Questions Mostly in mind of Aspirants - FAQ's | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

I am unable to manage my time during preparation. How do I split my schedule between reading the material and practising answer writing?

The amount of time you have to dedicate for answer writing depends on several factors: the number of times you have taken the mains exam before, your current writing skills and the time you have already invested in answer writing practice. So, there is no one size fits all time table for all the aspirants. But, there is a common mistake that many aspirants commit when it comes to managing time: they read and read, many times over, but don’t practise answer writing. They give in to the resistance that stops them from putting pen to paper.

So, the general suggestion for the majority of the students is plan in such a way that both reading and answer writing move in tandem. For instance, let’s take the topic International Relations. To master it, first decide on the number of days you want to allocate to this topic. Let’s say, 5 days. In those 5 days, incorporate both the static and the current portion.

At the end of each day, try to write 2-3 answers to consolidate what you’ve studied and to learn how to present your knowledge on paper. Your first few answers will inevitably be bad. That’s okay. After you do this for 5 days, try to write a full length 3 hour test on the same topic. If you are already skilled in answer writing, you may choose to skip the daily writing practice and jump straight to three hour tests. This completes the cycle and you can move onto the next subject and repeat the process.

How do I convey more in fewer words?

Switch to bullet points. Incorporate flow-charts and diagrams. Use abbreviation for well-known terms. For example, Instead of writing ‘According to Annual Status of Education report’, write ‘As per ASER report’

Some other examples (list is not exhaustive):

• Legislation, schemes etc: RTI, MNREGA, RTE, ICDS, NJAC, PDS, GST, DPSP etc.,
• Organisations: WHO, UNDP, IMF, WB— EoDB, ISRO (PSLV, GSLV
• etc)
• Scientific terms: PSLV, GSLV, GMO, IPR etc.

There is no need to expand the above-stated abbreviations. Essentially, if you expect a reasonably well-informed person to understand an abbreviation, use it. Or, you can define an abbreviation in the answer at the beginning itself and use it in the rest of the write-up. Example: While writing on Judicial Activism, in the introduction, write ‘Judicial Activism (JA) means….’ In the rest of the answer, simply write JA to refer to Judicial Activism.

Further, wherever possible, use short phrases instead of complete sentences (this is applicable only to GS answers). Take a look at one of my mock test answers on judicial backlog.

Indian judiciary is saddled with high pendency which can be seen from the following facts:

• 12-15 year delay in adjudication (DAKSH Report)
• 4.5 Cr pending cases in lower courts (Law Commission Report) 65000 pending cases in Supreme Court alone
• 20% judicial vacancy in lower courts

Imagine writing this information in full sentences. Obviously, it will take much more time and space. Using short phrases in bullets helps in conveying the same information in a minimum number of words. This can feel a bit overwhelming for beginners but it is something that can be learned. More than anything, a consistent writing practice makes your answers concise and coherent. And, observing a strict time limit while writing— during the daily writing practice or during a full length test— will improve speed and precision.

While writing answers, I am unable to recall my notes. How do I improve retention of what I read?

No one remembers all the points anyway. Time, word limit, and memory constraint limit retention to around 70-75%. But, it’s crucial to present this 70% effectively. Two things are useful. First, requisite revision. Revising a multitude of times before the actual test helps in better retention. Second, write enough mock tests. Make all these mistakes in your mocks. Even if you forget in these tests, once you go back and see what you forgot in the mock test, that concept will get imprinted in your brain for a long time. So, revising and writing tests are your answers to improving your memory and consolidating what you’ve read.

When I get low marks in mock tests, I feel demotivated and discouraged to write another test. How do I overcome it?

Low marks are not a problem. Stagnation is. In my first mock test, I scored very low. Instead of getting disheartened, I directed my energy on improving. I explored model answers of candidates who scored well in that test, sifted through previous toppers’ answer booklets to understand and correct my mistakes. During those four months between Prelims and Mains, my learning curve had steadily climbed due to this approach. Had I got demotivated by my initial score and gave up writing mock tests, I would have failed again in Mains. It’s that consistency and slow improvement that helped me crack the exam. So if you keep improving, even if only marginally, it’s sufficient. Don’t let a bad score in one test affect your whole preparation. Persist, iterate, learn, and succeed.

How do I answer questions that I know only partially?

When you read a question, you either know the answer thoroughly, or know something only vaguely, or have absolutely no clue about it. It’s best you leave the questions of the third bucket. For instance, take this question: Elaborate the salient features of the constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of this legislation. Now if you don’t know that the amendment is about the GST, there’s no way you can guess. It’s best to leave such questions.

But, the questions for which you can make an intelligent guess, you must attempt them. In such questions, write in generic, universal terms. Avoid statistics, authoritative reports, and committee recommendations (assuming you do not know). Write common sense answers. For example, a scientific discovery in agriculture will be more or less about increasing yields, controlling pests and lengthening shelf life. A new decision by RBI regarding banking sector will be inextricably connected to improving credit flow to key sectors, promoting financial inclusion, controlling NPAs, and improving banking security. A space mission to another planet will be about uncovering truths about its climate, mineral resource and gaining insight into earth’s formation and geology. A cyber security pact between India and some other country will mostly deal with controlling cybercrime, training personnel, data sharing between governments etc.

Whatever be the topic, if you can find such generalities, just write those points. You might get only partial marks, but cumulatively they make a huge difference to your final score.

Is there a specific order in which I should answer the paper?

Pay attention to writing the best answer you can to every question(within the time limit). Everything else is a distraction. My suggestion is just start with the first question and go sequentially.

Ultimately, choose what works for you.

How many points should I write in an answer? Is it important to fill up the space?

More points don’t necessarily mean more marks. Answer only what is asked in the question. If a 10 marker has to be finished in 7 minutes, then wrap it up in 7 minutes, irrespective of how well you know the answer. It’s a rookie’s mistake to spend excessive time on answers you know very well. Getting a good score in mains is mostly about writing excellent answers for some questions, above average answers for most and mediocre answers or a few and finishing the complete paper in time.

Writing excessively would eat into the time needed for other answers. So, even if you know a ton of information, write only what is possible in the time limit. Filling up the space is absolutely futile. There were answers for 10 markers which I wrote no more than 100-110 words. They had no impact on my score. Quality of content over length

What should I do if I have a sudden blackout while writing an answer?

Relax. Leave the question and start the next one. Don’t waste time on one answer.

For essay, you don’t have the choice of switching the topic midway.

This is why brainstorming well before you begin writing is crucial. During the ideation period, try to note down as many points as you can, without worrying about coherence or flow. Start with an abundance of ideas. Later edit out what is unnecessary. Make your blueprint for the essay from this material. So, when you lack ideas or face writer’s block, go through those scribblings to find points to write about.

To get good marks, is this the only way to write? What if I am not comfortable with your writing style?

When I sought to improve my answers (and my Mains score), I wanted to devise an all-encompassing strategy that helps me write a good answer irrespective of the question. This book is the framework I came up with. It helped me write answers quickly, directly and clearly. I did not have to waste time on framing my answer in the exam hall. I just had to pour the relevant content in the framework I already had. It was one less burden and a tremendous relief.

So you should always remember that the suggestions and tips I discuss in this book have helped me improve my score. It doesn’t necessarily mean this is the only way you can improve. I know some of my batch mates who wrote in paragraphs and bagged ranks under 100. In UPSC, there is no one best way to do things. What this book constitutes, ultimately, is personal advice. If you feel something isn’t right, ignore it. Imbibe only what you think is beneficial.

How important are directives such as ‘discuss’, ‘examine’, ‘comment’, ’critically analyse’ etc?

They don’t matter as much as people think. Remember that the text of the question determines the content of your answer. As long as the text of the question remains constant, substituting one keyword for another doesn’t really make any substantial difference. For every question, all you have to do is to understand the core essence and then write a well-rounded answer, with cogent introduction, body and conclusion, infused with separate headings for each subpart of the question. Consider the following question:

Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.

In this question, even if you replace the word ‘examine’ with ‘analyse’, ‘discuss’ or ‘comment’ the core demand of the question doesn’t really change and so should your answer. Coaching institutes sometimes tend to complicate things.

What about the word limit? Is it important?

Yes, absolutely. The word limit that UPSC mentions besides each question is already overkill. If you are exceeding that word limit, it clearly implies you are overshooting your time limit as well. If you do this for many questions, you will inevitably be forced to leave some questions unanswered. A grave mistake. No matter how well you know an answer, stick to the word and time limit.

Points vs Paragraphs. Which is better?

To comprehend lengthy paragraphs, readers need to invest two things: time and effort. An examiner has to check many papers and our goal must be to make his job as easy as possible. This isn’t a gimmick. Even professional writers strive to make their writing simple and easy to comprehend. There is the reason we don’t write paragraphs in PowerPoint presentations. It’s because complex information is best presented in bullets as it’s easier to digest.

Essay is a literary device meant to be written in paragraphs, but in General Studies there is no such restriction. In GS, writing in points is so much better because it:

Helps you convey dense information in less time and space Shapes your text in a presentable way (especially if you have bad handwriting)

Makes it easier for the examiner to check and mark the paper

Gives you a snapshot of number of distinct points you have covered

Essentially, if you are used to writing only in paragraphs and cannot switch to points, then try to write in short paragraphs. If you can make the switch, but are confused between these two styles, go with the bullet point format.

There are many opinion-based questions in Mains. Whose opinion are they asking?

In the UPSC interview stage, when the panel poses an opinionated question, it’s your opinion and reasoning that counts. However, in Mains, you state the opinion of a committee or ARC or some authoritative report to argue a point. Also, don’t state your opinion right at the beginning of an answer. Mention arguments on either side in the main body and take the help of a committee/authority/constitution to state your opinion in the conclusion.

For example, a question might ask: Do you agree that Civil Services is in need of drastic reforms?

For such debatable topics, always write both sides of the issue even if not explicitly asked in the question. For this, explain under a subheading why drastic reforms are needed. And in the next paragraph, counter by saying why drastic reforms are harmful. In the end, you can add the view of ARC 2, Hota, and Surendranath committees to convey your opinion and end it on a balanced note.

I am an engineer and I cannot write in prose. How do I overcome this obstacle?

Recent trends clearly show that engineering students, with humanities optionals, are clearing the exam with top ranks. Engineering degree is a poor excuse for any inability to write. With practice, anyone can become better at writing. Write more, write publicly, and write often. It will build the habit of putting your thoughts on paper. Anyone who can think can write.

When should I start with answer writing practice?

As soon as you finish reading a particular topic, you can start writing the answers.

I am preparing from home. How do I evaluate my answers?

Good answer is a collection of getting a few things right. I have written about ‘what makes a good answer’ in chapter 21. It will help you evaluate yourself and understand whether the answers are up to the required standards. Apart from that, you may ask your peers who are preparing for the exam to evaluate your answers. They might find mistakes that escape your eye. Also, check online portals like Insights, IAS BABA, Civils Daily etc. for their daily answer writing module. Go through the best answers that others submit. They also give a good indication of how to improve your answers.

Is daily answer writing helpful?

This is useful for aspirants who are just starting out with answer writing. Just the act of writing even one answer can be useful in getting insightful feedback. Apart from self-analysis, you can send out your answers to your fellow aspirants and ask for their inputs. If you are preparing alone, then go through the upvoted answers on various online platforms. Reverse engineer to see what makes those answers good and then incorporate those elements in your answers.

When you are just starting out, ignore the time limit and just focus on writing a good quality answer. Slowly increase your pace to reach the required level. A word of caution: Daily answer writing is a poor substitute for writing a complete three-hour test. So, even if you write answers daily, get into the habit of writing full length tests. Both these exercises will improve your skill, speed, and endurance.

What is the level of English required for the UPSC exam? If I am poor at English, will I get low marks?

The level of English needed for the UPSC exam is absolutely basic.

You don’t need complex vocabulary. You don’t need figures of speech. You don’t need exceptionally good hand writing or rhetoric. Just plain English communicated in legible handwriting is enough. Many of my batch-mates did their schooling in vernacular languages and yet cracked the civils exam. All you need to understand are basics of grammar and syntax so that

you don't commit errors like “I did went there” (wrong form of verb) or “My computer not working well” (sentence without a verb).

In UPSC exam, there is absolutely no need for flashy words, or complex vocabulary. In fact, it’s counter-productive. Writing in thick, dense language is a bad idea. Your writing should pass a simple test: class X students should be able to comprehend your answers and essays. If they can’t, your writing has a problem. Strive for simple English with good grammar. Or you can choose to write Mains in a different medium altogether. You are allowed to take the exam in any of the languages mentioned in the 8th schedule of the Constitution.

How to improve my language and vocabulary for Essay?

As I mentioned before, there is no need to memorise complex words for writing a good essay. But an occasional use of a powerful word, or a good phrase definitely gives your write-up an edge.

Also, I believe that learning numerous words by rote will not make them stick in your brain for long. The best way to build your vocabulary is by reading non-fiction and English newspapers. While reading these, if you come across a good turn of phrase, or a word that you don’t recognise, please note it down in a book, find its meaning and understand the context in which the word was used. This helps in long term memory. Having a dictionary app on your phone also helps.

Building vocabulary is a slow process, but with consistency, anyone can become better at using an expansive set of words. For more detailed write up, refer to chapter 6 in the book.

I overshoot the time limit. How do I finish the paper in time?

I faced this problem throughout my first 4 attempts. I was a terribly slow writer. In my 5th attempt, this was the biggest improvement I made that helped me finish all papers in time. You should realize that UPSC can change how it distributes marks across questions, but it cannot change the 250 marks assigned to a paper (in the current pattern). So, whatever is the number of questions or distribution of marks across those questions, your target must be to write 80 marks worth answers in the first hour, another 80 in the second hour and 90 in the final hour. This translates to 40 marks in the initial 30 minutes. So, whether you start with 10 markers or 15 markers or 20 markers, aim to finish questions worth 40 marks in the first half-hour and then repeat this process. Always have an eye on the clock and if you think you are falling behind the time, step on the accelerator.

I write slowly. How do I improve?

There’s no hack to improve writing speed. I did one exercise over a course of month to improve my pace. On a sheet of paper, I used to write at my normal writing speed for 7 minutes. At the end of time, I would count the number of words I am able to write. Ideally in Mains, we are required to write around 100-120 words in 7 minutes. So when I fell short of this figure, I would repeat the exercise and write at a higher pace to reach this threshold of 100-120 words. If you are struggling with a similar problem, this exercise may be helpful to you. Choose to sacrifice neatness of handwriting for speed. Once you are up to the mark, move on to writing actual answers at this speed (implement it during your daily writing practice).

What is the importance of test series? When is the right time to join one?

Joining test series is important. It’s not because you will get the same questions in the final exam. Questions in the final UPSC exam vary from what you encounter in your mock tests. That’s not the point. The real utility of test series is it helps you in four things: makes you manage exam time efficiently, gives an external push, builds your endurance to write for 3 hours, and provides objective feedback. What gets measured, gets done.

I cannot afford test series at a coaching institute? Can I take tests at home?

Absolutely. Download test booklets, print them, put a timer, and take tests from home. Send it across to your friends to get feedback. Analyse toppers’ booklets to see if you are writing well. Just this self-analysis will teach you a lot. If you follow this up, you become the best judge of the quality of your preparation and your answers. Don’t rely too much on coaching institutes’ advice. Many of them wouldn’t have ever written this exam. So, even if you don’t join test series at an institute, it is not a barrier.

Diagrams and illustrations: Are they necessary?

They will give your answers an edge for the following reasons:

They consume less time and space but are incredibly effective. The ratio of output to effort is really high.

When you draw and label well, it helps you convey extra information apart from your write-up. For instance, if a question asks about the pros and cons of inter-river linkage, depicting important river linkage projects on India map adds incredible value.

They simplify complex information and make it easier to comprehend.

When you are running out of time (especially toward the end of the paper) diagrams and flowcharts come in handy in helping you finish the paper in time.

Finally, a well-drawn diagram is aesthetically pleasing and immediately catches the examiner’s attention.

My handwriting is poor. Should I be worried?

With the same handwriting, I could not clear Mains in my previous attempts. Once I improved my content, speed and presentation, my marks improved drastically. This is the valuable insight I learned: content is the decisive factor in the UPSC exam. There are neither additional marks for beautiful handwriting nor penalty for average penmanship. Handwriting doesn’t matter as long as it’s legible. If a school student can read your text effortlessly, that’s sufficient.

I have no idea how to begin answer writing practice. How to overcome my inertia and confusion?

If you are a complete beginner, accept that your first 50 answers will be below average. Don’t burden yourself with writing quality answers right from the start. Your sole focus must be on churning out those 50 terrible answers to get you accustomed to it. Once you write those 50, turn your focus on improving quality. You can do it in many ways: getting feedback from your fellow aspirants, comparing your answers with topper’s answers to see the gaps and establishing a daily answer writing practice especially in public platforms such as Insights Secure/IAS Baba’s ILP/Civils Daily/ForumIAS etc. As you start writing publicly, take time to inspect how others are writing, scrutinise the model answers, understand what’s missing in your paper, and consciously try to improve. Over time, you will begin to write better answers.

Before you begin, there will be inertia, confusion and a stern resistance from within. You will procrastinate and wait for that right moment of inspiration. This is a trap. No matter how much you read or how well you understand toppers’ suggestions, unless you actually sit and write, you won’t improve. Think of it like getting fit. You don’t get fit by reading books and articles on fitness. You become fit only when you start exercising. Same goes with answer writing.

So don’t wait for that elusive motivation. Make motivation redundant.

Start before you are ready.

I just cleared Prelims. What should be my plan?

Join a test series and kick start answer writing. You will always have a nagging tendency to keep reading and postpone writing your tests. Don’t make that mistake. Consciously remind yourself of the importance of writing answers and taking tests. Begin with exams based on a specific 

portion of the syllabus, and then gradually move on to full length tests. During this time between Prelims and Mains, write ten to fifteen mock tests. Just the act of preparing and taking those mock exams will help you cover the entire syllabus twice. And, take those tests as seriously as you would the real exam. Observe strict time limits. If you take additional time to finish the paper, you are cheating no one except yourself.

In Essay and GS, what matters more? Facts or analysis?

Facts without analysis are rote; analysis without facts is hollow. Both are crucial to make your essay convincing. Use facts to substantiate your arguments and analysis.

For instance, consider how in this paragraph the analysis and facts are interwoven.

Despite some lacunae, MNREGA has had a positive impact on rural economy. It increased rural wages, controlled distress migration and provided a safety net for marginal farmers and agricultural labourers. According to National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), MGNREGA has reduced poverty by up to 32% and has prevented 14 million people from falling into poverty.

One rule of thumb: after you present an opinion, add a data point, an expert opinion, or an authoritative report to strengthen your argument.

They lend weight to your write-up and make your argument persuasive.

Just a few days before Mains, what should I be doing?

I have attempted this exam five times and each time I learned something new about my strengths and inadequacies— of what works and what doesn’t. As you approach your Mains, here are some key points that will help you perform at your peak.

• This Mains might be your first shot, or that it might be your last attempt and you are really, really desperate to crack it. Whatever it is, just don’t raise the stakes so high. We rarely perform to our potential under pressure. We give our best when we are in the moment, unmindful of the outcome but fully focused on the present. This is why it’s so important to have a Zen Mindset. A Zen mind is neither too psyched or excited, nor too indifferent or overconfident. To be zen is to be calm, composed and fully alert. That’s the mindset you need to cultivate.
• In the last ten days, dedicate at least a couple of days to writing two complete tests on a single day. This will train your body and mind to write for six hours a day so that in the final exam you don’t find the task overpowering.
• To perform well on the day of the exam, revising the syllabus the day before is absolutely vital. Revise as much as you can without getting mired in a single topic. While revising, it’s possible that you might feel that you’ve forgotten everything. Don’t panic. You’d be surprised how much you will be able to recollect in the exam hall.
• Once you are done with an exam, do not waste even a second in pointless speculation about the marks, the evaluation, or the difficulty level of the paper. Every time you spend a moment speculating, you take the time away from your next paper.
• Finish the paper in time, no matter what. You should realise that UPSC can change how it distributes marks across questions, but it cannot change the 250 marks assigned to a paper. So, whatever is the number of questions or distribution of marks across those questions, your target must be to write 80 mark worth answers in the first hour, another 80 in the second hour and 90 in the final hour. This translates to 40 marks in the initial 30 minutes. So whether you start with 10 markers or 15 markers or 20 markers, aim to finish questions worth 40 marks in the first half-hour and then repeat this process. Always have an eye on the clock and if you think you are falling behind the time, accelerate.
• It’s possible that you may not do all the papers equally well. So if one particular exam does not go as per your expectation, that’s not much of a problem. The problem comes when you endlessly ruminate over the mistakes you made and ponder on all the what-ifs. Don’t make that mistake. Once an exam gets over, take a clean break from it and focus on the next. Your behaviour in the last ten days must resemble clockwork— ruthless, efficient, and unemotional.
• The next advice might feel clichéd, but it’s probably the most important. We only realise the value of health once we fall sick. Staying healthy during this last lap is more important than ever. Eat healthy, stay hydrated and get adequate sleep. During my Mains, I always carried a thermos flask full of tea and used to drink a couple of cups during the afternoon break. It used to really uplift my senses. Such small things do matter.
• When you feel tense or the anxiety gets the better of you, practise controlled breathing. Whenever I felt restless, I used to do controlled breathing exercises to ease my anxiety and lower my stress. Fidgety people among you might find it especially useful.
• In the previous 3-4 months, you read all that you had to, and wrote all you could. Apart from the books and the strategies, Mains is also about mental toughness. During this time, your self-belief must be unshakeable.
• Focus on the process, not the outcome. Your goal must not be about getting a rank in top 100, or scoring 450+ in GS, or 300+ in optional. Your goal must be to write the best possible answers to those 20 questions and complete all the papers in time. Have small targets.
• Tick them off one by one. Final success will inevitably follow.