UPSC with Monika

My score in GS improved from 432 in 2023 to 450 in 2025.

Here are few tips that I used to follow during Mains for better answer writing –

1. Writing Contextual Answers. I used to keep looking at the Q while writing the answer to ensure that I don’t deviate from the core demand of Q.
2. Judicious use of ChatGPT for balanced answers, real life examples and building knowledge base for every syllabus item.
3. Introduction with Data, Current Affairs or Basic Definition. For e.g. In a Q of inclusive growth, mentioning size of India’s GDP along with some social indicators.
4. Writing Mindful Conclusions – I used to relate my conclusion either to the Question directly or I used to write a nuanced conclusion by opening up a new dimension.
5. Sub-Categorisation of Q – I used to break every Q into multiple sub-parts and give sub-headings accordingly.
6. Highlighting Keywords (either underline or make rectangular boxes)
7. Utilisation of Space in best possible way – Every subpart needs equal and proportionate attention. I used to draw lines in my answer to divide space accordingly.(Attaching sample below)
8. Use of Topper Copies for Comparing my answers- Vibhor Bharadwaj GS copies, Aditya Srivastava Ethics copies and Shruti Sharma MGP copies.
9. Following a simple rule in GS-4 – ‘If I can’t back a point with an example or data, I won’t write that point’
10. Following a Paper Neutral Approach – My examples from GS-1 notes were quoted in GS-3 and vice-versa. However, relevance has to be kept in mind here.
11. Focus on Presentation of the answer – using Caps Lock in some Qs for sub-headings for better visibility
12. Direct use of Keywords from the syllabus in my answers. E.g. Separation of Powers/ Inclusive Growth etc by mapping Qs to syllabus.
13. Approach of attempting questions – First 5 from 10 marker, then all 15 markers and then lastly rest 5 from 10 marker. This helped me balance 15-markers along with 10-markers.
14. For bouncer questions, I used to dedicate equal amount of time that I used to dedicate to other Qs. I wrote whatever I knew about the topic, and as mentioned before broke the Q into subparts.
15. Short note making from PYQs – I had used DistilledIAS PYQ model answer booklets for last 10 years and made short notes from those PYQs in 2023 attempt. These notes acted as my base notes for 2025 attempt which I enriched using MGP booklets.
16. Daily Answer Writing between Prelims and Mains. I had joined ForumIAS AWFG and I used to diligently write sectional tests containing 7 Qs in the allotted time period.