Exclusive Mains Program
Ethics and Essay
Ethics, Integrity and Essay preparation for UPSC Mains.
Why Ethics and Essay Matter
The two papers that have a major say in deciding your final rank are Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude & Essay.
There is a general impression among aspirants that Optional is the keystone of the Mains Ecosystem. There is no denial that good command over optionals can take you through the rough weather of UPSC.
However, in latest years, marks in Ethics and Essay seem to have busted the hegemony of optionals.
Marks of some of the toppers are so exceptional and high in Ethics and Essay that it won’t be an exaggeration to say that "Ethics and Essay escalate your rank".
1. Ethics and Integrity
Ethics is the easiest as well as hardest for the same reason that the syllabus is open ended. Overthinking is a sure shot way to land you into a quagmire.
Instead, if one spends plenty of time thinking deeply about the ethical issues that confront civil servants in India and develops an independent and innovative perspective on them, they should do well.
We teach you the knack of Ethics and Essay.
Illustration
In Mains 2018 only we Predicted the same Thirukkural that was asked in GS 4.
What does these quotations mean to you in the present context: "Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good." - Tirukkural. (150 words). (UPSC MAINS GS-4 2018).
Adherence to vital Thumb Rules as listed below is imperative in achieving competitive score in Ethics and Integrity.
5 Thumb Rules
- Developing ethical competency
- Covering all of the syllabus topics
- Referring current events and personalities
- Correctly using quotes and metaphors
- Previous year questions are Precious.
The goal is to achieve a high score by integrating these rules and ensuring comprehensive preparation.
Ethics Preparation Framework
Ethical Competency
- Ethical competency is highly important over mere ethical knowledge.
- Emphasis on practical application of ethical principles is much desired.
- The understanding on ethical principles and philosophies, particularly in the context of Public Administration.
- Internalising ethical concepts and maintaining a strong character, which is crucial for success in answering the paper Ethics and Integrity.
- The role of Socio-Political philosophy in enhancing ethical understanding and competency is highly undeniable. Hence aspirants with Sociology or Political Science and International Relations as optional paper are at a greater advantage.
Syllabus and Topic Coverage
- Thoroughly understanding the syllabus, including all minor topics and micro-level details.
- Need to prepare for both open-ended and case-study questions, emphasizing the significance of proper homework and syllabus review.
- Selecting relevant keywords and topics from the syllabus to ensure comprehensive preparation.
Current Affairs and Ethical Examples
- Need to incorporate current affairs and recent incidents into ethical discussions, using them as practical examples.
- The significance of historical and contemporary personalities, their actions, and their impact on ethical principles.
- Use specific examples and incidents to illustrate ethical concepts, making the answers more relevant and relatable.
- Citing real world incidents and personalities is desired and encouraged.
Using quotes and metaphorical phrases
- Quotes from philosophers and thinkers to enhance the depth of ethical arguments.
- Place the quotes in right context and relevance.
- Using popular quotes just because it is famous or from a well-known personality would not necessarily be productive.
Previous year questions are Precious
- Studying previous year questions and answers verbatim as we do in Schools for Board Exams w.r.t. Book Back Questions.
- Many questions are often repeated directly or indirectly, particularly those involving case studies.
- Prepare for both direct and indirect questions related to ethics based on PYQs.
Ethics Answer Writing Guidance
Integrating our value addition classes to the above five thumb rules would definitely facilitate your scoring of 125+ in Ethics and Integrity. Overall, scoring in ethics paper is a game of keywords, awareness about self, and ability to project oneself as an individual who is pragmatic and productive while being committed to personal and professional ethics.
The nature of examination is of generalist kind. Hitherto UPSC has been asking questions that require the application of common sense while keeping ethical principles in mind.
Scoring well in ethics paper is the sine qua non for ESCALATING your RANK in final list and getting one’s desired service. Like the essay paper, this paper offers maximum returns. With CORRECT strategy one can easily score good marks.
Our Class notes are highly dependable and time saver.
- Ethics answer writing is wordplay of key jargons. Make a list of key jargons.
- Workout all previous year papers and prepare a Definition for Each of the Terms with illustrations.
- Incorporate examples from current, social issues, professional life, your areas of interest etc.
- Examples related to Administration - Civil Services form the core of answer writing in Ethics paper.
- Use PICTORIAL TOOLS in Ethics to be innovative and unique.
- Be ready to use a hypothetical situation if there are no real-life examples or anecdotes.
- There is never a set answer for a case study. Learn from the format: Actors, Dilemmas, Answer Body, Points, Keywords, Theory, Diagram and Conclusion.
- Try to provide practical solutions. Ideal solutions, if unworkable, would not fetch you marks.
- Try to provide specific solutions. Avoid generalized solutions.
- When asked to give all options available, mention even the most undesirable course of action as one option, but do not choose that option.
- Do not touch upon only core issues. Also touch upon peripheral issues in a case study.
- Let your solutions try to balance conflicting options as much as possible.
- Ethics paper has an emphasis on articulation and practical examples, which comes only with adequate practice.
Sample Questions and Answers - GS-IV
Q1. Integrity, intelligence and energy
"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you." - Warren Buffett.
Integrity refers to the use of powers and resources entrusted to an individual effectively, honestly and for legally destined purposes. Additional related ethical standards include transparency, accountability, efficiency and competence.
Integrity ensures reliability and establishes one as trustworthy. Public integrity is essential for advancing the public good and ensuring the legitimacy of public organizations.
The statement highlights the importance of integrity. Without integrity, intelligence and energy can be detrimental to an organization and the person himself.
For Example - Nirav Modi is an intelligent and energetic businessman who built his business empire. Unfortunately, he lacked integrity and hence it proved dangerous to him as well as the system.
Hence, integrity holds primacy over all other values.
Q2. IAS interview and accident dilemma
Subject matter: Dilemma between achieving career ambition Vs responding to accident as a good samaritan.
Stakeholders involved: The mother, child, me, my family, society at large and the UPSC.
- Personal ambitions vs. Moral responsibility to help others
- Being punctual to the interview vs Saving life
- Personal and family’s dream to be civil servant vs Moral obligation to relatives
Preferred Course of Action: Admit them to a nearby hospital and quickly try to reach the interview venue.
The action balances moral responsibility to help victims and personal responsibility towards career and family. It reflects practical decision-making, compassion and commitment to duty.
2. Essay
An essay is "Any short composition in prose that undertakes to discuss a matter, express a point of view, or persuade us to accept a thesis on any subject." - M.H. Abrams, American literary critic.
Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay, to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective and exact expression.
Essay distinguishes itself from GS in the sense that in GS, marks will be awarded purely for content. But in essay, examiners will pay special attention to not just the content, but also the language, coherence and the way you organise your write-up.
Securing approximately more than 50% of the marks is considered good. Hence 125+ is a good mark in this paper while 110-125 is considered average.
Points to Ponder
- Your essay should be understandable to the general people who have no idea about the issue; hence the language should be simple yet grammatically correct.
- Before you attempt writing an essay, make a rough draft.
- Use ornamental language very judiciously as it can backfire instead of being appreciated.
- You never get a second chance to give First Impression. Pay attention to your introduction and conclusion.
- The tone of the essay should be impersonal.
- Read through the editorial sections of The Hindu, Indian Express and Livemint.
- Keep a track of key jargons used in editorials.
- Language in essay must be simple and clear with as little jargon as possible.
Essay introduction can be:
- a fictitious incident or story
- a real life anecdote
- a quote
- a simple definition of the words in the question
In GS, definitional approach is a great way to introduce your answers. But in essay, they are rather stale, lacking in any human element. A good way to start your essay is to have that touch of humanity and warmth in your introduction.
Structuration of Essay
This is a crucial part of essay writing where aspirants often fail to maintain coherence. However, if you make it a habit to create a rough draft of the subheadings and framework, you can easily complete the essay in three hours while maintaining a crisp flow throughout.
Instead of loosely arranged lengthy paragraphs, let your essay be made of simple lucid short paragraphs packed tightly with content.
Through a link sentence at the end of a para
At the end of a para, write a sentence that signals to the examiner what’s coming next.
Through a question
Instead of a link sentence, you can also add a question at the end of a para so that examiner’s attention is carried to the next.
Signalling the shift at the start of next paragraph
Add a word or two at the beginning of a para that signals a shift in your subtopic.
Don’ts in essay writing
- Don’t write in points or bulleting. Essays should be in a paragraph form.
- Do not focus excessively on only one point.
- Ensure that your passion or perception does not get expressed through your write-up.
- Avoid extreme or highly unpopular opinions when you take a final stand.
- Avoid being too personal and name politicians or political parties.
- Don’t use quotes just for the sake.
Concluding an Essay
Conclusion needs to be on a futuristic, optimistic note. You need to summarise the complete essay in 3-4 sentences, after which you can write your vision for future.
You can source some useful terms from the speeches of PM Modi. Phrases like Sabka saath sabka vikas, Reform-Perform-Transform, Building A New India etc can come handy.
Rhetoric, lofty expressions, constitutional ideals, Sanskrit slokas and quotes are a good way to conclude your essay.
If you had written about a fictitious character in your introduction, then it is advisable to end your write-up with a reference to that character. It gives a sense of completeness to the essay.
Previous Year Essay Topics
UPSC - IAS Mains topic references and year-wise themes.
Latest Essay Pattern
Topics Highlighted Topics were the topics asked in our Mains Test Batch Year Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B of about 1000-1200 words each: Section A 1. Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them. 2. The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind. 3. There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path. 4. The doubter is a true man of science. (Similar Topic in Our Essay Test - "Dialectics is the essence of science") Section B 5. Social media is triggering 'Fear of Missing Out' amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness. 6. Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power. (Similar Topic in Our Essay Test - " The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.") 7. All ideas having large consequences are always simple. 8. The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.
2024 Essay Topics
Section A
- Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
- Wisdom lies neither in fixity nor in change, but in the dialectic between the two.
- Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
- When intuition and logic agree, you are always right.
- Not all who wander are lost.
- Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
Section B
- Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands - two equally harmful disciplines.
- Her wings are cut and then she is blamed for not knowing how to fly.
- Mathematics is the music of reason.
- A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
- Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.
- Education sans values
2023 Essay Topics
Section A
- 1. Forests are the best-case studies for economic excellence
- 2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
- 3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
- 4. A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ship is for.
- Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
- The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
Section B
- 5. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
- 6. You cannot step twice in the same river
- 7. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
- In a gentle way you can shake the world.
- 8. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
- The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.
- Reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form.
2022 Essay Topics
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.
- We see things as we are. We don't see them as they are.
- 3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
- 4. The real is rational and the rational is real.
- The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.
Section B
- 5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
- The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.
- 6. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
- 7. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
- 8. There are better practices to "best practices".
2021 Essay Topics
Section A
- 1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
- How much money does a man need?.
- 2. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
- 3. Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them
- Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
- The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
- Don''t judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
- 4. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
Section B
- 1. Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
- 2. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
- The success of a society is to be evaluated primarily by the freedoms that members of the society enjoy.
- Its time to rethink India''s policy on poverty.
- 3. Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
- Woman is God''s best creation.
- 4. Technology as the silent factor in international relations.
2020 Essay Topics
SECTION A
- 1. Wisdom finds truth
- You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.
- It always seems impossible until it''s done.
- 2. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
- Humans have Human Rights by the fact of being human.
- 3. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.
- Being idealistic in the realistic world is always difficult.
- 4. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success
- In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
SECTION B
- 5. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities
- 6. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.
- Should "Social Reforms precede Political Reforms" or "Political Reforms precede Social Reforms"?.
- If you were to reform the Indian Education System?.
- 7. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy
- Role of youtubers in Social Change.
- "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."... Voltaire.
- 8. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling
- Is India prepared for Industry 4.0?
- "Gig Economy" the future of India''s workforce.
- Moral & Ethical Dilemmas of Emerging Technologies.
2019 Essay Topics
Our Essay Test Questions - 2018
- Test: No: 4 - Qn. no. C (Sec A)
- c) Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Our Predicted Essays - Topic 9
- Resilience of Indian agriculture to climate change
Test : No: 1 - Qn. no. C (Sec A)
- c) A scientifically nurtured society is definitely bound to crack.
Our Predicted Essays - Topic 8
- Importance of values in Education
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2018
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec A)
- Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
- Qn. no. 1 (Sec A)
- Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec A)
- A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
SECTION - A
- 1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
- 2. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
- 3. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
- 4. Management of Indian border disputes - a complex task
SECTION - B
- 1. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
- 2. "The past' is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
- 3. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
- 4. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it
2018 Essay Topics
Our Essay Test Questions - 2017
Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. B (Sec A)
- b) Globalization through ''gender lens''.
Our Predicted Essays - Topic 1
- Women Leadership: A man''s perspective
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2017
- Qn. no. 2 (Sec B)
- Fulfillment of 'new woman' in India is a myth.
- Our India & World Book + Class Notes - Page : No: 26
- Same topic with all necessary side headings given
- Our India & World Book + Class Notes - Stressed a lot for potential Essay topic.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2017
- Qn. no. 4 (Sec A)
- Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world?.
Our Essay Test Questions - 2017
Test : No: 1 - Qn. no. A (Sec B)
- a) Laws cannot change what is in people''s hearts or minds.
Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. C (Sec A)
- c) Humans have Human Rights by the fact of being human.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2017
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec B)
- We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws..
Our Predicted Essays - Topic 3
- Impact of Social Networking sites
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2017
- Qn. no. 4 (Sec B)
- Social media is inherently a selfish medium.
Our Essay Test Questions - 2017 - Indirect Relation only
Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. C (Sec B)
- C) Right to Education Act - Success or Failure?
Test : No: 1 - Qn. no. C (Sec B)
- B) Nationalism .vs. Patriotism
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2017
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec A)
- Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
UPSC MAINS 2017 ESSAY QUESTION PAPER
Section - A
- Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
- Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India.
- Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
- Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world?.
Section - B
- Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
- Fulfillment of 'new woman' in India is a myth.
- We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
- Social media is inherently a selfish medium.
2017 Essay Topics
Our Essay Test Questions - 2016
- Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. C (Sec A) DIDR in Development Industry - an urgent issue that needs priority in Policy making.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2016
- Qn. no. 1 (Sec A) If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
Test : No: 3 - Qn. no. A (Sec B) Federalism and Water Management in India.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2016
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec A) Water disputes between States in federal India.
- Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. C (Sec B) A quarter-century of liberalization - Where are we now?.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2016
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec B) Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms.
Test : No: 1 - Qn. no. C (Sec A) Digital Globalization - Policy challenges.
- Qn. no. C (Sec B) The Challenges before RBI.
- These were slightly indirect topics but close to UPSC Topics.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2016
- Qn. no. 4 (Sec B) Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality.
UPSC Mains 2015 Essay Paper
- Instructions: Write two essays, choosing one from each of the following Section A & B, in about 1000-1200 words. Total Marks : 250
Section-A: 125 Marks
- 1. If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
- 2. Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
- 3. Water disputes between States in federal India.
- 4. Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare.
Section-B: 125 Marks
- 1. Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality.
- 2. Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run?
- 3. Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms.
- 4. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality.
2016 Essay Topics
Our Essay Test Questions - 2015
- Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. 1 (Sec B) The best way to understand the character of Indian society is to examine the character of our leaders.
Test : No: 3 - Qn. no. 3 (Sec B) In the end it all comes down to leadership.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2015
- Qn. no. 3 (Sec A) Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
- Test : No: 2 - Qn. no. 3 (Sec A) Educational institutions are meant to prepare students for lucrative careers.
- EXPECTED ESSAYS BOOK - Topic. no. 5 Value Based Education.
UPSC MAINS Essay Question - 2015
- Qn. no. 4 (Sec A) Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.
UPSC Mains 2015 Essay Paper
- Instructions: Write two essays, choosing one from each of the following Section A & B, in about 1000-1200 words. Total Marks : 250
- Section 'A'
- 1. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
- 2. Quick but steady wins the race.
- 3. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
- 4. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.
Section B
- 1. Technology cannot replace manpower.
- 2. Crisis faced in India - moral or economic.
- 3. Dreams which should not let India sleep.
- 4. Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?.
2015 Essay Topics
Section-A
- With greater power comes greater responsibility.
- Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
- Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
- Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
Section-B
- Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
- Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
- Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
- Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
2014 Essay Topics
- Write an essay on any one of the following topics, in not more than 2500 words. (250 marks)
- Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)
- Is the Colonial mentality hindering India's Success?
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country
- Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
2013 Essay Topics
- In the context of Gandhiji's views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms 'Swadhinata', 'Swaraj' and 'Dharmarajya'. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy.
- Is the criticism that the 'Public-Private-Partnership' (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified?
- Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible?
- Managing work and home - is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal?
2012 Essay Topics
- Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication.
- Does Indian Cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?
- Credit - based higher education system - status, opportunities and challenges.
- In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism
2011 Essay Topics
- Geography may remain the same; history need not
- Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country?
- Preparedness of our society for India'' global leadership role
- From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift?
2010 Essay Topics
- Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death?
- Are we a soft state?
- The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ''haves'' of our society
- Good fences make good neighbors
- Globalization vs. Nationalism
2009 Essay Topics
- Role of media in good governance
- National identity and patriotism
- Special economic zone: boon or bane
- Discipline means success and anarchy means ruin
- Urbanization and its hazards
- Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses?
2008 Essay Topics
- Independent thinking should be encouraged right from the childhood.
- Evaluation of Panchayati Raj System in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people.
- Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man.
- Is Autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization?
- How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets?
- BPO boom in India.
2007 Essay Topics
- Women''s Reservation Bill Would Usher in Empowerment for Women in India.
- Protection of Ecology and Environment is Essential for Sustained Economic Development.
- Importance of Indo-U.S. Nuclear Agreement.
- "Education for All" Campaign in India: Myth or Reality.
- Globalization Would Finish Small-Scale Industries in India.
- Increasing Computerization Would lead to the Creation of a Dehumanized Society.
2006 Essay Topics
- Justice must reach the poor
- The hand that rocks the cradle
- If women ruled the world
- What is real education?
- Terrorism and world peace
- Food security for sustainable national development
2005 Essay Topics
- India's role in promoting ASEAN cooperation
- Judicial activism and Indian democracy
- Whither women's emancipation
- Globalization and its impact on Indian culture
- The lure of space
- Water resources should be under the control of the central government
2004 Essay Topics
- The masks of new imperialism
- How far has democracy in India delivered the goods
- How should a civil servant conduct himself?
- As civilization advances culture declines
- There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so
- Spirituality and scientific temper
2003 Essay Topics
- Modern technological education and human values
- Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem
- If youth knew, if age could.
- The paths of glory lead but to the grave
- Privatization of higher education in India
- Responsibility of media in democracy
2002 Essay Topics
- What have we gained from our democratic set-up?
- My vision of an ideal world order
- The march of science and the erosion of human values
- Irrelevance of the classroom
- The pursuit of excellence
- Empowerment alone cannot help our women
2001 Essay Topics
- Why should we be proud of being Indians?
- The cyber world : its charm and challenges
- The country''s need for a better disaster management system
- Indian culture today: a myth or a reality?
- The implications of globalization for India
- Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values
2000 Essay Topics
- Women's empowerment: challenges and prospects
- The youth culture today
- Mass media and cultural invasion
- Resource management in the Indian context
- Value-based science and education
- Reservations, politics and empowerment
1999 Essay Topics
- The composite culture of India
- Woman is god'' best creation
- The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India
- India's contribution to world wisdom
- The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects
- The world of the twenty-first century
1998 Essay Topics
- What we have not learnt during fifty years of Independence
- Judicial activism
- Greater political power alone will not improve women plight
- True religion cannot be misused
- The modern doctor and his patients
- Urbanization is blessing disguise
1997 Essay Topics
- Literacy is growing very fast but there is no corresponding growth in education
- Restructuring of the UNO to reflect present realities
- New cults and god men a threat to traditional religions
- The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy
- Need for transparency in Public Administration
- Truth is lived, not taught
1996 Essay Topics
- Politics without ethic is a disaster
- The new emerging woman power: the ground realities
- When money speaks, the truth is silent
- Whither Indian democracy?
- Restructuring of Indian education system
- Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the life blood real civilization
- Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds
1995 Essay Topics
- Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret
- Indian Society at the crossroads
- The Challenge before a civil servant today
- Modernization and westernization are not identical concepts
- A useless life is an early death
- Politics, Business and Bureaucracy-a fatal triangle
- Multinational Corporations-saviors or saboteurs
1994 Essay Topics
- My vision of India in 2001
- The emerging Global order, Political and Economic
- "He who Reigns within himself and Rules his Passions, Desires and Fears, is more than a King"
- Compassion is the basis of all Morality
- Men have failed; let women take over
- Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence
- Ecological considerations need not hamper development
- Computer: The harbinger of silent revolution
Start Ethics and Essay Preparation
Build clarity, structure, ethical competency and essay presentation for UPSC Mains.
JOIN NOW