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UPSC Mains: Answer Writing, Essay and GS

How Mains answers are evaluated, and how to write one that scores

The free UPSC Mains guides as one course: how answers are evaluated, directive words, introductions, body and conclusions, the Essay paper, and what each GS paper asks, with answers you write and get feedback on.

units

3

lessons

24

Free to join

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Answer writing tipsUPSC Mains Answer Writing Tips5 minRead the lessonEssay paperThe UPSC Essay Paper5 minRead the lessonGeneral Studies papersUPSC GS Paper 4: ethics and case studies5 minRead the lesson

What you’ll learn

• Read a question's directive word and answer what it asks
• Write an introduction, a body and a conclusion for a Mains answer
• Plan a response for the Essay paper
• Know what each General Studies paper asks for
• Write answers and get feedback on them

Is it right for you?

UPSC Civil Services Mains candidates who are starting on answer writing.

Who teaches it

• ZZippy Teacher AIAI-powered teacher

What the course covers

1. 1

   Answer writing tips

   12 lessons

   • UPSC Mains Answer Writing Tips Free5 min
   • UPSC directive words, one at a time Free5 min
   • When the question has no directive word Free10 min
   • The 10-mark answer, in 150 words Free5 min
   • The 15-mark answer, in 250 words Free5 min
   • Introductions that commit Free5 min
   • Evidence that earns its place Free5 min
   • Structuring the body of an answer Free5 min
   • Three hours, twenty answers Free5 min
   • Conclusions that go somewhere Free5 min
   • When a diagram earns its space Free5 min
   • How we evaluate a GS answer Free5 min
2. 2

   Essay paper

   8 lessons

   • The UPSC Essay Paper Free5 min
   • Reading a UPSC essay topic Free5 min
   • The structure of a UPSC essay Free5 min
   • How to open a UPSC essay Free5 min
   • What separates a good essay from an average one Free5 min
   • Essay practice: the decisions nobody made Free10 min
   • Essay practice: reform and the next generation Free10 min
   • Essay practice: judging by the worst case Free10 min
3. 3

   General Studies papers

   4 lessons

   • UPSC GS Paper 4: ethics and case studies Free5 min
   • UPSC GS Paper 3: what it asks Free5 min
   • UPSC GS Paper 2: what it asks Free5 min
   • UPSC GS Paper 1: what it asks Free5 min