UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Essay Paper

UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Essay Paper – Complete Analysis and Approach

UPSC Essay 2025

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging examinations in India. The journey to becoming an IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS officer involves clearing three tough stages – Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test (Interview). Among these, the Mains stage is the most decisive, as it evaluates a candidate’s depth of knowledge, analytical skills, writing ability, and maturity of thought.

The Mains examination began this year on 22nd August 2025 with the Essay Paper, setting the tone for the days ahead. The essay paper is often underestimated, but toppers consistently highlight that a well-written essay can be a rank-booster, while a poorly attempted one can drag even the most knowledgeable candidate down.

Importance of the Essay Paper in UPSC

• The paper carries 250 marks (out of 1750 in Mains).
• Candidates are required to write two essays of 1000–1200 words each.
• Topics are usually philosophical, ethical, or value-based, demanding original thinking and logical structuring.
• Unlike General Studies papers, essays test clarity of thought, articulation, creativity, and personality traits of the candidate.

In short, the essay paper is where aspirants showcase their mindset and worldview—qualities that matter more than facts for a future civil servant.

Instructions of the Paper

• Write two essays, choosing one from each Section (A & B).
• Word Limit: Approximately 1000–1200 words for each essay.
• Each essay carries 125 marks.
• Clarity of expression, balanced argumentation, originality, and coherence are key.

Section A – Topics and Analysis

1. सत्य कोई रंग नहीं जानता है।

Truth knows no colour.

This topic reflects the universality and impartiality of truth. It asks aspirants to go beyond divisions of caste, creed, race, and ideology. Approaches could include:

• Philosophical angle: Truth as absolute, beyond human biases. (Vedanta, Buddha, Gandhi’s “Satyagraha”).
• Historical examples: Abolition of slavery (truth of human equality), Indian freedom struggle (truth vs colonial propaganda).
• Contemporary relevance: Media biases, fake news, justice system, scientific truth against misinformation.

2. बिना लड़े ही दुश्मन को परास्त करना युद्ध की सर्वोच्च कला है।

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Derived from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, this topic connects to diplomacy, strategy, and peace-building. Dimensions include:

• Historical: Gandhi’s non-violence, Cold War diplomacy, Nelson Mandela’s reconciliation.
• Military Strategy: Psychological warfare, deterrence, cyber and information warfare.
• Contemporary: India-China border negotiations, climate diplomacy, AI in conflict prevention.
• Ethical: Non-violence as strength, not weakness.

3. विचार एक दुनिया खोजता भी है और एक बनाता भी है।

Thought finds a world and creates one also.

This is a philosophical yet practical topic, highlighting the power of ideas.

• Philosophical angle: Human progress begins with imagination.
• Historical: Scientific revolutions (Einstein, Newton), political revolutions (French, Indian Independence).
• Social movements: Feminism, human rights, digital revolution.
• Personal level: Individual growth, innovation, startups.
  This essay required blending creativity, philosophy, and practical examples.

4. सबसे अच्छे सबक कड़वे अनुभवों से सीखे जाते हैं।

Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

A relatable and human-centered topic.

• Historical: Partition of India, World Wars leading to UN and EU.
• Personal growth: Failure in exams, entrepreneurship struggles, leadership challenges.
• Societal: Pandemic lessons in healthcare, climate change disasters teaching sustainability.
• Ethical: Suffering shaping empathy and resilience.

Click here to Download UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Essay Paper

Section B – Topics and Analysis

5. मैले पानी को अकेला छोड़ने से ही उसे सबसे अच्छा साफ किया जा सकता है।

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

This topic symbolises patience, time, and natural resolution.

• Philosophy: Not all problems need immediate interference.
• Governance: Over-legislation vs minimal state.
• Nature: Ecosystem self-repair if left undisturbed.
• Personal: Importance of reflection, meditation, and letting go.

6. वर्ष बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं, जो दिन कभी नहीं जानते।

The years teach much which the days never know.

This highlights wisdom through time and experience.

• Personal level: Maturity, patience, hindsight wisdom.
• Historical: Nations learning from long struggles (India’s democratic journey).
• Social: Generational shifts in culture, technology, gender equality.
• Ethical: Time as the ultimate teacher of humility.

7. जीवन को एक यात्रा के रूप में देखना सर्वोत्तम है, न कि एक गंतव्य के रूप में।

It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.

A timeless philosophical theme.

• Religious & Philosophical: Gita (focus on Karma, not results), Stoicism, Buddhism.
• Personal: Learning from failures and growth, not only achievements.
• Social: Sustainable development as a journey, not a fixed target.
• Contemporary: Work-life balance, mental health, enjoying the process.

8. संतोष स्वाभाविक संपत्ति है; विलासिता कृत्रिम निर्धनता है।

Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

A profound reflection on minimalism, consumerism, and happiness.

• Philosophical: Stoics, Gandhi, Buddha—true wealth lies in inner peace.
• Social: Contrast between rural simplicity vs urban consumerism.
• Economic: Unsustainable consumption, environmental degradation.
• Contemporary: Sustainable living, happiness index, post-materialist societies.

General Observations about UPSC 2025 Essay Paper

1. Philosophical Core: Almost all topics had a philosophical foundation with practical relevance.
2. Demand for Depth: Essays demanded maturity, multiple perspectives, and global as well as Indian examples.
3. Integration with Ethics: Strong overlap with themes from GS Paper-IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude).
4. Room for Creativity: Candidates could use stories, quotes, anecdotes, and even literature references.

Suggested Approach for Writing

1. Understanding the Topic: Define key terms and interpret them broadly.
2. Brainstorming Dimensions: Historical, philosophical, social, political, personal, environmental.
3. Organize Structure:
   • Introduction: Anecdote/quote/definition.
   • Body: 4–5 dimensions with examples.
   • Counter-arguments: Balance extreme views.
   • Conclusion: Optimistic, visionary, value-based.
4. Language & Style: Simple, clear, persuasive, avoiding jargon.

Click here to Download UPSC Civil Services Mains 2025 Essay Paper

Sample Outlines

Example: “Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.”

• Introduction: Quote from Gandhi (“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not everyone’s greed”).
• Philosophy: Contentment as timeless value across civilizations.
• Historical Examples: Ashoka after Kalinga, Gandhi’s simplicity.
• Contemporary: Consumerism-driven debt culture, climate crisis.
• Counterpoint: Healthy aspiration vs blind luxury.
• Conclusion: True wealth is peace of mind and sustainable living.

Example: “Thought finds a world and creates one also.”

• Introduction: Power of ideas in shaping history.
• Historical: Industrial revolution, Indian independence, digital revolution.
• Social: Reform movements, gender equality, climate activism.
• Scientific: From theory of relativity to AI today.
• Conclusion: Ideas are seeds of tomorrow’s world; nurturing good thoughts shapes humanity’s destiny.

Advice for Future Aspirants

1. Read Widely: Philosophy, history, literature, and autobiographies.
2. Collect Quotes & Anecdotes: From Gandhi, Ambedkar, Vivekananda, Mandela, Tagore, etc.
3. Practice Essays Weekly: With peer review or mentors.
4. Work on Structure: Flow of ideas matters more than decorative language.
5. Balance Idealism & Practicality: UPSC expects rational yet optimistic answers.

Final Word

The UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 reaffirms that the Commission values philosophical maturity, ethical clarity, and reflective thinking in future administrators. These essays were not about cramming facts but about worldview, empathy, and wisdom.

For aspirants, this is a lesson: knowledge alone doesn’t clear UPSC—wisdom and balance do.

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH