Essay Writing UPSC – 6 Easy Steps for Essay Writing for UPSC

How to Write an Essay in UPSC 2025? - Many times during IAS exam preparation, aspirants ignore the essay writing part with the confidence that they are well prepared for the UPSC Essay paper through their General Studies preparation. But to crack the mains exam you must know how to write essay in UPSC Civil Services Exam. So, in this article, we will see some tips for essay writing for UPSC, provide resources for practising, and also make aware you of some of the myths about essay papers.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is an extremely competitive test, and the essay paper holds 250 marks per paper, which makes it a significant weightage in the overall marks of the UPSC Exam. Wth a well-defined strategy, even the most daunting essay topic can be tackled effectively. In this article, we will explore a step-by-step approach to UPSC Essay Writing preparation, focusing on techniques to strengthen various aspects like topic selection, argument development, and essay structure. 

Also check - UPSC Mains Exam Analysis & UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025

Enroll in Essay Course For UPSC to elevate your writing skills in the UPSC Essay Paper 2025!

Essay Writing for UPSC Mains 2025 Facts

Before delving into the strategy for attempting Essay in the UPSC Exam, let us get some facts about the Essay Paper of UPSC Mains correct –

1. The UPSC Mains Essay paper consists of a total of 8 Essays out of which two essays need to be attempted within 3 hours in the 1000-1200 word limit each.
2. The essay paper is divided into two sections: A and B. 
3. Each section has a choice of 4 essays and the aspirant has to choose only one essay from each section.
4. Each Essay carries 125 marks and the total marks allotted for the paper is 250 marks.
5. The instructions are mentioned in the syllabus which specifies that the Aspirant is expected to keep their thoughts close to the subject and arrange their ideas accordingly. It further states that credit will be given for effective and coherent expression.

Also check – How to Prepare for UPSC from Zero Level?

How to Write Essay in UPSC Mains Exam?

To be honest, we can only come close to writing an essay with satisfactory content. There is no strategy to write a “perfect essay”. However, there are obviously ways in which we can write a good enough essay, with chances of scoring high. We will see them in the following steps by step guide for Essay Writing for UPSC Mains –

Step 1: Create A Rough Draft For The Essay Topic

• A good essay needs to have a proper blueprint. How are you going to start? Which dimensions are relevant to the topic? How are you going to go ahead with explaining it through your analysis? What examples are you going to use for each dimension? How are you going to conclude? If you have already prepared a draft, it would become easier for you to write in a flow.
• Generally, in a more haphazard way, it becomes difficult and your thought process keeps on going haywire, resulting in an essay disaster.

Step 2: Add Depth To The Topic

• You don’t need to make the examiner understand your point with only one point, written and explained over and over again. Instead, the focus should be on writing through breadth.
• The essay needs to be interconnected. Starting with a story, Imagine how connected would the examiner feel when you connect the introduction story with the conclusion.

Step 3: Use Good & Expressive Language

Let’s check what UPSC has to write officially about Essays – 

“Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep close to the subject of the essay, arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.”

This means that while in the General Studies paper, the examiner awards mark purely based on content, the marks also depend on “coherence”, “language used” and “effective and exact expression”. Does this mean we have to use flowery language to try and make the examiner give us more marks? No. It actually means that the write-up has to be arranged in such a way, that there is no lack of flow while a newbie is reading your essay, and without getting frustrated about obvious grammar and spelling mistakes, is able to, step by step, gain the idea without feeling a sense of incompleteness.

Step 4: Write A Good Introduction

An essay can always be

• A story or a real-life incident example to start with
• A simple definition of the keywords in the essay
• An apt quote

While in General Studies, the introduction needs to either be the “In News” context to give a background or a fact, it is not a one-size-fits-all rule for Essay. Be a little creative, obviously while you are writing relevant information and not being creative just for the sake of it. For example, in an essay on Social Media and its impact, we can use the real-life example of how social media helped the people in the Chennai floods in 2015, while also being one of the reasons for the mass spread of misinformation about a child snatcher, which led to the lynching of women in the same city. Similarly, for an essay on, let’s say, Cleanliness – you can discuss how the toilets being built under Swachh Bharat Mission were being used as storehouses, and the pits were being cleaned by Dalits in some northern states – despite the fact that it was meant to eradicate manual scavenging too. These anecdotes, incidents, and real-life stories that you read in a novel, books, and newspapers can be perfect introductions connecting with the topic.

Step 5: Connect the Dots

Connections in the essay are important to maintain the flow. Don’t haphazardly end a paragraph without completing the idea in a crisp way. Similarly, the use of connectors moving from one idea to the other helps you in making the point and connection smooth. Dimensions that can be touched upon depend on your understanding of the topic. It would, however, be better than the two essays that you write – the same dimensional structure doesn’t get repeated. Generally speaking, the content can be a web of ideas drawn around the following dimensions:

• Sects – Social, Religious, Historical, Political, Administration, Sports, Business and Economy, Science and Tech, Environmental
• Empathetic and Personal – Family, Friends, Profession, Concept, Philosophy of life, love
• Example and Solution Approach
  • You can iterate the idea of the essay through the use of examples
  • Every example should be apt. If possible, try and convey your findings using some facts.
  • For all the problems discussed in the essay, try and write a good or reasonable solution.

Step 6: Write A Compelling Conclusion

Every conclusion cannot be on your side. But in Essay writing for UPSC, you need to show the examiner why despite all the problems mentioned in the essay, you, like an administrator, don’t give hope and are optimistic and futuristic about it. The summary should be effective so that only 4-5 sentences conclude the whole idea that you wanted to convey through the preceding 10 paragraphs. Important terms like “Padhega Bharat, Badhega Bharat”, “Aspirations of New India” or “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” might help but don’t overdo it. However, make sure that the conclusion, along with being a bit elegant, is also having some matter, Further, for the final touch, always try to connect the Introduction with the Conclusion, so that the examiner understands that you were not just writing General Studies capsules – rather you know how to substantiate and express well.

Imagine your UPSC essay as a mighty sword. Facts and figures are the steel, but a compelling argument is the sharp edge that carves through the competition. Here's your guide to forging arguments that leave the examiner impressed in the UPSC Essay paper:

1. Know Your Enemy: Before swinging your sword, understand the topic. Identify key terms and their nuances. Is it about the "challenges" or "opportunities" of social media? A clear understanding is the foundation for a focused argument.
2. Forge Alliances: Facts and data are your loyal companions. Don't just say social media creates echo chambers, back it up with research on filter bubbles and confirmation bias. Statistics on rising political polarization add weight to your argument.
3. Anticipate Counter-attacks: A skilled swordsman considers their opponent's moves. Acknowledge opposing viewpoints. For example, while arguing social media's negative impact, concede its potential for fostering connections.
4. Deliver the Coup de Grace: Don't just list problems. Offer solutions! Propose regulations for responsible social media use or advocate for digital literacy campaigns. A well-rounded argument leaves the examiner with a sense of closure and a glimpse into your problem-solving abilities.

For Example – Imagine an essay on "Should India Embrace Automation?". A strong argument would acknowledge the efficiency gains automation brings, but counter it with potential job losses and the need for reskilling the workforce. Propose a balanced approach that leverages automation for growth while safeguarding human capital.

By following these steps, you can transform your essay from a blunt instrument to a finely honed argument that showcases your critical thinking and problem-solving skills – essential qualities for a future civil servant! 

Impactful Introductions for UPSC Essay Writing

The first impression is everything, and this holds true for the UPSC essay as well. A captivating introduction sets the tone for your entire essay and grabs the examiner's attention. 

Imagine an essay on "Leadership in the Digital Age." A powerful opening could be a thought-provoking quote by Nelson Mandela on the power of leadership in times of change, followed by a transition to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the digital landscape. 

This not only piques the examiner's interest but also subtly hints at the essay's focus on leadership in the digital context. Remember, a well-crafted introduction is like a well-designed trailer for a movie – it entices the viewer and sets the stage for a compelling narrative. Make your UPSC Essay introductions impactful with the following expert tips –

• Don't just state your conclusions or take a definitive stance. The introduction should provide context and analysis, not give away your entire argument.
• Analyze all sides of the issue. A strong introduction shows that you've thought critically about the topic.
• Define the core issue of the essay and use keywords. This will help the examiner understand what your essay is about.
• Engage the reader with an interesting hook. This could be a quote, a statistic, or a thought-provoking question.
• Be clear and concise. Get straight to the point and avoid using overly complex language.
• Give the examiner a sense of your approach to the essay. Will you be arguing for or against something? What is your main point?

5 Myths You Should Ignore For UPSC Essay Writing

There are numerous myths surrounding essay writing which makes it difficult to write good essays in the UPSC Exam, and hence the question arises “How to write an essay for UPSC?”. So, to make things easy, let’s go through the below-listed myths and start practicing essay writing for UPSC.

Myth 1: You need to write an essay with a perfect vocabulary

Absolutely Not!
In fact, if you are using words like “erroneous” instead of using “wrong”, be sure that the person reading your essay is not going to like that. A simple yet effective flow, with the most simple language, based on analysis and facts is what an essay would require. If it were to be judged on Vocabulary, why not just call it a vocab paper?

Myth 2: Every essay needs to have a quote

While quotes always help, it is not necessary to write a generic quote just for the sake of it. There are many aspirants who memorize quotes 1 month before D-Day, and despite it not being relevant, the same quote is used whatever the topic may be. This only shows that you are faking it in the first place.

Myth 3: I have to attempt only GS Essays, as writing Philosophy becomes too subjective and might not fetch me enough marks

First of all, you need to calm down. There is no rule book that says that if you are writing an essay on a philosophical topic, you’d be getting fewer marks. Obviously, writing a philosophical essay is tough. But you know what’s tougher? Writing the same dimensions, again and again, just to give that General Studies touch to your topic. Further, imagine the amount of competition you are cutting through when most of your friends have attempted the essay requiring General Studies knowledge, and writing the same points read in a Monthly Magazine – while you have written wonderful dimensions about Politics, Religion, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology – in a connection, along with some obvious General Studies gyaan in your essay. That would make your essay stand out among the crowd of the same content being reiterated over and over again by aspirants!

Myth 4: I have never written an essay in my entire life – I will never be able to write an essay!

Most aspirants start slow. When you start writing your first essay, there are not enough words in your mind, that you write 1200 words for a one-line topic. In fact, most people start with writing an odd 500-600 word essay. But the key here is to learn and improve. After you have practised and written more than 10 essays, you’d realize that the flow comes naturally, you just need to brush up a bit on grammar, and the idea that you wish to convey with your essay.

Myth 5: That you have to always “agree” to the topic given

This is absolutely not necessary. You need to make sure that the essay is balanced. Don’t bring balance in the essay because you need to. If you wish to prove a point in the essay, it would be better to try and convince the reader in a better way through your writing to the reader. Download UPSC IAS Previous Year Papers in PDF here

Download UPSC Essay Question Papers PDF [Last 5 Years’]

If you are preparing for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper, it is crucial to practice actual questions that have been asked in the previous versions of the Civil Services Mains. Download last 5 years’ UPSC Essay Question Papers from the table below – 

UPSC Essay Important Topics from Previous Years

The UPSC Previous Year Essay Topics are listed in the table below, you can start practising on these topics and improve your essay writing skills for UPSC.

Refer to expert recommended UPSC Essay Books to enhance your preparation.

Top 10 Tips for Essay Writing in UPSC

Let's have a look at some of the important tips mentioned below about writing essays in the UPSC exam.

1. An essay is described as a well-organized compilation of YOUR IDEAS that is professionally written and delivered. In other words, the essay must be well-structured and presented in such a way that the reader can easily follow it, and it must be neat and free of obstructions.
2. It must be written in the clear, readable, and engaging language. Above all, it must contain your thoughts on the subject at hand.
3. Preparation is required before the examination phase in order to develop the skill of writing an excellent essay.
4. Writing is the key to a successful essay since it is the vehicle for transferring thoughts from your head to paper.
5. It takes time to develop language skills. It necessitates hard work and perseverance. Your drive to master a language determines your command of it.
6. The general essay paper is critical in making up for the lack of good results on the GS and optional papers.
7. Many of us make the error of gathering facts and knowledge on potential themes at the eleventh hour of preparation, believing that we will be able to produce a good piece of work in the test room.
8. What we must realize is that organizing accumulated ideas using suitable language is a time-consuming task, especially when time is of the essence.
9. So, immediately at the outset of your preparation, start working on strengthening your writing skills. Develop an interest in learning more vocabulary, establishing a broader knowledge base, and having a passion for reading to improve your skills.
10. The entire essay should be naturally linked from one paragraph to the next so that the examiner can see the flow and organization of your ideas. Transitional words and phrases can be used to link the paragraphs together.

Look at the Last 25 Years Topic Wise Essay Questions from the UPSC Mains Exam.

Hopefully, this article on the UPSC Essay Writing Tips & Strategy was informative for all the aspirants. To start the preparation for any of the Government or competitive exams download our Testbook App and get access to multiple study courses, test series, and much more.