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Essay Paper UPSC 2020 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on January 9, 2021 by ClearIAS Team

UPSC conducted the  Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2020 on 08-01-2021.

There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2020 Instructions

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
• No marks will be given for answers written in the medium other than the authorized one.
• Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Essay Question Paper – UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2020

Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:

• Life is long journey between human being and being humane
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
• Ships do not sink because of water around them,  ships sink because of water that gets into them
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations

Though aspirants were asked to write only two essays out of eight, most aspirants faced difficulty to select the right combination of two essays.

A philosophical theme was present in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B.

As per most aspirants, the essay topic ‘Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self’ seemed the most tricky one. Only a few attempted that topic.

Admissions Open: Join Prelims cum Mains Course 2025 Now

UPSC has ensured that the essay topics were much different from the GS questions.

As we have mentioned many times, Essay needs a different approach than GS. Only those candidates with good essay writing skills will score high in this year’s essay paper.

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Topper's answer booklet.

ADITYA SRIVASTAVA

All india rank: 1 (2023).

• FLT - ESSAY TEST 1
• FLT - ESSAY TEST 2
• FLT - ESSAY TEST 3

All India Rank: 5 (2023)

• IGP GS TEST 1 - GS Paper I
• Analytics Test - 1
• IGP GS TEST 2 - GS Paper II
• Analytics Test - 2
• IGP GS TEST 3 - GS Paper III
• Analytics Test - 3
• IGP GS TEST 4 - GS Paper IV
• Analytics Test - 4

All India Rank: 9 (2023)

• RCA TEST 1 - GS Paper I
• RCA TEST 2 - GS Paper II
• RCA TEST 3 - GS Paper III
• RCA TEST 4 - GS Paper IV
• RCA TEST 5 - GS Paper I
• Analytics Test- 5
• RCA TEST 6 - GS Paper II
• Analytics Test - 6
• RCA TEST 7 - GS Paper III
• Analytics Test - 7
• RCA TEST 8 - GS Paper IV
• Analytics Test - 8

KUSH MOTWANI

All india rank: 11 (2023).

• IGP TEST 1 - GS Paper I
• IGP TEST 2 - GS Paper II
• IGP TEST 3 - GS Paper III
• IGP TEST 4 - GS Paper IV
• IGP TEST 5 - GS Paper I
• Analytics Test - 5
• IGP TEST 6 - GS Paper II
• IGP TEST 7 - GS Paper III
• IGP TEST 8 - GS Paper IV

MEDHA ANAND

All india rank: 13 (2023).

• ANUBHAV TEST 1 - GS paper I
• ANUBHAV TEST 2 - GS paper II
• ANUBHAV TEST 3 - GS paper III
• ANUBHAV TEST 4 - GS paper IV

ANSHUL BHAT

All india rank: 22 (2023).

• FLT TEST 1 - GS Paper-I
• FLT TEST 3 - GS Paper-III
• FLT TEST 4 - GS Paper-IV
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PRAJNANANDAN GIRI

All india rank: 24 (2023), vishnu sasikumar, all india rank: 31 (2023), thakur anjali ajay, all india rank: 43 (2023), k n chandana jahnavi, all india rank: 50 (2023), all india rank: 53 (2023), surabhi srivastava, all india rank: 56 (2023).

• Analytics Test- 01
• Analytics Test- 03
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• Analytics Test- 08

ABHIMANYU MALIK

All india rank: 60 (2023).

• Analytics Test- 02

KHUSHHALI SOLANKI

All india rank: 61 (2023).

• Analytics Test- 07

All India Rank: 69 (2023)

• FLT TEST 4 - GS Paper IV

SHOHAM TEBERIWAL

All india rank: 77 (2023).

• Analytics Test- 05
• Analytics Test- 06

ESHANI ANAND

All india rank: 79 (2023).

• FLT TEST 2 - GS Paper II
• FLT TEST 3 - GS Paper III

All India Rank: 81 (2023)

All india rank: 88 (2023), nidhi goyal, all india rank: 91 (2023), srishti mishra, all india rank: 95 (2023).

• SLT PLUS TEST 1 - GS Paper I
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• SLT PLUS TEST 11 - GS Paper III
• Analytics Test- 11
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• Analytics Test- 12

RAJIV AGARWAL

All india rank: 103 (2023), mahi sharma, all india rank: 106 (2023).

• SLT PLUS TEST 5 - GS Paper III
• SLT PLUS TEST 8 - GS Paper IV
• Analytics Test - 9
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DIVYANSHI SINGLA

All india rank: 108 (2023).

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Essay question  paper – upsc civil services  ias mains – 2021.

1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.

2. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.

3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.

4. The real is rational and the rational is real.

5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

6. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

7. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

8. There are better practices to “best practices”.

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Ishita Kishore IAS Topper Rank 1 (UPSC CSE 2022) – Answer sheets & Optional Subject

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.

ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024

Ishita Kishore has achieved the remarkable feat of securing All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services 2022 exam. Her accomplishment has not only met but exceeded expectations with her remarkable accomplishment of this formidable examination.  

Here’s a comprehensive look into her journey , age optional subject, background , and the strategies she employed to achieve this monumental success.  

Ishita Kishore answer sheets  isn’t just a collection; it’s a revelation. It provides a backstage pass to the meticulous preparation, the intellectual acuity, and the emotional fortitude required to crack the UPSC . Emulating the strategy of UPSC topper Ishita Kishore is an invaluable approach to fortifying your Civil Services Examination (CSE) preparation.  

As you explore the answer sheets of Ishita Kishore , you will discover the nuances of answer writing, the art of time management, and the intricacies of subject mastery.  

You can download test copies that Ishita Kishore wrote at ForumIAS  during the UPSC CSE preparation journey. Gain valuable insights from the test copies and testimonials of UPSC toppers, empowering you to excel in your own UPSC journey .  

Background and Education of IAS Topper Ishita Kishore

Born in Begumpet, Hyderabad , of Telangana , Ishita spent her formative years in Bihar. After that, she settled in Delhi. She is an alumnus of Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce ( SRCC ), where she pursued her graduation in Economics (Hons). After that, she worked for Ernst and Young, a multinational firm, before, starting the preparation for UPSC exam.

Family of IAS Topper Ishita Kishore

Ishita’s family has been her pillar of strength throughout her journey. Her father is a former Indian Air Force officer, and her mother is a private school teacher. Her brother, a lawyer by profession, has also been a constant source of support.

Personal Interests and Hobbies of IAS Topper Ishita Kishore

Apart from her academic pursuits, Ishita is passionate about football . She participated in the Subroto Cup in 2012 and has competed at the national level. During her school and college days, she was actively involved in extracurricular activities, including presiding over Interact, a group sponsored by Rotary, and participating in fictitious UN meetings at school events.

Preparation Strategy of IAS Topper Ishita Kishore

Ishita’s journey to success was not without its challenges. She did not clear the UPSC prelims in her first two attempts. However, instead of being disheartened, she used these setbacks as learning experiences. She analyzed her mistakes and ensured she did not repeat them in her subsequent attempt.

She also underwent a strategic shift in her preparation after her initial attempts. This involved attending online classes and focusing on making her own notes.

As stated in newspapers as well, Ishita’s approach to the UPSC exams was rooted in discipline, sincerity, and quality learning. She emphasized the importance of consistency and believed in focusing on the quality of study rather than the number of hours.

She dedicated 40–45 hours a week to her preparation, ensuring she balanced her study time with relaxation and staying connected with family and friends.

For her, understanding the core of the subject matter was crucial. She made her own notes, limited her study sources, and ensured she did not deviate from them, especially during revision. Ishita also highlighted the significance of previous years’ UPSC prelims question papers to understand the nature of the questions.

She has also written a letter to us:

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[ESSAY and GS ANSWER COPIES] Rank 36 SARANYA RAMCHANDRAN UPSC CSE 2019 TOPPER- IASbaba’s TLP Connect Student

• August 24, 2020

IASbaba's Toppers , Important Updates , UPSC Toppers

Hello Everyone,

Please find below the Essay, Ethics, GS Answer copies of  SARANYA RAMCHANDRAN Rank 36 UPSC CSE 2019 TOPPER.

She is our TLP CONNECT Student .

Her hard work and judicious use of IASbaba’s Programs like THINK LEARN PERFORM (TLP) -Connect , Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) – Babapedia, Test Series sailed her through the exam with a splendid rank.

ETHICS ANSWER COPY   -> CLICK HERE 

GENERAL STUDIES (GS 1 Society) ANSWER COPY  -> CLICK HERE 

ESSAY COPY ->  CLICK HERE 

TESTIMONIAL:

We at IASbaba , wish her all the success and become a role model for everyone to follow.. and keep us inspiring!

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• Day 6: Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty.

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UPSC Mains Answer Sheet

Download UPSC Mains Answer Sheet PDF Files

Download UPSC Mains Official Answer Booklets

* QCAB: Question Cum Answer Booklet (Question Paper + Answer Sheet)

• Essay & GS1-4 Questions categorised into topics and subtopics
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• Also contains all essay and GS1-4 papers from 2013 to 2023, arranged in a chronological manner

Download UPSC Mains Common Mistakes Document

UPSC has provided a document that illustrates the common mistakes students make while writing UPSC mains.

We’ve listed the common mistakes as suggested by UPSC

• Writing irrelevant matters in QCAB
• Writing anything which may disclose the student’s identity
• Answering in mixed language medium
• Answering partly in ink and partly in pencil
• Direct/indirect appeal to examiner
• Bad/illegible handwriting
• Contravention of any other instructions

The following documents (provided by UPSC) illustrate these mistakes.

Further, the document also highlights the correct way to cancel the attempted answer, etc. Please download the PDF and have a look.

Importance of Using UPSC Mains Answer Sheets

The use of official answer sheets in UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) mains practice is of utmost importance and should not be overlooked. The UPSC mains examination is a crucial stage in the civil services selection process, and it demands meticulous preparation to ensure success. Here are some key reasons why using official answer sheets during practice is highly recommended:

Familiarity with the Format:

The official answer sheets used in UPSC mains have a specific format and structure. By practicing on these answer sheets, you will become familiar with the layout, spacing, and overall presentation, which can save time during the actual exam. It helps in organizing the answers coherently and presenting it in a structured manner.

Time Management

UPSC mains exam is known for its stringent time constraints. Answering questions within the given time limit can be challenging. Using official answer sheets during practice will help you understand how much to write for each question and how to allocate time effectively. This will aid in improving time management skills, allowing candidates to attempt all questions within the stipulated time.

Real Exam Simulation

Replicating the exam environment as closely as possible during practice is essential for building confidence and reducing exam-day anxiety. Using official answer sheets creates a realistic simulation of the actual exam, helping you adapt better to the exam hall environment.

Evaluation and Feedback

UPSC mains is not just about writing answers; it also involves evaluating and improving them. Practicing on these sheets will enable you to self-evaluate your answers critically and identify areas of improvement. Seeking feedback from mentors or experts becomes more effective when the answers are written on official sheets.

Accurate Word Count

The UPSC mains exam has word limits for some of the questions. Using official answer sheets will allow you to gauge the approximate word count of their responses, ensuring they adhere to the prescribed limits during the actual exam.

Enhancing Handwriting

Legible and neat handwriting is crucial for effective communication in the Mains exam. Regular practice on official answer sheets helps improve handwriting, making the answers easier to read and understand for the examiners.

Minimizing Errors

The official answer sheets are designed to avoid ambiguity and errors. Practicing with these sheets reduces the likelihood of making such errors during the actual exam.

Using official answer sheets in UPSC mains practice is an essential aspect of a well-rounded preparation strategy. It not only familiarizes students with the exam’s format and structure but also helps in managing time, simulating the real exam environment, and improving overall performance. Aspirants should make it a habit to practice extensively on official answer sheets to increase their chances of success in the UPSC Mains examination.

Sample Mains Answer Sheet (Single Page)

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UPSC Mains Answer Writing

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UPSC Mains Model Answers

Answer writing is a continuous exercise that is an inalienable part of the preparation process for the Civil Services Examination. A well-written answer not only reflects the knowledge of an aspirant but also his/her ability to tailor the content in a manner suited to meet the expectations of the question.

Somehow, this is easier said than done. Many questions abound in the minds of students, for example: How does one pick and choose which points to include in an answer and which to leave out? What does a good answer look like? , etc.

Answer Writing for IAS Mains

We at the BYJU’S IAS team have realised that despite going through the content for various subjects, students still face a challenge in terms of putting pen to paper and writing down the points in a manner most fitting the expectations of a UPSC answer.

Keeping this in mind, we have realised the need to publish some of the best answers written by students across the country in response to the subjective type questions we share with them. It is strongly believed that aspirants and readers alike would get a hands-on feel of what some of the best answers would actually look like on paper. Further, this initiative dovetails well our larger idea of empowering our students towards writing better answers for the Mains examination. We sincerely hope that this initiative will go a long way towards helping our students achieve success in this examination.

How this initiative will help you?

• Get to know what other aspirants across the country are writing in terms of answers that meet the expectations of the questions.
• Get to know your own level of preparedness with respect to the Civil Services Examination.
• Get further inspired towards writing better answers and improving your own answer writing skill
• Understand the different nuances between the various operative words for example: “Critically Analyze”, “Discuss”, “Elucidate”, etc.
• Realizing a critical point that a “well-filled” answer isn’t the same as a “well-formed” answer.
• Understanding the different narratives that a GS answer and Essay papers often need so as to invite high marks from the examiner

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

You can send in your answers to questions posted on the UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice Page where you can also view your fellow aspirants’ answers. Click on the link for more.

Get more information and tips regarding the UPSC Exams by clicking on the link given below:

Related Links

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Strategies & Tips for Balancing Speed and Accuracy in UPSC Prelims 2024

T he UPSC Preliminary Examination, scheduled on 16th June, 2024, is crucial for aspiring civil servants, comprising the General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) . GS tests knowledge across subjects like history, geography, and current affairs, while CSAT evaluates skills like comprehension and logical reasoning. Both papers are objective in nature and require a sharp acumen to balance speed with accuracy, a balance that is critical to succeeding in both the exams.

The Crucial Balance: Speed and Accuracy

The format of the UPSC Prelims—with 100 questions in GS to be answered in 120 minutes and 80 questions in CSAT to be answered in 120 minutes—demands not just quick thinking but also precision. Speed is essential because of the sheer volume and the limited time, but accuracy is equally important to avoid negative marking for incorrect answers. This intricate balance is what often makes or breaks a candidate’s chance at advancing to the main examination.

Importance of Speed & Accuracy

• Maximizes Question Attempts : Speed enables candidates to work through the paper swiftly, allowing them to attempt a larger number of questions. This increases the potential for scoring higher as more questions are answered.
• Enhances Time Management: Efficient speed allows for better distribution of time across the different sections in the paper.
• Mitigates Negative Marking Risks : Accuracy is essential to avoid the consequences of negative marking, a feature of the UPSC Prelims where penalties are imposed for incorrect answers.
• Prevents Misinterpretation of Questions: High accuracy mandates thorough comprehension, preventing misinterpretations and aligning responses precisely with the question's requirements, avoiding errors from faulty assumptions. It comes with regular practice under the exam environment.
• Reduces Exam Pressure: Fast and efficient answering reduces the stress of unattempted questions as candidates are less likely to leave sections untouched. This leads to a more composed performance, allowing the candidate to focus better on each question.
• Competitive Nature: The UPSC exam is highly competitive, and candidates need to answer questions swiftly to stay ahead in the race for limited vacancies, warranting a delicate balance of speed and accuracy.

Strategies for Balancing Speed & Accuracy

• Role of Mock Test: Mock tests simulate the actual exam environment, which helps candidates gauge the level of difficulty, understand the pattern of questions, and improve their time management skills.
• Role of Post-Test Analysis: This reflective practice allows candidates to fine-tune their strategies, focusing on improving quick decision-making and precision in answering.
• Role of Mentorship: Mentors can help in pinpointing and reinforce weak areas, boost question-solving speed, give targeted feedback on mock tests, and ensure candidates adopt best practices, improving exam performance.

Adopting Systemic Approach

• In the first iteration , answer the questions where one is completely sure about [can be in range of 30 to 50 questions].
• In the second iteration , attempt questions where one can rule out two options or make a smart educated guess.
• In the third iteration , try answering using logical guesses where one is able to eliminate only one option.
• Candidates are recommended to prioritize the qualifying approach over the scoring approach in the CSAT paper. This entails focusing on core areas instead of treating all sections equally.

Tips for Balancing Speed & Accuracy:

• Skim Through the Paper Quickly: Take a quick glance at the entire paper to gauge the difficulty level and identify familiar question types. This will help you plan your approach accordingly.
• Allocate Time Wisely: Divide the available time among different sections based on your strengths. Prioritize sections where you are more confident.
• Start with Easy Questions: Begin by solving the easier questions first to build confidence and gain momentum. This will save time for tackling more challenging questions later.
• Strategic Skipping: Skip questions that seem time-consuming initially and return to them later if time permits.
• Avoid Over-reliance on Guesswork: While educated guessing is sometimes necessary, rely on it judiciously to avoid negative marking for incorrect answers.
• Elimination Strategy: Use the method of elimination and quickly narrow down options by eliminating obviously incorrect ones.
• Use Quick Techniques: Use shortcuts and quick problem-solving methods for quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.
• Reading Skills: While reading comprehension, one can quickly go through the questions before reading the comprehension to identify important details while reading the comprehension.
• Marking on OMR simultaneously: Mark the answers on the OMR sheet simultaneously as one solves the questions to avoid rushing at the end. This reduces the risk of mismarking due to haste in the end.
• Utilize the rough space wisely: While solving questions in the CSAT paper avoid overwriting on the question paper or running out of space mid-answer, which can cause confusion.
• Keep an Eye on the Clock: Regularly glance at the clock to monitor your progress. Ensure you are pacing yourself effectively to complete the paper within the allotted time.

Abhyaas 2024: A Simulation for UPSC CSE Prelims 2024

Abhyaas 2024 offers a realistic simulation of the UPSC Prelims, aimed at enhancing candidate preparation. Scheduled for the 21st of April, 12th of May, and 26th of May in over 100 cities, it includes both the GS and CSAT paper. Participating in Abhyaas 2024 not only prepares candidates for the exam conditions and timing but also helps improve their speed and accuracy, critical components for success in the UPSC Prelims.

Abhyaas Prelims 2024 Features:

• Complete coverage of UPSC Prelims syllabus
• Attempted by every 1 in 3 selected candidate in top 50
• All India Ranking
• VisionIAS Post Test Analysis
• Available in English/Hindi

The journey to cracking the UPSC Prelims is arduous but not insurmountable. By incorporating regular practice, diligent analysis, and expert guidance, candidates can enhance their performance, turning their civil service dreams into reality.

Visit us at:

www.visionias.in/abhyaas

Or Call us at: 8468022022, 9019066066

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.

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Insights from UPSC Marksheet 2023

Some useful insights from the UPSC 2023 Marksheet are as follows:

• Aditya Srivastava secured the highest marks i.e. 1099 and became UPSC Topper this year.
• The highest marks in Mains is 899 secured by Aditya Srivastava AIR 1.
• The highest marks of the Interview stage is 215 secured by Aniket Shandilya AIR 12, Yogesh Dilhor AIR 55, and Kshetrimayum Deepi Chanu AIR 508.
• 303 candidates are from the OBC category, 115 from the EWS category, and 165 and 86 from the SC and ST categories respectively.

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