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All 150+ Previous 25 Years' Questions: Compiled Into 13 Themes
All 150+ Previous 25 Years' Questions: Compiled Into 13 Themes
MAINS 2020 - 21
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TARGET 140+ IN ESSAY
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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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
BY MK YADAV SIR
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.
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
• 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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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
1. ECONOMICS
• 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
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
4. INTERNAL SECURITY
• 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
5. INDIAN SOCIETY
• 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
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
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24 MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY – DIMENSIONS & MINDMAPS: MAINS 2020-21
Under the Guidance of M K YADAV
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