How important is the UPSC Answer writing in the CSE Mains?
UPSC Answer writing UPSC Answer writing plays a key role in CSE Mains. If you don’t know how to write
lengthy and effective answers, you will blow up your chances of making it to the merit. So, it is of utmost importance to learn the art of UPSC answer writing. In order to learn how to write effective answers, I applied for an answer writing course called SUGAM offered by a coaching institute called Eden IAS. It is a daily answer writing course wherein all the four GS papers are covered from Main's point of view. And then, students are expected to attempt a minimum of four questions of answer writing every day. Initially, I found it very difficult. But thanks to the faculty of Eden, they made it easy for me. They taught me the right approach to appearing for a question that is to be answered in 150 words or 250 words. It's a 16-week course and has been really beneficial for me. After SUGAM, if you feel that there is a need to practice more, you can opt for an advanced answer writing course called STEPS - Stay on Track and Enrich your Preparation. It's a course devoted to numerous practice answer writing sessions. One gets to practice answer writing GS paper-wise. On Mondays, GS-I topics are covered. On Tuesdays, GS-II topics are covered. Wednesdays are for GS-III topics and Thursdays are for GS-IV or Ethics. On Fridays, current affairs and essays ranging from topics such as environment to health are covered in great detail. This course polishes your answer writing skills. One thing which I would like to share on a personal note is that you shouldn’t start comparing your answers with that of toppers in the initial days of answer writing,This is because it will decrease your morale since initially, you won’t be able to write effective and good answers, and so might discontinue practicing. So, it is advisable not to compare in the beginning. Your writing skills for the UPSC Answer Writing may improve dramatically. But only if you understand that the UPSC exam requires a very specific writing style. Imagine you are a high ranking official in the Indian government and you have to make a difficult decision on a sensitive political issue. For example, she should propose whether the government should introduce stricter rules for local industries to curb air pollution in metropolitan areas, even if it leads to unrest and unemployment. Something concrete needs to be done. You will be presented with the file in question and it is now your turn to convince your manager of how to proceed by writing a short file and making a note of it in the file. Remember that you will be writing on a public document with your hands. And it will be read and scrutinized by many people, including key decision makers. What style of writing will you use in this situation?