The Essay paper in UPSC is not a test of memory; it is a test of your mind, maturity, and personality. The examiner wants to see whether you can think with balance, write with coherence, and present yourself as a future civil servant. Let us quickly go through the guiding principles:
1. Move Beyond PESTEL – Be Organic
The era of rigid PESTEL-based (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal) structuring is fading. Today’s essays demand integration rather than compartmentalization.
- For instance, if the topic is “Globalisation and its impact on Indian society”, don’t just write separate PESTEL points. Instead, show how technology (Digital India) impacts politics (e-governance), which in turn shapes society (empowerment of women via Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile). This interlinking shows maturity.
- UPSC rewards essays that flow like a story rather than a checklist.
2. Argument + Counter-Argument = Balance
A good essay is like a balanced debate on paper. Present your arguments, acknowledge the counterpoints, and then resolve them with reason.
- For example, in a topic like “Can capitalism and socialism co-exist?”
- Argument: Capitalism fosters innovation (Infosys, Reliance Jio).
- Counter-Argument: It widens inequality (Oxfam report: 1% holds more than 50% of wealth).
- Resolution: A balanced model like India’s socialistic pattern of society, with welfare schemes (MGNREGA, PM Garib Kalyan Yojana) coexisting alongside private enterprise.
This nuanced approach reflects the temperament of a civil servant.
3. Use Philosophies and Civilisational Anchors
Philosophies and cultural references enrich your essay and show depth. Use them judiciously:
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family) → for topics on global cooperation, environment, climate change.
- Gandhiji’s Sarvodaya (welfare of all) → for essays on inclusive growth, poverty alleviation.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s warning: “Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy” → for social justice–oriented topics.
- Modern examples: UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Climate Accord, India’s G20 presidency theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
4. Strategic Topic Selection
- Read all eight topics patiently. Avoid rushing.
- Pick both essays in the beginning. Ensure they project different facets of your personality. Example: One could be on philosophy/ethics (“Wisdom finds truth”), the other on governance/development (“Innovation is the key to India’s future growth”). However UPSC these years is asking only Philosophical essays. You need to ensure diverse thought process and ensure that monotony is avoided.
- This shows you as well-rounded, not one-dimensional.
5. Analysis + Examples — Not Examples alone
In philosophical essays, the core is analysis, not a string of quotations or anecdotes. Begin by interpreting the theme in simple terms, then build logical reasoning—why it matters, how it applies, and what implications it carries.
Once the foundation is set, illustrate with examples—from philosophy, history, literature, or contemporary life—to strengthen your argument. For instance, in “Wisdom finds truth”, first explain how wisdom integrates knowledge and judgment, then support with Socrates’ dialectics, Gandhiji’s experiments with truth, or the scientific method. Always let logic lead, examples follow—this balance convinces the examiner of both depth and originality.
6. Structure, Flow, and Coherence
An essay should feel like listening to music, not reading bullet points. Ensure flow:
- Start with a hook (story, quote, or anecdote).
- Example: On “Education as the key to freedom”, begin with Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- Build logically, one idea leading to another.
- Conclude with a hopeful, forward-looking note.
- Example: For climate essays → end with the thought that humanity’s survival depends not on technology alone, but on rekindling harmony with nature, as our ancestors taught through ‘Prakriti Puja’.
7. Manage Time – Don’t Neglect the Second Essay
- Divide your time equally. Write both essays with balance.
- Roughly 1 hr 30 mins per essay → 15 minutes for brainstorming + 1 hr 15 mins for writing.
Remember, an imbalanced paper pulls down your total score, even if one essay is brilliant.
8. Maintain Calm Under Pressure
- The exam hall is designed to test not just your knowledge but your composure.
- Remember: Civil servants face pressure daily—whether during floods, communal tensions, or policy negotiations. If you stay calm in the essay paper, you mirror that quality.
9. Personality Over Information
Ultimately, the essay is about YOU. Facts, data, and case studies strengthen your essay—but what the examiner remembers is your voice, balance, and humane perspective.
- Example: On “The paradox of modern life is we have means but not meaning”, don’t just list sociological facts. Talk about rising depression despite material wealth, and conclude with a vision of “Purna Jeevan” (holistic life) as taught by Indian philosophy.
Closing Note
The Essay paper is a window into your personality. Through it, show that you are not just knowledgeable but also wise, empathetic, balanced, and resilient.
Write as if you are already a civil servant—measured, thoughtful, and solution-oriented. That is what UPSC wants
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