Blog

How to Write an Essay for the UPSC Mains?

Among the seven papers that are taken into consideration for merit, the essay paper in the UPSC receives one of the highest scores. If one carefully practices the topics for the UPSC essays, they can significantly improve their grades. The formal essay style is the focus of the IAS Exam's Essay Paper. The formal essay has more power and a tendency to be less sentimental and impersonal. The UPSC Essays contain real information, such as statistics derived from official data, current reports, indexes, etc. In the UPSC, essay writing never takes the style of dialogue and never makes use of first-person allusions. Thus, UPSC Essay Writing has a certain level of seriousness associated with it.

For the UPSC Mains Essay, one should concentrate on:

Selecting the correct topic:

An aspirant must have a conceptual and comprehensive grasp of the issue they are tackling. Always pick a topic on which you feel free to share your ideas and there are plenty of ideas to express them on.

Clear interpretation of the essay topic:

It's a common propensity for aspirants to begin writing about topics they are familiar with without giving them enough time to think about them. Understanding the core of the subject being asked is crucial during the UPSC Exam.

Brainstorming:

After choosing a topic, you shouldn't immediately begin writing. Write down your ideas in the area provided at the back of the UPSC Question Paper after gathering and organising them. Once the ideas have been gathered, follow a sound framework and begin writing.

Essay structure:

The best way to write an essay is to split it up into paragraphs, so make sure you stick to that format. The UPSC Essay's format must have an introduction, a key issue or problem, a connection to current events, good and negative elements, and the necessary future changes. The essay should conclude with a positive outlook for the future.

Highlight the important keywords: 

Every topic is associated with a key theme. That should be the focus of the entire essay. Try using those keywords in the introduction-body-conclusion paragraph.

Use a multidimensional approach: 

Adhere to the Social, Political, Economic, Cultural, Legal, International, and Humanistic aspects when trying any topic for the IAS Essay. This gives the essay a more comprehensive feel and suggests that the applicant has read widely.

Organise your essay well:

Gathering material is one thing, but knowing how to present it in a clear, organised manner is crucial. Outline the essay inclusively using an approach like Past-Present-Future.

Write clearly in simple language and present well.

One of the most widespread misunderstandings while writing the UPSC Essays is that you need to be a champ in English, which is untrue. Use simple language and portray yourself properly. The UPSC Essay paper tests your ability to think critically and organise your thoughts. When writing, it is usually advisable to utilise concise phrases, limited paragraphs, and clear sentences.

Add information, quotations, etc.: To earn brownie points when writing essays for the UPSC, emphasise government programmes and policies and utilise quotes from well-known people.