Now that the IAS Mains exam is just few months away, it makes sense to go through best

practices for writing Mains answers and the things you should keep in mind and things to avoid
to score good marks in civil services mains exam.
Answer Writing Varies for GS and Optional Papers
This is a fact you should always keep in mind. Writing answers is different for the 4 GS papers
and for optional paper. In General Studies paper, the focus is on facts and the presentation of
these facts within the stipulated word limit. There are different types of questions; some require
answers in 50 words, some in 100 0r 200 words. However you need to stick to the point while
answering all these questions. Going off topic or mere theory without supporting facts and
figures will not help here.
For GS paper, you can have a short introduction followed by the actual answer. This answer
CAN be point-wise with each point or bullet listing a fact that supports your main argument or
viewpoint. Some questions require a conclusion as well that summarizes the points listed above.
While some questions require descriptive essay-type answers where you are required to present
your argument with supporting facts.
In optional paper, you have two types of questions: 200 words and 600 words. The focus is
more on essay-style answers in 600 word questions whereas it is more on facts in 200 word
questions.
Examples of Writing Answers for General Studies Paper
Consider the following questions from 2013 Mains GS Papers:
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze
their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (200 words)
As you can see the question above is an analytical one and requires answer in exactly 200 words.
It consists of 2 parts: Foreigners who participated in Indias freedom struggle and their exact
role. Also since the questions asks you to analyze, an essay type answer with two main paras
would be more appropriate here than a bullet point-wise answer. A sample answer could be:
Foreigners such as Annie Beasant, A.O Hume contributed to Indias freedom struggle. Their role
and contribution is analyzed below.
A.O Hume got in touch with prominent Indian leaders and organised with their cooperation the
first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) at Bombay in December 1885. It has been
said that Humes main purpose in encouraging the foundation of the Congress was to provide a
safety valve or a safe outlet to the growing discontent among the educated Indians. This theory

is, however, misleading to explain the truth. Hume possessed a sincere love for India and its
poor cultivators. In any case, if Hume wanted to use the Congress as a safety valve, the early
Congress leaders hoped to use him as a lightning conductor.
Mrs Annie Beasants role and contribution to Indias freedom struggle was much more
significant. She spread the Theosophical Movement in India which gave confidence to Indians in
their past and their rich culture. She became the first woman President of INC presiding over
the 1917 Calcutta session. She started the Home Rule League in 1915-16 with the cooperation of
Lokmanya Tilak demanding home rule or self-government to India after World War I. She also
started the magazines Common Weal and New India that dealt with issues of national reform
and promoted the ideas of Home Rule among the masses.
Note that Ive devoted one paragraph each to the two personalities I mentioned in the
introduction. Since the question asks to analyze their role to the Freedom struggle, Ive not
deviated off topic and only listed their contribution in this specific area.
Lets look at another question that is more fact based.
In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate. (200 words)
This question is a quote by someone and you are required to elaborate the main idea which is
Lord Dalhousies contribution to founding of present India. The answer required is factual and
can be written point-wise as follows
Lord Dalhousie carried out many developmental works and administrative reforms during his
tenure as Governor General of India such as:
1. He laid the foundations of modern railways with his famous Railway Minute of 1853. The
first railway line was laid between Thane and Bombay in 1853.
2. He laid the foundations of an extensive telegraph system in India and the first telegraph line
was started in 1853 between Calcutta and Peshawar thus integrating the Eastern and Western
parts of India through a modern communication system.
3. Under him, a modern postal system was started in 1854 with the Post Office Act under which
post offices and postal stamps were introduced in all the Presidencies.
4. A Public Works Department separate from the supervision of the Military Board was
established to oversee development projects such as construction of the Ganges canal and the
Bari Doab canal in Punjab. Work on Grand Trunk road was also undertaken.
5. He also introduced modern commercial reforms by making ports free to commerce with all
over the world. Harbours at Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi etc. were developed in large numbers.

For these reasons, Lord Dalhousie was considered founder of modern India.
TIP: Use certain terms/words from the question repeatedly to focus on the crux of the question.
In this case I have used the word modern repeatedly to stick to the questions focus of modern
India.
A question could also be asked as two sub-questions such as:
a) What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their application in
aviation and automobile industries. (100 words)
b) What do you understand by Run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from
any other hydroelectricity project? (100 words)
Since each question requires answer in only 100 words, you should be to-the-point here. You
can write your answer in just one or two short paragraphs.
Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with
fibres. The fibres are usually glass, carbon, basalt or aramid. The four major ways to
manufacture the fibre preform is through the textile processing techniques of Weaving, knitting,
braiding and stitching. FRP when used in aviation industry results in 25% reduction in aircraft
weight, 95% reduction in components and overall reduction in production and operational costs
of flying the aeroplane. When used in automobile industry, FRP leads to up to 60% reduction in
weight of vehicle, improved surface quality and aerodynamics and reduction in components by
combining parts and forms into simpler moulded shapes.
Part b can be similarly answered.
Different Types of Questions in Mains
Different types of questions asked include:
Elaborate: Here youre required to extend or explain the main question in detail. Your views
are not asked here.
Discuss: Here youre required to bring out the pros and cons or both sides of the question.
Elucidate: Here youre required to make the question clear or explain in detail. Similar to
elaborate. Your views on the matter are not required.
Critically Examine: Similar to discuss. You should examine or analyse the main premise of
the question with its associated merits and de-merits and reach a definite conclusion.

Express your views: Your unique viewpoint is asked in the answer. Right or wrong does
not matter; what matters is your clear views backed with supporting facts.
Should You Stick to the Word Limit Exactly?
The word limit indicated in the question is indicative only. Your answer should be around that
limit, a few words over or below that limit does not matter. But if your answer is far below or far
higher than the word limit, then you could be penalized. Also remember that the word limit
helps you to complete the question paper within the stipulated time limit. If you write too long
answers, you will not have enough time left to attempt remaining questions. So you you should
make an attempt to by and large stick to the word limit.
These tips will help you to frame your Mains answers properly and also provide an insight into
the various types of questions asked in GS paper of civil services examination. Feedback and
queries are welcomed in the comments box below.

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