EXAM STRATEGY

The Twin Arts: Mastering Answer Writing and Note Making for UPSC Mains

By Anshad S | 🕓 July 26, 2025

Hello Aspirants,

Many of you are diligently studying, covering vast portions of the syllabus, and reading multiple newspapers. You possess the knowledge. But have you ever wondered why some candidates with similar knowledge levels score significantly higher in the Mains exam?

The answer often lies in two interconnected skills that I call the "twin arts" of UPSC preparation: Answer Writing and Note Making. Knowledge is the raw material, but these two arts are the craftsmanship that shapes that material into a high-scoring final product.

Today, let's delve into how you can master these essential skills and bridge the gap between knowing the content and scoring marks.

Part 1: Mastering the Art of Answer Writing

The Mains exam is not a test of what you know; it's a test of how well you can present what you know within a specific word and time limit. A brilliant answer is a structured conversation with the examiner.

1. Understand the 'Directive' – The Question's Command

Before you write a single word, focus on the last word of the question. Is it 'Discuss', 'Analyze', 'Critically Examine', 'Elucidate', or 'Comment'? These are not synonyms; they are commands.

• Discuss/Explain: Present a comprehensive overview, covering various aspects of the topic.

• Analyze: Break down the topic into its constituent parts and examine how they relate to each other.

• Critically Examine: You must present both sides of the coin (positives/negatives, pros/cons) and then offer a balanced, well-reasoned judgment or conclusion. This is crucial.

• Elucidate: Make it clear and simple, often with the help of examples.

Misinterpreting the directive is the fastest way to write an irrelevant answer.

2. The Unbeatable IBC Structure: Introduction - Body - Conclusion

Every answer must have a clear structure.

• Introduction (I): Your introduction should be short, crisp (25-30 words), and directly address the core theme of the question. You can start with a definition, a recent fact/data point, a constitutional article, or by mentioning the immediate context of the issue.

  
  

• Body (B): This is the heart of your answer.

  
  

  • Use Subheadings and Pointers: Never write long, dense paragraphs. Break your answer into points. This makes it easy for the examiner to read and award marks.

  • Be Multi-dimensional: For any given topic, try to include different dimensions – Social, Political, Economic, Ethical, Legal, Environmental (SPEELE). This shows the breadth of your understanding.

  • Substantiate with Facts: Back up your arguments with data, committee names (e.g., 2nd ARC), Supreme Court judgments, or examples.

    
    

• Conclusion (C): Your conclusion should also be brief (25-30 words). It should not be a mere summary. Aim for a forward-looking, optimistic, and solution-oriented conclusion. You can suggest a way forward or end with a relevant Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

3. Presentation is Key

An answer that is easy on the eyes fetches more marks.

• Underline Keywords: As you write, underline the most important terms.

• Use Diagrams & Maps: A simple flowchart to explain a process or a map of India to show the location of a mineral belt can fetch you an extra mark or two. Practice these.

Part 2: The Science of Effective Note-Making

Your notes are not a second textbook. Their purpose is consolidation and quick revision. If your notes are as bulky as the source material, you are doing it wrong.

1. The One-Page Note Method

This is a game-changer. For any given static topic (e.g., "Parliamentary Committees" or "Bhakti Movement"), try to condense all relevant information onto a single A4 sheet.

• How to do it? Use a central mind map, flowcharts, keywords, and micro-diagrams. Don't write full sentences. For example, for a Fundamental Right, you would just write the Article number, its essence, key exceptions, and related SC cases.

• The Benefit: During revision, you can revise an entire complex topic in under 5 minutes. This is invaluable in the days before the exam.

2. Integrate Current Affairs Intelligently

Your notes must be dynamic. When you read about a new Supreme Court judgment related to Article 21, don't just write it in your current affairs copy. Go back to your static Polity note on Fundamental Rights and add this new point.

• Analog Method: Use sticky notes on your physical notes.

• Digital Method: If you use tools like Evernote or OneNote, you can easily insert new text or links into your existing notes.

This process of inter-linking creates a powerful web of knowledge that is exactly what UPSC demands.

The Final Word

Answer writing and note-making are not talents you are born with; they are skills you build. Start today. Don't wait to finish the syllabus. Pick up a question from a previous year's paper, try to write an answer in 9 minutes, and then review it. Make one-page notes for the topics you study.

Consistency is your only mantra. One answer a day and one topic's notes a day will, over a few months, compound into an unbeatable advantage.

Keep practicing, keep improving.