The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024 Essay Paper was conducted for candidates who qualified the Civil Services Preliminary Examination. The Essay paper carries 250 marks and evaluates a candidate’s ability to express ideas clearly, logically, and effectively through well-structured essays.
On this page, you can find the UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2024, official essay topics, exam pattern, important instructions, and the official UPSC PDF link.
UPSC CSE Mains Essay Paper 2024: Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024 |
| Paper | Essay (Paper I) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Exam Stage | Main Examination |
| Maximum Marks | 250 |
| Time Allowed | 3 Hours |
| Essays to Attempt | 2 (One from Section A and One from Section B) |
| Word Limit | 1000–1200 words for each essay |
| Question Type | Descriptive |
| Medium | Any language authorized by UPSC in the Admission Certificate |
Question Paper Instructions
- The essay must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate.
- The authorized medium should be clearly mentioned on the cover of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet.
- No marks will be awarded for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
- Candidates must adhere to the prescribed word limit.
- Any blank page or unused portion of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet should be clearly struck off.
UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2024
Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each : 125 * 2 = 250
Section A
- Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.
- The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.
- There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
- The doubter is a true man of science.
Section B
- Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.
- Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
- All ideas having large consequences are always simple.
- The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.
Official UPSC PDF
The official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024 Essay Question Paper can be downloaded from the UPSC website.
Download Official UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2024 (PDF)