There is an essay paper in the Civil Services Exam held by the Union Public Service Commission. The essay paper carries 200 marks and time allotted to it is three hours. The topics asked in the exam have a wide range; based on various social issues, women, politics, economy, Science etc. UPSC also asks topics for essay based on Philosophy.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Here are some important tips for essay writing in the Main exam:

•    Out of the topics asked in the exam, choose the one from the area in which you have prepared well. For example, if you have prepared well on the social topics already, choose the topic that is based on the social issues. If you have prepared on economic issues and have already practiced in writing on the economic issues then chose the topic based on economy issues.

•    Just before starting writing the essay in the exam do some brainstorming on the topic you plan to write. Jot down all the points randomly to avoid wastage of time at this stage in arranging the points. Once you are done with the brainstorming and noting the points, start arranging all the points and then start elaborating them.

•    Start the essay with a sensible introduction to the topic. Introductory paragraph should be written in a way that it creates inquisitiveness in the examiner’s mind to read the following parts of your essay.

•    Focus on the issue on which you are writing.

•    Do not distract yourself from the topic, you are writing on.

•    Factual information is not given much importance in evaluating your essay in the IAS Main exam. Your overall grasp on the topic will be given importance and marks will be given to you on the basis of how well you present the topic in the essay; how well you let out your ideas in the essay. Your concept regarding the particular topic is evaluated in the Main exam essay paper. Focus on your ability to think constructively to present your ideas concisely, logically and effectively.

•    There should be a fair logic in your discussion on the various points you discuss in the essay. Do not make any logical inconsistency in your writing. If you do, it will show that you do not have proper understanding on the topic and you have written whatever came to your mind. This further will deduct your marks to be given by the examiner.

•    UPSC asks an essay of 200 marks in the IAS Main exam. It is advisable to write the essay in 1200 to 1500 words. It should generally not be less than 1200 words and more than 1500 words. One should plan the whole essay keeping the word limit in mind while writing the essay, though there is no such strict instruction of word limit given by the UPSC.

•    Additional information related to the topic can be given in a box drawn on the page.

•    Always finish the essay writing with a nice conclusion. Do not end it ever suddenly.

•    In the conclusion, include opinions and your assessments on the topic. This will show the examiner how well you understand the topic. However, try avoiding giving your personal opinions in the conclusion. It’s always advisable for the candidates to give a conclusion which well suits the whole essay regardless your personal opinions. Personal opinions may contradict the examiner’s opinion and then he may give you less mark even when he found the rest of the essay well written.