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Essay Paper UPSC 2024 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis
Last updated on September 23, 2024 by Alex Andrews George
UPSC conducted the Essay Paper , as part of the Civil Services Main Exam 2024 on 20-09-2024. The question paper was relatively easy.
There were 8 Essay topics, out of which candidates were asked to write on two topics in 3 hours.
Candidates were supposed to answer about 1000 words for each essay (about 10-12 pages).
Table of Contents
Essay Paper UPSC 2024 Instructions
- Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
- 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 a medium other than the authorized one.
- Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
- Any page or portion of the page left blank, must be struck off clearly.
Essay Question Paper – UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2024
Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each:
- Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.
- The Empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.
- There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
- The doubter is a true man of Science.
- Social media is Triggering ‘ Fear of Missing Out ‘ amongst the youth , precipitating depression and loneliness.
- Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
- All ideas having large consequences are always simple.
- The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.
1. Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.
This statement is saying that civilizations flourish where nature is abundant, but as humans build societies, they often damage the environment, leading to barren lands.
Think of it like this: when people settle in areas full of forests and natural resources, they cut down trees, clear land for agriculture, and use up resources to grow their cities.
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Over time, if they’re not careful, that land can turn into a desert—literally or figuratively.
You can use examples from history, like how ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia flourished because of fertile lands, but many of those areas now struggle with desertification due to poor management of resources.
This topic would also fit into discussions around climate change and how modern society has to learn from the past to avoid environmental disasters.
2. The Empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.
Instead of countries or kings conquering land with armies, this topic suggests that future power will come from knowledge and ideas.
Basically, in today’s world, people and nations with advanced technology, innovation, and control over information will be the most powerful.
Think about how big companies like Google, Facebook, or nations leading in artificial intelligence have a huge influence globally.
It’s not about land anymore—it’s about controlling ideas, information, and knowledge.
You could talk about how education, technology, and creativity are becoming the new currency of power in the world.
3. There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
This is a more philosophical topic, saying that happiness isn’t something you “get” after achieving a goal; it’s something you practice every day.
Instead of thinking, “I’ll be happy when I get rich or successful,” the idea is to find happiness in the small things, like enjoying your daily life and being content with what you have.
It’s similar to ideas in Buddhism or mindfulness, where the focus is on being present and finding joy in the journey, not just the destination.
You could compare how different cultures and philosophies view happiness, or discuss why chasing material success doesn’t always lead to happiness.
4. The doubter is a true man of Science.
This one is all about the importance of questioning things in science.
Basically, true scientists don’t accept things at face value—they’re always skeptical, asking questions, and trying to prove ideas wrong to find the truth.
Doubt and questioning are what drive scientific discovery.
You could talk about famous scientists like Galileo or Einstein, who challenged existing beliefs and helped move humanity forward. In today’s world, with so much information available, critical thinking and skepticism are more important than ever, whether it’s in science or in everyday life.
1. Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.
This topic is something a lot of students today can relate to.
It’s saying that social media makes people feel like they’re missing out on all the fun others are having, which can lead to anxiety, loneliness, and even depression.
Think about Instagram or TikTok—people post their best moments, and it often looks like everyone else is living a perfect life, which can make you feel bad about your own life.
This essay could explore how constant comparison on social media impacts mental health, especially for young people.
You can also mention how it’s important to have balance, maybe even trying social media breaks or focusing on real-life connections.
2. Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
This is about how people’s true character comes out when they have power.
It’s easy to be good when you’re struggling or when life is tough, but how do you behave when you’re in charge?
Does power make you kind and fair, or does it corrupt you?
You could use examples of political leaders, celebrities, or even people in everyday life.
Abraham Lincoln is often quoted here because he believed that how someone handles power shows their true nature.
This is a great opportunity to discuss leadership, ethics, and what makes a good leader.
3. All ideas having large consequences are always simple.
Some of the most impactful ideas in history are often quite simple.
Think about democracy, freedom, equality—these ideas are straightforward, but they’ve changed the world.
The essay could explore why simplicity makes ideas more powerful—because they’re easier to understand, spread, and act on.
You could compare this with complex ideas that may not be as effective or show how simple principles have led to big movements or discoveries.
4. The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.
This is all about action versus inaction.
It’s saying that it’s better to try something and fail than to do nothing out of fear of being wrong.
Think about how in science, business, or even life, trial and error are necessary for progress.
If you’re too afraid to make mistakes, you’ll never get anywhere.
You could discuss how risk-taking and learning from failures are essential for growth.
This could be applied to entrepreneurship, decision-making in politics, or even personal development.
What Should Aspirants Preparing for UPSC CSE for Next Year do for an essay paper?
Taking the essay paper in the UPSC exam seriously is important. This paper requires you to write 10-12 pages about abstract or philosophical topics, which can be challenging if you’re not well-prepared.
To succeed in this exam and perform well in the essay paper, you should work on improving your comprehension and analytical skills.
To get additional guidance you can join the ClearIAS essay writing program as well.
Don’t miss: ClearIAS Courses
Summary: Essay Paper UPSC 2024 (Mains)
The UPSC 2024 essay questions are a mix of deep philosophical themes, environmental and historical reflections, and modern social challenges.
Some topics, like “Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them,” encourage us to reflect on humanity’s impact on nature, while others, like “Social media is triggering Fear of Missing Out,” are very relevant to the digital age and its effect on youth.
There are also essays that dive into personal growth and leadership, such as “There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path,” which emphasizes finding joy in everyday life, and “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power,” focusing on how power reveals true character.
The key is to connect these topics to real-world examples, whether from history, psychology, science, or personal experiences, and to understand how they apply to both the individual and society today.
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About Alex Andrews George
Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.
He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.
A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upsc mains 2024 essay question paper.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Main 2024 starting from September 20, 2024 , across various centers pan-India. This examination is a crucial milestone for numerous aspirants aiming to secure a position in the Civil Services. Among the nine papers included in the UPSC CSE Mains Exam, the first paper, the UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Question Paper , focused on essay writing, testing candidates’ ability to present their thoughts cohesively and analytically on diverse topics.
Verbatim repetition, yet again!
Question 1 of the UPSC essay paper, 2024 vis a vis Question 6 of NEXT IAS Essay guidance program, 2023.
निम्नलिखित खण्ड A और B प्रत्येक से एक विषय चुनकर दो निबन्ध लिखिए, जो 1000 – 1200 शब्दों में हो: Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B of about 1000-1200 words each:
खण्ड A Section A
1. जंगल सभ्यताओं से पहले आते हैं और रेगिस्तान उनके बाद आते हैं। Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.
2. भविष्य के साम्राज्य, मस्तिष्क के साम्राज्य होंगे । The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.
3. प्रसन्नता का कोई मार्ग नहीं है; प्रसन्नता ही मार्ग है। There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
4. प्रश्न पूछने वाला ही विज्ञान का सच्चा सिपाही है। The doubter is a true man of science.
खण्ड B Section B
5. सोशल मीडिया युवाओं में ‘छूटने का डर’ पैदा कर रहा है जिसके कारण उनमें अवसाद और अकेलापन बढ़ रहा है। Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.
6. लगभग सभी मनुष्य प्रतिकूल परिस्थितियों का सामना कर सकते हैं, लेकिन किसी व्यक्ति के चरित्र के परीक्षण के लिए, उसे शक्ति प्रदान करके देखिए । Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
7. व्यापक परिणाम वाले सभी विचार हमेशा साधारण ही होते हैं। All ideas having large consequences are always simple.
8. ग़लत होने की कीमत कुछ न करने की कीमत से कम है। The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.
UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Question Paper PDF
The UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Question Paper PDF is available for download. Aspirants can gain crucial insights about the trends and the pattern of the UPSC CSE Mains Exam. This, in turn, can be helpful for the aspirants to align their preparation with the expectations of the UPSC.
Stay tuned for more such updates on UPSC CSE Main 2024 Question Papers.
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UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2024, Download All Sets PDF
Union Public Service Commission conducts the UPSC Mains Essay Exam on 20th September 2024 in single shifts in various centres of the Country. Candidates can download UPSC Essay Question Paper 2024 PDF.
Table of Contents
Union Public Service Commission has conducted the UPSC Essay Exam on 20th September 2024 in various centres of the Country. UPSC Mains is the second stage of the UPSC Mains Exam. Essay paper is a significant component of this examination. This paper tests candidates’ ability to articulate complex ideas and present arguments coherently and concisely. The UPSC Essay Question Paper 2024 PDF is available for download after the exam, providing valuable insights into the topics and structure of the questions.
UPSC Essay Question Paper 2024
The Essay Paper is an essential component of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination, carrying a total of 250 marks. The UPSC Essay Paper is scheduled to be held on 20 September 2024 for the morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. It plays a pivotal role in determining a candidate’s overall score and ranking in the examination. This paper requires candidates to write two essays, one from each of the two sections provided.
UPSC Essay Question Paper 2024 Download PDF
Candidates can download the UPSC Mains Question Paper after completion of the UPSC Mains Exam. After the completion of the UPSC Mains 2024 exam, candidates and aspirants can download the Essay Paper PDF from official upsc.gov.in, or the direct link provides access to the question papers. The PDF will be made available for download, offering an opportunity to review the essay topics and understand the examination pattern for future reference.
UPSC ESSAY Question Paper 2024 (Section A)
UPSC ESSAY Question Paper 2024 (Section B)
Check here: UPSC Mains Essay Paper Analysis 2024
Essay Paper Structure 2024
The UPSC Essay Paper consists of two sections, each containing a set of thought-provoking topics. Candidates are required to select one topic from each section and write essays based on their choices. Here’s a breakdown of the paper structure:
- Section A: This section typically includes philosophical and reflective topics, requiring candidates to delve into abstract ideas and provide comprehensive analyses.
- Section B: This section usually presents societal and practical issues, demanding a grounded approach and practical insights.
Steps to Download UPSC Essay Question Paper 2024 PDF
- Visit Official UPSC Website: Post-exam, the UPSC website or educational platforms will provide links to download the question paper.
- Review the Topics: Analyze the essay topics to understand the range of subjects covered. This will help in identifying patterns and preparing for future exams.
- Practice Writing Essays: Use the essay topics to practice writing essays within the word limit. Focus on structuring your essay logically and presenting your arguments clearly.
- Evaluate Your Responses: Compare your essays with model answers or peer-reviewed essays to gauge your performance and identify areas for improvement.
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Download UPSC Mains 2024 - Essay Question Paper
- September 21, 2024
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a highly competitive exam, and the Mains stage is a critical part of the selection process. Among the Mains papers, the Essay paper holds immense significance as it tests candidates on their ability to articulate their thoughts clearly, coherently, and concisely.
The UPSC Mains 2024 Essay paper , conducted on 20th September 2024 , is now available for download, offering valuable insights into the essay topics asked this year.
Why Downloading the Mains 2024 Essay Paper is Important for Your Preparation
The UPSC Essay paper is known for its diversity in topics, covering a broad range of issues, from philosophy and ethics to current affairs and socio-economic challenges. Downloading the question paper can help you:
- Understand the Latest Trends : Reviewing the recent topics can help you identify the areas UPSC focuses on in the current year.
- Improve Time Management : Practice writing full-length essays within the 3-hour time frame to get accustomed to the actual exam pressure.
- Develop Writing Style : Analyze the topics and practice structuring your essays with a strong introduction, a balanced argument, and a well-rounded conclusion.
- Work on Topic Diversity : The 2024 paper will give you an idea of the thematic variety UPSC covers, from abstract philosophical questions to practical, issue-based topics.
What was the exam date for the UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Paper?
The exam was held on 20th September 2024 .
Can I download the UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Question Paper for free?
Yes, you can download the UPSC Mains 2024 Essay Question Paper for free using the link provided above.
How should I use the Essay question paper to prepare for the exam?
Practice writing essays within the time limit, focus on structuring your thoughts logically, and review past year topics to understand the essay trend.
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