Topper’s Mantra – Anshuman Raj’s tips for UPSC Mains: Have a grip on essay, ethics and optional; There should be a 65:35 ratio between syllabus and current affairs

My name is Anshuman Raj. I am from Buxar, Bihar. I have studied marine engineering from Kolkata. I worked in Hong Kong for about 5 years. I cracked the UPSC Civil Services Exam for the first time in 2018.

Through this exam, I was selected for IRS-Customs and Tax Service. I gave the Civil Services exam again in 2019. I got selected for IAS in the second attempt. Currently, I am posted in Narsinghgarh, Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh.

The UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam was held on 16th June. Today in Toppers Mantra, we will learn from IAS Officer Anshuman Raj how to prepare for the UPSC Mains Exam.
Read and understand the syllabus carefully. The advantage of prelims is that since it is an MCQ based exam, the answer to every question is present in front of us. In such a situation, if our concepts are clear, then the answer can be done. Prepare the core syllabus well.

Even if UPSC asks any question from a particular magazine or newspaper, the number of such questions is only 2 to 5. So do not waste your time on these questions.

You cannot decode the trend of UPSC, focus on core subjects
No one knows what UPSC is going to ask next time. Instead of following a trend, focus on the static part and current affairs. Keep a ratio of 65 to 35 between these two things. If your syllabus is strong then you will be able to deal with the current affairs questions as well.

Instead of taking a separate class for daily current affairs, follow two to three core sources. At the same time, prepare for the static part from primary sources i.e. NCERT and one or two reference books. Do multiple reading of these books and prepare by understanding the concepts.

Use of easy language is important for the essay
I had scored 147 out of 250 marks in the essay paper in my first attempt. UPSC demands that you use the most easy-flowing and understandable language. If a question demands that you can benefit from starting the answer with a poem or a quote, then follow this pattern. If you do not feel the need, avoid answering on a fixed template.

If you want, prepare two to three templates for yourself. Practice essays in mock tests. This will help you understand which topics you face problems in and which topics are easy for you.

Select the topic of the essay and prepare the rough structure
During the paper, take 10 minutes and select the topic in which you will be able to give your best and prove through your answer that you have foresight. Prepare the structure of your essay in the rough page itself, how you will start it or what you will include in the body.

Divide it into topics and subtopics. Before writing, you should be confident enough about how much content you will be able to provide on this topic in 1000 to 1200 words. Always end the essay with a conclusion. It is important to give it a direction so that it does not seem like you have narrated a story.

Ethics answers will show that you know how to take decisions
The ethics paper is the most important for the mains. Your decision making skills are tested through this paper. In such a situation, it is important that you have an understanding of the basics. Keep the standard definitions of words like integrity, empathy ready. Also keep case studies ready. The syllabus of this paper is small and there is maximum scope for doing something new in it.

Try to show through your answer how you think and whether you have a sense of natural justice or not. While answering the questions of this paper, keep in mind that the aim is not just to write moral values ​​on paper, but presenting them in a logical manner will complete your work.

Make a list of micro syllabus with the first reading
When you are doing the first reading, try to make a list of sub-topics along with it. Understand it like this – if a sub-topic is related to Paper 1, but it is being repeated in Paper 2, you will have to understand how to answer this question according to both the papers. In such a situation, prepare your own micro-syllabus.

Do value addition to write answers different from others
To make your answer different from others, keep adding some special points along with studying. For example, note down the recommendations of different committees from the PRS website. You can also note down good quotes from some books. Divide these things into different categories according to their importance. This way you can add value. The stronger and newer the content in your answer, the better your score will be than others.

Prepare concept wise notes
You can take help of any one source for note making. In this way, note making will take minimum time of yours. Make your own micro notes with the help of these notes. When you have 10 to 15 days time before the exam, then take its help. Make separate notes for the theory of history and different concepts of political science.

Pay attention to the presentation in the answer sheet
Avoid making too many diagrams in the answer sheet. If you can make such diagrams or flow charts that make your answer look good, then make them. It should not be that you are locating Mumbai on the map of India. There is no use in this. If you are not able to express your point well with the help of paragraphs or bullet points, then there is no need to follow different tools.