philosophical essay upsc examples

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• How to Prepare Philosophical Essays Topics for UPSC Mains

How to prepare for Philosophical essay topics for the UPSC Exam?

The UPSC Mains Exam consists of nine papers, one of which is an essay. The Essay Paper in the IAS Mains Exam is divided into two parts A and B, each containing four themes of 125 marks, for a total of 250 marks. Candidates must choose a topic from each area and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words in three hours. The essay paper is regarded as critical in deciding the ultimate outcome of a candidate’s selection and ranking.

Writing helps you to explore your own ideas, thoughts, and beliefs. What you put on paper will reveal to the reader how you argue, think, and defend your point of view. However, many candidates find essay writing to be a difficult task. Though one segment is relatively simple to tackle, with topics ranging from social, political, environmental, and economic aspects, writing an essay on philosophical topics is a huge challenge. In this article we will share some tips and tricks to approach a philosophical essay.

Selecting the topic for UPSC Essay

A good essay will undoubtedly have a variety of dimensions and components. There are certainly numerous fundamental guidelines for essay writing that should be followed when looking for these aspects and dimensions. The first and most important step is to choose a topic, particularly a philosophical one.

While choosing a topic, choose a topic on which you have sufficient knowledge and you can express yourself in 10-12 pages. If you are unfamiliar with a topic or do not have many dimensions to write upon, your ideas will be exhausted in 2-3 pages, and you will wind up repeating yourself. Unlike the GS topics or the current affair topics in the philosophical essay, marks will not be assigned purely based on the content of your essay but also, to its language, consistency, and organisation of your thoughts. Hence, select a topic on which you have sufficient information and on which you can express yourself really well. There are several concerns associated with how to address the philosophical topic in an effective and safe manner. This is what we are going to discuss in the next section.

Tips to write a Philosophical Essay for UPSC Exam

The idea of a philosophical essay for UPSC is not to use flowery language, use story-telling tactics, or surprise the examiner. The brilliance of a philosophical essay is found in your well-organised thoughts; the language you employ is just a powerful tool for communicating these ideas to the examiner. The subtle art lies in proving one’s points in a clear and concise manner.

Approaching the topic- the first thing after selecting the topic is deciphering or decoding the topic . Decoding the topic means drawing an outline of the essay before writing it. Outlining an essay entails determining what to say in the introduction/conclusion, which ideas come where, and even which quote to utilise for the essay, among other things. The knowledge of GS Paper-4 Ethics , can be used in writing this type of essay.

Defining essential concepts and connecting them will expand the scope of the essay. Furthermore, quotes, instances, reports, and stories greatly contribute to the attraction of philosophical works. Otherwise, simply writing philosophical thoughts becomes uninteresting in essays. For instance in the topic- “Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success”, one must have a firm grasp of the concepts of bravery, devotion, and achievement. And use these concepts to interlink with each other.

Adding dimensions to your essay- To make your essay comprehensive, it is important to cover more and more dimensions related to the subject. You can use the “ PESTLEE ” Approach (Political – Economic – Sociological – Technological – Legal – Environmental –Ethics Analysis). However, explaining each of these dimensions one should be extremely cautious about his/her ideological beliefs. The essay should not represent your viewpoint; instead, the topic should be written with a more rational approach. Keep the following points in mind when writing on the above dimensions-

• While writing an essay it is important to maintain the ideological balance that is required. When dealing with issues, one must also be democratic. When proposing remedies or analysing events or issues, the values of ‘freedom and equality’ should be the driving principles.
• Always adhere to and preserve Constitutional ideals throughout your essay. It is critical for a philosophical essay that the ideals contained in our Constitution are reflected in whatever topic, issue, or answer we explore. The viewpoint can be extra constitutional but not unconstitutional.
• Do not call into question the issue itself, which is to say, do not contradict yourself. Choose a stance (preferably, the middle approach) and stick to it throughout the essay.
• In general, one should avoid idealist or non compromising viewpoints. In reality, finding the middle ground is the greatest method to deal with difficult challenges. It is likewise important not to draw broad generalisations about any specific problem. Instead, while addressing or debating any specific issue, there should be suggestions of tolerance, fairness, and understanding.
• Never describe something as positive that is commonly perceived or used negatively, and vice versa.

Concluding your essay – For an effective conclusion, a ‘ cyclic return ‘ strategy is required. To put it another way, end concepts with the introducing ideas at the starting of your essay. It is critical to remember that a solid finish is just as vital as a strong start. Both are necessary for better scores, as is a fair amount of brainstorming.

Philosophical themes are more difficult to write about than others since they relate to so many complex concepts. This implies that, even if you address the core concept of the essay question in the UPSC exam, there may be essential components of it that you overlooked. Thus, using the PESTLEE approach will help you go over all the rewired dimensions, making your essay a comprehensive one.

Hopefully, the preceding article was informative, and it helps you to tackle the philosophical essays, ratio of which are increasing year by year in the UPSC exam. While essay writing takes time, with the above points reading the question attentively, analysing it, and writing it should be completed in a reasonable length of time.

Download UPSC Mains 2021 Essay Paper from the linked article.

Download UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper from the linked article.

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Essay on Philosophical Topic by Manoj K. Jha

Category: Essay,

Test Date: 20 Aug 2021 09:00 AM

Evaluated: Yes

To participate in answer writing program, Register yourself for the test. Copies will be evaluated only for the registered students. Registration will be closed before the scheduled date.

6 Days Answer Improvement Cycle

• Day 1: Questions will be uploaded on the portal on the scheduled date at 11:00 AM.
• Day 2 and 3: You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on UPSC pattern. After writing the answer, Click a picture of the answer sheet (Use CamScanner and ensure good quality images) and upload (in JPEG format) in the comment section of the same question.
• Day 4 and 5: After evaluation, copies will be re-uploaded on the same thread on 5th day. Based on these answers and feedback, aspirants can ask their doubts in the comment box and our experts will guide. The model hint will be uploaded on the site on Day 4.
• Day 6: Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty.

Instruction:

• Attempt  one essay
• The test carries 125 marks .
•  Write each essay in about 1000-1200 words .
• Any page left blank in the answer-book must be crossed out clearly.
• After Writing the Essay upload your copy in JPEG format in the comment box.
• Evaluated Copy will be re-uploaded on the same thread after 2 days of uploading the copy.
• Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty. You will be informed via mail or SMS for the discussion.

Essay #1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane.

(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).

Model Answer

Essay # 1 Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.

Three words of the title of the essay attract our attention- ‘long journey’, ‘human beings’ and ‘being humane’. True, life is a journey for all the creatures, small or big and human beings and other creatures passing through a life cycle marked by birth, growing, maturing, ageing and death. in this sense life is long. Human being refers to nature’s creation called Homo sapiens or man. Man is a unique creature in features, traits, individual and group behavior etc. All other animals are also recognized by their uniqueness. Their nature, essence and behavior are encoded in their DNA. We are born as human beings and remain so throughout the journey of life. Other animals also live as they are made to live. Human beings connote a species of animals, a social animal and a thinking being. Human beings have both good and evil inside them.  A human being becomes humane when he is able to bring out goodness under him for her/his individual uplift and betterment as well as well being of others. “Being humane” means one who is kind and compassionate; one who has sympathy and empathy for others; and one who loves, cares and shares.  

For human beings, life cannot be seen only in terms of years lived, but it should also be seen in terms of experiences in the life processes. A variety of experiences, feelings, and memories become part of human existence. Life for human beings is a beautiful journey giving different experiences through possibilities and constraints, rocky roads and lush green vales, sun and shadows, triumphs and failures and hopes and disappointments. This journey is full of alternate phases of adversity and prosperity, tears and smiles and “giving” and “getting.”  Being human is more than being a biological creation or animal. Like all other animals, human beings also face the existentialist questions of food, shelter, security and play and accordingly their responses to life are shaped. They compete and fight with other animals and fellow human beings for space and shelter, food and sex etc. with their natural intelligence and cunning. It is all about “animal spirit”.

Human beings are thinking animals. They have more and higher level of cognitive abilities than other animals. Therefore Being human also means having the ability to communicate systematically using words, symbols, body gestures/posture, and facial expressions. It also means the ability to make   decisions and bear the consequences, to be individuals and to be free in our choices and action and also to be part of different groups articulated  through racial, cultural, religious, and political categories. Human beings are also social animals and so they maintain relationship and exchanges with other fellow human beings and even other domesticated animals like cow, horse, birds etc.

Being human is, however, not about s lower level of existence. True that human beings are primarily guided by animal instincts, but they have the ability and readiness for thinking, reflecting, pondering and introspecting. They aspire for being more civilized and refined. This is where human beings are different from other animals. Human beings stand on a higher level of food chain as they are more leveraged to meet these existentialist needs due to a more developed mind. They can think, they can feel, they can express and they can communicate better and in more visible way than other animals do. Human beings take the opportunity to be more than a biological creation and uplift and refine themselves to a higher level of existence and make life more livable, beautiful, peaceful and happy.

In terms of existential needs human beings are like other animals, largely responsible for their own survival and security, selfish interests regarding food and nutrition and other material requirements. They have all attributes of animal, particularly animal instincts like aggression, possessiveness, fear, insecurity etc.However, human beings are social and emotional animal as well. They are intelligent and emotional and communicating creatures. Although all animals have their own way of communication, but human beings are more explicit in this regard, probably because we understand their language and gestures more. Even if we grant this,   despite likeness of human beings with other animals with regard to basic existentialist needs including procreation, food, security and shelter, they have much more developed mind and sensibilities than other animals.

Even aspiration for growth with unbound and unrealistic aspirations and without a genuine and good purpose it becomes a disease. Satisfaction and contentment are sure recipes for peace and happiness.  Edward Abbey puts it like this, “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” We need to be grounded in our dreams and desires and remain humane as well. There is no end to desire. You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars. John Dryden rightly says, “Jealousy is the jaundice of the soul.” Instead getting inspired by somebody’s achievements and good luck is a more positive approach. This fills our hearts with love for ourselves as well for others. There is no greater glory than love, nor any greater punishment than jealousy.

Inside human beings there is a psychological and social animal, an emotional being. In their biological features they are responsible only for their basic needs of survival. However, as psychological and social animal human beings also aspire to refine their sensibilities, emotions and actions so as to rise above the “animal instincts”.  Human beings, become humane in this process. Human beings do not just live their lives, but aim to make it better for all. They make efforts to bring out their goodness within and become humane from human beings. They make effort to be virtuous, ethical and moral and so to be just, fair and true. They care for all living and non-living beings as they consider them expression of the same source of existence, call it god or nature.

Human beings are noblest of all animals in their best and meanest of all animals in their worst. They have both good and evil inside them.  If they harness their goodness they become humane in the process.  At a higher plane being human is to be at the centre of our own universe, to experience life in all its colours and all its potential. This is what we want to celebrate with Being Human - the awe of being alive and the thrill of discovering what it means to be us, the greatest wonder in the world. Human beings have both good and evil inside them. When “human beings” are able to bring the “best virtues” inside them they “become humane”. That is how “being humane” is understood in general parlance.

Human beings have their aspirations and desire for material growth or success in career. Many of them are ready to give any price for growth including ignoring health and deviation from ethical behavior and virtues. Pursuit of growth is good if its purpose is excellence, but if it is winning for the sake of winning or satisfaction of ego, it will lead to loss of friends and well wishers; loss of self satisfaction and respect if it comes through unfair means; and finally disillusionment, frustration, anger and self hurt. Blind pursuit of self interest brings more stress than happiness and satisfaction, eventually leading to endless emptiness and pain. When our attitude towards life is acquisition and possessiveness and remaining ahead of others, we start living and dying in a comparative framework which leads to jealousy and envy. Trying to improve and successful is not bad, but madness for this is of no avail. Ultimately what counts is satisfaction and happiness. Socrates cautions thus: “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

Human beings become humane by harnessing their good innate qualities like kindness, compassion, sympathy, empathy and love towards fellow human beings and other creatures. In the process some human beings rise to a level that they see meaning, aesthetics and beauty even in inanimate objects around them and express this. The exchange and communication of human beings at a very high level may go beyond selfish limits and immediate surroundings. They may have a vision to see far and beyond the surrounding and living creatures in it. 

Human beings have infinite potential. Human beings can be noble at their best and the meanest at their worst. They can love and care. They can hate and kill. They are very strong and positive. They can explore their potential with enthusiasm, courage and endurance and surmount all obstacles. On the other hand they can be pessimists and have negative instincts like excessive possessiveness, anger, arrogance, contempt, jealousy, envy, and a weak, insecure and negative mindset. Their hearts are broken even when they face smallest of obstacles. Thus human beings have infinite potential. Some fall and falter amid crisis and some rise up. Some continue to hope and love no matter what and some always remain in an aggressive mode with anger, jealously and contempt.

There is nothing objectionable if human beings try to maximize their self interest. In a way protecting self interest is a moral obligation of every creature to nature, e.g., sustaining and securing the precious life. However, blind pursuit of self interest leads to cut throat competition leading to use of unfair means to realize our material goals. It may lead to greed and contempt. If we fail in realization of our unbridled self interest, this leads to stress, frustration, anger and contempt. And anger erodes us. It robs our wisdom and peace.  Raze blinds us. When revenge becomes the purpose of life, we become inhuman. We also lose peace. That is why Ralph Waldo Emerson says that for every minute we remain angry, we give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. Eventually blind pursuit of self interest not only hurts other’s interests, but also becomes an obstacle in being humane.

Once people are clear about the purpose and meaning of life, their journey to become humane begins. The first purpose is to be human and not a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu. The importance of this idea becomes clear in a quote of Santosh Kalwar: “My first world is humanity. My second world is humanism. And, I live in the third world being merely a human.” Humanity begins with empathy. Empathy is the ability to step outside of your own bubble and into the bubbles of other people. Empathy is the ability that allows us to be useful creatures on this planet; without empathy, we are a waste of oxygen in this world. Without empathy, we are lower than animals. Empathy is the ability that allows us the perception of things around us, outside of ourselves; so a person without empathy is a limited human being, someone who will only live half of a life.”

Being humane is journey towards self actualization and perfection. If human beings think, reflect and introspect they would be more aware about human weaknesses and then their journey to be humane begins. Al-Ghazzal  rightly points out, “Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be read to fight the enemy you can see.”

Being humane is like moving from power to love and it involves immense suffering. Being humane is possible only if we are filled with emotions and sensitivity. Emotional and sensitive people are often described as weak and outdated, but the fact is that emotions give life to life.Usually people who do not have courage and conviction do not hear the voice of their conscience and emotions; they are afraid of truth and suffering for it.  Emotions are an integral part of Being Humane. The strong characters are not afraid of their conscience, feelings and emotions. They choose to be humane even if it requires penance, suffering and sacrifice.Being humane is being the reason someone smiles. It means being the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.   It's enough to indulge and to be selfish but true happiness is really when you start giving back. For being humane it requires that we rise, above the clouds of ignorance, narrowness, and selfishness.

Life is indeed a long journey between human being and being humane. We cannot just afford to be primitive, selfish and just happy by meeting our existentialist needs. We need to love and getting loved. We need to feel the warmth of relationship and reciprocate it. We need to have a sense of contribution and giving back. We also want to excel and self actualize by being ethical and virtuous. We want to harness all goodness that god bestowed on us. True, life is a dilemma in so far as the exercising the option of remaining just a human being or allowing ourselves to become humane. There is choice and there are compulsions. The journey of life goes on with this dilemma. That is the complexity of life and that is its beauty. There is no better companion than wisdom and love in the journey of life.

Essay#2 Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society

The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.

James Baldwin

Individuals are generally driven by animal spirit and self-interest. They are also driven by a longing for freedom. Individuals try to realize their freedom goals by any means without paying much heed to consequences of their actions on society. Society on the other hand tries to set norms and conventions for saving the communities from disorder and anarchy. Society tends to develop conventions that guide and bind individuals in their day-to-day life to behave in a particular way. Such conventions, however, curtail freedom and free will. There is a perpetual conflict between individual interest and social interest and apparently it seems that what is best for individual is not the best for society.

Freedom is cherished by individuals as the most desirable goal, but state feels that freedom without reasonable restrictions leads to disorder and anarchy. In economic wisdom, saving and thrift is good for individuals, but at societal level if there is too much thrust on saving, it has an adverse effect on aggregate demand, which may lead to recession. In the theory of public finance, a difference is made between private finance and public finance Private finance aims at maximizing private benefits whereas public finance aims at maximizing social advantage. These examples show that what is best for individuals, may not always be the best for society.

With the advent of modernity and democracy and welfare state, a process of reconciliation between individual freedom and dignity and social obligation started. This reconciliation was made possible by adopting constitutional means and rule of law on one hand and civil right movements and civil societies’ intervention on the other hand. Some rights of the individuals were defined as non-negotiable fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and equality of opportunity. On the other hand, theory of social contract advocated giving up some individual rights for the benefit of social order.

Society is an agglomeration of individuals. The individuals, their values, their beliefs, their preferences and priorities, their actions, their culture, their mores and manners, etc. express the collective aspirations and collective will of a society. A society cannot be conceived without individuals. But the “collective” notion of society has come increasingly under pressure and in conflict with individual aspirations of freedom and personal well- being. The deviation between collective well-being and individual freedom became more prominent with evolution of individualism, capitalism and philosophies like existentialism and new concepts of justice, equality and welfare. There have been occasions, and more often than not, that individuals do not share the societal values and goals. They pursue their own self-interest rather than making sacrifices for the common good. Apparently, it seems agreeable that best for an individual may not be best for society.There are contexts in which collective action and well- being is important than individual thoughts and preferences.

Coming together should be considered something positive for people and communities. When thoughts come together, that can be more positive than an individual thought. Societies can do miracles together and if individuals and groups are divided, it saps the strength of a society for progress and change. Team India, for example is an oft used word to express the power of collective action. Collective actions make movements like “swadesi” or “Quit India Movement” during the freedom struggle, and “ChhotaParivar, SukhiParivaar” and “BetiBachao, BetiPadhao” in Independent India.

But the relationship is not so straight and simple. The society has an imprint on individuals and individuals have their bearing on society. The relationship, therefore, is both exclusive and mutual.In modern times, the dreams and aspirations of people may be believed to be articulated and expressed through democracy, but people even in democracy are not equally free and equipped to express and enjoy their freedoms as individuals. It is in fact, not the question of system, be it capitalism or socialism- but how responsive and responsible a system is towards aspirations of individuals for freedom, equality and justice that make a system good or bad. Capitalism is based on the principle of “laissez faire” and therefore, it is assumed that there is freedom of enterprise and choice, but these choices are limited by various forms of inequality. Socialism, on the other hand, is a collective or totalitarian system that does not permit creation of “billionaires” but aims at giving basic minimum needs to all the members of society through a system of government interventions, contrary to laissez faire. Thus, there are many who believe that in capitalism man exploits man while the reverse happens in socialism. No system is very conducive for freedom and dignity unless it decides to be so and remains committed to these ideals.

The above discussion leads us to some very pertinent questions. Are individuals’ interest and social interest mutually exclusively, contradictory and conflicting? Are individuals a product of a society or they influence and produce the society we have. Are individual and her/his aspirations are drawn from society or it is they who design it? These questions are not easy, nor are their answers! But there is a wide consensus among thinkers that society and individuals are bound by deep relations; individuals have their umbilical cord connected with society and society is made and unmade by its people- the values, shame and glory brought by individuals become that of society as a whole.

Individuals and societies are both- simultaneously mutually exclusive and inclusive. They are mutually exclusive with respect to freedom and creativity. Bruce Lee explains this idea succinctly thus: “Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system. They are mutually inclusive in terms of social obligation, collective responsibility and realization of shared dreams. Individuals, therefore, should be free to pursue their free will and self-interest but they should also not forget their social responsibilities and commitments. The society and state often pursue contradictory goals. What is conceived as individual’s natural or fundamental right, may be problematic for state. The former US President Thomas Jefferson recognized this conflict and said: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.”

It does not mean that individual acts are always guided by self-interest which is at loggerheads with social interest. People also stand up against social malaises and raise their voices of protests, lead movements for justice, change and progress which is in social interest in medium and long terms. But these people initially seem to be working against existing societal beliefs and interest. Notwithstanding their honest intentions, they are seen as villains in the beginning. These law breakers are eventually remembered as Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, BhimRaoAmbedkar, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, etc., because they rose against existing social norms for making the society better than they inherited.

All Individual voices for freedom, equality and justice, whether they are in consonance with society or not, are worth pursuing. People often break laws and social conventions to express their freedom or to ask for justice. About breaking the laws and conventions Martin Luther King Jr. said, “ I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.”

A society that nurtures individual freedom and creativity and creates good environment for individuals to realize their potential leads to wealth creation and empowerment of the poor, the weak and deprived. The most important institution which gives or robs freedom, equality, justice and dignity is society. The social values determine the state of human rights. State is making of society and a state is bound to act in accordance with social aspirations. A sensitive and responsible state is an expression of social values. Such a state empowers its people. The former Prime Minister of India AtalBihari Vajpayee rightly pointed out: “Empowering the individual means empowering the nation. And empowerment is best served through rapid economic growth with rapid social change.” All this is better possible through good governance and participatory democracy. The state may use various means like positive discrimination, subsidies, free education and health services, etc., to unleash the potential of vast majority and even minorities in the best interest of those individuals and nat positive ions.

Individuals can have initiative and drive for their personal growth and achievement, but they can also act as an agent of change, progress, equality and justice. An individual who is enhancing his capacity and bettering his performance is an asset for the country. A citizen who is paying taxes and complying with the rules and laws of the country is a good citizen. The capacity of an individual as positive agent of personal and social growth is immense. Producers are profit maximizers at individual levels, but they also need to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities. Individual nations need to create wealth, but for the global society they need to fulfill their sustainable development commitments. Individual attitude and mindset are very important for change and progress. Malaises like corruption, slavery, civil wars, exploitation of the weaker sections can be eradicated if individuals change their attitude.

Individuals can act as agents of change and progress by being truthful, honest and courageous. This is very nicely brought out by Jack Canfie: “One individual can begin a movement that turns the tide of history. Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, Mohandas Gandhi in India, Nelson Mandela in South Africa are examples of people standing up with courage and non-violence to bring about needed changes.” It is important what the men in a society think and do. A society becomes more livable and beautiful by the efforts of right intended and inspired men and women. Harry S Truman rightly pointed out: “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skilful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” Men thus work not only in their self interest, but also for social change and progress.

It is not possible to segregate individual from society and society from individual. They have a mutually reinforcing and complementary relationship- both regressive and positive. Crony capitalism is an example of regressive relationship between society, state and individual. Individual benevolence and an aware and law-abiding citizenry full of social commitment reflects a positive relationship. The relationship is two way - what individuals do matters to society and state and what society or state does matters to individuals. Good citizens make great nations and great nations care about freedom, equality and justice for people. Where states are responsive and sensitive and have constitutional remedies and complaint redressal system, individuals do not have discontent or grudge and they contribute in governance and efforts for growth and development. On the other hand, where citizens participate in politics, economy, and the society with democratic engagement and patriotism, the nation is bound to become strong and beautiful. To conclude we can remember Fredrick Douglas remarks: “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

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• Questions will be uploaded on the portal on the scheduled date at 7:00 AM.
• You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on the UPSC pattern.
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• After writing the answers, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload them in the upload section of the same question.
• Kindly submit your written answers before 7:00 PM. Only the first 100 copies will be considered for evaluation. No request for late submission or evaluation will be entertained once the 100 mark is reached.

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How to Write a Philosophical Essay for UPSC? Learn Some Pointers to Ace the Exam

Writing allows you to witness your own ideas, thoughts and beliefs. What you write on paper will reveal to the reader how you argue, think, and support your point of view. As a result, essay writing is required for the majority of academic entrance and competitive examinations.

Aspirants have a paper equivalent to the General Studies paper which also has a 250-point paper in the Civil Services Exam. Despite its importance, aspirants rarely give essay papers the attention they deserve.

First-timers believe they will write an excellent or outstanding essay on the final exam, whereas experienced candidates believe that because they have already studied extensively for GS, writing a good essay will be adequate. This is a fatal error in judgement. Let’s read some pointers in the article.

How to Write a Philosophical Essay for UPSC?

The essay differs from GS in that marks will be given solely on the basis of the content in GS. Examiners will pay close attention to not only the content, but also the language, coherence, and organisation of your essay.

As a result, you must take special care to organise your thoughts properly and avoid common spelling and grammatical errors.

UPSC Preparation for Essay

Nonfiction reading aids in the development of a mature thought process. They will allow you to come across good art of argumentation, figures of speech, powerful unique and rhetoric content, among other things, in addition to imparting knowledge.

You can refer to specific issues of EPW/Yojana/Economic Survey, etc. for specific topics. For example, if you’re writing an essay about tribal issues or public health, you can look through specific issues of these magazines to get the most up-to-date statistics (malnutrition levels, MMR, IMR, and so on) as well as information about the drawbacks and benefits of government programmes in those areas.

Also Read: Essay on ‘Secularism in India’ for UPSC: Present Your UPSC Essay Topics in the Best Way

Essay Tips for UPSC Exam Preparation

The language used in the writing should be simple and straightforward, with as little jargon as possible. If you want to use complex definitional terms like “Constitutionalism”, government policies, etc., define them in a sentence before using them.

The examiner will also be able to understand exactly what you’re trying to say. Writing clearly is the equivalent of thinking clearly. And that is exactly what a reader is looking for.

Keep your sentences succinct and to the point. It’s difficult to read and understand because of the long, winding sentences. When you use conjunctions to add one clause after another, you end up with a bad sentence sprawl.

It is not necessary to memorise complex words in order to write well. However, using a strong word or a clever phrase every now and then will give your article an edge.

Furthermore, believe that memorising a large number of words will not help them stick in your mind for very long. Reading English newspapers and nonfiction is the best way to expand your vocabulary.

If you come across a good turn of phrase or a word you don’t recognise while reading these, please jot it down in a book, look up its definition, and understand the context in which it was used. Long-term memory is aided by this. It also helps to have a dictionary or grammar app on your phone.

Avoid These Mistakes

Don’t put too much emphasis on a single point or dimension (such as the political or historical aspect) Your writing should be broad in scope and multi-dimensional in nature. We read a lot during the preparation process, so it’s understandable that we have strong feelings about certain topics. And, because writing allows you to write freely, it’s easy to get carried away with a topic like this.

But make sure you write what the question is, not what you think or feel. No, always stick to the topic’s main point. It’s a good suggestion to read the topic in the middle of your writing to make sure you’re not leaving track.

Also Read: Essay on ‘Poverty’ for UPSC: Improve UPSC Essay Topics Writing Skill with Ease

Avoid such questions if you are uncomfortable writing about abstract philosophical topics. Your topic selection has no bearing on your grades, so picking an unpopular topic just for the sake of it is a bad idea. Also, if the question contains a technical term, double-check that you understand it.

There will be no ranting. If there is a question about capitalism, do not rant or rail against it, even if you are a big fan of Karl Marx. You must present both the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism, and the writing must end on a balanced note.

Don’t spend an exaggerated amount of time on the initial writing and rush through the second. Both are worth the same quantity of points, so please dedicate the same amount of time to them.

How to Write a Good Introduction for an Essay?

The following is an example of an introduction:

a made-up story or event(in which you introduce a character or protagonist);

a quote; a true story; or a straightforward definition of the words in the question (not recommended in writing)

In GS, using a definitional approach to introduce your answers is a great way to get started. However, in writing, they are rather stale and devoid of any human element. We always believe that having a touch of warmth and humanity in your introduction is a good way to start your writing.

Introduction to Social Media Essay

In the same way, the introduction to the Social Media essay aimed to highlight the paradox of social media.

These anecdotes, true stories, and incidents can be found in abundance in our books and newspapers. So, as you come across them, jot them down and consider how you can incorporate them into your writing.

Also Read: Climate Change Essay: Step by Step Guide to Ace UPSC Writing Topic

How to Write the Body Content?

It’s like making a web out of a thread. Depending on the topic, you can select the best option from the list below.

Past, present, and future are all examples of temporal concepts.

Media, business, science and technology, politics, sports, religion, and administration, to name a few.

Family, Individual, Workplace, Community, Society, National, and Global Problem & Solution: Concept (historical evolution+status), Problems, Benefits, and Solutions

Social, administrative, political, economic, historical, environmental, scientific, security/defence, international, and legal standards are all applicable.

Each para in the main body must contain an argument or an idea, as well as reasoning to support that argument. You can back it up with a real-life example, a legitimate committee, a statistic, or organisational report, and so on.

Statistics, expert opinions, examples, and constitutional provisions are all important, and they lend authority to your arguments.

Concluding an Essay

The conclusion should end on a positive, futuristic note. You must summarise the entire essay in three to four sentences, after which you must write your future vision.

The speeches of Prime Minister Modi can provide you with some useful terms. Reform-Perform-Transform, Building A New India, Sabka saath saath vikas, and other phrases can be useful. To conclude your essay, use lofty expressions, rhetoric, Sanskrit slokas, constitutional ideals, and quotes.

However, if you mentioned a fictional character in your introduction, it’s always a good idea to end your article with a reference to that character. It gives the writing a sense of completion.

Also Read: Uniform Civil Code in India: Suggestions, Challenges and Essay for UPSC Notes

Think Before You Write

You shouldn’t start writing right away after you’ve chosen your topic. It’s a good idea to pause for a moment and collect your thoughts. Make a list of the points you want to make in pencil. This is critical because only then will you be able to write your points in the correct order.

For example, if you’re writing about India’s relations with its neighbours, you should start with historical facts and events. Assume you begin writing the essay and realise only near the end that you have forgotten to include a critical historical detail; it would be too late to add it due to a space constraint. As a result, it is beneficial to write down your rough points first.

Important Pointers

# Don’t use slurs or insults. In your essay, never get too personal.

# Don’t hold extreme opinions. The Buddha’s middle path can assist you in this situation!

# Don’t just make a list of problems. Also, provide possible reforms/solutions.

# Don’t be too harsh on the government or administration.

# Your essay should not be provocative, even if the topic is. Create a picture that is well-balanced. You are not obligated to agree with the topic.

# Write utopian solutions sparingly.

# Remember, you’re a future officer, not a reporter!

Essay writing is a part of our daily preparation at UPSC Pathshala . There is a ‘Question Sheet’ for every 3-4 days of study that contains extremely difficult 3-4 subjective questions to attempt. Your mentor evaluates these on a regular basis. This continues throughout the entire year! In a year, you write about 350 responses. By that time, presenting your ideas in a logical manner has become second nature to you.

Hopefully, the preceding article was instructive and you now understand how to structure your essay. While essay writing takes time, reading the question carefully, comprehending it, and then revising it should be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time. These are some crucial steps that should be taken in the examination hall.

Also Read: Valuable Essay Writing Tips for UPSC that One Should Follow: Guide to Write a Perfect Essay

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Amiksha is a budding Content Writer. A young writer who has written over 250 poems and quotes and also an author of a famous Wattpad novel named “Ma and the Magical Kingdom” and always sets her goals high with her determination like the sky. Her mother is her inspiration and her family is her biggest support. She has her interest in writing, reading novels and craft. She has developed her hardworking and disciplined persona from her mother. She is very out going and loves travelling, trekking and hiking. She believes in the quote “Creativity lies in actions not experience

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Essay Question Paper – UPSC Mains 2023

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

Last updated on January 8, 2022 by Alex Andrews George

UPSC conducted the  Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2021 on 07-01-2022.

There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000 words for each essay (about 10-12 pages).

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2021 Instructions

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the admission certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this question-cum-answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided.
• No marks will be given for answers written in the medium other than the authorized one.
• Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.

Essay Question Paper – UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2021

Write  two  essays, choosing  one  topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:

1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.

2. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.

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3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.

4. The real is rational and the rational is real.

5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

6. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

7. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

8. There are better practices to “best practices”.

Most of the essays topics this year were philosophical and open to the interpretation of the candidates. However, considering the philosophical base of the questions, most candidates found the questions tricky. It was not easy to write 1000 words on each topic within the time constraints.

UPSC has ensured that the essay topics were much different from the GS questions.

A philosophical theme is clearly evident in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B. This was the case in 2020 as well. However, this year it became much more prominent. It is a clue about what UPSC expects from the essay paper.

Rather than asking candidates to write on topics most aspirants are familiar or trained with, UPSC is now evaluating the essay writing skills of aspirants by providing them with abstract or philosophical topics.

The reason for such a shift in the pattern should be the change in the focus of the Commission.

All the 8 topics presented this year will test spontaneous thinking, comprehension, writing skills, and time-management of aspirants.

Repeated questions from previous years

The importance of the previous year UPSC questions cannot be stressed more.

Just like prelims, in mains too many questions came directly repeated from previous year question papers. Also, there were themes you often see in many essay books.

One such question was Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Thinkers, Philosophers, and their Quotes

Let’s analyse the source of some of the question topics.

Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.

This essay topic was a quote going rounds on the internet. The quote is attributed to “Coach Bobbi” [Bobbi Chegwyn] on Facebook.

Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.

This essay topic was connected with J.K. Mehta’s Theory of Wantlessness!

This has also connections with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy.

The real is rational and the rational is real.

This is a quote by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel .

As per Hegel, something can be real, yet it may not exist. Also, something may not be real, it may still exist. For Hegel, reality does not mean existence.

Among philosophers, Hegel is one whose thought is extremely difficult to understand. Often to understand Hegel’s thoughts, we need to grasp his ideas, not in isolation but together with his dialogue with other philosophers, in particular, Aristotle and Kant.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World” is a poem by William Ross Wallace that praises motherhood as the preeminent force for change in the world. The poem was first published in 1865 under the title “ What Rules the World “.

What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

This is a quote by Will Harvey . Will Harvey (born 1967) is an American software developer and Silicon Valley entrepreneur.

History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

It was Karl Marx who said that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.

First, it’s a tragedy because it shouldn’t have happened. Then it’s a farce (joke) because we didn’t learn from our mistakes the first time around. This is Marx’s version of dark humour.

What should aspirants preparing for next year do for an essay paper?

First of all, you should take the essay paper seriously.

Unless properly trained, it is not easy to write 10-12 pages on an abstract or philosophical topic.

You need to polish your comprehension and analytical skills.

Read different kinds of essays – particularly philosophical essays.

Give stress to the thoughts of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Niche, Karl Marx etc. Start writing essays on famous quotes.

Also, be prepared to write essays touching other areas like society, polity, economy, or technology. UPSC is known for surprises.

Remember that there is nothing like a constant trend with respect to UPSC questions.

What you get by analysing the previous year question papers are clues. And only those are what you need from UPSC questions!

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

January 8, 2022 at 11:36 am

Upsc has chosen right path to evaluate person.one person read, listen ,rember and write in exam.He qualify exam.He is just like computer.worthy less people selected by upsc every year.They are not thinker.so our country is intellectually insolvent.civil services requires thinker to. progess country and welfare of common man.These types of question evaluate intellectual for the welfare of human being.

January 9, 2022 at 1:44 pm

You are putting the quality of a leader and a literate society in such a person who just has to follow his supremes.He/She must be a good analyst. That’s it!!!

June 13, 2022 at 12:41 pm

in the bureaucracy – there is no space for logical thinking.

once you clear the exams and get appointed – you have to follow the “protocol’ or “procedures” – its difficult to be analytical and innovative – bcos the system demands obedience and adherence to the protocol. If you follow the protocol – and even if lot of people are severely affected – you wont be taken to task. But if you are innovative – and even if ONE person gets affected – you will be punished.

January 8, 2022 at 4:02 pm

Yeah!I’ve passed upsc .

January 25, 2022 at 2:21 pm

I have written Essay on three topics..how may I share?

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HOW TO WRITE PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAY FOR UPSC?

In this article, we have covered strategy of Philosophical Essay for UPSC.

Essay writing itself is a daunting task for many aspirants. Though the one section is somewhat easy to handle, which has topics from social, political, environmental and economic aspects; but when it comes to philosophical topics, it is a herculean task to write an essay on this.

A philosophical essay for UPSC is not about flowery language, story-telling techniques, or surprising the examiner. The art of a philosophical essay is found in your orderly fashioned ideas; the language that you use is only a potent weapon for conveying these ideas to the examiner. The subtle art is in proving one’s views in a crystal clear manner.

There are various challenges which are attached to it, and how to handle the philosophical topic in ‘effective’ and ‘safely’ . We are going to discuss in our coming talks. I purposefully called ‘safely’ because the ground is so slippery, slight deviation or flow of emotion, may put you in great trouble.

Selection of topic

Any good essay will definitely have a plethora of elements and dimensions to it. For essay writing, there are obviously several basic rules that one should follow while searching for these elements and dimensions. First and foremost thing is selection of the topic , especially in philosophical one.

If you are not very well versed with a selected topic, ideas will be exhausted in 2-3 pages, and you will end in repetition of ideas. So choose that topic where you can express yourself in 10-12 pages.

Decoding the topic

Another important aspect is deciphering the topic i.e. decoding the topic . Ethics GS paper comes out as savior here helps you to outline basic points i.e. periphery of the essay and before writing the essay, it is best to outline it.

To outline an essay means to figure out what to say in the introduction/conclusion, which idea comes where, or even what quote to use for the essay etc. It is said that once we can figure out the conclusion to our essay, it becomes much easier to not only begin but finish it with confidence .

For example, in this 2019 essay topic, “ Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success ”. One must have a clear understanding of courage, dedication and success. Courage and dedication etc. are exhaustively explained in the Ethics papers, one need to use definition and attached features to it.

Defining the key terms and interlinking them with each other will open dimensions for essay. In addition to that, quotes , examples, reports and anecdotes immensely help to make philosophical essays interesting. Otherwise merely writing philosophical ideas makes essays boring.

PESTLEE dimensions Approach

Moreover various examples from the public sphere support your argument in the most effective manner. One should proceed with PESTLEE dimensions Approach (Political – Economic – Sociological – Technological – Legal – Environmental –Ethics Analysis).And one should be very-very cautions regarding his ideological leaning while discussing these dimensions. Your ideology should not be reflected in the essay, content should be written in a more rational manner.

Here, the first of such rules would be to follow and uphold Constitutional values throughout your essay . This is quite crucial for a philosophical essay that the values enshrined in our Constitution reflect in whatever idea, problem or solution we discuss in the essay. At no point should one try and support an idea that is unconstitutional, it can be extra constitutional but not unconstitutional.

Ideological leaning may do wonder if it matches with examiner ideology or thinking process, it can damage to a larger extent if it differs .So ideological balancing is indispensable. One must also be democratic while addressing issues . The concepts of ‘freedom and equality’ should be the guiding principles while suggesting solutions and while criticizing events or issues.

Generally, one should avoid taking absolutist/non-compromising positions . In fact, the best way to handle complex problems is to find the middle ground. One must also try not to make sweeping generalizations on any given issue. Instead, there should be hints of patience, justice and understanding in addressing or discussing any given topic.

Lastly, there are two more things that one needs to keep in mind while attempting the CSE essay. (A) Do not question the topic itself, which is to say, in other words, do not contradict yourself. Pick a position (ideally, the middle path) and stay true to this throughout the essay. (B) Never use positively, things that are universally considered or used in a negative sense, and vice-versa. For example , one must not say that ‘terrorism’ under certain conditions is equivalent to a freedom struggle, even though quotes like ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ are quite common.

In a nutshell, it is suggested that ethics paper should be prepared comprehensively, which would help philosophical essays in terms of brainstorming. . And one must follow a ‘ cyclic return’ approach for strong introduction and conclusion .i.e. conclude ideas with introductory ideas . It is important to note that a strong finish is as important as a strong opening. Both are important for scoring better marks along with adequate amount of brainstorming .

How to Write Essay For UPSC Exam?

HOW TO WRITE ESSAY FOR UPSC ON CURRENT ISSUES?

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Essay (UPSC Mains) – Previous Year Questions

• Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
• Not all who wander are lost.
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands — two equally harmful disciplines.
• Mathematics is the Music of Reason.
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Value based / Ethical Issues

• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Philosophical

• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
• You can not step twice in the same river.
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for.

Miscellaneous / Mixed

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. (Environment / Economics)
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world ( Literature / Socio-political-economic impacts)
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man ( History / Values / Philosophy)
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
• Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
• The real is rational and the rational is real.
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

History / Culture

• History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

Science and Technology

• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
• There are better practices to “best practices”. ( Multiple Themes )
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. ( Philosophy / Technology)
• Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
• Ships do not sink because of water around them; ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.

Social Issues

• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations ( Technology / International Relation ).
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be.
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success.
• Wisdom finds truth.
• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities.
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.

Science & Technology

• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
• A people that value its privileges above its principles lose both.
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values.
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life.
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.

Environment

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.

IR & Security

• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task.
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium Domain.
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multi-polar world Domain.
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India Domain. ( Agriculture )
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India Domain.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

Polity & Governance

• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws Domain.
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
• Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run Domain.
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms.
• Water disputes between states in federal India Domain.
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality India.
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. ( Technology / Economy)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare Domain. ( Technology / Economy / Social Sector)
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
• Quick but steady wins the race.
• Technology cannot replace manpower.
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. ( Education / Ethics)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. ( Morality / Economics)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility.
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
• Are the standardized tests, good measure of academic ability or progress?
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. ( Multiple themes )
• Fifty Gold’s in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? ( Sports / Governance )
• Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? ( History / Culture / Growth & Development / Ethics )

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Philosophy of Wantlessness is Utopian, While Materialism is a Chimera

• 07 Sep 2022
• 10 min read

“Earth Provides Enough to Satisfy Every Man's Needs, but Not Every Man's Greed.” - Mahatma Gandhi

According to materialist philosophy, the individual is intended to despise himself and be happy only after acquiring all of the commodities of desire. But do we truly hate ourselves while we are alive? Do we wish to be happy only when our lives are over? Materialism is a philosophy that contradicts the basic principles of the human mind.

The Indian way of life inculcates in itself religion and ethics. Religion teaches that people should be wantless and selfless, this is the basic requirement for a happy and satisfied life. Human tendency is to live a life full of luxury. A luxurious life is based on power and money, and it is the most profound want of people's lives. Throughout life people are running behind these two wants i.e., Power and Money. Wants and wishes first would appear in people's imaginations and then surface more abundantly as a cause of misery when they are unable to fulfill them. Furthermore, as soon as a desire is satisfied, a feeling occurs in their mind for repeated satisfaction of the desire, as well as the generation of many other allied units. Thus, the fulfillment of a desire gives rise to a new set of desires, which leads to a new cause of misery if the needs and desires are not met. This never-ending cycle of satisfying one wants to satisfy another continues indefinitely. As a result, satisfying a want does not complete the circle of desire and suffering.

A wantlessness is the state of mind in which there is no chance of arousing pain or getting pleasure. Happiness is the finest word to describe how one feels in such a state of mind. Happiness is more than merely the absence of sorrow, it is a state of being free of pain. When pain is eliminated, happiness is maximized. As a result, happiness is the final goal of human conduct. Pleasure, on the other hand, is merely a means to an end. It is more likely that happiness will be attained when pleasure is maximized. It might be said that someone is in a state of wantlessness when they have reached a degree of fulfillment and feel empty. As a result of ceasing to respond to stimuli as usual, they no longer have any needs or wants, and hence don't require any effort to be satisfied. To begin with, new cravings originate from our worldly needs for so-called luxuries. When these luxuries become a part of our routine, they become necessary for our comfort. It not only becomes a necessity but also a cause of pain. One must overcome flaws and impurities in order to uncover their true self.

One should not let their desires control them. To achieve this state of wantlessness, one must first govern one's physical existence by comprehending the momentary nature of happiness derived from desires outside one's core demands.

The concept of materialism implies that one may find satisfaction via the accumulation of commodities, which opposes the existential belief that life itself cannot be found in external things. Wantlessness enables people to let go of their reliance on external sources of happiness. According to the materialist worldview, the only way to be happy is to get all of one's wishes. It opposes the concept of self-love as well as the concept of self-respect and self-guidance by rejecting the concept of self-respect.

Materialism is an unreasonable goal that will always be out of reach. In life, the desire to be happy is more important than the pursuit of materialism. We should strive for a life with few desires rather than a life without desires. It is difficult to live a life without desire. The goal of a life without want is only feasible if we can recognize and eliminate what we want.

Materialism, according to research, makes individuals feel more competitive, manipulative, and selfish toward others, as well as less sympathetic. Materialism ultimately promotes individualism. The basic goal of materialism is to satisfy self-centered goals and aspirations. Materialistic ideology is preoccupied with vested interests.

In the current situation, spiritual leaders are essentially encouraging a sense of wantlessness, selflessness, and materialism all at the same time. Various modern spiritual gurus promote wantlessness via religion and meditation, yet often charge excessive fees to individuals who attend their spiritual and meditative sessions. Religion and religious instruction are today pushed on the corporate foundation, or in other words, corporatization of religion is taking place.

Buddha was probably right when he observed that desire is the root of misery. It's not hard to understand how it relates to a consumerism-driven way of life. Never being satisfied by what you have will just make you crave more. There should be a clear mindset that materialism does not make you happy in the long term. Materialism is only able to provide you happiness in the short term and temporarily. Once materialism is seen for what it is, materialism loses its appeal. A conscious knowledge about materialism will only be possible through the exploration of one's inner self. There is a need to explore knowledge through introspection and being directed towards the inner self. We have a wide range of desires, but we are constrained in our ability to fulfill our desires. If we have too many goals in our life then it will lead to distraction and we will not be able to focus anywhere. If we have too many things to do then our energy will drain out and nothing will be achieved. The problem is not a lack of desire, but rather that we urge too much. The problem is that we desire too much rather than not enough. Although we lack funds, we wish to make money. Although we want to marry, we haven't found the appropriate individual. We don't have the funds to support our desire to attend college. Despite not knowing how, we want to be happy.

They are the reformers, the change agents, the people who feel that things can be improved. They are the ones who are optimistic about the future. They are the ones who desire the unthinkable. But we can't have it all. We will never have a perfect planet. We can only hope for a better world.

In conclusion, the wantless ideology is idealistic. The materialist school of thought is a chimera. The truth is that we don't need anything to live, materialists argue that you do need certain things to survive. While many objects may make life easier, they are not strictly necessary for survival.

“All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore, love for love's sake, because it is the only law of life, just as you breathe to live.” ------ Swami Vivekananda

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Philosophical Essay Writing by Mudit Jain, IRS is a comprehensive guide designed to help aspirants excel in the essay paper of the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services examination. With a focus on philosophy, Mudit Sir provides a step-by-step approach to crafting compelling essays, covering topics such as ethical dilemmas, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, and epistemology. Drawing upon his extensive experience and expertise, Jain offers practical tips, examples, and guidance on developing a strong thesis, structuring arguments, and connecting philosophical concepts to real-world scenarios. This book emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication, equipping readers with the skills needed to articulate profound ideas and succeed in the civil services examination. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced candidate, "Philosophical Essay Writing" is an invaluable resource that will elevate your performance and boost your confidence in tackling the essay paper.

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Writing a Philosophical Essay - UPSC PDF Download

• Most aspirants find the philosophical and quote-based essays challenging for many reasons. To begin with, philosophical topics are not directly related to the GS syllabus and the questions are so abstract that, as we write, we feel a lingering sense of doubt if our interpretation of the question is correct. Also, with philosophical essays, sometimes, we tend to blank out in the middle for lack of content. Most importantly, these essays bring out the tendency among aspirants to steer away from the topic and write what comes to mind at that moment, rather than what is asked. Or towards the conclusion, they realise they missed out on some key points which makes them completely unhappy with their effort.
• All these are valid problems. Hence, it is generally recommended that if you are not comfortable writing such topics and you have an option to leave them out, don’t think twice before skipping them.
• But, in the past few years, UPSC is leaving aspirants with no choice but to attempt this essay as one set of questions is filled with philosophical topics. UPSC might be insisting on giving a philosophical essay as otherwise people end up writing two 1200 word GS answers, which often do not test their writing skills in terms of creativity and expression.
• Therefore, given the necessity, aspirants should now be comfortable with writing essays on philosophical topics.
• Before you choose a topic, understand the statement clearly. Sift through all the questions and opt for the one you are most comfortable with. For instance, compare these two questions asked in 2018 Mains:

Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both

•   Even by the philosophical-essay standards, the first one is toward the far end of the abstractness spectrum. These types of topics are best avoided. The more vague and abstract the topic, the harder it is to generate points on it. Hence, between two or more options, always pick the topic that you can make better sense of.
• Once you understand the statement and have chosen a topic, make use of the following guidelines to structure the essay. Of course, there is no one best answer for writing philosophical topics. The following method is just one of the myriad ways you can write an effective essay (feel free to improvise). Here are some pointers:

INTRODUCTION

A real-life anecdote is the best way to start a philosophical essay. The anecdote must be concise yet be relevant to the topic at hand. In brainstorming sessions, think of such anecdotes that best illustrate the topic. For instance, here is my introduction for the topic:

Q. Change is the end result of all learning

In the 1980s, the Govt of Tamil Nadu was confronted with a serious problem. Education levels of school-going children kept dwindling and the dropout ratio became unacceptably high. The govt had commissioned a detailed study through which it learnt that ill-health and acute malnutrition were the primary causes of falling education standards and high dropout ratio. The state govt decided to introduce a unique scheme to solve the problem— the now popular mid-day meal scheme. Within a couple of years, the education levels started rising and the drop-out ratio was firmly kept in check. Even today, as Jean Dreze observes, the mid-day

meal scheme is the primary reason for the high performance of Tamil Nadu in primary education, compared to any other state.

  This incident proves the age-old saying that change is the end result of all learning. Both learning and change are indispensable in order for us to be better humans, build better societies, and shape great nations.

MAIN BODY (ELABORATION + ANALYSIS)

The abstractness of philosophical and quote-based essays cuts both ways. On one hand, you don’t have anything concrete to write about. But on the other hand, they offer you considerable freedom to choose the structure and content of your essay. The examiners also read your essay with an open mind because they know that there can’t be just one way of writing such essays. So for philosophical essays, you determine the interpretation, the outline and the flow of it. Here’s a useful way to build the main body for this kind of essay. Main body essentially has two parts: elaboration and analysis.

ELABORATION

• Philosophical essay topics tend to be general truths that we all agree upon. Therefore, you can’t write arguments for and against such statements. In such a scenario, one useful way to build the essay is to elaborate the statement in various contexts and amplify the given statement. Also, substantiating each context with examples will make the essay more persuasive.
• While elaborating the statement in different contexts, do not restrict it to a narrow reading of the statement. Give it a liberal interpretation and express it creatively.

Once you elaborate the statement in various contexts, the next segment in the essay will be an analysis of the topic. This can be accomplished by generating two or three critical questions on the topic. These analysis questions usually deal with the what, when and the how of the topic, and the issues/problems associated with that topic. Each paragraph should be a brief discussion on that question.

In the analysis section, if you had discussed any problems, issues or obstacles concerning the topic, then ideally, you must address them in the conclusion by suggesting solutions. That way, conclusion assumes an optimistic tone with a vision for a better future.Finally, end the essay with a rhetorical paragraph.

To sum up, a general framework for a philosophical essay is as follows:

• Anecdotal introduction
• Main body— Exploration of the concept in various contexts
• Main body— Analysis of the statement by discussing important questions
• Conclusion— Solutions and suggestions for a better future
• Conclusion— A rhetorical paragraph

Talk about the 2008 Financial crisis and narrate how what was best for individual firms (cheap credit, subprime lending, higher profits) turned out to be disastrous for the society.Which goes on to prove that what is best for an individual person or organisation may not necessarily be best for the society.

Elaboration of the statement in the Main body (400-500 words)

• Political : How vote-buying and rigging may be beneficial for an unscrupulous politician, but has devastating consequences for a democratic society.
• Constitutional: Personal liberty is best for an individual but unchecked freedom for an individual is not the best for a society. For example, the constitution under Art 19 imposes reasonable restrictions on speech that incites violence.
• Historical: World Wars were fought for the selfish interests of a few powerful individuals, and ended in catastrophic consequences for humanity.
• Economic: Laissez-faire capitalism is best for wealthy entrepreneurs and privileged people, but it doesn’t ensure equality or social justice for everyone.
• International: UNSC as it exists is in the best interest of a small set of nations. They get to call the shots and veto a decision. But this isn’t helpful for global security, as the Syrian crisis shows.
• Environmental: What has been best for individual species (humans) is now wreaking havoc with the global climate, causing irreparable damage to the planet.

Don’t confine yourself to these contexts or examples. Think of interpreting the statement in other sectoral dimensions such as Business, Media, Science & Tech, Government, Sports etc and add your own examples. This exercise will help tremendously.

Analysis (200-250 words)

  What drives the interest of an individual— money, personal growth, well-being, freedom etc.

What is in the interest of the society— equality, fairness, justice etc.

What causes the divergence between the individual and societal interest— unchecked power, opaque laws, unfair policies, decadent institutions etc.

Conclusion (400-500 words)

• How can we align the interests of the individual with those of the society? — Strengthening independent institutions, sharing of accountability, balance of power, checks and balances, democratic consensus etc.,
• A summary paragraph to bring your whole write up together. It must briefly recap your central point in 3-4 sentences.A rhetorical paragraph to end the essay.

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UPSC ESSAY TOPICS PHILOSOPHY ISSUES- DAY 5

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words. (125 words)

1. The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.

अंत तब तक जरिये को औचित्य दे सकता है जब तक कि कुछ ऐसा होता है जो अंत को औचित्य देता है।

2. We suffer more in imagination than in reality.

हम वास्तविकता की तुलना में कल्पना में अधिक पीड़ित हैं।

3. If a man knows not which port he sails, no wind is favourable.

यदि कोई आदमी नहीं जानता कि वह कौन से बंदरगाह पर जाना चाहता है, तो कोई हवा अनुकूल नहीं है।

4. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.

जब हम किसी स्थिति को बदलने में सक्षम नहीं होते हैं, तो हमें खुद को बदलने के लिए चुनौती दी जाती है।

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UPSC Essays Simplified: Structure and Flow of a good essay– the third step

How to build a 'structure and flow' in a good essay our expert takes you through the third stage of writing an essay in upsc essentials' new series. don't miss the essay exercise towards the end of the article..

How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams?   This is one of the most popular questions among aspirants. In UPSC Essentials’ special series  UPSC Essays Simplified , we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed,  Manas Srivastava  talks to  Ravi Kapoor , our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss  ‘The Essay Exercise’  towards the end of the article.

Ravi Kapoor focuses on the following steps of pre-writing and writing stages which will help aspirants to write a ‘good essay’.

Today, we will focus on Step 3. 

About our Expert:   Ravi Kapoor IRS (R) , has now ditched his coveted rank of deputy commissioner and has offered free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.

How to have a ‘Structure and Flow’ in a good essay?

Everyone knows that an essay should be broken down into an introduction, body and conclusion. But what is written inside these 3 components and HOW it is written makes the difference between an essay fetching average or excellent scores.

Structuring and flow refer to the organisation of the essay and your ideas therein.

A good structure is a way of organising information that fits well with the essay topic and the ideas you wish to present in your arguments such that the reader can make sense of the entire write-up without much effort.

Good flow refers to how your arguments and counterarguments connect from one to another such that the reader finds it logically connected and easy to comprehend.

An essay without these elements will appear to be disorganized, jargoned, hard to comprehend and overall, complicated.

Contrary to popular belief, flow and structure are not subjective writing skills that are inborn in good writers but can be learned and improved upon. What follows is a series of structuring techniques that will help you choose the best one for any essay topic you may encounter.

What are different types of structures? 

1. 2 side face-off:.

This is the oldest trick in the book. While writing the body of the essay, you divide it into arguments and counterarguments. In other words, you compare one side of the debate with the other.

For example:

“Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team”

The body of the essay can be divided into 2 parts- one agreeing with the statement and one disagreeing with it as follows:

Thinking is reciprocal as thought builds on other thoughts. The Socratic method, championed by Socrates, is a testament to this idea. Socrates would go around Athens spreading knowledge by asking questions and inciting dialogue which would lead the conversationist to the point of realization about something new and profound.

Similarly, when Einstein said he was standing on the shoulders of giants, he meant that his theory of relativity was built using many ideas developed by mathematicians and physicists who came before him.

The reciprocal nature of thought helps to improve it by allowing dissent and counterarguments much like a game of chess. An example is the Case study pioneered by Harvard Business School wherein one case is debated upon in detail considering various strategies before arriving at the optimal one.

While dissent and opposition can lead to many a good idea, there are more ways for thought to develop into ideas within human consciousness. Human cognition is too complex to be restricted to one mode of thinking. A Case in point is intuitive or creative thinking that can arise spontaneously without the interlocking of two human intelligences.

For instance, creative geniuses often hit upon their best ideas out of the blue in ‘Eureka’ moments that seem to arise from within the subconscious mind without the presence of an opponent.

Another example is ‘thought-experiments’ used by philosophers that are designed to be introspective exercises that one engages with, with oneself. Thought experiments are indispensable tools for philosophers and physicists to offer insight into a profound problem of logic and metaphysics.

2.Dimensional analysis:

It has become fashionable to break the essay topic into various dimensions such as Social, Cultural, Historical, Economic etc. But this is not a one-size-fits-all method and may or may not work with every essay topic.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in the school…”

While this topic can be written about based on various dimensions such as economic, historical, social etc, it is not necessarily the best structure for it.

Instead, a better way to present the information in this essay topic would have a mix of chronology and analysis in the following way-

We are blank slates when we are born onto which society and culture leave their imprint. Through childhood and adolescence, the education system seeks to put us through a treadmill of learning, hoping for a fully functional human to emerge at the end. Sadly, the world that awaits a young adult after school is often very different from what the education system has imparted.

Memorization, exams, grades and NCERT books amount to nothing in a world driven by start-ups, ChatGPT and Social Media influencers…. Please note that the dimensions such as social, cultural and historical factors can also be mentioned in the body of the essay as supporting content ideas.

In most essay topics, these dimensions are best used to describe the reasons and impact of an issue or debate instead of as just a structure.

3. Timeline and Chronology

Some essay topics are uniquely suited for a chronological structure wherein you take the reader through a historical journey or evolution such as :

“History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man”

This topic is about the ancient debate between rationality and idealism. To write well about it, you would have to trace the through major historical intellectual movements such as the Scientific Revolution, the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, etc. While doing so, you could mention how each stage was relevant for rational thinking versus idealism with relevant examples.

While you do so chronologically, remember to also present a balanced approach in your arguments- On every stage, you can mention how rational thinking and idealism have been in a tight relationship, but both have been an integral part of human consciousness representing creativity and logic. You may also mention how this to and fro has enriched human civilisation and led to the development of science and art.

4. Anecdotes and stories

Many students like to start their essays with an anecdote- a personal story or an imaginary one about characters highlighting the debate presented in the essay topic. While this is not a bad strategy, it requires a fair amount of creative writing ability to pull off properly. It is also important to mention that anecdotes are not the most suitable vehicle to comprehensively deal with the essay topic as not all arguments can easily fit into a personal story.

An example of a good use of anecdotal structure is:

“Not all who wander are lost”

About 2000 years ago, a wandering prince changed the world by questioning the most profound and radical assumptions about human existence. Prince Siddhartha was bathed in luxury and wanted for nothing. But when we saw the naked reality of the world and all its suffering, he could not silence his mind to the questions that we take for granted- why is there suffering and death? If suffering is inevitable then what is the point of life? Is there peace to be found or are we doomed to suffer in this life?

He wandered for years in search of answers, as lost as a soul can be. But in the end, it was his wandering that changed the world forever. When he became the Buddha, he not only found himself but saved millions of others from being lost themselves….

Anecdotes can make for good hooks or introductions to an essay but may not serve well to cover the entire body of the essay.

The Essay Exercise

Important points to note: 

• You can choose which type of structure to use- there is no single best choice.
• You may use more than 1 type of structure.
• You may use structures for introduction, body and conclusion.

Subscribe  to our  UPSC newsletter  and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

The UPSC articles of  Indian Express  is now on Telegram.  Join our Telegram channel-  Indian Express  UPSC Hub and stay updated with the latest Updates. For your answers, queries and suggestions write at  manas.srivastava@ indianexpress.com .

Manas Srivastava is currently working as Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and majorly writes for UPSC-related projects leading a unique initiative known as UPSC Essentials. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called ‘Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik’ and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called ‘You Ask We Answer’.His talks on ‘How to read a newspaper’ focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also currently working on a monthly magazine for UPSC Aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University’s Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women’s Studies by the Women’s Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on ‘Psychological stress among students’ at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More

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No. 1 UPSC IAS Platform for preparation

(Webinar) How to Tackle Philosophical and Abstract Essays in UPSC Main 2023-24? | Target 150+ score | Live with Zeeshan sir, Essay Program Head

28th June @ 7:00 pm | UPSC Philosophical and Abstract Essays made super easy by Zeeshan sir | Click below and register for the webinar

Essay writing is a crucial component of the UPSC Mains examination. This is a paper where the candidates’ expressive and analytical skills are put to the test. The topics provided in the essay paper can range from socio-economic issues to philosophical and abstract themes. Tackling such broad and diverse themes can be challenging, especially when it comes to philosophical and abstract topics.

A great UPSC essay starts with brainstormed random ideas, disjointed facts…chaos, formulated into a  ‘blueprint’.  That’s the first step before you actually start writing it.

We are delighted to announce that Zeeshan Sir, our esteemed Essay Program Head, will be conducting a comprehensive session on mastering the nuances of philosophical essays in UPSC Mains and aiming for a stellar score of 150+

Known for his profound expertise and effective teaching methods, Zeeshan Sir has been a guiding beacon for countless UPSC aspirants. His mentorship has proven instrumental in the success of over 56 UPSC 2022 rankers, who vouch for his insightful understanding of the subject matter and his ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Why abstract and philosophical essays are a pain point for UPSC aspirants ?

• Abstract and philosophical essays are often seen as challenging due to their broad and interpretative nature.
• Unlike socio-economic topics, philosophical topics do not have a fixed set of facts or data that can be directly included in the essay.
• These essays require the candidates to demonstrate their critical thinking skills, ability to make abstract connections and articulate their thoughts coherently.

Who should attend the webinar by Zeeshan sir ?

• Aspirants preparing for the UPSC 2023-24 Mains.
• Individuals struggling with abstract and philosophical essays in the Mains.
• Candidates looking to improve their overall score in the Mains.
• Aspirants seeking guidance from an experienced and successful mentor.
• Candidates looking for effective strategies and tips to approach philosophical and abstract essays.
• Anyone who is aiming to break free from the feeling of unfulfillment and aimlessness in their preparation.
• Aspirants who are not able to decipher the pattern and ‘new ways of UPSC’.
• Someone who has failed in earlier attempts – aiming to understand and fill critical gaps in your preparation.
• Candidates looking for practical strategies rather than generic guidance.
• Aspirants who want effectiveness, efficiency, and consistency in their preparation

This Clarity with Ranker’s session holds the keys to your success.

What should you expect?

• In-depth understanding of how to tackle abstract and philosophical essays in the Mains.
• Strategies to target and achieve a 150+ score in the UPSC Mains essay paper.
• UPSC Essay trends vis-a-vis Philosophical and Abstract topics.
• Insightful tips and tactics to decode and address complex essay topics.
• Interactive Q&A session to address individual queries and concerns.
• Guidance on improving writing skills and presenting ideas effectively.
• Exposure to previous years’ essay topics and a critical analysis of the same.

Other than this Zeeshan sir will also share best practices to be followed:

• Regular writing practice: Choose diverse topics, including philosophical ones, for regular practice.
• Read widely: Broaden your understanding and perspective by reading widely, including philosophy, sociology, psychology, current affairs, etc.
• Brainstorming: For every topic, spend some time brainstorming different ideas, views, and arguments before starting to write.
• Outline your essay: Always create an outline to ensure your essay is structured and coherent.
• Choose your essay topic wisely: Your understanding of the topic and comfort level should determine your choice.
• Time management: Allocate sufficient time for understanding the topic, brainstorming ideas, creating an outline, writing the essay, and reviewing it.
• Maintain a balanced view: If the topic is debatable, present both sides of the argument before taking a stand.
• Use effective language: Avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
• Ensure flow and coherence: The essay should be logically structured, and each paragraph should flow

Details  

This session will be held in online mode.

Date:  28th June 2023 (Wednesday)

Time:  7 pm Onwards

Zoom Meeting Link will be sent via your registered email address.

Post-Webinar CivilsDaily’s UPSC Essay and Mentorship session

Post webinar we will share an Essay Framework PDF.

You will also get a 1-1 Mentorship session with Zeeshan sir and his team.

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UPSC EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Read the rocks to improve India’s geological literacy

  source: the hindu.

• Prelims: Current events of national and international importance, Geo-heritage sites, Types of rocks, crater, geological conservation, biological diversity act etc
• Mains GS Paper III: Conservation of Environment, Biodiversity and Environment(Environmental Pollution and pollutants and degradation)

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• With landscapes that range from the world’s greatest peaks to low-lying coastal plains, India showcases a diverse morphology that has evolved over billions of years.

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

• The earth’s crust is composed of rocks.
• A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals.
• Granite is hard, soapstone is soft.
• Gabbro is black and quartzite can be milky white .
• Rocks do not have a definite composition o f mineral constituents.
• Feldspar and quartz are the most common minerals found in rocks.
• There are many different kinds of rocks which are grouped under three families on the basis of their mode of formation:
• Igneous Rocks:

• Igneous rock is formed by the solidification of magma and lava. This is also known as the primary rock. Ex. Granite and Basalt etc.
• Sedimentary Rocks:

• Sedimentary rocks are the result of deposition of fragments of rocks by exogenous processes. This is also known as the secondary rocks. Ex: sandstone, limestone, shale etc.
• Metamorphic Rocks:

• Metamorphic Rocks formed from already-existing rocks that are undergoing recrystallization. Tertiary rocks are another name for metamorphic rocks. Ex: phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite and marble etc.

Geo-heritage sites:

• They are educational spaces w here people acquire much needed geological literacy.
• Geo-heritage refers t o the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the parent body which is making efforts towards identification and protection of geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments in the country.
• so that present and future generations c an appreciate more of the world’s best natural laboratories.
• Destructive stone mining activities also add to this misery.
• Area covered under stone-mining operations exceeds more than 10% of the total area of India.

Unique Geological sites in India:

• Dhala meteoritic impact crater in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh: This between 5 billion to 2.5 billion-year-old crater is evidence of a celestial collision when life must have begun.
• Lonar crater in Buldhana district of Maharashtra w as earlier dated to be about 50,000 years old, and a recent study suggests its origin around 5,76,000 years ago.

Geological heritage globally:

• The delegates assembled in Digne, France, endorsed the concept of a shared legacy:
• “Man and the Earth share a common heritage, of which we and our governments are but the custodians”.
• that commemorate unique geological features and landscapes within their assigned territories
• As spaces that educate the public on geological importance.
• Geo-heritage sites in many countries such as Canada, China, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom have been developed as national parks.
• UNESCO has prepared guidelines for the development of geo-parks.
• Many countries have the necessary legislation to build, protect and designate geo-parks.
• Europe celebrates its geological heritage across 73 zones.
• Japan offers another good lesson in such conservation.
• There are 169 Global Geoparks a cross 44 countries.
• Thailand and Vietnam have implemented laws to conserve their geological and natural heritage.

Geological heritage conservation in India:

• The Biological Diversity Act was implemented in 2002 and there are now 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.
• It lacks the regulatory powers to implement the preservation measures.
• This cliff overlooks the Arabian Sea is made up of rocks deposited millions of years ago
• It has been declared by the GSI as a geological heritage site.

Way Forward

• It was eventually referred to the Standing Committee, t he government backtracked on it for some unstated reasons and the Bill was withdrawn.
• constitute a national commission to implement the stipulations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972
• create a national roster of heritage sites.
• The Ministry of Mines(2022) has prepared a draft Bill for preservation and maintenance, but no further progress on this has been heard.
• India does not have any specific and specialized policy or law to conserve and preserve the geoheritage sites and geo-relics for future generations.”
• India needs to create an inventory of all prospective geo-sites in the country (in addition to the 34 sites identified by the GSI)
• Frame geo-conservation legislation for the country along the lines of the Biological Diversity Act 2002
• while ensuring that the establishment will not lead to red tape and encroach on the autonomy of researchers and academically-inclined private collectors.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.(UPSC 2018) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 27 June 2024 [PDF ]

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The Transcendentalist Movement: a Beacon of Individualism and Nature

This essay is about the transcendentalist movement, an intellectual and philosophical movement in early 19th-century America that emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and a deep connection with nature. Key figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau advocated for the inherent goodness of individuals and the importance of intuition and personal experience over institutionalized beliefs. The essay highlights Emerson’s views on nature as a source of spiritual insight and Thoreau’s experiment in simple living at Walden Pond. It also touches on the movement’s influence on social reform, literature, and modern environmentalism, showcasing its lasting impact on American thought and culture.

How it works

Originating in early 19th-century America, the transcendentalist movement became known as a symbol of independence, individualism, and a close bond with the natural world. This philosophical and intellectual movement questioned accepted social mores and highlighted the inherent worth of the natural world and the human spirit. Characters like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, whose writings and ideas have had a lasting impact on American literature and society, were central to transcendentalist ideology.

Fundamentally, transcendentalism supported the idea that people have the capacity for spiritual understanding and intrinsic goodness that transcends the material and empirical world.

This viewpoint was a dramatic shift from the prevalent Enlightenment and Puritanical beliefs, which placed a strong emphasis on reason’s supremacy and human fallibility. Transcendentalists maintained that institutionalized religion or empirical observation alone could not produce true knowledge and insight; rather, only direct experience and personal intuition could. A fundamental tenet of the movement was the conviction that each person’s conscience comes first and that there is an innate link to the divine.

Many of these ideas were expressed by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who is frequently considered as the founder of transcendentalism, in his influential essay “Nature” (1836). Emerson proposed that a better understanding of oneself and the cosmos might be attained by immersing oneself in nature, which he saw as a direct manifestation of the divine. “In the woods, we return to reason and faith,” is a famous quote from him. There, I have the impression that there is nothing bad that can happen to me in life—no scandal, no tragedy—that nature can not fix.” Emerson found inspiration, comfort, and enlightenment in nature, which also provided a haven from society’s materialistic and conformist demands.

Henry David Thoreau, another prominent transcendentalist, took these ideas further in his experiment at Walden Pond, which he chronicled in “Walden” (1854). Thoreau’s two-year sojourn in a cabin he built himself was an exercise in simplicity, self-reliance, and deep contemplation of the natural world. Thoreau’s writing emphasizes the importance of living deliberately and authentically, free from the distractions and superficialities of modern life. His famous assertion, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life,” encapsulates the transcendentalist ethos of seeking truth and meaning through personal experience and communion with nature.

The transcendentalist movement also had a significant impact on social reform and activism. Many transcendentalists were ardent abolitionists and advocates for women’s rights, viewing these causes as extensions of their beliefs in individual dignity and moral integrity. The transcendentalist emphasis on personal conscience and moral clarity often led its adherents to challenge social injustices and work towards a more equitable society. For instance, Emerson and Thoreau both spoke out against slavery, with Thoreau famously articulating his opposition in his essay “Civil Disobedience” (1849), which argued for nonviolent resistance to unjust laws.

Transcendentalism’s legacy extends beyond its immediate historical context, influencing subsequent literary and philosophical movements. The themes of self-reliance, nonconformity, and the sanctity of nature can be seen in the works of later American writers such as Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and even into the 20th century with figures like Robert Frost and Wallace Stevens. Moreover, the transcendentalist reverence for nature presaged the modern environmental movement, highlighting the need to preserve and protect the natural world.

In a contemporary context, the transcendentalist movement’s emphasis on individualism and self-discovery continues to resonate. In an age characterized by rapid technological advancement, social media, and the constant barrage of information, the transcendentalist call to return to nature and seek inner wisdom offers a timeless antidote to the pressures of modern life. By valuing personal intuition and the natural environment, transcendentalism provides a framework for finding balance, purpose, and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

In conclusion, the transcendentalist movement represents a profound and enduring strain of American thought that champions the individual’s capacity for self-knowledge, moral insight, and spiritual connection with nature. Through the writings of Emerson, Thoreau, and their contemporaries, transcendentalism invites us to look beyond the material and the conventional, urging us to discover the deeper truths within ourselves and the world around us. This movement, with its rich philosophical and literary heritage, continues to inspire and challenge us to live more authentically and harmoniously with the natural world.

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The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature. (2024, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/

"The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature." PapersOwl.com , 28 Jun 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/ [Accessed: 28 Jun. 2024]

"The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature." PapersOwl.com, Jun 28, 2024. Accessed June 28, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/

"The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature," PapersOwl.com , 28-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/. [Accessed: 28-Jun-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Transcendentalist Movement: A Beacon of Individualism and Nature . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-transcendentalist-movement-a-beacon-of-individualism-and-nature/ [Accessed: 28-Jun-2024]

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