Answer writing practice is the most important part of UPSC civil services preparation. Aspirant has to write 4 General Science paper, 2 Optional paper and 2 papers of English and Hindi which are qualifying in nature. Thousands of prelims qualified aspirants will write mains exam so one has to do smart work along with hard work in answer writing practice to score well. It is the most important deciding factor for selection.
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| Answer Writing for UPSC Mains |
How to do Answer Writing Practice for General Science and Optional Paper?
Most aspirants have doubt when to start answer writing. Many wait to complete their syllabus so that they can start. But UPSC syllabus is so huge and vast that its never going to complete even after 5 years of preparation. One always think that something is lacking. So the best strategy is to practice atleast 1-2 questions of long type daily. Practicing answer writing daily will improve writing skills, grammars and accuracy in writing.
Recent trends of past 4 year mains question paper shows that upsc mainly ask questions of current affairs topics and mixup of static portion and current affairs. So newspaper plays a vital role in completing the current affairs portion. There are lots of website where one can get plenty of current affairs question. Don't get confused with lots of sites just follow any 1 or 2. Insight on IAS and BYJUs IAS are some of the best followed CNA sites.
Atleast one reading of static portion is necessary to have enough knowledge to understand this questions. Like in polity and economy one should have basic knowledge of centre state relations, fundamental rights, fundamental duties and GDP, GNP respectively to complete this questions. Having a proper approach towards this question is necessary to complete it in required mannner. One should remain up to date with current affairs to excel in this exam.
Points to Remember while Writing the Answer
1) Answer in given words only
2) Complete full question paper on time
3) Alot time to each and every question
4) Leave those questions in which one face any problem in understanding it
5) Don't give too much time on one question
6) No need to use too complex English words, try to answer in simple words
7) Try to complete the paper before the alloted time so that there is enough time left to check atleast once
Civil Service Exam Questions are framed in such a way that it tests the problem solving skill of the aspirant. For example in a question if it asks what to do in a given circumstance than one has to answer it as if he/her himself is going to solve it in future. There are few strategies discussed below to solve questions of different GS and Optional.
General Science Paper 1 Approach
The main subjects in this section is History, Geography and Art & Culture. In history there will be very few current affairs because questions are generally from modern india and post independence part. There are very few questions from world history so static portion is dominant in history section. Geography questions is mixup of static and current affairs part.
Focus more on geography current affairs topics which requires static portion knowledge. This will help to enrich the answers with facts and figures. If possible try to explain it by drawing thid will add value to the answer. Art and culture is to be covered from NCERT class 11 and if any topic which is relevant to art and culture comes in newspaper prepare it. Write this answers in simple and understandable language.
General Science Paper 2 Approach
Polity and Governance is the main subject of this section. There are lots of supreme court judgements which came in recent times about various issues. This are the favorite part of UPSC. Prepare them while connecting it with respect to Articles, Fundamental rights and duties or any legal documents. Polity answer is incomplete without connecting it with any judgements or articles. Governance question requires basic skill with problem solving attitude. Like how any social issue can be solved with better governance and administration.
General Science Paper 3 Approach
About 60-70 percent of this section is current affairs based. Economy, environment, science and technology and internal security are the main subject of this part. Economy answer requires latest statistics and figures so one should read newspaper and economy editorials throughly. Environment question is mixup of static and current affairs part.
Aspirants has to put their views on various environmental issues of climate change, pollution, global warming etc. Science and technology questions are simple which don't require any subject specialisation. Internal security questions basically focuses on border tensions and insurgent movements. Overall Paper 3 requires up to date knowledge of recent issues.
General Science Paper 4 Approach
Ethics, Aptitude and Case Studies is the main part of this section. Here case study plays a vital role in scoring good marks. In Case study any issue or problem solving task is given in the question exp managing any disaster, rallies etc. Aspirant has to write this answer as if they themself is going to solve this problem on ground. One has to be neutral while solving this problem. Having unbiased approach will help to score good marks in this part.
Optional Paper Strategy
Optional decides whether any aspirant is going to qualify this exam or not. So preparation of optional beforehand is necessary so that one has enough time for revision. Difficulty level of different optional is different. Also this paper requires deep subject knowledge. If one includes facts and figures in answer writing of this paper than its too good. If any aspirant thinks to prepare for optional after qualifying prelims, than its huge mistake because it will overburden the preparation as their are lots of subject to revise.
Giving mock test is necessary as it will highlight the weaker areas. This will help to identify them and effectively prepare them before the main exam. Getting this answers checked by any fellow aspirant, experts or teacher is also good. This will help to get our answer scaled on various parameters. A good answer consists of Introduction, Body and A Positive Conclusion. There is a famous saying "Practice makes a man Perfect" in the same way lots of answer writing practice will make our answers perfect.
