UPSC_Mains_Answer_Templates_and_Guide
UPSC_Mains_Answer_Templates_and_Guide
This guide helps you understand 70+ common UPSC Mains question types and how to approach them with
Evaluate
What it means: You need to assess both the positive and negative aspects of an issue. Use data, examples,
and a judgment at the end.
How to think: Think about strengths, weaknesses, evidence, and end with your conclusion.
Critically Evaluate
What it means: Go deeper than evaluate. You must look at pros and cons, then give a balanced final
judgment.
How to think: Be critical not negative and balanced. Use multiple perspectives.
Examine
What it means: Break down the topic into its components and explain each part clearly.
How to think: Think: What is it made of? Where did it come from? What are its impacts?
Critically Examine
What it means: Dissect the topic and assess its implications, limitations, and effectiveness.
How to think: Think about why it's important and how well it works. Give evidence for both sides.
Discuss
What it means: Give a fair and detailed account of all relevant aspects of the topic.
How to think: Cover different viewpoints and lead the reader through a clear discussion.
Analyze
What it means: Break the issue into parts and show the relationship between them.
How to think: Think: Causes Effects Interconnections.
Comment
What it means: State your opinion backed by reasoning and evidence.
How to think: Think critically and reflectively, and explain why you think so.
Elaborate
What it means: Add more detail and depth to explain an idea.
How to think: Start from a basic point and expand with examples or evidence.
Enumerate
What it means: List out points or aspects related to the topic, often in a structured way.
How to think: No deep analysis needed; focus on clarity and completeness.
Justify
What it means: Give valid reasons to support a decision, policy or action.
How to think: Think: Why is this right or appropriate? Use logic and examples.
Substantiate
What it means: Support a claim or viewpoint using facts, data or examples.
How to think: Use evidence to back your statement. Be logical and factual.
Compare
What it means: Highlight similarities between two or more elements.
How to think: Think about both in equal depth in structure, effects, or outcomes.
Contrast
What it means: Highlight differences between two or more elements.
How to think: Show how and why they differ in cause, purpose, or result.
Do you agree?
What it means: Present both sides briefly but focus on your side with reasoning.
How to think: Be assertive. Clarify your position with facts and logic.
Assess
What it means: Weigh the importance, value or impact of an issue.
How to think: Think: How effective or significant is it?
Explain
What it means: Make something clear or easy to understand.
How to think: Define, give context, and provide a simple example or case.
Define
What it means: Give the precise meaning of a term or concept.
How to think: Be concise and exact. Use definitions accepted in UPSC/academia.
Correlate
What it means: Show how two things are related or influence each other.
How to think: Think: How X affects Y and vice versa. Use data/examples.