UPSC 2023 Essay Final

Unacademy UPSC Mains 2023 Analysis - Essay
1. Essay: Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an

opposite team.
(चिंतन एक तरह का खेल है , यह तब तक प्रारम्भ नहीं होता, जब तक एक विरोधी पक्ष न हो।)
Context - recent news

● As there are growing echo chambers in the society with the spread of misinformation, growing walls
among people, the topic emphasizes the importance of critical reasoning and thinking.
● It also in a way exhorts us to entertain the contrasting idea, to build on the ability to debate with the
opponent. If there’s no contrasting thought in your head, you are not thinking, you are only following
what has been already established.
Introduction
● Anecdote: Would you enjoy a cricket match if there’s no opponent team? What fund would be the
India-Pakistan match?
● Book reference:
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○ In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962) by Thomas Kuhn, he describes how dominant
theories (or paradigms) in science are occasionally overthrown by revolutionary new ideas, often
when the old theories can't account for certain anomalies
○ Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (1932) painted a dystopia (डिस्टोपिया) where society lost its ability
to think critically and confront opposing ideas. The suppression of dissenting voices, in Huxley's
world, led to a stagnation of genuine thought and innovation.
● Explanation of the topic: how do we understand it?

○ Thinking Process - Internal & External
○ Is Opposition/Adversary necessary - Opposite Team does not necessarily mean detractors
○ Does Opposition/Adversary help: What is the best to approach anything in life : Problem Solving 101
● History:
○ Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team" can be related to the
Socratic Method dialectical reasoning and the role of dialogue and opposing viewpoints in the
process of critical thinking.
○ All kinds of revolutions (green revolution to IT revolution) come from changing the prevailing norm,
thought
○ Cold War (शीत यद् ु ध)- ideological battle between the U.S. and USSR spurred advances in technology
○ Civil rights movement
○ Example of Renaissance (पन ु र्जागरण के उदाहरण) - scientific revolution (Church vs Thinkers)

○ Indian History: The differing thought process between Extremists and Moderates leading to new
energy and force
● Political (राजनीतिक)
○ Constituent Assembly Debates (संविधान सभा की परिचर्चा): Result of diverging viewpoints
○ This can also be related to Freedom of speech and expression: in Article 19. Till the society is not
allowed to express, debate- we will not evolve as a society
○ Democracy(लोकतंत्र): (Debate, Democracy and Dissent(परिचर्चा, लोकतंत्र एवं मतभेद)) (Benjamin
Disraeli Quote: "No Govt Can Be Long Secure Without Formidable Opposition")"कोई भी सरकार मजबत ू
विपक्ष के बिना लंबे समय तक सरु क्षित नहीं रह सकती"),, Tyranny emerges if no opposition
○ Role of opposition parties (विपक्षी दलों की भमि
ू का)- Parliamentary debates quality
○ Federalism(संघवाद) - regional parties maintain the balance of power in our federal structure
○ Criminal Justice System(अपराधिक न्याय प्रणाली)
● International Relations (अंतरराष्ट्रीय संबध
ं ):
○ BRI vs India-Middle East Economic Corridor, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity vs One
Belt One Road
○ North and South Divide in the World (The Developmental Differences
● Economy (Market)
○ Two contrasting thoughts of Capitalism and Socialism leading to Progress
○ The stock market, with its bulls and bears,(तेजड़िया एवं मंदड़िया) presents an opposition that drives
investors to strategize,

○ Reforms pushed by scams like harshad mehta leading to stricter norms by SEBI, . Economic Reforms
○ RBI monetary policy influenced by the actions of US Federal reserve / Fed Tapering
○ Protectionism by USA/EU and India countering it through PLI, new trade agreements.
○
● Society (समाज):
○ Echo Chambers highlight the importance of education, ability to entertain a contrasting thought,
○ Rational thinking (तार्कि क चिंतन)- social harmony between various communities
○ Social Change, Social Reforms from change in thinking - change in status of women as example,
○ Dogmas emanate only when no differing thought is allowed, Taliban etc
● Technology and Science, Innovation (प्रौद्योगिकी और विज्ञान, नवाचार):

○ Scientific Revolutions: The idea of falsification, all theories and science progress when new ideas
oppose prevailing thought and paradigms
○ New innovative ideas came as a result of not accepting the prevailing methods of doing things>
Uber, Swiggy, Netflix Hotstar rise as OTT and challenge to traditional entertainment,
○ Creation of NaviC by ISRO when GPS access prohibited during the Kargil War
○ Nuclear Development by India after the various western sanctions
○ Cryogenic program development pushed when sanctions imposed and we were unable to access the
technology
○ Threat to the country lead to new technologies, new developments
● Ethics and Philosophy (नैतिकता और दर्शन):
○ Two contracting thoughts of deontology and teleology (Ends vs Means)

○ Moral dilemmas (नैतिक दवि ु धा): Development vs Environment
○ Action - Reaction, Ying-Yang , Prevention - Mitigation, Reactionary not always good, staying a step
ahead
● Art, literature, drama and films (कला, साहित्य, नाटक और फ़िल्में ):
○ Films, plays, literature hinge upon ability to contrast good and bad
○ play with the idea of conflict to heighten the emotions.
● Environment (पर्यावरण):
○ predator-prey relationship,
○ Balance is reflected in environment, excess of any one lead to imbalance (eutrophication, invasion of
exotic species, weed growth)
○ Sustainable Development (धारणीय/सतत विकास) is a new thought process on the development,
Rapid urbanisation with all the attendant ills is a global phenomenon - behind thé thinking of world
bank and UNDP, rethinking the issues can help solve the prevailing problems
○ Govt schemes: New ideas, Swacch Bharat, Aadhar etc
● Counterpoint (प्रतिपक्ष):
○ Thinking (चिंतन) is important but action is paramount (सर्वोच्च)
○ Always entertaining a contrasting point can delay a quick decision making (त्वरित निर्णय निर्माण)
● Conclusion (निष्कर्ष):
○ Can conclude by highlighting the idea of challenging the prevailing norms i.e. truly thinking as the
cornerstone of advancing our civilization

○ We are refusing to accept that only earth is our arena, we are exploring new planets
○ Human consciousness (मानव चेतना) i.e. thinking is what separates us from all other species, we must
use that thinking

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(Code IAS24)

Essay 7 : 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 ।
Why did this essay come in the exam?
● Justice focused on policies and practices aimed to prevent issues like poverty, discrimination, and social
injustice (गरीबी, विभेद एवं सामाजिक अन्याय). Charity, on the other hand, often operates as an intervention
after problems have already emerged. By addressing root causes through justice-oriented approaches
(न्यायोन्मखु ी दृष्टिकोण), society can reduce the need for charitable assistance.
● Recent economic crises of Pakistan and Sri lanka.
Introduction:
● Anecdote: Story of two different villages where one adopts the MGNREGA scheme and another adopts
Amul milk cooperatives society to solve the grassroot problem of society.
● Quotes: “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a
Lifetime.”(“किसी व्यक्ति को एक मछली दो, तो आप उसे एक दिन के लिए खाना खिलाओगे। किसी व्यक्ति को मछली
पकड़ना सिखाओ, तो आप उसे जीवन भर खाना खिलाओगे।”)

● Book Reference: A Theory of Justice :
● John Rawls - In his book, he talks about
➔ Importance of creating “Just society (न्याय संगत समाज)”
➔ Principle of “Fairness and Equity (निष्पक्षता एवं समता)”
➔ Concept of “Difference principles (विभेद सिद्धांत)”
➔ Idea of Justice (न्याय-विचार)
Difference between charity and justice:

1. Charity (दान) = social service , immediate needs, private, individual acts.
2. Justice (न्याय) = social change, long-term needs, Justice is public, collective actions.
Less justice lead economic, social and political crisis
○ World Inequality Report 2022

○ The poorest half of the global population “barely owns any wealth” possessing just 2% of the total,
whereas the richest 10% of the global population own 76% of all wealth.
○ EX: Sri Lanka crisis
○ Ex : Pakistan Less justice (economic, social and political) = hence dependent on the charity of the
Western donors/China.
Economic justice (आर्थिक न्याय)

○ Economic justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of wealth, income, and opportunities
within a society.
○ This helps in starting a business, obtaining permits, accessing credit, protecting investors, and
enforcing contracts.
○ Countries with a High ease of doing business score are often considered more attractive for
investments and entrepreneurship.
○ Examples of countries with more ‘economic justice’ / ease of doing biz = less poverty / reliance of
welfare measures e.g. Singapore, Nordic nations
○ Economic justice / freedom of trade and commerce after LPG reforms entrepreneurship weaker
actions, they need less welfare measures.
○ Then trickle down effect helping the next generation of family / and other poors.
Political justice (सामाजिक न्याय)
○ Increase in education / awareness among voters - less lured by Freebie/REVDI / caste and religion.
Gender Justice (लैंगिक न्याय)
○ more gender justice = increased LFPR, opportunities for women in progress in life and career =
Women less dependent on ‘charity’ of husband/fathers.
Conclusion:

● The idea that a society with more justice requires less charity is a concept that underscores the importance
of addressing root causes of inequality and social injustices.
● When a society prioritizes justice and equity, it seeks to create a fairer, more inclusive, and supportive
environment for all its members. It reduces the need for charity by ensuring that basic needs and
opportunities are accessible to everyone and explains some government scheme like skill india mission.


(Code IAS24)

Essay 8 : Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has
learned in school
शिक्षा वह है जो विद्यालय में सीखी गई बातों को भल
ू जाने के बाद भी शेष रह जाती है ।
Essay Topic Source: Education is what remains after one has forgotten
what one has learned in school – Albert Einstein
Essay Topic Source: Education is what remains after one has forgotten
what one has learned in school – Albert Einstein
● Introduction
○ An example of someone who transformed a sector beyond
their learnings, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg etc.
○ Education is a combination of knowledge and experience, the latter.
● What is the true purpose of education?

○ Character Building (चरित्र निर्माण)
○ Create a sense of humanity
○ Moral values
○ Development of ethical behaviors
○ Development of Social and Religious values
● How do formal institutions impact education?

○ Build social skills and confidence.
○ Get direct learning support.
○ Practical exposure.
○ Development of physical, intellectual, emotional and social characteristics of a person in
a balanced manner.
● Where is the gap between the two?

○ School education is mostly confined to subjective learning and the performance
assessment is mainly based on grades.
○ School education is lacking rational learning (तर्क संगत शिक्षा).
○ Missing financial literacy programme.
○ Rote learning, etc. (रटने द्वारा अधिगम)

○ School education mostly fails to build people with high moral and ethical values.
(Results: Corruption, misbehavior, inhuman activities, etc)
● Impact without formal education

○ Padma Shri awardees of India like Tulasi Gowda - tribal woman from Karnataka never
attained any formal schools yet contributed extensively in sustaining the environment.
○ Nanda Prusty was conferred the Padma Shri - dedicated his life to providing free
education to both children and adults in Odisha, despite only having studied till Class 7
himself.
○ Environmental Awareness
○ Technological Awareness
○ Srinivasa Ramanujan - he never had any formal training in mathematics. He was entirely
self -taught.
○ Wright brothers, inventor of the first airplane- they didn't graduate from his school.
○ Benjamin Franklin, contributed to draft the declaration of independence when the US
achieved independence. He was a school drop out.
○ Chetan Bhagat (IIT-Delhi, IIM-A)- wandering from corporate field to become author.
Novel plot inspiration from normal campus life, his own married life and call centre to

write Best seller books like Five Point Someone, States: The Story of My Marriage. His
books increased the habit of reading among the young generation.
● How does one balance idealism and pragmatism

○ Update curriculum and introduce root based learning mechanism. (बनि ु यादी शिक्षण
अधिगम तंत्र)
○ Focus on building ethical and moral standards.
○ Newer careers such as AI, ML etc are not officially delivered through curriculums all over.
Train students for their overall growth.


(Code IAS24)

Essay 2 - Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of

intuition and logic
दरू दर्शी निर्णय तभी लिए जाते हैं जब अंतर्ज्ञान और तर्क का परस्पर मेल होता है ।
Anecdote
● Elon musk - intuition of colonizing Mars + logic of engineering - led to the foundation of ambitious
space programs.
Explanation
General understanding of the topic like understanding the keywords
● Intuition : gut feeling , sixth sense , inner wisdom , cumulative perception through all the senses
((अंतर्ज्ञान: साहसी भावना, छठी इंद्रिय, आंतरिक ज्ञान, सभी इंद्रियों के माध्यम से संचयी धारणा।).
● Logic : rational thinking , critical thinking , reasoned analysis .(तर्क : तर्क संगत सोच, आलोचनात्मक सोच, तर्क पर्ण
ू
विश्लेषण।

Role of Logic
● Evidence-Based Decision-Making
● Risk Assessment (जोखिम आकलन)
● Transparency (पारदर्शिता) in this as this can be communicated to others
Role of Intuition
● The Role of Experience , knowledge , inner wisdom
● Recognising patterns
● Develops emotional intelligence and empathizes (भावनात्मक बद्ु धिमत्ता और सहानभ
ु ति
ू ) with others to
foresee the outcomes.
The intersection of Intuition & Logic for visionary decision making
● Creativity and Innovation (सज

ृ नात्मकता और नवाचार)
● Navigating Uncertainty (अनिश्चितता)
● Unpacking Intuition: A Gut Feeling
● Synergy: How Intuition and Logic Complement Each Other

For example, someone might have deeply observed flying birds etc. and he might have developed the
intuition that why can’t we humans fly in the sky. Then that idea might have been backed by the logic,
science like gravity, upthrust, thermodynamics principles etc. , all this leading to visionary invention of
airplanes.
● Environment
○ The intuitive recognition of the need to consider long term environmental consequences of
development and scientific data of how factories set up without proper sanctions have led to
catastrophes like “Bhopal Gas Tragedy” and “Vizag Gas Leak” leads to development of
visionary laws of Environmental Impact Assessment.
○ Preventing poaching and illegal wildlife trade reflect an intuitive commitment to preserving
endangered species and ecosystems that led to development of laws like “CITES” globally and
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India.
● History & Culture
○ Alexander the Great - intuition - world conqueror + backed by strategy and resources.
○ Mahatma Gandhi’s - intuition - freedom from non-violent means + correct strategy
○ Nelson Mandela -intuition-to free society from apartheid + right strategy & democratic ways


- Politics

○ Winston Churchill - intuition for threat by Nazi Germany + formulating & executing allied war
efforts.
○ Franklin D. Roosevelt-intuition for Great Depression + His’ New Deal’ program
● Economy
○ John Maynard Keynnes-intuition is challenges of classical economy Keynes model, General
theory of employment
○ Amartya sen- intuition - importance of human welfare + development of frameworks to assess
human development.
● Agriculture
○ Norman Borlaug - intuition- world hunger, crop disease + Developing HYV seeds
● Society
○ Malala Yusufzai-intuition-education as FR for girls advocacy at world stage,global icon
● Security
○ Elon musk-intuition-cyber security issues in future + Created OpenAI , Neuralink.
● I.R.
○ G20- Intuition of de-Globalization & protectionism - Incorporation of African Union in G20
-Expansion of SCO - BRICS Expansion
○ Intuition of climate changes - Various global summits like Paris,Montreal etc.
Conclusion :

● intuition provides the initial spark of insight and creativity
● Logic serves as the stabilizing and analytical force to transform these visions into practical, impactful
decisions.
● Albert Einstein widely quoted as saying, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a
faithful servant.”


(Code IAS24)

Essay 3- Not all who wander are lost.(Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien)

(भटकने वाले सारे गम
ु नहीं होते हैं।)
Introduction: Mention dimensions of wandering (भटकना)
● Wandering is not just related to traveling but pursuing a goal or objective.

● Wandering is not only physical but also of mind.
● It also means evolution of mind with respect to situations.
Main body: Examples of Wanderers who make a big impact.
● Gautam Buddha and Vardhaman Mahavira wandered from one place to another with a
purpose to enlighten themselves with true knowledge. Their life was purposeful which led to
the introduction of new ideas and philosophy (दर्शनशास्र) in the world.
● Travelers like Hiuen-T-Sang, Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Al Beruni have transported knowledge
and wisdom (ज्ञान और बद्ु धिमत्ता) of India to other parts of the world, just by wandering.
● Shankaracharya wandered before establishing 4 Mathas.

● Geographical discovery of North America by Columbus, a newer route from Europe to India
by Vasco da Gama are result of the continuous wandering of the mind.
● Role of Philosophers (दार्शनिकों की भमि

ू का) knowledge can be gained by
Pratyaksh/Praman/Anuman/Shanda/ (प्रत्यक्ष/प्रमाण/अनम
ु ान/शण्डा/) and many other ways.
➔ Ancient Indian Philosophy(प्राचीन भारतीय दर्शन)
➔ Aranyaka school-hermit seeking knowledge
➔ Sramana traditions were highest knowledge seekers (सर्वोच्च ज्ञान साधक) and seekers
of truth wandered from place to place.
➔ They weren't lost. Seeking knowledge requires exploring different paths.
➔ Eg; Buddha, Mahavira, 6th Cen BC Ajivaks, Lokayatavada- Charavaka.
● Early Medieval India:

➔ Bhakti saints (भक्ति संत)- Naynars and Alvars(नयनार और अलवार) wandered from place
to place to spread messages of devotion to God, love and harmony (ईश्वर की भक्ति,
प्रेम और सद्भाव).
➔ Sufi Mystics (सफ ू ी रहस्यवादी)- darvesh - Pirs wandered from place to place to spread
their message.

● ISRO recently landed on the South Pole of Moon, it took decades of wandering for ISRO to
reach here. (इसरो हाल ही में चंद्रमा के दक्षिणी ध्रव
ु पर उतरा है , यहां तक पहुंचने में इसरो को कई दशकों
तक भटकना पड़ा।)
Important scientific discoveries and inventions:

➔ like that Gravity (गुरुत्वाकर्षण) (by Newton),
➔ Penicillin (पेनिसिलिन) (by Alexander Fleming)
➔ the most famous “Eureka Moment” (यरू े का मोमें ट) of Archimedes,
➔ Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays (एक्स-रे ) accidentally, while
experimenting with cathode rays.
APJ Abdul Kalam

● APJ Abdul Kalam once said, the best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches
of the classroom(राष्ट्र के प्रतिभाशाली मस्तिष्क कक्षा की आखिरी बेंच पर पाया जा सकता है ). Albert
Einstein, Steve Jobs, Mark Zukerberg, who admitted to being backbenchers in their lives,
who were tagged as lost became some of the most successful people in the world(वे दनि ु या
के सबसे सफल लोगों में से कुछ बन गए)
Wandering from Education:

● Chetan Bhagat- (IIT Delhi)
➔ Wandering from the Corporate field (कॉर्पोरे ट क्षेत्र), became an author (लेखक).

➔ Novel plot inspired (प्रेरित) from his own campus life, married life and call centre.
➔ His book increased the habit of reading (पढ़ने की आदत) among youth.
● Ernesto Che Guevara (Medical Student)
➔ Wandering on a motorcycle in South America and got inspiration from the
mundane/poor life of people (लोगों का लौकिक/निर्धनतापर्णू जीवन) to become communist
leader (साम्यवादी नेता).
● UPSC preparation itself is a wandering process (भटकने की प्रक्रिया/कार्यविधि). Some reach
their destination early, some a bit late. But before aspirants their destiny, they are required
to wander.
Conclusion:
Conclude what the above quote reminds and how wandering needs to move beyond societal
expectations. Also highlight what genuine wandering involves.



(Code IAS24)

Essay 5 - Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with
demands- two equally harmful disciplines. (Quote by Simone de
Beauvoir)
लड़कियाँ बंदिशों के तथा लड़के अपेक्षा के बोझ तले दबे हुए होते हैं- दोनों ही
समान रूप से हानिकारक व्यवस्थाएँ हैं।
Anecdote
1. Can start with a fictional anecdote wherein a girl (Anisha) wants to be a working
professional in a corporate firm while a man (Aditya) wants to be an artist or
homemaker.
2. Both the career aspirations are not supported by societal norms and values
(सामाजिक नियम और मल् ू य).
3. The woman is restricted by the societal notion of family responsibilities being the
role of women in general while the man is burdened with the societal demand of
being the breadwinner (अर्जक) of the family and choosing an occupation which
can make him financially strong to single handedly support his family.
4. These gender roles are defined by society and are harmful for both the genders
and the society at large.

5. The individuals would be frustrated due to non- fulfillment of their aspirations
leading to chaos and stress in family and inturn in the society.
Thesis statement:
In the essay, talk about what kinds of restrictions are weighing down women, what
kinds of demands are made out on men and how are these both harmful (both at the
individual level and societal level)
Restrictions weighing down women (महिलाएँ बंदिशों के बोझ तले दबी हैं):
1. Societal gender roles placing familial responsibilities primarily on women

leading to neglect of career. women spend two to 10 times more time on unpaid
caregiving (दे खभाल) and domestic work than men.
2. Poverty : restriction to the access to LPG / water = girl has to fetch firewood,
pot-water from faraway (सद ु रू ) areas - educational outcomes affected. (Mrunal sir) . -
3. Gender inequality in education & nutrition → females’ energy and talent
mostly confined to unpaid domestic work → family unable to come out of poverty.

4. Limited support from Govt and society: Female Labour Force Participation
Rate is low because Maternity Benefits Act, Equal Wages Act not strongly
enforced.
5. Sanitation (स्वच्छता): when there is lack of household toilet, then girl/female
have to go for open defecation (मलत्याग) in very early morning hours and then
throughout the day, they unconsciously reduce the consumption of food and
water so as to avoid going out again. This is among the major reasons for
malnutrition (कुपोषण)- said Economic Survey.
6. Marriage seen as a duty and sacrament, more so for women– prioritizing
marriage over career + marriageable (विवाह योग्य) age for women a big deal
7. Dress codes for women– emphasis on the body of women as against their
talents and intellect.
8. Notion of beauty (सौंदर्य की अवधारणा)- emphasized for women – commoditize
women
9. Restrictions on mobility due to notions like honor of family lying in the security
of women
10. Reproductive role for women given primacy (प्रमख ु ता) over career and her
choices

11. Restrictions in terms of career to be pursued- certain professions like
teaching etc seen as more viable for them to maintain balance in work and family
life – limited opportunity to explore their talent and interests.
12. Dual burden on women- household + professional commitments (not
expected from men) SBI Report: even working women do average seven hours
of unpaid domestic work, in addition to their jobs.
13. Marriage seen as a sacrament- social stigma over divorced woman– women
continuing in problematic marriages just to escape social ridicule
14. Vicious cycle (कुचक्र)- lack of education –lack of mobility + decision making
power -lack of financial independence- focus on marriage and family duties- lack
of independent life
15. Women lack a strong sense of self due to constrained environment since
their childhood– impact their decisions
16. Restrictions on sexual orientation
17. Restrictions on behavior of women: docile, passive, caring and submissive
Eg: criticism faced by Razia Sultana to rule Delhi: Doing something which was
considered to be opposite to what they were expected to do.

18. - restrictions in the political entry due to education, income, nepotism: Britain
has given three female prime ministers- Margaret Thatcher (1979–1990),
⏬
Theresa May (2016–2019), and Liz Truss (2022).India had only one.
19. - mechanization of agriculture & animal husbandry → demand for female
⏬
agri workers.
20. Textile/leather exports due to US/EU protectionism → demand for female
workers
Demands weighing down men (परु

ु ष अपेक्षाओं के बोझ तले दबे हैं):
1. Expectation of masculine behavior -> strong, tough, aggressive, risk taking,

dominating, controlling + can’t have emotional expression (Expectation of not getting
affected by emotional difficulties)
2. Can’t show vulnerability and seek support -> seen as weak and unmanly (पौरुषहीन)
3. Have to be the breadwinner of family i.e. financially independent and strong enough to
support family -> impact their career choices irrespective of their interest
4. Manly physical appearance and dress up
eg. certain colors like pink associated with women
Eg. toys like cars, superheroes etc for boys while barbies for girls.

5. expectations of men as leaders, husbands or sons create demands on men and

shape their behavior. Men are too often expected to concentrate on the material needs
of their families, rather than on the nurturing and caring roles assigned to women.
6. Career decisions based on societal values:
Example : humanities seen as disciplines preferred by women.
7. Artistic pursuits like dance, music seen as feminine pursuits.
Example : Criticism faced by Wajid Ali Shah (Nawab of Awadh) to perform
Kathak in his court
8. Dominance and controlling in marital relationships: terms like ‘joru ka gulam’ used for
men who are caring, considerate as against the societal gender stereotype of men
dominating their partner.
9. Peer pressure of macho male behaviour: Socialization in the family and later in
schools promotes risk-taking behaviour among young men, and this is often reinforced
through peer pressure and media stereotypes.
10. Heterosexual sexual orientation
How both are harmful (ये दोनों कितने हानिकारक है ):

Individual level (व्यक्तिगत स्तर):
1. Lack of self expression -> alienation, feeling of isolation
2. Lack of emotional well being -> mental health issues
3. Suicidal tendencies (more so in men)
4. Lack of development of personality to the full potential
5. Lack of self fulfillment -> channelising into relationships
Societal level (सामाजिक स्तर):

1. Lack of human resource development due to lack of investment in education,
health etc of women.
2. Gendered/prejudiced society: based on rigid gender roles assigned to individuals
-> lack of individuality and self expression
3. Social disorder -> due to lack of satisfied and fulfilled individuals
4. Continuation of patriarchy in society
5. Gender based violence: worldwide, 1 in 3 women experiences some form of GBV
during a lifetime. While girls are significantly more vulnerable to sexual violence
due to gender roles, the stigma of sexual violence against boys and the lack of
services to respond to the needs of male survivors makes it even less likely that
such incidents will be reported. For example, traditional gender norms around
masculinity will likely affect whether boys access mental health services, as well

as how boys are treated by service providers when they do report sexual
violence.
What should be done:
1.Promoting and nurturing positive expressions of masculinity.
2. Gendered roles should not be rigid constraining the individual identity and
choice. Roles should be taken up based on interest and talent. Eg: Avani
Chaturvedi: one of the first three female fighter pilots in India- a role considered
apt for men only.
3. Gender sensitisation in society to weaken patriarchal structures which

perpetuate such ideas.
4. Govt schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi yojana etc
5. Gender neutral socialization both at primary and secondary levels.
Conclusion (निष्कर्ष):

Thus, societal restrictions and expectations hamper individual creativity and
expression leading to feelings of alienation among the people as we saw in the case
of Anisha and Aditya. If Anisha and Aditya were given the freedom to do what they
aspired to, they would have been content individuals and contribute to a healthy,
ordered and egalitarian society.
Essay 4 - Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for
the magical in the mundane (रचनात्मकता की प्रेरणा लौकिकता में चमत्कार
ढूंढने के प्रयास से उपजती है ।)
Introduction
● Anecdote : (story of Nikola Tesla, Steve Jobs)
● Book reference (Maya Angelou's Literary Revelation: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)

● Explanation (At its core, creativity is an intricate dance between the known and the
unknown, the mundane and the extraordinary. It springs forth from the depths of
curiosity, the yearning to explore uncharted territories of the mind. Like a painter with a
vast palette, or a composer with boundless notes, the creative individual envisions a
reality yet to be unveiled.)
Historical dimension:
Mahatma Gandhi and his life:
● Daily spinning of the charkha (spinning wheel): Gandhi transformed the act of spinning
into a potent symbol of resistance and self-sufficiency.
● Salt March: Salt, an everyday commodity, became a symbol of defiance against
colonial oppression.
Akbar’s Rajput Policy:

● He recognized the magical potential in using marriage as a tool for diplomacy and
integration. (कूटनीति और एकीकरण के लिए विवाह का एक उपकरण के रूप में उपयोग)
The Renaissance (पन
ु र्जागरण):
● In the 14th to 17th centuries, artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael
breathed new life into the world of art. They shattered the limitations of previous
artistic conventions.
Environmental dimension (पर्यावरणीय आयाम):

India's Swachh Bharat Mission:
● This nationwide campaign aimed to address the seemingly ordinary yet deeply
impactful issue of sanitation and cleanliness, and it exemplifies how transforming the
mundane can lead to significant societal change.
Concept of Earth Hour:

● Earth Hour's core action is deceptively simple: turning off non-essential lights for one
hour. The mundane act of switching off lights challenges the status quo of excessive
energy consumption and encourages individuals, communities, and even nations to
pause and reflect on their impact on the environment.
Ban of Single use plastic:

● The ban on single-use plastics presented an opportunity to infuse creativity and
innovation into addressing this environmental issue.
Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) :

● It recognizes that the seeds of creativity and inspiration are often hidden within the
ordinary aspects of our daily lives, especially in the context of environmental
sustainability.
The Story of Jadav Payeng - "The Forest Man of India":

● Jadav Payeng, a resident of Assam, India, found inspiration in the seemingly mundane
task of planting trees. Over several decades, he single-handedly planted and nurtured a
forest on a barren sandbar along the Brahmaputra River. What was once a lifeless
landscape is now a thriving ecosystem known as the Molai Forest.
Economic dimension:
India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
● UPI transformed routine financial transactions into a force for societal change and
economic empowerment. (सामाजिक परिवर्तन और आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण।)
The Aadhaar Project:

● It transformed the mundane process of identity verification into a revolutionary
platform with applications in finance, healthcare, and more.

Personalities and their contributions:

Ratan Tata:
● Under his leadership, Tata Motors developed the Nano, the world's cheapest car,
making personal transportation accessible to millions in India and beyond. Tata's vision
of providing an affordable car to the masses transformed the automotive industry's
status quo.
Apple story and Steve Jobs:
● The iPhone, for instance, transformed the mundane act of making phone calls and
sending messages into a seamless and enchanting user experience. His focus on design
and user interface elevated everyday gadgets into works of art.
Maya Angelou's Literary Revelation:
● In a literary world that often marginalized the voices of African-American women, Maya
Angelou’s memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was a revelation. (माया एंजेलो का

संस्मरण "मझ
ु े पता है कि पिंजरे में बंद पक्षी क्यों गाता है " एक रहस्योद्घाटन था।) Angelou
unveiled the struggles and triumphs of her life, giving voice to marginalized perspectives
and reshaping the landscape of memoir literature.
Dr. Homi Bhabha:

● Indian Scientists: Dr. Homi Bhabha's visionary efforts in nuclear science, transforming
mundane nuclear research into India's atomic energy program.
Walt Disney:
● Walt Disney's transformation of animation into the magical world of Disneyland and
Disney movies.
Jeff Bezos:
● Amazon's transition from an online bookstore to a magical one-stop-shop for everything.
Thomas Edison:

● The invention of the phonograph, bringing music and voice to life from mundane
recordings.
Nikola Tesla:
● Tesla's development of alternating current (AC) electricity, transforming the mundane
distribution of electricity into a revolutionary system.
J.K. Rowling:
● The Harry Potter series, turning the ordinary world of wizards into a magical universe.
Chetan Bhagat (IIT-Delhi, IIM-A)

● Novel plot inspiration from normal campus life, his own married life and call centre to
write Best seller books like Five Point Someone, States: The Story of My Marriage. His
books increased the habit of reading among the young generation.
Ernesto Che Guevara (Education: Medical Student)

● getting inspiration from mundane /poor life of people, to become communist leader.
Conclusion:
● Provide story of above mentioned or any missing personality associated with this
quote


(Code IAS24)

Essay 6 : Mathematics is the music of reason (गणित ज्ञान का संगीत है ।)

AMathematics is the music of reason
● Topic: Mathematics is the music of reason.

● “Mathematics is the music of reason.” quotation by James Joseph Sylvester
● Context: The topic highlights the importance of data, information, mathematics as the
foundation of reason.
● Introduction: We can begin by quote in the age of overloaded information, brevity is
superpower. What the essay topic essentially wants to say is that it is mathmatic that

provides structure to out thought process just like normal words are converted into
music by putting in the structure of the rhythm.
● The quote suggests that like music, mathematics is a universal language that embodies
elegance (रमणीयता), harmony (सामंजस्य), and structure.
● It conveys complex ideas and relationships with precision (सस्ु पष्टता) and beauty,
appealing to the logical and creative aspects of human thinking.
● Just as music resonates with our emotions, mathematics resonates with our intellect,
providing a symphony of logical reasoning and problem-solving.
● It is mathematics i.e. data, information that is the foundation of logic and reason which
guides out actions.
Substantiation of the Topic through various examples:
Historical Examples:
● The development of modern society is based on logic and reason and that logic and
reason was provided by the mathematics and its branches:
○ Gallieo challenging earth-centric astronomy

○ Mechiavelli, Hobbes, John Locke all followed scientific method based on
mathmatics reasoning to give concept of modern state
● Development of various fields based in mathematics:
○ Music and its theory
○ Natyashastra
○ Astronomy
Political Examples:
● Democracy is what actually but a game of maths and numbers in modern sense.
Elections which are the bedrock of democracy are essentially a elaborate mathematical
exercise. Thus reason to democracy is provided by the mathematics. It is a clear
mandate of one candidate getting more votes than the other that leads to peaceful
transfer of powers.
● Any good policy making requires data, mathematics is what provides structure to our
policy making. Without data, information and mathematics, policy making would not be
as successful and effective.
Economy examples: Mathematical models as reasoning of economics.

● CRR and money multiplier effect, monetary policy decisions
● Price to earnings ratio of company and whether we should invest in stock market.
whether the price of a particular IPO is reasonable / justified. Whether share is
overvalued or not.
● ideal slabs of income tax vs revenue foregone from tax breaks, Laffer Curve for
relationship between tax slabs and tax collection.
● calculating revenue neutral rate of GST
● whether the government debt is sustainable or not through interest rate growth rate
differential (IGRD)
● understanding the impact of currency exchange rates on import and export through
NEER and REER modelling.
● calculating SDR of IMF.
● macroeconomic indicators- GDP, Unemployment, inflation, IIP etc.
● German economist Laspeyres formula is used in calculation of WPI, CPI and IIP index
● statistician Mahalanobis was instrumental in development of the second five-year plan
● Financial modelling of the public-private partnership
● Human development index (HDI), Census, Demographic dividend, IMR-MMR, Poverty
related datasets. Mean median mode

● Gini coefficient and Lorentz curve for objectively identifying the inequality. - and many
more things.
Society Examples:
● Harmony and Equilibrium in the society is necessary, mathematics is what gives us

reason for accommodating diverging viewpoints, just like society accommodates various
people
Other key Dimensions (अन्य प्रमख

ु आयाम):
● Creativity and Interpretation (रचनात्मकता और व्याख्या)

● Discuss how both musicians and mathematicians are creators. Musicians compose
melodies while mathematicians come up with new theories and proofs.
● Challenge the stereotype that mathematics is purely logical, and music is purely
creative. Argue that there's a significant amount of creativity required in mathematical
discoveries, just as there's a lot of structure and theory in music composition
● Mathematics in Music Production (संगीत निर्माण में गणित)
● Delve into modern uses of mathematics in music, from digital sound processing to
algorithmic music generation.

● Discuss how mathematical algorithms can be used to enhance sound quality, optimize
acoustics, or even compose music.
Slide 10: Conclusion (निष्कर्ष)
● Reiterate the deep connections between math and music.

● Convey the idea that just as music is a universal language for emotions, mathematics is a
universal language for logic and reasoning.
● End with a call to appreciate the beauty of mathematics, urging readers or listeners to
find the "music" in the equations and theorems they encounter.
—> Albert Einstein: A great lover of music (particularly the works of Bach and Mozart),
Einstein once said, "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in
music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music." This quote beautifully
ties together the worlds of mathematics (through physics) and music, emphasizing their deep,
intertwined relationship.

—> Quotes from Rabindranath Tagore: While not a mathematician, the Nobel laureate deeply
appreciated the interconnectedness of art, music, and the universe. His verses, which
sometimes touch upon the cosmic dance and the rhythms of nature, can be used to highlight
the inherent mathematics in the world around us and its reflection in music.


(Code IAS24)


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Unacademy UPSC Mains 2023 Analysis - Essay

1. Essay: Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an

Context - recent news

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● Explanation of the topic: how do we understand it?

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● Technology and Science, Innovation (प्रौद्योगिकी और विज्ञान, नवाचार):

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Why did this essay come in the exam?

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Difference between charity and justice:

Less justice lead economic, social and political crisis

○ World Inequality Report 2022

Economic justice (आर्थिक न्याय)

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Political justice (सामाजिक न्याय)

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of addressing root causes of inequality and social injustices.

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● What is the true purpose of education?

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● How do formal institutions impact education?

● Where is the gap between the two?

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● Impact without formal education

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● How does one balance idealism and pragmatism

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Essay 2 - Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of

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The intersection of Intuition & Logic for visionary decision making

● Creativity and Innovation (सज

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Essay 3- Not all who wander are lost.(Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien)

● Wandering is not just related to traveling but pursuing a goal or objective.

Main body: Examples of Wanderers who make a big impact.

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● Role of Philosophers (दार्शनिकों की भमि

● Early Medieval India:

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Important scientific discoveries and inventions:

APJ Abdul Kalam

Wandering from Education: