25 years’ questions

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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21

Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

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INDEX

1 TARGET 140+: AN APPROACH TO WRITING A SCORING ESSAY – By MK YADAV 3

2 THEME-WISE PREVIOUS 25 YEARS’ ESSAY QUESTIONS 5

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MAINS 2020 - 21

ALL 150+ PREVIOUS 25 YEARS’ QUESTIONS

TARGET 140+ IN ESSAY

COMPILED INTO 13 THEMES

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Essay is indeed one of the least understood and underrated, yet scoring paper, in the entire CSE Mains examination scheme. Time and again, aspirants have come up with fluctuating scores in essay over the years. So, what makes some candidates score consistently well (140-150+) every time? What are they doing right? With UPSC, one can only make an educated guess.

Here are some pointers that will enable you to develop a consistent strategy & approach to writing a scoring essay. These have been tried & tested by theIAShub’s selected candidates, thus, offer a credible blueprint.

1. What sources should one study for writing a brilliant essay?

• You may refer the same sources as you’ve referred for the GS exam preparation, including optionals.

• Basically, it is the same knowledge pool and content bank. Only the approach changes ie. you’ve to write in a precise manner in GS answers and in detail explanation format in an Essay.

• Word of Caution - Do not overuse your optionals knowledge. It would limit your ability to generate general and varied dimensions. Do not make your essay too complex.

2. What kind of language should one use?

• Remember, it’s not about writing heavy words and showing the strength of your vocabulary. Write an essay which can be understood by anyone ie. write in a simple yet lucid language.

• Do not forcefully insert complicated words, it will only break the natural flow of your thought.

• If you really want to appreciate the power of simplicity, do listen to US ex-president Barak Obama’s presidential speech of 2008 (available on YouTube). He used the simplest possible vocabulary, and yet very powerfully expressed his thoughts.

• And have neat, clean, & legible handwriting. You’re not in a calligraphy competition!

• Word of Caution – Simple language does not mean simplistic language. Do not hesitate to be creative with language - use keywords, quotes, idioms etc and make your essay interesting. Of course, this ability comes with reading good articles, books etc.

3. Should one write essay in point format? And draw diagrams, just like GS answers?

• A 1000-1200 words essay should preferably be written in a paragraph format, with small paragraphs (to break the monotony).

• Each paragraph should have a unique idea which must not be repeated anywhere else in the essay (don’t unnecessarily break single idea paragraphs).

• You can divide the entire essay into 6-7 major parts and give relevant sub-headings.

• Avoid mindmaps/diagrams or use only if it goes with the overall flow of your idea. Do not attempt to “force fit”. You can use tables to show data, if necessary, or maps.

• Word of Caution – Proper structuring of essay is crucial. Prepare a rough outline of your essay, in the rough space provided, before actually attempting it. This requires brainstorming of points and prioritising them to give a proper flow to the essay.

4. How should one go about choosing the Topic?

• Choice of topic must be based on familiarity with the topic. If you are comfortable with the topic, ideas will flow naturally. You have to own the topic!

• Choose a topic where you can generate more dimensions and have a reasonable depth of knowledge.

• Remember to stick to the topic. Keep a grip on the central theme throughout the essay. Deviation from the topic ends up irritating the evaluator and results in poor marks.

TARGET 140+: AN APPROACH TO WRITING A SCORING ESSAY

BY MK YADAV SIR




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• Word of Caution – Do not unnecessarily choose a difficult, unconventional topic. A good topic with bad content will (definitely!) not fetch marks.

5. How important is writing an introduction? How to write a catchy introduction?

• Well begun is half done! A catchy introduction captures the interest of the examiner (who probably is dead bored with correcting several essays!). It gives a sneak peek into what more interesting ideas await in rest of the pages.

• Preferably, start with a relevant quote! If need be, you may explain it.

• You may narrate a historical anecdote, state a current situation (fact, news etc.), relate a personal story, pose a counter question, can extrapolate a future happening based on current scenario etc.

• Develop a good quote bank (for introduction & conclusion). Memorising takes time, so begin early. Try jotting down good lines, quotes, examples, stories, case studies, etc. from daily newspaper editorials or other readings. Try compiling the quotes theme-wise – for eg. Women, Economy, Education, Health, International Relations etc.

• Word of Caution – Do not overuse quotes or straight jacket them where they do not belong.

6. How can one cover all the major dimensions in the body of the essay?

You may use these well-tested techniques to gather dimensions –

• Temporal Analysis – Past, Present and Future

• PESTLE Analysis – Polity, Economics, Science, Tech, Law, Env.

• Level Analysis – Personal, Family, State, National, International

• Stakeholder Analysis – Govt, Public, Business, Media, NGOs etc.

• GS syllabus based – Geography, History, Society, Polity, Governance, International Relations, Economy, IS, S&T, Environment, Disaster Management, Ethics etc.

• Word of Caution – In an attempt to generate too many dimensions, do not forget to maintain the flow and central idea of the essay. Your ideas, point of view and vision must be solid, dimensions are to be used only to expand on them.

7. How can one enrich the essay and make it stand apart?

• As mentioned earlier, before attempting, make a rough framework of the essay and jot down all the important dimensions in the rough space provided. This will help you to remember all your enrichment points and stick to the topic, otherwise you may lose track!

• Cite important facts, Keywords, SDGs, Committee’s name, SC judgements, World Summit, Parliamentary Law, words from PM/President/Vice-President speeches, thoughts of famous thinkers, NITI Ayog Reports, Important Indices/ Index, current affairs news etc.

• Simply generating issues is not enough, give innovative solutions, or a positive way ahead.

• Word of Caution – For every argument you make, back it up with facts or examples to lend weight to your opinions.

8. What else?

• Time Management – Preferably, assign 5 minutes to select the topic, 15-20 to prepare broad framework

and brainstorm, 1-1.15 hrs to write the essay.

• Practice, Practice, Practice – The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. Practice at least 5-

6 essays before the exam.

• Go through last 20-25 years’ essay topics - This will also help assess the oft repeated topics and aid you

you in preparing ready reference fodder on various topics.

• You may also refer to the answer copies of past toppers to have an idea and give few tests to help you

in self -evaluation.




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• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019

• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018

• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India. -2017

• 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

• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015

• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014

• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country. -2013

• 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

• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009

• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008

• BPO boom in India. -2007

• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006

• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999

• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs. -1994

• 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

• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006

• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000

• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1995

• Rise of artificial intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. -2019

• Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016

• Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015

• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013

• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible? -2012

• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006

• The lure of space. -2004

• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003

• Modern technological education and human values. -2002

• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001

THEME-WISE PREVIOUS 25 YEARS’ ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. ECONOMICS

2. ENVT, CLIMATE CHANGE & DISASTER MGMT.

3. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY




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• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000

• Value-based science and education. -1999

• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997

• 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

• National identity and patriotism -2008

• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018

• Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015

• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014

• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010

• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008

• As civilization advances culture declines. -2003

• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000

• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000

• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000

• Youth culture today. -1999

• The composite culture of India. -1998

• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998

• True religion cannot be misused. -1997

• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997

• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996

• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994

• 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

• Are the standardized tests a good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014

• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2011

• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges - 2011

• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses? -2008

• Independent thinking should be encouraged right from childhood. -2007

• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006

• What is real education? -2005

• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002

• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001

• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. - 1996

• Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995

6. EDUCATION & SKILL DEVELOPMENT

4. INTERNAL SECURITY

5. INDIAN SOCIETY




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• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009

• Food security for sustainable national development -2005

• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017

• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016

• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? -2012

• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006

• If women ruled the world -2005

• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005

• 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

• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997

• Men have failed: let women take over. -1996

• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995

• 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

• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014

• 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

• 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

• Justice must reach the poor -2005

• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004

• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004

• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003

• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003

• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001

• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999

• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997

• Judicial activism. -1997

• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996

8. WOMEN & GENDER ISSUES

9. POLITY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM

7. HEALTH & NUTRITION




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• Need for transparency in public administration -1996

• Whither Indian democracy? -1995

• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995

• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994

• South Asian societies are woven not around the state but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019

• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017

• Geography may remain the same; history need not. -2010

• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010

• Globalization’ vs. ‘Nationalism’ -2009

• Good fences make good neighbours -2009

• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007


• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006

• Terrorism and world peace -2005

• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. -2004

• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004

• The masks of new imperialism. -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

• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996

• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1995

• South Asian societies are woven not around the state but around their plural cultures and plural identities. -2019

• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017

• Geography may remain the same; history need not. -2010

• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010

• Globalization’ vs. ‘Nationalism’ -2009

• Good fences make good neighbours -2009

• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007


• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006

• Terrorism and world peace -2005

• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. -2004

• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004

• The masks of new imperialism. -2003

• The implications of globalization for India. -2000

• My vision of an ideal world order. -2001

• India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998

10. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & GLOBALISATION

11. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & GLOBALISATION




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• The world of the twenty-first century. -1998

• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996

• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1995

• Biased media is a real threat to Indian Democracy.- 2019

• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017

• Is sting operation an invasion of privacy? -2014

• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011

• Role of media in good governance -2008

• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? - 2007

• Responsibility of the media in a democracy. -2002

• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999

• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998

• Wisdom finds truth. - 2019

• Values are not what humanity is but what humanity is ought to be. -2019

• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for society- 2019

• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are keys to success. -2019

• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life. – 2018

• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values 2018

• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018

• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018

• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018

• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017

• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017

• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016

• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015

• Quick but steady wins the race. -2015

• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015

• Words are sharper than the sword- 2014

• With greater power comes greater responsibility- 2014

• Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013

• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008

• The pursuit of excellence. -2005

• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003

• If youth knew, if age could. -2002

• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002

• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002

• Truth is lived, not taught -1996

• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995

• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995

• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995

• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. -1994

12. MASS MEDIA/ SOCIAL MEDIA/ CINEMA

13. PHILOSOPHICAL, ABSTRACT, QUOTE BASED




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