UPSC MAINS ESSENTIALS
| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: Are Monsoons in India and Ken–Betwa Link Project (KBLP) important for the UPSC Exam? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for October 25, 2025 |
UPSC Exam Notes presents a dedicated initiative to help you excel in Mains answer writing practice. This program covers both static and dynamic components of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus across various General Studies (GS) papers. Each session is crafted to provide valuable insights and techniques to improve your answer-writing skills, aiming to enrich your preparation for the UPSC CSE Mains. Start with today’s answer-writing exercise based on GS-III topics to evaluate and track your progress.
Additionally, UPSC Exam Notes releases its November issue of the monthly magazine, packed with critical content, expert analyses, and recent updates to assist your preparation. Dive into the issue to enhance your knowledge base. We welcome your feedback and insights in the comments or via email.
UPSC Exam Notes offers guidance on structuring Mains answers effectively to maximize your score and presentation.
Introduction
- Begin your answer with a concise introduction of 3-5 lines. Avoid one-liner introductions as they often lack context.
- Start by providing basic information, definitions, or key facts from trusted sources to set the foundation for your answer.
Body
- This is the core of your answer. Analyze the question carefully to understand its requirements and address each aspect fully.
- Use a mix of points and short paragraphs for clarity. Avoid long paragraphs or purely point-based responses, as balanced formatting enhances readability.
- Incorporate data from reliable sources, such as government publications, to strengthen your arguments and make your answer more credible.
- Analyze based on the question’s demand, but avoid over-analysis, which may dilute the answer’s impact.
- Highlight key terms by underlining, helping your response stand out and improving its presentation.
- Use flowcharts or tree diagrams where relevant to organize information efficiently, saving time and boosting clarity. These should be applied thoughtfully and only when they add real value.
Way Forward/Conclusion
- Conclude on a positive, forward-looking note. Highlight potential solutions or the broader implications of your analysis.
- If an unresolved issue is crucial to the topic, briefly mention it, but avoid repeating points from the introduction or body.
- Where applicable, reference findings from relevant national or international reports, surveys, or quotations to add weight to your conclusion.
Self-Evaluation
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Model Answer (Approach Outline): This is not a definitive model answer but an approach to tackling the question effectively. |
Introduction:
— The term monsoon refers to a seasonal reversal of winds that brings either heavy rainfall or prolonged dry spells. Monsoon phenomena are most prominently observed in parts of Asia.
— India experiences two major types of monsoons:
(i) Southwest Monsoon (June–September): Originating over the Arabian Sea, it first strikes the coast of Kerala and gradually advances across the country. This is the dominant monsoon season, responsible for most of India’s annual rainfall. It plays a vital role in cooling temperatures, sustaining ecosystems, and supporting the agricultural economy, particularly through the cultivation of kharif crops.
(ii) Northeast Monsoon (October–December): Commonly known as the retreating monsoon, it primarily affects southern peninsular regions, especially Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Though less intense than the southwest monsoon, it is significant for rabi crop cultivation and regional water availability.
Body:
Impact of Climate Change on Monsoon Patterns, Agriculture, and Ecosystems: