UPSC 2024 Essay Paper Discussion

Introduction

• Mudit Jain, XIPS, XIRS discusses the essay paper conducted by UPSC for 2024 mains.
• Overview of 8 essays and approaches to essay writing.

Section A Topics and Approaches

Topic 1: Forest precedes civilization and deserts follow them

• Approach: Question-answer based
  • Role of forests in the emergence of civilizations.
  • Impact of civilizations on forest resources.
  • Process of desertification due to human and natural factors.
  • Solutions: Sustainability, environmental ethics, technology.
  • Anti-view: Examples of civilizations preventing desertification.
• Analysis:
  • Chose a literal meaning to maintain clarity.
  • Not recommended for examination, prefer multiple dimensions.

Topic 2: The empires of future will be the empires of the mind

• Approach: Contemporary approach
  • Importance of data as a modern currency.
  • Examples: UPI, SpaceX, AI governance.
  • Analyze how civilizations using mind and data will dominate.
• Analysis:
  • Explore various current affairs related to this theme.

Topic 3: There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path

• Approach: Categorization
  • Types of happiness: Intrinsic, interpersonal, extrinsic.
  • Discuss personal growth, shared joy, materialistic pleasures.
  • Importance of recognizing individual paths to happiness.
• Analysis:
  • Ensure multiple dimensions to justify 1200 words.

Topic 4: The doubter is a true man of Science

• Approach: PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal)
  • Sociological: Critical thinking against customs/practices.
  • Economic: Importance of doubters in innovation.
  • Environmental: Challenges to current models (e.g., IMD predictions).
• Analysis:
  • Explore multidimensional view of the topic.

Section B Topics and Approaches

Topic 5: Social Media is triggering fear of missing out amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness

• Approach: GS-oriented
  • Analyze causes: Misuse of social media, regulations.
  • Effects: Depression, loneliness.
  • Solutions: Government steps, global measures, counter-narratives.

Topic 6: Nearly all men can stand adversity but to test man's character, give him power

• Approach: Chronological approach
  • Analysis from individual to global perspectives.
  • Examples: Historical figures like Lincoln, organizations facing challenges.

Topic 7: All ideas having large consequences are always simple

• Approach: Sectoral
  • Explore simple ideas with significant consequences in various sectors:
    • Business (UPI)
    • Space (ISRO)
    • Agriculture (drip irrigation)
    • Sports (IPL)
    • Health (insurance for elderly)

Topic 8: The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing

• Approach: Futuristic policies
  • Historical backfiring of policies (Green Revolution, Industrial Policy).
  • Focus on Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047.
  • Examples: Labor laws, infrastructure, digital initiatives.

Conclusion

• Summary of approaches to 8 topics.
• Resources: PDF and poll on easy topics available in the description.
• Encouragement for feedback and discussion.

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Note: This lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding different approaches to essay writing for competitive exams, and encourages considering multiple dimensions in topics for better articulation and depth in essays.