1. UPSC Mains 2014: Essay Paper
    1. Section-A (125 marks)
    2. Section-B (125 marks)
    3. Comparison: Essay paper 2013 vs 2014
    4. Bogus marketing propaganda
  2. Essay-list: Topic wise last 22 years (1993-2014)
    1. Economy, Development
    2. Education
    3. Indian Democracy, society, culture, mindset
    4. International issues
    5. Quote based / Philosophical
    6. Polity, administration
    7. Science-Technology
    8. Women empowerment
  3. Essaylist: Yearwise Last 22 years (1993-2014)

UPSC Mains 2014: Essay Paper

Instructions

  • Exam date: 14th December 2014. From 9 AM to 12 Noon, 3 hours duration.
  • 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 medium other than authorized one.
  • Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
  • Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.
  • Write TWO Essays, choosing ONE from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each : 125×2= Total 250 marks.
  • ~10-11 blank pages were given for each section.

Section-A (125 marks)

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

  1. With greater power comes greater responsibility.
  2. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
  3. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
  4. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.

Section-B (125 marks)

Write any one of the following essay in 1000-1200 words.

  1. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
  2. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
  3. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
  4. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
Analysis of UPSC Mains Essay 2014 Paper

Analysis of UPSC Mains Essay 2014 Paper

  1. @Mains-Players: which essay did you write and what points did you include in it? (Reply after Mains is over.)
  2. @Non-Mains 2013 players: Which essay would you write and what points will you include in it? (You may post comment right now!)
  3. @Hindi Medium: Those who want to see Hindi version of those essay topicsā€“, click me for the photo of Question paper.Ā  Image courtesy: “Jude_Prudence”, long time reader of the site.
Comparison: Essay paper 2013 vs 2014
2013 2014
theyā€™ve specifically instructed ā€œNot more than 2500ā€ words Two essays, 1000-1200 words for each.
Attempt one out of four essays.Despite speculation that more than one essay will be asked. Candidates were required to write two essays. And I welcome this UPSC-reform. because

  1. Hard to think of 2500 words content on any topic. Even in 2013, most candidates wrote hardly 1200-1500 words on the single topic.
  2. If single essay is asked, and you get below 100 out of 250 marks, thenĀ  game over.
  3. But if two essays asked, then slightly less danger of your entire future hanging on the whims, fancies and viewpoints of the examiner over a single topic. [UPSC admitted in RTIs, they donā€™t give ā€œMODEL Answerkeyā€ to examiner.]
250 marks | 3 hours same
proverb /quote type topic: Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)
  1. Words are sharper than two edged sword.
  2. With great power comes great responsibilities (said Spidermanā€™s Uncle Ben)
Only one essay in ā€˜questionā€™ format: Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? 6 out of 8 topics were in question format- requiring you to take a ā€œStandā€.
following topics were in news but not asked as essay topics:

  1. Crime against women due to Delhi gang-rape.
  2. Criminalization of politics.
  3. Policy paralysis. (But asked in 2014 exam under Modi-raj finally. May be examiner was too afraid to ask it during UPA-raj hahaha)
  4. Indo-China, Indo-Pak, elections, Mangalyaan etc.
Following topics were in news but not asked as essay topics:

  1. Space-exploration (ISRO-Mangalyan)
  2. Extremism (ISIS)
  3. New cold war (Ukraine).
  4. Good governance, E-governance, Minimum governance (Modi)
  5. Relevance Planning commission, socialist economy.
  6. Nehru related essays because of his 125th Anniversary.

Bogus marketing propaganda
Few months back, I had started weekly Essay quotes list. But I donā€™t see any of them directly / indirectly asked here hehehe.

Essay-list: Topic wise last 22 years (1993-2014)

Economy, Development

  1. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? -2014
  2. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
  3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
  4. Is the criticism that the ā€˜Public-Private-Partnershipā€™ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
  5. Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
  6. BPO boom in India.Ā Ā  -2007
  7. Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
  8. Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
  9. Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
  10. Multinational corporations ā€“ saviours or saboteurs -1994
  11. Special economic zone : boon or bane -2008
  12. Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
  13. Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
  14. Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009
  15. The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ā€˜havesā€™ of our society. -2009
  16. Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997

Education

  1. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
  2. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
  3. Modern technological education and human values. -2002
  4. Credit ā€“ based higher education system ā€“ status , opportunities and challenges -2011
  5. ā€œEducation for allā€ campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
  6. Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
  7. Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
  8. Value-based science and education. -1999
  9. Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
  10. Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
  11. Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995
  12. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
  13. What is real education? -2005

Indian Democracy, society, culture, mindset

  1. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
  2. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
  3. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success?-2013
  4. In the context of Gandhijiā€™s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ā€˜Swadhinataā€™, ā€˜Swarajā€™ and ā€˜Dharmarajyaā€™. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy -2012
  5. Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
  6. Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
  7. Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
  8. Youth culture today. -1999
  9. Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
  10. The composite culture of India. -1998
  11. The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
  12. Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010
  13. From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? -2010
  14. Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
  15. New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
  16. How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
  17. ā€˜ globalizationā€™ vs. ā€˜ nationalismā€™ -2009
  18. National identity and patriotism -2008
  19. Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
  20. Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
  21. True religion cannot be misused. -1997
  22. Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004

International issues

  1. Indiaā€™s role in promoting asean co-operation. -2004
  2. The masks of new imperialism. -2003
  3. As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
  4. The implications of globalization for India. -2000
  5. My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
  6. Indiaā€™s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
  7. The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
  8. Preparedness of our society for Indiaā€™s global leadership role. -2010
  9. The global order: political and economic -1993
  10. Importance of indo-u.s. nuclear agreement -2006
  11. Good fences make good neighbors -2009
  12. Terrorism and world peace -2005
  13. Restructuring of uno reflect present realities -1996

Quote based / Philosophical

  1. With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
  2. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
  3. Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
  4. Discipline means success , anarchy means ruin -2008
  5. Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man.Ā  -2007
  6. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
  7. Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
  8. Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
  9. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
  10. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
  11. Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, oldage a regret -1994
  12. Useless life is an early death. -1994
  13. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -1993
  14. Compassion is the basic of all morality would -1993
  15. If youth knew, if age could. -2002
  16. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
  17. The pursuit of excellence. -2001
  18. Truth is lived, not taught -1996

Polity, administration

  1. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental implication -2011
  2. Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people.Ā  -2007
  3. Justice must reach the poor -2005
  4. Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
  5. The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
  6. The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
  7. Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
  8. When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
  9. How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
  10. Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
  11. Judicial activism. -1997
  12. The vip cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
  13. Need for transparency in public administration -1996
  14. Whither Indian democracy? -1995
  15. Politics, bureaucracy and business ā€“ fatal triangle. -1994
  16. How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
  17. What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
  18. My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
  19. In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism -2011
  20. Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
  21. The countryā€™s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
  22. Are we a ā€˜soft ā€™ state ? -2009
  23. Role of media in good governance -2008
  24. Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
  25. What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
  26. Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
  27. Food security for sustainable national development -2005

Science-Technology

  1. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
  2. Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
  3. Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993
  4. The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
  5. The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
  6. Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
  7. The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
  8. The lure of space. -2004

Women empowerment

  1. Managing work and home ā€“ is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012
  2. Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
  3. Womenā€™s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
  4. The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
  5. If women ruled the world -2005
  6. Whither womenā€™s emancipation? -2004
  7. Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
  8. Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
  9. Woman is godā€™s best creation. -1998
  10. Greater political power alone will not improve womenā€™s plight. -1997
  11. The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995


[accordion] [accordion_item title=”Same Essaylist: Yearwise Last 22 years (1993-2014)- Click to Expand”]

2014 write one essay from each sectionSection-A

  1. With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
  2. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
  3. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
  4. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014

Section-B

  1. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
  2. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
  3. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
  4. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
2013
  1. Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)
  2. Is the Colonial mentality hindering Indiaā€™s Success
  3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country
  4. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
2012
  1. In the context of Gandhijiā€™s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ā€˜Swadhinataā€™, ā€˜Swarajā€™ and ā€˜Dharmarajyaā€™. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy.
  2. Is the criticism that the ā€˜Public-Private-Partnershipā€™ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified?
  3. Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?
  4. Managing work and home ā€“ is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal?
2011 1. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental implication2. Does Indian Cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it3. Credit ā€“ based higher education system ā€“ status , opportunities and challenges4. In the Indian context , Both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism
2010 1. Geography may remain the same; history need not.2. Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country?3. Preparedness of our society for Indiaā€™s global leadership role.4. From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift?
2009 1. Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death?2. Are we a ā€˜Soft ā€™ state ?3. ā€œThe focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ā€˜havesā€™ of our societyā€.4. ā€œ Good Fences make good neighborsā€5. ā€˜ Globlisationā€™ vs. ā€˜ Nationalismā€™
2008 1. Role of Media in good governance2. National Identity and Patritism3. Special Economic Zone : Boon or Bane4. Descipline means success , anarchy means ruin5. Urbanisation and Its Hazards6. Is an Egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ?
2007 1. Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood.2. Evaluation of Panchayati Raj System in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people.3. Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man.4. Is Autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization?5. How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets.6. BPO boom in India.
2006 1. Womenā€™s Reservation Bill Would Usher in Empowerment for Women in India.2. Protection of Ecology and Environment is Essential for Sustained Economic Development.3. Importance of Indo-U.S. Nuclear Agreement4. ā€œEducation for Allā€ Campaign in India: Myth or Reality.5. Globalization Would Finish Small-Scale Industries in India.6. Increasing Computerization Would lead to the Creation of a Dehumanized Society.
2005 1. Justice must reach the poor2. The hand that rocks the cradle3. If women ruled the world4. What is real education?5. Terrorism and world peace6. Food security for sustainable national development
2004 1. Indiaā€™s Role in Promoting ASEAN Co-operation.2. Judicial Activism and Indian Democracy.3. Whither Womenā€™s Emancipation?4. Globalizations and Its Impact on Indian Culture.5. The Lure of Space.6. Water Resources Should Be Under the Control of the Central Government.
2003 1. The Masks of New Imperialism.2. How far has democracy in India delivered the goods?3. How should a civil servant conduct himself?4. As civilization advances culture declines.5. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.6. Spirituality and Scientific temper.
2002 1. Modern technological education and human values.2. Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem.3. If youth knew, if age could.4. The paths of glory lead but to the grave.5. Privatization of higher education in India.6. Responsibility of media in a democracy.
2001 1. What have we gained from our democratic set-up?2. My vision of an ideal world order.3. The march of science and the erosion of human values.4. Irrelevance of the classroom.5. The pursuit of excellence.6. Empowerment alone cannot help our women.
2000 1. Why should we be proud of being Indians?2. The cyberworld: Its charms and challenges.3. The countryā€™s need for a better disaster management system.4. Indian culture today: A myth or a reality?5. The implications of globalization for India.6. Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values.
1999 1. Women empowerment: Challenges and prospects.2. Youth culture today.3. Mass media and cultural invasion.4. Resource management in the Indian context.5. Value-based science and education.6. Reservation, politics and empowerment.
1998 1. The composite culture of India.2. Woman is Godā€™s best creation.3.The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India.4. Indiaā€™s contribution to world wisdom.5. The language problem in India: Its past, present and prospects.6. The world of the twenty-first century.
1997 1. What we have not learnt during fifty years of Independence.2. Judicial activism.3. Greater political power alone will not improve womenā€™s plight.4. True religion cannot be misused.5. The modern doctor and his patients.6. Urbanization is a blessing in disguise.
1996 1. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education.2. Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities3. New cults and Godmen: a threat to traditional religion4. The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy5. Need for transparency in public administration6. Truth is lived, not taught
1995 1. Politics without ethics is a disaster.2. The new emerging women Power: the ground realities.3. When money speaks, the truth is silent.4. Whither Indian democracy?5. Restructuring of Indian education system.6. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation.

7. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.

1994 1. Youth is a blunder, Manhood a struggle, oldage a regret2. The Indian society at the crossroads.3. Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts.4. Useless life is an early death.5. Politics, bureaucracy and business ā€“ Fatal Triangle.6. Multinational corporations ā€“ saviours or saboteurs
1993 1. My vision of India in 2001 A.D.2. The global order: political and economic3. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king.4. Compassion is the basic of all morality would5. Men have failed: let women take over.6. Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence.

7. Ecological considerations need not hamper development.

8. Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution.

[/accordion_item] [/accordion]
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