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How Much Time Should You Allocate for UPSC Essay Writing?


 

Writing a high-quality essay for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam requires a strategic approach and a significant investment of time. Essays in the UPSC exam are crucial, as they test a candidate's ability to think critically, articulate ideas clearly, and express opinions coherently on various topics. To ensure success, time management becomes an essential factor. Here's a breakdown of how much time to allocate for each stage of UPSC essay writing and how to approach it effectively.

1. Understanding the Essay Paper

  • Total Time for the Essay Paper: 3 hours
  • Essay Structure: The UPSC essay paper requires candidates to write two essays in a span of 3 hours. Each essay carries 125 marks, with a total of 250 marks for the paper.

Allocating your time wisely during this 3-hour period is critical. You should ideally divide the time between the two essays and ensure that each stage of writing—from brainstorming to final revisions—is given adequate attention.

2. Time Allocation for Each Essay

  • Total Time for One Essay: 1 hour and 30 minutes
    • Breakdown:
      • Topic Selection: 5 minutes
      • Brainstorming and Outline Creation: 15-20 minutes
      • Writing the Essay: 55-60 minutes
      • Review and Revision: 5-10 minutes
a) Topic Selection (5 minutes)

Begin by taking a few minutes to carefully select a topic from the given choices. The right topic is one where you can confidently present a well-structured and balanced argument, with sufficient knowledge of facts, historical examples, and current affairs.

b) Brainstorming and Creating an Outline (15-20 minutes)

Before diving into writing, allocate 15 to 20 minutes to brainstorm ideas and create a detailed outline for your essay. This stage is crucial for organizing your thoughts and ensuring that your essay follows a logical flow.

  • Brainstorm Key Points: Consider various dimensions of the topic (social, economic, political, environmental, etc.).
  • Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts into an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. This outline will guide your writing process and prevent you from straying off-topic.
c) Writing the Essay (55-60 minutes)

Once your outline is ready, devote 55-60 minutes to writing the essay. Focus on:

  • Introduction: A strong introduction that clearly defines the topic and sets the tone.
  • Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a specific argument or point, backed by facts, examples, and data.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your key points and offer a balanced view, or suggest a solution if applicable.
d) Review and Revision (5-10 minutes)

Reserve the last 5 to 10 minutes to read through your essay. Look for spelling, grammar, or logical errors. Make sure the essay flows smoothly and that all your arguments are coherent and well-supported.

3. Practice Before the Exam

In addition to the time spent during the actual exam, candidates should allocate substantial time for essay practice during their UPSC preparation. Here's a suggested approach:

a) Daily or Weekly Essay Writing Practice
  • Daily Practice: Allocate 1 to 1.5 hours every day for essay writing, where you write one essay under timed conditions. This can help you get accustomed to the time pressure and improve your writing speed.
  • Weekly Practice: Alternatively, if daily practice is challenging, aim for 3-4 essays a week, practicing each essay for 90 minutes to simulate real exam conditions.
b) Review and Feedback

After each practice session, spend 30 minutes reviewing your essay and seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or joining an essay course for UPSC. Constructive criticism can help you identify weaknesses and areas of improvement.

c) Topic Research

Spend an additional 2-3 hours a week researching various UPSC essay topics. Gain in-depth knowledge of current affairs, historical events, and philosophical ideas, as these are often the focus areas in the essay paper.

4. Balancing Essay Writing with Other Subjects

Essay preparation should be a part of your overall UPSC study plan, but it must not overshadow other subjects. Here's a suggested weekly time allocation:

  • Essay Writing: 5-6 hours per week
  • Other General Studies Subjects: 25-30 hours per week
  • Optional Subject: 8-10 hours per week
  • CSAT: 3-5 hours per week

By incorporating essay writing practice into your overall preparation, you can steadily improve your writing skills while keeping a balanced approach to other subjects.

Conclusion

To ace the UPSC essay paper, it's essential to strike the right balance between writing practice and learning content. Allocating 90 minutes per essay during the exam, combined with 5-6 hours of practice per week, will ensure that you are well-prepared. Consistent practice, feedback, and strategic time management will help you master the art of essay writing for UPSC and improve your chances of scoring high marks.



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Location: Delhi, India

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