Tips for answer writing for GS (can be used for

optional as well)

Answer Writing Tips & Techniques

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Tips for answer writing
● There are as many good answers as the number of selected
candidates and each one is different from others. So there
are multiple ways to write the same.

● You will have to make tailor-made answers (No

readymade), however essential ingredients should be
readymade (concepts, some basic template, examples,
fodders, maps, diagrams) & must be ready to cook as per
the demand of the question. If ingredients are ready then
within limited time (in the exam), you can write well.
 Tips for answer writing
● Tried and Tested method of writing, It led to me get rank 3 times consecutively
and my GS marks were on par with other toppers in top 100 ranks.

● Answer writing is an art and it can be developed, it is just a skill.

● If you have studied well, then answers will have more weight.

● You will have to learn the art of answer writing. See answer copy of different
toppers. You will have to see at least 10 to 15 answer copies ( nearly total 200
answers collectively of all subjects) to get best out of it, never take those tips
where they have performed poor. Only take good points, then practice in your
answer. Answer copies of toppers are freely available on internet or the
coaching / channel you follow.
 Tips for answer writing (These all need practice)
● Read & understand the question properly - see how many things are
they asking in the same question.
● Answer as per the directive. (Catch the Directive, it is the demand)
● Think about the points to be mentioned in the answer - Do
Brainstorming. (Always do on paper, it will also come through practice) -
During practice - Jot down the points quickly related to the topic. - Again, it
is an art and can be developed. You can learn from any source - “search /
watch - How to do brainstorming”
● Structure the points and start writing. (Make sub-headings, if need be)
● Underline the key-words, examples, facts. Etc.
 Tips for answer writing (These all needs a practice)
Time Management : key to crack mains
● For 10 marks = 7 min., for 15 marks = 10.5 to 11 min., for 20 marks = 14 to 15 min.
● On average, 3.5 minutes for every 5 marks. (If you calculate)
● Different toppers, different ways.
● In general, it should be on the time based as mentioned above.
● At least 1 or 2 questions in every paper are out of sight, bouncer-type, thus in those
cases you cut their time and invest that to the answers you know well and distribute
the time.
● That saved few minutes help to write other answers well. In the last, try to answer
those questions also in 2 to 3 minutes quickly, whatever little you know about that
topic (That goes without saying, every well prepared aspirant does that)
Tips for answer writing (These all needs a practice)
Directive (discuss, analyze, examine, critically discuss, critically analyze,
critically examine, comment, enumerate, evaluate, Describe, Explain,
Illustrate, etc. ) You will get habituated through practice.
● Explain, Illustrate, Describe - Simply elaborate the points simplify -
what why how with examples.
● Enumerate - write down the points with examples
● Discuss, Analyse, Examine - Go deeply, what why how why not, all
possible dimensions - examples, case studies, etc.
● Critically Discuss, analyse, examine - what why how whynot how not
every aspects - with pefmd.
● Comment / Evaluate - Assess the statement and provide your own
point of view, opinion.
 Tips for answer writing for GS (can be used for
Geography optional as well)

● An Answer can have 3 major parts

1. Introduction
2. Body
3. Conclusion
● And paper specific keywords are also equally
important. (discussed in detail paper wise, later on)
 Tips for answer writing
1. Introduction - There are many ways
● Based on Context - This is the best intro, if you get the context you get
the pulse of the question in letter & spirit. Why is it asked ? what’s the
reason? Best intro = contextual + summary type intro.
● Example - “India is emerging as global power in relation to Indian ocean
realm”. Elaborate.
● “Looking for renewable energy is in the best interest for India.” Comment.
● What are the reformative steps taken by the government to make food
grain distribution system more effective ? - get the context, think why is it
asked, start from that perspective. Is there any problem with existing
system. You will get your answer.
Tips for answer writing
1. Introduction -
● Based on Definition - If you do not know the way to start, and
time is running, you can actually set the ball rolling with
definitional introduction. Sometimes it is very handy. But most of
the question are context based, very less scope of this type of
intro. Yet, whenever it is asked in short notes type, it is the best
intro.
● Example - Write short notes on black soil. Explain the dryland
farming & its significance. What is cyber dome ?
Mostly ethics questions, CSR based,
What do you mean by climate migrants ?
 Tips for answer writing
1. Introduction -
● Based on Facts - Intro can be started with some facts or data. It is equally good
and handy while writing answers fast. And no time to think about the context.
Just start with fact. Factual intro are also good if related to recent news / current
affairs data.
● Example - On climate change, start with the data of UNFCCC, WHO, World Bank,
NITI Ayog, Ranking reports, committees, commissions report, SC judgements, etc.
● Different techniques of writing intro are not water tight compartment - Even fact
based intro is sometimes contextual. Go with the flow, just dont waste more time
in real exam. Practice all permutation combination in daily answer writings.
 Tips for answer writing
1. Introduction -
● Good Lines / Quotes / Best information or explaining sentences about the
topic asked - If unable to get anything from above type of intro, try this.
● Example - Question on RTI - Intro could be -
“RTI is the best potent weapon to empower the citizen.”
● Similarly, it can be used for education, skills, etc.
“Success does not come through magic, it needs necessary skills to succeed.“

These are good lines to start an answer with impression.

Tips for answer writing
1. Introduction -
● Historical / Constitutional based intro -

● Example - For CAG, Attorney General, Secularism, Basic

Structure, Non Cooperation, Gandhian movements, freedom
struggle, 1857 revolts, such questions can be tackled this way.

● Article 148 CAG, Article 76 Attorney general, etc.

 Tips for answer writing
● Extra - After good practice it will flow naturally, if you are well read and have
done good amount of writing.
● Do not go monotonous - use different intro based on the demand of the
question, and different techniques, tools like PEFMD.
● Also, if you are not satisfied by my answer writing tips in this ppt. You can
watch other toppers or teachers videos on answer writing - Give 2 to 3 days
(after prelims or whenever in a mood to start practicing answers) completely
to prepare all stuffs related to answer writing for all papers. Put it on your wall
in front of study table. Then whenever do daily answer writing try to include
those. Later on, it will flow in your test series practice and then in Mains exam
as well.
 Tips for answer writing
2. Body - Must include PEFMD
● Follow P-E-F-M-D (Different toppers - different ways, follow any)
● Perspectives - (different dimensions, multidimensional answers)
● Examples - ( ready for every topics, including some case studies)
● Facts - (Keep some facts handy from current affairs during mains)
● Maps - (On need basis)
● Diagrams - (On need basis)
● Case studies are nothing but an elaborated examples. Many
teachers/aspirants make this as some high profile thing. But mind you
it is just an example.
Tips for answer writing
2. Body -
● Perspectives - (different dimensions, multidimensional answers)
● Do brainstorming from every dimensions - spherical thinking
● Only thing is do not give monotonous heading for every answer.
● For example, social, political, economic, etc. you have to change
the heading names for the points you mention. So as to show
diversity in your whole answer booklet. Follow the syllabus topics
basically.
 Tips for answer writing
2. Body -
● Examples - (keep handy for every topics, saves time; including some case studies).
● There are many ways to write examples, which I adopted to show my diverse skill in writing.
Very small thing but it leaves an impression on the examiner. The same example is written in
multiple ways.
● e.g. - The Himalayas
● For example - The Himalayas.
● Examples are - Himalayas, Alps, Rockies, etc.
● It can be exemplified by the fact that Himalayas position along margins
● The Himalayas are one of the best examples.
● Such as - The great Himalayan range.
● Like - The Himalayas
Tips for answer writing
2. Body -
● Facts - (Keep some facts handy from current affairs during mains)
● However difficult you find, for some place or the other you need
some fact to support your arguments.
● It can also be written in multiple ways as I have shown in the
previous slide related for example. Mostly can be used in essay.
● It is evident by the fact that ____
● It can be substantiated by the fact or report by ____
● Or, write directly in your own sentences.
Tips for answer writing
2. Body -
● MAPS - Practice some maps,
● It will help in GS paper 1 geography part
● GS paper 2 IR part
● GS paper 3 socio-economic, environment, disaster related
questions.
● Next few slides draw world, India map partial / full
Tips for answer writing Maps - techniques
Tips for answer writing Maps - techniques
Tips for answer writing

Maps - techniques
Tips for answer writing
2. Body -
● Diagrams - Practice. Help in all GS papers including optional.
● Some myths need to be busted regarding diagrams.
● Many examiners in test series tell students to write in spider web form,
boxes and arrows, circles, etc. It is not a diagram, it is just to increase the
visibility of that person so that he/she can check more answer copies of test
series.
● In exam, based on my experience, I can tell you there is no difference
whether you write the same thing in bullets, or paragraphs, or spider web,
or whatever. ( Elaborated further in next slides)
Tips for answer writing
● Body - Diagram continues...
● That is why many aspirants forget the directives such as discuss, analyze
etc. and just start writing (one liner + e.g) without fulfilling the demand of
the directive.
● One liner +eg. Or, spider webbing type answers are fine for the last
moment when only 5 minutes are left and u have to complete 2 answers.
Then do that. Fetch whatever marks in less time. But do not follow this
strategy since the beginning or in the answers where you can really do
well, you end up drawing some circle + lines + rectangles writing some
stuffs. Go the way answers are supposed to be written.
Tips for answer writing cannot be called a diagram
Tips for answer writing Not a proper Diagram
Tips for answer writing Myth of diagrams
Tips for answer writing Diagrams continue..
Tips for answer writing Diagrams continue..
Tips for answer writing Diagrams continue..
 Tips for answer writing for GS (can also be used for
Geography optional)
3. Conclusion - different ways
to conclude. Sometimes the
answer goes without conclusion
also, due to paucity of time (No
need to worry). But yes, if
conclusion is added then fetch
more marks.
Conclusion should be visionary,
positive, solution oriented.
 Tips for answer writing
● Paper Specific Keywords and answer
● GS PAPER -1
● History - Timeline of events, causes, class participation, consequences, famous
personalities, etc.
● Geography - pefmd ( multiple dimensions, maps, diagrams) - spatial examples
are the must.
● Social issues - social principles, Acts ideology violated, equity, participation,
decentralization, empowerment, social strata, class-caste, etc.
 Tips for answer writing
● Paper Specific Keywords and answer
● GS PAPER - 2
● Constitutional Articles & preamble
● Acts
● Bills
● SC judgements
● Committee Commissions reports - ARC recommendations, Sarkaria, Punchi,
etc.
● International Relations - Use maps, foreign policy, recent involvements as per
the context of the question.
 Tips for answer writing
● Paper Specific Keywords and answer
● GS PAPER - 3
● Economy - Economic principles, equity, etc. Government Schemes is a must,
facts, data, diagrams, bar chart, pie chart, line chart, etc. cover multiple
dimensions.
● S & T - Mostly as per the demand of the question look for multiple dimensions.
● For other topics, same - pefmd.
 Tips for answer writing
● Paper Specific Keywords and answer
● GS PAPER - 4
● Mention ethical keywords in the answer as per the demand of the question.
● Must have examples to substantiate your points.
● In ethics, without examples, answers look dry and theoretical. You must
include example. Whatever they ask, just by explaining that concept put an
example.
● Case studies have different ways proceed. It will come through practice and
thinking & linking the theoretical concepts with case studies.