The Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most coveted exams in India. The mains exam is the second stage of the CSE and consists of nine papers, including essay writing, language comprehension, and optional subjects. The key to cracking the UPSC CSE Mains is to write good answers that fulfil the requirements of the question and showcase your knowledge and analytical abilities. In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how to write a good answer in UPSC Mains.

Find what are you really supposed to answer

Before you start writing an answer, you need to understand the question properly. Read the question at least twice and identify what it is really asking. This will help you in framing your answer correctly. Sometimes, questions may have multiple parts, and you need to address each one of them in your answer. So, make sure you know what is being asked before you start writing.

Find Keywords in the Question

Keywords are the most important part of any question, and identifying them will help you in understanding the crux of the question. Keywords will also help you in structuring your answer and organizing your thoughts. Make sure to use these keywords in your answer, as it will show the examiner that you have understood the question and are answering it directly.

Answer according to the Question Directive

The question directive is the instruction that tells you how to approach the question. The most common directives in UPSC mains are ‘critically examine,’ ‘evaluate,’ ‘discuss,’ ‘analyse,’ and ‘elucidate.’ Each directive requires a different approach to answering the question, so it is important to understand the directive before starting your answer. For example, if the directive is ‘critically examine,’ you need to provide both positive and negative aspects of the topic and then come to a conclusion. If the directive is ‘evaluate,’ you need to provide a judgment on the topic and give reasons for your judgment.

Structure your answers with the correct logical flow

A well-structured answer is crucial to getting good marks in the UPSC Mains exam. Your answer should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should state your thesis or argument, the body should justify your thesis, and the conclusion should summarize your thesis and provide a final conclusion. This logical flow will help the examiner understand your thought process and make it easier for them to grade your answer.

Introduction of the answer: State your thesis

The introduction of your answer should be clear and concise, and it should state your thesis or argument. Your thesis should be a direct response to the question, and it should be specific and focused. Make sure to use the keywords from the question in your thesis, as it will show the examiner that you have understood the question and are addressing it directly.

Body of the answer: Justify your thesis

The body of your answer should justify your thesis or argument. You should provide evidence, facts, and examples to support your thesis. Make sure to structure your answer in a logical manner, with each paragraph addressing a specific aspect of the question. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make your answer more organized and easier to read.

Conclusion of the answer: Prove your thesis

The conclusion of your answer should summarize your thesis and provide a final conclusion. You should also provide your opinion on the topic and give reasons for your opinion. Make sure to avoid introducing any new arguments or evidence in the conclusion, as it may confuse the examiner and weaken your answer.

Bottomline

You should also not forget to  Provide value addition in order to stand out from the crowd. You need to provide value addition to your answer. This means providing additional information or insights that are not mentioned in the question or in the standard textbooks.