How to write essay in UPSC exam.

The UPSC exam is a highly competitive and prestigious exam that tests your knowledge, skills and personality. The essay paper is one of the nine papers in the UPSC civil services mains exam, and it carries 250 marks. You have to write two essays, each with a word count of 1000–1200, on topics of your choice from a given list.

Writing a good essay requires a clear understanding of the topic, a logical structure, a coherent argument, and an effective expression. Here are some steps you can follow to write a good essay for the UPSC exam:

• Choose the right topic: Read the given topics carefully and select the one that you are most comfortable with and have sufficient knowledge about. Avoid picking a sensitive, controversial or extreme topic that may offend the examiner or go against the spirit of the constitution.
• Brainstorm ideas: Once you have chosen your topic, think of the main points, arguments, examples, facts, figures, quotes, etc. that you want to include in your essay. You can write them down in a rough draft or use a mind map to organise your thoughts.
• Create an outline: Based on your brainstorming, create an outline for your essay. A good outline should have an introduction, a historical background, a main body, and a conclusion. The main body should have subheadings and paragraphs to present your points in a logical and coherent manner.
• Write the essay: Using your outline as a guide, write the essay in a clear and concise language. Use simple and short sentences, avoid jargon and grammatical errors, and maintain a formal and respectful tone. Use examples, facts, figures, quotes, etc. to support your arguments and substantiate your viewpoints. Give credit to the sources of information by using proper citations.
• Review and revise: After writing the essay, read it again and check for any errors, inconsistencies, gaps, or repetitions. Make sure your essay is well-organised, well-argued, and well-expressed. You can also ask someone else to read your essay and give you feedback. Revise your essay accordingly and polish it until you are satisfied.

Some of the resources that can help you prepare for the essay paper are:

• How to Write Essay in UPSC Exam | Tips for the Essay Paper in IAS Mains: This article gives you an overview of the essay paper, the structure of a good essay, and some pointers to note while writing the essay.
• ESSAY STRATEGY By Anudeep Durishetty, UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper, All India Rank - 1 CSE-2017 - How to write a good Essay in UPSC Mains, Explained: This article shares the essay strategy of Anudeep Durishetty, the UPSC topper of 2017, who scored 155 marks in the essay paper. He explains how to choose a topic, how to write an introduction, how to develop the content, how to substantiate your arguments, and how to conclude an essay. He also provides his notes, quote collection, and sample essays for reference.
• 7 Easy Steps on Essay Writing for UPSC Mains Exam: This article gives you seven easy steps to follow while writing an essay for the UPSC exam. It also tells you what to write and what not to write in the essay.
• Essay Writing for UPSC - How to Write Essay in UPSC Mains: This article gives you some tips and tricks on how to write an effective essay for the UPSC exam. It also provides some sample topics and essays for practice.

I hope this helps you prepare for the essay paper in the UPSC exam. All the best!