Tips] Nine Types of Questions in UPSC Mains

Exam: How to write answers?

This article was originally written by Sivaharimani on ioforum way back in 2007.
1. 9 types of Questions in Mains Exam
2. Break the Question in 3 parts
3. 7 steps answer writing

9 types of Questions in Mains Exam

Question is instructing
What should you do?
you to
Give both the positive and negative points(prelution and conclusion are
Discuss must)
focuss should be only on that particular subject matter(for ex:
Describe e-governance only)(prelution is must but conclusion is your optional)
the answer should be based on answering in detail Why, How, for what,
Explain of that subject of the question.ie., we have to give all the important
points.(prelution and conclusion are must)
answer should be based on How the suject of question differs from
Distinguish otherthings.(only prelution is must)
there should be detailed comparision and distinguishing(as said above)
Differentiate the subject of question with others.(only prelution is must)
the answer should consist of the how good, what disadvantages, what
Examine impact of the subject of question.
first list out the all the relevant points, then explain one by one.
Enumerate (prelution and conclusion are must)
Find out what is the correct reason for the subject and explain one by
Reason one without side heading but highlighting the point with dots or
numbers.(only prelution)
try to give your view with future impact and goods and bads.(both
Analyse prelution and conclusion are must)

Break the Question in 3 parts

First step is break the question into its configuration parts.
For example, consider this question asked in General Studies (Mains) exam of 2004
Discuss the e-governance in Indian context
Lets start the process of breaking this question.
1. Focus on topic on e-governance (subject of question)
2. How to do in the cotext of india(base of question)
3. What to do dicussing the positive and negative points of view(tool of question)
7 steps answer writing
1. Find out the conclusive theme, when you read the question at first.
2. Write shortly what is meant by e-governance(should be ideal/neutral)
3. Directly go to the discussion neutrally.
4. Try to begin with the positive points
5. Give a negative point only after a positive point. This shows you to the evaluator that you
are on the correct way of the answering the question and understood the question perfectly.
6. Carefully keep the word limit
7. At the end, give a finishing touch with the positive points. Why because, the evaluator
provide marks only at the end of the answer, if you do so, it will make a good impression in
the minds of the evaluator. Then we will get more and plus marks.
8. Draw a conclusion in accordance with your answer. Do not give your suggestion but give the
existing fact with currant context of India. Worth noting when handling a question(what you
are asked to do