Surbhi Goyal (AIR-78, CSE-21) Essay Strategy

Surbhi Goyal's Essay Strategy: Achieving AIR-78 in CSE-21

Surbhi Goyal, a dedicated aspirant, secured AIR-78 in CSE-21 on her third attempt. She scored 111 marks in the Essay paper, showcasing her meticulous preparation and strategic approach. Below is a detailed exploration of Surbhi's Essay strategy, shared in her own words.

Introduction to Essay Paper Strategy

The Essay paper is a crucial component of the UPSC examination and should not be overlooked, even if one possesses good writing skills. Surbhi highlights the importance of a well-thought-out strategy to excel in this section.

Essay Tips by Surbhi Goyal

• Strategy Resources: Surbhi shares that her basic essay strategy can be found in her YouTube videos on the Only IAS & DKT channel. She also recommends checking out essay blogs by top players like Anudeep Durishetty and the essays written by toppers such as Vikram Grewal and Saumya Pandey.

Detailed Essay Writing Strategy

Time Management

Surbhi emphasizes the significance of effective time management. She allocated 10 minutes for choosing a topic, 25 minutes for brainstorming each topic, and 1 hour for writing, with the flexibility to adjust the writing time based on her speed.

Introduction and Conclusion

For a compelling introduction, Surbhi often began with a story, anecdote, or a self-written poem. For the conclusion, she used quotations from notable figures such as Tagore and Gandhiji, or she referred back to the story she started with.

Philosophical and Topical Essays

• Philosophical Essays: Surbhi underscores the importance of philosophical essays, given UPSC's recent focus on them. She enjoyed writing these and spent considerable time preparing for them.
• Topical Essays: While she did not entirely ignore topical essays, she prepared mainly on frequently recurring topics such as IR, women, health, education, environment, and agriculture.

Quotations and Personalities

Surbhi incorporated quotations throughout her essays to bolster her arguments and add depth. For instance, in an essay on patriarchal notions, she used a quotation by GD Anderson to illustrate how such notions view women as a weaker sex.

Practical Advice and Resources

Practical Advice

• Choosing Topics: Surbhi advises choosing topics based on personal interest and comfort rather than what others might choose or what is common.
• Language and Flow: She emphasizes the importance of using simple English with a good flow and avoiding ornamental words or overly long sentences.

Resources for Preparation

• Essay Notes: Surbhi has shared detailed notes on essay writing, compiled from various topper ideas, which include pointers on maintaining flow and time division.
• Sample Essays: Her sample essays are available for download, providing practical insights into her approach and execution.

Coaching and Feedback

Surbhi took coaching for essays to get feedback and improve her writing. She recommends the IAS Network for regular essay writing practice and Vision IAS for post-prelims testing, both of which provided valuable feedback and insights.

Suggestions for Future Aspirants

For Mains Aspirants

• Practice: If essays have been practiced before, conducting 3-5 tests is beneficial. If not, starting immediately is crucial.
• Timely Practice: Aspirants should not delay essay writing, as it carries significant importance.

For Prelims Aspirants

• Year-long Practice: Aspirants aiming for the next year should practice essays throughout the year. Regular practice sessions, such as weekly or biweekly, are recommended.
• Consistency: It is advised not to shy away from writing essays. Consistency is key to improvement.

Conclusion

Surbhi's essay strategy demonstrates a well-rounded approach that combines effective time management, well-thought-out introductions and conclusions, and the use of quotations to enhance arguments. Her dedication and strategic planning have paid off, leading to her success in the CSE-21 examination.

Contact Surbhi:

• Instagram Profile: @surbhigoyal_96
• Telegram Channel: @surbhi_goyal_rank78

By following her strategy, aspirants can enhance their essay writing skills and improve their chances of success in the UPSC examination.