1 week ago

UPSC Mains 2026: Building Better Essays Before Writing

The article explains how students can plan a UPSC essay before they begin writing.

The essay paper is scheduled for August 21, 2026.

First, students should check what they already know about a topic.

They should then break the topic into smaller themes and understand how those themes connect.

They should think about arguments on both sides instead of agreeing with the topic immediately.

Some topics may have deeper philosophical or social meanings.

Students should also consider different dimensions, such as social, economic, political, cultural and ethical ones.

The 12 Question Clues technique helps them brainstorm ideas in an organised way.

Finally, they should choose a clear structure and connect their ideas smoothly.

A thoughtful and balanced essay is better than one that merely fills pages.

Key facts

Essay paper date: August 21, 2026
First preparation step: Revisit prior knowledge before choosing a topic.
Deconstruction: Break the topic into core themes and connect them to understand the whole statement.
Counterarguments: Consider the other side of the topic to add balance, maturity and depth.
Brainstorming tool: The 12 Question Clues technique uses questions to generate ideas, examples and perspectives.
Possible structures: Two-side face-off, anecdotes and stories, timeline and chronology, and dimensional analysis.
Core writing principle: A thoughtful, well-structured essay is stronger than one that merely fills pages.

indianexpress.com · 1 week ago