MASTERING THE ART OF ANSWER WRITING
With around 1000 marks in total of UPSC Main answer writing remains the central yet the most neglected aspect of UPSC preparation. Aspirants often read and revise but procrastinate to write, In this article, we will analyse the need for and need for a good answer.
What is a good answer remains a matter of debate but there are certain standards that need to be reflected in a good answer. Your answer needs to have clarity, depth and examples clubbed with legible handwriting. Writing a good answer for UPSC main requires a structured and well-thought out approach. We will first analyse the subject-wise requirements of a good answer. So let's get started:
1. Art and culture - This subject requires an in-depth understanding of important core concepts like Harappan art, Buddhist literature and architecture, architecture during the Mauryan and Gupta period. medieval period architecture. A special focus must be given to the literature of these periods. You need to write your answer precisely with proper diagrammatic representations wherever required. For example, if there is a question on the stupa, make a diagram of the stupa.
2. History - Most of the questions in history are analytical, hence requires an overall understanding of the subject. In questions asked on personalities, focus on the core demand of the question and don't deviate from it.
3. Geography In geography, you need to draw diagrams, flow charts and maps extensively to support your answer. While preparing, focus on the resources that are found in India and in various parts of the world.
4. Society-The questions in this subject are mostly analytical in nature, so you need to have an understand- ing of the associated Indian culture and different sections of society, with a special emphasis on vulnera- ble sections like women, children, transgenders, senior members, and other sections. A complete under- standing of the impact of globalization on various sections of society is also required while attempting the answers.
Now let us analyse the preparation strategy for answering the questions asked in GS Paper 2.
1. Polity-To attain a good score in the GS Paper, you need to have a special focus on the questions that are asked in the polity section. Your answer should have relevant articles, Supreme Court judgements, and recommendations from various commissions like the Law Commission.
2. Social justice - To answer the question of social justice you must memorise, analyse and summarise different schemes running from vulnerable sections of society including SC/ST, women, children and trans communities and schemes of the government for improvement in health, education and skill development.
3. Governance - The answer to this section should contain government schemes, relevant constitutional provisions from DPSP and fundamental duties. The schemes that have been launched for good governance, Such as, Aspirational Districts Scheme or e-Governance initiatives, should be analyzed properly.
4. International Relation - The questions asked in this section are mostly current events-oriented with a speclat focus on Indian and global Indian interests. A good answer on international relations should have a proper map. Terminology of international relations like hegemony, diplomacy, political equations, political compulsions, etc. to enhance your marks in Solved Question Paper 2.
Let us now analyze the subject-wise strategy for scoring good marks in UPSC Main GS Paper 3
1. Economy-Focus should be given on the budget, economic survey and problems associated with the Indian economy, like unemployment, jobless growth, GDP, differences between growth and development, inclusive growth, etc. Special focus should also be given to the questions related to indian agriculture for their schooling and traditional nature. A good answer on agriculture should have facts, data graphs: ang relevant government schemes of both the Centre and the States.
2. Environment - Focus should be given on the questions associated with pollution, recent government schemes and initiatives to counter environmental pollution and global initiatives taken by esteemed organizations like United Nations, World Bank etc.. to address global environmental problems. The answers need to be solution-oriented which should also address the problems related to the environmem The answers can be enriched by relevant data initiatives and schemes.
3. Internal Security - This is one of the most scoring domains of GS Paper 3. Special focus would be given to internal security problems like naxalism, insurgency, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and emerging challenges like cyber security and money laundering.
4. Science and Technology - These questions are mostly current events-oriented and they can be tackled 4 easily even by students without a science background by analyzing the recent developments in science and technology in the past last two years.
Now let us analyze the strategy for scoring a good marks in the GS Paper 4. The question paper in the GS Paper 4 is divided into two sections. In the first section, you have to address the questions given as per the UPSC syllabus and in the second section, you must address the case studies associated with the syllabus of Paper 4. To address and score well in GS Paper 4, you need to be thorough with the previous years questions that are being asked in the paper. There has been a shift from direct questions to analytical questions, and real-life situations. This can be addressed only by a topic-wise analysis of the syllabus standard definitions, and examples from various periods and various domains. Special focus should be given to the case studies and proper practice should be done for that. Ignoring Paper 4 will potentially decrease the chances of selection to the main examination.
Now let us analyze some general tips to craft effective answers as per the changing dynamics of UPSC.
Understand the Question:
Read every question with utmost care to understand what is being asked. You need to pay attention to the keywords and directives (e.g., analyze, discuss, evaluate, critically examine, etc.)
Create an Outline:
Before you start writing, create a rough outline of your answer. This should include an introduction, main points, and a conclusion. This will help you stay organized and ensure your answer is coherent.
Introduction:
Begin your answer with a concise and clear introduction that provides a context for the topic. State the main theme or argument of your answer in a sentence or two. The introduction needs to be different for different subjects, For example, if a question is asked about the unifarm civil court in society, it will be a different introduction from the same question asked in Indian polity.
Main Body:
• Structure your answer into several paragraphs, each focusing on a specific point or aspect of the topic.
• Use headings and subheadings where appropriate to make your answer more organized and reader- friendly.
• Support your points with relevant facts, data, examples, and arguments. Cite sources if necessary.
Maintain a logical flow of ideas, and ensure each paragraph connects to the previous one.
Be Concise:
• Write in a clear and concise manner. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex language.
• Stick to the word limit if provided. Exceeding the word limit may result in your answer being penalized.
Critical Analysis:
• Go beyond mere information and provide a critical analysis of the topic. Evaluate different perspectives, arguments, and counterarguments.
Use your own judgment and critical thinking skills to form well-reasoned opinions.
Use Examples:
• Incorporate real-world examples, case studies, and historical events to illustrate your points and provide context.
• Ensure the examples you use are relevant and enhance your argument.
Conclusion:
• Summarize your main points and restate your argument in the conclusion.
• Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion, it should be a concise wrap-up of your answer.
Clarity and Neatness:
Write legibly, and if you are typing, ensure your answer is well-formatted with proper paragraph breaks and spacing.
• Use headings, bullet points, or numbering where appropriate to make your answer easier to read.
Time Management:
Allocate time wisely to different questions based on their marks and complexity. Don't spend too much time on one question and neglect others.
Revision:
After completing your answer, take a moment to review and edit it for errors, clarity, and coherence.
Practice:
Practice answering previous years' question papers and take mock tests to improve your answer-writing skills.
. Feedback:
Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or peers to identify areas for improvement in your answer-writing style. Feedback is the most important part of your preparation. Try not to repeat the same mistake every time while answering the question, and focus on a subject-wise approach mentioned above in the article to attain very good score in the GS Papers.
Remember that UPSC examiners look for a well-structured, balanced, and insightful response from candidates. Practice and continuous improvement are key to mastering the art of writing effective answers for UPSC Main. The model answers given in the book are reflections of the changing dynamics of the UPSC Main examination from previous years. We hope this solution will be impactful in your journey to securing UPSC, and will provide you with a great insight towards your preparation, especially in the Main examination. We wish every single reader of this book the very best for their preparation and we will welcome every single feedback from the readers.
