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Essay Paper UPSC 2020 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Last updated on January 9, 2021 by ClearIAS Team

Essay Paper UPSC 2020

UPSC conducted the  Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2020 on 08-01-2021.

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

Table of Contents

Essay Paper UPSC 2020 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) 2020

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

  • 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
  • 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

Though aspirants were asked to write only two essays out of eight, most aspirants faced difficulty to select the right combination of two essays.

A philosophical theme was present in most of the essay topics in Section A as well as Section B.

As per most aspirants, the essay topic ‘Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self’ seemed the most tricky one. Only a few attempted that topic.

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

As we have mentioned many times, Essay needs a different approach than GS. Only those candidates with good essay writing skills will score high in this year’s essay paper.

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ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam MAINS 2021

Essay question  paper – upsc civil services  ias mains – 2021.

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.

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”.

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  1. UPSC Paper Solutions by Vision IAS

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  2. Solved Papers by year - दृष्टि आईएएस

    Solved Papers by year. This just in: UPSC Calendar 2025 PCS Parikshan 2024 UPSC Mains 2024: GS Paper IV UPSC Mains 2024: GS Paper III UPSC Mains 2024: GS Paper II UPSC Mains 2024: GS Paper I UPSC Mains 2024: Essay Paper UPSC Calendar 2025 PCS Parikshan 2024. close.

  3. ESSAY MODEL ANSWERS MAINS 2023 - Compass by Rau's IAS

    ESSAY | MODEL ANSWERS | MAINS 2023 RAU’S IAS STUDY CIRCLE 1 Question 1: Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. (1000-1200 words, 125 marks) MODEL ANSWER Introduction • Try to provide your understanding of the topic either through explaining the quote or an anecdote. Body

  4. Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

    Essay Question Paper: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2023. The question paper of the UPSC CSE mains essay paper is provided here. Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:

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

    Please find the questions in the Essay Paper of UPSC 2021 Civil Services Mains Examination (written). 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.

  6. UPSC Prelims and Mains Previous Year Papers with Solutions

    Download UPSC Prelims and Mains Previous Year Papers with detailed solutions. Understand the best approach to solve questions and improve your exam strategy.

  7. UPSC MAINS 2019 - IAS Score

    Write any one of the following essays in 1000-1200 words (125 marks) 1. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around the plural cultures and plural identities. 2. Neglect of Primary Health Care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. 3. Biased Media is a real threat to Indian Democracy 4.

  8. Essay Paper UPSC 2020 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

    Please find the questions in the Essay Paper of UPSC 2020 Civil Services Mains Examination (written). UPSC conducted the Essay Paper, as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2020 on 08-01-2021. There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.

  9. UPSC Essay Previous Years Question Paper with Solutions: Free ...

    UPSC Essay Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions. Download the last 10 Years of UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers, know their benefits & steps to download.

  10. ESSAY QUESTION PAPER : UPSC Civil Services IAS Exam MAINS 2021

    ESSAY QUESTION PAPER – UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains – 2021 . Section A. 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. 3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. 4.