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[Analysis] Essay topic trends in last 19 years (1993-2011) for UPSC civil service IAS
exam
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Im classifying all the essays asked in last 19 years, into 8 broad topics.
Topic [bracket shows # of questions asked so far]
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Chart: The occurance table of Essay topics for 1993-2011(if trouble viewing the photo, then download the pdf file)
Since last 5 years continuously, no essay on technology or women empowerment. (see the continuity of those black dots in the table) As we saw in the mains
analysis, the Women empowerment topic seems to be shifted from Essay papers to GS Paper 1.
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In the early 90s you were given 6-8 essays and you had to pickup one, theyve gradually reduced the options to barely 4 essays!
Economy is under dry spell after a long time (2011), otherwise since 2006, there has been 1-2 essays each year.
Education topic had atmost 2 continuous dry years during the entire 19 years period, otherwise theyve been asking from it at a regular interval.
Indian culture is second most important topic after polity (total 18 essays)
Just like Education, culture too hasnt seen lengthy dry years, same is true for Global/international issues.
Philosophical essays were hot in the initial years: 1993 to 1996, two essays per year and then abruptly stopped for four years. I guess the paper-setter retired or
perhaps UPSC changed their trend in those years for some reason.
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1993-2006, Women empowerment used to be a recurring essay topic, almost every year.
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Bar and Pie chart breakups for Essay topics in last 19 years
Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
Bpo boom in india. -2007
Globalization would finish small-scale industries in india. -2006
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Polity, administration
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Polity, administration
1. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental implication -2011
2. Evaluation of panchayati raj system in india from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
3. Justice must reach the poor -2005
4. Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
5. The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in india. -1998
6. The language problem in india: its past, present and prospects. -1998
7. Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
8. When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
9. How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
10. Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
11. Judicial activism. -1997
12. The vip cult is a bane of indian democracy -1996
13. Need for transparency in public administration -1996
14. Whither indian democracy? -1995
15. Politics, bureaucracy and business fatal triangle. -1994
16. How far has democracy in india delivered the goods? -2003
17. What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
18. My vision of india in 2001 a.d. -1993
19. In the indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism
-2011
20. Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
21. The countrys need for a better disaster management system. -2000
22. Are we a soft state ? -2009
23. Role of media in good governance -2008
24. Judicial activism and indian democracy. -2004
25. What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
26. Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
27. Food security for sustainable national development -2005
Technology
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2011
2010
3. Preparedness of our society for Indias global leadership role.
4. From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffet model-a
natural progression or a paradigm shift?
1. Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death?
2. Are we a Soft state ?
2009
2008
4. Descipline means success , anarchy means ruin
5. Urbanisation and Its Hazards
6. Is an Egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ?
1. Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the
childhood.
2. Evaluation of Panchayati Raj System in India from the point of view
of eradication of power to people.
2007
2006
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2006
4. Education for All Campaign in India: Myth or Reality.
5. Globalization Would Finish Small-Scale Industries in India.
6. Increasing Computerization Would lead to the Creation of a
Dehumanized Society.
1. Justice must reach the poor
2. The hand that rocks the cradle
3. If women ruled the world
2005
4. What is real education?
5. Terrorism and world peace
6. Food security for sustainable national development
1. Indias Role in Promoting ASEAN Co-operation.
2. Judicial Activism and Indian Democracy.
3. Whither Womens Emancipation?
2004
2003
2002
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1998
4. Indias contribution to world wisdom.
5. The language problem in India: Its past, present and prospects.
6. The world of the twenty-first century.
1. What we have not learnt during fifty years of Independence.
2. Judicial activism.
3. Greater political power alone will not improve womens plight.
1997
4. True religion cannot be misused.
5. The modern doctor and his patients.
6. Urbanization is a blessing in disguise.
1. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in
education.
2. Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities
1996
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1996
4. The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy
5. Need for transparency in public administration
6. Truth is lived, not taught
1. Politics without ethics is a disaster.
2. The new emerging women Power: the ground realities.
3. When money speaks, the truth is silent.
1995
1994
4. Useless life is an early death.
5. Politics, bureaucracy and business Fatal Triangle.
6. Multinational corporations saviours or saboteurs
1. My vision of India in 2001 A.D.
2. The global order: political and economic
3. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires
and fears is more than a king.
4. Compassion is the basic of all morality would
1993
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December 13th, 2011 | Category: analysis
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23 comments to [Analysis] Essay topic trends in last 19 years (1993-2011) for UPSC civil service IAS exam
Grenouille13
December 14, 2011 at 12:45 AM Reply
Ihanks, Mrunal!
russellatif speaks
December 19, 2011 at 3:36 AM Reply
sir,
is it possible to give essays in mother tongue n other papers in english?
Mrunal
July 20, 2012 at 7:19 PM Reply
No. UPSC rules donot allow that.
nick
April 1, 2012 at 12:17 PM Reply
OMG sir. fab work !
ASHEESH KUMAR
May 23, 2012 at 7:57 AM Reply
so good
ASHEESH KUMAR
May 23, 2012 at 7:58 AM Reply
so good..
ASHEESH KUMAR
May 23, 2012 at 7:58 AM Reply
so good
ARV
July 27, 2012 at 6:55 PM Reply
good job sir
sindhu
July 30, 2012 at 12:50 PM Reply
How to prepare for essay?Best strategy?
misha
August 3, 2012 at 11:17 AM Reply
i prepared well. n done well in pre exam 2012.
but not able to focus again. as i wan not able to clear pre exam.
mrunal.org/2011/12/analysis-essay-topic-trends-in-last-19.html
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chirag patel
August 6, 2012 at 10:09 AM Reply
hello sir,
I hv given enterance exam of spipa 2012.when they will declare the result of prelim exam ?
vivek patil
August 14, 2012 at 4:06 PM Reply
very useful.. thank you!!
tanu
August 20, 2012 at 5:20 PM Reply
great work mrunaldefinitely got m thinking..u always make m want 2 work harderthanx a ton
Sahil
August 22, 2012 at 10:48 PM Reply
great work man.. m short of words.. u r doing a wonderful job. whenever i need something .. ur documents or posts are always there to
help me out..
thnq so much
sathish
August 25, 2012 at 2:32 PM Reply
great work am rely happy to see some good humans living in this world thanks a lot
Sonali Mohanty
August 29, 2012 at 3:18 PM Reply
I love the way you analyse each and every topic. Im not appearing for the exam. But yes, I view your site regularly.
Mukul
August 30, 2012 at 11:04 PM Reply
seriously thanks!
MAHESHWAR REDDY.B.V
October 11, 2012 at 7:09 PM Reply
THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR, THE WAY YOU SORT OUT THINGS AND EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE IS REALLY FANTASTIC:)
sammy
October 16, 2012 at 9:32 PM Reply
hello sir, its my dream to be a IPS officer and i am surfing a lot of sites but couldnt find any information useful to mecan you please
help me out??i dont know which subjects to take in optional selection,i am really confused..!i am doing my engineering in E.C.E
stream!
Mrunal
October 17, 2012 at 2:45 PM Reply
If you want to become an IPS, Youll have to give the same UPSC Civil Service Exam.
selva
October 23, 2012 at 8:55 AM Reply
thank you so much Mr. Mrunal, Your work is definitely going to be a major part of my success in UPSC civil services exam,
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