IAS Essays: Approach and Analysis | UPSC Mains Essay Preparation PDF Download

Introduction

It is crucial to possess a comprehensive comprehension of the fundamental principles underlying these essays and strive to grasp the inherent concepts carried by the essay topics. This is essential for gaining a broad understanding of the thematic subjects of these essays.
Examining a few past essay topics can be helpful in discerning the intricacies embedded in these essays. For instance:

1. Should there be a moratorium on all new mining activities in tribal areas of the country?
2. Is our society adequately prepared for India's global leadership role?
3. Analyzing the transition from traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffett model — is it a natural progression or a paradigm shift?

The first Essay Topic

• The first essay, ‘should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country’, throws open a difference of opinion and expects the candidates to solve the riddle of development on one hand and preservation of tribal culture, on the other. On one hand, we are bound by developmental responsibilities to find out newer prospects for industrialisation based on cheap and amply available raw materials to boost our production for the elimination of poverty and hunger that in turn improve the living standard. The challenge of improving the living standard of two-thirds of the population can only be overcome by exploring the possibilities of rapid industrialisation. The second five year plan was the envision of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru—a great visionary, statesman and one of the founding fathers of our nation. Hence, it becomes all the more necessary to mine the mineral-rich places that are often near plateaus and hilly areas. However, it is to be kept in mind that these places are inhabited by our primitive tribes. They represent the rare heritage of our ancient culture, values and practices that have gradually diminished to become endangered today and are on the verge of extinction. Preserving them and their interests is our national, moral and humane responsibility.
• Moreover, they have nothing to do with our ambitious developmental projects as the fruits of development hardly reach them. Hence, confronted with this sophisticated situation, a mature, balanced, intelligent and innovative approach is needed to tackle both these critical and important issues in equal measure. At the same time, significant attention has to be paid while expressing opinion in support of or against any of these two needs, as these are very delicate and sensitive issues. Hence, the need of the hour is to take what Buddha preached a middle path or Aristotle’s golden mean of the two, that is, granting the permission of mining to only those areas where the mobilisation and displacement of these naturally habituated tribes is low and where they could be provided similar alternate habitat to feel at home even after their displacement. 
• Though, our previous experiences of displacement failed to meet our expectations and the interests of these tribes, but we can learn and identify the possible areas of their vulnerability out of those experiences. Three categories can be identified: 
  (1) Special case, where tribals have a unique habitat with no alternate option,
  (2) Where the displacement options are available and
  (3) Where they agree to adapt to the mainstream development-borne life style, for example, few areas of northeastern states. Regions falling under the first category would not be suitable for mining considerations while the other two cases may allow mining but with utmost care and precaution. Therefore, it can be concluded that a clear cut order banning all fresh mining activities in tribal areas of the country shall be in contravention to our development strategy which forms the basis of our planning and policies. Thus, careful consideration should be given to argue and conclude a middle path that is best suited. A candidate having sound knowledge in the above domain can easily fetch marks ranging from 100–140.

The 2nd Essay Topic

• ‘Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role’, is something that can be anticipated as a topic preferred by all types of students, including the students of history, sociology, public administration, literature and philosophy. All the students have enough space to accommodate their ideas and reveal a newer dimension to it. Thus, this essay provides immense scope. A survey found that this essay is preferred by over 80% of the students as it helps them in identifying and connecting their studies and understanding of India. Moreover, the selection of this essay requires one to have a deep understanding of Indian society and its progress along with the vision of India as a global leader. Since the very ancient times, the prosperity, spirituality, well-being and welfare-based governance of India made it renowned worldwide as the ‘World guru’ or the ‘World leader’. The societal structure of India, with more than 5000-year old recorded history, can be divided into ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary periods. During all these periods, the Indian society witnessed development in three dimensions, namely,
  (1) spiritual,
  (2) psychic or attitudinal and
  (3) physical.
  Physically, a developed society is known to be that which fulfils the basic amenities of its people, provides them a decent standard of life and empowers them with prosperity. The fast moving cars, aeroplanes, space shuttle, computers, machines, mobile and internet-based satellite communication, etc. facilitating the humankind nowadays reflects our physical growth in a good light. Nowadays, plenty of Nobel Prizes are won every year. Mentally, the viewpoint of young generation seems far better and coherent than that of older generations. Thus, in terms of mental aspects a significant leap is taken by the human society. The features of a spiritually advanced society are its openness, liberal thinking and universalistic aptitude that reflect highest degree of human rationality and scientific temper instead of superstition, bigotry and old conventions. In such a society, people have feelings of Brahmanhood within themselves, considering themselves part of a united family, and associate themselves with one universal God. The age-old values of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘sarvam khalvidam brahma’ etc. reflects the prevalence of such spiritual practices in ancient India.
• A society achieving a balanced state across all three dimensions can genuinely be considered a comprehensively developed society. Each developmental effort directed towards the physical and psychic dimensions carries a significant risk of also fostering negative consequences. For instance, while the development of high-speed vehicles at the physical level introduces the risk of severe accidents, advancements at the psychic level, exemplified by numerous Nobel Prizes, are accompanied by an increase in various mental disorders. In contemporary times, detrimental tendencies like frustrations, anxieties, and suicide attempts have surged significantly. It is evident that both physical and psychic development entail potential negative outcomes. In contrast, spiritual development stands apart, devoid of any associated negativity. Consequently, these three dimensions are intricately interconnected, requiring harmonious integration to truly embody the essence of a developed society.
• Since the ancient times, Indian society is said to practice spirituality that was followed with a strong foundation even in the medieval time. Refined with higher standards of values, ethics and morality, the social consciousness was characterised with confidence. People believed in themselves and psychically the society was strong. The people were able to meet their needs and requirements and physically too the society had abundant wealth to take care of its people. The living standard of people was remarkably good and they were satisfied with it. 
• The medieval period in Indian society during the period of Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals witnessed a little deterioration in the physical well-being of its people, but overall the society was able to manage the intricate balance amongst the three levels. 
• However, significant harm was inflicted upon the interests of the people in India and its societal structure during the modern period, particularly with the European invasion leading to British rule and colonization. This harm occurred on two levels—physically and psychically. Physically, the British implemented the 'Drain of Wealth' policy, directing their efforts to exploit, extract, and export Indian wealth to England. In pursuit of their self-interests, they ruthlessly exploited the fundamental structures of the Indian economy, trade, commerce, and the occupations of its people, disregarding the severe long-term consequences that ensued from their reckless actions. Psychically, the British also managed to damage the mindset of the society significantly. Their actions eroded the faith and belief of Indians in their own capabilities. This inflicted a notable loss on Indian society, and the recovery and revitalization of the society require considerable time.
• Hence, the contemporary Indian society is comprised of people who underwent physical and psychic exploitation for over two and half centuries. However, even the alien intrusions could not destabilise them from spirituality. Hence, during all these periods of crisis the base of Indian society in the form of spirituality remained intact. 
• Post-independence, a strong foundation laid by the visionary leadership of Pandit Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Ballabh Patel, Dr. Ambedkar, etc. led to the present form of governance based on modern principles of democracy, socialism and secularism. Our constitution very well incorporates all these principles and enjoys the privilege of being one of the largest written constitutions in the world. 
• The solid foundations laid by our constitution have resulted in providing a strong base to the Indian society to become self-reliant in food grain production and most of its basic needs. In the present scenario, the country is widely recognised as one of the fastest growing economy in the world and emerging as a leader on many fronts. Even the U. S. President Obama acknowledged that ‘When India speaks, the World listens’. 
• In the 1960s, followed by a series of famines, when our late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi went to USA to seek help for food grains and other economic needs, she was made to wait half an hour in the presidential corridor to meet the U. S. President. In the present scenario, the situation has changed to such a level that the U. S. President Mr. Obama came to India and sought employments for its people. Today, India is playing a leadership role in international organisations including ASEAN, SAARC, G-20, BASIC, IBSA, etc. Moreover, India has been given an observer status in other organisations like G-8, SCO, EU, etc. which portrays the significant role India plays, its participation and the respect gained by it in the International Forums. India adopted the harmonious and peaceful coexistence principles of Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) based on India’s ancient value system of ‘Sarva Jan Hitaya Cha’ and ‘Vashudhaiv Kutumbakam’. It evolved as a result of Indian societal structure and has provided an alternative to the polarised world that followed immature and sentimental principles of polarisation during the second World War. India played a significant role in the formation of the UN even before it achieved independence. Many of the UN institutions are based on Indian’s age-old principles of humanism and universalism of which India is also the founding member. 
• Thus, physically India is able to revive itself within a very short span of time after independence. Presently, India has registered itself as the second fastest growing economy of the world. This has led to a boost in the psychological status of Indian people reflecting growing social awareness and confidence in the society. Nowadays, Indians have regained the sense of belief and pride in being an Indian. This reflects a great sign of improvement the Indian society is going through.
• The economic development, prosperity of the people and international position held by its people show the readiness of Indian society for betterment in all spheres of life. The living standard of Indian society has improved in all these fronts. Few social evils such as poverty, unemployment, mass scale hunger, malnourishment, ignorance, illiteracy, and other forms of iniquities that still exist in the present society can be eliminated in future with good development figures, successful functioning democracy, education and good governance. All these developments indicate that India would be able to regain its status of global leader in the time to come. As it is the only country with a social set-up having a harmonious balance in all the three aforementioned fundamental pillars that forms the basis of an ideal society. 
• A relatively good essay could be turned out by elaborating few of these aspects combined with logical arguments. This essay becomes an obvious choice as a student well versed in these basic aspects of society could get marks in the range of 100 to 145.

The Third Essay Topic

• ‘From traditional Indian Philanthropy to the Gates-Buffett model—a natural progress or a paradigm shift?’ is more of a philosophical tone. To attempt this essay one should have adequate knowledge of the differences that lie in the Indian practice of ‘paropkara’ and the contemporary western practice of ‘philanthropy’. Thereafter, one is assumed to provide comments on whether philanthropy in practice today is a natural progress or a Paradigm shift? 
• Before taking a position, the essayist should elaborate upon these two practices then should logically conclude the topic. The concept of philanthropy in India was called as ‘Paropkara’, that is, ‘Par’ + ‘Upkara’ which means ‘service to others’. Therefore, the philanthropy was considered as service or duty to perform whether one had enough wealth or little wealth. The people distributing their money or wealth would consider themselves indebted to person receiving their money and never viewed themselves obliging to the needy or the beneficiary. Raja Harishchandra, Bharathari, Raja Bhoja, Ashoka, etc. are some examples of the kings who testify this system of philanthropy that was prevalent in India since the time immemorial. 
• In present times, philanthropy in practice is a western adaptation. Influenced by this system, most of the Indian wealthy people, who have become billionaire very recently, are following the western philanthropists, like Bill, Warren Buffett and Milinda Gates, etc. The widespread fame and recognition that comes with this practice motivates these multi billionaires. Thus, most of the Indian philanthropists in their eagerness to transform themselves as a modern western man get drawn into the gaudy power of westernisation and get distracted between the two. 
• Modernisation does not mean westernisation and is instead a mindset based on the principles of democracy, socialism, equality, secularism and freedom and universalism. Hence, the practice of philanthropy nowadays by Indians who recently turned rich cannot be called as a natural development but a paradigm shift. 
• Now, enough light has been thrown on core of the issues and one can always make use of his/her vision and understanding to further elaborate on the topic. One can put relevant facts and figures in a meaningful way to make it more substantive. Hence, this essay requires more of a philosophical knowledge than factual knowledge or something learnt from books. A well-written essay on this topic can fetch marks in the range of 100–140. 
• Thus, we can see that main examination nowadays has become very competitive similar to the situations that we undergo in our daily walk of life in the present scenario. A comprehensive understanding of Indian society, its culture, people, practices and philosophies is a must for an individual who wants to compete in the exam. Writing on some of these topics or on similar issues and getting oneself evaluated is the best way to prepare for essay writing. The importance of essays should not be taken lightly as these could be decisive in changing the rank and portfolio of a candidate and making it to the final list of successful candidates.