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UPSC Mains is approaching. One of the most popular questions in the aspirants’ minds for the mains preparation is: How to write essays for UPSC Civil Services Exams? We have an answer for you in the form of our this series.
In UPSC Essentials’ special series UPSC Essays Simplified, we take you through various steps of writing a good essay. While there is no set formula or fixed criteria prescribed, Manas Srivastava talks to Ravi Kapoor, our expert, in this new series who guides the aspirants with a simplified framework on how to write a good essay. Don’t miss ‘The Essay Exercise’ towards the end of the article.
About our Expert: Ravi Kapoor (Ex-IRS) offers free quality mentorship to UPSC aspirants, drawing upon his ten years of experience to create customised and productive curriculum. Through a free mentorship programme, he integrates tailored educational materials, psychological principles, visual learning techniques, and a strong emphasis on mental well-being into his teaching skills granting aspirants a chance to learn from his expertise.
From last 3 weeks, we have started to devote one article to each of the dimensions of essay topics and go into the details of the themes, so that you never run out of content while writing an essay on any topic. In past we have discussed spiritual essays , temporal Essays and ethical essays. Today, let’s talk about essays with psychological dimensions.
In recent years, UPSC essay topics incorporating elements of psychology—such as intelligence, creativity, and emotional well-being—have become increasingly relevant. These topics require an understanding of psychological concepts, their application in everyday life, and their broader societal implications.
Drawing from previous UPSC essay topics, we can anticipate how these themes might be explored in the examination.
1. The Concept of Emotional Intelligence:
“Emotional Intelligence is the Key to Success in Life”
Theme: Emotional intelligence (EI) involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. It is increasingly recognized as critical to personal and professional success.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, particularly in public service. Use examples like Mahatma Gandhi, whose ability to connect emotionally with the masses played a significant role in India’s independence movement.
Analyze the role of EI in conflict resolution, both in personal relationships and in larger social contexts, such as peace negotiations or community mediation.
Reflect on the integration of emotional intelligence into the education system, with initiatives like the introduction of life skills education in Indian schools, which emphasize the development of social and emotional learning.
2. The Power of Creativity:
“Creativity is the Greatest Rebellion in Existence”
Theme: Creativity is often seen as a form of rebellion against conventional thinking, leading to innovation and progress. This theme invites exploration of how creativity drives societal change.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the role of creativity in innovation and entrepreneurship, using examples like India’s tech industry, where creative problem-solving has led to the emergence of successful startups.
Reflect on the role of creativity in the arts and culture, such as the Indian film industry (Bollywood), which blends traditional narratives with innovative storytelling techniques to reach a global audience.
Analyze the importance of fostering creativity in education, where a balance between rote learning and creative thinking is necessary to prepare students for the challenges of the future.
3. The Psychology of Motivation:
“Success is 99% Perspiration and 1% Inspiration” (UPSC 2017)
Theme: This theme explores the balance between hard work and inspiration in achieving success, emphasizing the psychological aspects of motivation and perseverance.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in achieving personal and professional goals, using examples of Indian sports personalities like P.V. Sindhu, who has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and dedication.
Reflect on how motivation influences productivity in the workplace, drawing on examples from the Indian corporate sector where employee engagement initiatives have been used to boost morale and performance.
Analyze the impact of societal expectations on motivation, particularly in the context of India’s competitive examination culture, where students face immense pressure to succeed, sometimes at the cost of their mental well-being.
4. Intelligence and its Various Forms:
“The True Measure of Intelligence is Not Knowledge but Imagination” (UPSC 2016)
Theme: This theme challenges the conventional understanding of intelligence as merely the ability to acquire knowledge, emphasizing instead the role of imagination and creativity.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the multiple intelligences theory proposed by Howard Gardner, highlighting how different types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal intelligence, contribute to success in various fields.
Reflect on the role of imagination in scientific discoveries and technological innovations, using examples like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s contributions to India’s space and missile programs, where imaginative thinking played a key role.
Analyze the limitations of standardized testing in measuring intelligence, and discuss the need for a more holistic approach to assessing cognitive abilities in India’s education system.
5. The Role of Mindfulness and Mental Health:
“Mindfulness is the Art of Living in the Present Moment”
Theme: Mindfulness, or the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, is increasingly recognized as vital for mental health and overall well-being.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the growing importance of mindfulness in managing stress and anxiety, particularly in high-pressure environments like the civil services or corporate sector in India.
Reflect on the integration of mindfulness practices into Indian schools and workplaces, where programs like yoga and meditation are being used to enhance mental well-being and productivity.
Analyze the impact of mindfulness on personal growth and self-awareness, using examples of Indian spiritual leaders like Swami Vivekananda, who emphasized the importance of inner peace and self-realization.
6. The Psychology of Success and Failure: “Failure is the Stepping Stone to Success” (UPSC 2017)
Theme: This theme explores the psychological aspects of dealing with failure and how it can be a catalyst for growth and eventual success.
Content Ideas:
Discuss the role of resilience in overcoming failure, using examples from Indian entrepreneurs like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who faced numerous setbacks before building Biocon into a global biotech company.
Reflect on the societal attitudes towards failure in India, particularly in the context of education and career choices, and how these attitudes can either motivate or discourage individuals.
Analyze the importance of a growth mindset, where failure is viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a setback, and how this perspective is being promoted in Indian schools and universities.
To effectively address these themes in an essay, it is essential to maintain a well-organized structure:
1. Introduction: Begin by introducing the concept of pop psychology and its relevance in understanding human behavior and societal dynamics. Briefly outline the specific theme or topic of the essay and its importance in the modern world.
2. Main Body:
Psychological Insights: Incorporate key psychological theories and concepts, presented in a way that is accessible to the layperson, to provide depth to the discussion.
Practical Examples: Use relevant Indian examples to illustrate key points, demonstrating how psychological principles are applied in various contexts.
Contemporary Relevance: Connect psychological principles to contemporary issues, showing how they continue to be relevant in addressing the challenges of modern society.
Conclusion: Summarize the key arguments made in the essay, reflecting on the broader implications of pop psychology in shaping individual and collective behaviour. Emphasize the importance of understanding psychological concepts in personal and public life and suggest areas for further exploration or action.
By exploring these themes and content ideas in detail, candidates can craft essays that are not only insightful but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between psychological principles and everyday life. The use of previous UPSC essay topics as a reference enriches the content, making the essay more compelling and relevant for the examination.
| STEPS | ESSAY TOPIC
Smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities |
ESSAY TOPIC FOR PRACTICE
The Process of Self-discovery has Now Been Technologically Outsourced |
| Identify the core themes (refer to ‘Deconstruction’ article: Click here)
|
Smile, ambiguities | |
| Which idea from the psychological dimension can be used | non-verbal communication, manipulation, body language, empathy, emotional intelligence, mirror neurons, diplomacy, social protocol | |
| Write an introduction as suggested in the previous article on ‘introductions’. (Click here)
|
Out of the many ways humans communicate, smile is the most ambiguous – it can mean malice or friendliness. We all learn to smile regardless of how we truly feel.
This underscores the ability of humans to fake their true emotions and the persistent necessity of social protocol to do so. |
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For your answers, queries and suggestions write at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com.
