How to choose the right topic for the essay?

Practical Approach to Choosing the Right Essay Topic in UPSC mains exam.

1. Analyze the Available Topics Methodically

When you open the paper and see the list of essay topics, your first job is to scan through the options quickly. Don’t rush into making a decision. Take at least 5 minutes to read through each topic carefully and digest the essence of each topic.

Key Tips for Analysis:

Look for familiarity: Which topics are you already familiar with? These might be from your current affairs, general studies syllabus, or something you have read in newspapers or magazines. A topic like "Technology and its impact on society" is a more familiar one for most aspirants than a very niche topic like "The ethical dilemmas of gene editing".

Identify areas of strength: Reflect on your background knowledge. For example, if you have an interest in environmental issues, a topic related to sustainability or climate change would be ideal.

Check for topic overlap with your optional: If one of the topics has overlap with your optional subject, consider choosing it. For instance, if your optional is Anthropology, a topic like "The role of human evolution in shaping modern society" would be a good choice.

2. Decide Based on the Key Pointers from the Topic

Each topic has underlying keywords that help you shape your essay. Here’s how to interpret them in a practical way:

Actionable Steps:

Keywords to identify:

"Impact": Think about both positive and negative consequences of the topic.

"Challenges": Focus on issues or difficulties related to the topic and how they can be overcome.

"Opportunities": Highlight the future potential or benefits related to the subject.

"Solutions": Be ready to offer practical, realistic solutions to the problems the topic presents.

For example, if the topic is "The role of women in building the nation", the keywords "role," "women," and "nation" imply that you need to explore how women contribute to nation-building, focus on their challenges, and propose ways to empower them further.

3. Eliminate Topics You Don’t Feel Confident About

Now that you’ve analyzed the topics, it’s time to eliminate the ones that you feel least prepared for. Be pragmatic here:

If you have no clear understanding of the topic or can’t think of relevant points, skip it.

If the topic is too specific or technical and you don’t have time to research it adequately, don’t waste time considering it.

Example: If the topic is "The global implications of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology", but you are not very familiar with these terms, it might be better to choose a topic you can write with more confidence.

4. Time Management: Allocate Time to Plan the Essay

Choosing a topic is not just about liking it—it’s also about how much time you can spend developing it into a high-quality essay within two hours. After you’ve narrowed it down to two or three topics, it’s time to spend 10 minutes planning your essay.

What to do in the 10 minutes:

Mind-map the essay: Write down your main arguments on paper for the essay. Identify the sub-headings you can divide your essay into. For instance:

Introduction

Background/Context

Main Arguments

Argument 1

Argument 2

Counterarguments

Conclusion

Consider your examples: What examples can you use? These could be from current affairs, history, or personal experiences that relate to the topic.

Outline your points: Think about key points you can use in each section of the essay. This will help you stay organized during writing.

5. Consider the Scope for Exploration

Choose a topic that allows for both breadth and depth in your writing. The essay should not feel restricted or shallow, and it should also give you enough content to explore all aspects in detail.

For instance:

Topic 1: "The role of social media in shaping political opinions"

This allows you to discuss the benefits (awareness, engagement) and drawbacks (misinformation, polarizing views) of social media.

Topic 2: "The future of artificial intelligence"

This could become too technical if you don’t have adequate knowledge about AI, or too vague if you don't narrow the scope.

6. Stay Away from Overused Topics

Some essay topics are frequently seen in previous years’ exams. While these might be safe choices, they also risk being overwritten and lack originality. If you are unsure about how to present a fresh perspective on these, it might be better to avoid them.

Common Overused Topics:

"The role of youth in nation-building"

"Education as a tool for empowerment"

"The challenges of democracy"

Instead, try picking a topic that may have multiple interpretations or one that gives you a chance to present new angles.

7. Validate the Topic Through a Quick Self-Test

After selecting your topic, ask yourself:

Can I develop a compelling introduction for this topic in the first 15 minutes?

Do I have enough facts, examples, and statistics to back up my arguments?

Can I build a balanced view, presenting both sides of the issue before offering a solution or conclusion?

If you can answer "yes" to most of these questions, you’ve likely chosen a strong topic.

8. Final Decision

If you have two topics that you feel equally comfortable with, trust your intuition. Choose the one that:

You feel you can speak confidently about.

Aligns with the arguments you want to make.

Allows you to draw on knowledge from different parts of the syllabus.


Conclusion:

Choosing the right essay topic for UPSC is a strategic decision that requires careful analysis and planning. Use these practical steps:

Scan the options and choose what you are comfortable with.

Understand the keywords in the topic.

Eliminate difficult topics.

Plan your essay quickly.

Ensure depth and breadth in the topic you choose.

By following these steps, you can confidently choose a topic that allows you to write an insightful, structured, and well-supported essay. Remember, the ability to plan, organize, and present a balanced view is key to scoring well in the UPSC Essay Paper.

Instagram | Reliable IAS Telegram | Reliable IAS Whatsapp | Reliable IAS Facebook | Reliable IAS Invite a friend
Online & Offline Courses Enquiry | Reliable IAS

Call For Counselling

9769 711 999