The Essay Paper heralds the beginning of the Mains season of the civil services examination. Essay Writing Paper in Civil Service Mains Examination is most decisive and plays an important role in deciding every candidate selection, as it is most scoring paper in the examination. Many aspirants in the past, who have cleared this exam, have scored high marks in this paper and secured top ranks in the final result and it will also play major role for the present and future aspirants in deciding their selection.
We are aware of the importance and need of the analysis of Essay paper 2018, especially for those who are preparing for CSE are keen to know the trend, pattern, topics, subject etc. of the Essay paper 2018. Thereby, we would like to put our best efforts in presenting detailed analysis of 2018 essay paper.
As the trend of UPSC has been continuing for the last two years, this year also essay paper is no more surprise and this year essay paper is also divided into two parts- Section A and Section B. In each section there are four essay topics given and from each section candidate has to choose and write one essay. So, two essays have to be written. The total marks for the paper is 250 and the time allowed is 3 hours. World limit for each essay is 1000-1200 words.
First of all, we would like to go through the Section A: Four topics are asked in this section are:
1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
2. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
3. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
4. Management of Indian border disputes a complex task
We would also like to go through the Section B: Four topics are asked in this section are:
1. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
2. The past is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
3. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
4. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it
This year in Section A, the topics are on Economy, Ecology & Environment, Internal Security and one on general philosophy. In Section B, the topics were related to ethics and philosophy which broadly follows last years trend.
If we take the last two years questions, we can see a broad pattern namely, Section A is a mix of topics selected from divergent areas, whereas Section B has a focus on ethics and philosophy. Looking at past years papers especially from 2013 onwards, the topics are focused generally on issues related to Women, Society, Economy , International Relations, Environment and Conservation, Science & Technology, and Moral and ethical development of human beings, etc.
After detailed analysis, we would like to say that all the eight topics are covered in GS paper 1-4, syllabus. Those candidates who are very good at GS Papers topics and regular in updating their current affairs with basic analysis will be easy for them to write this year essay paper.
When you prepare for this paper next year, therefore one should focus on some of the important areas like democracy, education, economy, technology, women, ethics, social issues, etc. Topics of essay questions generally are asked around these topics. It is also worth mentioning that the essay paper does not require a separate focus and effort for preparation. It can be done along with GS preparation followed by rigorous writing practice.