Transcription
After the Prelims, in the three months we get, we probably dedicate a maximum of five to seven days to the Essay paper, if we count the total. However, if we put in a little more time and effort, or practice a little more, we can score very well in this paper.
The IS Hub's Essay Enrichment booklet. I referred to this. So, this was my basic source, along with toppers' answer copies. You don't need to use fancy quotes, fancy words. You need to explain your essay in simple, straightforward language. This is what is needed. The Essay is an extension of the GS answers. Instead of writing 250 words, you have to write 1200 words. An essay must start with an anecdote. An essay must have a template. "That topper wrote a very good poem, so let's copy it." You must have heard many such suggestions and seen many topper sessions.
Today, however, we have Harshita with us, who is our TEP student, Total Enrichment Program. Not only did she secure Rank 2, but she also scored 144 marks in the Essay, achieving the highest marks in the Essay, where other toppers have also done well, but if you look at their Essay marks, they are around 100 to 110 to 120. But to make that jump from 100 to 140 plus, what unique thing must she have done? So, does Harshita have any tricks? Today, we will understand from Harshita herself about her strategy and how she approached Essay preparation. Welcome, Harshita. Thank you, ma'am.
Let's come to why the Essay paper is important. We all know that the Essay paper is for 250 marks. But in this paper, you have to put in the least amount of effort, and with that, you can increase your score to a very optimal level. But you have to put in that smart work. If I may say so, if we grasp the nerve of the kind of Essays UPSC wants, this paper will become very easy for us. Therefore, we need to utilize our efforts smartly in the Essay paper. If I talk about myself, if you look at my marksheet, in all other papers, somewhere like GS 3, my score is a bit low, or GS 1, but in the Essay paper, my rank improved because of my score. If I had scored even 20 marks less here, perhaps my rank would not have been in the top 10. So, the Essay paper is very important, and you have to identify your strengths. For me, the Essay was a strength, and in this paper, you have to present your own authentic thoughts. In this paper, you don't have to mug up anything. Unlike the GS papers, you don't have to stuff facts, diagrams, data into your mind. Here, you are going to present your own thoughts to the paper checker. So, this is a paper where you can bring your maximum creativity in front of the paper checker. So, it is a game-changer. 250 marks definitely decide the rank. And in this paper, your personality is reflected. This thing will also reflect in your interview. But in Mains, the Essay is the paper where your authenticity, your thought process, you present on paper. But the irony is, this is the most ignored paper. If we look at our entire preparation journey, or the three months we get after Prelims, we probably dedicate a maximum of five to seven days to the Essay paper, if we count the total. But if we put in a little more time and effort, or practice a little more, we can score very well in this paper.
To ace the Essay, you require three things: authenticity, clarity, and engagement. With these, you can make your Essay paper a game-changer. First is authenticity. So, authenticity means that your Essay should not seem mugged up or copy-pasted from somewhere. In your Essay, you have to express your own thoughts, what you have understood from the topic, as clearly as possible. So, it should reflect your own thoughts, not borrowed ones. And here, we often use common quotes or examples that are very overused. For instance, the example of Lord Buddha, everyone gives that. So, those examples are good, but to make your paper unique, you will have to use slightly different examples in your paper. So that it adds freshness to your Essay.
Next is, it should reflect your personality. If I talk about an example, in our 2024 Mains exam, before that, there was an Essay that was also asked in our exam. "There is no part two to happiness. Happiness is the path." So, this was the Essay. Mock answer copies of this were floating in the market a day before the Essay paper. And it was written by some topper. I don't remember his name. But he was a good scorer. And whoever read that copy, about 2-3000 people must have read it. And if you think about human tendency, if you get the same topic in the next exam, what will happen is, you will select the same topic, and you will copy-paste the dimensions you read as they are. So, many people must have done this, and I also saw in my friend circle that many people did the same thing. Luckily, I had not read this copy. So, this became a lucky factor for me. If I had done this, perhaps I would have also made the same mistake. The point of giving this example is that in such things, your own authenticity is lost. Because when the paper checker checks papers, after one essay, two essays, ten essays, they will also realize that you are repeating the same thing.
Similarly, I talk about frameworks. We often know in the market that many approaches are prevalent. Where we might talk about the PESTLE approach. A lot of approaches are going on. So, what happens is, our essays become very mechanical. A lot of aspirants, even in fact, the majority of aspirants, will follow the same approach. With that, we confine ourselves within that boundary. Then we are unable to do out-of-the-box thinking or creative thinking. This also affects our marks in some way. So, the more authenticity and originality, the better will be your score.
If I give an example, it's an example from my own copy. Where we had to write an Essay regarding human imagination and its power. So, we all know about cloud computing, machine learning, or the metaverse. But how you can use it creatively and authentically is an example. For instance, I wrote, "As rightly quoted by Albert Einstein, the human imagination can take you anywhere." Right? We all know this. This has been fulfilled in true spirit in present times where clouds are storing data, machines are learning to mimic human behavior, and we are striving to acquire virtual property in the metaverse, which exists or does not exist at the same time. So, here, we must have read about cloud computing, machine learning, etc. But I wrote this same thing in a slightly creative format, or you could say, in a poetic way, which made a greater impact. And this same quote, "Human imagination can take you anywhere," you explained with your GS examples. So, this is one way to write your Essay and use your creativity.
Next is clarity. Your Essay should not be mechanical. In this, the better way you articulate your thoughts, the better way you express them, the better your scores will be. For that, first of all, it is very important to understand the topic. The better you understand the topic, the better you will be able to explain it to the other person. If I take an example, if you talk among your friends about any XYZ topic on which you have a strong command, you will be able to explain that topic to your friends so well that no one else can, and the other person will also understand. Why? Because you have understood the topic. You have to do the same thing in the Essay. So, your clarity should be reflected. Your Essay should not seem ambiguous, where you are saying something here and contradicting your own thoughts on the next page. This should not happen in your Essay.
Next is, your Essay should feel like a conversation with the examiner. Where you are conversing with the examiner. For example, you will say to them, "Imagine that you are sitting somewhere." So, you will take them into that scenario. So, it should have a smooth flow. It should not be abrupt. Often, it happens that because of those frameworks, we immediately present the political dimension in the first paragraph. And in the next paragraph, we abruptly start presenting the social dimension. There is no flow. Or we immediately jump towards the conclusion. So, such abruptness should not be there in your Essay. It should feel like a smooth, story-like conversation. And you have to avoid fancy language. It is not necessary. If your English is understandable, and your handwriting is legible, it is enough. You don't need to use fancy quotes, fancy words. You need to explain your Essay in simple, straightforward language. This is what is needed. What is needed is clarity, clarity, and authenticity. So, you should focus on conveying your thoughts logically.
For example, we all know the story of the Wright brothers, where they invented the airplane. Right? Now, I connected this with a bit of an emotional appeal. How? Like, human imagination is a powerful thing. "Little did a father know that his token of love for his kids would become the reason for his kids transforming the lives of generations to come." Here, what did I do? I compared the father's token of love with the power to change generations. This built an emotional connection. Then I said, "This is the story of the Wright brothers, who went on to invent an airplane after taking inspiration from a rubber-powered toy helicopter gifted by their father." So, everyone knows this story. But how you use it with an emotional connection and then write it creatively in your Essay will show your clarity of thought.
Next example. For instance, the topic was, "Technology, just like art, is a soaring exercise of human imagination." So, here, most aspirants will interpret this as technology is a soaring exercise of human imagination, which is correct. But in that, "just like art," these three words, we will neglect them. But we have to develop our examples with those words. How? Here, I connected technology and art. "Just as the scenic beauty of nature, combined with imagination, led Van Gogh to create a visual masterpiece titled 'Starry Nights'." I did this art example. Why? Because it was mentioned in the topic, "just like art." Then, "In a similar manner, the imagination of Elon Musk helped him to convert the drawings of spaceships from his childhood comic books into a reality." So, here, the space example is technology. I connected it with drawings and gave the art example. What happened was, you caught the majority of aspirants who neglect those three words, and you created examples based on them. So, this will make your Essay unique.
Next is engaging. Now, if I come to engaging, you have to think of your thoughts, your perspective, as a reader. Pick up your own Essay today and read it as a third person, without any bias. So, you yourself should believe whether you can read the Essay from the first page to the last word with the same engaging manner, the same passion, the same interest. That will reflect how much you engage the reader. The paper checker should not feel at any point in between that you are explaining very long things, over-explaining where explanation is not needed, or writing things that are not needed or relevant. The paper checker should not feel that. So, you have to think like a reader and keep them interested from beginning to end. Their interest will be maintained. If the paper checker enjoys it, they will also give marks. So, you have to think like a reader. So, all the Essays you have written till today, pick up one or two and read them from that perspective. You will realize your own mistakes. You won't have to ask anyone else what is wrong or right in my Essay.
Next is, you have to use examples generously. Often, we write a lot of theory, but don't give examples. Or if we give examples, they are very narrow examples. But in this case, if you give examples from your personal life, an incident that happened in your personal life that inspired you, or something you did that reflects a value, suppose courage, determination, then take those examples and put them in your Essay because no one can copy those examples. First thing, and second, that will make your Essay unique. So, you have to use your personal examples and also current events. We will give many GS examples, historical reformers' examples, but things that have happened currently, like if a plane crash has recently occurred, or Operation Sindoor. If we use these examples in our Essay, our Essay will seem more relevant compared to other Essays. So, this is what you have to keep in mind. You can also use stories of civil servants. Where we often read stories of civil servants for inspiration in the Ethics paper as well. We have to use those same things in our Essay. And emotional connect. I gave an example earlier where I connected a father's love with the invention of an airplane. Similarly, you have to use an emotional appeal. I will show you another example where I used an emotional connect. In this Essay, I have tried to create a scenario where you imagine yourself sitting beside your mother on a kitchen platform. So, you are literally explaining in depth that you are sitting with your mother on a kitchen platform. And then you are watching her as she cooks your favorite vegetable curry so effortlessly, while the delicious smell of her love and labor makes you drool. So, here, "so effortlessly," you are watching her, and your favorite curry, and it makes you drool. All these things, what will happen from this? You are literally taking the paper checker into that scenario. Because you are articulating it in a much better way. So, this becomes very important where you can make an emotional connect.
Next example, a current example. When it was the Paralympics during our time. So, I gave the example of Sheetal Devi here to reflect her courage, her determination. Where the disability of Sheetal Devi, born with the condition of underdevelopment of limbs, could have led her to live her life being dependent on others. However, her inner grit and courage, positive perception led her to fight hard and to become a silver medalist. So, here, this grit and courage, positive perception, these are all values from GS 4. I have used the same thing here with a current example. So, you have to do these things so that your Essay becomes more unique. Next example is of a civil servant, IPS Arif Sheikh, who used a "Chuppi Todo Andolan" (Break the Silence Movement) for women's domestic violence. So, these are all examples where you are using your GS knowledge in your Essay.
Next very important thing is choosing the right Essay. Because often it happens that due to time constraints or in haste, we abruptly select a topic, and then after 10-15 minutes, we realize that we have selected the wrong topic, or we don't have much to write about it. So, to avoid this, spend the first 5-10 minutes reading all the topics thoroughly. Then, go to the rough page and jot down a few points for each. If you are confused between two Essays, for example, then write down the pointers for those two Essays. If you feel you have more points for one Essay, then select that Essay and then make a complete rough framework for it. So, choosing the right Essay is very important. So, you should not rush. You have to spend at least 15 minutes to interpret. If 5-10 minutes also suffice. And here, unique and philosophical topics can fetch more marks. But if I give an example, in our 2024 paper, there was a topic, "The doubter is a true man of science." The fourth topic in Section A. "The doubter is a true man of science." So, on face value, many people would not select this topic because we had three better topics before it. Where the first topic was related to climate change, the forest one. The second topic was about happiness. So, in all these philosophical topics, the majority of aspirants would have selected those topics. But I tried to select a slightly unique topic. But this is risky. Here, you must first have the capability within yourself to do justice to that topic. Only then should you do this. But if you practice a lot, you can do this too. Whatever topic is given to you, you will be able to write it well. But for that, practice is very important. So, choosing the right Essay becomes very important.
Next is a strong introduction. As we often say, first impressions matter, and yes, it matters a lot when it comes to UPSC Essays. Because if the paper checker is reading your first page, and they see so many copies in a day, if you set the tone in the first paragraph, if you give a right, you know, hitting the nail, such an introduction, then you will change the paper checker's mindset beforehand. So, how will the paper checker's mindset change? That you have set such a good tone, so the paper checker will have an expectation that your entire Essay will be on the same lines. So, you will automatically take the marks range to a higher level. So, first impression matters a lot, and in this, you have to identify your strengths. For me personally, story-based introductions are my strength. So, in both Essays, I used to try to start with a unique story, like the example of the Wright brothers. This is how I used to try to introduce. But that is one type of introduction. You can identify your strength. Where code-based introductions also exist, or you can also start with a current example. But you have to identify what works for you.
If I give my example, I took this topic, "The doubter is a true man of science." Now, for this, I had the IS Hub's Essay Enrichment booklet. I referred to this for my Essay sources. I did not watch any lectures. So, this was my basic source, along with toppers' answer copies. So, from this booklet, I picked up an anecdote. And I used that same anecdote for the introduction of this topic. "The doubter is a true man of science." So, the point here is that one who doubts, who is curious, brings scientific innovations. So, to explain this, if I give an example, the story of Aryabhata. Where, in medieval times, during solar eclipses, people used to think that a demon was swallowing the sun. This is from medieval times. But Aryabhata, due to his scientific understanding, explained this phenomenon. Then he said that no, this is a solar eclipse, which we know today. He challenged the prevalent belief and then said that this is a natural occurrence. No demon is eating the sun. So, this topic, "The doubter is a true man of science." I started and introduced it with this anecdote. In the same way, you too can highlight creative anecdotes, creative introductions, and start your Essays. Such enrichment anecdotes are very important, and you will find them for every value. You will find such anecdotes on topics like science and religion. But it is up to you how creatively you apply them. So, that is very important.
Next important part is the structured body. We often talk about these frameworks, that you have to include political, social, economic dimensions in your Essays. But with that, you confine yourself within four walls. So, rather than binding yourself with those approaches, you can think out of the box. How? That you simply take an Essay topic and break it down into parts. From the topic itself, you identify what dimensions can be derived from this topic, and on this basis, you can use them. I am not going to tell you not to use the PESTLE approach or any other approach that is taught in class. You can do that, but use it like a prescriptive medicine. For example, if we take any XYZ topic, it has impacts at the individual level, societal level, and national level. Then, within the individual level, you can use the PESTLE approach for examples. Or you can apply the PESTLE approach for examples at the societal level. You have to show this kind of creativity. And your Essays should cover multiple dimensions. Also, you can use subheadings if you are comfortable. I tried to create a smooth flow. So, I preferred subheadings a bit less. But subheadings can also be used if used wisely. And you have to ensure smooth transitions. It should not feel like you are abruptly jumping from one dimension to another. This should not be apparent to the paper checker. If you read toppers' answer copies for Essays, you won't even realize when the Essay started and when it ended. Because it flows so smoothly.
So, the structured body and conclusion. Just as the first impression matters, the lasting impression also matters a lot. You have to end your conclusion on an optimistic, high note. So, there you can use futuristic examples. What way forward do you want to give from that topic, or what is your thought process, or you can use SDGs? You can use the Constitution, or you can end with a quote from our leaders. But the conclusion should have a hopeful meaning. It should end on a positive note. Where you have mentioned all the challenges, but after those challenges, there is hope. There is faith that by overcoming those challenges, we will reach a higher treasure. So, there should be a positive note. There, you can include values. Value-based conclusions are very good. Where the values we learn in Ethics, those same values like perseverance, or faith, honesty, using those same values, we can set a good conclusion. As it is written here, you can use poems. But these poems should fit in the conclusion. It should not be that you know a poem or a quote and you put it in just for the sake of putting it. It should not feel like that. It should be relevant to the topic. It should fit into the topic. Only then should you put it in your conclusion.
Next comes the very, very important part, which I think helped me score well in the Essay, and I think it makes your Essay different. But at the same time, this is neglected by most of the aspirants. This is what I called the hidden side of the Essay. Hidden side means a dimension that will not be identified on face value by reading the Essay, but it will be implicit. You will have to identify it yourself through your understanding. So, the hidden side of the Essay is very important, which many people neglect. I will give you an example. For example, "If you want to test a man's character, give him power." This is on face value, where you have to explain through examples that if you give power, it can be utilized in a positive way, and people can also use it negatively. This reveals character. But it also has an implicit angle. That is, giving power to test a character is not the only way. There are many ways to test a man's character. So, that will be its implicit dimension. Where you will have to explain that dimension using examples and anecdotes. For example, if character is to be tested here, even without power, there can be character. Like Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa. So, they have charismatic power, where they actually had no authority. But their value systems were so strong that people followed them. So, this is also a way of power where their character is reflected. But they don't have any actual power in hand. So, power is not only restricted in a restricted manner. This Essay also has an implicit angle. So, you have to avoid writing one-sided Essays, where the majority of aspirants. Yes, I am telling it, and I am highlighting this, that the majority of aspirants will make this mistake, where they will not identify the hidden side. So, you have to avoid this, and you have to identify the implicit angle. I will identify the hidden angle and explain its rough framework when I brainstorm an Essay later, and I will also identify the implicit angle in it so that you can understand it better.
Next is the rough framework. A rough framework is something that is the entire structure of the Essay, or you could say, the blueprint. And it is important because often, if we start writing an Essay without a rough framework or without proper structuring, we sometimes get so carried away in the flow that later, when we reach the fifth or sixth page, we realize that we have either explained one dimension too much or forgotten to address some dimensions. So, to avoid this, a rough framework becomes very important. Now, what is this? How do you make a rough framework? So, what I used to do? Suppose this is a page. Then, whatever topic I decide. Then, whatever points or examples related to this topic come to my mind, I will write them here, like Mahatma Gandhi ji, or this example, this example, this is a quote. I will put such a quote, or I can use this story. This example fits. These dimensions will come. I will jot them down randomly, without any sequence. I will write like this on the whole page. Then, in the next step, I will write. I will use this in the introduction. These will be my dimensions in sequence 1, 2, 3. In these dimensions, I will use these examples. Then, there will be its hidden side. So, this will be the hidden side. I will use these examples in this, and these quotes will come in my conclusion. In this way, I will first create the entire blueprint. And I will get this ready in the first 15-20 minutes. What will happen is, then when you start writing the Essay, your pen will not stop, and you will also be able to address whether you are over-explaining one dimension or adequately covering all dimensions. Nothing is being missed. And even while writing, some things will come to your mind. So, you can write them down on the back side here. Then, as and when those things are done, you can tick or cross them, indicating that this has been written, this has been addressed. So, in this way, a rough framework is very helpful. So, do not neglect it. You might feel that this is taking too much of my time or I shouldn't do this. I should just start writing an Essay. But you don't realize its utility yet. But when you start writing Essays and get a grip on the rough framework, then you will know how important a rough framework is. So, do not neglect it at all. So, what you have to do is, you have to jot down whatever structure comes to your mind, and then you have to group those ideas into sections.
Next important question is, how to develop content for the Essay. In my case, I read the ISF's Essay Enrichment booklet. It was part of my Total Enrichment Program. So, I got the material there. Along with that, I made good use of other things, like toppers' Essays. What you need to do is, you don't have to memorize toppers' copies. You have to pick up examples from them, anecdotes that you can also use in your Essays. But don't memorize the entire Essay. It will give you guidance on what thought process a topper might have applied for a particular Essay, what kind of dimensions they used, what kind of language they used to maintain the flow. So, toppers' copies are a very good source. Then, YouTube videos. There are many inspirational videos on YouTube. They are two-three minute videos. Personally, I used to watch Gaur Gopal Das's videos, and there are many other videos where you will find inspirational stories, inspirational examples, etc., which you should write down in a separate notebook. Yes. You will just listen and feel that you will remember this. You will remember it at that time. But when you have to write it in the exam, you will need revision for that. So, you have to maintain a separate book for such examples and stories, and write down all those examples. So, if you revise them repeatedly, then YouTube videos, and along with that, you have to observe your own life. You will find so many examples in your own life that you won't need to go anywhere else. And no one will be able to copy those examples. So, learn to observe your own life.
For example, I will give you one example. We know about ethical relativism. We study in Ethics that where our values are situational. They change according to situations, and they are not absolute. This is ethical relativism. Now, if I give you a common example. A very silly example, but it is relevant. Where if, suppose, a fly falls into your milk. What will a normal person do? Throw away the milk. Because a fly has fallen, so the milk is spoiled. Right? After that, if the same situation occurs, and a fly falls into ghee, what will you do then? Will you throw away the ghee? Absolutely not. Then you will throw away the fly instead of the ghee. So, what happened here? Our value system changed. In the first example, when a fly fell into milk, we threw away the milk. At that time, we felt that was right. In the second example, we didn't throw away the ghee. Why? Because it is expensive. We threw away the fly. So, this is a very simple example. The point is that in your daily life, there are many such examples where you have to apply concepts. This is your capacity. It depends on your capacity how you apply it. For that, you have to become observant. There will be many such examples around you. We know that even a stopped clock shows the correct time twice. It's a very overused example, but it is also important. Similarly, if we talk about "excess of anything is bad," right? So, in GS, we study the composition of oxygen, nitrogen. So, nitrogen has a higher composition. Why? Because if there is an excess of oxygen, it will be lethal for us, it will cause combustion. So, excess of anything is bad. You can use such a simple example to explain this. So, apply your concepts to the things happening in your daily life, what is happening around you, and pick up examples from them and jot them down separately.
Do it. This is what is. This will develop your content. You will not find this in a single resource. A single resource can become your base. Anecdotes can become your base. But you have to add on to it. And all these things will help you to enrich your essays. This is what I have done and I have scored and this is what you have to do. In fact, you have to go even beyond this. Perhaps there is something I don't know that you have to identify yourself and apply it. Now let's come to brainstorming. So here, what I will do is, I will first explain what all dimensions this topic can have. What all dimensions you can include in your topic as examples and what should be the flow. I had also prepared an introduction for this. I thought about it myself. I will also tell you how its introduction can be. You will get an example of how to create creative introductions on the same lines. So, if we talk about this topic, the topic is "The Supreme Art of War is to Subdue the Enemy Without Fighting." So, if we talk about the topic, it is "The Supreme Art of War." So, the word "art" is also used here. So, first, I will write down the keywords here: "Supreme Art of War," which is "is to subdue the enemy." So, "enemy" is another keyword, "without fighting." Okay? So, these are all keywords. "Art" is a keyword. Just like I gave the technology example. "Technology, just like art, is a soaring exercise." So, there was also the word "just like art" in it. Here, we are talking about "The Art of War." So, this is the word. I will explain how it can be. "War, any, without fighting." This is our broad, broad interpretation of the essay. Okay? Now, if I talk about a rough framework for this, we will look at its introduction later. What can be its dimensions? So, one thing we will explain is about our traditional wars. Traditional wars. So, in this, we will mention the Battle of 10 Kings, or the Battle of Plassey, and by giving names of such battles, we will explain war on a traditional basis. What kind of wars were there? Why do wars happen? Why? It is very important to address this. Before moving to the next dimension, we will have to explain why wars happen. So, in this, we have to portray an irony that some are for genuine reasons, for cattle, for wealth, but a majority of the wars are fought for self-interest. Where there is a very famous quote, "War is to man what maternity is to woman." This is a very famous quote. "War is to man what maternity is to woman." So, this will reflect an irony that many wars can be avoided, but we fight for those things so that our power is shown. So, this dimension will come: why we fight wars. Then we will talk about the changing nature of war. Where wars were fought differently before. Now, cyber security threats are coming. Cyber wars are happening. Then mind wars are happening. The social media angle. All these things are the changing nature of war. Or, if we talk about hybrid warfare. All these things are where we are shifting. First, we explained traditional wars. Then we explained why they are fought. Then we will explain how they are changing. Okay? Now, how can we use "art" in this? So, in this, I had thought of a line. You can show your creativity. What can we do in this? "Just as the color red." Now, I am talking about the color red, to connect it with art. So, "Just as the color red paints roses and hearts alike." Okay? Roses and hearts are also red. "As vibrant as it seems." The same red washes away the lives of loved ones on the battlefield. So, what did we do here? We used the color red in art for roses and hearts alike, as vibrant as it seems. It washes away. Now, why did I use the word "washes away"? Because in art, we give wash strokes. Washing, washing away. "Washes away the lives of loved ones on the battlefield," which we talked about wars on the battlefield. So, what did we do here? We added an emotional connect that we lose those whom we love, and along with that, we also connected art. So, you have to think of such creative examples yourself and include them in your essays. So, here we have explained the changing nature. Then we will move to the next angle: winning the war without fighting. Now, many people will explain what we say at the international level: diplomacy, talks. Okay? Trade, create complex interdependence. So, everyone will explain this angle with diplomacy: that there should be no fighting. "It is not the era of war. We have to talk it out. We have to diplomatically handle the conflicts." This angle is correct. But another angle comes at the national level. Many wars happen at the national level. There are many enemies. We should not interpret this only in the context of other countries. Who will be our enemies at the national level? Our corruption, our inefficiencies, red tape, or poverty. These are all our enemies at the national level, which we have to defeat without fighting. How without fighting? Through good governance, through reforms, through efficient utilization of resources. By all these things, we will address our wars at the national level without fighting. Then we will come to the societal level. What kind of wars can happen at the societal level? Caste-based discrimination, oppression of vulnerable sections, or religious intolerance. All these things are our enemies at the societal level. Then how will we address them without fighting? Through social revolution. Or, for example, if I give the example of M.M. Munshi, he brought about a social revolution with the help of his plate. So, we will fight this by fighting conservative or orthodox practices through modern reforms, by bringing modernity. So, here too, we are not actually fighting, and we are fighting the evils of society or the enemies of society. Then we will come to the individual level. What kind of wars can happen at the individual level? At the individual level, there is our anger, or hatred, or prejudices. These things are also our enemies with whom we have to fight a war, but without fighting. How will we do that? Through introspection, through being with ourselves, and through a value system. By all these things, we will fight these enemies at the individual level. So, here we don't just have to talk about diplomacy. We have to identify enemies at all these levels. So, we have to keep a broad interpretation of the word "enemy." If I give an example at the individual level, Nelson Mandela is a very good example. He was not at fault for anything, yet he was kept in jail for 27 years. He could have come back with a feeling of revenge, but he reformed himself and came for the betterment of the nation. So, you can use such quotes at the individual level. And another dimension at the individual level will be women. Women also face a silent war. How? Dual burden syndrome. We all know about the dual burden syndrome. Where women have a workload and also household responsibilities. So, they face a silent war daily, where they have to manage everything. This is just one example. There can be many such examples. You have to identify how you interpret this enemy or war. This is just a rough framework. So, you have to do all these dimensions in this way. Then you have to explain how you can win without actually fighting. Now, let's come to the hidden angle in this. The topic is: "The Art of War is to Subdue the Enemy Without Fighting." What is the implicit or hidden angle in this? There are two angles. First is: Is it a weakness? Is it our weakness that we have to do it without fighting? Are we afraid? This is the first dimension. Second is: War is sometimes essential. This is its hidden angle. We have said that we have to win without fighting. But sometimes war also becomes important. When? For example, if we give a recent example, it is not war, but we used physical force. If we talk about Operation Sindoor, there too, for our national interest, whenever there is a threat on our border, we will resort to war. Whenever it is a matter of national interest, or whenever it is a matter of self-protection on genuine reasons, then war is necessary. For example, if I give the example of Kautilya, Kautilya talks about Sama, Dama, Danda, Bheda. In this, he also talks about Danda. Danda is the last resort, but it does happen. So, there we first have to give the example of Kautilya's Sama, Dama, and Bheda, and here we have to say that sometimes Danda is also needed. So, this is its implicit angle, which many people forget to address. They just try to prove that yes, we have to win the war without fighting. And they give a narrow interpretation of war. So, these are two mistakes that should not be made. First, give a broad interpretation, and along with that, it is very important to explain its implicit angle. Then, after this, we will come to explaining this hidden angle with examples, where war was essential, or like when we dealt with fascism. It was essential at that time, or in cases of genocide. Using these examples from GS, we can prove this point, or we can give India's example. Like the Quit India Movement. There we did "Do or Die." Why? Because it was a matter of our own nation. So, by giving such instances, you have to explain this implicit angle, and then you have to transition to the conclusion, where by using values like "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or values where there is collective effort, the wars that are happening in recent trends, like climate change, it is a war against humanity, terrorism, such threats that are coming, here we can fight only with collective effort without actually fighting. So, in the conclusion, we have to take the basis of the contemporary, use values, and then end on a high note. If wars happen, there is a famous quote: "When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers." This is a very famous quote. So, if you add this to the conclusion, along with the conclusion, your essay will be very impactful. In this way, this is a broad rough framework with which this essay can be done. Now, let's come to its introduction. I had prepared an introduction for this, which I will read out to you. Where I have tried to show a contrast between wars that are actually fought on the battlefield and the war of minds. I have tried to show a contrast in this introduction. How? Now I will read it out. "Just as the world witnesses the lightning of night skies." And I have explained it in great detail. So that you go into that scenario. "Just as the world witnesses the lightning of night skies in the wake of missiles being fired in the fight between hostile nations such as Iran and Israel. In a similar manner, knights and pawns are fighting on the checkered fields of black and white, making a 19-year-old boy win the war of minds and become the Chess World Champion, none other than D. Gukesh." So, what did I do here? First, I said that the lightning of the night sky with missiles being fired on the battlefield, I contrasted it with knights and pawns fighting on the checkered fields of black and white. So, I explained this in a poetic way, how the war of minds, which is happening on the chessboard, and the actual war, I contrasted the two. In this way, creatively, you can connect the introduction and then to the main topic. And if you want to close it, you can also mention something in the conclusion after the values you are talking about, so that "the skies are brightened not by missiles but by fireworks of peace and celebration." So, the sky that you mentioned earlier with missiles, here you are talking about fireworks of peace and celebration. And fights are fought on the chessboards and not on the battlefield. In this way, you can conclude the entire essay. So, this was a rough framework that I explained in detail for this essay. In this way, you also have to interpret your essays broadly and keep in mind these three words: authenticity, clarity, and engagement, and along with that, bring creativity. So that you can make your essays better compared to others. Now, I have told you one essay on how you should brainstorm. Now, this is the second topic that I am giving you. You have to brainstorm this topic yourself, based on whatever you have learned in the first essay. And this topic is: "When Life Takes the Wind Out of Your Sails, It is to Test You at the Oars." If I want to give you a hint, there is also an implicit angle in this. It is better if you identify that implicit angle. Otherwise, in a few days, its implicit angle will also be told to you. And you have to interpret this also in a very broad way. What does "wind out of your sails" mean? And what does "test you at the oars" mean? And it can be at many levels. It can be for a nation, it can be for an individual. So, you have to identify this yourself. And its implicit, hidden angle, you also have to identify it yourself, and then you have to see how your essay improves in a better way. So, these are a few general observations. One thing which I have observed in a lot of essays is that we start putting facts in essays like in GS. We start putting data here, like "as per a recent report, so and so thing happened, and this is the data." You should not overload the essay with data. Because this is not your GS answer. This is an essay. Here, your thoughts, your personality should be reflected. So, avoid overloading with data, overloading with facts. Time management is very important. If you do not complete the essay on time, or any paper, any GS paper for that matter, then you will already be out of the race. So, completing the paper is very important. Time management will come with essay practice. If you sit and write essays for 3 hours, then you will know how much time you are taking for the rough framework. How much time you are taking for the actual essay. How much time you are taking for selecting the topic, and actually how much time it is taking for its execution. So, practice, practice, and practice, it is very important. Another thing is, avoid long paragraphs. This is a very important aspect of presentation or hygiene that many students miss. There will be a copy where there will be very good content, but it will be a single paragraph. They will write the entire essay in detail like this. This is one copy. And there is another copy where it has started with spacing, paragraph. Left so much space. Then started the paragraph from here. Wrote this much. Broke the paragraph. Again, leaving space, started from here. Wrote like this. You tell me yourself, which essay will look more presentable and which essay will get more marks? Due to this essay being more presentable, the mindset of the paper checker will automatically change a bit. So, this is a very simple thing. But we have to avoid long paragraphs, and we have to write our essays in short paragraphs, in a crisp form. Next is, use your GS knowledge. We read a lot of examples in GS. We read constitutional provisions, or SDGs, whatever you read, social reformers. We have to use all of them in our essays. But I am not saying you should only use them. Your essays should also have a lot of unique things. There should be unique examples. There should be anecdotes, which will make your essays enriching. Otherwise, the example of Ashoka or the example of Buddha, everyone will use them. But along with those mainstream examples, you have to bring your own examples. So, these are a few general observations. And overall, if I talk, you don't need to take too much stress for essays. It might seem to you on face value that "this is not my cup of tea," or "my English is not that good," or whatever language you are attempting the paper in. But language does not matter here. Because we are giving the UPSC exam, we are not giving a school exam. UPSC wants our thoughts, our originality to be reflected in our essays. The more clearly, the more simply we express our thoughts, the more we balance theory and examples, the better our essay will look. Do not put too many examples either, so that only examples are visible in your essay, and your theory or your thoughts are not visible at all. There should be a balance of both. Where you also write what you have understood yourself, and along with that, support it with examples. This is the broad framework which I used and which helped me in my preparation and helped me score 144 in essays. And you should not blindly follow this on these lines, but identify what works for you from this, and incorporate it into your essays. And then make your essays better with your own authenticity and creativity. And keep writing, write a lot of essays. The more you practice, the more you work on theme-based essays, the more polished your essay will become. And if you have time constraints, you can also make a rough framework. Where you pick up various themes or PYQs and make rough frameworks for them. So that a broad structure will be created. So, essays are not that hard. It is just about using your efforts creatively. This was all from my side. All the very best. And I will upload my essay copies on my Telegram channel. And if you want, I can show you one essay copy right now. So, there is one essay of mine where technology, which I was talking about, "Technology, just like art, is a soaring exercise of human imagination." So, here I started with the story of the Wright brothers, where I gave an introduction by connecting an emotional connect, a token of love from a father. Then I connected it to the topic. That if we are talking about imagination, then imagination is thinking the unthinkable. By using such keywords, then I put my own thought, what I understood from that essay, into the essay. Then, because the phrase "just like art" was used, I gave the example of an artist: "Just like an artist gets lost in his thought and paints the blank canvas in a beautiful symphony." So, you will be able to bring such words into your essays with practice. Then, in technology also, there is experimentation in a similar way, and playing with ideas to create something which is simple yet extraordinary. So, I used the example of an artist because the topic had an example of art. Then I explained why imagination happens. This is one dimension. After explaining that, I gave an example: one is that we imagine due to some problem. Like the example of Airbnb. And the second is that we also imagine due to internal drive. Like, how is the COVID-19 vaccine due to internal drive? So, there too, we created something innovative in a short time. So, these are two examples. Where first I gave the theory and then its examples. Then I connected back to imagination. That prehistoric man learned to use fire and primitive tools, and that became the basis of our modern technologies. So, I connected history with current technologies. Then I brought back the theory. How is the theory that the depth of imagination is reflected from the power of human beings to convert the natural motion of moving water into hydropower projects? So, you are showing an interplay here. If I say, a playful use of words, then you are giving examples. Then I connected back to art. Which I also showed you in the PPT. Where the scenic beauty of nature, which Stanin Arts created, I connected it with Elon Musk's technology. Where he converted drawings of spaceships into reality. If I give another example of painting, then the paintings of Ajanta, which we see, in them we saw the art method of shipbuilding, which we call the Tankai method. So, in this way, examples of technology, but connecting them with art. Why? Because the topic says "just like art." Then, from curiosity, how did we first go to space from that topic? And along with that, we also went underwater. With the same thing, we also went underwater. So, I showed the space angle as well as the underwater angle. Then, if I call it creative use of words, I put a quote. A relevant quote, and along with that, this example where clouds are storing data. So, creative use of words and concepts like cloud computing. Then another angle: we have created so many good things with human imagination, but "it has not painted an all-rosy picture." Again, why the word "painted"? Because the topic says "just like art." So, its second dimension is that we have also used human imagination in a wrong way. "It can take you anywhere." It is written in the topic. So, "anywhere" can be interpreted as good or bad. So, how bad? That we have created destructive technologies, weapons of mass destruction. Then, above, I used life-giving elements. So, those same life-giving elements have also created hydrogen bombs. So, that is a negative example. Then I gave the example of the same technology that is helping us in connecting the world. Here I showed the positive side. In the same paragraph, I also showed its negative side, that by weaponizing it, we are doing cyber warfare. So, we are showing both angles. Then, where we thought of benefiting people with technology, there we are bombing. We are talking about the challenges of nuclear technology. Then I put a quote. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "We will require nine more earths for this mankind to survive." So, this quote is relevant here because we are showing the negative side of technology. The problems arising from the use of fossil fuels, or here again, I connected it with art. "It is ironic to say that human beings are using their power of imagination to paint a gloomy picture of their own demise." So, here we are showing the irony that we are painting a gloomy picture, and that too for our own destruction. So, that is the negative side of technology. After this, I will change the dimension, that we should use technology ethically. How will that happen? With the help of values. So, first, I showed the good side of technology. Then I showed the bad side, and now I will balance it by explaining how we can use technology for our benefit by using ethical values. Again, I will connect this with art. "To effectively use imagination, there is a need to add colors of ethical values." I am telling you repeatedly that the words that the majority of aspirants will neglect, you have to use metaphors of those words. So, I could have also said "need to add ethical values" in this. But I added the word "colors." So, you have connected it to the topic in a creative way. Then I gave value systems, in order to develop green. So, green became an example of a color. Then I gave good examples, like electric vehicles. Now, I have to balance the negative side that I showed, because the conclusion should not sound pessimistic. So, if you suddenly show the negative side and end the conclusion on a high note, that is also wrong. So, then you have to build the base for the conclusion by giving positive examples again, where the damage that we have done with technology, we are mitigating that damage. The loss that has happened to our climate due to climate change or whatever, we are now mitigating that loss. How, with the help of technology, by bringing electric vehicles or creating carbon capture technologies. So, we showed the negative side. Then we showed the side that mitigates it. Then I gave the example of hydrogen bombs. Now, its positive example is hydrogen-based fuels. So, we are reinforcing the same example, but in a positive manner. Then the conclusion will be that the power of human technology can be used by us in any way. So, add vibrant colors of ethical values. And then I connected it to the topic. Thus, giving flight to imagination, just like the Wright brothers did, which I started with at the beginning of the topic. In this way, this is an essay. This was my style of writing. You will also have your own style, which you have to identify. But the main thing is practice. The more you practice, the more unique your essays will become. The booklet I was showing you is the Essay Enrichment Booklet, by IAS Academy. Here, topic-wise, whatever values are there, like greed, envy, consumerism, compassion, forgiveness, all these values, good anecdotes for them, in a summarized manner, you will find them. For example, if we talk about education, there is B.R. Ambedkar, Kailash Satyarthiji with his Bachpan Bachao Andolan. So, here you have to highlight which examples are useful for you. This is the example of Valmiki ji, where earlier he was a robber. Then he transformed that thing, his internal enemy, and developed himself with knowledge and wisdom. So, this example can also be used there. So, you have to explain how you can use examples. These are quotes. Here too, you have to highlight for yourself. You don't have to remember all the quotes. Whatever you feel you can use, highlight that. Similarly, if I look here, there is materialism, so examples will come on that. Examples of Instagram, YouTube influencers, or if there is compassion or forgiveness, then there is Nelson Mandela, whom I told you about, 27 years of imprisonment. I read it here too, that he was jailed for 27 years, but after that, he maintained a compassionate attitude. He did not have an attitude of revenge. So, you have to inculcate such examples within yourself. This is for Part A essays. Similarly, for Part B essays, yes, this is for GS-based essays, where the recurring themes are climate change, social justice, water crisis, poverty, hunger. All these themes on which essays can be asked, whether it is technology, AI and ethical issues, blockchain, you will find content on such themes. You will see here, where there is climate change, then there is the Chipko Movement, or Tibet, then in Tibet, ice towers have been built. Here are ice stupas in Ladakh. So, examples like these, wherever they are, or key facts. This is just for reference. Here you will also find quotes. If there is SDG, then in SDG, there are examples of good government models, good schemes. You will see, whatever are the current topics, in current topics, you will see different examples. Like social entrepreneurship, there is a very famous example of 16 sisters. So, you have to read such examples yourself. First, read this entire booklet, then highlight which examples are useful for you. And highlight them in this itself, and also maintain a separate book where you write keywords. Just like I mentioned in my book, "Solar Sisters." Then I will remember what that example was. And on the side, I can write, "Solar example - Social Entrepreneurship or Innovation." So, in this way, you will prepare a complete bank of examples, which you will revise the day before the essay paper. This will be only five or six pages, but this will be the fodder for your essays. So, this is the handout, and I hope you have understood how to prepare for essays. Read the answer copies of toppers, but do not memorize them. I will keep saying this again and again, the more you maintain your own authenticity, the better your essay will be. Thank you so much. I hope that this session could add value to your preparation, and all the best for your mains. I hope that you do well. Thank you, Harshita. That was a very, very insightful session. And in fact, you have mostly covered all the essentials that I have been telling in my essay enrichment class: that the most important thing is to have the complete and correct understanding of the topic. If you proceed without understanding the topic, that sense of conviction does not come. Second most important thing, and also Harshita has mentioned it, and please take it into account, brainstorming is the heart and soul of your essay. It gives you the blueprint. When you go to write, you don't have to think if you have already brainstormed all the points well. Also, very, very important, and I thank you, Harshita. You brought it forth that emotive connect is the essence of essays. Many ready-made templates are going around. We think if we are not pasting, then let's use some other template. This can be the flow. In that pursuit, all essays are becoming very mechanical and are becoming one and the same. So, identical essays are coming out of the factory. Whereas you need to build that emotive connect. And yes, inspiration is very, very important. You have to look at the toppers' copies, but you also have to develop your own USP. What the topper has written, and thousands of other students are also copying it, so by looking at it, what new innovation can you come up with, what USP can you come up with, that is very, very important. So, this essay enrichment program is a part of our TEP, the Total Enrichment Program, and on that, we will give you more details on how the practice sessions will be, how much attention we have to pay to maintain that emotive connect. Right? Without losing the essence, of course, content is important, but emotions are also important. So, thank you, Harshita, for sharing your knowledge with our students, and till we meet next time. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. [Music]