UPSC Mains 2021: Paper-1 (Essay) Analysis, Last-Minute Tips by Experts for GS-1, GS-2 Preparation

UPSC Mains 2021: Paper-1 (Essay) Analysis, Last-Minute Tips by Experts for GS-1, GS-2 Preparation

UPSC Mains 2021 for Civil Services has begun on 7th January amidst a lot of rows for postponement of the exam. Today, the aspirants of Civil Services appeared for the first exam, Paper 1 which is of the Essay. 

The exam was conducted from 9:00 AM today and ended at 12:00 noon. A few happy faces exited the exam centres today as many found the paper average but for other many candidates, the paper was extremely tough. 

The candidates would have found it difficult to link the examples in their essays. The paper required a lot of thinking. So, it is for sure that the paper was tricky and tough. 

Take a look at the in-depth paper analysis below and also note what experts have to say for UPSC Mains GS-1 paper preparation on the last day. 

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 1: In-Depth Expert Analysis

UPSC Mains Essay paper happens to be one of those exams in the series that helps candidates score maximum marks to give their combined total a push. This time the essay paper as always was a bit tricky for those who attended it. Overall it would be ranged as a tough paper as many topics were difficult to attempt. 

One of the topics was 'Your Perception of Me is a Reflection of You, My reflection of you is an awareness of me'. Another was Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian while materialism is a chimaera. This means that UPSC this year decided to go philosophical. Many candidates seemed to go with these two topics from Section A. 

Mehek, a candidate outside the Noida centre said, “ The paper was as always easy for those who understood the topics completely and wrote on them, else if we went off-beat, UPSC would not mark us.”

A topic that confused many was Real is rational and rational is real. 

Section B Topics were:

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world

What is research, but a blind date with knowledge History repeats itself first as tragedy second as a farce There are better practices to best practice.

For those of you who do not know, the essay paper is of 250 marks and is to be completed in three hours. It must only be written in the authorised language chosen by the candidate while choosing his medium of writing. If any candidate writes in any other medium he/she may not be judged. 

The candidates must also adhere to the word limit. Last year the candidates got a choice from philosophical, technological and essays based on a saying. This year too, the candidates had a choice from human life affecting topics to something political. 

Essays are subjective totally to the viewpoint of the examiner, say all experts. They must be written with a basic theme that can convince the one who reads them to get maximum marks. 

UPSC Mains 2021: Last-Minute GS -1, GS-2 Preparation tips 

All those who appeared for the exam today have to attempt tomorrows exams as well. 

The GS-1 paper is on Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. The candidates at the last minute just need to brush up on what they have already studied. They must only and only revise the points they were confused about as the syllabus is too large to be revised on the last day. 

Also, it must be known to the candidates that last-minute answer writing must not at all be attempted. Leaving all this they must just pick up topics like dates, major events, history topics that need to be revised. 

UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 is Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. It is a 250-marks subjective paper that is considered for merit. This means that the marks would be added to the final score. The questions are on a little easier note in this subject. The students must try to finish the entire paper and follow the word limit strictly. This suggestion by our experts is very valuable as many candidates complain about the paper being lengthy. 

Candidates must try to eat light before the exams and sleep well. Remember it is just an exam and not your life. All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) Is the Essay paper of UPSC Civil Services Mains only qualifying?

Ans: No, essay paper or Paper 1 marks are added in the final result which means that it adds to the merit and is not just qualifying.

Q2) Is UPSC Mains 2021 exam postponed?

Ans: No, UPSC is conducting the CSE Mains exam 2021 and the first paper of Essay/ Paper 1 was also conducted successfully on 7th January 2022.

Q3) What is Paper 1 in UPSC Mains?

Ans: Paper 1 is called the Essay paper in UPSC CSE mains where the candidates appearing have to choose topics from those given to write essays on. It is a 250 marks paper which adds to the final merit.

 

Q4) Is essay paper difficult in UPSC?

Ans: Essay paper or Paper 1 of UPSC Civil Services Mains totally depends on the candidates understanding of the topic. The exam is of 250 marks and the candidates need to write convincing essays in correct grammar to score good marks.