Current affairs analysis, toppers' strategies, marksheet analysis and prelims insights for serious aspirants.
24
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
Hi all, It is well established fact that answer writing in Mains is all about being unique and innovative. Presentation matters more than we think. Reasons to draw diagrams Break monotony of answers. Uniqueness. Despite knowing that diagrams are needed, not many draw them. To…
Decode Civils · 24 May 2026
24
May 2026
Mains · Essay
Though I have already written in bits and pieces regarding same, I am writing a dedicated post on how to deal with philosophical essay topics in UPSC and other competitive exams. Examples of Philosophical essays asked by UPSC in recent past: A good life is one inspired by love…
Decode Civils · 24 May 2026
24
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
Hi All, Sonali Dev cracked CSE-21 with AIR-41 in her 2nd attempt and she did it while scoring a huge 443 Marks in GS Mains! Following is her Answer Writing Strategy. Hi everyone, this is Sonali Dev. I have secured AIR-41 in UPSC CSE-2021. I am utilizing the platform to write…
Decode Civils · 24 May 2026
24
May 2026
Mains · Essay
UPSC mains syllabus does not have any prescribed syllabus for the essay paper as such. As per the UPSC, “Candidates are expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in an orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be given for effective…
Decode Civils · 24 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Ethics
Section-A generally includes 12-13 questions of 10-marks each amounting to 120-130 marks. These are to be answered in 150 words and 2 pages are provided to do the same. A 10-marker question shall be answered within 7 minutes. Questions are mostly analytical or at times…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
Hi All, You must have heard that optional answer writing and GS answer writing are 2 different Poles. Let us analyze the reality. Traditional View: The 2 differ to massive extent. Write in points in GS and in Paragraphs in Optional. Innovate in GS. Innovation is a grey area in…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
I have been getting queries about how to reduce time taken to think points for GS answers. As you must be aware, 250 marks question paper needs to be solved in 180 minutes. Hence, following time limits must be kept in mind for different marks questions: MARKSTIME IN MINUTES 107…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
Answer writing is of course the foundation of CSE MAINS. Once you develop a good answer writing skill, you can be confident of clearing MAINS 10/10 times. My scores in GS: 340 --> 387 --> 426 --> 463. My Strategy involves more than just answer writing. Let’s move in…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
When To Start? Answer writing is game of both what and how. You must first know what to write and then see how to write. Therefore, you cannot start answer writing till you have not covered fare amount of syllabus. If you start it too early, you won't know what to write and then…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · Answer Writing Strategies
Hi All, Various reports are prescribed to be read for Mains answer writing. Reports mention facts, keywords, challenges and solutions related to an issue. Quoting these helps in gaining edge over those who don't quote such reports. Various reports are: Reports for GS1: Census…
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
23
May 2026
Mains · My Answer Copies
I have uploaded my GS-1 answer copy here. Aspirants should look for the answer structure, number of points, keywords, diagrams etc and try to apply the same in their own answers.
Decode Civils · 23 May 2026
15
Apr 2026
Mains · Comprehensive Strategy
I wrote 4 Mains and qualified all 4 with decent margin over cut-off. In my 1st Mains, I scored more in GS than the then AIR-1. In my 2nd Mains, my Rank in Mains was All India 11th! Interview score of 110 (2nd lowest among selected candidates brought down my final rank to 222. In…
Decode Civils · 15 Apr 2026
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