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Essay Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC

Last updated on April 3, 2024 by Alex Andrews George

Table of Contents

Tips for UPSC Essay Paper from ClearIAS.com

Do keep in mind the below-mentioned tips. Following these strategies can make a huge boost in your Essay Paper marks .

• Try to write a few essays in full during your preparation, simulating the environment in the examination hall.
• Familiarize yourself with previous essays asked by UPSC so that you will have a clear picture of the type and standard of questions to be expected.
• UPSC/the examiner normally gives credit to new perspectives and fresh analysis.
• Avoid verbosity and flowery language. Use a simple style instead.
• You may use relevant quotes to reinforce your arguments. But never try to alter the quotes of great personalities.
• Good handwriting is always an asset. If your handwriting is not legible, put some effort into that area.
• Make your statements precise. Avoid guesses.
• The introductory paragraph should have clear indications about what you are going to write in the essay.
• You may show your inferences in the concluding paragraph.

Also read:   ClearIAS launches Essay Writing Course for UPSC

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

October 16, 2015 at 12:03 am

Hello sir…. May I know what is the language to write an essay…. I mean English or hindi…thanks

August 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm

Your exam medium is essay langauge

July 7, 2022 at 1:37 am

What types of eassy come in upsc?

May 12, 2016 at 12:59 am

Hello sir…… May I know that what is trade under in IAS. & which is the best course after 12th & which is the best subjects for IAS preparation.

August 28, 2020 at 7:20 am

Make any one of the optional subject as your UG stream .it will help you in the preparation

May 23, 2016 at 7:03 am

plz suggest me books for essay in hindi and english language

October 5, 2016 at 12:25 pm

pls tell me good essay book of bengali version.

December 2, 2016 at 9:15 pm

January 7, 2017 at 4:53 pm

Wt is the medium of essay writing Any language…? We can choose

February 18, 2017 at 9:25 pm

suggest some topics for essay writing

October 13, 2017 at 3:24 pm

Which syllabus for essay writing

October 13, 2017 at 3:26 pm

which topics for essay writing tell me please

April 7, 2017 at 4:45 pm

One of the most discriptive and very helpful website for civil services aapirants..

November 8, 2018 at 1:36 pm

Sir IAS yaa IPS Ke liye physical yaa medical exam bhi dena hota h kya

November 22, 2018 at 11:45 am

PLEASE CLEAR CIVIL SERVICE MAINS PAPER A & B

August 5, 2019 at 9:49 am

my mother tongue is Bengali .can I give the mains exam in Bengali??

August 10, 2019 at 1:15 pm

Hello sir!! Can I know from which topic these essays will be given. Like, generally or from optional subjects we choose?!

September 14, 2019 at 12:39 pm

Go through the previous years question papers to find out what type of essay do UPSC ask

October 13, 2019 at 10:52 am

Sir , What are those tips & advices you are gonna give for school students who’s aim is to become an IAS officer ?

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UPSC CSE 2021: AIR 17 Sarthak Agrawal’s step-by-step strategy for essay paper

Essay is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet - mostly on university websites - so make sure to look at them instead of just relying on the typical upsc resources, says agrawal  .

My key advice for the essay paper is to be argumentative and imaginative. An academic essay is a formal piece of writing with a clear structure. This is the one paper for which you will find excellent advice all over the internet — mostly on university websites — so make sure to read them up instead of just relying on the typical UPSC resources.  

The following approach worked best for me: start with a story that is relevant to the prompt. Then, state in a few words the “thesis” of your essay – what is the main argument you’re making? Next, support this central thesis with several claims, each one backed by strong evidence or reasoning, and occupying a separate paragraph. As you go along, address the counterclaims. But resist the urge of writing an essay like a mystery novel. This is best practiced when you have devoted some 10-20 minutes to plan and outline what you will write. 

Ultimately, the key to putting together a strong response is to make an innovative and strong argument – don’t just provide relevant information around the central topic but take a refined stand and stick to it. For instance, if I wrote an essay on the topic, “Are we entering an era of globalisation”, I wouldn’t just regurgitate data on both sides of the debate. Instead, I would present an incisive and informed opinion defended by evidence and reasoning with an intention to persuade the reader. Remember, variety goes a long way in achieving this aim – avoid repetition and alter your sentence length and vocabulary to keep things interesting. It is also useful to vary the kind of evidence you cite. In some places, data and figures are most appropriate; in others, a vivid example can go a long way in hammering in your point. 

When you choose a topic, first make sure that you fully understand what each word in the prompt means. I would prefer a simple one over a more convoluted statement so that you have more latitude to experiment. The next thing to ask is whether you will be able to construct a novel argument around that prompt. Some topics are more conducive to a descriptive type of response, and others to a debate. The latter provides more scope for showing off your critical thinking skills. That’s the real “smartness” essays test, which is why writing them well is a pre-requisite for academic success in the top universities. When you start, make sure you introduce the topic and what you understand by it. This way, even if you make an error in interpreting the prompt, the examiner will know from the get-go what you are responding to and might be a bit more generous. 

I find the best essays often start and end with a story. My favourite argumentative pieces are those that feature in The Economist’s leaders’ section; they often start with examples to invite the reader’s interest. In the same vein, I spent time thinking about the kind of stories that would align with different topics instead of memorising quotations. For example, in a mock response to the topic, “Digital infrastructure is key for future ready governance”, I included a fictional example of a future health secretary who can get her department to respond quickly to a SARS-kind of virus in rural Odisha thanks to a mature National Digital Health Mission. 

I wrote five practice tests before appearing for the exam; incidentally, none of them was the ‘philosophical type’ that I had to write in the actual paper. The same advice applies for these kinds of essays too, except that the evidence here would be real-world examples and logical reasoning instead of data. There’s also more scope to be creative and critical, which is good for fetching higher marks. I think coaching institutes tend to be overly concerned about analysing the “social, economic, political, legal etc.” angles in an essay, while the essay is an argumentative piece of writing that provides the means to showcase your creativity. It is certainly not a test of your memory, vocabulary, or handwriting so don’t worry if you are a laggard on either (or all) of these.

A word on formatting — start a new paragraph from the middle of the line, leaving a forefinger’s space in the beginning. Try to connect one sentence with the next using bridge words like however, despite, moreover, etc; do the same for paragraphs as it gives the entire piece a nice, logical flow. Underlining important keywords and phrases is also useful to direct an examiner’s attention. Keep cuttings to a minimum and ensure that all paragraphs are of similar length, but these tips are much harder to follow in practice. And it’s okay to use the first person (“In this essay, I argue…”). Bureaucrats are taught to be self-effacing and not present their own front but when writing an academic essay, I think it’s best to lead with the first person.  

Finally, even the examiners know that writing a strong 1000–1200-word piece by hand in 1.5 hours that is sufficiently argumentative and delightfully imaginative is fiendishly difficult. They will definitely cut you some slack as long as your approach is right. Make the most of this window, and good luck!

(The author is AIR 17 in UPSC Civil Services 2020 and is a researcher at the World Bank)

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Apurva Pandey, Rank 39 UPSC CSE 2017: HIGHEST MARKS IN ESSAY (175)-ESSAY STRATEGY (IASbaba’s ILP Student)

• May 17, 2018

IASbaba's Toppers

ESSAY STRATEGY-APURVA PANDEY RANK 39

Hello everyone ,

Ever since UPSC declared marks for CSE Mains 2017, I have been flooded with requests to write a strategy on the essay. But honestly, I never really had a mechanical strategy for the essay. During my mock tests, essay was that one paper where the examiner appeared satisfied and so I sort of shifted my focus to GS and optional.

That said, I do have a few pointers that I think worked for me and I will be more than happy to share it with you all. I will also try to answer some FAQs regarding essay preparation.

1) Where do I get the content for my essay?

I never studied separately for the essay. I used whatever I had studied for GS and optional. But then again, I was lucky to have PSIR for my optional and from there, I often picked up concepts, thinkers, ideologies etc. to make my point. However, one must be careful to not use one’s knowledge of their optional to such an extent that the essay stops being general. If reading your essay is becoming extra work for the examiner, then that might not be good news for your marks.

2) Do I need to use very flowery language?

Every essay strategy I read during my preparation suggested using simple  English and rightly so. Sometimes, in our quest to put our vocabulary to use, we end up inserting complicated words forcefully in our sentences. Not only does it make the sentence difficult to understand, but also gives it an awkward sound when read.

But that does not mean that we stop getting creative with language. Using metaphors, similes, idioms etc breaks the monotony and makes our essay look attractive. Here again, usage must not appear forced. This comes with a careful reading of good texts and of course, practice.

3) Should I write in simple paragraphs or subheadings?

I don’t think it really matters. I wrote with subheadings in one of my mock tests and got good feedback. But in the final exam, I wrote in simple paragraphs which worked out perfectly fine for me.

4)How do I choose my topic?

For me, comfort triumphs every other factor. I have always had a certain discomfort, more of a mental barrier for topics related to science, technology, economy etc. But with topics that have a socio-political background, I feel very much at ease, even when the topic is relatively unprepared and may require a certain brainstorming.

I personally feel that if we are comfortable with the topic, our expression has a more natural flow. I wrote the essay on women this time around, knowing full well how popular the topic was and how well prepared people must be. But I was not only comfortable but also very passionate about that topic, and everything I wrote came straight from the heart. I have a strong feeling that it is this very essay that helped me secure such high marks in essay. But more on that, later.

5)Do I really need to practice essay?

No matter how confident you are in your writing skills, practicing a few essays beforehand is never a bad idea. If you can get some feedback on it then even better. Even if you have good content and are good at expressing yourself, you might be making other mistakes like writing very long paragraphs, diverting from the topic, not putting in sufficient examples and so on. Therefore, please practice a few essays and get those reviewed.

Now a few pointers on the specific things I did that may have helped me score good marks:

1) Start solid: Somebody once told me that an examiner will probably read hundreds of essays on the same topic, and is likely to get bored after some time. As such, our beginning must be interesting so as to capture his/her imagination at the very outset. In a strategy article that she wrote, Mittali Sethi mam mentioned how she began her essay with a poem she had written herself. I did the same in my NAM essay. Wrote a couplet on the idea of standing for truth, and then began my essay by explaining NAM as India’s way of standing for truth.

Similarly, for my essay on “Fulfilment of new woman in India is a myth”, I started off with a story where I talked about Meena, the new age Indian woman, who is well educated, financially independent, working at a big corporate firm and married to the man of her choice. And then I began to expose the myth by explaining how Meena still takes care of household chores and the kids even when her work hours are same as her husband’s, how sexism still exists for her at workplace where she is asked to take care of the hospitality of important clients while her male peers get to engage with them business-wise, how she quit a previous higher paying job to escape sexual harrassment at workplace, how her family keeps telling her to quit so as to take better care of her children and so on. I hope you got the idea.

2) Having strong opinions: I am sure you can guess by now how opinionated my essay on women must have been. And I really think having strong opinions and being passionate about the topic helps. But your opinion must be supported by examples or facts. For instance, in my essay on women, I wrote that while a woman defence minister in Nirmala Sitharaman may reinstate the myth of the new Indian woman, we must not forget that women Parliamentarians in India have never crossed the 12% mark.

So while keeping balanced views might be the popular advice, I personally think that my strong opinions on certain things helped me score well. Of course, I was worried about this before the results because I really thought that this could work both ways. I played the gamble and was rewarded generously. 🙂

3) Positivity: Even when you are writing passionately and pointing out everything you think is wrong, you must end on a positive note. Again coming to the women essay, my last few paragraphs were about how things have drastically changed over the years, and while there might not be a fulfilled new Indian woman as of now, she is slowly but surely emerging.

4) Flow: If there is flow in our essay, it will keep the examiner engaged throughout. Abruptly jumping from one dimension of the essay to another must be avoided. For good flow in your essay, you can plan beforehand by devoting the initial half hour to deciding the structure and content of your essay. Also, practice helps.

5) Some important but oft-repeated points:

• Try to cover as many dimensions as possible. Mittali Sethi mam and Chandramohan Garg sir mention the SPECLIH technique( Social, Political, Economic, Cultural, Linguistic/Local, International, Humanistic dimensions) in their strategies. You can use it for more diverse content.
• Avoid writing very long paragraphs.
• Use examples, facts, data, current developments, anecdotes, anything and everything to substantiate your point. I did not use a lot of statistics because I could never learn it up, but examples I used liberally.
• Read the topic carefully and do not divert from it. For instance, the topic “Has NAM lost its relevance in a multipolar world?” does not require us to explain the entire history of NAM although you may talk about it a little in your introduction. If in your essay you are writing all that you know about NAM without delving on its relevance in a multipolar world, then you might not get good marks. Similarly, if you talk about the relevance of NAM but completely ignore the multipolar world-part of the topic, you are very much on your way to committing a blunder.

So read the topic very carefully, underline the keywords and ensure that you do not divert.

I always knew essay was a scoring subject, but never knew that it would so crucially influence my selection and rank. And so once again, I will ask you all to definitely practice a few essays before the final exam, no matter how good you are with it. Trust me, it will be highly rewarding. I will also suggest you go through Chandramohan Garg sir’s strategy which many have found helpful.

Best wishes,

Apurva Pandey

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• Apurva Pandey Rank 39 , Essay Strategy Apporva pandey Marks 175 , UPSC 2017 Toppers Apurva Pandey

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Key Tips to Craft a Powerful Essay in UPSC CSE Mains by Expert & IAS Officers

Preparing for UPSC CSE Mains? Here are some important tips to help you write well and ace the essay paper.

T he UPSC CSE�s essay paper is among the nine that aspirants are required to clear. Here, they choose one from four topics and attempt two essays, each with a word count of 1,000-1,200 words. The essay paper is for a total of 250 marks, and each essay carries 125 marks.

T Prateek Rao, credited with securing 147 marks, the highest score in the essay paper so far, tells The Better India , �Most aspirants have an average to above-average hold on their essay writing skills. However, no matter how good you think you are, only repeated practice and regular third-party evaluation will help you get better.�

He also urges aspirants to stay away from self-correction and always refer to a third party for constructive feedback on the essay.

He also says that aspirants must try and make the essay as engaging and relatable as possible. �As far as possible, include anecdotes and real-life incidents in your essay. Making the essay relatable to the examiner is sure to fetch additional marks. Adding such anecdotes acts as a hook to keep the examiner interested in your essay. Make sure your distinctive writing style comes through in your essay.�

To be able to write better, one must read on a variety of topics. He adds, �To be able to write well, one must read. That is the first step in ensuring that your writing keeps getting better.�

Aspirants could pick up Yojana and read the first article in the magazine to get a sense of how governmental essays are written.

Alongside, Anudeep Durishetty, who secured an AIR of 1 in the 2017 examination, has written extensively on how best to write an essay. In his blog, he wrote, �Introduction to an essay is like an opening scene to a movie. It should start strong, give a brief idea of what�s coming ahead, and make your audience want for more. A well-crafted introduction creates that urgency and curiosity in the minds of the readers, captivating them into reading the rest of the write-up. A splendid introduction is, therefore, a prerequisite for a splendid essay.�

He urges aspirants to weave a story while writing the essay, while keeping three pointers in mind:

a. It must generate interest in the reader. b. It must be relevant to the question. c. It must be concise.

Embellishing your essay with statistics and facts is also a great way to grab the attention of the examiner.

On the importance of letting the examiner know your stance, he writes, �A thesis statement is a single sentence near the end of your introduction that presents your stand on the given topic. If your essay is fluid with each argument flowing into the next effortlessly, then there is no need to write a thesis statement. But if you are new to writing essays and want to make things clear upfront, without leaving anything to guesswork, then state it. As you write more essays and become better at flow and structure, focus on subheadings and coherence between paragraphs to make the thesis statement unnecessary.�

Meanwhile, in a Twitter thread, Krishna Tupe, founding member of an online UPSC training portal discusses five frameworks that may be used to expand UPSC essays. He urges aspirants to look at any given topic with the following acronym in mind:

PESTEL- EC Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal, Ethical, Cultural Health, Education and Employment.

While presenting arguments, one must be sure to include various perspectives � women, weaker sections, children, disabled, old aged, and LGBTQ. One must also include a micro and macro view of the topic. Furthermore, aspirants could also look at the topic from a historic point of view, current day scenario, and a futuristic approach as well. This will make the essay well rounded.

5 Frameworks to expand UPSC Essays – {Including Philosophical Essays} (A thread!) � Krishna Tupe (@krishna_tupe) July 10, 2022

How I Secured One of the Highest Marks in UPSC CSE�s Essay Paper: IAS Officer by Vidya Raja How to Write Essay Introductions in UPSC Exam by Anudeep Durishetty

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• IAS Preparation
• UPSC Preparation Strategy

UPSC Exam Strategy

Success in the UPSC civil services exam, also known as the IAS exam in common parlance, is a combination of Right Knowledge and Right Strategy . No doubt, you have to prepare the topics in the UPSC syllabus thoroughly, but you should also acquire a few skills in order to fare well in the IAS exam. The particular demands of the IAS exam are such that only a planned and guided preparation with the right focus can help you sail through. Always remember when you are preparing for the IAS exam, your goal should only be to clear the IAS, and not to acquire knowledge in a subject.

When you study in the university, you should study for knowledge; but when you are studying for the IAS, you should study solely with the intention of clearing the UPSC exam. This attitude and focus will make a huge difference to your preparation and performance in the exam.

The first step in the IAS preparation process is to understand the IAS exam pattern.

IAS Exam Pattern

The UPSC exam is conducted in three stages. You have to clear one stage and then move on to the subsequent stage. And, at every stage, the number of candidates is drastically reduced. On average, about 5 lakhs candidates take the first stage and finally, at the end of the process, about 700 – 1000 candidates get selected into the civil services.

Therefore, to clear the exam, the candidates have to formulate their own UPSC strategy to crack the exam. 

Stage 1: Prelims

This stage consists of two objective type papers, General Studies I and General Studies II (CSAT). For more details on the these prelims papers, you can click on the link below:

UPSC Prelims 2023 – Notes, Books, Strategy & IAS Prelims Syllabus For Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam

Stage 2: Mains

This stage consists of nine descriptive papers.

Check UPSC mains exam pattern, papers, syllabus, dates  in the linked article.

UPSC Mains Exam Pattern

Stage 3: Personality Test

This stage consists of an interview with the UPSC board.

The above three stages of the UPSC CSE Exam are very different from each other, and the aspirants can look into the UPSC Notification to know about the different posts of the CSE Exam and to download the official notification for a better understanding of the requirements of the exam. 

Tips to Improve UPSC Preparation Strategy

Here is a list of tips and insights on how an aspirant can improve the preparation strategy for the UPSC Exam. 

• Get to know the exam pattern better and understand the needs and expectations of the UPSC Exam at three different levels. The preparation strategy for the UPSC Exam would vary from level to level. For instance, the prelims level of the exam tests the knowledge as well as the analytical skills of the candidates. Whereas, in the mains level, descriptive knowledge about each topic of the syllabus is necessary, which might not be useful in the Preliminary level. 
• Reading the newspaper on a daily basis will give an edge to your UPSC strategy in comparison to those candidates who don’t regularly follow the news updates. 
• Develop the knowledge base from the basics. The sources for the basics are the NCERT Books. 
• Solve a lot of MCQ type of questions subject-wise and figure out the strengths and weaknesses. One of the important strategies of IAS preparation is to strengthen the strong areas and keep working on the weaker areas. 
• UPSC Notes Making is an Art because of the vastness of the syllabus. The notes ultimately become very unclear and unorganised because of the large volume of the notes made. Also, the candidates should not waste a lot of time in making notes for each and everything. It is a better UPSC strategy if the notes are well-organised, otherwise, the revision will again take a lot of time. To know about Making Notes For UPSC IAS Exam , check the linked article. 
• One last tip to improve your UPSC Strategy – Consistency is the key to Success – Treat every day as the same and prepare with the same dedication and level of commitment. 

How can BYJU’S Free IAS Prep help you with IAS preparation?

With all the tips provided below, aspirants can make use of various initiatives by BYJU’S and a few useful links are provided below:

UPSC Syllabus

The UPSC syllabus is the most important part of the preparation. You should go through the syllabus thoroughly before commencing your preparation.

Download the UPSC Syllabus .

After going through the syllabus, you should compile a list of the IAS study material. It is a good idea to start with the NCERT books as these contain content in a simple language. After that, you can move on the advanced UPSC Preparation Books.

To get the Complete List Of NCERT Books Needed For UPSC Preparation , visit the linked article.

For the entire list of books for UPSC preparation, you can download the PDF:

UPSC Booklist:- Download PDF Here

Important tips for IAS Preparation

• Chart out a preparation plan and stick to it. Since the exam is a long-drawn process, you should be able to sustain your motivation and go along covering portions of the syllabus in a timely manner.
• Revision is paramount. A huge syllabus and multiple subjects make it difficult for you to remember all that you learnt. To make sure that you are able to recall everything you learnt, you should revise repeatedly and regularly.
• For this, you should enrol for a test series for both prelims and the mains. In the prelims exam, a test series can help you deftly avoid negative marking and also teach you how to make intelligent guess work.
• For the mains exam, a test series is essential as candidates are generally not able to complete the paper. You have to write one answer in about 7 minutes and this requires sufficient practice.
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Revising Right: A Blueprint for UPSC Prelims Success

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Introduction:

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. Among its three stages, the Preliminary Examination (Prelims) stands as the first hurdle on the path to becoming a civil servant. Given its vast syllabus and competitive nature, thorough preparation and effective revision are paramount for success. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the strategies and tactics necessary for revising right and maximizing your chances of acing the UPSC Prelims.

Understanding the UPSC Prelims: The UPSC Prelims consists of two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT). Paper I primarily assesses a candidate's knowledge of various subjects such as History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, and Current Affairs. Paper II tests the candidate's aptitude and analytical ability.

Why Revising Right is Crucial:

 Revising for the UPSC Prelims isn't just about skimming through your notes. It's about consolidating your understanding, reinforcing key concepts, and fine-tuning your exam strategy. Here's why revising right is crucial:

• Reinforcement of Concepts : The process of revision involves revisiting and reviewing the material studied. Through repetition, you reinforce your understanding of key concepts and facts. This reinforcement is essential for transferring information from short-term to long-term memory, ensuring that you retain the knowledge beyond the exam day. Without revision, information tends to fade over time, making it less accessible during the exam.
• Identifying Weak Areas : Revision acts as a diagnostic tool, helping you pinpoint areas where you may be struggling or lacking in-depth understanding. By reviewing your notes and attempting practice questions, you can identify weak areas that require further attention. This self-assessment allows you to allocate additional time and resources to these topics, thereby strengthening your overall preparation.
• Time Management : The UPSC Prelims syllabus is extensive, encompassing a wide range of subjects and topics. Revising right enables you to manage your study time effectively by prioritizing high-yield topics and areas of weakness. By focusing on the most relevant and challenging areas, you optimize your study schedule and make efficient use of the limited time available before the exam.
• Confidence Booster : Thorough revision instils confidence in your preparation and abilities. As you review and consolidate your knowledge, you gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, which boosts your confidence levels. Additionally, regular revision reduces exam anxiety by familiarizing you with the format and types of questions commonly asked in the UPSC Prelims. This confidence is invaluable on the day of the exam, allowing you to approach the questions calmly and perform to the best of your abilities.

In essence, revising right is not just about covering the syllabus multiple times but about engaging with the material in a meaningful way that enhances understanding, identifies weaknesses, optimizes study time, and boosts confidence. It is a systematic approach that maximizes your chances of success in the UPSC Prelims and lays a strong foundation for the subsequent stages of the Civil Services Examination.

Blueprint for Revising Right:

• Organize Your Notes : Effective revision begins with well-organized study material. Ensure that your notes and reference materials are neatly categorized based on subjects and sub-topics. This organization facilitates easy retrieval of information and saves valuable time during revision sessions. Whether you prefer physical notebooks or digital folders, having a structured system in place enhances the efficiency of your study process.
• Create a Revision Schedule : Time management is crucial when preparing for the UPSC Prelims. Allocate specific time slots in your daily study schedule dedicated to revision. Prioritize topics based on their weightage in the exam syllabus and your proficiency level. By setting aside dedicated time for revision, you ensure that every subject receives adequate attention, preventing last-minute cramming and panic.
• Utilize Revision Techniques : Experiment with various revision techniques to find what works best for you. Summarization allows you to condense large volumes of information into concise notes, making it easier to review. Active recall involves actively retrieving information from memory, reinforcing learning and retention.
• Practice Mock Tests : Regularly practicing mock tests and previous year papers is essential for exam preparation. Mock tests simulate the actual exam conditions, helping you familiarize yourself with the format, time constraints, and difficulty level of questions. Analyze your performance in mock tests to identify areas of weakness and focus your revision efforts accordingly. Additionally, practicing previous year papers allows you to gauge the recurring themes and trends in the UPSC Prelims, giving you an edge on exam day. Further, revise the solutions of all the Mock Tests multiple times.
• Focus on Weak Areas : Identify topics or subjects where you feel less confident and prioritize them during revision. Break down complex concepts into smaller, more digestible chunks for better understanding. By addressing your weak areas proactively, you strengthen your overall preparation and boost your confidence for the exam.
• Review and Reflect : After each revision session, take some time to review what you've studied and reflect on your progress. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your study plan accordingly. Are there any topics that require further revision? Are there any revision techniques that were particularly effective or ineffective? By periodically reviewing and reflecting on your study habits, you can optimize your approach and maximize your chances of success in the UPSC Prelims.

Thus, quality revision involves organizing your study material, creating a structured revision schedule, utilizing effective revision techniques, practicing mock tests, focusing on weak areas, staying updated on current affairs, and reviewing and reflecting on your progress regularly. By following this diligently, you can streamline your revision process, reinforce your learning, and approach the UPSC Prelims with confidence and competence.

In a nutshell,

Many aspirants dedicate years to preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), one of India's most challenging examinations. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all formula for acing the UPSC, adopting revision techniques favored by top scorers could significantly benefit your preparation:

• Strategize Your Revisions : Craft a detailed revision schedule encompassing all subjects from the syllabus, with daily achievable goals. Segment topics into manageable sections and allocate specific time slots for revising each.
• Emphasize NCERT Texts: Given that a majority of UPSC questions are sourced from NCERT textbooks, a thorough review of these materials can substantially enhance your performance.
• Stay Current with Recent Events : Keep abreast of current affairs by regularly perusing newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. Analyze significant events, their implications, and their impact on both national and global contexts.
• Practice with Previous Year Papers : Solving past years' UPSC papers provides valuable insight into exam patterns and question types. Assess your performance on these papers and focus on areas of weakness for improvement.
• Engage in Practice Exams: Regularly undertake practice exams to gauge your preparedness levels and refine your time management skills. Familiarizing yourself with the exam environment is also crucial for reducing test-day stress.
• Opt for Selective Revision : Focus on pertinent themes and create concise notes highlighting key points rather than rehashing entire topics. This selective approach enhances memory retention and expedites the revision process.
• Maintain a Positive Attitude : Staying motivated throughout the arduous UPSC preparation journey is paramount. Keep your focus on your goals, maintain a positive mindset, and take breaks as necessary to prevent burnout.

It's essential to recognize that each candidate possesses unique strengths and weaknesses. Thus, it's crucial to tailor your revision plan to align with your preferred learning methods and individual needs.

Conclusion:

Mastering UPSC Prelims requires a combination of diligent preparation and strategic revision. By following the blueprint outlined in this guide and adopting a disciplined approach to revision, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. Remember, revising right is not just about quantity but also about quality. Stay focused, stay consistent, and success will surely follow!

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UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 Official Answer Key – GS and CSAT Papers

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 27th May. Click Here for more information.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 Official Answers Keys have been just released. Candidates, who appeared for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2023 can now check the answer key at the official UPSC website — upsc.gov.in. UPSC CSE Prelims examination was held on 28th May 2023 in 2 sessions. The result of the same was released on 12th June 2023. You can download the PDF of the same using the Below given links.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 Official Answer Key GS Paper 1 

UPSC CSE 2023 CSAT Paper Official Answer Key

Following are the question papers, if you are unable to find one:

GS 1 Question Paper

GS 1 Question Paper With Detailed Explanations

CSAT Question Paper 

Note: UPSC has dropped one question from GS Paper in the official answer key. It is usually done for the doubtful questions and same question is also not considered in the final scores calculation for prelims exam. Following is the question

In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights? a) 1st Amendment b) 42nd Amendment c) 44th Amendment d) 86th Amendment 

You can also bookmark our official answer key page

Download: UPSC Previous Years Question Papers (PYQ) Prelims & Mains

Why UPSC CSE Prelims Official Answers Keys are released every year?

UPSC never releases any official document to check answers other than for the prelims exam. It is because written exams are objective type and there can be no single good answer for any question.

Also, every year, there is some doubt or controversy around the correct answers of the prelims questions. Even answer key of all the top coaching institutes are not same.

Therefore, the official answer key provides a transparent method for candidates to assess the correctness of their responses against the officially correct answers.

It allows candidates to have a clear understanding of the marking scheme and how the answers are evaluated.

Official answer keys are often used by future candidates as a reliable resource for exam preparation. By analyzing previous years’ answer keys, aspirants can gain insights into the types of questions asked and the expected answers, aiding in better preparation.

About UPSC CSE Prelims Exam

For those, who are new to this examination, UPSC CSE Prelims exam consists of 2 papers, that are conducted on the same day in 2 sessions. Both papers are objective type papers.

First paper consists of 100 General Studies questions from various subjects like Polity, Environment, Geography, Science and tech, History Art and Culture, Current Events. It is the paper of which marks are calculated in the cutoff.

2nd Paper is CSAT Paper, in which Math, reasoning and Comprehension type questions are asked. It is qualifying paper. This paper is check first, if a candidate is qualified in this exam, then only his GS Paper score will be calculated. Qualifying marks are 33%.

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The UPSC essay paper is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. With this, the scores obtained in the UPSC essay topics will also be considered in the merit list. Hence, it is important to cover all the aspects of the UPSC essay syllabus .

In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. Moreover, they are required to choose one IAS essay topic out of the four options in each section i.e. A and B.

The UPSC essay paper is conducted for 250 marks with one essay UPSC paper for 125 marks. Therefore, aspirants should use the best books and strategies to excel in this section.

In this article, we have compiled all the details of the UPSC IAS essay for the candidates aspiring for the upcoming civil services exam.

UPSC Essay Paper 2023 Structure

• As per the UPSC exam pattern , the essay paper is one of the nine subjects in the civil services main exam. In this paper, aspirants need to write essays on assigned UPSC essay topics .
• Candidates should practice writing essays on multiple topics in order to learn how to arrange their ideas and execute the same in the proper order.
• Furthermore, the UPSC essay paper will carry 250 marks with an exam duration of 3 hours.

UPSC Essay Previous Year Papers

The previous year’s UPSC essay paper is one of the finest resources to prepare well for this section. This will strengthen their vocabulary and writing skills and also provide them insights into the type of essay topics UPSC asked over the years.

Hence, we have compiled below the official UPSC essay previous paper PDF link for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 for the reference of the candidates.

Best Strategy for UPSC Essay Writing

UPSC essays must be well-formatted and presented in a manner that the readers can easily understand without any obstacles. Above all, it must include the ideas about the issue mentioned in the question.

Candidates must note that the general essay papers also play an important role in compensating for the less scores in general studies and optional papers. Hence, it is advisable to focus on improving the vocabulary and writing skills from the first leg of the preparation.

Let’s look at the best strategy to score high marks in the UPSC essay topics in the main exam.

• Go through the entire UPSC essay syllabus to cover all the aspects of the section.
• Build a habit of reading newspaper editorials and journals every day. Going by the trend analysis, it is found that many essay questions were asked directly from current affairs in the past few years.
• Next, note down relevant quotes from the books/magazines/journal and implement them whenever required in the essay writing.
• Focus on IAS essay topics related to democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc as questions can be asked from these topics.
• Pick the essay topic very carefully. Also, it is advised to take some time to think about the topic and collect ideas and thoughts.
• One should make sure that the essay comprises sections like introduction, main body, theme, and conclusion.
• Moreover, aspirants can also reach out to their mentors, experts, seniors, or teachers for feedback on their essay writing. This will allow them to recognize their mistakes and focus more on their weak points for effective preparation.

Read More: How to write an essay for UPSC here!

Best Books for UPSC Essay Writing

Along with the best UPSC essay strategy , aspirants should also choose the finest books that comprise multiple essay topics UPSC for the exam. Here, we have shared below the best books and resources to strengthen the preparation of the general essay section:

• Monthly Current Affairs Magazines by OnlyIAS
• Only IAS Yogana Magazine
• Only IAS Praarambh Post-Independence India
• Only IAS Kurukshetra Magazine
• Only IAS Praarmabh Indian Society
• The Hindu (editorial articles)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How to score 150 in UPSC essay?

Ans. One can score 150 marks on the UPSC essay paper by managing time effectively throughout the exam and avoiding any kind of deviation from the topic.

Q2. What are the topics for UPSC essay?

Ans. Some of the important IAS essay topics include democracy, environment/urbanization, judiciary, social justice/poverty, philosophies, media & society, education, economic sector, etc

Q3. What is essay paper 1 in UPSC?

Ans. The UPSC essay paper 1 is one of the nine papers for the IAS main exam. In this paper, candidates need to write two essays, each with a word limit of 1000-1200 words. The maximum mark is 250 with a duration of 3 hours.

Q4. Is UPSC essay tough?

Ans. Yes, the UPSC essay paper is moderately tough as per the past year’s exam analysis. However, it also depends on the aspirant knowledge of the topic.

Q5. How many pages is 1,000 words in UPSC?

Ans. 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced is about 1000 words in UPSC.

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(AIR-2 UPSC) Jagrati Awasthi’s Success Story Will Leave You Surprised!

• Updated on  
• May 8, 2024

Bhopal-born Jagrati Awasthi placed second in the 2020 civil services examination. Awasthi’s childhood dream was to become an IAS official, and she succeeded on her second attempt. You may read more about the optional subject, preparation method, and other details of this IAS topper in this article.

Jagrati Awasthi: Tips and Strategies 

Jagrati had more time to study because of the pandemic and she totally made the most of it. She even used the negativity around her to push herself harder. In her own words, “many people don’t even have enough to eat, so with this privilege, I got to work hard to give back!”

Just like many toppers, Jagrati also stressed on the importance of current affairs. The Hindu, Vision booklets and Civils Daily were her go-to sources.

Now, about the books. Jagrati relied on a mix of online resources and common study materials. NCERTs were a big part of her foundation for subjects like history, geography, polity and economics. For some other subjects, she used coaching notes and standard references.

Here’s a trick she used to increase her study hours. She started with 8-10 hours a day and gradually increased it to 12-14 hours closer to the exam.

Cracking the Prelims was all about understanding the exam pattern for Jagrati. She practiced a lot with previous year papers and mock tests. And even though she was an engineering grad, she didn’t neglect the CSAT portion.

For the Mains, her focus shifted to answer writing. She practiced a lot by referring to Vision’s Mains 365 and test series from IAS BABA. The important thing she learned was to improve based on the feedback she received.

Finally, the interview round! Jagrati says staying updated on current affairs is important here. Basically, the interviewers want to see if you’re aware of what’s happening around the world and how it affects people’s lives.

Remember, the UPSC journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments of stress, but Jagrati says to stay calm. This exam can change your life and empower you to make a positive difference!

Highlights of Jagrati Awasthi’s UPSC Preparation Strategy

Jagrati’s journey from an engineering background to achieving her dream of becoming an IAS officer serves as an inspiration for UPSC aspirants, showcasing the importance of dedication, hard work, and a well-structured preparation strategy.Here are some important highlights from her journey:

• Preparation Approach: She utilized an 8-10-12-14 approach to gradually increase study hours.
• Current Affairs: The Hindu, Vision booklet, Civils Daily.
• Books: Utilized standard textbooks and coaching notes.
• History: Spectrum, NCERT, Satish Chandra.
• Art and Culture: Coaching notes, NCERT.
• Geography: NCERT.
• Environment: Shankar IAS book.
• Polity: Laxmikant.
• Economics: NCERT, Mrunal sir notes.
• Science and Tech: Current Affairs Sources.
• Preliminary Exam Strategy: Advised aspirants to understand the exam’s demand, practice previous year papers, and took mock tests regularly. And give attention to CSAT despite an engineering background.
• Mains Exam Strategy: She focused on writing descriptive answers within the allotted time frame. Supplemented answers with current affairs from Vision’s Mains 365 and practiced answer writing through IAS BABA’s TLP Series Mains.
• Interview Tips: She stressed the importance of awareness of current affairs, daily life issues, and educational background. Also,stressed on remaining vigilant throughout the process and staying calm despite stress.

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This was all about the “ Jagrati Awasthi ”. For more such informative blogs, check out our UPSC Exams Section , or you can learn more about us by visiting our   Indian exams page.

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UPSC NDA Result 2024 at upsc.gov.in, Download NDA 1 Result PDF

Union Public Service Commission has announced NDA 1 Result 2024 at official Website upsc.gov.in on 9th May 2024. Download Official NDA 1 Merit list 2024

Table of Contents

On 9th May 2024, the Union Public Service Commission released the NDA 1 Result 2024 .  A  total  of 7020 candidates  have qualified for the exam and are eligible for the SSB Interview.  The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Conducted the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA I/ NA I) Examination on 21st April 2024 . Candidates  can check their results by visiting the website . You  can also check the result from the direct link provided in this article.

NDA 1 Result 2024 Out

UPSC announced the NDA 1 Result 2024 on its website. Following the 21 April exam, successful candidates proceeded to the SSB Interview round. The final merit list, determining commissioning into the Indian Armed Forces, will be formulated by UPSC, with Medical Examination results pending.

UPSC NDA 1 Result 2024 Direct Link

The Union Public Service Commission has announced the announcement in PDF format on the official website. Candidates can download the NDA 1 Result 2024 from the official website, or a direct link has been provided below 

Steps to Check the NDA Result 2024

Candidates have to follow these steps to check their NDA Results:

• Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission @upsc.gov.in or click on the NDA result link mentioned above.
• On the home page, navigate to the “Written Results”.
• It will redirect you to the new page, click on “Examination Written Results”.
• Now, Click on the “National Defence Academy 1 2024” Result link.
• The result PDF of NDA 1 exam will open.
• Now, use Ctrl+F and enter your Registration Number/ Roll No to check your name in the list.
• Download the NDA 1 Result 2024 PDF for future reference.

Detailed Mention on UPSC NDA 1 Result 2024

UPSC releases UPSC NDA Result 2024 in PDF format along with the roll numbers of the candidates who have qualified in the written examination. Along with the roll number, the complete instructions regarding the SSB interview, submission of original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification at the time of the interview, Marksheet release duration, and contact phone number and ID of the authority are also mentioned on the result pdf.

• Name of the Candidate
• Roll Number

What After the Declaration of NDA 1 Result 2024?

Candidates listed in the result PDF qualify for the SSB Interview. Within 20 days, they must submit original certificates to their respective service headquarters. For those opting Army as their primary choice, certificates go to AG’s Branch, RTG (NDA Entry), New Delhi. Likewise, Naval HQ at Directorate of Manpower & Recruitment, New Delhi, receives certificates for Navy as first preference. Air Force first-choice candidates submit documents to the Directorate of Personnel (Officers), Air HQ, New Delhi.

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NDA 1 Result 2024 FAQs

How many got selected in nda every year.

The NDA examination is conducted twice a year and, in each batch, approximately 350 candidates (slight variations) are selected.

Is the NDA exam tough?

Although NDA is a tough examination but a diligent, dedicated, and well-planned schedule and correct strategy can help you sail through it.

What is the age limit for NDA?

between 16.5-19.5 years

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Subjects covered, exam pattern.

• Great opportunity to cover International Relations for the UPSC IAS as well as all the States PCS Examinations you target, while learning avoidance of mistakes in preparation for the UPSC IAS Examination 2024.
• Comprehensive coverage of International Relations and Previous Year Question Papers. The syllabus will be covered in a time-bound manner.

Prepare for UPSC CSE Polity with the International Relations Cracker Program, tailored for UPSC Prelims 2024. Led by Venus Awtani Ma'am, the program offers 25- 30 hours of live interactive classes, covering all International Relations subjects with expected questions and discussions. Specially crafted handmade notes and roadmaps ensure comprehensive preparation and efficient revision. Benefit from expert guidance, interactive learning, and a proven track record of success. Master fundamental concepts, exam strategies, and complex topics to excel in the UPSC examination. Choose the International Relations Cracker Program for a holistic, time-efficient, and structured approach to  International Relations preparation, setting yourself on the path to UPSC success.

• Batch Starts: 13th May
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• Mentorship of  Venus Ma'am throughout the course.
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• IR UPSC CSE

UPSC conducts 3 stages of recruitment for the Civil Services Examination – Prelims, Mains, and Interview! UPSC Preliminary Examination is an objective type consisting of 9 descriptive examinations to shortlist the candidates for the Main Examination. Only the candidates who qualify for all the papers of the Main Examination will be called for the interview round to assess their intelligence, attentiveness, balance of judgment, and human qualities like honesty, integrity, and leadership qualities, which will form part of the final selection process.  

UPSC Prelims 2024 Exam Pattern: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the examination and is qualifying in nature. Candidates must have obtained a minimum 33% marks with marks above the cut-off decided by UPSC. UPSC preliminary examination is conducted to shortlist a limited number of candidates for the main examination. The UPSC syllabus for the Prelims exam consists of two papers namely General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).  

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• For each wrong answer, 1/3 of total marks will be deducted.
• No marks will be deducted for blank answers.
• In General Studies (Paper I), each question carries 2 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.66 marks
• In CSAT (Paper-II), each question carries 2.5 marks and there is a negative marking of 0.833 marks for each wrong answer.
• Marks of the preliminary examination will not be included in the final result (merit list).
• Paper II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying

UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Main Exam: Candidates who qualify the preliminary examination will be eligible to appear for the main examination. This is the scoring and rank-determining stage of the examination process and the candidates have to qualify for each paper. The Main Examination tests the candidate's academic knowledge and ability to present understanding as per the requirements of the question in a time bound manner. UPSC Syllabus 2024 for Mains Exam is given below.  

• The Main Examination consists of two qualifying papers, namely “Paper A” and “Paper B”, each of 300 marks.
• The two qualifying papers are “Any Indian Language from the Eighth Schedule” and “English Language Paper”.
• Candidates must obtain 25% marks in both the qualifying papers i.e. 75 marks each.
• All other seven papers are scored, and their marks will be included in the final merit list.
• Candidates can answer all scoring items in English or any of the eight scheduled languages.
• Candidates must select any one subject from the table as their optional subject for Paper VI and Paper VII.

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EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : An AI-infused world needs matching cybersecurity

Source: The Hindu

• Prelims: Science and technology, Artificial intelligence(AI), Generative AI, Big Data, GANs, phishing, cybersecurity, ChatGPT1 tool etc
• Mains GS Paper III and IV: Significance of technology for India, AI, indigenisation of technology and development of new technology.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• According to a recent report, there has been a 1,265% increase in phishing incidents/emails, along with a 967% increase in credential phishing since the fourth quarter of 2022 arising from the exacerbated utilization/manipulation of generative AI.

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Artificial intelligence(AI):

• It is a branch of computer science dealing with the simulation of intelligent behavior in computers.
• It describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence.
• It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.
• g: Facebook’s facial recognition software which identifies faces in the photos we post, the voice recognition software that translates commands we give to Alexa , etc are some of the examples of AI already around us.

Generative AI:

• Generative AI industry projected to increase global GDP by as much as $ 7 to $10 trillion, the development of generative AI solutions
• It is a cutting-edge technological advancement that utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to create new forms of media, such as text, audio, video, and animation.
• With the advent of advanced machine learning capabilities: It is possible to generate new and creative short and long-form content, synthetic media, and even deep fakes with simple text, also known as prompts.

AI innovations:

• GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks)
• LLMs (Large Language Models)
• GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformers)
• Image Generation to experiment
• Create commercial offerings like DALL-E for image generation
• It can write blogs, computer code, and marketing copies and even generate results for search queries.

Advantages of generative AI:

• It has transformed how we operate, with its integration into sectors such as education, banking, health care, and manufacturing.
• It has transformed the paradigm of cyber-risks and safety as we know it.

Challenges around Generative AI :

• With sophisticated cyber threats on the rise, organizations and individuals are susceptible to the novel avenues of cyber-attacks
• 85% of CD surveyed respondents have attributed the increased risk to generative AI.
• Through cognitive behavioral manipulation
• Critically dangerous incidents have surfaced, with voice-activated toys and gadgets that encourage dangerous behaviors in children and/or posing a grave threat to one’s privacy and security.
• It has massively endangered individuals on several occasions in recent times.
• Most organizations cite undetectable phishing attacks (37%)
• An increase in the volume of attacks (33%)
• Growing privacy concerns ( 39%).
• AI models being leveraged for translating and identifying coding errors to maximize the impact of cyberattacks.

Bletchley Declaration( Bletchley Park, England) :

• The Bletchley Park Declaration is the first global pact on tackling frontier AI risks
• It reflects a high-level political consensus and commitment among the major AI players in the world.
• It acknowledges the potential of AI to enhance human well-being
• It recognizes the risks posed by AI, especially frontier AI, which may cause serious harm, either deliberate or unintentional, particularly in domains like cybersecurity, biotechnology, and disinformation.
• It emphasizes the need for international cooperation to address AI-related risks , as they are inherently global, and calls for collaboration among all actors, including companies, civil society, and academia.
• The declaration announces the establishment of a regular AI Safety Summit, which will provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration on frontier AI safety.
• China, the European Union, France, Germany, India , the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ethical Issues with AI:

Way Forward

• It becomes imperative now to develop solutions through collaborative avenues to safeguard confidential information, identities, and even human rights.
• Loopholes and a lack of industrial understanding/comprehension in regulating generative AI persist.
• This could aid in reducing cyber threats from AI-generated content, warning consumers to take appropriate actions.
• with the inclusion of feedback from the public to further strengthen the drafting of these regulations
• fostering robust digital fluency in the workspace while identifying and tackling gaps in digital knowledge among employees.
• This could equip the workforce to efficiently navigate the digital landscape, identify credibility, and verify the sources for authentication.
• Equip them with the essential tools of cyber literacy.
• By fostering a digitally savvy citizenry from the ground up, we can build a more robust defense against the evolving threats in this AI-driven digital landscape.
• Developing more sophisticated systems and technologies, collaborative efforts are paramount to harbor a sense of security, enabling individuals and organizations to further empower communities to safeguard their personal interests and identities.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

What are the different elements of cyber security ? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.(UPSC 2022) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 10 May 2024

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