How to Write High-Scoring Essays- Writing Tips for the UPSC Mains Exam?

The Essay Paper is one of the most important and easiest-to-score sections in the structure of the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The candidate needs to write two essays with equal weightage of 125 marks each, which makes a total of 250 marks. In contrast to the General Studies papers, which test the conceptual learning and analytical skills of the aspirants, the Essay paper analyses how well the thoughts are framed and articulated by a candidate. Scoring high on this paper can change your rank significantly and therefore, having an integrated approach towards systematic essay writing is vital for aspirants. Learn how to write an essay in the UPSC Mains exam. Get some effective strategies for preparing and writing an essay.

In this article, we will walk the aspiring students through the Answer Writing Tips for UPSC Mains. Check the Study Material for IAS Preparation and prepare for the IAS exam online for important information related to the UPSC examination.

High-Scoring Essay Writing Tips for UPSC Mains Exam

Here we will discuss pointers on High-Scoring Essay Writing Tips for UPSC Mains Exam. In this article, you will find the top 7 tips for writing good essays that fetch top marks for the civil services mains exam. 

Understanding the Nature of UPSC Essays

Essays in the UPSC Mains Exam, unlike academic or philosophical ones, demand a cohesive and practical approach. Topics can be broad and philosophical, socio-political, or contemporary. Thus, merely presenting information is not enough; the response demands deep reflection, analysis, and reasoned argumentation. Over-reliance on factual information, as with other GS papers, will cloud essential clarity of thought, which must be reflected in the essays alongside emotional intelligence, sharp understanding and holistic thinking. Essays in UPSC require a balance between facts and personal insight.

Choosing the Right Topic

Choosing the appropriate topic for your essay is one of the most important decisions you will make in the exam. All candidates should go through every topic and choose one they are most comfortable with, which does not need to be the most popular or the one that seems to have the most data available. A good topic is where you can think deeply about social, political, economic, ethical or historical angles as well as write coherently for 1000–1200 words while maintaining originality and clarity. Good philosophical essays tend to be highly creative and perform particularly well when creatively written. If a candidate does not feel confident, it is better to opt for a more straightforward topic where a coherent structure can easily be provided.

Structuring the Essay

A well-scoring essay will be structured in a certain way, containing an introduction, body, and conclusion-

Introduction: Grab the reader's attention with an interesting quote or succinct anecdote relating to the topic at hand. Define the topic clearly, indicating what you wish to explore about it. State your interpretation so that it resonates with what you intend to expound on in the essay.

Body: Address a specific aspect of the essay by breaking down this section into paragraphs that are logically ordered and coherent. Every paragraph must contain a central idea expressed through a topic sentence that is distinct yet connected to its predecessor because a connecting thread is inevitable when ideas flow coherently like water downstream. Offer all angles of social discourse – political, economic, ethical, international relations, and green issues, among others, while staying relevant to the thesis statement for concentration.

Conclusion: The Final section or a concluding remark should summarise issues already stated in previous sections while adding intricate philosophical overtones that give depth beyond surface-level examination.

Writing Style and Presentation

Simplicity combined with elegance creates the best effect. In tackling the Essay Paper in UPSC Mains Exam, excessive vocabulary and elaborate wordplay are of no use. These attributes do not score high in clarity, coherence, and correctness. Utilise active voice while steering clear of wordy jargon. Neutrality is crucial; do not sound too critical or too judgmental. Furthermore, handwriting that is legible boosts scores along with nice margins, proper spacing, and proper paragraphing.

Avoid writing long paragraphs without breaks. Use bullet points rarely, only four to five times per page, and solely when listing items within a larger context.

Adding Value with Examples and Perspectives

Enhance your essay by incorporating examples from history, current events, appropriate personal experiences, literature, and global contexts. Take care to add quotes only when they would help bolster your mark. You may begin or end with a quote, but refrain from doing so excessively. Add studies and personal accounts to illustrate your point and enable connection on a human level. Cite data and use reports from recognised institutions like NITI Aayog, UN, and World Bank only if they bring merit to make your point credible. Such instances should also be linked back to the argument for relevance and flow of the essay.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Avoidable errors are the most common reasons for losing marks. The following are some oversights that candidates need to avoid: 

• Not clearly defining the topic can spiral out of control and make your essay go off track. 

• A poor organization and structuring of ideas, lack of coherent paragraphs, as well as disconnected ideas, make it hard for the examiner to follow along. 

• An essay filled with jargon and quotes that sound as if a robot wrote it will seem insincere and devoid of the genuine human voice. 

• Always keep a balanced approach in essays; providing a one-sided argument can make your score drop. Weak or no counterarguments in the essay also get undermined, as it only shows a one-dimensional perspective. 

• Neglecting the conclusion is also another fatal flaw. 

Practice and Feedback- The Secret Sauce

With practice, you can perfect essay writing the same way you would with any other skill. When getting ready, make sure to write one essay each week. Once complete, ask mentors, peers, or even your teachers for their feedback. Make sure to concentrate on the feedback related to structure and depth instead of just grammar in isolation. Topper's and model essays also help understand the required tone as well as expectations. Make sure you tailor your essay instead of copying verbatim. It is important that you nurture your distinctive voice.

Conclusion

UPSC Mains 2025 Exam Date is scheduled for 22nd August 2025. Candidates who will qualify for the prelims will be eligible for the UPSC Mains 2025. Achieving good marks on the Essay paper requires writing insightfully and presenting arguments clearly and logically. Any UPSC aspirant can master the art of essay writing with consistent practice, proper topic selection, consideration for structure, clarity, and attention to detail. Remember that the essay is meant not just as an assessment, but rather as an opportunity to showcase your identity as a person, future leader and thinker. The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a standardized test in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for recruitment to higher civil services.