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Answer Writing Strategies

Current affairs analysis, toppers' strategies, marksheet analysis and prelims insights for serious aspirants.

Sonali Dev (AIR-41 CSE-21) Strategy 24 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

Sonali Dev (AIR-41 CSE-21) Strategy

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

Diagrams for CSE Mains 24 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

Diagrams for CSE Mains

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

Answer Writing: How to Reduce Think Time? 23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

Answer Writing: How to Reduce Think Time?

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

My Answer Writing Strategy 23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

My Answer Writing Strategy

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

Reports/Surveys for Mains GS 23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

Reports/Surveys for Mains GS

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

GS vs Optional Answer Writing 23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

GS vs Optional Answer Writing

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

When & How To Start Answer Writing Practice? 23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

When & How To Start Answer Writing Practice?

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