How To Write Answers In UPSC Mains

I have applied for UPSC Mains exam so can you please tell me how to Write Answers In UPSC Mains?

[shikha]

Ok, here I am telling you the tips to writing a better answer in UPSC Mains exam.

UPSC Mains exam tips For Writing A Better Answer

Two important factors decide the good outcome of your answer:

One, understanding the question completely

Second, sticking to the word limit

To understand a question fully, one must know that a question has keywords.

Every question has a ‘topic’ and a ‘directive’.

For example,

” Gandhian strategy of non-violence and Satyagraha had its own limitations”. Examine.

In the above question, the topic is ‘limitations of Gandhian strategy of Non-violence and satyagraha’ and the directive is ‘Examine”.

If we give an ‘explanation’ to this answer how Gandhian strategy had limitations and how it affected Freedom struggle, the examiner is sure to give less than average marks.
Instead, the directive points us towards a definite course of answering, here, ‘examination’ of the statement.

So, what does ‘Examine’ precisely mean?

Before they move to that, one should know that UPSC often gives many other directives in its questions and each demand a precise answer.

Frequently used directives are, ‘Examine’, ‘Comment’, ‘Analyze’, ‘ ‘Evaluate’, ‘Discuss’, ‘Critically Examine’, Critically Comment’, ‘Critically Analyze’ and ‘Assess’.

A good way to write effective and precise answers is to pracise writing out answers.

Our answers should present the facts and concepts in an interesting way and should never read like a passage from a book.

It is best to use simple English and avoid flowy and decorative langauage which takes our attention away from the original facts and our opinions about a given topic.

The first step is to prepare the framework where one can list all ideas, thoughts and facts and write them down.