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Things To Consider Before Writing An Essay in The Exam

A typical essay UPSC asks candidates to write in the civil services Mains exam year after year is an expository or analytical one.
Unlike literary essay which tend to be descriptive and narrative requiring candidate to explore his literary skills, expository
essays demand reasoning and logic well argued with the help of relevant evidences and examples.

There are certain steps to follow while attempting an essay in the civil services exam in order to get good marks.

1.

Choosing a right topic is the crucial part in Essay paper. First, read all the questions carefully. Instantly you will like a
certain topic tick it. Then prioritize other topics. See which one you think is easy to handle.

2.

Underline or circle a key word in each topic. Think over them for a few minutes.

3.

You will be given easy and difficult topics to choose from. Easy topics are chosen by the most and help in getting
decent marks. Difficult topic is chosen by very few they either get lowest or highest mark in it.

4.

If you want to play safe, choose the easiest one. In case you have prior experience of writing and comprehending
complex topics, go for the difficult one. Usually, difficult topics are difficult to interpret correctly. They will be either vague
or appear abstract. If you are familiar with such topics and correctly understand them, then go for them. Otherwise settle
down for the easy topic. You would be ensured decent marks.

5.

Now, the form of the question should be carefully noted down. If it is in a question form such as, What do you
think?, you must provide an answer and your opinion.

If the topic is just Women In Parliament Achievements and Prospects, you will have a space to explore the topic
from many perspectives with relevant facts and conclusion can be anything.

Also look for directives at the end of the questions and write essay accordingly.

Planning

1.

Once you have chosen a topic, next step involves planning and brainstorming.

2.

Reread the question many times. Think over each word in it. You will observe that ideas start flooding from all
directions. Write them down on a rough space.

3.

While thinking on the topic, dont think about the examiner. Sometimes one tends to impress the examiner with big
ideas. Avoid it. Let your impulse work. Let natural thoughts flow out on to the paper.

4.

Think all the possibilities that throw up and try to connect each with the topic. Whatever you write down, it must be
related to the topic you have chosen.

5.

Most topics demand a balanced approach. Even if it is your express opinion, you should be objective and try to
portray other aspects too. While brainstorming, think of such other possibilities too. Balancing doesnt mean giving 50-50
share to both the views. It just means being objective and the tone should be subdued.

6.

Do this brainstorming on the first page itself. Write down all points legibly. Sometimes, a good examiner might be
just impressed by your meticulous planning and be generous while awarding marks.

7.

Try to include examples, meaning of any jargon you might want to use in essay, or comments on particular argument
of a person (if its an example in the essay) and evidences in support of your argument.

8.

Interlink each point you have jotted down. Prioritize and rearrange them by giving ranks. Eliminate irrelevant points.
Again make sure that everything you have jotted down is relevant to The Topic. Use the number one point in the first
paragraph after introduction.

9.

Now the raw material for your essay is ready. The blueprint is ready.

Writing an Essay

1.

Write a good introduction. After the planning process you will clearly know what your essay is all about. State the
purpose of your essay in the introduction. It is called stating the thesis. Let it be crisp and straight to the point. A good
introduction clearly tells us what to expect in the rest of the essay.

2.

Look at the rough work again and again to keep yourself on the track. Now start answering the essay after the
introduction using the ranking you did while planning. Now you might get fresh ideas. Incorporate them.

3.

Make good use of connective and transition words in and between each paragraphs. This makes your essay readable
and gives a good flow. But use them only if the context demands.

4.

A logical essay naturally leads to a conclusion. You should not repeat the content of the introduction here. You
should neither sum up your essay in conclusion. State what conclusion you draw from all the arguments you wrote in the
essay.

In the exam, you will get good three hours to write a thoughtful essay. Use 30 minutes to Plan it well and rest of the time for
execution. Write neatly, legibly and use many small paragraphs.

My UPSC Preparation Strategy

Chandra Mohan Garg

Rank 25, CSE 2015

I feel privileged today to share my two cents on civil services preparation. Before I begin let me clearly state that there is no
magic wand to clear civil services. Also there is no correlation of intelligence and high aptitude with chances of selection in civil
services. Most of the people who crack it are no indifferent (at one point of time even they were a part of the herd and felt the
same uncertainty of clearing up this exam).But yes something worked for them, that made them successful.

I would like to list down some of the most important components which you will find common in preparation of all successful
candidates. We can call them as Basic Pillars of UPSC Preparation

1.

A timetable and strategy: Nothing is possible without proper planning, a daily timetable and short/long term goals
setting. So plan and timetable is the first pillar.

2.

A strong foundation and conceptual clarity: it is important to ensure whatever we read, we understand it thoroughly.
UPSC questions are very much applied, they need analysis and that can come only when we are crystal clear with our
concepts of subject matter.

3.

Consolidation and revision: The syllabus is like a vast ocean, it is important to keep consolidating and revising it time
and again.So make notes and continuosly revise every now and then.

4.

Evaluation of Preparation: At every point of time you should know where your preparation stand, that is possible
through self-evaluation and evaluation through tests.

5.

Consistency: Nothing happens without it. People who show consistency are sure shot to be rewarded, provided they
work smartly

6.

Discussions and Answer writing: Discussions are very important, they will help in clearing your doubts & better
understanding of subject matter. Similarly Answer writing has a very important role, knowledge without ability to express
and articulate is futile. It is important to develop the ability to deliver in 8 minutes.

7.

Being Optimistic: This is the last but the most important one. UPSC is a time taking process, full of obstacles and
failures. How to cope up with them, keeping yourself motivated is the biggest key to success.

I will discuss each of the above point in detail sometime later. Also I shall take up discussion on soft aspects like right time to
start preparation, should job be left, need of a backup, how do I decide why civil services etc. Clarity on all this is must before
giving a full-fledged effort for preparation.

Now let us discuss how to prepare for civil services.

Pre Preparation Mode

The initial two-three months are very confusing. People are generally not able to understand what to read, how to make notes,
which newspaper to refer and other plethora of questions coming to their minds. What most people end up doing is they join a
coaching thinking it to be a solution to all problems , others blindly start following some senior who himself is misdirected. This
is a very crucial stage and I feel most of the people lose their momentum here because of a faulty start and they find very
difficult to realign later.

So starting has to be steady and sober. I think it is important to give at least two months to yourself to get yourself in UPSC
mode. Start reading newspapers and noting them down, basic NCERTs of economics, Polity & other basic ones, some good
blogs/book etc. This will not only help in giving you a foundation but also help in taking informed decisions related to
preparation (estimation of time you will need, need of coaching, should job be continued, optional choice etc.). This will act as a
trial and error time where you can learn how to make notes, how to read books, learn from others etc. So this will make things
smooth in your preparation be it self or through coaching.

I shall discuss in detail how to go about in pre-preparation mode

Preparation Mode

When you start your preparation, have a clear cut idea about your study plan. Which books/material to read, which subjects to
cover up, how to divide time between (GS, current affairs and optional), what will be the daily targets, short and long term
goals.

Time Required for Preparation: Since every one of us have different grasping power so please do not go by others set timeline.
Take your own time for civil services preparation. Ideally 12-15 months is at least required for preparation mode.

Book-List

Prelims Book List (My Prelims Book List)

Polity Laxmikanth

Modern History Modern Spectrum , few chapters from Old NCERT class 12th (before 1857)

Medieval History OLD NCERT

Ancient History- OLD NCERT CLASS 11th

Culture- Nitin Singhania + CCRT/NIOS selectively , Mrunal Videos can also be seen

Environment Shankar Ias, Old Biology Class 12 Ecology unit

Economics- Sriram Printed Notes + Macroeconomics Class 12 NCERT . Mrunal Videos are also good .

Geography Class 11th &12th NCERT, Class 6 to 10th NCERT selectively, Biomes chapter from G C Leong. Mrunal Videos are
also good.

Science- NCERT 6th to 10th (Mainly 9th&10th), Some selective chapters from 11th & 12th as mentioned by Mrunal. Vajiram
Yellow books of PCB are also fine

Current Affairs- Hindu + InsightsonIndia + Monthly Magazine

Other stuff Budget+ Eco survey selectively + Indian Year Book Selectively(only if time permits)

Test Series InsightsonIndia papers for its questions . A question bank like Arihant might also be of help

What if the basics are very weak. You can do the following:-

Read NCERTS 6th to 10th of subjects you feel you are very weak

Take help of online videos. Mrunal, Unacademy are good platforms.

General Studies Mains

GS Paper 1

Culture : Nitin Singhania Notes + Vajiram Notes

Modern History Modern Spectrum/Shekhar Bandopadhyay , few chapters from Old NCERT class 12th (before 1857)

Post Independent History Vision Ias (selectively), Bipin Chandra India since Independence(selectively).

World History NCERT 9th &10th Old ones, Class 12th NCERT (all selectively) , Vision IAS notes

Society Ram Ahuja selectively can be seen, current affairs

Geography NCERT 11th& 12th , GC Leong , Mrunal Videos, Vision reference for resources part

GS Paper 2

Read one reference source for static part and compliment it with current affairs .

Polity: Laxmikanth thoroughly + Current Affairs

Public Admin related topics:Vision IAS + Current Affairs

IR: Current Affairs. If need be Subhra Ranjan mam IR notes of Pol science are also good to be selectively referred.

Insight secure Initiative is very helpful here. Look at paper 2 questions posted up and read answers on topics you have little
or no idea. Collate it in your notes.

GS Paper 3

Economy & Infrastructure : Prelims studied sources + Sanjeev Verma + Economic survey + Budget + Current Affairs

Agriculture & related topics : Mrunal + Vision Ias + Current Affairs

Security TMH book on security + Current Affairs

Environment & Science : Mainly current affair + whatever studied for prelims

Disaster Management : Summarise ARC on DM + Current Affairs

Here also make most of Insight secure Initiative + Newspaper + Vision Ias Magazines

GS Paper 4

It is not a technical subject , this subject requires very clear understanding of value aspect and then its application in real life
and contextual problem. So focus should be on general understanding and answer writing.

Read one reference book say lexicon. Summarize and make your own notes for values, concepts and relate it to examples. Eg
attitude. what is attitude, attributes of attitude, how to change attitude etc. Make simple points on all these and relate it to real
life examples.( how to change a bureaucrat attitude, society attitude etc). This year a question was based on it only- changing
attitude of villagers towards female education. How will you do it.

UPSC expects application of ethical knowledge in real life and this is how we need to do it.Refer Insights secure for answer
writing and reading others answer.

Key is read less, think more ( collect examples, reason and analyse etc) and then practice how to write. Refer some test series if
you want. GS score case studies solutions were really good earlier. Dont know now.

Use: Lexicon, InsightsonIndia articles + Secure Initiative , Some test papers with solution on case studies( GS score
solutions/Lukmaan), self analysis and note making.

General Good books / sources for knowledge addition :-

1.

India After Gandhi :- Must to understand Indias transformation

2.

Imagining India :- Discusses well Indias issues and solutions to them

3.

12th 5yr Approach plan: Very helpful for paper 3

4.

Economic Survey and Budget

5.

RSTV discussions

6.

Selective reference to Kurukshetra, Yojana, EPW

How to Cover Syllabus

Syllabus can be divided into 3 parts

1.

Pre cum Mains:

This is that part of Syllabus which is more or less common for prelims and mains. E.g. Polity, World Geography etc. You will get
to know just by seeing Syllabus which all parts are common.

Prepare this part holistically for prelims and mains together i.e. understand the concept and as well learn the factual part. For
example if you are reading Laxmikant and topic is Speaker, from prelims perspective you will focus on how speaker is elected,
his powers, which committees he heads etc. & from mains point of view you will focus on role of speaker in effective functioning
of parliament, how to ensure political impartiality of speaker, UK vs India model for speaker etc.

If possible make some notes or put stickers in the book and summarise. Write some answers for practice every now and then
(get this evaluated by someone).

Pre cum mains section needs to be covered well in advance before prelims examination, so that you can revise twice before
prelims. Also you should practice at least one test series for prelims.

I will discuss prelims and GS-1, 2, 3, 4 preparation paper strategy separately, where I can talk about how to cover syllabus, book
list, note making, how to link static and current knowledge, how to consolidate and what to write in answers.

2. Mains topics Only

This refers to those part of syllabus which are not common with prelims. E.g.- GS Paper 4, World History etc. Refer syllabus and
you will get all of it.

One should read each and everything from this section and make some notes also before prelims. So that after prelims you can
join a test series and write test and evaluate and revise only.

3. Optional

Choose optional on the basis of interest, time requirement, material availability, marks trend etc. It is very important to cover
the entire syllabus of optional before prelims. After prelims it should only be revision, value addition and answer writing
practice.

Other Important Components of Syllabus

1.

Current Affairs

Current Affairs is very important for prelims and mains point of view. One needs to make continuous notes because most of the
questions asked in prelims and mains have a correlation with contemporary developments taking place. Sources you need may
include:-

1.

A current Daily: to capture recent happenings, reading editorial, noting examples, general awareness and facts.
Hindu and Indian Express are good sources

2.

Monthly Magazine: To get a consolidated source every month end. Vision, IAS Baba or any other will do.

3.

InsightsonIndia: Secure Initiative for Mains Value addition and Current events for prelims majorly.

For prelims: Capture all events, organisation, initiatives, schemes & policy, scientific developments, Institutions, people etc. in
news

For Mains: Go through the syllabus thoroughly and make categories (Polity, IR, S&T etc.). Capture any government initiatives,
policies, latest development in any field, issue analysis, editorial, case study, facts related to the syllabus.

2. Essay

Most of the people generally ignore essay preparation. I could increase 32 marks in my GS altogether (375 to 407) after putting
up lot of efforts. But not even 1/10 of effort was required to increase 28 marks in essay (121 to 149). So it is very important to
th

prepare for essay. Essay preparation does not require any coaching as fodder you will get from GS preparation. What needs to
be learnt is how to articulate that knowledge, how to create an outline of essay and structure your ideas, how to give illustrations
and include quotes, facts, examples in essay. All this will come with practice and some homework.

I will write on this in detail later.

PRELIMS TIME (what to do)

Prelims has become highly competitive, keeping in mind that CSAT is out and cut-off is going very high one needs to give a lot
of attention to prelims .Now focus has to be on two areas. One is what to prepare and Second how to solve the paper.

What to prepare:

Firstly focus on basic books and NCERT and cover them thoroughly. This is the most conventional and safe area from where
you can be sure that question will come and you will be able to solve. Secondly read budget, economic survey and current events
thoroughly. This is another favourite area of UPSC now. Apart from this there are so many growing resources for environment,
culture, conventional subjects coming up. Read them selectively on your discretion once you are done with above mentioned
things.Most Important is revision, revise at least thrice.Also do give tests they help in evaluation, course completion and
revision. If you dont want to join take papers from the market. InsightsonIndia papers are very nice.

How to solve the paper:

The papers these days are very confusing due to multiple choices, making it difficult to attempt questions with 100 percent
surety. So at times we need to take calculated risks. Paper need to be solved through 2 ways. One you know what is the answer,
other you know what cant be the answer so indirectly leading you to the answer. Read the questions and solve them in the
question paper first. If you know the answer put a tick in the question paper, if you dont know leave it, if you are 50-50 ( able to
eliminate at least two options) you can put a round or any other way you like to make it like a marked question. Now in your

answer sheet first fill only those questions you are 100 percent sure. Count such number of questions. Based on your selfevaluation figure out if you need to take some risk. If you think you have done ample questions and will easily clear so dont take
a risk. If you feel your attempt is very less then take some calculated risk with questions you had put as marked questions,
choose those questions among them where you are able to eliminate one more option or are more or less confident towards one
of the two options left.

I am only sharing an approach using it is solely your discretion, dont go by mine or anyone else advice. Practice it in mocks and
then take your own decision. Though best thing is to ensure you take minimal risk, but such conditions are idealistic and we
have to be prepared for emergency situations.

PRE-MAINS TIME (what to do)

This is the time when all your notes/revision sources should be ready. No new reading in this period except current affairs and
some value additions. Now set a timeline for revision. You can use a test series or even self-defined deadlines. This time 116
days are there so plan accordingly.

Consolidation (75-80 days)

Tests will have a weekly/bi weekly plan and a part of syllabus is supposed to be covered. First cover the left over parts of the
topics if any left. Then revise everything. While revising keep your static and current affairs notes /sources together and
consolidate them.

For eg- you read speaker in Laxmikant, in current affairs you would have come across how speaker misused anti-defection law
in Bihar, how a bill was labelled as money bill to bypass Rajya sabha etc. Likewise consolidate your knowledge of current and
static parts for every paper.

Most importantly focus on answer writing a lot. Not just writing but get evaluated through test series, friends, seniors in
services or Insight on India. Objective behind writing is solely improve your articulation, structuring etc.

First and Second Revision ( 35-40 days)

It is important to remember basic ideas in the examination hall. Rather than reading new things focus on strengthening what
you have read. So two rounds of revision are much needed. It sounds idealistic when we are not even able to cover the syllabus.
But my focus is on quality of coverage than quantity. And if you plan properly you can have quality along with quantity.

Note Making

Whatever you read in Static and Current part keep consolidating topic wise. Anything new add in your notes rather than
reading again and again. Later these notes can be consolidated and used for revision purpose. If you will not make notes you

will not be able to catch hold of entire syllabus, keep forgetting things. So start making notes from day 1. In course of time you
will learn how to make, manage and revise them

What else is required?

I think three biggest facets of this preparation are Knowledge, articulation and positive attitude. Nobody talks about this third
facet which is the most important and critical aspect of not just Upsc preparation but life in itself. I am focussing on this
because I left my preparation once thinking I am not capable of clearing UPSC and here I am with rank 25. It happened only
when I changed my outlook, had I not changed it, my capabilities would never had come out. I could not have achieved this feat.

I am sharing a small link to an article I wrote sometime back. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-best-attitude-one-shouldmaintain-to-crack-civils-upsc

My Marks