Approach for Writing Answers in Mains

Selection in Civil Services is largely determined not by the amount of knowledge you possess, but the way you present it on your answer sheet. Moreover with this new pattern where you are asked 20-25 questions to be answered in 3 hours, mastery over writing skill is the most significant aspect.



In this article i will discuss my approach towards writing. However it requires a lot of consistent practise to develop the art of writing an effective answer. Mere memorisation of facts will help you clear Prelim but not Mains for sure, specially in this new pattern.

Here, i will give you an overall framework that will help you to frame any answer. Let me explain it with an example.

Let's assume a question:

Q: Critically examine demographic dividend in the case of Indian economy ?

First of all, analyse what the examiner is asking for and list down the sub-parts of your answer, which in this case includes:

1. Definition of Demographic Dividend
2. Situation in India
3. How it is beneficial
4. What are the challenges before us
5. What is already being done by Govt
6. What is not being done
7. How can these limitations be resolved
8. Conclusion

With a lot of practise, this structure of answer will start to develop in your mind the moment you read the question.
The next step is allocation of words to each sub-part. Give more words to the central idea of your answer. Which in this case is "How demographic dividend can help our economy and what all we need to do to tap it's benefits"

There are some specific terms used in the questions like Examine, Critically examine, Discuss, Comment, Elucidate, Explain, Write a Note on etc.
Generally there is not much difference, but a good examiner will always give you extra marks if your answer revolves around the technically correct meaning of these terms. Let me explain the minute difference between these terms:

Examine:
Means giving an account of each and every aspect of the problem. e.g. - background, importance, shortcomings, initiatives, conclusions

Critically Examine:
It is same as Examine, with a slight focus on the critical elements associated to it. Mind it, critically examine does not mean that you just have to criticise it.

Discuss:
Let me explain it with an example.
Q1: Discuss the 12th Five Year Plan
Q2: Give the features of 12th Five Year Plan
These 2 questions are fundamentally different and hence the content in the answer will vary accordingly.
In Q1: You are asked to write about various aspects of the features of 12th FYP like their need, their impact, their shortcoming etc
In Q2: You are just asked to list down the features without discussing them.

Comment:
In comment you again have to cover different sub-parts by giving an opinion for each aspect, without quoting any expert view. Your answer should reflect your opinion on that issue rather than merely throwing away all the facts you know about it.

Explain, Write a note:
It can be written in any way, there is nothing specific in it. You may give all the facts about it with some discussion on these facts

Elucidate:
It has to be explained with examples.

Keeping all these things in mind, you should start practising and discuss your answers with your friends and seniors. You may also email your answers to me at gsdhillon186@gmail.com, i may suggest you further improvements.

Also keep in mind while writing that you have not more than 9 minutes to write a 200 words answer in PCS Mains exam, so practise accordingly.

Last, i want to suggest some key points to be kept in mind while answering in general:

1. Always try to reflect optimism in your answer, never give a very negative picture in any case.
2. Never justify any social evil on any ground
3. Avoid personal biases and maintain a neutral approach towards ideology based issues.
4. Always end your answer on a positive note.

Practise as much as you can, there is no alternative or shortcut. What you write on your answer sheet in those 3 hours in that examination hall will decide your destiny.