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Indian Express
18 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
UPSC Mains Exam 2025 Special Expert Talk: How to master Social Issues in General Studies papers?
UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2025: As the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 exam approaches, this special Expert Talk of UPSC Essentials zeroes in on one of the most overlooked yet crucial areas of the syllabus — Social Issues. Far from being confined to GS Paper 1, social issues span across all GS papers, Ethics, Essay, and even the Interview. The challenge isn't a lack of content, but the right approach to tackling these questions. In conversation with The Indian Express' Manas Srivastava, UPSC educator and mentor Pranay Aggarwal shares key strategies to master this segment, introducing the 7Cs and FRIENDS frameworks. Since tips alone aren't enough without real-world application, Pranay breaks down one of the most important and recurring themes — Women's Issues — offering tips for best answers and 'way forward' insights to help you craft high-impact responses in the exam. Approaching social issues in the right way is increasingly important in the UPSC Mains exam. Social issues and society-related portions in GS remain among the most neglected at the stage of preparation. This despite the fact that their weightage has been consistently increasing over the years in the GS papers and now constitutes a substantial portion of the total marks. One of the reasons why social issues are neglected is that they may seem too vast or too generic to be able to offer any specific insights. But the truth is that social issues should be prepared separately and it can give you an edge in the GS papers, especially GS 1 and 2. Students should remember that scoring well in the society and social issues portion is not as much about cramming a lot of data and putting it out there, but in developing sound analytical frameworks and writing well-informed and balanced answers to address the issues. Here is how you should approach social issues questions: 1. Get the Basics right: While preparing, make sure that you understand some basic terms and concepts correctly. In the previous year's papers, you will notice that several terms are recurrently used in social issues related questions. These include terms like discrimination, social justice, equality, social exclusion, equity, and empowerment. Try to understand these terms correctly and attempt the question accordingly. Also, try to develop a nuanced understanding in the sense that you understand the minute differences between seemingly related or similar terms. For example, you should know how equity and equality are different, or that sex and gender are not the same thing. If you understand these nuances, you avoid giving too generic answers, and you come across as an intelligent reader to the examiner. 2. Use Frameworks: While both preparing as well as writing answers on social issues, having readymade frameworks ensures holistic coverage of topics, and that you spend less time thinking and structuring the answer in the exam hall. So, here are two frameworks I propose. 7Cs framework: One framework that I can suggest is the 7Cs framework, You can use this framework to evaluate any social phenomena or social issue while preparing as well as while writing answers. The 7Cs are: Causes: What has led to this development or this problem and its historical evolution. Current status: Highlight what is the present nature of the social problem, how grave it is, whom it affects, which segment of society it affects. Consequences: What are the adverse or other effects of the problem at hand. Constitutional and legal provisions: This segment should include various Articles of the Constitution that have a bearing on the problem being discussed, specific laws which have been passed—particularly at the national level—to address it, and any institutional mechanisms and government schemes to tackle it. Challenges: The challenges that are faced in tackling the issue, which will include any roadblocks, difficulties or lacunae because of which the constitutional and legal provisions remain ineffectively implemented. Correctives: This should include suggestions for reforms, any possible solutions that you can offer, steps that can be taken, what students love to call 'way forward.' Conclusion: A closing statement which offers hope and looks towards a more equitable future. This framework of 7Cs holistically covers the various aspects of the problem and ensures that we do not leave out any aspect while preparing a topic or while writing an answer. FRIENDS framework: Another framework which can be used in some of the questions can be the FRIENDS framework. FRIENDS framework means that one looks at how the social phenomena is related to the various major social institutions, where: F refers to Family and kinship R is Religion I is for Inequality (of caste, class, gender, etc) E is for Education and Economy N is for NGOs and civil society D is for Digital / Technology S is for Systems (of governance) – which includes the laws, implementation mechanisms and schemes. So, this will ensure that no social issue is looked at or understood narrowly. For example, if you're looking at violence against women: Family: Violence against women takes place within families in the forms of female infanticide, wife beating and marital rape. Religion: Does religion in any way legitimize it? One can quote Manusmriti, which urges even weak men to exert control over their wives. Inequality: Dalit women face violence due to the combined effects of patriarchy as well as casteism at the hands of upper caste men. Education: In schools and colleges, a girl child may have to face violence and abuse, particularly if the educational institution has few female teachers and staff. Economy: Women face violence in family due to financial dependence on men, because female labour force participation rate is low. NGOs and civil society: Women's organizations have been trying to create awareness about laws and women's rights on the issue. Digital and technology: In public spaces, like cabs, women may be subject to sexual violence because of lack of safety provisions. Systems of governance: You should be aware of the various laws, like the Domestic Violence Act, the laws against dowry, sexual harassment, etc. So, the FRIENDS approach can also give us a ready framework to analyze social issues. This framework is particularly helpful because, you see, social issues are rarely unidimensional. They are linked with various aspects of society or various social institutions, like family and religion and economy. So, the FRIENDS framework helps us to address the multidimensionality of social issues. 3. Use data and examples: Also, it is advisable to quote recent reports, mention current examples, and give data in support of your arguments. Particularly, one can quote government reports like the National Family Health Survey, Census reports, Economic Survey, etc., or reports of reputed organizations like ILO, UNICEF, and World Bank. For instance, while writing about violence against women; one can quote from NFHS-5 that 29% female respondents had experienced physical or sexual violence. Or, one can quote recent incidents like the sexual assault on a woman in R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, or how women were subjected to violence and degradation during the Meitei-Kuki conflict in Manipur. One may quote UN Women that during COVID-19, there was an increase in incidents of domestic violence across the globe, what is termed as a 'shadow pandemic.' These make your answer more topical, and therefore more marks-fetching. A word of caution – While doing so, make sure that any statistics that you quote are correct. If you do not remember the data, it is better to not quote any than mention wrongly. 4. Also, it is advisable that your answers on social issues reflect compassion and sensitivity. You must recognize the diversity of Indian society, the need for dignity and the specific concerns of different social groups, and the need for inclusive governance. This is particularly while writing answers about the disadvantaged sections of the society, such as women, tribals, or the sexual minorities. 5. Finally, write with clarity. This means that you should use simple language in your GS answers. Avoid using jargons, flowery phrases, or unnecessarily long-winded sentences. Keep it simple, direct, and to the point. Your communication should be very clear and easy to understand. Use headings and bullet points wherever it helps to bring greater clarity in the answer. Ensure there is a clear articulation of your arguments and a logical flow from one paragraph to the next. Keep your answer copy neat and your handwriting legible. Using this approach should help you to maximize your score in the society and social issues portions of the GS Mains papers. Well, given that women constitute half of India's population, women's issues are very important from the exam point of view. Also, given the patriarchal nature of our society and lack of women's participation in various domains like the economy and the political system, there are several issues related to women that need to be prepared. Now, to prepare for questions on women's issues, aspirants will have to be selective. They should focus on those areas that are most relevant for the exam. In this regard, a thorough analysis of PYQs (previous years' questions) comes in handy. If we look at previous year's GS papers, we can identify some recurrent themes from which UPSC is regularly asking questions related to women. Students are advised to focus on these specific areas for the exam preparation. These areas are: 1. Gender-based discrimination: Students should understand the nature of gender-based inequalities in education, employment, political participation, and social status. Students should be aware of gender gaps in labour force participation rate, health outcomes, and adverse sex ratio and child sex ratio. 2. Violence against women: A holistic understanding of the topic should be developed (covered in detail in a subsequent answer). 3. Health and reproductive rights: Students should focus on preparing about maternal health, menstrual hygiene, access to health care services, and malnutrition. 4. Economic empowerment: Students should understand issues related to women's participation in the labour force, barriers that they encounter like the glass ceiling and exclusion from male-dominated trade unions, women entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. 5. Education and skill development: Topics like female literacy, dropout rates, and women's participation in STEM fields. 6. Social and cultural norms: Practices like female feticide, child marriage, dowry, and the recently in the news Hijab; and their impact on women's status. 7. Policies and programs: Government schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, Mahila Shakti Kendras, and Droni Didi. Thought process: Factor in the following during the selection process: 1. PYQs: As already pointed out, PYQs are the holy grail and the best indicator of what kind of issues UPSC frequently asks about. 2. Current affairs: Identify those topics which have recently been in the news or have received the attention of the administration or the courts. For example, hijab has been in the news because it was banned in educational institutions in Karnataka, and also because there were protests against mandatory hijab in Iran. Similarly, women's political participation has been in the news because of the recently passed Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Be aware of important court judgments; for example, the one related to women's entry into the Sabarimala temple. 3. Government schemes and policies: Go to the websites of government ministries and departments like, say, the central Ministry of Women and Child Development. You will see the various government initiatives. Focus on the more recent ones. For example, government has launched Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 for improved nutrition, and Mission Shakti for women safety and security. Other ministries may also take steps that benefit women. For example, the Ministry of Petroleum has launched Ujjwala Yojana to distribute LPG connections to all households, in order take care of indoor pollution that women face leading to adverse health outcomes. Government has been trying to increase women's participation in STEM fields. Be aware of schemes like Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi. These topics indicate what areas the government is focusing on and they should be prepared well. 4. Multidimensionality: Choose topics that allow you to explore various dimensions in your answer, such as social, economic, legal, administrative, and cultural. Well, an understanding of gender equality and gender discrimination is, I would say, pertinent to all women-related questions that may be asked in the Mains papers. One can begin with developing a clarity on some basic concepts, as follows: 1. Gender vs. Sex: Students should appreciate that sex refers to the biological differences between the male and the female body, while gender is a social construct related to different behaviors and social roles which are attributed to men and women. 2. Gender equality: Gender equality means equal rights and opportunities for all genders. Though typically understood in the context of women empowerment, let me clear some misconceptions. Gender equality is not just about equality between men and women, but all genders. So, it includes equality for men, women, and what are called the third gender. Efforts towards gender equality aim to remove the structural barriers that prevent women and other genders from exploring their full potential. 3. Gender stereotypes: Stereotyping means that the society portrays a very fixed set of traits with all persons belonging to a certain gender category. For example, women as a social category are assumed to be submissive, docile, fragile, passive, and dependent. Men, on the other hand, are stereotyped as aggressive, dominating, assertive, career-oriented, and rational. Gender stereotypes are an outcome of patriarchal structures and reinforcement of prevailing prejudices through media portrayal, social media discourse, and family upbringing. 4. Patriarchy: Patriarchy refers to social arrangements characterized by male dominance. In patriarchal societies, men and boys are considered as more worthy, more valued, and more important members of the society than girls and women. 5. Gender discrimination: Gender-based discrimination means that women are recipients of fewer opportunities, resources, and possibilities than men. Systemically, women are deprived of an equal chance in educational, economic, and political domains. Not surprising that there is a gender gap in pay, that women's political representation is less than proportional, and women also lag behind men in educational accomplishment. 6. Feminism: Feminism is an ideology and a movement that strives for gender equality. In recent times, the term feminism has come under sort of an attack and has been misunderstood. To clarify, feminism does not seek to replace male dominance in society by women's domination. The ultimate objective of feminism is quite clear: it strives to replace patriarchy or male dominance with gender equality. So, feminism as a movement and ideology seeks to expose patriarchal biases in society. It challenges gender stereotyping and strives to attain equal access to resources and opportunities for all genders and equal rights and dignity for all genders. Once you have understood these basic terms and concepts, you need to explore various dimensions of gender discrimination. Dimensions of gender discrimination Some of the most important dimensions of gender discrimination are as follows: 1. Economic: Women are faced with several problems which limit their full participation in the economy. The lack of full participation by women is reflected in the form of gender-based wage gap, underemployment, women being more concentrated in the informal sector of the economy, and significant gender-based gap in labour force participation rates. The problems that women encounter in the economy range from glass ceiling, sexual harassment at the workplace, exclusion from male dominated trade unions, and pink collarization—that is, women being concentrated in what are seen as 'women's jobs' like nurses and receptionists. 2. Educational: Though there has been a significant rise in female literacy, there are several disparities which remain for girls and women regarding access to the education system. For instance, despite improvements, there continues to remain a 17% gender gap in literacy rates as per Census 2011. Also, women face problems like absence of female teachers in educational spaces, physical and sexual abuse in the education system, gender stereotypes being promoted in the school curriculum, lack of representation in STEM fields, and issues relating to retention and access. 3. Health: Women encounter problems in accessing healthcare services. They suffer from malnutrition, particularly maternal malnutrition. Women do not enjoy full reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. They disproportionately bear the burden of contraception during family planning. 4. Political: Women's representation in politics and decision-making places remains abysmally low. Though women are enthusiastic voters and vote in very large numbers, there are very few women leaders in positions of importance. Women's issues are also rarely taken up by the political system as a whole and do not become issues on which voting takes place. 5. Social and cultural: Practices like female foeticide, dowry, ghoonghat, and hijab also seek to limit women's mobility, autonomy, and reduce their perceived value in society. Next, get a grip on the causes of gender discrimination. Some of the causes will be: 6. Patriarchal social structures: There is deep-rooted male dominance across social structures. In our families and kinship networks, men control property and dominate decision-making. The political system as a whole, political parties, and even the bureaucratic machinery, are largely manned by and controlled by men. The major decision-makers in the economy, like top CEOs and boards of directors of big corporations, are also mostly men. 7. Cultural norms: Several patriarchal practices like dowry, child marriage, and restrictions on women's movement outside the homes and in public spaces have strong sanctions from culture and religion. 8. Financial dependence: Given that women are not equal participants in the economy, they remain financially dependent on male members of the family, such as their brothers, fathers, and husbands. This significantly affects or compromises their ability to take independent decisions. 9. Gaps in implementation of pro-women laws: Though there are numerous pro-women laws that exist, legal awareness, sincere implementation, and effective enforcement are lacking. This seriously compromises the ability of these laws to create a more equitable and gender-equal society. Next will be the existing mechanisms to address various women's issues. These include the Constitutional provisions and laws for women in India, which are quite comprehensive. The Constitution itself provides for equality and non-discrimination through provisions such as Article 14, which guarantees equality before law, Article 15, which prohibits discrimination, and Article 16, which ensures equality of opportunity. Further, several Directive Principles of State Policy promote women's welfare. In addition to these constitutional safeguards, a number of pro-women legislations have been enacted, including laws against dowry, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. There also exists an institutional framework to safeguard women's rights, such as the National Commission for Women, along with mechanisms like gender budgeting that are aimed at promoting gender equity in public policy and governance. Well, the topic of violence against women is extremely important from the exam point of view. Even though it is a perennial issue confronting women, it is also very topical. You are absolutely right, it frequently grabs headlines. Social media also nowadays draws much-needed attention to the issue of violence against women. As a UPSC aspirant, I'd say that you have to provide a comprehensive and sensitive analysis of the issue. Let's begin by defining violence against women. It can be described as any act of gender-based violence, which results in physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or economic harm or suffering to women. Such violence includes threats, coercion, and deprivation of liberty. Next, consider the different forms of violence against women. It may be expressed in the form of: 1. Domestic violence: This is physical, emotional, or economic abuse within the family. 2. Marital rape: It includes sexual intercourse without a woman's consent by her spouse in the institution of marriage. 3. Sexual violence: It may be rape, sexual harassment, or sexual exploitation in institutions like widows' homes, at the workplace, and in public places. 4. Dowry deaths: Violence and abuse due to persistent dowry demands resulting in mental agony and even death of the victim. 5. Female infanticide: Killing of female infants based on fetal sex determination because of strong male child preference. 6. Honor killings: When girls are targeted for breaking societal norms of caste, religion, or for interfaith marriages. 7. Violence in public spaces: This can take the form of eve-teasing, stalking, and acid attacks. 8. Cyber violence in the form of online harassment, cyber stalking, and revenge porn. Having understood the various dimensions of violence against women, I'd say contextualize the issue, explain why women face violence in various forms. It is misogyny, patriarchal norms, power imbalances, and gender stereotypes which together contribute to violence against women. Use credible sources of data such as National Crime Records Bureau or National Family Health Survey, and reports from UN Women to showcase the scale of violence that women face. Next, in your answer, discuss the legal and institutional framework to combat violence against women. This includes legislation like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013, Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, and Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2013, which introduced stricter penalties for sexual offences after the brutal gang rape of Nirbhaya in Delhi in 2012. Mention institutional mechanisms like the National Commission for Women, One-Stop Centres, and Fast-Track Courts. Highlight government schemes and programs like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Selfie with Daughter campaign, Nirbhaya Fund, and Women Helpline Numbers. Discuss the challenges in implementation of these laws and mechanisms. Some of the key challenges are social stigma and victim blaming, which is widely prevalent in the contexts of domestic violence and rape. The low rate of conviction and long-drawn periods of trial make access to justice harrowing. Police insensitivity, lack of legal awareness, are other problems, to name a few. When you mention these challenges, it will highlight why violence against women persists, despite several laws and policies. Now, this is often a somewhat tricky portion of an answer. Often, candidates feel that the government is already doing a lot, so what new can one recommend? Well, frankly, that's a wrong way of looking at an issue. While suggesting a way forward, aspirants should advocate a multi-pronged strategy that addresses gaps in implementation, foresees any future issues (such as wider prevalence of revenge porn using AI and deepfakes), and involves various stakeholders, including governments, women's organizations, and, crucially, men and boys. You see, addressing violence against women is not just about having laws. It is equally about societal transformation through education, and community engagement. While the numerous pro-women laws do reflect administrative intent, sustainable change in this regard hinges on changing people's mindsets. Some specific measures that one can suggest to address violence against women are: strengthening legal enforcement, sensitization of the police force and judiciary, improving victim support systems including counseling and rehabilitation, and enhancing data collection and research for evidence-based policymaking. Also important steps are to promoting gender sensitivity in the education system right from the primary school level, community participation and mindset change, and using technology for women's safety, like CCTV surveillance in public areas and apps that connect to police control rooms for emergency situations. In their answers, aspirants should present violence against women as a complex phenomenon rooted in social structures and cultural norms, support their arguments with data and reports, be mindful of pro-women laws as well as the gaps in their implementation, and be able to suggest practical solutions. EXPRESS INPUT: Here are a few suggestions you can explore on Gender Issues. These articles are part of a special series by UPSC Essentials, written by subject experts. UPSC Mains 2025 Revision: Top 15 Polity and Governance topics aspirants shouldn't miss UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist: Top 15 International Relations topics aspirants shouldn't miss UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist: Top 15 Economy topics aspirants shouldn't miss UPSC Mains 2025 Revision Checklist: Top 15 Science and technology topics aspirants shouldn't miss What are 'directive words' in a UPSC Mains question paper and how do they help in scoring well? How to write effective answers for UPSC Mains Exam : 3 steps and 5 FAQs About our Expert: Pranay Aggarwal is an educator and mentor for aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services exam. With more than 10 years of experience guiding civil service aspirants, he is acknowledged as an expert on civil service exam preparation, especially on subjects like Social Issues and Sociology. He is the India representative on the Research Committee on Education, Religion and Political Sociology for UNESCO's International Sociological Association and a committee member of Indian Sociological Society and its committee on social movements. He is also the Convenor of Indian Civil Services Association, a think tank of senior bureaucrats. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. For your queries and suggestions write at
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Reduce Ethics paper weight, CSAT to not exceed Class 10 level, release Prelims answer key sooner…': Former DGP of Uttarakhand on UPSC exam reforms
For UPSC aspirants, it is that time of year when they juggle their preparation between the Prelims and the Mains. With rising difficulty and increasing competition, the exam keeps students engaged year-round. And the hard work doesn't stop at the end of one year. Many aspirants who do not qualify on their first attempt continue the struggle for several more years — often during the prime years of their lives. The popularity of the UPSC Civil Services exam, among both aspirants and their families, has cemented its place as one of the most coveted competitive exams in the country. And while the exam season brings its own intensity, the broader debate around UPSC reforms continues throughout the year. This year has been no exception. In today's Expert Talk of UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express, Ashok Kumar, former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttarakhand, speaks with Manas Srivastava about issues related to the UPSC exam and the Civil Services of India. About our Expert: Ashok Kumar is a retired 1989 batch Indian Police Service officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, who served as the 11th Director General of Uttarakhand Police. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Sports University of Haryana. Ashok Kumar: I believe that the civil service is the only exam in India which changes your status overnight. Civil services continue to hold immense appeal among Indian youth, particularly those from rural backgrounds, because they offer a unique combination of status, authority, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people. For many, especially from modest socio-economic settings, clearing the exam represents a transformative leap, not just in career but also in social standing. The prestige, power, and ability to contribute directly to governance and public welfare make it an aspirational goal for lakhs of young Indians every year. The services offer a variety of jobs that can be rated quite high on job satisfaction scale. Aspirants are drawn to this variety, where one can grow continuously and explore multiple domains while staying in public service. The prestige, job security, and lifelong benefits associated with Civil Services remain unmatched in India. The structured career progression and power to influence public policy make it highly desirable even today. Ashok Kumar: There has been a noticeable shift in the geographical and socio-economic background of candidates over the years. In my time, Bihar was a dominant contributor to the list of successful candidates accounting for nearly one-third of the selections. Today, while Bihar still plays a significant role, states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and more recently, Haryana, have seen a surge in representation. Another major shift is the increasing number of candidates from rural and modest backgrounds. Earlier, the majority of aspirants came from urban, service-class families, many already connected to government employment. Now, the field is more diverse, with greater participation from first-generation learners and rural aspirants, which is a positive development for inclusive governance. As far as continuity is concerned, the exam remains as tough and uncertain as it was 36 years ago. However, the level of competition has increased, as the number of applicants has grown five-fold while the number of selected candidates has remained more or less the same. Ashok Kumar: It is a well-known fact that the current UPSC exam pattern is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive selection processes globally. It is probably the only exam that, in its various stages, tests candidates' intellectual aptitude, general awareness, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning. The demand—especially in the All-India Services—is not just for intellectual capability, but also for leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, decision-making under pressure, and a strong sense of public service. If you ask me, in some respects, the current pattern is an improvement over the older examination format. During our time, we had to prepare two optional subjects. It made the entire exam process more demanding and increased the element of unpredictability significantly. If we look at the present structure (with common GS papers and the essay carrying 1250 marks), we will find that it brings more uniformity and fairness. But certain other concerns need to be addressed: Ashok Kumar: I believe that the introduction of the CSAT was a step in the right direction. This qualifying paper aims to assess candidates' logical reasoning and analytical abilities. These are essential skills for any civil servant, and therefore, candidates must be tested on them. They are crucial for administrative roles. Having said that, the difficulty level of the paper must be reasonable and aligned with the exam's qualifying nature. The word 'qualifying' must be emphasized. For instance, when I saw the CSAT paper in 2023, I found the difficulty level comparable to that of the IIT entrance exams. One can't expect a qualifying paper to have such a high level of difficulty. I am of the strong opinion that the CSAT should continue. However, its standard should not exceed the Class 10 level. What should be the goal of the preliminary exam's qualifying paper for civil services? The goal should be to ensure that every civil servant possesses essential cognitive reasoning skills. It should not create an undue hurdle for capable candidates from a non-science background. Ashok Kumar: Aspirants, or all those who aim for the Civil Services Examination, must know that it is one of the toughest exams in the country. However, it is also one of the most rewarding exams that the youth of this country can pursue. The reason I say this is that it offers young minds a rare opportunity to serve the people and influence policy. If the youth want to bring about real change in society, the civil services are the answer. Thus, it is worth preparing for this career. In order to succeed, there are no shortcuts. One needs to work both hard and smart. There are a few musts that aspirants should keep in mind: Limit your study resources. Ensure they are the best for your exam preparation. Avoid information overload. Consistency is key. At least 10 to 12 hours of focused study are required every day, especially over two years. Make wise use of available guidance and mentorship. Have a clear thought process. When answering questions in the mains exam and interview, remember to be clear, precise, and to the point. Last but not least: stay patient, persistent, and believe in yourself. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'You Ask We Answer'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers
Are You Prelims Ready? UPSC Prelims 2025 is scheduled for May 25. As the exam approaches, aspirants are often flooded with last-minute doubts and dilemmas — ranging from anxiety and self-doubt to concerns about strategy and performance pressure. These feelings are natural, especially ahead of such a high-stakes and competitive examination. To help aspirants navigate this crucial phase, here is a comprehensive Prelims Day Strategy Guide, part of our Expert Talk series under UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express. In this edition, Rohit Pande, our expert, speaks to Manas Srivastava of The Indian Express, addressing the most common questions and mental roadblocks that aspirants face just before entering the exam hall. About our Expert: Rohit Pande brings over a decade of experience in strategy and consulting to the world of CSE examinations. His team has helped many students clear the exam using scientific framework-driven mentorship. He keeps a keen eye on the evolving patterns of the UPSC IAS exam and the changing study habits of GenZ UPSC aspirants, enabling them with deep, actionable, and unrivaled insights. Answer: Aim to attempt every question where you can confidently eliminate at least one option. Ideally, attempt at least 85–90 questions. Often, even in the 10–15 you initially skip, you'll find you can eliminate at least one option on review. This pushes your attempt count higher. If you're strong in reasoning and have sharp intuition, going beyond 95 attempts can work — provided your guesses are reasoned, not random. Answer: If the paper throws a few surprises your way, take a deep breath — it's the same for everyone. Don't panic. Every question has a pattern and logic; your job is to crack it. In recent years, some unexpected areas have shown up, such as sports questions (Olympics, Chess Olympiad, Laureus Awards, even the Cricket Test Championship), a whole bunch of 'only'-type statements (47 in 2023), and 18 assertion-reason questions. In 2024, they even included defence-related topics — military ranks, operations, and exercises. So, expect a few curveballs. But remember, it's not about knowing everything — it's about staying calm, thinking smart, and playing the game well. Answer: The golden rule for attempting questions in the Prelims is simple: attempt every question where you have confidently eliminated at least one option. Once you eliminate even a single choice, your odds improve significantly — with three options left, you now have a 1 in 3 chance, which statistically leads to a net-positive outcome. If your logical reasoning and elimination skills are sharp, you can take calculated risks and attempt more questions. But if you are not confident in your techniques, it is smarter to play it safe. In that case, keeping your total attempts between 88 and 92 is often a sweet spot. Answer: Do not go into the exam hall trying to judge the difficulty of the paper — that is not your job. Your focus should be on attempting every question where you can eliminate at least one option. That is your green light — stick to it no matter what. Take a deep breath. The paper might feel tough — but it will feel that way for everyone. And remember, when the paper is tough, the cutoff usually drops. So stay calm, stay sharp, and don't let the pressure get to you. Answer: We don't expect the CSAT paper to be as difficult as it was in 2023 — that year saw significant backlash, with even cases filed in the Supreme Court over the level of difficulty. As a result, the 2024 paper was more balanced. So, there is a good chance this year will follow that pattern. But just in case it doesn't, be mentally prepared. Stay well-rested — calmness and composure can make all the difference. CSAT requires a solid strategy. That is why we emphasize mastering both Comprehension and Maths & Logical Reasoning. If one section turns out to be tough — like Maths in 2023 — shift gears and focus more on Comprehension and Logical Reasoning. If Comprehension feels hard, rely on the other areas. Flexibility is your best weapon. Answer: Ever wondered why UPSC gives only 2 hours for this exam while most 100-question exams offer 3 hours? It is intentional — this exam tests decision-making, clarity under pressure, and your ability to act decisively. If you have spent around a minute on a question, you have likely exhausted your reasoning and recall. Lingering longer rarely helps. Be decisive and move on. There's no 'one-size-fits-all' time per question. Instead, manage your paper in time blocks. For example: Time management is non-negotiable. If you are falling behind, speed up and make decisions faster. The goal isn't perfection — it is smart decision-making under pressure. Answer: It is absolutely essential to approach the GS Paper with a multi-round strategy. The most effective method is the three-round approach: Have a well-rehearsed strategy and stick to it on exam day. Avoid panic-based decisions or switching strategies mid-way. Answer: Don't discuss the paper or search for answers online. It's tempting, but it does more harm than good — leading to panic, self-doubt, and lower performance in CSAT. Instead, mentally draw a line under the GS paper — it's done. Now shift focus completely to CSAT. During the break: Answer: Remember, D-day is all that counts. It's not just about your knowledge — it's about how well you execute under pressure. Stick to your strategy, stay calm, and trust your preparation. Answer: Slow down just enough to read with intention. Start by carefully reading the question and all options. Don't rush, even if it seems familiar. Underline or circle keywords — especially critical ones like: 'not,' 'only,' 'all,' 'some,' 'incorrect,' 'correct,' etc. These completely change the question's meaning. If something feels off, reread it. A second reading often reveals hidden traps. Answer: If you panic or blank out, don't change your strategy. Pause. Take a deep breath and tell yourself, 'I got this' (or any personal mantra you use). This helps calm your nerves and re-engages your brain. Then return to the paper with a steady mind. Trust your preparation and stick to your process. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. The UPSC articles of Indian Express is now on Telegram. Join our Telegram channel- Indian Express UPSC Hub and stay updated with the latest Updates. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'You Ask We Answer'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
CSAT Exam Hall Strategy : Step-by-step guide to score atleast 66.67 marks in UPSC Prelims 2025
Dear UPSC aspirants, The UPSC CSAT examination is just a few days away, and with the admit cards now released, many aspirants are turning their attention to exam hall strategy and how best to attempt the paper. Over the past few years, CSAT — once considered a qualifying formality — has evolved into a silent eliminator, filtering out candidates regardless of their General Studies performance. With just days remaining before the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, aspirants across the country are intensifying their preparations. While General Studies continues to command the bulk of attention, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) presents its own set of challenges — and risks. Recognising this shift, UPSC Essentials launched the 'UPSC CSAT Simplified' series earlier this year. The aim: to break down key concepts from the CSAT paper and offer practice questions to help candidates track their progress. Today, we pause from the usual syllabus-driven discussions to address an often overlooked yet vital aspect of preparation: exam hall strategy. In this article, Manas Srivastava speaks with CSAT expert Mudit Gupta, who shares practical strategies to help candidates secure the crucial one-third qualifying marks in CSAT. His insights focus not just on improving accuracy, but also on avoiding common time traps. Whether you're a first-time candidate or a returning aspirant, a methodical approach to the CSAT paper could make all the difference on May 25 — the day of prelims exams. About our Expert: Mudit Gupta has been a mentor and faculty for the UPSC Civil Services exam for 8 years with expertise in CSAT, Polity, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break complex concepts into simpler ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grip over the subject matter. There is a widespread misconception that CSAT is all about tough mathematics questions, and students from a humanities background cannot solve them. Experience tells me that CSAT is an unpredictable turf ground. There have been instances when English reading comprehension was more difficult than quantitative aptitude. So, there is no generalised fixed trend regarding the difficulty level of the CSAT exam. It varies every year. Moreover, many aspirants from premier engineering colleges of the country have failed to score the minimum 1/3 marks in CSAT on multiple occasions. So, the stream of the candidate is immaterial while solving the CSAT paper. It's a misconception that students from a science background have an edge over others in the CSAT paper. Each one of us has certain strong and weak areas in a subject. However, to clear the exam, we cannot just attempt the questions only from our strong areas. The weightage of every chapter is limited, and to be able to clear the cut-off comfortably, we need to attempt the questions from across the spectrum. Sometimes, aspirants move ahead with the strategy of finding the questions from a specific chapter or a specific subject in the paper first and then attempting questions from other areas. This is a time-consuming and inefficient strategy. To find questions from a specific chapter or subject out of the mixed bag of 80 questions is time-consuming and will eat up the time from the limited 120 minutes that we have to solve the 80 questions. It is always advisable to solve the questions in the order in which they appear in the question paper. Before pouncing on the prey, a lion always takes a step back. That stepping back is not a weakness, but rather the strength of a lion. Following the similar analogy, whenever you encounter a question that you think is partially solvable or you're not very confident about its answer, it is always better to skip that question. Every negative mark will erode your positive marks and thus pull you downwards. Skipping a question will fetch you 0 marks, but wrongly attempting a question will take away your 0.83 marks Just before the exam, this is one question that I am asked the most. The number of questions to be attempted depends solely on your accuracy in the exam hall. It is a given that you don't need to attempt all 80 questions. Some aspirants have a preset number in mind regarding the number of questions to be attempted. In the quest to achieve that number, they tend to over-attempt, ultimately leading to negative marking. Never enter the exam hall with a preset number. Depending on the difficulty level of the overall paper and the difficulty level of individual subjects of quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and English reading comprehension, you should decide how much to attempt in the overall paper and how much to attempt from each subject. Ideally, to attempt 80 questions in 120 minutes, you need 1.5 minutes per question. However, the requirement of CSAT is such that we don't need to attempt all 80 questions to be on the other side of the cut-off. While attempting the CSAT paper, different questions will require different amounts of time depending on the length of the paragraph or the length of the calculation involved. Hence, we cannot assign a uniform amount of time to every question. However, a few basic parameters to be kept in mind while solving the questions would be: if you think that a question is a bit on the lengthier side, but you're confident of getting close to the right answer, you should attempt it. Moreover, avoid the ego battles at all costs. If there's a tough question from your strong area, and it is likely that you will not get the answer, in such cases, you should not be stubborn and, rather, move ahead to capture the low-hanging fruit. BTW: Haven't tried our UPSC CSAT Practice Sets yet? Check out CSAT Practice Set 1 (click here), Practice Set 2 (click here), Practice Set 3 (click here), Practice Set 4 (click here),Practice Set 5 (click here) , Practice Set 6 (click here) , Practice Set 7 (click here) , Practice Set 8 (click here) ,Practice Set 9(click here),Practice Set 10(click here)., Practice Set 11(click here), Practice Set 12 (click here). and Practice Set 13 (click here). The CSAT paper refers to the General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination which is a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33 per cent or 66.67 marks. This 200 marks paper comprises questions on comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning, and analytical ability, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class 10 level), data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class 10 level). The questions are of multiple choice, objective type. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week relevant for your UPSC Exam. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
