essay guidance upsc

Essay Courses

About the course, program objectives.

The essay program is designed in a manner that it ensures following:

essay guidance upsc

The focus of the program is to help students understand the art of essay writing and ultimately write essays in coherent fashion with an effective and exact expression which is rewarded by the commission. Candidates will also be trained to write on unconventional, abstract, and philosophical topics perceived as daunting topics. With requisite practice, good content provided as synopsis and comprehensive mentor guidance, the candidates are armed to handle any essay with ease and confidence.

What does the program consist of?

How to write a good essay in civil services, payment details.

essay guidance upsc

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Our essay guidance batches, essay guidance program 2024 batch-2 (inclusive thematic classes) 12th dec. 2023 | online only.

  • Orientation session:  The orientation will be conducted in online medium wherein the trends in UPSC CSE essay exam, analysis of PYQs and approach towards the Essay Guidance Program will be discussed.
  • Thematic classes:  The content classes will cover both  objective (GS themes) and philosophical  themes to give the student adequate content to write a good essay. 
  • Sectional Tests:  With every thematic class, there is a sectional test based on the same theme aiming to test the essay writing skills. It will be conducted on the next scheduled day of class giving ample time to prepare for the test.
  • Full-Length Tests (FLT):  There will be 4 FLTs in total, 2 scheduled towards the end of the program and 2 FLTs scheduled post prelims.
  • Test copy evaluation:  An experienced team of evaluators will provide  comprehensive ,  objective and timely evaluation  of Sectional test and Full-length test copy within 5 days from the date of submission. 
  • Mentorship support:  A team of dedicated mentors will provide  individual mentorship  based on the essay test, both in offline and online mode. 
  • Online Group Session with Mentors:  Two interactive sessions will be organized with agenda to provide a platform for students to discuss the issues in essay writing.

Essay Guidance Program 2024 Batch-2 (without Thematic classes) 12th Dec. 2023 | Online only

  • Sectional Tests:  Students will write 9 sectional tests on the UPSC CSE Essay exam pattern. The time frame given between each test is of adequate nature so that students learn from their mistakes done in the earlier test and improve in the subsequent test.
  • Online Group Session with Mentors: Two interactive sessions will be organized with agenda to provide a platform for students to discuss the issues in essay writing.

Essay Guidance Program 2024 Batch-1 (without Thematic classes) 31st Oct. 2023

  • Orientation session:  The orientation will be conducted in both offline and online medium wherein the trends in UPSC CSE essay exam, analysis of PYQs and approach towards the Essay Guidance Program will be discussed.
  • Mentors Townhall:  Three  interactive sessions  will be organized with agenda to provide a platform for students to discuss the issues in essay writing.​

Essay Guidance Program 2024 Batch-1 (Inclusive Thematic classes) 31st Oct. 2023

  • Thematic classes: The content classes will cover both objective (GS themes) and philosophical themes to give the student adequate content to write a good essay. 
  • Test copy evaluation: An experienced team of evaluators will provide comprehensive , objective and timely evaluation of Sectional test and Full-length test copy within 5 days from the date of submission. 
  • Mentorship support: A team of dedicated mentors will provide individual mentorship based on the essay test, both in offline and online mode. 
  • Mentors Townhall: Three interactive sessions will be organized with agenda to provide a platform for students to discuss the issues in essay writing.​

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Essay Writing for UPSC - Weekly Essay Writing Programme

By vajiram & ravi.

Essay Writing for UPSC: Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach. The UPSC essay paper is not just limited to assessing a candidate's creative writing skills, but rather, the focus is on evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, express their ideas clearly, and present a balanced perspective on various issues. This article discusses the do’s and don'ts that need to be remembered while writing your Essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

Check:  UPSC CSE Mains 2023 Essay Question Paper

Essay Writing for UPSC

The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and compose an essay spanning 1,000 to 1,200 words within the allocated three-hour duration. UPSC provides the following guidelines in its Notification on the Essay Paper:

  • Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.
  • They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely.
  • Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.

Essay Writing for UPSC - What is Expected?

When preparing for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper, there are a few basic points that you should remember. The paper tests the diversity of your content and not its creativity .

When writing your Essay Paper for the UPSC Mains Exam, your focus should be on the following points-

  • Diversity of the content: Incorporating diverse content in the essay paper not only enriches the content but also showcases your depth of knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to present a comprehensive perspective on complex topics.
  • Focus on the topic: Centre your essay around the core theme of the chosen topic. By maintaining a clear focus on the topic and consistently reinforcing its relevance, your essay becomes a well-structured and compelling piece that effectively communicates your ideas to the examiner.
  • Clarity, Depth, and Language: Language plays a crucial role in conveying your ideas effectively. Use precise and simple language to articulate your points and maintain a formal and coherent tone throughout the essay. Focusing on clarity of thought ensures that your ideas are easily understood by the examiner, and providing an in-depth analysis supported by relevant examples, data, and arguments, helps showcase your ability to engage with the topic critically.
  • Providing Evidence: While stating a Quote, there should be evidence to support your thought. This helps you to avoid the superficial treatment of the subject and delve into its complexities, showcasing your ability to engage with the topic critically.

How to Write Essay for UPSC Mains?

Writing an essay for the UPSC Mains Exam requires a structured and well-organised approach.

Choose the Right Topic

Read the given UPSC essay topics carefully and choose the one that resonates with your strengths and interests. Pick a topic that allows you to showcase your knowledge and understanding effectively.

Brainstorm Ideas

Spend some time brainstorming ideas related to the chosen topic. Jot down key points, arguments, examples, and relevant data that you could use to support your essay.

Create a Structure

A well-structured essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction should introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of your stance. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point, argument, or example. The conclusion should summarise your main points and reiterate your thesis.

Format for UPSC Essay Writing

The UPSC essay format requires a thoughtful approach to convey your ideas effectively. There are three stages or steps in any essay - Introduction, Body paragraphs, and Conclusion.

Introduction Paragraph of an Essay

Craft a strong introduction paragraph that outlines your main argument or perspective. This paragraph should be concise and provide a roadmap for your essay. You can begin your essay with a quote, and the last line of the introduction paragraph should end with reinforcing the main topic.

For example: Topic: The Health of the Nation is more important than the Wealth of Nation

Start your essay with a quote-

“P ublic Health depends upon winning over Hearts and Minds. It's not enough to just have a good policy; you have to convince people to actually follow it .”

In a country's journey forward, we often talk about how having a lot of money is crucial. But there's another side to this story, which says that the good health of the people in a country is even more vital. If there is something that COVID-19 has taught us, it is how no economy with ample amounts of money can guarantee the health of its nation and how the health of its citizens eventually affects the wealth of the country. This idea highlights how the health of the nation is more important than the wealth of the nation.

Writing in Paragraphs

Writing in paragraphs is important in an essay because it enhances readability and organisation. Each paragraph should focus on a specific idea, argument, or point, making it easier for readers to follow the logical flow of your thoughts . Paragraphs create visual breaks, helping to structure your essay into manageable sections. The following points have to be kept in mind while framing your Essay Paragraphs:

Address Counter-arguments:

Acknowledge potential counter-arguments and address them in your essay. This shows that you have considered multiple perspectives and strengthened your argument.

Use Examples:

Incorporate real-life examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Examples make your essay more relatable and persuasive.

Gather Evidence:

Collect relevant current affairs facts, statistics, historical examples, and real-life incidents to support your arguments. Ensure that your evidence is accurate and well-researched.

Logical Flow:

Maintain a logical flow between paragraphs and ideas. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, creating a coherent narrative.

Use of simple Language:

Write in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Avoid using overly complex language that might obscure your message. Focus on communicating your ideas effectively.

Avoid Repetition:

Be mindful of repeating the same points or ideas. Each paragraph should contribute something new to the discussion.

Conclusion of the Essay

The conclusion serves the purpose of providing a seamless ending to the essay. It's worth noting that a strong ending holds the same level of significance as a compelling beginning. Both aspects contribute to achieving higher scores.

To effectively conclude an essay, you can utilise various elements, including facts, statistics, reasons, examples, quotes, opinions, experiences, and sensory details . The essay's conclusion can take on several forms: it might involve briefly reiterating the main points, suggesting potential future steps or actions, or injecting an engaging personal comment or relevant anecdote.

An alternative approach to concluding an essay involves revisiting the topic introduced in the introduction. This is known as a 'cyclic return,' and it's a straightforward method employed in many essays to bring the discussion full circle.

Ultimately, a conclusion should carry a positive perspective, seeking out the silver lining amidst challenges. It should also strive for clarity and brevity, ensuring the ideas are expressed concisely.

Proofread and Revise the Essay

Once you've finished writing, take some time to proofread and revise your essay. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clarity of expression.

Vajiram & Ravi Weekly Essay Writing Programme

Examining the essays from UPSC previous year question papers allows one to grasp the concepts, aspects, and remedies essential for addressing those issues. Gaining a basic comprehension of intricate societal challenges holds the key to crafting a strong essay for the UPSC Mains Exam.

In order to help the aspirants regularly practise Essay Writing, Vajiram & Ravi have come up with a weekly essay writing Programme- Pensive Essay Writing Programme . It provides two essay topics every Saturday for you to practise. You can submit your Essays on vajiramandravi.com.

Vajiram & Ravi Essay Module

We have also introduced an Essay Module to help the aspirants clarify and organise ideas and information to analyse primary sources and employ critical judgement, among other things. This will improve knowledge and aid in the learning process. It will strengthen your writing abilities to write lucidly, coherently, and persuasively, as well as the ability to structure an argument.

The Essay Module Offers the Following Features:

  • The module provides 12-13 lectures, each dedicated to a specific theme. 
  • Well-curated and concise Handouts covering essential themes for every lecture will also be provided to comprehensively meet the content requirements of the Essay Paper.
  • In addition, 4 full length Essay Tests, with Personalized and Objective Evaluation, followed by a Test Discussion will be offered- all based on current UPSC CSE trends. Module is available in both online and offline mode.

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

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Home » Mains Practice Questions » Essay

This exam necessitates a lot of serious study and devotion. Every applicant who understands the UPSC’s trends and expectations and works diligently toward achieving a rank under suitable supervision has a chance to succeed.

This year’s Mains – 2021 questions in GS, Essay, and even Optional papers need in-depth examination of trending topics as well as certain key static topics that may or may not be in the news.

Analytical skills can only be enhanced by regularly thinking and writing. Regular writing, in particular, is essential for improving your analytical abilities. Writing answers after reading other people’s answers or reading a synopsis will get you nowhere.

You must adhere to the standards outlined in the preceding article. You can get knowledge but not wisdom by consulting a summary.

Legacy IAS team will frame as many questions as feasible on each and every component of the GS syllabi as part of this initiative. This will allow you to take continuous notes and write answers until your  UPSC Mains Exam 2022-2023.

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Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains by Expert & IAS Officers

Preparing for UPSC CSE Mains? Here are some important tips to help you write well and ace the essay paper.

Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains by Expert & IAS Officers

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Aspirants could pick up Yojana and read the first article in the magazine to get a sense of how governmental essays are written.

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essay guidance upsc

The UPSC essay paper is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. With this, the scores obtained in the UPSC essay topics will also be considered in the merit list. Hence, it is important to cover all the aspects of the UPSC essay syllabus .

In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. Moreover, they are required to choose one IAS essay topic out of the four options in each section i.e. A and B.

The UPSC essay paper is conducted for 250 marks with one essay UPSC paper for 125 marks. Therefore, aspirants should use the best books and strategies to excel in this section.

In this article, we have compiled all the details of the UPSC IAS essay for the candidates aspiring for the upcoming civil services exam.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Structure

  • As per the UPSC exam pattern , the essay paper is one of the nine subjects in the civil services main exam. In this paper, aspirants need to write essays on assigned UPSC essay topics .
  • Candidates should practice writing essays on multiple topics in order to learn how to arrange their ideas and execute the same in the proper order.
  • Furthermore, the UPSC essay paper will carry 250 marks with an exam duration of 3 hours.

UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers

The previous year’s UPSC essay paper is one of the finest resources to prepare well for this section. This will strengthen their vocabulary and writing skills and also provide them insights into the type of essay topics UPSC asked over the years.

Hence, we have compiled below the official UPSC essay previous paper PDF link for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 for the reference of the candidates.

Best Strategy for UPSC Essay Writing

UPSC essays must be well-formatted and presented in a manner that the readers can easily understand without any obstacles. Above all, it must include the ideas about the issue mentioned in the question.

Candidates must note that the general essay papers also play an important role in compensating for the less scores in general studies and optional papers. Hence, it is advisable to focus on improving the vocabulary and writing skills from the first leg of the preparation.

Let’s look at the best strategy to score high marks in the UPSC essay topics in the main exam.

  • Go through the entire UPSC essay syllabus to cover all the aspects of the section.
  • Build a habit of reading newspaper editorials and journals every day. Going by the trend analysis, it is found that many essay questions were asked directly from current affairs in the past few years.
  • Next, note down relevant quotes from the books/magazines/journal and implement them whenever required in the essay writing.
  • Focus on IAS essay topics related to democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc as questions can be asked from these topics.
  • Pick the essay topic very carefully. Also, it is advised to take some time to think about the topic and collect ideas and thoughts.
  • One should make sure that the essay comprises sections like introduction, main body, theme, and conclusion.
  • Moreover, aspirants can also reach out to their mentors, experts, seniors, or teachers for feedback on their essay writing. This will allow them to recognize their mistakes and focus more on their weak points for effective preparation.

Read More: How to write an essay for UPSC here!

Best Books for UPSC Essay Writing

Along with the best UPSC essay strategy , aspirants should also choose the finest books that comprise multiple essay topics UPSC for the exam. Here, we have shared below the best books and resources to strengthen the preparation of the general essay section:

  • Monthly Current Affairs Magazines by OnlyIAS
  • Only IAS Yogana Magazine
  • Only IAS Praarambh Post-Independence India
  • Only IAS Kurukshetra Magazine
  • Only IAS Praarmabh Indian Society
  • The Hindu (editorial articles)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How to score 150 in UPSC essay?

Ans. One can score 150 marks on the UPSC essay paper by managing time effectively throughout the exam and avoiding any kind of deviation from the topic.

Q2. What are the topics for UPSC essay?

Ans. Some of the important IAS essay topics include democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc

Q3. What is essay paper 1 in UPSC?

Ans. The UPSC essay paper 1 is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. The maximum mark is 250 with a duration of 3 hours.

Q4. Is UPSC essay tough?

Ans. Yes, the UPSC essay paper is moderately tough as per the past year’s exam analysis. However, it also depends on the aspirant knowledge of the topic.

Q5. How many pages is 1,000 words in UPSC?

Ans. 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced is about 1000 words in UPSC.

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[Early Bird Discount ends today] OGP 2025 (Offline & Online Guidance Program) – Batch 4 at Bengaluru & Online | Integrated Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025 | Starts on 17th April 2024

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CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OGP Batch-4 for UPSC CSE 2025

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Starts on 17th April 2024

Online : Rs. 90000/- incl. taxes

Offline : Rs. 128000/- incl. taxes

Early Bird Discount: 10% OFF, valid till 30th March 2024

“I am an OGP 2021 student. Insights IAS & Vinay Sir played a significant role in my success. When I entered preparation I had no clue, but at Insights IAS- the institute gives you enough resources, if you use them wisely & strategically you can clear the exam. Vinay Sir’s guidance for the Essay Paper, in which I scored good marks, was very good. His  interview guidance also helped me improve my communication skills.”   Avinash  (AIR-31 in UPSC CSE 2021, OGP 2021 student)

“I must place on record my most sincere gratitude to the entire InsightsIAS team, particularly Mr. Vinay Kumar who had been a true bedrock of support. He was extremely patient and would review my writing with feedback on improvements. Without his guidance, and others at InsightsIAS like Mr. Sudeep Kumar, I doubt I would have managed to clear the exam.” –  Jeydev CS  (AIR-5 2019, OGP Student)

Dear Student,

Welcome to InsightsIAS- an institute that has become a pioneer in the realm of UPSC CSE Preparation with its path-breaking initiatives.  InsightsIAS was founded by Mr. Vinay Kumar G B with the noble intention of providing accessible, inclusive & quality guidance to every single aspirant . His motto is to mold students into well-rounded personalities, who will contribute to society and serve the nation. He has ensured that the institution is built on a strong foundation of values and oriented towards results.

Our innovative Foundation Course: OGP(Offline & Online Guidance Program) for  UPSC CSE 2025, is suitable not only for those who are embarking on the UPSC Preparation journey for the first time, but also for experienced aspirants.

The Civil services examination is considered to be a tough nut to crack. Lakhs of candidates appear for the prelims exam, a few thousand (around 9-11k) write mains, and a few hundred clear the interview stage. But let’s not waste time thinking about our chances of clearing this coveted exam. Instead, let’s   focus on HOW TO CLEAR  each stage.

There is a common thread that binds most successful aspirants- SYSTEMATIC PRACTICE, the RIGHT GUIDANCE, and HARD WORK.   Having guided several hundreds of toppers successfully  for nearly a decade ( ( Nandini KR   AIR-1 ,  Jeydev CS AIR-5 ,  Avinash  AIR-31 :  click on the names to read their reviews of InsightsIAS ), we have understood the demands of this rigorous exam and devised several initiatives that will empower an aspirant to crack the exam easily, provided they put in the required efforts consistently.

To all those embarking on this journey for the very first time: the UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages – Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.   Each stage differs in the approach needed to tackle it successfully. This exam requires the right strategy to clear it at the earliest; It is not merely about your brilliance or memory power. We have seen many talented individuals- fritter away their attempts due to a lack of the right guidance and strategy. The huge competition coupled with the vastness of the syllabus, makes it challenging for an aspirant (especially a fresher) to adopt the right strategy for the exam.

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN OGP 2025?

Abraham Lincoln said, “If I had five minutes to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first three sharpening my axe.”

Undoubtedly, every serious aspirant spends a lot of time studying but often fails to find a program that aids in sharpening their preparation (AXE) that has the potential to give them commensurate returns. OGP 2025 will help you sharpen your axe to achieve your goal at the earliest.

To fulfill your goal of clearing the exam, we have designed a  Holistic and Intensive Classroom program.  It is a  full-fledged program for UPSC CSE (Prelims + Mains + Interview)  which keeps you occupied for  12-15 months.

Our entire strategy for the classroom program is driven by the unique  EQUIP strategy .

What is the EQUIP Strategy?

E – Explanation of Basic Concepts  by faculties

Q – Quest: A mini-test comprising of MCQs and Mains Question- to help you  apply  the acquired knowledge

U – Understand:  The best form of understanding will be to internalize knowledge gained and enhance retention through test discussions after every class

I – Interact:  Real-time interaction with teachers contributes to qualitative learning with instant clearance of doubts

P – Perform: Taking tests once every week and fortnight, will ensure that it becomes a part of your routine, preparing you to perform well in every test without the usual accompanying jitters

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Please Note: The number of views for recorded classes will be limited with some buffer time to navigate through the video.

Features that you will use on the INSTACOURSES Portal :

(All Images are for representative purposes only)

  • OGP Course Dashboard:

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2. Classes: Listing of Course Subjects

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3. Classes – Live + Recorded

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4. Recorded Class 

In every class, either Live / Recorded, you will be given the gist of the class and also the materials available to download.

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5. Doubts Corner:

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6. Class Feedback:

Feedback is crucial for us as it helps us understand your expectations and improve continuously. You can provide feedback after every class.

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7. Overall Performance:

A detailed cumulative performance analysis of all your tests is provided, presented in various infographics. This comprehensive analytics will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, guiding you on where to focus and how to progress.

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8. Mentorship:

Each student is assigned a personal mentor to guide you throughout your journey. Whether you're an online or offline student, you can reach out to your mentor at any time by booking a slot. Your mentor will help clarify your doubts, evaluate a few of your answers and essays, provide learning strategies, and assist in creating a self-study timetable. Your mentor is available to help you whenever you need.

You can track your mentorship sessions, including queries asked, suggestions received, and improvements made after incorporating your mentor's advice.

The process to book slots for mentorship will be provided to you after enrollment.

9. Success & Mindset Coach:

Mrs. Arati Patil, a full time Success & Mindset coach, NLP Coach, Psychotherapist who has vast experience in this field will be with you to help you throughout your association with InsightsIAS. Your well-being and mental health is important. You can book slots to avail the sessions with the Life Coach.

Process to book slots for Success & Mindset Coach will be made available to you after enrolment.

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There are many more exciting features that you will eventually discover.

Our promising and result-oriented faculties, mentors, and content team work round the clock to deliver the best quality content for you. Our student-friendly management and staff will always be at your service with a smile.

What matters is your success – for you and us . Merely joining the OGP will not make you clear the exam. We will provide all the resources and support possible. But it is up to you- how resourceful you are & how well you choose to utilize our services and guidance. We want you to join our InsightsIAS family ONLY if you are 100% committed to your goals. We want dedicated individuals who are willing to work hard. InsightsIAS will be your faithful companion till your last step in this marathon journey.

“There is only 1 way to bridge the perceived gap between a person and his/her/their greatest dreams, and that is TO BEGIN!”- Richie Norton

Take the first step; make a decision that will change the trajectory of your life! Join us and work smartly to fulfill your dream. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you onboard as our student soon.  Come visit us, your dream is worth pursuing.

OPTIONAL CLASSES are also available, please check HERE . ( Fees for Optional classes are not included under OGP fees ).

Course Subscription Details :

Offline : Rs. 128000/- incl. taxes Early Bird Discount: 10% till 30th March 2024

Bengaluru Headquarters Address: 

3rd Floor, Nanda Ashirwad Building, Chandra Layout Main Road, Maruthi Nagar, Attiguppe, Bengaluru, Karnataka -560040

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UPSC Coaching, Study Materials, and Mock Exams

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How to Start IAS Preparation – The Beginner’s Guide to Clear IAS Exam

ClearIAS Classes

Congrats on reaching the right place to learn!

ClearIAS offers online as well as offline coaching for IAS, IPS, or IFS aspirants.

We provide live classes and recorded classes to help aspirants crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).

Confused about how to start IAS Preparation? Explore ClearIAS Courses

ClearIAS Online Courses

ClearIAS offers multiple courses.

This includes courses for school students, college students, working professionals, and full-time aspirants.

The best-selling course preferred by most beginners is ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Course.

ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains Online Course: Admission Open for 2025, 2026, and 2027

Admissions are open to the ClearIAS Online Courses which are valid until UPSC CSE 2025, 2026, and 2027.

1. UPSC Online Coaching: Target CSE 2025 – ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Course

Target UPSC CSE 2025

2. UPSC Online Coaching: Target CSE 2026 – ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Course

Target UPSC CSE 2026

3. UPSC Online Coaching: Target CSE 2027 – ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Course

Target UPSC CSE 2027

New to ClearIAS.com? Find how we help you clear the IAS/IPS/IFS exam!

ClearIAS is one of the best user-friendly websites for UPSC Exam preparation. ClearIAS website is used by more than 1 million aspirants every month.

The following are some of our most popular resources:

  • ClearIAS programs  – Know about all ClearIAS programs for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
  • Free Resources – Free Study Materials, Mock Exams, or Videos for Beginners
  • Premium Resources – Online Classes, Mock Exams, Books, and PDFs for Serious Aspirants
  • ClearIAS Study Materials – Easy-to-Learn online notes from ClearIAS about current and conventional topics.
  • UPSC Syllabus – ClearIAS Notes which explains each topic in the UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains syllabus.
  • UPSC Guidance – Learn what to do and what not to do for UPSC Civil Services Exam.
  • IAS Books – Buy the books recommended by toppers online.
  • ClearIAS ebooks (PDFs) – Fill up the gaps in your learning by downloading ClearIAS PDFs.
  • Downloads – The most important notes of ClearIAS are listed in the easy-to-learn order.
  • ClearIAS sitemap  – To understand the website structure.
  • ClearIAS Apps – ClearIAS Mobile Apps (Android and iOS)
  • ClearIAS blog – Check out our latest blog articles and study materials.
  • Important Updates – Important Updates from ClearIAS

Beginner’s Guide: Know about IAS/IPS/IFS

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is the dream career of millions of aspirants in the country.

The same is the case with services like Indian Police Service (IPS) , Indian Foreign Service (IFS) etc.

Recruitment to about 20 services including IAS, IPS, IFS etc. is conducted via a common exam called the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) .

Beginner’s Guide: Know about UPSC

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the Central Authority that takes care of the entire recruitment process.

Important Links for UPSC Aspirants:

  • UPSC Syllabus
  • UPSC CSE Eligibility
  • UPSC Age Calculator

UPSC Exam Dates

  • UPSC Online Application
  • UPSC Questions (PYQs)
  • UPSC Results
  • UPSC Toppers

How should you start IAS preparation?

First of all, you should decide how will you prepare for UPSC CSE – whether it will be entirely by self-study, by practising mock exams or by attending expert classes.

In all cases, ClearIAS can help.

ClearIAS provides online study materials , online mock exams , and online classes .

For Government Services like IAS, IPS, IFS etc., the earlier you get into the service the better will be your career prospects and promotions.

ClearIAS values time as a crucial resource and all our efforts are directed at guiding candidates to succeed with minimum time.

Which approach you should choose for your UPSC preparation depends on how fast you want to become an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer.

This question is also dependent on the candidates’ age, financial capacity, and value perception of time.

UPSC CSE Preparation: 3 Approaches

There are three popular approaches adopted by UPSC aspirants.

We will discuss the positives and negatives of each of the approaches.

Finally, we will also see what ClearIAS recommends.

Approach 1: Self-Study

It is possible to crack UPSC CSE by self-study. However, this ‘Text-book based approach’ by self-study is more time-consuming when compared to preparing with the help of expert coaching and proper resources .

In recent times, it’s rare to see an aspirant who secured a top rank in UPSC CSE in his/her first attempt entirely by self-preparation, unless he started his/her preparation very early.

This is because covering the vast syllabus of UPSC CSE entirely by self-study takes a lot of time – usually multiple years.

Also, the candidate should be highly disciplined and self-motivated to pursue the path of self-study. It has been observed that most aspirants who prepare alone without guidance tend to lose focus soon. It’s not uncommon to see aspirants in the UPSC preparation field for 3-4 years but not finish half of the UPSC topics by self-study.

Working professionals or college students who have only a few hours to invest daily in UPSC CSE preparation should not depend solely on self-study. They should seek an approach which will help them cover topics faster and efficiently.

To sum up, even though self-study per se is cheaper, it is not recommended for aspirants who value time as the most important commodity in life.

Approach 2: Learning with the help of UPSC Mock Exams

Many aspirants, who realise the importance of practice for success, learn by integrating mock exams into their preparation.

This method of ‘Test-based Learning’ is faster than ‘Text-based Learning’.

As part of the ClearIAS Test-based approach , we help aspirants learn by taking 40 online mock exams.

In this method, other than adopting mock exams for practice, the whole learning is done by the aspirant himself.

Even though this approach is more efficient than solely depending on textbooks for preparation, you can learn faster and more focused if you get to chance to learn directly from expert faculties – online or offline.

Approach 3: Learning with the help of expert UPSC Coaching

There is nothing to be ashamed of about taking proper training to improve your knowledge and skills.

UPSC Coaching – online or offline – will help aspirants learn topics faster. It will save precious youth years.

This will give you all the required resources in your arsenal like study materials, mock exams, guidance, expert classes for every subject, and techniques to boost your marks.

However, not all coaching is the same.

There are a few coaching platforms which give quality guidance and exam-oriented training. Having said that, there are hundreds of platforms/institutes which do not add any value to aspirants despite charging lakhs of rupees as fees.

Methods adopted by many traditional coaching institutes do not help crack the latest requirements and change patterns of UPSC.

Aspirants should keep this in mind before joining any coaching.

Don’t go just behind mass trends or advertisements.

Try to assess the quality of coaching and credibility of the faculties yourself.

You may also check previous toppers’ reviews before joining any programs.

Self-Study + Smart-Study = Success

You might have heard this quote ‘ It takes two hands to clap ‘. This is true with respect to the success in the UPSC CSE as well.

No coaching platform can make a lazy student IAS, IPS, or IFS officer.

Unless the student’s effort matches the coaching, there won’t be good results.

When your individual effort meets the right training, you get exceptional results.

Proper guidance and the right practice are crucial for success in every field. This is particularly true in academics and competitive exams.

When it comes to competitive exams, classes by expert faculties and guidance by top mentors always give candidates a great advantage.

ClearIAS is led by the expert Civil Service Trainer and popular author Alex Andrews George , who is well-reputed for his unmatched training and teaching methodologies.

Along with Mr Alex Andrews George, 15 other expert faculties are part of the ClearIAS Team behind the Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Program.

In our experience, we have seen a combination of self-study by aspirants along with the smart-study training of ClearIAS produces great success.

ClearIAS Online Classroom Program is loved by aspirants for the equal emphasis given to Knowledge and Exam Skills.

Our unique training and smart work approach will sharpen your potential and help you crack UPSC CSE much faster.

Besides, this will help you save a lot of time, effort, and money.

The Smart Approach Recommended by ClearIAS

Please find the 7 steps we recommend for aspirants to succeed in the UPSC Services Examination.

  • Step 1:  Join ClearIAS Online Classroom Program (ClearIAS Online Classes)
  • Step 2:  Prepare Notes based on ClearIAS Classes
  • Step 3:  Self-Study  (Learn ClearIAS Notes, NCERT Textbooks and Standard Textbooks)
  • Step 4:  Take ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Exams
  • Step 5:  Take ClearIAS Mains Mock Exams . Polish your answer writing skills

Step 6: Learn the Optional Subject

  • Step 7:  Participate in the ClearIAS Interview Program

Note: Once you  join the ClearIAS Online Classroom Program  (ClearIAS Classes) you will get detailed guidance and personal mentorship regarding all stages of UPSC preparation.

ClearIAS: Self-Study OR Smart-Study – We have got you covered!

ClearIAS is a reputed online learning platform trusted by toppers since 2012.

You can read testimonials of ClearIAS online students who emerged as UPSC toppers here .

Our methods and approaches are different. We focus on smart work which helps aspirants to crack UPSC CSE faster.

It is the vision of ClearIAS that no candidate should be left out of the UPSC competition due to financial constraints.

ClearIAS offers expert UPSC Coaching and better features at less than half of the fees charged by many traditional coaching institutes.

Further, along with our premium resources which help in smart study , ClearIAS also provides a lot of free resources  for self-study .

Road Map for Success in UPSC CSE: ClearIAS Recommendation

Road map to clear IAS: How should I start UPSC Preparation

Step 1: Join ClearIAS Online Classroom Program (ClearIAS Classes)

Right guidance and proper training can greatly increase your chance of success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).

If you are serious about your UPSC CSE preparation, we strongly recommend you combine your self-study efforts with the smart training provided by ClearIAS .

There are  different plans  for Prelims and Mains.

For those aspirants who are looking for a 1-Year long program to build their foundation of both Prelims and Mains well, ClearIAS offers Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Programs .

ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM)  is a mega package that includes almost all products/services necessary for you to crack UPSC CSE like:

This is the flagship program of ClearIAS which involves live classes and recorded classes.

ClearIAS Online Classroom Program (ClearIAS Classes) offers almost everything you need to crack the UPSC CSE like

  • Live Classes
  • Recorded Classes
  • Personal Mentorship
  • Study Materials (PDF)
  • ClearIAS UPSC Prelims Online Mock Test Series
  • ClearIAS UPSC Mains Mock Test Series
  • ClearIAS UPSC Mains Anwer Writing Practise (AWP)
  • Interview Guidance etc.

Join ClearIAS Classes

Step 2: Prepare Notes based on ClearIAS Classes

ClearIAS Online Classes are two-way interactive sessions.

We strongly recommend students take down important points discussed in classes in their respective subject notebooks.

This not only increases their attention in online classes but also greatly helps them in learning and revision.

We strongly recommend the revision of class notes daily.

Step 3: Self-Study (Learn ClearIAS Notes, NCERT Textbooks and Standard Textbooks)

ClearIAS greatly reduces the hard work of aspirants and helps them prepare in a focused manner. However, self-study is crucial for success.

As mentors, we guide aspirants on how to channel their self-efforts to remain more efficient and disciplined.

ClearIAS Live Classes are usually for 2 hours per day. For an aspirant who studies 8 hours per day, there are 6 hours left in the day. This time, we recommend aspirants use it for self-study – but in a focused manner.

Aspirants are recommended to go through (1) ClearIAS Notes (2) NCERT Textbooks and (3) Standard Textbooks as part of their self-study.

To remain efficient in preparation, we recommend aspirants to attend ClearIAS Classes from Monday to Friday and take ClearIAS Mock Exams on Saturday or Sunday based on ClearIAS Timetable . However, our study plan is flexible. Students are free to attend classes or exams whenever they are comfortable doing so.

Step 4: Take ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Exams

Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. – Vince Lombardi

Aspirants need the perfect practice of model exams of UPSC CSE Prelims to adapt to the requirements of UPSC. Regarding this, ClearIAS provides 4 types of mock exam packages.

  • ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series – General Studies Paper 1
  • ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock Test Series – General Studies Paper 2 or CSAT
  • ClearIAS UPSC Previous Year Questions Re-Take Exams – General Studies Paper 1
  • ClearIAS UPSC Previous Year Questions Re-Take Exams – General Studies Paper 2 or CSAT

Note: Once you join the ClearIAS Online Classroom Program (Ultimate Plan) , you will get access to all four packages as part of the ClearIAS Prelims Test Series (worth more than Rs.10000).

Step 5: Take ClearIAS Mains Mock Exams. Polish your answer writing skills

As part of the ClearIAS Ultimate Plan , ClearIAS will conduct UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing Practice (AWP) sessions. This involves expert training and feedback on how to write a high-scoring answer (quality improvement).

Once aspirants learn the methods to write a well-structured answer, we will conduct Mains Mock Exams.

ClearIAS Mains Mock Test Series are model exams simulating actual UPSC CSE Mains with expert feedback.

With respect to CSE Mains, UPSC allows candidates to pick an optional subject from about 50 subjects mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus. This includes subjects like History, Geography, Political Science, Anthropology, Public Administration etc.

As an optional subject varies from candidate to candidate, this is not included in the ClearIAS Ultimate Plan . ClearIAS Ultimate Plan covers everything except optional paper (ie. the General Studies portion of Prelims and Mains along with CSAT in Prelims and Essay in Mains). Aspirants should study optional subjects separately. They are free to either join ClearIAS Optional Coaching or learn the subject by self-study.

Step 7: Participate in the ClearIAS Interview Program

ClearIAS Interview Program includes classes for personality development to score well in the UPSC interview. This is also included in the ClearIAS Online Classroom Program (Ultimate Plan) .

For the UPSC Interview, your bio-data (Detailed Application Form or DAF) is the most important thing. Try to figure out the most probable questions from the DAF. ClearIAS Team can help you with DAF analysis. Once you register for the ClearIAS Interview program , we will send you a list of the 30 most probable questions based on your DAF.

Also, take ClearIAS mock interviews to polish your communication and presentation skills.

All the best!

Text Books, Test Series, and Techniques: Success in UPSC CSE

ClearIAS TTT Approach to clear UPSC Civil Services Examination

Success in UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) = 50% Knowledge + 50% Skills (Strategies).

ClearIAS is a self-study +  smart-study online portal for UPSC aspirants. We have been giving equal importance to the knowledge part as well as skills. Our unique products like ClearIAS Online Classroom Program and ClearIAS Prelims Online Test Series incorporate both subject-knowledge as well as exam skills .

If you join ClearIAS Online Classroom includes the best use of all our recommended products like Test Series, Text Books, Techniques and Personal guidance.

3 stages in the UPSC Civil Services Exam

UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) consists of 3 stages.

The stages are (1) Preliminary Exam (objective) (2) Main Exam (written) and (3) the Interview (personality test).

3 ClearIAS strategies for success in the UPSC Civil Services Exam

For best results, we strongly recommend aspirants follow the three methods developed by ClearIAS in their UPSC preparation.

  • ClearIAS Prelims-cum-Main Integrated Approach : By this method, we intend for aspirants to prepare for Mains and Prelims in an integrated manner. Overlapping topics should be combined. Non-overlapping topics (subject only for Mains) should be identified and learned separately. By following this method, aspirants will be  ready to face the Main exam  much earlier than other aspirants who start solely from the Prelims syllabus.
  • ClearIAS TTT approach :  We advise you to make ‘ T-T-T ‘ ie.  ‘Textbooks’, ‘Testseries’, and ‘Techniques’ as the core part of your preparation strategy
  • ClearIAS Test-based approach : Mock Exams are the fundamental basis of the ClearIAS learning program. Our method of training is such a way that aspirants learn by taking mock exams. ClearIAS Test-series  – which integrates learning with test-taking – combines textbooks and techniques to make aspirants exam-ready at the earliest.

Also read: How to Make a Study Plan for UPSC IAS Exam?

Download and Install ClearIAS Mobile Apps (FREE)

Install ClearIAS Learning App , ClearIAS Test-Prep App . and ClearIAS Classes App . You will get a lot of free study materials and guidance articles from these three apps. The apps will make your preparation quite easy and focused.

Usually, UPSC conducts the Civil Services Preliminary Exam in June. The Main Exam is usually conducted in September. The Personality Test takes almost 3 months to finish. UPSC conducts the CSE interview (or personality test) in the months of February – April.

The notification for the UPSC Civil Services Examination for 2024 will be published on February 14, 2023. You can apply for UPSC CSE 2024 between February 14, 2024, and March 05, 2024.

  • UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims Date: May 26 2024 (Sunday)
  • UPSC CSE 2024 Mains Date: September 20 2024 (5 days)
  • UPSC CSE 2024 Interview Date:  January-March 2025 (expected)
  • UPSC CSE 2024 Final Result Date: April 2025 (expected)

Also read: UPSC Prelims Exam Date 2024 for Civil Services Exam

Also read: UPSC 2024 Exam Calendar

UPSC Civil Services Exam – The Beginner’s Guide To Success (PDF)

UPSC Civil Services Exam - The Beginner's Guide to Clear IAS Exam (PDF)

Apart from all the resources mentioned above, ClearIAS has also published an ebook (PDF) “ UPSC Civil Services Exam – The Beginner’s Guide to Success “. You can download this book for FREE!

The ClearIAS Beginner’s Guide ebook (PDF) covers almost all of the queries of freshers (and even veterans) regarding the UPSC Civil Sevices Exam (CSE). This includes –

  • UPSC Civil Services Exam Structure.
  • How Should You Start IAS Preparation?
  • How to clear UPSC CSE by self-study and online preparation?
  • The winning strategies.
  • Road Map to Success.
  • Prelims cum Mains Integrated Approach.
  • IAS Exam Eligibility.
  • UPSC Medical Requirements.
  • Latest UPSC Civil Services Exam Notification… and lots more.

ClearIAS ebook (PDF) “ UPSC Civil Services Exam – The Beginner’s Guide to Success ” can be a real game-changer for you!

Download PDF (FREE)

Beginner’s Guide to Clear IAS Prelims – UPSC CSE Guidance for the Preliminary Exam (Selected Posts)

  • A Note Before You Begin IAS Preparation or Coaching .
  • Smart Work for IAS Preparation .
  • Strategy and Books for Early Birds To Clear IAS Exam .
  • How to clear Civil Services prelims?
  • How can smart aspirants like you clear UPSC Prelims ‘the smart way’?
  • 5 reasons why you should take more UPSC Prelims mock tests
  • Civil Service Prelims 6 Month Strategy – How Can You Clear UPSC Prelims in 6 Months?
  • CSAT – What is the best strategy to prepare for the CSAT?
  • 100-Day Action Plan to Clear IAS Prelims
  • How much time will it take to clear the IAS prelims?
  • IAS Books for Civil Services Prelims and Mains Exam Preparation .

For more analysis and articles on Preliminary Exam, regularly follow the category:  Civil Services Prelims .

Beginner’s Guide to Clear IAS Mains – UPSC CSE Guidance for the Main Exam (Selected Posts)

  • Strategy and Study Plan for Clearing the IAS Mains Exam .
  • How to clear Civil Services mains?
  • How To Select IAS Mains Optional As Per The Latest UPSC Syllabus ?
  • How To Write A Good Essay In Civil Service Mains Exam?
  • What to Study for Ethics Paper in IAS Mains GS?
  • World History for UPSC Mains: Understanding The Basics .
  • Security and Disaster Management for UPSC Mains Exam .
  • Indian Society For UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam .

For more analysis and articles on the Main Exam, regularly follow the category: Civil Services Mains .

Beginner’s Guide to Clear IAS Interview – UPSC CSE Guidance for the Personality Test (Selected Posts)

  • Civil Services Interview – How To Make Sure That You Clear IAS?
  • IAS Interview: 25 Golden Tips for Success
  • Check List For The Candidates Attending UPSC Interview
  • IAS Interview Syllabus: 6 Important UPSC Clues Which You Never Noticed Before
  • ClearIAS UPSC CSE Interview Program: Maximize Your Personality Test Marks!
  • Up to Which Rank Can An Aspirant Get Into IAS, IPS or IFS?
  • Cut-Off Marks for UPSC Civil Services Exam: Trend Analysis

For more analysis and articles on the Main Exam, regularly follow the category: Civil Services Interview .

Beginner’s Guide: Know more about ClearIAS

ClearIAS is a pan-India learning platform founded by Mr Alex Andrews George in 2012.

More than 1 million IAS/IPS/IFS aspirants learn from the ClearIAS website and ClearIAS apps every month.

ClearIAS provides both free and premium resources – online and offline.

Know more about ClearIAS .

Book a FREE UPSC Mentorship Session with a ClearIAS Expert

Is your ambition to become an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer?

Do you want to surprise all by cracking UPSC CSE in the shortest possible time?

Register now for a free UPSC Mentorship session with an expert mentor of ClearIAS!

You will get a call or video from ClearIAS explaining the smartest strategy to crack UPSC CSE.

Call/Email Us: We are happy to help

We are happy to guide you.

You can call any of the below phone numbers to talk to our mentors:

If you wish to connect through email, you can email us at  [email protected] .

We will get back as soon as possible.

Don’t lose out without playing the right game!

Follow the ClearIAS Prelims cum Mains (PCM) Integrated Approach.

Join ClearIAS PCM Course Now

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essay guidance upsc

IMAGES

  1. Essay Guidance Programme for UPSC 2023

    essay guidance upsc

  2. Valuable Tips And Guidelines To Study Essays For UPSC Mains

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  3. Essay Writing UPSC Mains

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  4. UPSC Essay Writing

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  5. How To Write Essay for UPSC

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  6. UPSC Essay Writing, How to write essay, Format, Essay Topics

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VIDEO

  1. गद-गद हुऐ छात्र || UPSC Mains में Essay के पेपर को बताया आसान ll UPSC CSE Mains Exam Reviews (Eassy)

  2. 68th BPSC Essay ( निबंध ) original copy of SDO Anchit (67th bpsc)

  3. UPSC Essay Paper 2022- Future Aspirants Must Note This

  4. English Essay guidance workshop

  5. essay writing strategy of satyam Gandhi| upsc tricks

  6. Better practices to best practices..|Essay UPSC CSE 2021

COMMENTS

  1. Essay Courses

    Essay Guidance Program 2024 Batch-1 (without Thematic classes) 31st Oct. 2023 Deliverables: Orientation session: The orientation will be conducted in both offline and online medium wherein the trends in UPSC CSE essay exam, analysis of PYQs and approach towards the Essay Guidance Program will be discussed. Sectional Tests: Students will write 9 sectional tests on the UPSC CSE Essay exam pattern.

  2. Essay Writing for Civil Services Examination

    Writing An Essay. Sticking to the time limit. In the CSE, one has to write two essays in 3 hours which translates into 1 hour 30 minutes for each essay. Out of this, around 45 minutes to 1 hour will be required to write one essay. One can add another 10 minutes for the revision of one essay.

  3. VisionIAS

    UPSC Essay paper is one paper where you can get more output with little effort with the right strategy. The right strategy consists a clear structure, right thesis, better practice and the best guidance. Keeping this in mind, Vision IAS has created a unique Essay Enrichment Programme for civil services. This programme would consist of 5 classes ...

  4. WEEKLY UPSC IAS ESSAY WRITING CHALLENGE

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  5. ESSAY STRATEGY By Anudeep Durishetty, UPSC Civil Services ...

    Anudeep Durishetty - UPSC IAS Rank - 1 write in detail his essay strategy with examples and illustrations. Follow this strategy to boost essay marks. Call us @ 08069405205; Search Here. Search. Search Here. ... guidance and teaching for the IAS Exam. Popular Courses. Foundation Program: OGP (Offline & Online Guidance Program) Prelims Test Series;

  6. ClearIAS launches Essay Writing Course for UPSC

    ClearIAS has launched an Essay Writing Course for UPSC CSE aspirants. Join the ClearIAS Essay Course and master the art of writing outstanding essays. ClearIAS has consistently been the guiding light for UPSC CSE aspirants, illuminating the path to success with its innovative and results-driven approach. Keeping in line with its commitment to ...

  7. Essay Course for UPSC

    Joining an essay course for UPSC Mains preparation can offer several significant benefits, enhancing your overall performance in the UPSC Mains Examination. Here are some advantages of enrolling in an essay course: Structured Guidance: Our Essay course provides structured guidance on essay writing, helping aspirants understand the nuances of essay composition and the specific requirements of ...

  8. Essay Guidance Programme for UPSC 2023

    The 'Essay Guidance Programme' will aid the aspirants to excel in presentation skills and maximize their score in the Essay Paper of UPSC Mains.Writing an essay is an arduous task unless you have an excellent command of structuring and presenting the content according to the demand of the topic.

  9. Essay Course Cum Test Series For CSE Mains 2023

    NEXT IAS provides you the best Essay guidance to maximize your score in UPSC CSE Mains Examination. Essay Course is designed to provide comprehensive discussions of GS Mains Essay test papers, adequate practice, mentorship and guidance. It is conducted by Mrs. Ruchika Bhardwaj, a well-known faculty for Essay Guidance with over 15 years of ...

  10. Essay Course for UPSC CSE

    Benefits: A lot of questions in actual UPSC CSE Mains (Essay) could be easily answered by attending the ClearIAS Essay Program. ClearIAS Essay program offers a very high Return on Investment (RoI). Many questions in the actual UPSC Civil Services Examination can be directly or indirectly answered from ClearIAS Classes, Study Materials, and Exams.

  11. PDF Essay Guidance

    essays choosing one topic from each section A and B in three hours. The syllabus is not clearly defined by UPSC, hence the dynamicity of the Essay paper makes it, a challenge for students. UPSC in its notification has given specific guidelines about the essay paper. "Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics.

  12. Essay Writing for UPSC

    Essay Writing for UPSC. The UPSC Mains Examination comprises a total of nine papers, inclusive of an essay paper. The Essay Paper is categorised into sections A and B, each containing four topics. These topics hold a value of 125 marks each, thereby totalling 250 marks (125×2). Candidates are required to choose one topic from each section and ...

  13. Essay Paper UPSC 2021 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

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    Legacy IAS team will frame as many questions as feasible on each and every component of the GS syllabi as part of this initiative. This will allow you to take continuous notes and write answers until your UPSC Mains Exam 2022-2023. All GS Paper. GS Paper 1. GS Paper 2.

  16. Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains

    T he UPSC CSE's essay paper is among the nine that aspirants are required to clear. Here, they choose one from four topics and attempt two essays, each with a word count of 1,000-1,200 words. The essay paper is for a total of 250 marks, and each essay carries 125 marks.

  17. ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam MAINS 2023

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  18. Essay

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  19. Essay Previous Year Papers

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  20. UPSC Essay

    In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. Moreover, they are required to choose one IAS essay topic out of the four options in each section i.e. A and B. The UPSC essay paper is conducted for 250 marks with one essay UPSC paper for 125 marks. Therefore, aspirants should use the best books and ...

  21. Essay Paper UPSC 2022 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

    Please find the questions in the Essay Paper of the UPSC 2022 Civil Services Mains Examination (written). UPSC conducted the Essay Paper, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2022 on 16-09-2022. The question paper was not as shocking as last year. There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

  22. [Early Bird Discount ends today] OGP 2025 (Offline & Online Guidance

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  23. How to Start IAS Preparation

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