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Essay Paper UPSC 2020 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on January 9, 2021 by ClearIAS Team

UPSC conducted the  Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2020 on 08-01-2021.

There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2020 Instructions

• 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 the 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) 2020

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

• Life is long journey between human being and being humane
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
• Ships do not sink because of water around them,  ships sink because of water that gets into them
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations

Though aspirants were asked to write only two essays out of eight, most aspirants faced difficulty to select the right combination of two essays.

A philosophical theme was present in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B.

As per most aspirants, the essay topic ‘Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self’ seemed the most tricky one. Only a few attempted that topic.

UPSC has ensured that the essay topics were much different from the GS questions.

As we have mentioned many times, Essay needs a different approach than GS. Only those candidates with good essay writing skills will score high in this year’s essay paper.

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UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper

The UPSC Mains 2020 kicked off on January 8, 2021, with the Essay Paper. The Essay Paper is counted for merit ranking in the UPSC scheme of things. The UPSC Mains consist of 9 papers in total. The UPSC 2020 Mains will go on till 17th January 2021.

The Essay Paper consists of two sections of four essay topics each. Candidates will have to write one essay each from both sections. The total marks for the Essay Paper are 250 (125 marks for each essay).  Candidates should write essays in about 1000 – 1200 words.

UPSC 2020 Mains Essay Question Paper:- Download PDF Here

The Essay Topics asked in the UPSC Mains 2020 are given below.

UPSC 2020 Mains Essay Paper

• Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
• Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• Culture is what we are, civilisation is what we have.
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations.

You can download the previous years’ UPSC question papers in the linked article.

You can download the UPSC 2020 Mains essay question paper here.

UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper:- Download PDF Here

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UPSC CSE main analysis 2020: ‘Essay paper toughest’

Upsc cse main analysis 2020: the candidates reviewed the essay paper as the toughest with most of the questions being philosophical or abstract in nature..

UPSC CSE main analysis 2020: The civil services main examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) started Friday. On the first day of the examination, candidates termed the essay paper as the “toughest” with questions that were mostly “philosophical” or “abstract” in nature.  The essay paper consists of two sections, and candidates have to attempt one out of four topics given in each section. Each essay carries 125 marks.

Anurag Sibbal, an UPSC aspirant, fund the essay paper “quite tough” and said the topics in both Part A and B had a “philosophical” approach. “Most of the essays in Part A required ethical thinking, some of the topics asked included ‘life is long journey’, ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’.  Part B topics were abstract in nature. The topics were on patriarchy, social justice.” Anurag is expecting to secure 100 to 120 marks.

Another UPSC aspirant, Kamalesh Arora, said the paper was “quite different from that of previous years”. According to him: “Last year, the essays of Section A were tough, while Section B was based on current topics such as ‘biased media’, ‘rise of artificial intelligence’ among others. I am expecting less than 100 in the paper.”

READ | How to attempt UPSC CSE Main? 

Experts, too, said the essay paper was one of the toughest in recent years. Rohit Singh, manager, UPSC Gradeup, said, “An ethical perspective can be seen in most of the essay topics. It could be expected that the scoring of the essay paper this year could be on the lower side as seen in the past when philosophical topics were asked. 120 + marks in the essay paper can be considered as good score.”

ESSAY TOPICS

– Life is long journey between being human and being humane

– Mindful manifesto is catalyst to tranquil self

– Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them

READ |  UPSC CSE Main 2020: Must read books for public administration 

– Simplicity is ultimate sophistication.

– Culture is what we are, civilisation is what we have

– There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.

– Patriarchy is the least noted but most significant structure of social inequality

– Technology as a silent factor in international relations.

ALSO READ |  Here’s how Pradeep Singh tops UPSC exam, follow his preparation strategy  

The UPSC expert said that all the four topics in Section A were philosophical in nature and also involved an element of ethical thinking. “These kinds of topics are particularly challenging given the paucity of content with candidates. It requires the candidates to have the originality of thought and have the ability of critical and analytical thinking. Factual knowledge is less relevant for these kinds of topics,” he analysed.

“Topics for essays 5,6 and 7 were more focused on society and related issues. Topic 5 was a bit abstract in nature. These topics require a deeper knowledge of abstract concepts and ideas,” the UPSC expert said.” Only the last topic in section B was easier as it combined international relations with science and technology.”.

The CSE main exam will be concluded on January 17.

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UPSC Previous Year Papers: 2020

UPSC Mains 2019 Paper Discussions:

Significance of UPSC Previous Year Paper

Understanding exam pattern : By going through the previous year's papers, aspirants can understand the exam pattern, question format, and the distribution of marks for different topics. This knowledge helps them tailor their preparation strategy accordingly.

Identifying important topics : Analyzing previous year papers helps candidates identify the recurring themes and important topics that have been frequently asked in the exam. It allows them to prioritize their study areas and focus on high-yield topics.

Practicing time management : Solving previous year papers under timed conditions simulates the actual exam environment and helps aspirants practice time management. This is crucial as the UPSC CSE is known for its lengthy papers and requires candidates to answer a large number of questions in a limited time.

Assessing readiness and performance : Attempting previous year papers allows candidates to assess their preparation level and performance. It helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to work on areas that need improvement.

Enhancing problem-solving skills : The UPSC questions often require critical thinking and analytical skills to answer. Regular practice with previous year papers hones the problem-solving abilities of aspirants and prepares them for the challenging questions in the actual exam.

Gaining familiarity with question types : Going through past papers exposes candidates to a variety of question types, including objective, subjective, and case-study based questions. This familiarity can boost their confidence and reduce anxiety during the actual exam.

Learning from mistakes : Attempting previous year papers allows candidates to learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating them in the actual exam. It is an essential part of the learning process and helps in continuous improvement.

Staying updated with current trends : By analyzing recent UPSC papers, candidates can stay updated with the current trends in the examination, such as the focus on specific topics, changing question patterns, and evolving demands of the syllabus.

Revision and reinforcement : Revisiting previous year papers aids in reinforcing the concepts and information studied during preparation. It helps candidates consolidate their learning and retain the knowledge better.

Boosting confidence : Scoring well in previous year papers gives candidates a sense of confidence and motivation to perform well in the actual exam. It instills belief in their preparation and increases their chances of success.

GS SCORE brings you all GS UPSC previous year questions essential for the examination all in one place for free to help you save time and focus on the preparation rather than going on a paper-finding mission. The UPSC previous year questions have also been segregated year-wise to make it easy for IAS aspirants.

• UPSC IAS Prelims 2020 Question Paper (GS -1) Download
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UPSC Previous Year Papers:

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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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UPSC Essay Topics From PYQs (2013-2022)

Check out our collection of Essay Topics taken straight from UPSC’s Previous Year Questions! Simple to understand and perfect for your preparation. We recommend aspirants study and analyze them thoroughly.

Table of Content

• UPSC CSE – 2022 (Essay Paper)
• UPSC CSE – 2021 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2020 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2019 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2018 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2017 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2016 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2015 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2014 ( Essay Paper )
• UPSC CSE – 2013 ( Essay Paper )

Importance of Previous Year’s Question- PYQs in UPSC :

Previous year’s question papers are very important for UPSC exam preparation. They provide valuable insights into the exam pattern, the types of questions asked the difficulty level, and the topics that are frequently covered in the exam. By analyzing the further given UPSC Essay previous year’s question papers, aspirants can understand the nature and scope of the UPSC exam, identify the important topics, and prepare accordingly

UPSC’S Last 10 Years (2013-2022) Questions Compilation :

UPSC CSE – 2022 (Essay Paper PYQs)

Marking Scheme: Need to Choose One Essay from Each Section – 125 Marks Each- Total Time is 3 Hours

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
• A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
• You cannot step twice in the same river
• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right

UPSC CSE – 2021 (Essay Paper PYQs)

Marking Scheme: Chose One Essay from Each Section – 125 Marks – 3 Hours

• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
• The philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
• The real is rational and the rational is real.
• The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
• History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
• There are better practices to ‘best practices’.

UPSC CSE – 2020 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
• Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations.

UPSC CSE – 2019 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• Wisdom finds truth.
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success
• South Asian societies are woven not around the state but around their plural cultures and plural identities.
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of a jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.

UPSC CSE – 2018 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
• Management of Indian border disputes—a complex task
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
• ‘The past’ is permanent dimension of human consciousness and values.
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
• Reality does not conform to the idea, but confirms it.

UPSC CSE – 2017 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world?
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is myth.
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium.

UPSC CSE – 2016 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
• Water disputes between States in federal India.
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare.
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality
• Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run.
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality.

UPSC CSE – 2015 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
• Quick but steady wins the race.
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.
• Technology cannot replace manpower.
• Crisis faced in India— moral or economic.
• Dreams which should not let India sleep.
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

UPSC CSE – 2014 (Essay Paper PYQs)

• With greater power comes greater responsibility.
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?

UPSC CSE – 2013 (Essay Paper PYQs)

Marking Scheme: Chose Only One Essay – 250 Marks – 3 Hours

• Be the change you want to see in others — Gandhiji.
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s success?
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.
• Science and Technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation

Studying the previous year’s question papers helps aspirants to get familiar with the types of questions asked in the exam and the expected answers. This, in turn, helps them to develop their time-management skills, improve their speed and accuracy, and enhance their overall performance in the exam.

Moreover, analysing the previous year’s question papers also helps aspirants to identify their weaknesses and strengths. They can evaluate their performance in each section and topic and work on improving their weaker areas. This can help them to focus on the important topics and boost their confidence for the exam.

In summary, previous year’s question papers are an essential tool for UPSC exam preparation, and aspirants should make it a priority to study and analyse them thoroughly.

All the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Frequenly Asked Questions – FAQs

How can i write a good essay for upsc.

Some steps involved in best UPSC Essay writing are 1. Understand the topic 2. Plan and Organize your thoughts and ideas 3. Write a strong introduction 4. Write arguments and counterarguments 5. Use transitions 6. Strong conclusion.

Which types of Essays are asked in UPSC CSE?

Generally, Four types of essays that are asked in the UPSC CSE Examination are, 1. Narrative 2. Descriptive 3. Informative 4. Persuasive.

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• Previous Year Question Paper
• Preparation Tips

UPSC CSE Previous Year Question Paper PDFs

Every year, thousands of aspirants attempt to pass UPSC CSE in order to gain prestigious positions in the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and other central services. Among the numerous resources available for CSE preparation, UPSC previous year question papers are particularly valuable. On this page, you can download the PDFs of the last ten years' UPSC question papers and learn how they can help aspirants achieve success.

UPSC CSE Previous Year Paper PDFs

Candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination, also known as the IAS exam, should start by solving previous years papers. These papers help candidates understand the exam format and level of difficulty. Candidates can use previous year papers to evaluate their weak areas. Candidates can download UPSC CSE previous year paper PDFs from the tables below. 

UPSC Civil Services Prelims Previous Year Papers 

Download the UPSC Civil Services Prelims previous year question papers PDF:

UPSC CSE Mains Previous Year Papers 

Candidates who pass the preliminary exam will be shortlisted to appear for the main exam. The Written Exam consists of nine subjective papers, beginning with a qualifying paper in any Indian language and English, followed by seven papers on various subjects. The final selection is based on the marks obtained in both the Mains and the Interview.

Candidates should download and practice the UPSC CSE Mains previous year question papers. 

UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions 

UPSC previous year questions are very useful in the preparation process for the Civil Services Examination. They provide valuable information about the exam format, question types, priority areas, and time management strategies. Furthermore, they enable aspirants to track their progress and gain confidence. 

Aspirants should incorporate the practice of solving UPSC previous year papers into their study schedule, making it an essential component of their preparation strategy. By doing so, they increase their chances of passing this difficult exam and realizing their dream of serving the country in prestigious administrative positions.

UPSC questions are intended to assess candidates' analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Multiple-choice questions, essay-type questions, and those requiring subjective responses are examples of these. By reviewing previous papers, aspirants can identify common question structures and practice answering them effectively.

Benefits of Practising with UPSC CSE Previous Year Paper 

Solving UPSC previous year question papers is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for the UPSC exam. Here are some of the advantages of answering previous year question papers:

• Learn about the exam structure and the types of questions asked : The UPSC exam is extremely competitive, and the question paper is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of topics. By solving UPSC previous year question papers, you will gain a good understanding of the types of questions asked, the level of difficulty, and the time required to answer them. 
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses: As you solve UPSC previous year papers, you will begin to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses in various subjects. This will allow you to focus your studies on the areas that require the most improvement.
• Develop time management skills : The UPSC CSE is a three-hour exam, so you'll need to use your time wisely in order to answer every question. Solving previous year question papers will help you understand how much time you should spend on each question.
• Gain confidence : The more you practise, the more confident you will feel about your ability to answer exam questions. Solving UPSC's previous years question papers is an excellent way to boost your confidence and prepare for the actual exam.

Techniques of Solving UPSC CSE PYP 

Solve UPSC Previous Year Papers in the following ways to improve your performance and increase your chances of passing the exam.

Basic Techniques

• Candidates must attempt the paper in the allotted time to simulate an exam setting. Sitting in a place that is free from distractions and setting a countdown timer will help.
• Carefully review the exam questions from the previous year's UPSC IAS paper.
• Always keep in mind that wrong answers will result in a negative marking, so avoid speculating or just marking the answer without carefully reading the full question.
• Once the timers go off, don't attempt any more questions. Compare the answers you have marked with the answer key to evaluate your overall performance and pinpoint any errors that need to be corrected.

Paper Solving Technique

• One of the most important approaches is the 3-2-1-0 Elimination Technique. This technique is also known as the 100-50-33-25% method of MCQ solving.
• The main idea of this technique is to solve the CSE Pre question paper in four rounds, based on how many answer choices you can eliminate in each stage. Instead of starting with questions ranging from 1 to 100, use multiple rounds to solve them.
• Three Elimination = 100% Sure Questions
• Two Elimination = 50% Sure Questions
• One Elimination = 33% Sure Questions
• Zero Elimination = 25% Sure Questions , which means questions you don't know the answers to.
• Before using this strategy in the actual UPSC Prelims, you should review and master it in the previous year papers. Only then will you be able to execute perfectly this method for the actual exam. Following this approach, create a chart similar to the one shown above shortly after each mock examination.

UPSC CSE Exam Overview 

The UPSC conducts an annual Civil Service Examination, which includes a preliminary exam, a main exam, and a personality test (interview). Candidates taking the UPSC Prelims Examination in 2024 must be aware of important exam details.  

UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 

Candidates must be aware of the exam before beginning to prepare for it. The commission has not changed the CSE syllabus or exam pattern since 2013. The IAS exam pattern consists of three stages: preliminary, main, and interview. Candidates must fully understand the exam pattern for each stage of the exam. 

The Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Exam 2024, which also serves as a preliminary examination for the Indian Forest Service, in the most transparent way possible. The exam patterns for the preliminary and mains examinations are detailed in the tables below. 

Those who pass the preliminary exam with the required minimum score will be shortlisted for the mains exam, the second round of selection. The main exam follows the following pattern of questions.

Note: In the UPSC Mains examination, a candidate's score could be reduced by the commission if their handwriting is hard to read. 

Is PYQ enough for UPSC Prelims?

What are the main benefits of solving the upsc cse previous year paper, are these previous year paper pdfs for the upsc cse pre & mains exam free to download.

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UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2020 Essay Topics

UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2020 Essay Topics: The UPSC mains syllabus does not have any prescribed syllabus for the essay paper as such. As per the UPSC, “ Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression .”

Candidates are required to write two essays from a list of given topics for a combined total of 250 marks.

UPSC IAS Mains 2020: How to Write a Good Essay?

Ethics & Essay: The Game Changer of UPSC Mains

Essay Papers: UPSC CSE Main (2019 to 2012)

UPSC Essay Topics for Civil Services Exam 2020

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