This paper was reintroduced in the scheme of examination in 1993, it has played a crucial role in determining the rank of the student. Most of the top rankers have scored above 55% in this paper. Some candidates have also scored around 60% which has helped them secure a position in the top ten ranks.

Correct choice of topic and the appropriate method of writing are important. It is advisable to choose the factual topics which are non-controversial in nature.

Method of Writing:
After deciding the topic
1. Start brain stroming
2. Write down all the ideas that you about the topic.
3. Do not classify or systematise your points at this stage.
4. Put them on paper randomly as they flow in.
5. Later, arrange the ideas in a logical and sequential manner.
6. Having arrived at the sequence, start writing, giving due care to the introduction, the body and finally the conclusion.
7. Ensure that you have enough time for revision.
8. Remember it is a General Essay Paper and you should not be highly technical.

Here are some help tools for tackling Essay in the UPSC exams, ranging from the syllabus to reading list and other tips. These resources on Essay also includes IAS Question Papers of Essay. We wish you to adopt the best strategy and become successful. We try our best to provide as many resources for your prepration as possible, but if you can add to this list please feel free to send us links or matter.

Mains Syllabus of Essay Question Papers of Essay Suggested Strategy for Essay Suggested Readings for Essay Essay Contest

Sample Essays

1. If Youth knew if Age could
2. The Game of Politics
3. Secularism in India

Contest Essays for March - 2010

1. Will the relationship between india and pakistan will ever improve? - Vikas Kumar Ronzia
   
   
2. Should Sachin Tendulkar given Bharat Ratna Award ? - Priya Juneja
   
   

Contest Essays for February - 2010

1. The Padma Awards - are they any good? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
   
   
2. The Padma Awards - are they any good? - Chaithanya Vardelly
   
   
3. The Padma Awards - are they any good? - Shubham Jain
   
   
4. The Padma Awards - are they any good? - Maitreyee Roy
   
   
5. The Padma Awards - are they any good? - Hindu Balakrishnan
   
   

Contest Essays for January - 2010

1. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Rohan Patil
   
   
2. 2009 A Year that showcased India’s Economic Strength - Ch.Naga Chaitanya
   
   
3. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
   
   
4. Why are pilots not trained to land in foggy conditions, even though Delhi airport has the required lights and equipment? - Aishwarya Kasinathan
   
   

Contest Essays for December - 2009

1. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Manoj Kumar Srirangam
   
   
2. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Preethi Kamesh
   
   
3. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Steffi Sam
   
   
4. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Rohan Patil
   
   
5. 2009 A Year that showcased India’s Economic Strength - Ch.Naga Chaitanya
   
   
6. Are we becoming less human and more robotic? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
   
   
7. Why are pilots not trained to land in foggy conditions, even though Delhi airport has the required lights and equipment? - Aishwarya Kasinathan
   
   

Contest Essays for November - 2009

1. Women In Indian Politics - Jagdeep S More
   
   
2. Women In Indian Politics - Archana Parashar
   
   
3. Women In Indian Politics - Vipul Pandey
   
   
4. Women In Indian Politics - Sowmiya. R
   
   
5. India And The Emerging Non-Proliferation Order - Nikhil N
   
   

Contest Essays for October - 2009

1. 50 Years of Indian Television - Karthik H M
   
   
2. 50 Years of Indian Television - Jagdeep S More
   
   
3. 50 Years of Indian Television - Nisha Daniel
   
   
4. 50 Years of Indian Television - Manik Saikia
   
   
5. Public Libraries as a Foundation of Knowledge Economy - Nisha Daniel
   
   
6. Public Libraries as a Foundation of Knowledge Economy - Jayalaxmi Reddy
   
   
7. Reservations Are only a Part of Affirmative Action - Prathibha Amand
   
   

Contest Essays for September - 2009

1. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Jagdeep S More
   
   
2. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Lakshmi.J
   
   
3. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Nalin Sharma
   
   
4. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
   
   
5. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Deepak Gupta
   
   
6. Should Class X Exams Become Optional? - Ankur Verma
   
   
7. Why is the Indian Economy still affected by Floods and Droughts?
   
   - Rishi Mandal
8. Why is the Indian Economy still affected by Floods and Droughts?
   
   - Deepak Gupta
9. Why is the Indian Economy still affected by Floods and Droughts?
   
   - Suhasini N
10. Why is the Indian Economy still affected by Floods and Droughts?
    
    - Sarath Babu S
11. Is Beauty only skin deep? - Romila Chitturi
    
    
12. Is Beauty only skin deep? - Daizy Jassal

Contest Essays for August - 2009

1. Independence Day – What it means to India youth today?
   
   - Mithila Bagai
2. Independence Day – What it means to India youth today?
   
   - Manas Ranjan Dash
3. Do you think India and Delhi are ready for the Commonwealth Games
   - Nalin Sharma
   
   
4. Do you think India and Delhi are ready for the Commonwealth Games- k .Jui
   
   
5. Do you think India and Delhi are ready for the Commonwealth Games
   - Jagdeep S
   
   
6. Is Internet Banking catching up in India? - S Sarath Babu
   
   
7. Independence Day – What it means to India youth today?
   
   - Narasanjee Polavarapu
8. Do you think India and Delhi are ready for the Commonwealth Games?
   
   - Suryatapa Ghosh
9. Independence Day – What it means to India’s youth today?
   
   - Suryatapa Ghosh
10. Is Internet Banking catching up in India? - Romila Chitturi
    
    

Contest Essays for July - 2009

1. Are we ready for gay rights? - Swati Shubhangam.
   
   
2. What should be done with film stars and politicians found guilty of rape/murder/terrorism? - Ravi Kiran R
   
   
3. Are we ready for gay rights? - Laxank Purohit
   
   
4. Are we ready for gay rights? - Jagdeep S More
   
   
5. What should be done with film stars and politicians found guilty of rape/murder/terrorism? - Saurabh Tiwari
   
   
6. Are we ready for gay rights? - Suhasini
   
   
7. Are we ready for gay rights? - Mithila Bagai
   
   
8. Are we ready for gay rights? - Sovna Mohanty
   
   
9. The new economic policy - its impact on the common man? - S.SarathBabu
   
   
10. Are we ready for gay rights? - Tushar Dutt
    
    
11. Are we ready for gay rights? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
    
    

1. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
   
   - Mithila Bagai
2. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
   
   - Swathi Shubhangam
3. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
   
   - Rohan Sunil Ghate
4. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
   
   - Jagdeep S More
5. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
   
   - Suryatapa Ghosh
6. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed? - Gayathri
   
   
7. Is the IPL hurting the chances of fit players defending India in the T20 World Cup?
   - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
8. Is India being targeted for its progress as discrimination & violence against Indian students grow in the US and Australia? - Jui K
   
   
9. Is the IPL hurting the chances of fit players defending India in the T20 World Cup?
   - Bhupender Kumar Singh
10. Will the young face of Parliament change how India is governed?
    
    - Aparajita Banerjee
11. Is India being targeted for its progress as discrimination & violence against Indian students grow in the US and Australia? - S Sarath Babu

1. Should India interfere in the Srilankan offensive against the LTTE?
   
   - Ashvini Radhakrishnareddy
2. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
   
   - Jitender Kumar
3. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
   
   - Aparajita Banerjee
4. Should India interfere in the Srilankan offensive against the LTTE? - Swathi
   
   
5. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
   
   - Garima Mishra
6. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
   
   - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
7. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
   
   - Ashvini Radhakrishna Reddy
8. Can Pakistan survive the Taliban? - Jagdeep S More
   
   
9. Can Pakistan survive the Taliban? - S Sarth Babu
   
   
10. The youth today - are they more impatient than a few decades ago.
    
    - Romila Chitturi

1. Varun Gandhi, the prodigal grandson? - Rohit M
2. The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - Nalin Sharma
3. Varun Gandhi, the prodigal grandson? - Pankaj Kumar Sinha
4. The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - S.SarathBabu
5. Women's Reservation Bill, a Forgotten Issue - Romila Chitturi
6. The IPL Cricket matches goes South Africa - Jagdeep S More

1. Films, Politics, and Criminals - Cinthya Anand
2. Elections in India, is it a waste of money? - Rohit Malpani
3. Elections in India, is it a waste of money? - Jagdeep Singh More

1. Obama Means Change - Sumit Kumar Singh
2. Obama Means Change - Jagdeep S More
3. Film like Slum Dog Millionaire - Do they damage India's Image?
   
   - Priyanka Gupta

1. India's growing influence around the Globe     - VAIBHAV JINDAL
   
2. Communal Politics & Caste Politics, Its Impact on the voter?
   
   - Bhadra Bharadwaj
3. India's growing influence around the Globe     - Animesh Choudhury
   
4. Communal Politics & Caste Politics, Its Impact on the voter?
   
   - Jagdeep S More
5. India's growing influence around the Globe     - S Sarath Babu

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