175 in Essay. Strategy by Apurva Pandey IAS CSE-2017.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, the essay component has always been a crucial and often enigmatic part of the process. Apurva Pandey, a successful UPSC aspirant, has graciously shared her insights and strategies for tackling this formidable challenge. This comprehensive rewrite in the third person aims to provide a detailed and structured approach to essay writing, drawing from Apurva's personal experiences and the valuable guidance she has shared with the aspiring civil servants.

Understanding the Essentials

Apurva's journey with the essay paper was not without its challenges. Initially, she had not devised a specific strategy, relying more on her performance in the mock tests. However, as the results of the UPSC CSE 2017 Mains were announced, revealing her impressive score of 175 in the essay, Apurva found herself inundated with requests to share her insights.

Sourcing Content

Apurva acknowledges that she did not study separately for the essay, but rather leveraged the knowledge gained from her preparation for the General Studies and Optional subjects. "I was lucky to have PSIR for my optional," she explains, "and from there, I often picked up concepts, thinkers, ideologies, etc. to make my point." However, she cautions against overindulging in one's optional subject, as it could make the essay appear too specialized, thereby deterring the examiner.

Apurva suggests several books that aspiring civil servants can refer to for essay preparation, including Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing by Anudeep Durishetty, IAS, 151 Essays by Arihant Publications, and various collections published by Disha Publications and Drishti Publications.

Language and Structure

When it comes to language, Apurva emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity over flowery rhetoric. "Sometimes, in our quest to put our vocabulary to use, we end up inserting complicated words forcefully in our sentences," she observes. "Not only does it make the sentence difficult to understand, but also gives it an awkward sound when read."

Regarding the structure, Apurva mentions that she has experimented with both simple paragraphs and subheadings, and found that either approach can work effectively, as long as the flow and coherence of the essay are maintained.

Choosing the Right Topic

Apurva's approach to topic selection is driven by her personal comfort and passion. "I have always had a certain discomfort, more of a mental barrier for topics related to science, technology, economy, etc." she admits. "But with topics that have a socio-political background, I feel very much at ease, even when the topic is relatively unprepared and may require a certain brainstorming."

She believes that when one is comfortable with the topic, the expression flows more naturally, and the essay is more engaging for the examiner. Apurva cites her essay on women as an example, where her passion and personal investment in the subject matter contributed to her success.

Practicing the Craft

Apurva strongly emphasizes the importance of practicing essays, regardless of one's confidence in writing skills. "No matter how confident you are in your writing skills, practicing a few essays beforehand is never a bad idea," she advises. "If you can get some feedback on it, then even better."

She provides several examples of her own practice essays, including those on "Wisdom Finds Truth," "Individual/Society," and "Values," all of which are available on the Mudit Jain blog. These resources can serve as valuable references for aspiring civil servants to understand the depth and structure required in a well-crafted essay.

Strategies for Success

Apurva shares several specific strategies that she believes contributed to her high score in the essay:

Start Solid

Apurva recognizes the importance of a strong opening to capture the examiner's attention. "Somebody once told me that an examiner will probably read hundreds of essays on the same topic, and is likely to get bored after some time. As such, our beginning must be interesting so as to capture his/her imagination at the very outset." She illustrates this with examples of how she began her essays on "NAM" and "Fulfilment of new woman in India is a myth" with engaging introductions.

Express Strong Opinions

Apurva believes that having strong opinions and being passionate about the topic can be an asset, as long as they are supported by examples or facts. "I really think having strong opinions and being passionate about the topic helps. But your opinion must be supported by examples or facts," she explains, citing her essay on women as an example.

Maintain Positivity

Even when addressing the challenges or shortcomings of a topic, Apurva emphasizes the importance of ending on a positive note. "Even when you are writing passionately and pointing out everything you think is wrong, you must end on a positive note," she advises.

Ensure Coherence and Flow

Apurva stresses the significance of maintaining a coherent flow throughout the essay. "If there is flow in our essay, it will keep the examiner engaged throughout. Abruptly jumping from one dimension of the essay to another must be avoided." She suggests planning the structure and content of the essay beforehand to ensure a smooth progression.

Incorporate Diverse Dimensions

Apurva recommends utilizing the SPECLIH technique (Social, Political, Economic, Cultural, Linguistic/Local, International, Humanistic dimensions) to cover a wide range of perspectives in the essay. Additionally, she advises the use of examples, facts, data, current developments, and anecdotes to substantiate one's points.

Finally, Apurva emphasizes the importance of carefully reading the essay topic and ensuring that the response remains focused and relevant, without straying from the core elements of the question.

Apurva's strategies and insights provide a comprehensive framework for aspiring civil servants to approach the essay component of the UPSC CSE. By following her guidance, incorporating her practical tips, and honing their writing skills through consistent practice, candidates can increase their chances of achieving excellence in this crucial section of the examination.