Answer Writing Strategy for UPSC CSE PDF Download

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) Mains is a rigorous and challenging examination that tests candidates on their knowledge of various subjects. One of the essential components of the CSE Mains is answer writing.
Answer writing is often considered an art form, but the good news is that with time and effort, anyone can learn this skill. With a willingness to improve, consistent practice, and the right guidance, anyone can become proficient in answering questions effectively.
EduRev experts are here to offer our guidance and support to help you incorporate valuable tips into your preparation and ultimately succeed in your writing endeavours.

Basic Strategy for UPSC Answer Writing

This answer writing guide has been divided into three sections – Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. As the names for the section headings suggest, one should proceed step by step, understanding each section completely before proceeding to the next. Ultimately you should be able to use the tips from all sections in your answer writing in a holistic manner.

Challenge 1: How to interpret the Question?

• In the UPSC Mains examination, questions are accompanied by specific directives such as "discuss/critically discuss" which require a clear understanding of what is being asked. 
• It is crucial to consult a table outlining various directives and their meanings to gain a proper understanding of what the examiner expects from your answer. 
• This basic yet crucial skill is essential for effective answer writing.

Challenge 2: How to develop a Basic Structure for the Answer?

• After reading and understanding a question, you immediately begin to organise your answer in your head. 
• It gets easier and simpler with practice. If necessary, jot down whatever comes to mind as you remember it. 
• The final point is very important since we have a tendency to forget or we are unable to retrieve information from memory at the last minute (or while writing), which can significantly lower the quality of your response.

Challenge 3. How to avoid overstretching your imagination?

• UPSC requires that you have a good understanding of a given issue and that the same should be readily understandable when expressed. 
• Thus, one should not slip into thoughts, ideas or arguments that are not absolutely necessary for writing a particular answer.
• Overbrooding and philosophizing may lead to confusion and as such it should be left out of Mains answer writing. 
• Moreover, this can save your time and effort which can be used in answering other questions efficiently.

How to structure your answers in UPSC Exams?

Step 1: Write a brief introduction to your answer.

To begin answering a question, it's important to start with a well-crafted introduction. This introduction should not only provide an overview of the topic or issue being addressed, but also briefly outline the main premise of the answer. If the question contains multiple parts, each part should be introduced in the opening paragraph. It's crucial to keep the introduction concise, aiming for a length of no more than 20% of the total word count, with an ideal length of around 10%. For instance, in a 200-word answer, the introduction (and conclusion) should be between 20-40 words long. By following this approach, you can capture the examiner's attention and provide a clear roadmap for the rest of your answer.

Step 2: Break up the major body of the response into paragraphs or bullet points.

• To make your answer clear and organized, it's important to focus each paragraph or bullet point on a single point or idea (unless it's absolutely necessary to include more). 
• Additionally, it's best to prioritize the most important points or the ones that you remember well at the beginning of each paragraph.
• When you're asked to discuss both positive and negative aspects of a topic, there are two ways to approach it. 
• One is to list all the positives in one paragraph, followed by a separate paragraph listing all the negatives. 
• The other option is to include a combination of positive and negative points in each paragraph, but only if there are a small number of points to cover (since having only three paragraphs for a 200-word answer looks best). 
• For all other cases, it's better to use the former approach of separating positive and negative points into different paragraphs.

Step 3: Conclude on a Positive Note

• To make your conclusion more effective, it's important to include a positive opinion that balances out any negative points you may have made. 
• This opinion doesn't need to be original, but it should ideally be a positive one.
• Ending on a negative note or tone should be avoided, and instead, it's better to focus on finding the silver lining in the situation. 
• Additionally, it's best to avoid ending your conclusion with a question - save any questions for the main body of your answer. 
• Instead, try to offer a solution or a way forward, which demonstrates a positive mindset and a desire to find solutions - traits that are essential for any aspiring CSE student.

How to introduce and conclude your answer?

How to write an Introduction to your answer?

• To effectively introduce your answer, start by identifying the main point of the problem, issue, or idea that the question is asking about. 
• Next, provide a concise one-line version of the answer you plan to write. If space allows, you can include a verdict or judgement in another sentence. 
• Essentially, your introduction should consist of three sentences that demonstrate to the examiner that you understand the question and are not going to waste time searching for the correct answer.

How to conclude your answer?

• When concluding your answer, start with a clear and concise sentence that summarizes the main elements, points, or arguments you've made. Then, include the positive opinion you mentioned earlier. 
• Finally, end with a general statement that reinforces the verdict, sentiment, or judgement you introduced in the beginning of your answer. 
• This approach will help you craft a cohesive and effective conclusion.

Example of introduction and conclusion

Question: For the question ‘What is meant by Employment 4.0? Discuss the benefits and challenges posed to the Indian economy by Employment 4.0.’ 
Introduction: ‘Employment 4.0. refers to an on-demand, digitally driven labour market characterised by independent workers in temporary positions for short-term engagements or contracts like freelancing for a magazine, driving cabs through Uber etc. It is also referred to as Gig Economy. According to a recent report, India is the largest supplier of online labour, hosting 24% of such workers globally.’
Conclusion: ‘There is a large gap between the way gig economy is growing and the adoption of regulations, as the law associated with it is incomplete and antiquated in many respects. But given the huge potential of gig economy going forward, there is a case for the state to deftly balance the interests of business exigencies and social welfare.’ 

Should you write your answers in bullets or in paragraphs?

• To provide an ideal opinion-based answer, it is recommended to structure it into paragraphs. This type of response typically takes the form of an essay, with an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It's important to note that this applies to writing in the English language.
• Both paragraph and bullet-point formats are suitable for presenting fact-based answers. When using bullet points, the answer should still include an introduction and a conclusion, along with the main body of the answer presented in bullet points. This format can be used to effectively convey factual information. It's important to note that this applies to writing in the English language.
• Since, most questions asked in the CSE would invariably be a mix of both facts and opinions, it is best that you develop a method that suits you naturally. 
• For example, have a look at this question from CSE 2016 – ‘Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.’ – and then take a look at the suggestions given below.
• Case 1: The opinion-based question – ‘Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development’ – this part of the question is opinion-based and as such could be attempted in paragraphs.
• Case 2: The fact-based question – Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India’ – this part of the question has factual elements to it and as such can be presented in either paragraphs or bullets. Choosing the latter here could surely save time if not fetch extra marks.

Should you leave or attempt unfamiliar questions

• If you come across unfamiliar questions during an exam, it's best to prioritize your time and focus on answering questions you're confident in. 
• Leaving unfamiliar questions can give you the opportunity to use your time more effectively, either by answering a different question properly or revising. 
• Attempting unfamiliar questions can sometimes be unwise, as it can leave a negative impression on the examiner and lower your self-confidence for the remainder of the exam.
• If you encounter an unfamiliar question during a competitive exam, it's important to consider whether you have a minimum threshold of information on the topic before attempting to answer it.
• For example, if you can recall at least 20-30% or 1-2 points on the topic, it may be worth attempting the question. 
• Although this threshold is generally low for answer writing, in a competitive exam, every point counts. 
• However, it's crucial to ensure that attempting an unfamiliar question does not negatively impact your overall score. 
• Therefore, the only exception to this rule is if attempting the question may work against your ability to achieve a good score.

Intermediate Strategy for UPSC Answer Writing

The Intermediate strategy will handle the second set of challenges that aspirants face in the Mains examination. To score well and above the competition, it is important that you understand and follow the guide given below.

1. Always stick to the word limit

• The General Studies (GS) papers, except for GS paper IV, which is the Ethics paper, have a word limit of 200 words per question. To make the most of the limited time, it's recommended to use short sentences instead of compound sentences. Semicolons can be used to separate clauses that address related but distinct ideas. Bullet points can be used for questions that require listing factors or causes.
• GS paper IV (Ethics) has word limits of 150, 250, and 300. Since most questions are opinion-based, it's best to answer them in paragraphs. It's recommended to spend 30 seconds developing a framework for open-ended questions with a 150-word limit. When answering case study questions, unnecessary justifications should be avoided, and ideas should be expressed in a simple manner with examples or quotes as necessary.
• Most optional subject papers have a limit of 150 words for the short-note section. Aspirants should be prepared to write more than 150 words on a given topic. To compress a longer answer into a 150-word short-note, identify the essential information and ignore peripheral, unnecessary, redundant, or repeated details. The creative use of commas can also help with compression. Optional History is an exception to this rule.
• The Optional subject paper has no fixed word limit for some questions, allowing answers to range from 150 to 350 words based on various factors such as time, marks, writing speed, and memory. However, it is not recommended to fill the entire space with unnecessary words. Instead, answer the questions thoughtfully and comfortably without feeling compelled to adhere to any specific word or space limits. Following the suggested tips will aid in accomplishing this goal.
• In the Essay paper, you have to write two essays within the 1000-1200 word limit.
  To write an excellent essay within the given word and time limit, it is important to follow basic rules such as brainstorming, outlining, and structuring ideas and arguments. Understanding different essay types such as narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive is also crucial. Being well-prepared for the GS papers will provide ample content for the essay. It is advised to choose a comfortable topic with interesting details and vivid dimensions instead of an exotic or impressive one. Ultimately, a well-written essay on an average topic will receive more marks than a poorly written essay on an exotic topic.

2. Know how to manage your time during the exam

• To effectively manage time during the Mains examination, it is crucial to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each question, ensuring all questions are answered within the allotted three hours. 
• The three essential rules for time management are: going with the flow while writing and thinking, trusting oneself, and avoiding self-doubt when deciding what to write; writing in a natural language, rather than using a forced or made-up style; and not getting stuck on difficult questions, instead temporarily moving on and returning to them later. With practice, it is possible to master time management during the Mains examination.
• To effectively manage time during the Mains examination, it's important to allocate the appropriate time for each question to complete all questions within the three-hour time limit. 
• To manage time efficiently, it's recommended to follow three rules of thumb: write and think freely, trust yourself and avoid self-doubt, write in a natural language without forcing a specific writing style, and avoid getting stuck on one question, temporarily move on to the next, and come back to the difficult question later. 
• Additionally, to maximize time, it's important to adhere to the word limit, develop a good writing speed, minimize the personal time (such as drinking water, going to the bathroom, and imagining others' progress), and strive for consistent above-average quality in all answers, rather than trying to achieve perfection in one answer and delivering a poor one in the next.

3. Know when to attempt a question
The question of whether to attempt confident questions first in the Mains examination is answered positively. 

• It is recommended to start with these questions as they can be answered with fresh energy and less stress, resulting in dynamic and well-written content completed in less time.
• It's important to revise your answers during the Mains examination. However, the question is whether to revise as you go or after completing the paper.
• Revising after completing each answer is not feasible due to time constraints. 
• Instead, it's recommended to revisit each answer immediately after completion to check for errors and underline important points. 
• If time allows, revise all answers at the end and be cautious not to make unnecessary changes. During revision, remain relaxed and extra careful to avoid mistakes.

Advanced Strategy for UPSC Answer Writing

1. Practice! Practice! Practice!

• When practising answer writing, it's important to focus on three main skills: recall, processing, and the ability to write in a streamlined and time-bound manner. 
• To improve these skills, it's helpful to develop the habit of quickly and thoroughly processing information. To do this, you can begin with open-book answer writing, where you have access to source material while answering questions. 
• Continue with this method until you feel comfortable and reasonably quick. Then, move on to answer writing from memory. To do this, read up on a topic first and then answer questions about it.
• This method can also improve your writing speed, as writing from memory is generally faster than writing from an open book. Remember that answer writing is an art, and the more you practise, the better you'll become.
• To practice answer writing, start with the previous year's papers from the Civil Services Exam (CSE), which offer high-quality questions. 
• Choose a question on a topic that you have recently prepared, and write out your answer to it. 
• After writing the answer, read it several times and analyze it. Ask yourself whether you have done justice to the question. 
• If you have, consider how you can improve it. If not, identify what you have missed. 
• Answer writing is an excellent way to identify gaps in your preparation and gain insight into the examiner's thought process. 
• Practicing answer writing can help you determine what you still need to prepare for a given topic and what the examiner is looking for in your answer.

2. Enroll in a test series

• Ideally, if it is possible you should enrol for a test-series. A good test series can not only guide you but it can also help you maintain a time-table. Besides, it will tell you where you have fared well and where work needs to be done. In any case, having a regular report card on your answer writing is always helpful.
• If you are pressed for time, or if for some reason it is not possible for you to join a good test series, you should try and do the following.
• First, if you are in a coaching or have a mentor then you should periodically get your answers checked by them. Then, you can also go for peer review where aspirants check each other’s answers.
• Lastly, you can also ask your friends and family (if they are qualified) to review your answers. The bottomline is that you should not keep writing answers solely but get feedback as well.
• Feedback is a very important part of the learning process and good feedback can help you with course correction in your preparation, and also help you in the evaluation of progress in your answer writing practice.

How to approach different types of questions?

There are various types of questions that appear in UPSC exams, and each type requires a different approach to answering. Here are some common types of questions and how to approach them:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Answer Writing Strategy for UPSC CSE 

How long should an answer of UPSC Main question take?

You will have a total of 3 hours to answer 20 questions, with some worth 10 marks and others worth 15 marks. On average, you'll have about 9 minutes per question. However, there's a catch: there will be no breaks during this time. Therefore, you'll need to use the 3 hours to read and comprehend the questions, as well as recall them from memory. As a result, you'll have approximately 7 minutes for each question, whether it's worth 10 or 15 marks.

What is the 7-5-3 rule in UPSC?

To perform well, candidates should allocate 7 minutes per question. Additionally, it's recommended that they provide 5 points pertaining to the given keyword, which can be presented in a bulleted format. Furthermore, it's advisable to aim to explain the answer in 3 different dimensions.

How many pages should an essay be in UPSC Mains?

It is hard to ensure the number of pages is required for one essay because it depends on words as well as the mode of handwriting. Since 2015, candidates are asked to write two essays out of 8 choices. Each essay is for 125 marks (1000-1200 words). So do try to maintain the word limit rather than remembering the number of pages.

How many pages are 1000 to 1200 words in UPSC?

1200 words is 2⅖ pages single spaced or 4⅘ pages double spaced.

How many pages to write for 250 words in UPSC?

A general thumb rule which can be helpful in the exam hall is that – if the question has a 150-word limit, then the answer should be written within 1 and a half A4 pages. If it's 250, then write the answer not going beyond 2.5 A4 pages