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Essay Writing for UPSC - Weekly Essay Writing Programme

By vajiram & ravi.

Essay Writing for UPSC: Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach. The UPSC essay paper is not just limited to assessing a candidate's creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, express their ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. This article discusses the do’s and don'ts that need to be remembered while writing your Essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

Check:  UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

Essay Writing for UPSC

The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and compose an essay spanning 1,000 to 1,200 words within the allocated three-hour duration. UPSC provides the following guidelines in its Notification on the Essay Paper:

• 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.

Essay Writing for UPSC - What is Expected?

When preparing for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper, there are a few basic points that you should remember. The paper tests the diversity of your content and not its creativity .

When writing your Essay Paper for the UPSC Mains Exam, your focus should be on the following points-

• Diversity of the content: Incorporating diverse content in the essay paper not only enriches the content but also showcases your depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to present a comprehensive perspective on complex topics.
• Focus on the topic: Centre your essay around the core theme of the chosen topic. By maintaining a clear focus on the topic and consistently reinforcing its relevance, your essay becomes a well-structured and compelling piece that effectively communicates your ideas to the examiner.
• Clarity, Depth, and Language: Language plays a crucial role in conveying your ideas effectively. Use precise and simple language to articulate your points and maintain a formal and coherent tone throughout the essay. Focusing on clarity of thought ensures that your ideas are easily understood by the examiner, and providing an in-depth analysis supported by relevant examples, data, and arguments, helps showcase your ability to engage with the topic critically.
• Providing Evidence: While stating a Quote, there should be evidence to support your thought. This helps you to avoid the superficial treatment of the subject and delve into its complexities, showcasing your ability to engage with the topic critically.

How to Write Essay for UPSC Mains?

Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach.

Choose the Right Topic

Read the given UPSC essay topics carefully and choose the one that resonates with your strengths and interests. Pick a topic that allows you to showcase your knowledge and understanding effectively.

Brainstorm Ideas

Spend some time brainstorming ideas related to the chosen topic. Jot down key points, arguments, examples, and relevant data that you could use to support your essay.

Create a Structure

A well-structured essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction should introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of your stance. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point, argument, or example. The conclusion should summarise your main points and reiterate your thesis.

Format for UPSC Essay Writing

The UPSC essay format requires a thoughtful approach to convey your ideas effectively. There are three stages or steps in any essay - Introduction, Body paragraphs, and Conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph of an Essay

Craft a strong introduction paragraph that outlines your main argument or perspective. This paragraph should be concise and provide a roadmap for your essay. You can begin your essay with a quote, and the last line of the introduction paragraph should end with reinforcing the main topic.

For example: Topic: The Health of the Nation is more important than the Wealth of Nation

Start your essay with a quote-

“P ublic Health depends upon winning over Hearts and Minds. It's not enough to just have a good policy; you have to convince people to actually follow it .”

In a country's journey forward, we often talk about how having a lot of money is crucial. But there's another side to this story, which says that the good health of the people in a country is even more vital. If there is something that COVID-19 has taught us, it is how no economy with ample amounts of money can guarantee the health of its nation and how the health of its citizens eventually affects the wealth of the country. This idea highlights how the health of the nation is more important than the wealth of the nation.

Writing in Paragraphs

Writing in paragraphs is important in an essay because it enhances readability and organisation. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea, argument, or point, making it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of your thoughts . Paragraphs create visual breaks, helping to structure your essay into manageable sections. The following points have to be kept in mind while framing your Essay Paragraphs:

Address Counter-arguments:

Acknowledge potential counter-arguments and address them in your essay. This shows that you have considered multiple perspectives and strengthened your argument.

Use Examples:

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Examples make your essay more relatable and persuasive.

Gather Evidence:

Collect relevant current affairs facts, statistics, historical examples, and real-life incidents to support your arguments. Ensure that your evidence is accurate and well-researched.

Logical Flow:

Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs and ideas. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, creating a coherent narrative.

Use of simple Language:

Write in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Avoid using overly complex language that might obscure your message. Focus on communicating your ideas effectively.

Avoid Repetition:

Be mindful of repeating the same points or ideas. Each paragraph should contribute something new to the discussion.

Conclusion of the Essay

The conclusion serves the purpose of providing a seamless ending to the essay. It's worth noting that a strong ending holds the same level of significance as a compelling beginning. Both aspects contribute to achieving higher scores.

To effectively conclude an essay, you can utilise various elements, including facts, statistics, reasons, examples, quotes, opinions, experiences, and sensory details . The essay's conclusion can take on several forms: it might involve briefly reiterating the main points, suggesting potential future steps or actions, or injecting an engaging personal comment or relevant anecdote.

An alternative approach to concluding an essay involves revisiting the topic introduced in the introduction. This is known as a 'cyclic return,' and it's a straightforward method employed in many essays to bring the discussion full circle.

Ultimately, a conclusion should carry a positive perspective, seeking out the silver lining amidst challenges. It should also strive for clarity and brevity, ensuring the ideas are expressed concisely.

Proofread and Revise the Essay

Once you've finished writing, take some time to proofread and revise your essay. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression.

Vajiram & Ravi Weekly Essay Writing Programme

Examining the essays from UPSC previous year question papers allows one to grasp the concepts, aspects, and remedies essential for addressing those issues. Gaining a basic comprehension of intricate societal challenges holds the key to crafting a strong essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

In order to help the aspirants regularly practise Essay Writing, Vajiram & Ravi have come up with a weekly essay writing Programme- Pensive Essay Writing Programme . It provides two essay topics every Saturday for you to practise. You can submit your Essays on vajiramandravi.com.

Vajiram & Ravi Essay Module

We have also introduced an Essay Module to help the aspirants clarify and organise ideas and information to analyse primary sources and employ critical judgement, among other things. This will improve knowledge and aid in the learning process. It will strengthen your writing abilities to write lucidly, coherently, and persuasively, as well as the ability to structure an argument.

The Essay Module Offers the Following Features:

• The module provides 12-13 lectures, each dedicated to a specific theme. 
• Well-curated and concise Handouts covering essential themes for every lecture will also be provided to comprehensively meet the content requirements of the Essay Paper.
• In addition, 4 full length Essay Tests, with Personalized and Objective Evaluation, followed by a Test Discussion will be offered- all based on current UPSC CSE trends. Module is available in both online and offline mode.

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

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UPSC Essay Topics 2024 - Topic-Wise Essay Questions

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The UPSC Civil Services mains exam includes UPSC essay topics paper out of 9 papers. Candidates can check trending UPSC CSE essay topics here. These UPSC Essay questions range from multiple topics like Economic Growth, Art & Culture, Women Empowerment, Media & Society, etc. UPSC IAS essay topics are significant for candidates to clear the mains paper 1 of UPSC IAS exam .

New:  UPSC IAS 2024 application OUT; Direct link

Latest: UPSC CSE sample papers | Complete guide

Also See:  UPSC IAS Mains question papers (2016-23)

UPSC IAS essay exam topics play a vital role in UPSC IAS exam. UPSC IAS mains paper carries 250 marks and aspirants are asked to write at least 2 essays between 1000 to 1200 words in 3 hours. Aspirants need to analyse UPSC essays from last year's question papers to get an idea about UPSC CSE Essay topics. Practising IAS topics from previous years' papers assists candidates to clear the UPSC IAS exam 2024 easily. Candidates are required to read daily newspapers to get a clear idea about UPSC IAS essay 2024 exam topics.

UPSC IAS Essay Topics 2024

UPSC CSE essay paper is one of the 9 papers of the UPSC IAS mains examination. The IAS essay paper analysis is the perspective of aspirants on economic, social and political issues. UPSC usually takes IAS essay questions either from Current Affairs or affecting present society to a large extent. A few of the engaging UPSC CSE 2024 essay questions can be asked from the UPSC 2024 IAS exam.

Social Media

Surveillance/Privacy

Urbanisation

Globalisation

Bureaucracy

Water Security

Media Tourism

Constitution

Food Hunger/Poverty/Security

Human Resources - Employment

Development

Higher Education/Education/Foreign University in Higher Education

UPSC CSE Essay Questions - Previous Years

Aspirants must be aware of the latest trends of the IAS exam pattern 2024 for mains. Candidates will come to know about the types of IAS essay topics asked and important recent essay questions. The UPSC CSE essay topics asked in the IAS Mains exam in previous years are detailed below.

UPSC IAS Essay Topic 2023

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

Not all who wander are lost.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands - two equally harmful disciplines.

Mathematics is the music of reason

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Previous year

Poets are the harmony of the world.

Forests can be the main area of discussion for economic excellence.

History of battle between scientific man and romantic man.

Ship in the Harbour is secured but not for that case.

When the sun shines, the roof needs repair.

Move twice on the same river.

A smile is a solution to all problems.

Topic-Wise UPSC IAS Essay Questions

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission tends to give two or more essays from one of the 9 subjects in the UPSC CSE 2024 exam. To write about these IAS essay questions, candidates must go through reference books on these subjects to get a clear picture of the CSE Essay topics.

1. Environment/Urbanization

Protection of Ecology and Environment

Urbanisation and its side-effects

Must a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in the tribal areas?

Brave human laws can’t resist natural laws.

2. Economic Sectors/MNCs

Multinational Corporations

BPO boom in India.

Special Economic zone - boon or bane?

Globalisation would finish small sectors.

Are traditional handcrafts finishing up slowly?

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model of development is more than a boon in the Indian Context.

Tourism can be the next big thing for India.

3. Education

Restructuring of the Indian Education System

Irrelevance of the classroom

Privatisation of Higher Education in India

Modern technological education and human values

What is real education?

The new emerging women's power

Greater political power will not wash out women’s plight

The woman is God’s best creation

Challenges and Prospects of Women's Empowerment

Empowerment cannot help our women

Whether women’s emancipation

If women ruled the world

The hand that rocks the cradle

Women’s reservation bill

Managing Work and Home

If development is not engendered, it is endangered.

The fulfilment of a ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.

5. Character

Attitude makes habit, habit makes character and character makes a man.

Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin.

The character of an Institution is reflected in its leader.

Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.

Joy is the easiest form of Gratitude.

A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both

Custom morality can be a path to modern life.

6. Globalisation

Modernisation and Westernisation are not similar concepts.

The implication of globalisation in India.

The world of the 21st century.

Nationalism vs Globalization.

Globalisation and its effect on Indian culture.

The masks of new imperialism

My vision of the ideal world order.

Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role.

7. Science and Technology

The modern doctor and its patients.

Value-based education and science

Spirituality and scientific temper

The lure of space.

The march of Science and erosion of human values.

Science and Mysticism

Science and Technology are the panaceas for the growth and security of the nation.

Technology cannot replace manpower.

Alternative technology for a climate change resilient India.

8. International Organizations/Relations

Significance of Indo-US nuclear agreement.

Good fences make good neighbours.

Restructuring of UNO reflects present realities.

Has the Non-Alignment Movement lost its relevance in the multipolar world?

9. Security

Tourism and World Peace

Are we in a ‘soft’ state?

Both human intelligence and technical intelligence are important in combating terrorism.

10. Internet/IT

The cyberworld: its charm and challenges.

Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to human civilization in the long run.

Social media is inherently is selfish medium

A rapid increase in computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanised society.

11. Media & Society

Misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India.

Mass Media and Cultural Invasion.

Responsibility of media in a democracy.

How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets?

Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?

Is string operation an invasion of privacy?

How to Bring a Good Score on UPSC IAS Essay Topics?

Writing is a way to improve your thought process. It should be exactly what the examiner needs while accessing your written UPSC essay answer scripts. An essay is a well-structured collection of thoughts on any specific topic. The art to score high on the UPSC IAS mains paper 1 requires immense practice and perseverance. The UPSC Essay is never merely a test of factual knowledge but a test of creativity and spirit. To score good marks in UPSC CSE essay questions, follow the steps given below.

1. Choose IAS Essay Topics Carefully

The UPSC IAS Essay paper comprises two sections and candidates need to write one essay from each of the two given sections. Both UPSC essays are of 125 marks each of 1000-1200 words. Before choosing a UPSC essay topic, think over the topic whether it is controversial or you have enough data to write it.

2. Ponder the topic

While selecting the UPSC IAS essay question, think over the topic and select the main keywords that you are going to use during writing the essay. Implement a multi-dimensional approach to it and try to curate a good structure intro body and conclusion.

3. Curate Well

The introduction paragraph is the heart of the UPSC CSE essay topics and must have a concise and clear thought about the topic. The basic theme should be to talk about your views on the topic. The main body of the UPSC Essay should be divided into small paragraphs but must be well interlinked. The UPSC essay topic language should be lucid, convenient and easy to understand. The essay must evaluate your critical thinking ability rather than using decorative words. If needed, candidates must use data and facts. The usage of sayings and quotes adds weight to the UPSC Essay questions. The conclusion paragraph must be seen as self-explanatory. Candidates must have a balanced approach to UPSC IAS essay questions.

4. Go through ABC of Essay Writing

The ABC of UPSC essay writing must stand for appropriateness, brevity and consistency of UPSC essay topics. Following this rule will assist candidates while writing the UPSC CSE essay questions.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

UPSC Essay question papers have two sections with 4 to 5 essays each. A candidate must write two UPSC IAS essay topics, one from each section consisting of 1000-1200 words. The UPSC Essay paper is 250 marks and each essay contributes 125 marks.

A score of 125 and above is considered a good mark in Essay topics UPSC while a score between 100-120 is average. However, it’s not easy to score marks on paper if you haven’t prepared well enough. So, prepare well in the best possible method for UPSC IAS essay questions.

To start practising UPSC IAS essay topics, candidates must keep the following points in mind.

Read the best UPSC daily newspapers.

Highlight crucial lines or quotes and write them differently.

Practise one previous year's UPSC essay topic for at least a week and obtain it for peer review.

Use normal creative language while writing.

Implement integrated attitude thinking.

UPSC IAS 2023 essay topics can be divided into four categories - argumentative, expository, narrative and descriptive essays. The essay must be written in such a way that it would provide meaningful information to the reader.

Most of the UPSC IAS essay topics asked in the UPSC IAS exam are taken from Democracy and Bureaucracy, Administration, Politics, Economic Growth, Judiciary, Poverty, Indian Culture, Media, Justice, Environmental Pollution, Quotes, Women, Education, Globalization, Science & technology, etc. Candidates must pay attention more to these subjects while preparing UPSC CSE essay questions.

To write a good essay, you need to understand the topic properly so that you will be able to explain it in a proper way. During preparation, keep making notes and read the newspaper daily. You can listen to podcasts on various topics to develop a deep understanding.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Dear Aspirant !

Hope you are fine!

The main subjects for the UPSC Exam are Indian Politics, Indian Economy, International Relations, Science and Technology, Geography, History, Environment and Ecology, and related Current Affairs . There are 25 subjects and 23 literature optional that one can choose from in addition to this..

Hello aspirant,

With the help of the IAS Answer Key 2024, applicants can estimate their potential score for the IAS preliminary exam, learn about the various IAS question types, gauge the exam's difficulty, and much more.

To get the answer key, you can visit our website by clicking on the link given below.

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-answer-key

Hope this information helps you.

You will meet the eligibility criteria for the UPSC exam in 2026. This is because the UPSC requires candidates to be at least 21 years old as of August 1st in the year they intend to take the examination. According to your provided date of birth, you will turn 21 on March 15, 2026, which is before the August 1, 2026, deadline for eligibility. Therefore, you will become eligible to take the UPSC exam in 2026, specifically for the UPSC 2026 examination cycle.

For detailed  information related to UPSC eligibility criteria ,  you can visit our page at:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-eligibility-criteria/amp

For detail examination pattern check out :- https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-exam-pattern

Hello candidate ,

I am hoping that you are absolutely fine and doing well. As per your mentioned query, you will be glad to know that if you are a diploma holder still you can give the UPSC civil services exam. As per the eligibility criteria of this exam , candidate of any graduation course in any discipline from a recognised university as laid down under the law can give the exam of IAS. This exam is very reputed exam. And also very challenging one if you want to crack this exam you have to work very hard.

To know more about this exam , kindly go through the given link:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-eligibility-criteria

I hope this will be helpful for you!!

you can choose any undergraduate course of your choice, but it is recommended to choose a course that aligns with the UPSC syllabus. Subjects such as history, public administration, economics, political science and sociology can be helpful in preparing for the exam.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
• Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Information Technology

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Cartographer

How fascinating it is to represent the whole world on just a piece of paper or a sphere. With the help of maps, we are able to represent the real world on a much smaller scale. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are those who make maps. But, cartography is not just limited to maps, it is about a mixture of art , science , and technology. As a cartographer, not only you will create maps but use various geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems to measure, analyse, and create different maps for political, cultural or educational purposes.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Operations manager.

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Bank Probationary Officer (PO)

Investment director.

An investment director is a person who helps corporations and individuals manage their finances. They can help them develop a strategy to achieve their goals, including paying off debts and investing in the future. In addition, he or she can help individuals make informed decisions.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing. Individuals in the plumber career path are self-employed or work for a small business employing less than ten people, though some might find working for larger entities or the government more desirable.

Construction Manager

Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.

Urban Planner

Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities. 

Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Naval Architect

A Naval Architect is a professional who designs, produces and repairs safe and sea-worthy surfaces or underwater structures. A Naval Architect stays involved in creating and designing ships, ferries, submarines and yachts with implementation of various principles such as gravity, ideal hull form, buoyancy and stability. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

Pathologist.

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Hospital Administrator

The hospital Administrator is in charge of organising and supervising the daily operations of medical services and facilities. This organising includes managing of organisation’s staff and its members in service, budgets, service reports, departmental reporting and taking reminders of patient care and services.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Videographer

Multimedia specialist.

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French , German , Italian . 

Public Relation Executive

Travel journalist.

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

Merchandiser.

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Metallurgical Engineer

A metallurgical engineer is a professional who studies and produces materials that bring power to our world. He or she extracts metals from ores and rocks and transforms them into alloys, high-purity metals and other materials used in developing infrastructure, transportation and healthcare equipment. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Business Intelligence Developer

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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.

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UPSC Essay Topic wise Question Papers of last 31 years (1993-2023) for Civil Services IAS/IPS Exam Free Download

In the UPSC mains examination, essay paper is worth 250 marks and three hours. Here is the topic wise questions from the earlier years for the benefit of civil service IAS IPS aspirants.

1.1 India Since Independence

1.2 federalism, decentralization, 1.3 administration, 1.4 judiciary, 1.5 poverty, social justice, 1.6 indian society, culture and values, 1.7 media, tv & cinema, literature, 2.1 growth vs development, 2.2 environment vs development, 2.4 sectors of economy, 3.1 values in education, 3.2 scheme implementation, 3.3 higher education, 4.1 character, honesty, ethics, 4.2 knowledge, 4.3 compassion, 4.4 truth and reality, 4.5 youth, discipline, 4.6 towards excellence, 5.1 @national politics, 5.2 @world / quote type, 5.3 empowerment overall, 5.4 compared to men, 6.1 globalization, 6.2 international org./ bilateral, 6.3 security, 6.4 history, 7.1 science and religion, 7.2 science and education, 7.3 computer and internet, 7.4 sci-tech: others, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2023, appendix: linear paper of upsc essay 2022, appendix: model answer pe free lecture & powerpoint, appendix: syllabus of essay paper in upsc, 1 india: democracy, administration, society, culture.

• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
• Whither Indian democracy? -1995
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
• My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
• Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
• Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication -2011
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
• There are better practices to “best practices”. -2021
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
• Need for transparency in public administration -1996
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
• Justice must reach the poor -2005
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
• Judicial activism. -1997
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।) – 2023
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
• Food security for sustainable national development -2005
• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है, वह सभ्यता ) -2020
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
• The composite culture of India. -1998
• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019
• Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
• Role of media in good governance -2008
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक होते हैं) – 2022

2 Economy, Development

• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
• Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
• Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
• BPO boom in India. -2007
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

3 Education

• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in – school. (- शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में विधालय में सीखी गई बातों को भूल जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है।)
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
• What is real education? -2005
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
• Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा साधन है) – 2022
• Philosophy of wantlessness is a Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. -2021
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. -2021
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
• Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them (जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
• Life is a long journey between being human and being humane.  (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
• Wisdom finds truth -2019
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
• With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
• Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
• He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।) – 2023
• Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।) – 2023
• The real is rational and the rational is real. -2021
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के शांतचित्त रहने का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
• Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
• Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
• Truth is lived, not taught -1996
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
• You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
• If youth knew, if age could. -2002
• Youth culture today. -1999
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।) – 2023
• Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।) – 2023
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है) – 2023
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) – 2022
• Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
• Useless life is an early death. -1994
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
• The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -2021
• If women ruled the world -2005
• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality (पितृ-सत्ता की व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है) -2020
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
• Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
• Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
• Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019
• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
• ‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
• National identity and patriotism -2008
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
• The masks of new imperialism. -2003
• As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
• The implications of globalization for India. -2000
• My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
• India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
• The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
• The global order: political and economic -1993
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
• Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
• In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
• Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
• Good fences make good neighbours -2009
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
• Terrorism and world peace -2005
• True religion cannot be misused. -1997
• History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -2021
• Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

7 Science-Technology

• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
• Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! -2021
• Modern technological education and human values. -2002
• Value-based science and education. -1999
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. -2021
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019
• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
• Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
• Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
• Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
• The lure of space. -2004

Section-A (write any one)

• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (- सोच एक खेल की तरह है, यह तब तक शुरू नहीं होता है जब तक कि एक विपरीत टीम/पक्ष न हो।)
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. (- दूरदर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते है अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है।)
• Not all who wander are lost. (- भटकने वाले सभी गुम नहीं हो जाते।)
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane (- रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा अलौकिक ता में चमत्कार ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजति है)

Section-B (write any one)

• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines. (-लड़कियां बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं दोनों ही समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएं हैं।)
• Mathematics is the music of reason. (- गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है।)
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. (- जिस समाज में अधिक न्याय होता है उस समाज को दान की कम आवश्यकता होती है।)

Answer one-one essay from each section in 1000-1200 words

• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man (इतिहास वैज्ञानिक मनुष्य के रूमानी मनुष्य पर विजय हासिल करने का एक सिलसिला है।) – 2022
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) & 2022
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना ही होगा) – 2022

Essay: 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.

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Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on September 27, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

UPSC conducted the Civil Service Mains exam for essay paper on 15 September 2023.

The CSE mains essay paper comprises two sections. Each section contains 4 essay topics. Out of which 2 topics of choice from each section need to be picked.

Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000-1200 words for each essay.

Table of Contents

UPSC CSE Essay Paper 2023 Instructions

General instructions mentioned on the essay paper, that need to be followed by every aspirant are provided here.

• 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 a 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.

Essay Question Paper: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2023

The question paper of the UPSC CSE mains essay paper is provided here.

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

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1: Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

2: Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

3: Not all who wander are lost.

4: Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

5: Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines.

6: Mathematics is the music of reasons.

7: A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.

8: Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023: Exam Analysis

The essay topics for the UPSC Civil Services Main Exam in 2023 were intellectually demanding and philosophical in nature.

They required candidates to engage in deep critical thinking and present their thoughts logically.

All the questions in this year’s paper aimed at assessing the candidates’ ability to handle abstract concepts and express their ideas effectively in a structured manner.

This year’s essay topics look like that UPSC has taken inspiration from a wide range of sources, including philosophical and literary works.

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team

This topic seems to revolve around the idea that critical thinking often emerges in response to opposing viewpoints or challenges.

Candidates may have been asked to explore how the clash of ideas leads to innovation and progress.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

This famous saying belongs to Paul O’Brien.

This statement likely prompted candidates to discuss the balance between intuition and rationality in making important decisions.

It encourages a reflection on the role of both factors in effective leadership and problem-solving

Not all who wander are lost

This saying belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien,  The Fellowship of the Ring.

The topic expected from candidates to think about how exploring and being spontaneous in life’s journey can be really good.

It’s a deep topic that can be understood in many different ways.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane

This essay topic appears to emphasize the idea that creativity is not limited to rare moments of inspiration but can be found in everyday experiences.

It probably asked people to think about where creativity comes from and how we can express it in our daily lives.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines

This is the saying of Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir was a prominent French existentialist philosopher and feminist thinker. She made significant contributions to feminist philosophy through her work, including “The Second Sex,” where she discussed the concept of “The Other” and examined the role of societal expectations in shaping women’s lives.

The quote by Simone de Beauvoir presented the idea that both girls and boys or individuals of different genders, often face distinct but equally harmful forms of societal pressures and constraints.

It suggests that expectations placed on girls (referred to as “restrictions”) and boys (referred to as “demands”) can be damaging and limit their potential.

Mathematics is the music of reasons

The complete saying of James Joseph Sylvester is that mathematics is the music of reason. May not music be described as the mathematics of the sense, mathematics as music of the reason? The musician feels mathematics, the mathematician thinks music: music the dream, mathematics the working life.”

This statement suggests a poetic connection between mathematics and music. Candidates likely had to discuss the beauty and logic inherent in mathematics and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity

This topic seems to touch upon the ideas of social justice and charity, which have been discussed by philosophers like John Rawls and the concept of the “veil of ignorance.”

Candidates may have been asked to explore the relationship between justice, equality, and philanthropy in society.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school –  Albert Einstein .

This essay topic likely demands from candidates to reflect on the value of education beyond rote memorization.

It may have expect discussion on the practical application of knowledge and lifelong learning.

What Should Aspirants Preparing for UPSC CSE for Next Year do for an essay paper?

Taking the essay paper in the UPSC exam seriously is important. This paper requires you to write 10-12 pages about abstract or philosophical topics, which can be challenging if you’re not well-prepared.

To succeed in this exam and perform well in the essay paper, you should work on improving your comprehension and analytical skills. To get additional guidance you can join the ClearIAS essay writing program as well.

One helpful way to prepare is by reading various types of essays, especially philosophical ones. Pay special attention to the ideas of famous philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, and others.

Practice writing essays based on famous quotes, as this is a common format in UPSC exams.

Additionally, be ready to write essays on a wide range of topics, including society, politics, the economy, and technology. UPSC asks such types of questions too.

Keep in mind that there isn’t a fixed pattern for UPSC questions. Analyze previous year’s question papers to get valuable insight. So, focus on understanding the way UPSC frames questions rather than expecting a consistent trend.

Related Posts

• Essay Course for UPSC CSE – The Art of Essay Writing
• ClearIAS launches Essay Writing Course for UPSC
• 10 Common Essay Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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UPSC IAS Prelims 2024, Final Selection 90 Days Crash Course Based on Latest Exam Pattern by Adda247 IAS

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Subjects covered, exam pattern.

The Union Public Service Commission released UPSC CSE Notification 2024 for 1056 posts.

The registration process for the 2024 Civil Services Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has commenced on its official website. To participate in this year's exam, interested individuals can access the official website and complete their online registration by March 5th. Detailed information regarding the UPSC CSE Notification 2024 has been provided to candidates prior to filling out the UPSC application form. This article aims to provide comprehensive details regarding the UPSC CSE Notification 2024.

Each year, over 10 lakh candidates register for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination through the official website. The UPSC Prelims Examination is conducted offline in two shifts. To be eligible for the upcoming UPSC Prelims Examination, applicants must complete their application by March 5th, ensuring they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the UPSC CSE Notification 2024. Fulfilling these criteria is crucial for inclusion in the Civil Services Recruitment process, which is essential for individuals aspiring to join various administrative services across the country. It is recommended to thoroughly review this article if you are interested in the UPSC CSE Notification 2024.

The Civil Services Examination is held annually to fill Group A positions in the Central Government. Under the UPSC CSE Recruitment for the current year, a total of 1056 positions will be filled. This recruitment process consists of three stages. Firstly, candidates must appear for the Preliminary Examination, scheduled for May 26th this year. Students can download the UPSC Notification 2024 PDF from the official website, and for their convenience, the official UPSC 2024 Notification PDF is also provided in this article.

Overview of UPSC Notification 2024:

• UPSC Prelims Exam 2024 is scheduled for May 26, 2024.
• The UPSC IAS Exam 2024 notification was released on February 14, 2024.
• Candidates can find all important aspects of the UPSC Exam 2024 in the table below.

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Comprehensive Coverage of Exam Topics : The crash course provides comprehensive coverage of all subjects and topics specified in the UPSC IAS Prelims syllabus. From current affairs to general studies, aspirants will receive thorough preparation across all relevant areas of the examination.  

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Solid Preparation for Success : Join us in the UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Crash Course and embark on a journey towards solid preparation and success in the preliminary examination. With our focused approach, aligned with the latest exam pattern and syllabus, aspirants will be well-prepared to excel in the UPSC IAS Prelims and advance towards their dream of serving the nation as civil servants.  

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Check the study plan here 

• Polity 
• Science and Tech 
• Current Affairs

UPSC conducts 3 stages of recruitment for the Civil Services Examination – Prelims, Mains, and Interview! UPSC Preliminary Examination is an objective type consisting of 9 descriptive examinations to shortlist the candidates for the Main Examination. Only the candidates who qualify for all the papers of the Main Examination will be called for the interview round to assess their intelligence, attentiveness, balance of judgment, and human qualities like honesty, integrity, and leadership qualities, which will form part of the final selection process.  

UPSC Prelims 2024 Exam Pattern: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the examination and is qualifying in nature. Candidates must have obtained a minimum 33% marks with marks above the cut-off decided by UPSC. UPSC preliminary examination is conducted to shortlist a limited number of candidates for the main examination. The UPSC syllabus for the Prelims exam consists of two papers namely General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).  

Important Points: 

• For each wrong answer, 1/3 of the total marks will be deducted.
• No marks will be deducted for blank answers.
• In General Studies (Paper I), each question carries 2 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.66 marks
• In CSAT (Paper-II), each question carries 2.5 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.833 marks for each wrong answer.
• Marks of the preliminary examination will not be included in the final result (merit list).
• Paper II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying

UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Main Exam: Candidates who qualify the preliminary examination will be eligible to appear for the main examination. This is the scoring and rank-determining stage of the examination process and the candidates have to qualify for each paper. The Main Examination tests the candidate's academic knowledge and ability to present understanding as per the requirements of the question in a time bound manner. UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Mains Exam is given below.  

• The Main Examination consists of two qualifying papers, namely “Paper A” and “Paper B”, each of 300 marks.
• The two qualifying papers are “Any Indian Language from the Eighth Schedule” and “English Language Paper”.
• Candidates must obtain 25% marks in both the qualifying papers i.e. 75 marks each.
• All other seven papers are scored, and their marks will be included in the final merit list.
• Candidates can answer all scoring items in English or any of the eight scheduled languages.
• Candidates must select any one subject from the table as their optional subject for Paper VI and Paper VII.
• Current Affairs & CSAT Classes Free with Crash course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering About the Change in the UPSC Exam Centre 2024? Here's What You Need to Know

img src="https://img.jagranjosh.com/images/2024/April/342024/Change-in-UPSC-Exam-Centre-2024.jpg" width="1200" height="675" />

UPSC Civil Services 2024: UPSC conducts one of the most prestigious examinations in India for which the preliminary exam is scheduled to be conducted on June 16, 2024. The UPSC has stopped accepting online applications from candidates. While filling out the applications, candidates were asked to select their examination centres, and UPSC does not allow changes in the exam centre.

As per the media reports, there are circumstances where candidates may need to change their exam centre location, and here's what you need to know about the process.

What is the Procedure to Change Exam Centre under Normal Circumstances?

The UPSC does not allow any changes in the exam centre once the application form is submitted. This means that candidates will not be able to change their exam centre once they have selected it and submitted it. This policy was put in place to guarantee the examination's efficiency and impartiality.

Guidelines under Special Circumstances

In special circumstances, such as natural disasters or political upheaval, the UPSC may entertain requests regarding changes in exam centres. Last year, during the Manipur instance, many candidates were allowed to change their exam centres after filing petitions with the High Court.

Who is allowed to change the exam centre for the 2024 examination?

Manipuri candidates who submitted an application for the UPSC exam in 2024 are allowed to change their exam centre and can select a place from a list provided. These places are Jorhat and Dispur in Assam, Delhi, Kolkata in West Bengal, Kohima in Nagaland, Aizawl in Mizoram, and Shillong in Meghalaya. Other than this, detailed information also states that the state government will pay for all travel-related costs for the candidate. Therefore, those who would like to modify the location of their examination for this year's civil services examination may do so by writing an email to the UPSC between April 8 and April 19.

What to do while applying for Exam Centre Change?

The candidate who belong to Manipur are allowed to change the examination centres. Below are the steps listed for the ease of candidates.

Write an Email: Draft an email to the UPSC explaining your request to change your exam centre. Make sure to include your full name, registration number, and the reason for the requested change.

Email Content: In the email, clearly state that you are a Manipuri candidate and wish to change your exam centre due to the current situation. Mention the preferred exam centre from the list provided by the UPSC (Jorhat, Dispur, Delhi, Kolkata, Kohima, Aizawl, or Shillong).

Await Confirmation: After sending the email, await confirmation from the UPSC regarding your request. They will respond with further instructions or confirmation of the change.

UPSC CSE Prelims Exam Pattern

The first stage of the recruitment process is the prelims exam where the marks scored in the GS paper will be used to select the candidates for the mains examination and the CSAT exam will be qualifying in nature, where the candidates need to score 33% marks. Check the table below for UPSC prelims exam pattern

UPSC CSE Mains Exam Pattern

The second stage of the recruitment process is the mains examination. The exam will be conducted over 5 days and consist of 9 papers, of which 2 will be qualifying in nature and the marks scored in the remaining seven papers will be used to prepare the final merit list. The time allowed to attempt each paper is 3 hours. Check the table below for UPSC Mains exam pattern

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The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)

Facts for prelims (ffp).

  Context: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months

  The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA ) is an act of the Indian Parliament that gives the military special powers to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.

The act came into effect in 1958 and applies to the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.

The AFSPA gives the military, para-military, and other security forces the power to:

• Use force, including lethal force, against people who violate the law or are suspected of doing so
• Arrest people without a warrant
• Enter or search premises without a warrant
• Shoot to kill
• Search houses
• Destroy any property that is “likely” to be used by insurgents

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