UPSC Mains Essay Question Paper 2021 - Analysis & Insights - A welcome trend

Write Two Essays, Choosing one from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each.  

3-5 Topics were covered by us directly as well as indirectly.

 SECTION ‘A’
  1. The Process of Self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
  2. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
  3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
  4. The real is rational and the rational is real.
 SECTION ‘B’
  1. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
  2. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge.
  3. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy and second as a farce.
  4. There are better practices to “best practices”.
The trend of the paper started leaning towards philosophical topics since 2017. There were no questions this year on general studies topics such as cybersecurity, democracy, agriculture or any issue-based topic. Mastering this change will not happen overnight and candidates need to have reading habit and writing practice. As per our prediction, essay scores would come down by at least 10-15 marks this year from the last. “The highest marks will most likely be between 135 and 140, or even less”. This essay paper was effervescent and clearly evidences UPSC is trying to check the depth of one’s ability to think through a broad spectrum of subjects. “One must identify the theme of the essay, link it with general studies papers, go for the broadest interpretation possible and enrich it with quotes, stories and anecdotes”. Noticeable dimensions in the UPSC essay paper 2021 1. Topics demand broad perspective The second essay of section A, titled ‘Your perception of me is a reflection of you; My reaction to you is an awareness of me’ needed a calm interpretation. Simply put we don’t see the world as they are but as we are and we react instead of responding. This topic reflects Mead's Symbolic Interactionism in Sociology.  Our Essay Assignment Topic

 

2. Judicious mix of jargons The first essay of section A, titled ‘The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced’ is a perennial theme in UPSC about the challenges of science and technology derived from one of Gandhiji's 7 sins of science without conscience is the ruin of the soul. Taught in our Ethics Class. 3. Signifies the importance of studying Sociopolitical Philosophy The essay 3 and 4 of section A are inspired by themes from philosophy optional, in fact topic number 4 of Section A titled ’Real is rational and the rational is real’ is a repeated question from previous year philosophy optional paper. However, it could have easily also been interpreted in the context of Covid-19, vaccine hesitancy and the role of science and technology versus religion. See similar topics - 
  1. God has no religion.
  2. Science investigates; religion interprets.
  3. The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.
Topic - History repeats itself, first as a tragedy and second as a farce. (Karl Marx Philosophy Covered in Sociology and Political Science) This topic is Marxian topic. First the revolution, and the tragedy. The working class overcomes their oppressors and rises, gaining their freedom in glorious revolution. But the class struggle continues. And now the heroes of the working class become the oppressors; the cycle repeats. Dialectal materialism operates via iteration of thesis-antithesis-synthesis, or the relationships between class or classless societies and poverty or wealth, through to the ideal of communism. Topic - What is research, but a blind date with knowledge. (Social Constructivist approach Covered in World Politics of Political Science and International Relations).   4. Constancy of disadvantaged sections Topic 5 of section B titled ‘Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world’ was an indirect essay on role of women mother and child and in context of the first point discussed that is broad interpretation it would include women equality , empowerment, etc. Our Essay Mains 2021 - Essay topic - The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.

One simple thumb rule for Essay Paper is " Go Blind, Contemplate well".



POSTED ON 07-01-2022 BY ADMIN
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