UKPCS Mains Exam for Upper and Lower PCS is scheduled in the month of August 2022. Success in any civil services mains exam rests on two pillars : firstly, the breadth and depth of knowledge and secondly, the ability to present that knowledge within a cohesive framework. The answers have to written within the word limit, have to be well articulated and need to be cover the relevant issues with clarity. UKPCS Answer Writing
The ability to write such answers requires constant practice and able guidance. Due to the peculiar format of UKPCS mains, aspirants need to know how to write the same question in 20/25, 50 or 100/125, 250 words! Clearly, not practising answer writing is one of the major reasons aspirants don’t make it to the interviews.
Evaluation Parametres
20/25/50 words:
- Structure:
- Point format covers more aspects/data
- No Intro/conclusion
- Content
- Hit nail on its head
- Only core points
- In polity- Articles, constitutional reference etc.
- Word limit
- For 20 à ~30 words permissible
- For 25 à ~ 35 words permissible
- For 50 à~ 60 words permissible
- Handwriting
- Clean and legible
- No too much cutting
Example:
Q) What is strategic sale method of privatization? (20 w, UKPCS upper 2016)
Answer:
The strategic sale of a company involves:
- Transfer of a block of shares to a Strategic Partner
- Transfer of management control to the Strategic Partner
Q) Explain the role of FATF. (50 w)
Answer:
- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989.
- The main objective is to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
- It is headquartered in Paris at the OECD. It has 37 members including India
- Pakistan is under the FATF grey list.
100/125 words
- Structure:
- Into – if there only one liner
- Body
- Recommend point format à to cover multiple aspects/dimensions
- Try to club points under subheads
- Conclusion: if there only one liner
- Content
- Generally straight forward questions
- No redundancy à REPETITION
- First mention the core points then peripheral
- Word limit
- For 100à ~120 to 125 words permissible
- For 125 à~145 to 150 words permissible
- Handwriting
- Clean and legible
- No too much cutting
Example:
Q) What do you understand by ‘Judicial Activism’? Explain. (125 w, UKPCS Upper 2016)
Answer:
Judicial Activism denotes the proactive role played by the judiciary in the protection of the rights of citizens and in the promotion of justice in the society by forcing the other two organs of the government to discharge their constitutional duties.. PIL is an example of Judicial Activism.
Merits:
- Upholds the constitutional morality
- Protection of Fundamental Rights egs. Banning Tripple Talaq
- Inactivity/Lethargy shown by the other two organs
Demerits:
- Judicial adventurism: Goes against constitutional values and separation of power doctrine
- The judiciary lacks expertise in various matters egs. Ban on BS IV vehicles
- The judiciary is unaccountable for its decision while politician are held accountable after every 5 years.
The judiciary must show ‘judicial restraint’ as too much activism is not good for the long term health of the democracy.
250 words
- Structure:
- Into – proper introduction should be given
- Body
- Recommend point format à to cover multiple aspects/dimensions
- Try to club points under subheads
- Conclusion/way forward: You may show some ingenuity and even provide your opinion
- Content
- Some of the questions may not be straight forward
- No redundancy à REPETITION
- First mention the core points then peripheral
- Word limit
- For 250à ~270-280 words permissible
- Handwriting
- Clean and legible
- No too much cutting
Example:
Q) Discuss the role of ethics in public administration. (250w, UKPCS upper 2012)
Answer:
“In the happiness of his subjects lies the happiness of the king” – Kautilya.
Ethics provide a framework for accountability between the public and administration. Ethics and values have key role in smooth functioning of public administration system.
Role of ethics in public administration:
- Public resource utilization: ethical use of resources ensures the efficient and effective development of society without corruption. It makes the one holding public office accountable for his/her actions. E.g. RTI, social audits to involve public and enhance transparency in resource utilization.
- The ethical standards of Impartiality and objectivity bring merit into organization. Thereby, increasing predictability, this improves economic efficiency. E.g. e-filing of tax returns, online tenders etc.,
- Public trust and assurance: Every section of public irrespective of race, religion, caste must be treated equitably and ethics ensures just and fair administration. E.g. protection of minority rights which will built a social capital.
- Curb corruption: improving efficiency and break the unholy nexus between the administration and the anti-social elements. E.g. Vohra commission mentioned that corruption is the biggest problem deteriorating the law and order.
- Absence of ethics results in authoritarianism, suppression of minority rights, high corruption and impoverishment of the poor and the vulnerable. Historically it has only been disastrous whether it is the colonial administration or the authoritarian governments like that of Hitler/Stalin.
Ethics guide human conduct and it helps people to lead good life by applying moral principles. The same when applied to public administration will not only bring efficiency but also helps in developing an egalitarian, just and fair society.
UKPCS Answer Writing Tips/General Suggestions
- Highlight/underline the key words
- Should not start the 100/125/250 words with point
- In 250 words you may show some ingenuity
- Starting with a quote
- Way forward/conclusion with your opinion
- Exact dates should be avoided as they are difficult to recall.
- Majority of the questions are factual in nature à don’t try to make it analytical as in UPSC
- Can draw diagrams/ flowcharts: must in geography
- Marks are deducted for crossing word limit or wrong fact
- Definition of concepts should be memorized à don’t try to make it there in the examination hall egs. Secularism, Judicial Activism
- Too much knowledge in these kind of paper is harmful à For senior players and UPSC aspirants
- Do not write theories or thinkers name à ‘Samanya gyan’
- Try to complete the paper. Don’t skip questions.
- Mark all the questions first that you know first. Try to complete all the 20/50 words in first instance.
For:
UKPCS Study Material (Click Here)
UKPCS Answer Writing Program (Click Here)
UKPCS Mains Test Series (Click Here)
UKPCS Best Copies and Tips (Click Here)
All our programs are available online at: https://class.oracleias.org/
Contact: 999 7453844
He is a bibliophile,accomplished writer and a fitness enthusiast.
- CSAT for UKPCS Prelims 2025 || Oracle IAS - December 5, 2024
- UKPCS Mains 2024 Current Affairs PDFs - December 4, 2024
- Prepare for Lower PCS Uttarakhand Exam 2025 with Oracle IAS - September 23, 2024