123

General Studies- III

136

General Studies -IV

095

Optional Paper-I

171

Optional Paper- II

147

Written Total

950

Personality Test

176

Final Total

1126

IAS Topper 2018

Kanishak Kataria

(Marks obtained in Mains + Interview Round = 1121)

IAS Topper 2017

Anudeep Durishetty

(Marks obtained in Mains + Interview Round = 1126)

IAS Topper 2016

Nandini KR

(Marks obtained in Mains + Interview Round = 1120)

IAS Topper 201

Tina Dabi

(Marks obtained in Mains + Interview Round = 1063)

IAS Topper 2014

Ira Singhal

(Marks obtained in Mains + Interview Round = 1082)

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TOPPER’S STRATEGY: LAKSHMI N, Rank 45, Highest Marks in Anthropology – 362!, Insights Offline Student

TOPPER’S STRATEGY

LAKSHMI N, Rank 45 UPSC CSE 2018

Highest Marks in Anthropology – 362!

Insights Offline Student

What is common among all of them is their CONFIDENCE, WILL POWER AND PASSION . A civil servant is one who works selflessly for the welfare of others. There is a constant motivation to achieve something better each day and I believe that I have the same.

I knew I was not here just to crack this exam but to also utilise the platform effectively to do good work and serve to the best of my ability. No matter how hard the pathway is I knew I will make it.

My encounter with civil services

It was sometime in 2014 when I was undergoing my under-graduation in Information Science and Engineering from BMSCE that I learnt about this examination process. Sadly in the southern part of the country the craze for writing civil services doesn’t exist much. So post my graduation in 2015 while few of my friends decided to go to Delhi to obtain coaching I decided to stay back and work in order to support my family. It was a huge task for me to convince my parents that I wanted to take up civil services as they worried about the uncertainty in the journey. Also considering the fact that there is no civil servant from my family they were very reluctant. However seeing my confidence and strong conviction they decided to support me. [It did take a long time: p] 

Working in Software Sector

I have absolutely no regrets for working in the software sector.

Expedia the company that I worked for provided me sufficient personal time to study (considering it was 10- 5 job with exciting opportunities in software development). I worked for 1 year as Associate Software Development Engineer. In July 2016 I resigned my job with a heavy heart considering the fact that prelims was just one month away. I came back home and studied hard. Did current affairs, solved previous year’s papers and I thought I could do it. However I was all alone, doing it all by myself. 

Preliminary Examination was over yet I was not sure if I could make it. When the results were out my number was not in the list and when the marksheet was out I had lost by 2 marks.

 Cracking prelims with Sociology optional

Post my debacle I decided to prepare for my optionals, GS and reserve 3 months exclusively for prelims this time[2017]. This time I joined test series at Shankar Ias Academy, Bengaluru and Insights Ias. Here I made few good friends who were very competitive and this lifted up my spirits. Every test I was striving hard to hit the first rank. Days passed by and I filled my Application with Sociology as my optional. I was very confident to crack the exam this year. Prelims approached and I gave the exam. However post the exam, as per the answer keys provided by various institutions I was at the border line. I felt as though I was walking on a tight rope constantly being distracted and worrying about what I would do if I lost again by a mark or two. I lost 1 month of my precious time before mains in a state of constant fear. However this time my friend gathered my wits and said “ What would you lose if you study for mains? But I can tell you what you would lose if you don’t “.

Acknowledging my foolishness that I was losing out on time. I started preparing for mains  in full swing. When prelims results was out — Yes!!!!!!!!!! My number was in the list. I believed that bad days were gone and the best was to come. I gave my best in Sociology. Harlambos, Anthony Giddens, Ritzer, toppers notes and my combined notes was done. I was doing really well in the test series too. It was here that I learnt how to refine my answers. I worked on them constantly. I had also joined the offline test series at Insights IAS and the post test discussions was very helpful.

However there was a misfortune that was to fall upon me .

This time in the Civil Services Mains examination conducted, UPSC had changed the marking scheme. I was tensed at the examination hall as to how I would manage time. This bombshell pulled my confidence a little down in GS1 but it bounced back in other general studies papers. Post mains I thought I would make it, but to my surprise my number was not there in the list. I was shattered. Cried for hours at Indian Institute of Science campus where I checked my results with my friends. I thought I would do Masters in Computer Science and settle down in United States or Australia like anybody else. 

I spent days pondering what I should do? Is UPSC my thing? Can I crack this? I told myself this time “I am not going to lose any opportunity that comes my way”. This is what I want this is where I will be.

2018 – My Golden Year

I decided this would be my last attempt, do or die I am going to be there. I decided to start everything afresh, a new optional too: D. (Considering I had given my best with Sociology in my last attempt.)

From January till end of March me  and my friend Dr.Rahul were assiduous in completing paper 1 of Anthropology before prelims. He had previously given his mains with medical science as his optional so Anthropology was new to both of us. However we had an intent to utlise time most effectively by banking on our respective strength’s in the subject. We divided portions within paper 1 equally and set a target. We joined test series (one at Delhi and one in Bangalore to get a holistic feedback) to fast track our preparation and to be in the game. I set aside last two months for prelims as I could not afford to take it for granted. This time post prelims even before I checked the answer key from various institutes I knew I was cracking it with a high margin. So from the very next day I started my mains preparation.

I worked very hard this time. Further in order to discipline my study and use time more productively I also joined Insights library at Vijaynagar. I made no friends at my study place. I studied religiously for 9 hours a day without any break in between. Anthropology was completed one month before mains. I now started my General Studies preparation and gave 1 mock test in each of the papers.

I thought I was good to go. As I entered the examination hall I started believing that I was already a civil servant and this was just an exam to check my opinion and flow of thoughts. After every exam, there was something within myself that was telling me you are just an inch away from what I want and I could easily pull it off.

Finally post my Anthropology Paper 2 exam (the last one) I told my friend as I walked out of the exam all “I am getting more than 150 in this paper and I am done “.

I then took a short break and started preparing for INDIAN FOREST SERVICE MAINS . It was all new to me and I had very less time as Civil Service got over on October 7th and I had Forest mains in December 2nd. However I never wanted to lose an opportunity as IFS is a prestigious ALL INDIA SERVICE . So despite being discouraged by many that it was impossible to complete 2 new optionals in a short  period of 1.5 months I took up the challenge. I made notes, watched videos, analyzed the question paper pattern and I was good to go. As Bengaluru did not have a center I traveled with my mother to Chennai to give the exam. Post mains I felt I was cracking this too. 

In two weeks the results were out and I had my first forest service interview on January 30th. It did go well and by the time I was done with my interview Civil Service results were out and I cleared my mains. On February 6th I had made it to the Indian Forest Service with AIR of 50 and being only on from my state- Karnataka.

I was over the moon as it is an amazing service with exciting opportunities. My civil service’s interview was scheduled on February 15th and results were out on April 5th and YES I CRACKED THE CIVIL SERVICES WITH ALL INDIA RANK OF 45.

The next day was my Father’s Birthday and yes our whole family had a birthday blast. The phones kept ringing, relatives and neighbor’s kept coming. It was indeed a double-dhamaka. My dad said I had  given  him the best gift ever.

—Stay away from negativity.

—Be very confident, but not over confident. There is a slight difference between the two i.e. saying I will do it is confidence but I can do it even without studying is over confidence.

—Grab every opportunity that comes your way.

—Never lose hope and be patient.

—Get the right company of friends who will take you along with them in this journey.

— Keep yourself busy the whole year.

— Challenge yourself and keep reminding yourself as to why you are here each day.

 Lastly this is what that kept me going for the last two years:- “ ಗೆಲ್ಲುವುದು ತಡವಾದರೂ ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ . ಆದರೆ ಗೆದ್ದಾಗ , ಆ ಗೆಲುವು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನದ ಅತೀ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗೆಲುವಾಗಿರಬೇಕು . ”

“Doesn’t matter even if your victory is delayed but ensure that the day you encounter your victory it is a milestone in your life”.

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UPSC Essay Paper: Structure, Significance, Toppers and Their Marks

Unlock success in UPSC Mains with expert insights on the UPSC Essay Paper. Learn structure, scoring, and top scorer trends. FAQs answered for mastering this 250-mark exam challenge.

UPSC Essay Paper: Structure

The Union Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Exams every year which comprises three stages i.e Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. The Mains exam consists of multiple papers, with the first paper being the UPSC Essay paper. In this article, we will explore every aspect of the UPSC Essay paper. Before going further let’s see the structure of the UPSC exam .

Marks Distribution of Mains Examination: The 250-Mark Weightage of UPSC Essay Paper

Each Paper of mains exam of UPSC has an equal weightage of 250 marks. So UPSC Essay paper has a weightage of 250 marks, and marks scored in the UPSC Essay paper were considered for evaluation.

Structure of UPSC Essay Paper: Sections, Topics, and Scoring

• The UPSC CSE Essay Paper in Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks.  
• Candidates are given a choice to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours.

Importance of UPSC Essay Paper: Probing Skills, Knowledge, and Ethics for Administration

The UPSC essay paper of the UPSC mains examination is a comprehensive tool for evaluating a candidate’s intellectual, analytical, communication, and decision-making abilities. It extended beyond the factual knowledge, emphasizing the qualities necessary for effective and ethical administration. Let us see the importance of essay paper in UPSC Mains:

• Articulation of Ideas- The UPSC Essay paper assesses a candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts and ideas coherently. It tests the candidate’s proficiency in expressing complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Analytical Skills- The UPSC essay paper evaluates analytical and critical thinking skills. Candidates are expected to analyze a given topic from various angles and present a balanced view.
• Integration of Knowledge- It requires candidates to integrate knowledge acquired from various subjects. This reflects the interdisciplinary approach necessary for administrative services.
• Current Affairs Awareness- The UPSC Essay topics often cover contemporary issues. This ensures that candidates are not only aware of current affairs but also capable of providing insightful perspectives on them.
• Language Proficiency- It assesses the candidate’s command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and overall language proficiency.
• Time Management- Writing two essays in a span of three hours challenges a candidate’s time management skills. It assesses their ability to prioritize and allocate time effectively.
• Personality Assessment- The UPSC essay paper provides insight into a candidate’s personality, thought process, and values. It helps the UPSC to evaluate whether the candidate possesses the qualities required for a career in public service.
• Communication Skills- Effective communication is a crucial aspect of administrative roles. The UPSC Essay paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Decision-Making Abilities- The UPSC Essay topics often require candidates to take a stance or make a decision. This helps in assessing their decision-making abilities and the rationale behind their choices.
• Ethical Dimension- Essay topics may also touch upon ethical dilemmas. This allows the UPSC to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of ethical principles and their ability to apply them in real-life situations.

Key Areas Evaluated in UPSC Essay Paper: Skills, Knowledge, and Effective Communication

Candidates should keep in mind that the UPSC Essay paper is an opportunity to showcase not only their knowledge but also their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Practicing diverse topics and refining writing skills are essential for success in this component of the UPSC examination.

• This involves demonstrating knowledge, facts, and insights about the subject matter. 
• The ability to incorporate relevant data, examples, and references is essential.
• Ideas should be presented in a coherent manner, with a well-defined introduction, body, and conclusion. 
• Logical sequencing of thoughts is crucial for effective communication.
• This involves evaluating different perspectives, weighing pros and cons, and presenting a balanced view. 
• Analytical skills are essential for addressing complex issues and offering nuanced solutions.
• Language Proficiency: The command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, is a vital aspect of the evaluation. 
• Merely reproducing information from study materials is not sufficient. 
• Candidates are encouraged to present their own ideas, viewpoints, and conclusions.
• The essay should directly address the key issues raised in the question.
• Transitions between paragraphs and ideas should be smooth, ensuring a cohesive narrative throughout the essay.
• Conclusion and Summation- The essay should conclude with a strong summary of the key points discussed. The conclusion should be insightful and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Significance of UPSC Essay Paper in Mains: Trends and Analysis

• High Scoring Potential- If we go through the marksheet of toppers and selected candidates in general we can see that candidate gets highest marks in essay out of other nine subjects in UPSC mains.
• No barrier in content- There are no content barriers in the essay paper. It stands unique among the exam components as candidates enjoy the freedom to explore and elaborate on the topic without being constrained by specific question conditions.
• Gives a boost for other papers- Essay paper of UPSC mains is scheduled on the first day of UPSC mains exam schedule so writing a good essay can give a confidence boost which will help in rest of the papers.
• Opinion Based Topics- Last few years papers of essay shows the inclination of essay topics towards opinion based topics either focusing on society or philosophy. In a nutshell UPSC puts a general topic in which its test candidate’s intelligence and opinion about the topic.

Top Scorer Trends in UPSC Essay Paper: Marks of Toppers Over the Years

Let us see the marks in essay paper of the toppers over the years

• The UPSC Essay Paper of the UPSC Mains examination is a pivotal component, embodying the essence of the Commission’s assessment philosophy. Beyond its weightage of 250 marks , the UPSC Essay holds the power to illuminate a candidate’s intellectual prowess, analytical acumen, and communication finesse. 
• The structured evaluation criteria, ranging from articulation of ideas to decision-making abilities and ethical considerations, reflect the multifaceted demands of a career in public service. 
• As evidenced by the consistently high scores of toppers in this section, the UPSC Essay Paper not only distinguishes itself as a scoring opportunity but also as a platform for candidates to exhibit their unique perspectives and original thinking. 
• By emphasising the significance of critical analysis, effective communication, and a nuanced understanding of diverse topics, the UPSC essay remains a cornerstone in identifying individuals equipped for the challenges of responsible and ethical administration.

UPSC Essay Paper FAQs

What is the upsc essay paper, is the essay paper in upsc mains qualifying in nature, do toppers always get highest marks in upsc essay paper, what is the word limit for each essay.

UPDATED :     

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Wednesday, june 05, 2019, vikram grewal, rank 51, marks 161 in essay: upsc 2018 topper's copy pdf download.

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UPSC IAS 2023 Marksheet and Topper’s List with Marks

Current Affairs Classes Pre cum Mains 2025, Batch Starts: 11th September 2024 Click Here for more information

Today, UPSC IAS 2023 mark sheets has been released.  Along with that, UPSC has also released the Topper’s marks in all 3 stages. If you have appeared in this exam, you can take a look at your marks, on the official UPSC website. Below are the UPSC Toppers 2023 Marks .

Use this link to go to official page.

UPSC has released the mark sheet for the following 3 categories for CSE exam:

1) CIVIL SERVICES(MAIN) EXAMINATION (FOR CANDIDATES QUALIFIED IN WRITTEN EXAMINATION) click here

2) CIVIL SERVICES(MAIN) EXAMINATION (FOR CANDIDATES NOT QUALIFIED IN WRITTEN EXAMINATION) Click Here

3) CIVIL SERVICES(PRELIM.) EXAMINATION Click here

UPSC Final Result 2023 Toppers List

UPSC has also released the marks of the toppers in a PDF doc. Which can be downloaded from the official UPSC website or the link provided below. We have also provided the marks of the UPSC toppers. In the recently released result of UPSC IAS 2023, ADITYA SRIVASTAVA emerging as the topper. ANIMESH PRADHAN secured the second position, followed by DONURU ANANYA REDDY and P K SIDHARTH RAMKUMAR in the third and fourth spots respectively. UPSC Result 2023 Topper List and Marksheet

Aditya Srivastava, the UPSC 2023 topper, has scored total 1099 Marks, which is around 54% of the total marks. He has also scored good marks in the interview, which helped him to get a good rank. Animesh Pradhan on the 2nd rank has secured 1067 marks.

 Download the UPSC IAS 2023 toppers Marks PDF

Following are the marks of the top candidates.

The marks of the candidates appeared in the exam and the toppers mark sheets are released to maintain transparency in the exam. After checking the marks, candidates will be able to judge, where they may have lagged and in which areas they have performed well.

UPSC IAS Topper’s Mark sheets are released publically every year, also to maintain transparency. It also helps the other candidates in setting their own goals. UPSC Result 2023

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Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains by Expert & IAS Officers

Preparing for UPSC CSE Mains? Here are some important tips to help you write well and ace the essay paper.

T he UPSC CSE’s essay paper is among the nine that aspirants are required to clear. Here, they choose one from four topics and attempt two essays, each with a word count of 1,000-1,200 words. The essay paper is for a total of 250 marks, and each essay carries 125 marks.

T Prateek Rao, credited with securing 147 marks, the highest score in the essay paper so far, tells The Better India , “Most aspirants have an average to above-average hold on their essay writing skills. However, no matter how good you think you are, only repeated practice and regular third-party evaluation will help you get better.”

He also urges aspirants to stay away from self-correction and always refer to a third party for constructive feedback on the essay.

He also says that aspirants must try and make the essay as engaging and relatable as possible. “As far as possible, include anecdotes and real-life incidents in your essay. Making the essay relatable to the examiner is sure to fetch additional marks. Adding such anecdotes acts as a hook to keep the examiner interested in your essay. Make sure your distinctive writing style comes through in your essay.”

To be able to write better, one must read on a variety of topics. He adds, “To be able to write well, one must read. That is the first step in ensuring that your writing keeps getting better.”

Aspirants could pick up Yojana and read the first article in the magazine to get a sense of how governmental essays are written.

Alongside, Anudeep Durishetty, who secured an AIR of 1 in the 2017 examination, has written extensively on how best to write an essay. In his blog, he wrote, “Introduction to an essay is like an opening scene to a movie. It should start strong, give a brief idea of what’s coming ahead, and make your audience want for more. A well-crafted introduction creates that urgency and curiosity in the minds of the readers, captivating them into reading the rest of the write-up. A splendid introduction is, therefore, a prerequisite for a splendid essay.”

He urges aspirants to weave a story while writing the essay, while keeping three pointers in mind:

a. It must generate interest in the reader. b. It must be relevant to the question. c. It must be concise.

Embellishing your essay with statistics and facts is also a great way to grab the attention of the examiner.

On the importance of letting the examiner know your stance, he writes, “A thesis statement is a single sentence near the end of your introduction that presents your stand on the given topic. If your essay is fluid with each argument flowing into the next effortlessly, then there is no need to write a thesis statement. But if you are new to writing essays and want to make things clear upfront, without leaving anything to guesswork, then state it. As you write more essays and become better at flow and structure, focus on subheadings and coherence between paragraphs to make the thesis statement unnecessary.”

Meanwhile, in a Twitter thread, Krishna Tupe, founding member of an online UPSC training portal discusses five frameworks that may be used to expand UPSC essays. He urges aspirants to look at any given topic with the following acronym in mind:

PESTEL- EC Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal, Ethical, Cultural Health, Education and Employment.

While presenting arguments, one must be sure to include various perspectives — women, weaker sections, children, disabled, old aged, and LGBTQ. One must also include a micro and macro view of the topic. Furthermore, aspirants could also look at the topic from a historic point of view, current day scenario, and a futuristic approach as well. This will make the essay well rounded.

5 Frameworks to expand UPSC Essays – {Including Philosophical Essays} (A thread!) — Krishna Tupe (@krishna_tupe) July 10, 2022

How I Secured One of the Highest Marks in UPSC CSE’s Essay Paper: IAS Officer by Vidya Raja How to Write Essay Introductions in UPSC Exam by Anudeep Durishetty

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Essay Writing for Civil Services Examination

• 13 Aug 2018
• 20 min read

Understanding Essay Writing

An essay is a short piece of writing that sheds light on any given topic. M.H. Abrams, the American literary critic, notes that the essay is “Any short composition in prose that undertakes to discuss a matter, express a point of view, or persuade us to accept a thesis on any subject.”

Broadly speaking, there are two types of essays - formal and informal. In the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), we are concerned with the formal essay. The formal essay is relatively impersonal, the author writes it as an authority and such essays tend to be less emotional. Formal essays can also have factual elements in it, like quoted statistics from a government report etc. It is never in the form of a conversation, never uses first-person references and seldom gets intimate with the audience. In short, a formal essay has a certain degree of seriousness attached to it.

Essay writing for CSE

• For the CSE essay paper, two essays have to be written under 3 hours in the 1000-1200 word limit. Each essay carries 125 marks for a total of 250.
• The essay paper is divided into two sections - A and B, each carrying a choice of 4 essays each, and the aspirant has to choose only one essay from each section.
• The instructions in the syllabus are clear in what is being expected from the aspirant. Aspirants are ‘expected to keep their thoughts closely to the subject and arrange their ideas accordingly.It furthur tates that, credit will be given for effective and coherent expression’.
• The underlined keywords are important because after content, these are the exact parameters on which the essay will be evaluated. 

Beginning Essay Writing

Practice makes perfect. For scoring good marks in the essay, one needs practice. But, before we get to the practising part, we should do some basic homework first. We would start by looking at what a well structured essay is, how it can be planned, what elements can be added to make the essay more scoring, and most importantly, how to do it all within the prescribed time limit.

Basic structure of an essay

The most common method of structuring a essay is breaking it up into paragraphs. In this technique, besides the introduction and the conclusion, there will be body-paragraphs. In these body-paragraphs, the aspirant will have to fit in all his content.

• Body-paragraphs can broadly be supportive, critical or narrative. Ideally, one can start any argument in an aptly phrased narrative paragraph which describe the topic in some detail and then move on to a supportive paragraph containing a few positive facts/ideas on the topic. Though critical paragraphs look best when they are placed last, there are no such rules, and for some topics it can be used as the opening paragraph for the topic.
• The most important part of the essay is perhaps the introduction. First impressions are very important, and a well thought out introduction will definitely make a positive impression on the examiner. We will discuss how to write a proper introduction later in this strategy.
• Similarly, the conclusion is where one can score additional marks if done properly. This will also be discussed later.

Keywords of the essay syllabus

• 'closely': Any deviation from the topic will be tolerated only up to a certain point. One must, therefore, as a rule stick as closely as possible to the topic at hand. Any example, quote, anecdote or reference must be on topic or related closely to it.
• 'arrange': The essay must be in an arranged form. The aspirant is supposed to plan ahead and form a structure of the essay before actually writing it down.
• 'orderly': The ideas or arguments put forward in the essay must follow an order. A haphazard essay that does not flow sequentially, must be avoided at all costs.
• 'concise': The essay and the matter discussed therein must be expressed as precisely possible. Clarity of thought and brevity of expression is what is looked for in the CSE essay.
• 'effective': The essay must be written in a language that makes a strong impression. Thus, one needs to be conveying a point with every sentence, every paragraph. Flowery language is best avoided.
• 'coherent': Coherence is required of all forms of writing, including answer writing, but in the CSE essay one must be extra careful to check that all individual sentences in the essay are making sense. Also, paragraphs as a whole must convey a clear and well thought out exposition on the theme of the essay.

Planning to write an essay

A good essay needs planning. There are three steps to it - defining or understanding what the essay is going to be about in very clear terms, brainstroming on the topic and thirdly, devising the outline of the essay.

Central idea of the thesis statement

• All CSE essays have a thesis statement. For example, in CSE 2016, the following essay was asked— ‘Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare’ . Here the central idea is ‘innovation’. The aspirant is supposed to explore those dimensions of innovation that affect ‘economic growth and social welfare’. In doing so, the aspirant should not veer from the central topic of innovation but if possible add a few related ideas which may supplement the overall central idea that not only socio-economic but also other areas like technology and culture are affected by forces of innovation.
• In another essay asked in CSE— ‘Water disputes between States in federal India’ – the central idea is how the water disputes between various Indian states have played out and what are its various dimensions. Constitutional, legal, social and political dimensions, for ex, are a must for addressing this topic. In order to find out the various dimensions of any given topic we should perform a brainstorming exercise.

Brainstorming for essay writing

• Brainstorming for essay is a crucial step. Brainstorming helps you get all the ideas at one place for quick reference. There are no hard and fast rules, but typically one can begin with the given topic and immediately start listing the things that come to mind. One can ideally devote an entire page for this exercise.

Brainstorming guide

• The first requirement for brainstorming is focus. One should be able to focus single-mindedly on the job at hand, which in this case is jotting down as many points as possible regarding the essay topic.
• Boundaries must also be properly defined. If the topic does not absolutely require a particularly complex point or if it does not require following a difficult train of thought, it should be avoided. Keeping the essay as simple as possible without sacrificing the most valid points is what we should be looking for.
• Then we must set a time limit for the brainstorming session. Ideally, for CSE that time limit works out to about 25 minutes per essay. Within that time limit one is supposed to come up with all the necessary points and plans for writing the essay.
• Another important point to be made here is that aspirants should have a fair understanding regarding  the expectations of the CSE examiner from the essay. Every topic will have some basic ideas that the aspirants must necessarily try to explore or address. During brainstorming such a requirement can be searched for.
• In the brainstorming exercise one may also take help of diagrams, flow-charts, mind-maps etc., if needed. Sometimes doing this may clear things up to a great extent or even save precious time.
• Three things that one must exclusively do while brainstorming are — identify causes and factors, define the various issues and make a list of associated ideas. Doing this is key to success in the entire brainstorming exercise.

Adding elements to the essay

• Any good essay will definitely have a multitude of elements and dimensions to it. For CSE essay writing, there are certain basic rules that one can follow while searching for these elements and dimensions.
• The first of such rules would be to follow and uphold Constitutional values at all times . This is very crucial for essay writing in CSE, that the values enshrined in our Constitution reflect in whatever idea, problem or solution we discuss in the essay. At no point should one try and support an idea that is unconstitutional.
• One must also be democratic while addressing issues . The concepts of ‘freedom and equality’ should be the guiding principles while suggesting solutions and while criticising events or issues.
• Generally, one must also avoid taking absolutist/non-compromising positions . In fact, the best way to handle complex problems is to find the middle ground.
• One must also try not to make sweeping generalisations on any given issue. Instead, there should be hints of patience, justice and understanding in addressing or discussing any given topic.
• Lastly, there are two more things that an aspirant need to keep in mind while attempting the CSE essay. (A) Do not question the topic itself, which is to say, in other words, do not contradict yourself. Pick a position (ideally, the middle path) and stay true to it throughout the essay. (B) Never use positively, things that are universally considered or used in a negative sense, and vice-versa. For ex, one must not say that ‘terrorism’ under certain conditions is equivalent to a freedom struggle, even though quotes like ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ are quite common.

Elements in an essay

• The three basic elements — social, political and economic — form the bedrock of a good CSE essay.
• To these, one may add other dimensions like Constitutional, legal, technological, technical etc. 
• Another important element is the persona Good personal experiences or anecdotes can no doubt be used to increase the effectiveness of the essay but these should stay within the accepted framework of ethical conduct.

PESTLE Analysis

• Political – Economic – Sociological – Technological – Legal – Environmental Analysis.
• Use PESTLE Analysis to figure out the various aspects, dimensions, factors etc of any given topic.

Outlining the essay

• Before writing the essay, it is best to outline it. To outline an essay means to figure out what to say in the introduction/conclusion, which idea comes where, or even what quote to use for the essay etc.
• Outlining the essay in rough helps us grasp the entirety of the essay before actually writing it. It helps us get the big picture, and also see what we could be missing.
• It is said that once we can figure out the conclusion to our essay, it becomes much easier to not only begin but finish it with confidence.

Writing An Essay 

Sticking to the time limit

In the CSE, one has to write two essays in 3 hours which translates into 1 hour 30 minutes for each essay. Out of this, around 45 minutes to 1 hour will be required to write one essay. One can add another 10 minutes for the revision of one essay. This leaves us with roughly 30 minutes of time to prepare the essay in rough, and it includes time for carrying out the brainstorming and outlining exercises.

How to introduce the essay

• The goal of the introduction should be to arouse the reader’s interest in the topic and to prepare the reader for what is to follow.
• A good introduction to the essay can be a brief explanation of the essay topic itself. It can be made further interesting by adding to it some personal experience, or some relevant anecdotes or quotes
• The introduction should not be confusing or lacking in clarity, rather it should be able to immediately clear up any doubts regarding the topic if there is any.

Writing in paragraphs

• In a stand-alone paragraph, the concluding sentence announces that the paragraph is finished, complete. In an essay, the concluding sentence of a paragraph is more likely to play the role of a transitional device, joining one paragraph to the next.
• Flow is very important in an essay. It is also connected to writing order. Writing orders are of two types
• Known-to-New is the order of writing where the author by choice goes from known (given) concepts to unknown ones. New material is gradually added to build on the unknown.
• Simple-to-Complex is the order of writing where the author first establishes a base of concepts that are easily understood and then develops over it increasingly complex ideas.
• One can use the FREQOES method to add matter to the various paragraphs.

How to conclude the essay

• The essay can be concluded in the following ways - restating the main points in brief and with different wordings (summarizing), suggesting a way forward or a course of action, or adding an interesting personal comment or any relevant anecdote.
• Another way to conclude the essay is by returning to the discussion begun in the introduction. This is called the ‘cyclic return’ and a lot of essays follow this simple method of concluding an essay.
• The conclusion should bear a positive outlook, it should see the silver lining in the clouds. It should also be as clear and concise as possible.

Revising the essay

• To revise, read the essay in its entirety, underlining (preferably with scale and pencil) important words or phrases. Correct spelling or grammatical mistakes if any. Make sure the pages look clean and tidy.
• One may add or omit a few words but it should not be overdone. It is also not advisable that entirely new ideas/sentences are inserted in the essay at the time of revision, unless such information is critical to the essay.

Some tips on essay writing

• One can go through the CSE previous year’s essays and understand the concepts, dimensions and solutions required to solve those. Having a simple understanding of complex social problems is the secret to writing a good essay for the CSE.
• One can also keep handy a small collection of quotes or quotable phrases and citable anecdotes to be used while writing the essay. This keeps one prepared for writing any type of essay.

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UPSC CSE MAINS 2022 ESSAY PAPER ANALYSIS

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 16 conducted the first paper of CSE Mains 2022 that is the Essay Paper.

Essay Paper UPSC 2022 Instructions

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• 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 the medium other than the authorized one.
• Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

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

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
• A ship in the harbour is safe but that is not what a ship is for.
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
• You cannot step twice in the same river.
• Smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

UPSC CSE Main 2022 essay paper analysis

• There has been a trend of increased number of philosophical essays in the past couple of years however this time around the benchmark was higher than the previous few years. However, considering the philosophical base of the questions, most candidates found the questions tricky. It was not easy to write 1000 words on each topic within the time constraints.
• UPSC has ensured that the essay topics were much different from the GS questions.
• Rather than asking candidates to write on topics that most candidates are familiar with or have practiced with, UPSC now assesses candidates' essay writing skills by providing them with abstract or philosophical topics.
• This year most of the themes were either proverbs or famous quotes.
• All 8 topics this year will test applicants' spontaneous thinking, understanding, writing and time management.
• Topics required broad interpretation
• Themes asked:
• Poetic language as a tool to re-institute order in human society. 
• Getting out of one’s comfort zone 
• Do the right things at the right time
•  You won’t get the exact time/experience twice.
• Importance of smile
• Theme related to choices and decision making

It is necessary to know that why essay paper is required in a competitive exam?

UPSC notification says that “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 an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”

What can one make out from this? The following quote of Abraham Lincoln very aptly answers the question…..

‘Writing’ (essay) of the aspirant works as a window, for the highly experienced examiner, to the thought process of the candidate. Examiner will not only evaluate the content of the aspirant but also his thought process, viewpoints on critical matters, clarity in thinking, ability to explain his view point concisely and effectively, ability of coherence and putting his ideas in an orderly fashion, language. In a nutshell, it acts as a mean to bring out the traits of a potential civil servant and to evaluate if he is fit to be one.

Having discussed about the importance of the paper, it is essential to clear the misconceptions associated with essay paper before moving to how to prepare for it.

• There is no preparation required for essay paper-GS and optional knowledge will suffice.

Truth. This is wrong way of thinking. In GS marks will be awarded just for content. But in essay, examiner will pay attention to more than content as explained above.

• One needs to be champion in English-use technical jargons, vocabulary.

Truth. It is worth noting that in UPSC CSE, the simpler the language the better it is. There is no need of flowery jargons and expressions. 

•   There is no difference between language paper essay and ‘Essay’ paper.

Truth. This is highly misconceived notion on the part of aspirants to treat the essay paper just like essays asked in the language papers. The importance of both is vastly different. One is aimed to judge the language of the aspirant whereas the other is aimed to bring out the true traits of a potential Civil Servant. 

• Essay paper can’t be prepared so easily.

Truth. This is again a misconception. There have been candidates who have drastically increased their marks from scores like 100-110 to 150-160 with proper strategy and preparation. It is worth noting that essay paper requires relatively lesser effort to improve as compared to GS papers. The rate of investment is quite high.

From where to prepare for the essay paper?

• GS and optional preparation will give content.
• Reading non-fiction: will help to develop thinking process.
• Anecdotes, stories, quotes, facts and figures: A separate notebook should be kept for the same.
• Referring to magazines: Yojana, Kurukshetra, EPW, Economic Survey, DowntoEarth.
• Newspaper editorials, relevant lines said by eminent/constitutional posts like President, PM etc.
• Essay transcripts of previous year toppers.

How to prepare for the essay?

• Firstly read the transcripts of previous year toppers to get a feel of what comprises a well-written essay. 
• A separate notebook for essay should be prepared where fodder collected from the above mentioned sources should be written in point format. 
• An aspirant should prepare material on all the general topics that have been asked in the exam previously. This should include quotations, facts/ figures, anecdotes, sayings, case studies, government schemes.
• Give stress to the thoughts of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Niche, Karl Marx etc. Start writing essays on famous quotes.
• Whenever aspirant takes a particular topic, he should to try to think of all the possible themes/ dimensions of it. For eg: Consider the topic “With great power, comes great responsibility”. Aspirant can think of the topic from SPECLIH perspective- Social, Political, Economic, Cultural, Legal, International and Humanistic. This is one way of covering multiple dimensions.
• Read different kinds of essays – particularly philosophical essays. Give stress to the thoughts of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Niche, Karl Marx etc. 
• Next step is to write essays. Pick up the previous year papers and practice them at home in exam conditions. Self-evaluate and get a feedback from mentors, peers and teachers.

How to approach an essay? 

• Aspirant should have clear cut plan ready for attempting the essay paper. It should be clear in his mind before entering the examination hall how he is going to manage the time. The answers to following questions should be ready beforehand. 
• How much time will be devoted in choosing the topic?
• How much time will be devoted in interpreting the topic?
• How much time will be devoted in making a rough skeleton of the essay?
• How much time will be devoted in attempting the essay?
• How much time will be devoted in revising and underlining the keywords?
• Aspirant should always keep a buffer of 10 minutes in order to meet any exigency.

Eg: Topic Selection: 5 minutes, Brainstorming: 10-15 minutes, writing: 1 hour, revision: 5 minutes.

• First thing is choosing the right topic from each section. This will depend upon the aspirant’s holistic understanding of the topic. Do not get swayed by the fact that since it is an easy topic I won’t choose it. I will choose unconventional topic just to impress the examiner. This is wrong way of thinking.
• Next thing is to interpret the topic. One should understand the theme of the topic. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ESSAY WRITING IS PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TOPIC AND “WRITING ON THAT TOPIC”. DOING THIS MUCH ENSURES THAT ONE WILL NOT GET BELOW ANERAGE MARKS.
• Brainstorm and prepare skeleton of the topic:
• Every essay should have an introduction, body and conclusion.
• Introduction: can be a fictitious story, real life anecdote, quote, a paragraph on what all is going be covered in the essay.
• Themes/ dimensions to be covered eg: SPECLIH, temporal, sectoral, walks of life, problem and solution format.
• Quotes, sayings, anecdotes, facts/ figures.
• Conclusion: it should always be on a futuristic and optimistic note. Summarize the essay in 4 to 5 lines and then write the vision for future. Some saying, quote, lines of eminent personalities can be used.
• Structuring of the essay:
• Language should  be  simple and clear
• Keep the sentences short and powerful
• An occasional use of powerful word or jargon can give the essay an edge
• Proper subheadings
• Transition smoothly from one para to the next through a link sentence/ through a question

What to avoid in the essay?

• Aspirant should never give one-sided arguments or viewpoints which are against constitutional spirit.
• Never focus excessively on only one dimension or theme.
• Always write what is asked not what one knows.
• Do not give disproportionate amount of time to one essay avoiding the other one.
• Avoid criticizing the government, its policies and schemes.
• Avoid being seen as a person belonging to a particular ideology.
• Avoid writing in bullets, making diagrams, figures, charts. Essay should always be in continuous para format.

It is often seen that aspirants do not give the necessary attention to the essay paper. They spend months preparing for the optional and the GS papers but hardly give dedicated time to essay paper. This leads them to score poorly in the exam and they fail to get the edge which they could have easily achieved with a proper strategy and preparation for the essay paper. If one compares GS papers score with that of essay one can find out that it is difficult to achieve a score of 120-125 marks in the former whereas aspirants touch 150 and even 160 in the essay paper which gives them an edge of almost 30 marks. CSE topper 2017 scored just 100 marks in the essay paper of CSE 2015 whereas after making the necessary effort and rectifying his mistakes he was able to score 155 in CSE 2017.

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• Essay Enrichment Program

In the scheme of the UPSC Mains examination, the essay paper plays a very important role. This paper carries a total of 250 marks. Initially, the candidates were asked to write only 1 essay in 3 hours till 2013, but after the change in syllabus, the challenge is now of writing 2 essays in 3 hours on diverse topics. So, now you will have to write two essays each with a word count of 1000 - 1200. There are two sections - Section A and Section B each of which has four topics of essays. Out of these, candidates can select one topic from each section to write an essay. Candidates can select the topic of their choice from a choice of four topics. The UPSC Essay Paper is for a total of 250 marks with one essay for 125 marks. Essay Paper now also gives you philosophical topics wherein you need creativity and Dynamism. With proper guidance you can not only crack the art of Essay writing but also you can make this paper you strength.

  5 Lectures on Essay Writing Skills (Separate Lectures on Introduction, Body & Conclusion).

  Learning by Doing Approach -Impromptu Brainstorming, Ad Hoc Writing of the differential Essay parts, working on specific writing lacunas in class among others.

  Ready Made Source references on Content Enrichment, Visualization & Innovation in Essay Writing.

  Live Face to Face Evaluation of One Essay topic with Faculty (Get Personalised Input & guided feedback).

  2 Full Length Tests to Write High Scoring Essays in Exam.

  Build Own USP to to score 140+ in Essay

Enquiry for Essay

Prepare with top faculty.

Get to Learn from the india’s best faculty for UPSC Examination.

Mr. MK Yadav is a lauded Current Affairs & Economics faculty with hands-on experience of working with the GoI (Vigilance & Intelligence Bureau).

Divya Raturi

Ms. Divya Raturi, has become a remarkable faculty for Economics, Social Issues and Current Affairs, mentoring hundreds of young aspirants.

Madhu Sudhan Reddy

Madhu Sudhan Reddy Pakala( Reddy Sir) is a former Ranji Cricket Player and a Biotech Engineer. He has over 5+ years of UPSC CSE teaching experience.

Varun Trikha

Mr. Varun Trikha , renowned UPSC subject expert for Polity , International Relations and Current Affairs along with Political Science optional.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. Following types of discounts are available, as fixed from time to time -

• Early Bird Discount- within the Defined Period, prior to the batch beginning.
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UPSC Mains GS 4 Paper 2024 Solutions and Analysis

GS 4 Paper in UPSC assess the candidates on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude, their theory, applied aspects and case studies. Thousands of aspiring civil servants across India embarked on the challenging journey of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Mains Examination on September 22, 2024. The General Studies Paper 4, commonly known as GS 4, is a crucial component of the UPSC Mains examination.

The UPSC 2023 GS 4 Question Paper 

Click on the links for the solutions

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• GS Paper 1 UPSC 2024 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on September 23, 2024 by Alex Andrews George

UPSC conducted the General Studies Paper 1, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2024 on 21-09-2024.

The question paper comprises a total of 20 questions. Out of these, 10 questions are of 10 marks each, and the rest of the 10 questions are of 15 marks.

Further details related to UPSC CSE GS Paper 1 Mains 2024 is provided below.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 1 UPSC 2024: Instructions

Check the exam instructions mentioned on the  UPSC  CSE GS 1 mains question paper:

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• There are 20 questions printed both in ENGLISH and HINDI.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is printed against it.
• Answers 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.
• Answers to questions no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.
• Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.
• The content of the answer is more important than its length.

General Studies Paper 1 Question Paper: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2024

• Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period . (Answer in 150 words)
• Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (Answer in 150 words)
• What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. (Answer in 150 words)
• What is sea surface temperature rise? How does it affect the formation of tropical cyclones? (Answer in 150 words)
• Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries. (Answer in 150 words)
• What is the phenomenon of ‘ cloudbursts ’? Explain. (Answer in 150 words)
• What is the concept of a ‘demographic winter’? Is the world moving towards such a situation? Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words)
• Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation? (Answer in 150 words)
• Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
• In dealing with socio-economic Issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGOs and private sector would be most productive? (Answer in 150 words)
• “Though the great Cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture”. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
• How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power? (Answer in 250 words)
• How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India? (Answer in 250 words)
• The groundwater potential of the gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India? (Answer in 250 words)
• What are aurora australis and aurora borealis? How are these triggered? (Answer in 250 words)
• What is a twister? Why are the majority of twisters observed in areas around the Gulf of Mexico? (Answer in 250 words)
• What is regional disparity How does it differ from diversity? How serious is the issue of regional disparity in India? (Answer in 250 words)
• Despite comprehensive policies for equity and social justice, underprivileged sections are not yet getting the full benefits of affirmative action envisaged by the Constitution. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
• Globalization has increased urban migration by skilled, young, unmarried women from various classes. How has this trend impacted upon their personal freedom and relationship with family? (Answer in 250 words)
• Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India’s cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities. (Answer in 250 words)

UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 1 Question Topics

Here are brief notes on each of the questions from the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 1:

1. Changes in Society and Economy from Rig Vedic to Later Vedic Period

• Society: Transition from a nomadic, pastoral society to a more settled, agrarian one. Shift in power from tribal assemblies to monarchy. Increased stratification of society into varnas.
• Economy: Focus shifted from cattle rearing to agriculture , with use of iron tools (plough). Emergence of private land ownership, urbanization , and rise of surplus production.

2. Contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi to South Indian Art and Literature

• Art: Pallavas initiated rock-cut architecture (Mahabalipuram), later evolving into structural temples like Kailasanatha. Sculpture and iconography flourished.
• Literature: Encouraged Sanskrit literature and promoted scholars like Bharavi and Dandin. Dravidian culture enriched, marking a golden era in the south.

3. Events Leading to the Quit India Movement and Its Results

• Events: British refusal to grant India dominion status after WWII; growing unrest. Cripps Mission failure and continued exploitation during the war. Gandhi’s call for “Do or Die.”
• Results: Widespread uprisings, brutal British suppression, and mass arrests of leaders. Though short-term success was limited, it led to growing disillusionment with British rule and strengthened the call for freedom.

4. Sea Surface Temperature Rise and Its Effect on Tropical Cyclones

• Sea Surface Temperature (SST): The rise in SST due to global warming increases ocean heat content, fueling more intense tropical cyclones .
• Cyclones: Warmer waters provide more energy for cyclone formation, increasing their frequency, intensity, and destructive power.

5. Why Large Cities Attract More Migrants than Smaller Towns?

• Opportunities: Large cities offer better employment prospects , infrastructure, education, healthcare, and housing, which are scarce in smaller towns.
• Developing Countries: Push factors like rural poverty and lack of services in smaller towns exacerbate migration trends.

6. Cloudbursts: Explanation of the Phenomenon

• Cloudbursts: Sudden, intense rainfall over a small area, caused by orographic lift or rapid condensation of water vapor. Prevalent in hilly areas.
• Impact: Leads to flash floods , landslides, and damage in vulnerable regions.

7. Demographic Winter and its Global Implications

• Demographic Winter: Phenomenon where birth rates fall below replacement levels, leading to population decline and aging.
• Global Trend: Some countries (e.g., Japan, Italy) are experiencing this, leading to economic strain, shrinking workforce, and higher dependency ratios.

8. Distinction between Gender Equality, Equity, and Women’s Empowerment

• Equality: Equal treatment of men and women.
• Equity: Fairness in treatment based on respective needs.
• Empowerment: Enabling women to control their own lives. Important in designing inclusive programs that ensure equal opportunities.

9. Intercaste vs. Interreligious Marriages

• Intercaste Marriages: Increased between castes with socio-economic parity due to shared social circles and rising education.
• Interreligious Marriages: Less frequent due to religious dogma , societal taboos, and family opposition, making them less accepted.

10. Government-NGO-Private Sector Collaboration for Socio-Economic Development

• Collaboration: Government provides regulation , NGOs offer grassroots connections , and private sector brings efficiency and funding.
• Most Productive: Synergizing strengths for better implementation of development policies .

11. Cholas’ Contribution to Art and Architecture

• Achievements: Known for grand temples (Brihadeeswara), bronze sculpture, and Tamil literature. Their style influenced south Indian temple architecture.
• Legacy: The Cholas’ artistic innovations left a lasting cultural and architectural heritage .

12. First World War and Balance of Power

• Balance of Power: European nations entered the war to maintain political balance against rising German influence. Power blocs (Triple Entente, Triple Alliance) led to the war.
• Other Factors: Economic rivalries and imperialism also played key roles.

13. Industrial Revolution’s Impact on Indian Handicrafts

• Impact: Cheap mass-produced goods from England led to the decline of traditional industries like textiles, causing unemployment and poverty among artisans.
• British Policies: Trade policies favored British imports over Indian goods, hastening the decline.

14. Decline of Groundwater in the Gangetic Valley and Food Security

• Groundwater Decline: Over-extraction for agriculture reduces availability for irrigation, risking food production in a region critical to India’s food supply.
• Food Security: Affects yields , increases costs, and leads to water conflicts .

15. Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis

• Auroras: Natural light displays in polar regions, caused by solar winds interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
• Trigger: Charged particles from the sun hit the Earth’s magnetosphere , causing atmospheric gases to emit light.

16. Twisters and Why They Occur near the Gulf of Mexico

• Twister: A violent rotating column of air , commonly known as a tornado.
• Gulf of Mexico: The region’s warm, moist air meets cooler air, creating ideal conditions for tornado formation.

17. Regional Disparity vs. Diversity

• Disparity: Differences in economic development across regions.
• Diversity: Differences in culture, language, and practices. Regional disparity in India is serious due to uneven resource distribution and policy failures .

18. Underprivileged Sections and Affirmative Action

• Challenges: Though policies exist, implementation gaps , societal discrimination, and lack of awareness hinder full benefits to the underprivileged.
• Affirmative Action: Needs more targeted interventions for better results.

19. Impact of Urban Migration by Young, Unmarried Women

• Freedom: Migration offers greater financial independence and personal freedom.
• Family Relations: Strains traditional family structures, but also leads to evolving social norms regarding gender roles .

20. Correlation between India’s Cultural Diversity and Socio-Economic Marginalities

• Diversity: India’s cultural variety often correlates with regional and socio-economic divides.
• Marginalization: Tribal and minority communities are often left behind in economic development, deepening socio-economic marginalities.

GS Paper 1 UPSC 2024 (Mains): Question Paper Analysis

Please find my analysis of the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 1:

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Thematic Focus

The paper covers a wide range of themes across history, geography, social issues, and environmental studies. The questions reflect a balanced approach between factual knowledge and conceptual understanding .

• Historical and Cultural Heritage: Several questions are rooted in India’s history, such as the contributions of the Pallavas and Cholas , the Rig Vedic to Later Vedic transition , and the impact of the First World War . These questions demand a clear understanding of cultural evolution, key contributions to Indian art and architecture, and the socio-political context of historical events.
• Indian Freedom Struggle: The inclusion of the Quit India Movement underscores the importance of understanding key turning points in India’s fight for independence. The question not only asks for the historical narrative but also the results of the movement, emphasizing cause-effect relationships in history.
• Geographical Phenomena and Environmental Issues: Topics like sea surface temperature rise , cloudbursts , auroras , and twisters demonstrate the paper’s focus on environmental science and physical geography. These questions test the candidate’s understanding of natural phenomena and their broader implications, such as the formation of tropical cyclones due to global warming.
• Social Issues and Gender Equality: Questions on gender equality, equity, and women’s empowerment , as well as urban migration by young women , highlight the paper’s emphasis on contemporary social issues. The question on intercaste vs. interreligious marriages reflects the ongoing relevance of caste and religion in Indian society, whereas gender issues are connected to wider global concerns about equity and empowerment.
• Development and Governance: The questions on NGO-private sector-government collaboration and the challenges of regional disparity point toward governance and development themes. These questions explore the role of multiple stakeholders in driving socio-economic progress and address disparities that are critical to policymaking.
• Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management: The concern about groundwater depletion in the Gangetic Valley and its impact on food security highlights environmental sustainability challenges. The question links resource management to broader national concerns like food security, bringing in the intersection of environment and economy.

Key Observations

• Emphasis on Contemporary Relevance: The paper includes several questions that require an understanding of current global and national trends. For instance, demographic winter and urban migration reflect ongoing demographic shifts, while the focus on climate-related phenomena shows an awareness of pressing environmental challenges.
• Interdisciplinary Nature: The questions encourage an interdisciplinary approach , merging history with sociology, geography with environmental science, and economics with social equity. This tests a candidate’s ability to integrate knowledge across subjects.
• Balance of Theoretical and Practical Understanding: Questions like the one on gender equality or the role of Cholas in architecture require both theoretical grounding and practical examples . Similarly, environmental questions demand a blend of scientific facts and real-world implications.
• Development-Centric Focus: Several questions, particularly those on regional disparity , affirmative action , and collaborations for development , focus on socio-economic challenges in India. This reflects UPSC’s focus on development issues and governance , crucial for candidates to understand.

Challenge Level

The questions are analytical rather than purely factual, demanding candidates to explain concepts, analyze events, and link causes to effects. This requires an ability to condense vast knowledge into concise answers , a hallmark of the UPSC CSE exam. Topics like demographic winter and gender equity are conceptually dense and need both clear articulation and contemporary examples.

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The paper tests the aspirants’ ability to understand and analyze a variety of themes through a lens of historical perspective , environmental concern , and socio-economic development .

It also reflects the growing importance of current affairs , particularly in terms of sustainable development and social justice .

Candidates need to draw on diverse sources of knowledge and express nuanced arguments within the limited word count, showcasing not just content mastery but also precision and clarity in communication.

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• GS Paper 3 UPSC 2024 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis
• GS Paper 4 UPSC 2024 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis
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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

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