UPSC Civil Service Mains Paper 1 (popularly known as essay paper) is now of 250 marks. Candidates will asked to write an essay on a topic from a set of 4 or 5 options. Read the below lines to understand what UPSC has stated about the essay paper in Civil Services Exam Notification 2014. “Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given. 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 orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”
Do keep in mind the below mentioned tips. Following these strategies can make a huge boost in your Essay Paper marks.
- Try to write a few essays in full during your preparation, simulating the environment in the examination hall.
- Familiarize yourself with previous essays asked by UPSC so that you will have a clear picture about the type and standard of questions to be expected.
- UPSC/the examiner normally gives credit to new perspectives and fresh analysis.
- Avoid verbosity and flowery language. Use a simple style instead.
- You may use relevant quotes to reinforce your arguments. But never try to alter the quotes of great personalities.
- A good handwriting is always an asset. If you handwriting is not legible, put some efforts in that area.
- Make your statements precise. Avoid guesses.
- The introductory paragraph should have clear indications about what you are going to write in the essay.
- You may show your inferences in the concluding paragraph.
Find more about strategy
- [Essay Tip for Newcomers] What to write & What not to write in Mains IAS exam? (Mrunal)
- UPSC ESSAY STRATEGY: How to Write an Essay! (IASbaba)
- Things To Consider Before Writing An Essay in The Exam (Insights)
- Answer and Essay Writing Strategy (Ira Singhal)
- Essay strategy – Puneet Gulati, AIR 319 with 140 in Essay (2009)
- From Gaurav Agarwal's blog
- How To Write a Good Essay by Manoj K Jha
- 10 Things to keep in mind while writing an Essay for UPSC Mains (Byju)
Essay Writing
- WEEKLY ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGES (Insights)
- Read Mrunal Essay section for topics and ideas
Reference: Clearias