Writing good answers in UPSC Mains

Answer Writing is probably the most important part of the mains examination. It determines how many questions one is going to answer, what marks one gets and ultimately the rank, the service and the cadre one gets

Naturally, there are a lot of queries regarding it. Let me try and handle some of them one by one

 

• When is the write time to begin answer writing ?
  • Given its importance, I feel the earlier, the better.

 

• How should you begin answer Writing ?
  • If you have just begun the preparation, then after reading a chapter of the NCERT boook, try to write and answer to the back of the book questions ( a couple of them )
  • If you have read the basic NCERTS, then go to the websites like insightsoninida.com or iasbaba.com. They have dedicated answer writing programs on their website, based mostly on that day’s newspaper. It is free but reviewed only by the fellow candidates
  • There is no need to start answer writing right away. But, do look carefully at the best answers to a question, their structure and their design, and try assimilating it.
  • Slowly, after seeing a question, don;t jump to see others answers. But, frame an answer in your mind and then compare it with others.
  • When you are comfortable with these stages ( say after 5-6 months) , start answering yourself on the websites

 

• How to practise answer writing in the more advanced stage ?
  • Join a professional Test series. According to me, the best in the market is that of Vision IAS. Though it is a paid program but most of the ‘toppers take it as it is quite good and very professional

 

• What should you learn from a test series ?
  • One practise the art of time management
  • Two, appreciate the good copies and the model answers that are uploaded
  • Three, experiment with new techniques and note the feedback, eg whether to write in points or para , etc

 

• How to develop the content ?
  • Content depends upon how well the notes are made and how much the revision has been done
  • To see more about the notes making , see here https://abhijeetsinhaupsc.wordpress.com/2018/06/01/making-notes/
  • Rest is all about common sense
  • Eg if a question asks about what can be impact due to a disease named XYZ, certain common points like loss to human capital, tourists not coming, wastage of funds can always be written

 

• Depth vs Width in answers ?
  • In a GS answer, width , ie more dimension is always prefered over depth
  • One does not need to explain any single point too long. If any single point stretches for say ore than 2 lines then you are probably doing it wrong
  • Instead, add any additional detail say a data, example etc in bracket
  • Try to write as many points as possible, cutting across dimensions
  • Even if a point seems too simple and straightforward write it. UPSC does not give marks for complexity, instead rewards diversity and straightforwardness

 

• Meaning of different keywords of question ?
  • See here for greater understanding – https://iasbaba.com/2015/08/iasbaba-decoding-the-directives-mains-2015/
  • But broadly, when a question asks to analyse, critically analyse , examine , critically examine then one needs to follow the approach of Intro – Pros – Cons – Conclusion
  • However, if a question asks to Comment or Discuss, then one is expected to cover more dimensions like What ? How ? When ? Pros ?Cons ? Your opinion ? Way forward ? etc to any answer
  • Eg if a question is to comment on the writing NPAs in Indian Banking system, then one needs to write about the situation first ( data if possible ), reasons for it , Steps taken already,  international / time wise comparison if any, what to do and lastly your opinion ( say on the effectiveness )

 

• How should you write the introduction ?
  • Introduction can be written in 3-4 ways depending on the nature of the question
  • If a question relates to a an activity of recent occurrence, then start by explaining the recent happening
    • Eg If a question is on International Court of Justice , then one may begin by saying that ” The recent Kulbhushan Yadav case has reopened the debate on the importance of ICJ “
  • If a question introduces a term ,  say Simultaneous Election , then define the term first
  • If the question begins my saying a statement, then it is better to substantiate it in a couple of lines, preferably using Data / Examples
    • Eg In 2017, a question in GS3 began by saying that Industrial share in GDP has stagnated.  To this question, begin by saying that Industrial share has stagnated to around 26% since the 90s  ( substantiating )
  • One can also begin by writing a beautiful academic line
    • Eg – to a question on UPSC- say UPSC is  a watchdog of meritocracy in India
  • Whatever you choose ( depending on the question), the bottomline is that the introduction should not repeat the question, instead it must add something new and precisely
  • A catchy introduction that adds something substantial sets the right tone

 

• What should be written in the conclusion ?
  • A conclusion should preferably include a combination of things.
  • In 1st line, it should have the key summary of the entire plot .
  • In 2nd line write about 2,3 solutions in short using commas.
  • Last line give an optimistic future in a beautiful line
  • Eg Rising Inflation has been a perennial problem. But rationalisation of MSP, supply side measures and prudential price control can help in combatting inflation in long run and ensuring that the inflationary woes does not adversely impact the poor and Inclusive Growth aims can be fulfilled

 

• How to manage time ?
  • Before writing any answer, I would look at the time in minutes and write the minute component of the time in the bottom left corner of the first page
    • Eg If I began writing an answer at say 10:21 then I would write 21 down there. This would keep my mind prepared on how much time more I have and I would complete the answer in 9 – 10 minutes
  • Secondly, I figured out that one reason why we are unable to manage time wel is because we tend to spend too much time in 1st part of the question and we relatively ignore the remaining parts and then end up having to hurry up / taking up more time. I gave it a name as well : First Part Paradox ( FPP ) 😛
    • Hence, one needs to be aware and mindful of the FPP 😛
  • We spend too much time when we are beating around the bush and writing long sentences
    • Hence, one should be precise
    • And additional details like Data, name of source etc can be written in brackets

 

• Should one answer all questions ?
  • One should. Even if one attempts a question partially, he / she is awarded marks for it.
  • Unless one does not know anything about a question, it is wise therefore to attemot all questions
  • But, for that enough writing practise needs to be done beforehand

 

• Should one make diagrams / flowcharts etc ? If so, how can I learn it ?
  • One can. It helps the answer to stand out
  • But personally, I did not make diagrams / flowcharts since there is always a tradeoff with the time available and the space available
  • Nonetheless, to learn it one can follow Mudit Jain’s strategy for the same ( He is available on Quora , IRS officer)

 

• May I see your evaluated answer papers ?
  • Sure,  I have shared my vision GS checked test series papers here https://abhijeetsinhaupsc.wordpress.com/2018/06/14/my-checked-gs-mains-test-papers/

 

• What about answer writing for Economics Optional ?
  • Personally, I am not aware of any good test series. Hence, I used to treat the past years papers ( esp after 2011) as the test series and Tejasvi’s answers as the model answers
  • I would then self evaluate