UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Questions With Analysis

Table of Contents

UPSC Mains 2023 Essay Questions

There are two sections to the UPSC Essay paper. There are two sections: Section A and Section B. Each section has four questions. Each candidate must select one topic from each section, resulting in two essay questions.

It is recommended that each question has a word limit of 1000 to 1200 words. There are 125 marks for each question, so there are about 250 marks in total. For merit ranking, the paper will be considered

Essay Paper UPSC 2023 Instructions

Total score: 250 points. Time duration: 3 hours.

In the space provided on the cover of this question-cum-answer booklet, it must be clearly stated that the essay must be written in the language authorized in the admission certificate.

Unless the answer is written in the authorized medium, no marks will be awarded.
It is essential to adhere to the word limit specified.
Strike off any blank pages or portions of pages.

Sections in Essay Paper UPSC 2023

The Essay Topics asked in the UPSC Mains 2023 are given below:

Section A

Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for

Section B

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
You cannot step twice in the same river
A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
Just because you have a choice does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Essay Paper UPSC 2023 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

There has always been a clear distinction between GS questions and essay topics at UPSC.

Many of the essay topics in Section A and Section B have a philosophical theme. This was also true in 2021 and 2022. The UPSC essay paper contains hints about what UPSC expects.

The UPSC now evaluates candidates’ essay writing skills by providing them with abstract or philosophical topics, rather than asking them to write on topics they are familiar with.

Proverbs and famous quotes were the most popular topics this year. Aspirants will be tested on their ability to think spontaneously, comprehend, write, and manage their time across the eight topics presented this year.

Quotes from Thinkers and Philosophers

Let’s analyze the source of some of the question topics.

POETS ARE THE UNACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATORS OF THE WORLD

One of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s (1792-1822) most famous and frequently quoted lines is the subject of this essay.

Poets can institute laws and create new knowledge, defining their role as legislators, according to Shelley.

The chaos Shelley sees in human society is something only poets can understand, and Shelley uses poetic language to find order in it.

As a result, he believes that the poets’ improved poetic language can aid in re-igniting human society’s order.

A SHIP IN A HARBOUR IS SAFE BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT A SHIP IS FOR

According to this quote, John A Shedd, an author, and professor is responsible for it. A collection of quotes and sayings published in 1928 is Salt from My Attic.

You can experience new things and broaden your horizons by getting out of your comfort zone. Only through taking risks can we achieve our goals or do the things we have always wanted to do.

THE TIME TO REPAIR THE ROOF IS WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING

There was a connection between this essay topic and John F. Kennedy. The best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining, said John F. Kennedy in his 1962 State of the Union Address.

It is better to repair a leak during a good weather period, rather than during a bad one.

As soon as the leak is discovered, you should begin repairing the roof. It would be ideal to wait until the first sunny day. When it is raining, it is difficult to fix a roof.

As a reminder to do the right thing at the right time, this statement is being used. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of favorable circumstances.

YOU CAN NOT STEP TWICE IN THE SAME RIVER

Philosopher Heraclitus, born in 544 BC, quoted this topic in his essay.

The flow of the river will change every second, so you can’t step into the same river twice. Each second will also be different for you.

As time changes everything, it is impossible to repeat past experiences. There will be no two experiences exactly alike. It’s important to live in the moment and enjoy every moment.

A SMILE IS A CHOSEN VEHICLE FOR ALL AMBIGUITIES

A novelist from the United States quoted Herman Melville on this essay topic.

UST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CHOICE DOES NOT MEAN THAT ANY OF THEM HAS TO BE RIGHT

The Phantom Tollbooth, the book written by Norton Juster, an American academic, architect, and writer, quotes this essay topic

In preparation for next year’s essay paper, what should aspirants do?

Taking the essay paper seriously is the first step.

The task of writing ten to twelve pages on an abstract or philosophical topic is challenging unless you have been properly trained.

Comprehending and analyzing are skills you need to improve.

Essays of different kinds, especially philosophical essays, should be read.

Philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, Friedrich Niche, Karl Marx, etc., should be studied. Make a list of famous quotes and write essays about them.

Additionally, prepare essays covering topics such as society, politics, economy, and technology. Surprises are common at UPSC.

When it comes to UPSC questions, there is no such thing as a constant trend.

The clues you get from analyzing the previous year’s question papers are valuable. UPSC questions should only contain those!