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How to Write an Essay for UPSC

Check the best approach to be followed in essay writing for civil services examination 2023 along with the highly recommended books on this page.

The UPSC Mains exam comprises a total of nine papers which includes essay writing for civil services examination as well. In broader terms, the essay paper in UPSC mains is divided into two sections i.e. section A & section B.

Each section also comprises four UPSC essay topics with a maximum mark of 125 each. Out of these, candidates need to choose one topic from each of the sections and write two UPSC essay papers in about 1000-1200 words each.

Thus, it is important for the aspirants to use the best strategy and practice essay writing for civil services examination thoroughly to maximize their score in the UPSC essay test.

In this blog, we have shared the useful steps to write the essay for the IAS exam including the books, past year IAS essay test topics, and everything that an aspirant must know about UPSC essay writing.

UPSC Essay Writing for Civil Services Examination 2023- Highlights

Some of the major highlights of the essay writing for the civil services exam 2023 are shared below:

  • Number of UPSC essay topics: 2
  • Maximum Marks: 250 marks (125 each).
  • Exam Duration: 3 hours
  • Word Limit: 1000-1200 words each

6 Easy Steps on Essay Writing for Civil Services Examination

IAS aspirants should formulate a strategy that aligns with the exam requirements in order to excel in the UPSC essay papers. Hence, we have shared the top six easy steps to be followed in the UPSC essay writing in order to excel in the upcoming IAS CSE 2023 exam.

Pick the UPSC Essay Topic Carefully

The first and foremost strategy of every aspirant is that they should finalize the topic only after reading all the topics carefully. This will also help them to collect sufficient points to write about the UPSC essay topics.

One should go through all the topics carefully in order to avoid switching topics in between as it would lead to a waste of time and unnecessary stress. Hence, it is advisable to read the topics 2-3 times and think about the IAS essay topics carefully.

Recall Important Points

After finalizing the topic, do not rush to write the essay immediately and think about the same for at least 30 minutes. Anyone who commences writing immediately without thinking twice may forget important pointers to be included in the UPSC essay papers.

Hence, it is advised to utilize the first 20-30 minutes to think carefully about the topic, correlate the topic with current events, talk about historical/past events, and jot down all the important points in the sheet.

Moreover, they must also arrange all the points in the proper sequence in order to excel in essay writing for civil services examination.

Formatting of the Essay

The next strategy of the aspirant is that they should follow a proper format in the UPSC essay writing papers. Once they have recalled and noted all the important pointers, the next step is to format it well as elaborated below:

  • Introduction
  • Background of Topic
  • Main Theory
  • Correlation with the latest event
  • Positive and Negative Sides
  • Recommend Changes
  • Conclusion

Use the Quotes Correctly

To excel in essay writing for civil services examination, candidates must jot down inspiring sentences, and quotations whenever they come across them.

However, it is advised to learn the quotes correctly with the name of the individual who has quoted them. Also, if they are unsure about the quote then they must skip it instead of writing the incorrect one.

Focus on the UPSC Essay Topics

Candidate should be clear with theessay topics for effective essay writing for civil services examination. This approach will allow them to stick around the topic and write relevant content in the essay UPSC test.

With this, they should ensure that they do not criticize any individual or government or mention anything in an offensive way in their UPSC essay writing which is not recommended.

Read More and More

Essay writing for civil services examination requires regular reading of a variety of topics and reference books recommended by mentors/friends/previous toppers.

Thus, the candidates must read the editorial section of the newspaper, and current affairs magazines every day. Moreover, they should watch discussions/debates, and solve previous question papers UPSC essay topics regularly.

Reading books and newspapers will enhance their vocabulary skills, and provide them with all the latest updates and a variety of ideas for using appropriate language in their IAS essay writing.

Best Books and Resources for UPSC Essay Writing

Along with the best preparation strategy, aspirants should also pick expert-recommended books to cover all types of essay topics for the exam. Here, we have compiled the best books and resources that would be helpful in practicing essay writing for civil services examination:

  • Monthly Current Affairs Magazines by OnlyIAS
  • Only IAS Kurukshetra Magazine
  • Only IAS Yogana Magazine
  • Only IAS Praarambh Post-Independence India
  • Only IAS Praarmabh Indian Society
  • The Hindu (editorial articles)

Previous Year Essay Topics for Civil Services Examination

Candidates should check the previous year’s essay topics for the UPSC exam to understand the UPSC IAS syllabus 2023 in a better manner. Hence, it is advisable to practice essay writing on the past year’s topics to determine the level of their preparation.

Thus, we have shared below the last five years’ IAS essay topics to smoothen the preparation of the aspirants.

Year IAS Essay Topics Download Previous Year UPSC Essay Topics PDF
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
  4. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for

 

Section-B

  1. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
  2. You cannot step twice in the same river
  3. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
  4. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
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2021 Section A

  1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
  2. Your perception of me is reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
  3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
  4. The real is rational and the rational is real.

 

Section B

  1. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
  2. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
  3. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
  4. There are better practices to ‘best practices’
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2020 Section A

  • Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
  • Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
  • Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
  • Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

 

Section B

  • Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
  • There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
  • Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
  • Technology as the silent factor in international relations
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2019 Section A

  1. Wisdom finds truth.
  2. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
  3. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society
  4. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success

 

Section B

  1. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities.
  2. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.
  3. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
  4. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.
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2018 Section A

  1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.
  2. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
  3. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
  4. Management of Indian border disputes—a complex task

 

Section B

  1. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
  2. ‘The past’ is permanent dimension of human consiousness and values.
  3. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
  4. Reality does not conform to the idea, but confirms it.
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Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Q1. How can I write a good essay for UPSC?

Ans. To write a good essay for UPSC, candidates must read the editorial section of the newspaper, and current affairs magazines on a daily basis. With this, they should watch discussions/debates, and solve previous question papers UPSC essay topics regularly.

Q2. What kind of essays are asked in UPSC?

Ans. Going by the trend analysis, most of the UPSC essay topics are related to Indian Democracy and Bureaucracy, Administration, Poverty, Economic Growth, Politics, Judiciary, Education, Indian Culture, Science & Tech, etc.

Q3. How to write introduction for UPSC essay?

Ans. You can start writing the introduction for the IAS essay with a powerful quote and then elaborate on the quote in the rest of the introduction by explaining its relation to the topic.

Q4. Who got highest marks in UPSC essay?

Ans. In 2014, Ira Singhal scored 160 marks on the UPSC essay papers.

Q5. Which is the toughest optional subject in UPSC?

Ans. Geography is considered one of the toughest optional subjects in the UPSC civil services examination.

 Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!  PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC 2022 Final Result🔥5 out of Top 10 from PW OnlyIAS Community. UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!  PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC 2022 Final Result🔥5 out of Top 10 from PW OnlyIAS Community. UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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