08 Jul Common Mistakes in UPSC Mains Answer Writing
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the most prestigious and toughest examinations in India. It is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. Every stage requires a different approach, and at present, candidates are stepping toward the last and most important stage of the exam, the Mains examination. With only 46 days remaining, a little over a month and a half, this phase of preparation assumes the utmost importance. In this article by plutusias.com, we will discuss Common Mistakes in UPSC Mains Answer Writing.
Read More: Best IAS Coaching in Delhi
Why Mains Answer Writing is Critical?
Answer writing is more than just possessing knowledge; it requires skills in presentation, clarity, time management, and expectations of the examiner. It differs from Prelims, where your knowledge of facts is tested through MCQs. Mains being subjective requires that you can justify your thoughts, concisely, and persuasively. Many candidates know what they need to write, but are unable to convert that knowledge into marks. Why? The numerous common mistakes. Let us then look at the five most detrimental mistakes in answer writing that you must stop in this final stretch of the UPSC preparation.
1. Content Over Structure
Too often and too damagingly, candidates concentrate on content and ignore answer structure. The candidates usually pour in whatever information comes to mind as soon as they see the question. However, UPSC answers are not college essays. They have to adhere to the following structure:
- Introduction: Define or put into context the topic.
- Body: Divide into arguments, causes, impacts, solutions, or whatever is crucial.
- Conclusion: A balanced and forward-looking end to answer.
Without any structure, your well-thought-out answer can seem very chaotic. Clarity and good flow resonate well with the examiners. If the examiner struggles to pick your key points, the answer may not fetch the applicant full marks.
Tip: Practice answering with this format. Join cost-effective answer-writing programs by Plutus IAS. These coaching sessions focus on not just what to write, but also how to write it, keeping it structured.
2. Poor Time Management
Every second counts in UPSC Mains. You have 3 hours for 20 answers, which translates to 7-8 minutes per answer on average. But the aspirants spend 15-20 minutes on one question, trying to perfect it. What happens? They have to rush through the remaining ones and may end up leaving some answers incomplete or poorly written.
This imbalance in time management directly affects your scoring mechanism. UPSC prefers consistency to perfection. Better to write 20 fair answers than to write 14 excellent answers and leave six answers either incomplete or blank.
Tip: Get comfortable with a stopwatch while practising. Time yourself so you mentally get a sense of how much you should be taking per answer. Practice writing short mock tests under a time crunch. Never allow a difficult question to let your performance down.
3. No Use of Diagrams, Flowcharts, or Examples
The use of diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can create embellishments for static, boring answers. Another major blunder lies in the utterly theoretical style of answering. Probably, UPSC would look beyond the bare knowledge; they want to see that the candidates know how to apply what they know.
Ways to improve your answers:
- Use flowcharts to illustrate processes or reforms.
- Have diagrams or maps for any pertinent answers, especially in GS1 or Geography.
- Give real-life instances or current examples, such as Swachh Bharat or the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill.
- Use Supreme Court judgments, constitutional articles, or committees whenever necessary.
- It is not just these things that make answers look smarter, but also create depth in understanding.
Tip: Maintain a small example bank. For each topic in the syllabus, collect 2-3 current examples or facts you can insert in your answers.
4. Ignoring Directive Words
UPSC asks not just for information but also for the application and presentation of knowledge. Hence, the directive words of each question go a long way in helping the student. Some common words include:
- Discuss – Give arguments for both the pros and cons.
- Critically Examine – Analyse advantages and disadvantages.
- Evaluate – Judgement based on evidence.
- Enumerate – Mention briefly and clearly.
- Elucidate – Explain in detail.
Many aspirants read only the question, not the directive, and go off track. For example, in a “Critically evaluate” question, if you only explain and don’t present a balanced judgment, you lose marks.
Tip: Develop the skill of underlining and interpreting the directive before putting pen to paper. Learn to decode what is being asked. This is a skill that is developed through repeated, focused practice.
5. No Comparison of Model Answers
Writing essentially should be an everyday affair, but whatever you do without reviewing is a waste. If you do not go back to analyse your answers or compare them with the answers of the toppers or models, you will continue to repeat the same mistakes.
Topper answers teach you:
- How to maintain word limit.
- How to balance arguments.
- How to conclude effectively.
- What kind of language or tone works best?
- Blind writing practice might help in terms of speed, but intelligent practice leads to improvement.
Tip: Make it a habit to go through about five of your written answers once every week and compare them with Toppers’ answers from Plutus IAS. You may ask mentors for a review. Self-analysis is your biggest teacher.
Other Common Mistakes
While the five errors mentioned above are the most usual ones, bear in mind the following:
- Repetition of Points
Many candidates keep repeating the same point in different words. This only projects a lack of conceptualization and wastes countenance. - Lack of Interlinking Between Papers
UPSC is very much an interdisciplinary thinker. Interlink economy with environment, polity with society, and ethics with governance. It is a sign of mature thought. - Heavy Jargon or Complex Vocabulary
Make your language simple and lucid. Use technical terms only where and when necessary. The UPSC is not enamoured of weighty words but clarity. - Writing Answers Before Completing The Syllabus
Do not wait to finish the syllabus before you start writing answers. Begin with any two answers a day now that you have roughly 45 days remaining.
Conclusion
In these 46 days remaining before the UPSC Mains exam, your focus needs to shift from gaining knowledge to writing the answers for an effective presentation of that knowledge. This almost defines the final rank. The UPSC never awards you for how much you know, but how well your understanding is communicated within the provided time and framework. Avoid the usual mistakes of unstructured writing or handling time badly- like ignoring the instruction words, not adding value through diagrams or examples, and most importantly not reviewing the answer. Your answer quality will improve manifold with regular practice, analysing critiques, and making efforts to rectify them which will reflect in your score. At this moment, stay disciplined; keep doing corrections with others and refrain from wasting a single answer. Best of luck to all the aspirants for your UPSC journey.
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