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ClearIAS » UPSC Civil Services Exam Syllabus (subject-wise) » Essay Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC

Essay Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC

Last updated on October 26, 2016 by Alex Andrews George

UPSC Civil Service Mains Paper 1 (popularly known as essay paper) is now of 250 marks. Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Tips for UPSC Essay Paper from ClearIAS.com

Essay Paper Syllabus

Do keep in mind the below mentioned tips. Following these strategies can make a huge boost in your Essay Paper marks.

  1. Try to write a few essays in full during your preparation, simulating the environment in the examination hall.
  2. Familiarize yourself with previous essays asked by UPSC so that you will have a clear picture about the type and standard of questions to be expected.
  3. UPSC/the examiner normally gives credit to new perspectives and fresh analysis.
  4. Avoid verbosity and flowery language. Use a simple style instead.
  5. You may use relevant quotes to reinforce your arguments. But never try to alter the quotes of great personalities.
  6. A good handwriting is always an asset. If you handwriting is not legible, put some efforts in that area.
  7. Make your statements precise. Avoid guesses.
  8. The introductory paragraph should have clear indications about what you are going to write in the essay.
  9. You may show your inferences in the concluding paragraph.

Additional Links:

  1. Useful Civil Services Books.
  2. Civil Services Study Materials for Online Preparation.
  3. IAS Question Papers.
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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training, Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped thousands of aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mohammad Anas says

    October 16, 2015 at 12:03 am

    Hello sir…. May I know what is the language to write an essay…. I mean English or hindi…thanks

    Reply
    • Somveer says

      August 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Your exam medium is essay langauge

  2. Rahul bhardwaj says

    May 12, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Hello sir……
    May I know that what is trade under in IAS. & which is the best course after 12th & which is the best subjects for IAS preparation.

    Reply
    • Richard says

      August 28, 2020 at 7:20 am

      Make any one of the optional subject as your UG stream .it will help you in the preparation

  3. veer sachan says

    May 23, 2016 at 7:03 am

    plz suggest me books for essay in hindi and english language

    Reply
  4. Ananda Das says

    October 5, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    pls tell me good essay book of bengali version.

    Reply
  5. TAPAS PAL says

    December 2, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    thanks

    Reply
  6. Deepak verma says

    January 7, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Wt is the medium of essay writing
    Any language…?
    We can choose

    Reply
  7. aswathi says

    February 18, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    suggest some topics for essay writing

    Reply
    • Ajay says

      October 13, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Which syllabus for essay writing

    • Ajay says

      October 13, 2017 at 3:26 pm

      which topics for essay writing tell me please

  8. Ankur says

    April 7, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    One of the most discriptive and very helpful website for civil services aapirants..

    Reply
  9. Aarti says

    November 8, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    Sir IAS yaa IPS Ke liye physical yaa medical exam bhi dena hota h kya

    Reply
  10. KUNDAN KUMAR says

    November 22, 2018 at 11:45 am

    PLEASE CLEAR CIVIL SERVICE MAINS PAPER A & B

    Reply
  11. SANGKHA SUVRA DEBNATH says

    August 5, 2019 at 9:49 am

    my mother tongue is Bengali .can I give the mains exam in Bengali??

    Reply
  12. Bhavani Gangaala says

    August 10, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    Hello sir!! Can I know from which topic these essays will be given. Like, generally or from optional subjects we choose?!

    Reply
  13. Bhavika says

    September 14, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    Go through the previous years question papers to find out what type of essay do UPSC ask

    Reply
  14. Selvapriya says

    October 13, 2019 at 10:52 am

    Sir ,
    What are those tips & advices you are gonna give for school students who’s aim is to become an IAS officer ?

    Reply

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