The UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 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 2021, official essay topics, exam pattern, important instructions, and the official UPSC PDF link.
UPSC CSE Mains Essay Paper 2021: Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Examination | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 |
| Paper | Essay (Paper I) |
| Year | 2021 |
| 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 authorised by UPSC in the Admission Certificate |
Question Paper Instructions
- The ESSAY must be written in the medium authorised 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 medium other than the authorised 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 2021
Write TWO Essays, choosing ONE from each of the Sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each.
125×2=250
SECTION ‘A’
- The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
- Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
- Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
- The real is rational and the rational is real.
SECTION ‘B’
- Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
- What is research, but a blind date with knowledge !
- History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
- There are better practices to “best practices”.
Official UPSC PDF
The official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021 Essay Question Paper can be downloaded from the UPSC website.
Download Official UPSC CSE Mains Essay Question Paper 2021 (PDF)