The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020 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 present ideas in a clear, logical, and well-structured manner.
On this page, you can find the UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2020, official essay topics, exam pattern, important instructions, and the official UPSC PDF link.
UPSC CSE Mains Essay Paper 2020: Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020 |
| Paper | Essay (Paper I) |
| Year | 2020 |
| 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 which must be stated clearly on the cover of the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided.
- No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
- Word limit, as specified, should be adhered to.
- Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.
UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2020
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
- Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
- Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
- Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
- Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
SECTION–B
- Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
- There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
- Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
- Technology as the silent factor in international relations.
Official UPSC PDF
The official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020 Essay Question Paper can be downloaded from the UPSC website.
Download Official UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2020 (PDF)