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(Getting Started) What does Evaluate, Examine, Critically Discuss and Such
Terms Mean??
What does Evaluate, Examine, Critically Discuss and Such Terms Mean??

Dear IAS Aspirants,

We have been getting many emails, asking about the meaning and differences between the
questions that starts with terms like- Evaluate, Examine, Critically Discuss etc.
It is important to know precisely what the question asks, in order to answer it adequately. Most
of the time, a candidate is unable to comprehend what the question expects of the candidate.
Thus, the candidate makes a wild guess and writes down whatever comes to his/her mind.
However, this might badly backfire, and result in lower marks, ultimately disappointing you.
Many candidates are confused after reading questions that are in the form of- 'Evaluate,
Examine, Analyze, Critically Discuss, and Outline......'
It should be kept in mind that these terms are not synonymous, though there meaning may, at
times, overlap. Thus UPSCPORTAL presents a brief explanation for these terms:

:: Evaluate ::
Questions asking you to evaluate some issue expect you to judge the significance and worth of
the topic under some criterion. Thus, merely writing the factual statements would not help in
such questions. While, it might be necessary to provide some factual evidence for your
arguments, it is more important in such questions to judge the worth of the concept, being
discussed, as per the given context.

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EXAMPLES- Evaluate the Participation of India in the IMF?

ExplanationNow, this question does not ask you to write merely about Indias participation in the IMF and
various agreements or developments. But, it asks you to write how is Indias participation in
the IMF justified. Thus, you cannot fetch good marks merely by giving the details about the
Indian participation. You should provide rational reasons regarding the effectiveness and worth
of it.

:: Examine ::
These questions are much like the evaluate-type of question, but it requires the candidate to
write the different shades of the topic. It requires the candidate to inquire into the topic and
make an evaluation from the candidate's perspective.

EXAMPLES- Examine the role of women in the Indian national

movement?
ExplanationThis question, expects the candidate to evaluate the different dimensions of the topic, and
decide for the aptness of the question. Thus, you should touch the various aspects of the
question and provide why and how does it justify itself. thus, for this question you should give
the instances of how women participated in the indian national movement, and explain why
was it significant.

:: Analyze ::
these questions require the candidate to analyze the topic being asked, with other similar
concepts and draw out the characteristic features and qualities, while also highlighting the
positive and negative points of the topic.

EXAMPLES- Analyze the role of Panchayats in the

empowerment of the poor and marginalized.
ExplanationTo analyze a topic, you should bring out the points both- in favor and against the given
argument. Further, you should explain your view, as to how it can be proved with the given
evidence. For this question, you should discuss how the panchayats have helped the poor and
marginalized

section,

and

what

are

the

various

challenges

and

obstacles

for

their

empowerment under the present framework. Then, at the bend of the answer, you should also
conclude your argument by a side.

:: Critically Discuss ::

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Questions with the tag of 'critically discuss' are broad-based questions which expects the
candidate to write about the topic from his own perspective. In addition, it requires the
candidate to bring out the points of criticism regarding the concept.

EXAMPLES- Critically Discuss the developments in the

Education sector in India.
ExplanationFor this question, while the first thing a candidate should write is the contemporary situation in
the field of education in india, and then move towards the criticism part. It is important to note
that for such questions the candidate should also put his own perspective and views. Thus,
while highlighting the achievement in the education sector, you should also give the
shortcomings and loopholes of the education policy in india.

:: Outline ::
The questions that asks you to outline about the issue, requires you to draw a framework about
the topic, with different details and constituents. Such an essay is a descriptive essay
containing more facts and less analysis.

EXAMPLES- Give an Outline of the System of Economic

Planning in India.
ExplanationFor this question, you should give a detailed sketch of the evolution of the system of economic
planning in india. You may advance in a historical chronology or according to the various
planning frameworks. However, it is beneficial if you also provide an evaluation of the topic, in
the latter section of the essay.
We advice to the IAS aspirants to keep in mind, the meaning of the different terms, while
writing any exam in the future. We are open for suggestions and questions from the
aspirants.
We wish the candidates, All the Best!!
Team UPSCPORTAL
WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM
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