The UPSC Essay 2025 Demystified: Trends, Pitfalls & Winning Strategies

What is an essay?

The modern essay form was pioneered by Michel de Montaigne in 1580, who coined the term “assai,” which means ‘to attempt’  as a means of exploring ideas in a free-flowing, conversational style. Unlike rigid reports, essays enable authors to incorporate personal insights, experiences, and voices into their arguments, thereby conveying their unique perspectives and critical thinking to the reader. 

How does the UPSC Essay Paper test your credentials as an aspiring civil servant?

If you look closely at the 3 guidelines given in the UPSC Mains syllabus (discussed below) for the Essay paper, you'll notice they are not just about content to prepare. They talk about the expectations for a candidate writing an essay. Through your choice of ideas, structure, and expression, the essay becomes a mirror of how you think. In doing so, the paper subtly assesses your suitability for the role of a civil servant or administrator.Let’s break down the guidelines to understand this better:

Candidates may be required to write essays on multiple topics: 

• Gives you a choice so you can showcase your strongest insights.
• It also tests your breadth, so you must be prepared across themes, not just one niche area. UPSC expects generalist officers who hold broad perspectives.

They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion and to write concisely:

• Keeping closely: demonstrates your ability to stay focused, comprehend strongly. A skill vital when handling precise policy mandates in service.
• Arranging ideas: Reflects your ability to plan and structure information logically. It mirrors the clear briefings and action plans you’ll produce on the job.
• Write concisely: Demonstrates you can present complex thoughts into their essence. This will be put to the test when you have to present time-sensitive government communications.

Credit will be given for effective and exact expression: 

• Rewards precision of language. Exact wording avoids ambiguity, which is critical when drafting laws, orders, or advisories where misunderstanding can have serious consequences.

What is the importance of the Essay paper for the UPSC Mains Examination?

1. High score variability → Big rank swings: a strong essay performance can substantially lift your otherwise “average” scores in General Studies or Optional papers. 

For example:

The marksheet of UPSC Mains 2024, Rank 2, Harshita Goyal, who was also a student of Vision IAS Foundation Course, shows that a standout essay score made her achieve this rank. In the year when average essay marks were low, including 100 marks on Rank 1, Harshita’s 144 marks were a significant addition to her total score. Had there been 20-30 fewer marks here, she would not have been at Rank 2. 

(2) Heavy weightage: With 250 marks (out of 1750 for all UPSC Mains papers) the essay amounts to approximately 12 % of the total written score. Since most of the content can be drawn from the GS preparation, a little more effort in the essay can also represent a high Return on Investment of time. 

(3) Volatility of marks: toppers touch 140 +, while many stall at 45–50.

For example, below is a marksheet which shows that a low score in the essay can inhibit you from a place in the final list

What analysis does UPSC Mains 2025 Essay Paper provide?

Let’s look at the paper first:

खंड – A / SECTION – A

1. सत्य को कोई रंग नहीं लगता है।Truth knows no color.
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.
3. विचार एक दुनिया खोजता है और एक बनाता भी है।Thought finds a world and creates one also.
4. सबसे अच्छे सबक कड़वे अनुभवों से ही सीखे जाते हैं।Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

खंड – B / SECTION – B

5. मैले पानी को अकेला छोड़ देने से ही उसे साफ़ किया जा सकता है।Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.
6. वर्ष बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं, जो दिन कभी नहीं जानते।The years teach much which the days never know.
7. जीवन को यात्रा के रूप में देखना सर्वोत्तम है, न कि गन्तव्य के रूप में।It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.
8. संतोष स्वाभाविक सम्पति है, विलासिता कृत्रिम निर्धनता है।Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

A look at the UPSC CSE 2025 Essay paper, and it is once again clear that UPSC has chosen to go with abstract and philosophical. The idea behind such topics is to check the depth of understanding that a student possesses, in addition to gauging his moral and ethical compass. The examiner also wants to see your perspectives and how you balance them. These topics give space for anecdotes, metaphors, history, literature, and personal insights. They see if you can weave abstract thought into practical application.

In this blog, we will try to break down the first essay in a detailed approach, followed by a relatively succinct interpretation of the other essays.

1. Truth knows no color

In an era of polarization, fake news, and identity politics, the topic ‘Truth knows no color’ reminds us of the universality, objectivity, and impartiality of the truth. 

The candidate can choose to begin by substantiating this adage using an anecdote, data, or an explanation of the same.

For example,

In the body of the essay, the candidate should not just view the quote in multi-dimensional prism of philosophy (e.g., Satyamev Jayate and Categorical Imperative), history (Civil Rights Movement in the USA, or struggle against apartheid in South Africa or our own freedom strugggle where Gandhi ji insisted on Satya), and science (e.g., gravity, or laws of nature) among other things; but also make arguments on how and why ‘truth knows no color.’

They should also explore distortions that sometimes color the truth, and who upholds the truth in such cases? Towards the end, they should provide solutions (e.g., education, media ethics, transparency, strengthening institutions) to uphold the truth. 

Before closing the essay, the candidate should present a counterargument reflecting the subjectivity that truth may entail, for example, Cultural Relativism, where beliefs, values, and practices should be understood within the cultural context in which they occur, not judged by the standards of another culture.

However, the conclusion should once again, while accepting the counterview, uphold that the ‘Truth knows no color.’ 

Interestingly, this essay theme comes very close to the questions that we asked in our test series:

‘The truth is in the whole and it's always in the whole that you find the truth.’ (2025 Test Series, Code 3283)

Truth is found neither in the thesis nor the antithesis, but in the emergent synthesis which reconciles the two. (2024 Test Series, Code 2574)

Let’s see how you can draw parallels between 2 interconnected quotes:

Note that this exercise will help you draw relations between similar themes/quotes (Discussed more in strategy below)

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

The quote “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” comes from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, an ancient Chinese treatise on strategy and leadership. When such a quote is given as an essay or discussion topic, the intention is not to test knowledge of warfare alone, but to explore its wider philosophical, political, and social meaning.

In the body, the candidate is expected to explore alternatives to brute force, like diplomacy, negotiation, psychological advantage, economic tools, or moral leadership. Also, it is expected that the candidate finds application of these alternatives not just in politics and diplomacy, but also in administration, society, or even personal life. The idea is to present a diverse and application-oriented mindset. The examples that the candidate chooses to substantiate their dimensions would provide the examiner with a snapshot of the aspirant’s mind. It should be noted that the essay would be incomplete without exploring the reasons or ethical dimensions for not indulging in the war.

Before concluding, the candidate should also provide an antithesis to the quote, highlighting the strategic limitations of this approach.

3. Thought finds a world and creates one also.

The phrase emphasizes two dimensions. First, thought is interpretative; it finds patterns, meaning, and truth in the existing world, as in scientific discovery or recognition of social realities. Second, thought is creative; ideas, when expressed and acted upon, give birth to new worlds, such as technological innovations, social movements, or cultural revolutions.

In the body, begin by showing how thought uncovers realities that already exist (Newton’s discovery of gravity, historians reconstructing civilizations, or philosophers unveiling moral truths). Then, shift to how thought actively creates new worlds (constitutions, industrial revolutions, the internet, or global institutions like the UN). A strong essay should also connect discovery with creation, showing how each fuels the other. Importantly, students must not ignore challenges: thought can produce destructive weapons, divisive ideologies, or ethically risky technologies. It should also be emphasised that the students should try to build arguments substantiated by the examples as shown in the first essay, and not build their entire essay on only examples. 

In conclusion, the essay should highlight the need for responsible, ethical, and sustainable thinking, reaffirming that thought is both a mirror that reflects reality and a lamp that lights the path to new possibilities.

4. Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

This is a very common wisdom that we find in our everyday lives. Not just this, but even others like:

• Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. (2025, Test Code 3280)
• Only in the depths of winter can we truly appreciate the warmth of spring. (2025, Test Code 4514)
• The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. (2024, Test Code 2574)

The above quotes were taken from the Vision IAS Essay Test Series.

In all of the quotes above, the central idea is that hardship or bitter experiences or darkness or winter or bitter truths are the key to long-lasting virtues and learnings. 

‘Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences’ expects an aspirant to approach by recognizing adversity as a powerful, though painful, teacher. While writing, candidates should first explain why hardships often impart deeper lessons than comfort, highlighting dimensions such as reality checks, resilience, ethical growth, course correction, and innovation. The essay should be substantiated with diverse examples: world wars birthing global institutions, Gandhi’s transformation in South Africa, Mandela’s prison years, or India’s post-1962 reforms. At the same time, a balanced essay must acknowledge the limitations of this view, trauma, risk of apathy, or repetition of mistakes if experiences are not internalized. 

Students should also bring in counterpoints, showing that positive learning, mentorship, and incremental successes are equally important. 

Finally, the conclusion must reaffirm that while bitter experiences may scar, they also strengthen and enlighten, provided societies and individuals channel them into growth and wisdom.

5. Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone

The central idea is that, like muddy water, when a situation is disturbed too much, it becomes harder to see clearly. Instead, allowing time and natural processes to work without agitation brings clarity and calm. 

It is often said that, ‘’When faced with two equally tough choices, most people choose the third choice: to not choose.’’ (2024, Test Code 2574)

Both the ideas above invite a reflection on the power of patience and non-interference in achieving clarity, a principle deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy and applicable to modern life.

The body part of the essay should build arguments like ‘Patient builds clarity,’ ‘Non-interference helps build insight,’ etc. It should explore dimensions such as philosophy (Taoist emphasis on wu wei: non-action), politics and diplomacy (restraint preventing escalation, as in the Cuban Missile Crisis), administration (policy patience before hasty reforms), personal life (resolving conflicts through silence and time), and nature (ecosystems healing when left undisturbed). At the same time, a balanced essay must include the counterview that inaction in some cases worsens problems, requiring timely intervention. 

The conclusion should reaffirm that while not all situations allow passivity, wisdom often lies in knowing when to step back and allow clarity to emerge on its own.

6. The years teach much which the days never know 

Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, the quote suggests that deep wisdom emerges from the accumulation of experiences over years, contrasting with the limited perspective of individual days. It focuses on the wisdom gained through long-term experience, rather than short-term observation, which is often filled with immediate emotions, confusion, or setbacks. 

The body of the  essay should develop arguments around the themes of cumulative wisdom, patience as a path to insight, and the value of a long-term perspective, supported by relatable examples from personal growth (maturity gained through aging, failures, and resilience), historical achievements (how nations learn from wars, revolutions, and long struggles), and literary narratives (Scout Finch in How to kill a mockingbird), etc. At the same time, the essay should include a counterargument that sometimes quick insights and instinct also play a role in human progress.

The conclusion must reaffirm that while daily experiences shape us, it is the passage of years that distills wisdom, reminding us that perspective over time is the true teacher.

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

This question by UPSC demands that students reflect that the meaning of life lies in the experiences, growth, and lessons along the way, not in chasing a final goal. Life is not a fixed end-state to be reached, but continuous processes to be lived and experienced.

This is very close to what UPSC asked in 2024:

 “There is no Path to Happiness; Happiness is the Path” (UPSC 2024)

A common theme was also touched on in our Essay test series for 2025:

‘’Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.’’ (2025, Code 3284)

All of the essays above urge us to focus on the present moment instead of being consumed by future achievements. 

While writing the body of the essay, it is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination; arguments to support the thesis should be made. For example, viewing life as a journey enriches understanding and resilience, embracing the process fosters meaningful experiences, the journey promotes continuous growth, and a journey-focused mindset cultivates adaptability. Each argument should be followed by 1–2 vivid examples, like from philosophy (Buddhist and Stoic ideas of mindfulness and detachment from outcomes), or history (freedom struggles where the long process mattered as much as independence itself), or personal life (relationships, education, careers as evolving journeys). The essay should also highlight distortions like overemphasis on end goals often breeds stress, greed, and dissatisfaction. A counterview may note that goals and destinations give direction to the journey.

The conclusion should reaffirm that while destinations matter, it is the journey that shapes character, provides meaning, and makes life worthwhile.

8. Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

This theme again overlaps with some questions given by our team in the Vision IAS Essay Test Series:

Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.

(2025, Code 3281)

Hold material goods and wealth on a flat palm and not in a clenched fist.

(2025, Code 3282)

All three quotes converge on the timeless truth that contentment, simplicity, and detachment bring lasting wealth and happiness, while greed, luxury, and clinging to material possessions lead to emptiness and “artificial poverty.”

The quote "Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty," attributed to Socrates, highlights the intrinsic value of inner satisfaction over the fleeting allure of material excess, suggesting that true wealth lies in a state of contentment rather than in the accumulation of external possessions. 

The essay must develop arguments around the themes of contentment as a source of true wealth, the deceptive nature of luxury, and the freedom gained through simplicity, supported by relatable examples from personal experiences (contentment as mental peace versus the hedonic cycle of luxury), societal or cultural contexts (equity and harmony versus conspicuous consumption and inequality), and philosophical perspectives (Stoic and Buddhist thought, Gandhian ethics of need vs. greed), etc. A counterview should also be included, noting that luxury can drive innovation and economic progress.

The conclusion must reinstate that true wealth lies in contentment, an enduring and natural treasure, while unchecked luxury risks hollowing out both individual lives and collective well-being.

Summary remark for UPSC CSE 2025 Essay Paper

• Section A (Philosophical & Abstract): Topics like “Truth knows no colour”, “Thought finds a world and creates one also.”
• Section B (Reflective & Ethical): Topics like “Muddy water…”, “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.”

Trend analysis & dissection of UPSC Essay Paper 2025 by Vision IAS faculties

UPSC Mains 2025 - Essay Paper: Trend, Themes & Strategy | Explained by Smriti Shah Ma'am

UPSC Mains 2025 - Essay Paper: Trend, Themes & Strategy | Explained by Ayushi Agarwal Ma'am

How has the UPSC Essay Paper evolved through the years?

A review of the essay questions asked from 2013-2025 reveals that, overall, topics have steadily shifted from straightforward GS-style questions to more abstract and philosophical questions demanding deeper introspection and originality.

The following observations are pertinent:

• Rise of Abstract Themes: Beginning around 2018 and accelerating after 2020, there is a clear trend of UPSC including more essay topics that require candidates to grapple with big ideas, abstract notions, or introspective reflection, rather than simply discussing concrete socio-political issues.
  • E.g., ‘’Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.’’ (2025)
  • “The Empires of the future will be the empires of the mind” (2024),
  • “Not all who wander are lost.” (2023)
  • “A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.” (2022)
    
• Shift from Problem-Solution to Holistic Reflection: Earlier topics often focused on social ills or governance, expecting structured argumentation of causes, consequences, and possible solutions
  • E.g., "Is the Colonial mentality hindering India's success?" (2013)
  • "Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms?" (2016)
  • "Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world?" (2017)

The candidate should note that while these topics have not been asked by UPSC a lot in recent years, their preparation for the essay is still inevitable.

• Sustained Focus on Social Issues:
  • E.g., Gender and Society: Topics like “Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality” (2020) and “Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth” (2017) show recurring attention to women’s issues.
  • Justice and Equality: “A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity” (2023) and “There can be no social justice without economic prosperity, but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless” (2020).
• Integration of Technology and Modernity: Technology’s dual impact is increasingly explored, reflecting its growing role in society.
  • E.g., “Rise of Artificial Intelligence: The Threat of Jobless Future or Better Job Opportunities Through Reskilling and Upskilling” (2019).
  • “Social media is inherently a selfish medium” (2017).
  • “Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness,” shows more nuanced, psychological takes. (2024)
• Economic Themes: Early years focus on economic structures and reforms (“Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms?” (2016)), while recent topics include measures of happiness (GDH) in evaluating growth, and challenges in reaching inclusive development.
• Federalism, leadership, and planning: regular references to federalism’s challenges, visionary leadership, and the value of critical or forward thinking mark different stages of public discourse focus.
• Educational and Moral Dimensions: Continuous presence of topics on education quality, values in schooling, and the shaping of national destiny through learning frameworks.
  •  “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil” (2015); “Morality: Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life” (2018).
• Environment and Sustainability: Shift from development-centric to sustainability-centric topics: “Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India” (2018), “Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them” (2024).

Why do people get low scores in the Essay?

Despite clear UPSC mains syllabus guidelines, many candidates underperform. The recurring causes are:

• Over-reliance on rigid frameworks: Many candidates defaulted to plugging every essay topic into a fixed acronym (PESTEL, SWOT, etc.). While these can provide structure, evaluators noted that repeatedly forcing-fitting different questions, especially abstract ones, into the same template leads to:
  • Mechanical arguments: Fitting every question into “Political → Economic → Social…” yields formulaic, one-size-fits-all essays.
  • Shallow analysis: Repeating the same six headings ignores the unique “heart” of each topic, making essays read like bulleted lists.
• Outdated or generic examples fail to engage examiners: Many essays lean heavily on decades-old historical events (e.g., 1990s economic reforms), generic GS snippets, and examples of popular officers.
• Lack of personal insight and creativity: In trying to avoid error, many aspirants wrote safe, report-style paragraphs devoid of any individual perspective or reflection. Without a hint of original thought, whether through a novel analogy, a contemporary quote, or a nuanced case study, examiners have little to reward beyond rote recall.

What is an ideal UPSC strategy for Essay preparation?

• Build a Broad, Thematic Reading Habit: Newspapers, Magazines, general articles, novels, and movie plots, as well, can be a part of your readings.
• Thematic Dossiers: Maintain digital folders (or notebooks) on 8-10 core themes like governance, ethics, environment, technology, social justice, geopolitics, education, and culture. It should include important definitions, key statistics, case studies, and iconic quotes.
• Dissect Past Year Questions: For each topic you practice, ask: “Why did UPSC ask this now?” Link it to policy debates (e.g., climate action at COP), current events (e.g., AI regulation), or philosophical shifts (e.g, meaning of happiness).
• Use the exercise of drawing parallels between different topics: You should know that there is very little chance that what you practice at home appears in the examination verbatim.However, just as we observed above (in the analysis of UPSC Essay Paper 2025), the central idea of themes remains the same. You should be able to draw parallels between what you have done and what appears in the exam.
• Master the art of structure: The Essay should have a flow and structure as discussed above. 
  • To understand this in greater depth, you can also go through the following videos on the Vision IAS YouTube channel:How to Maximize Score in Essay for UPSC CSE 2025 | Smriti Shah Ma'amArt of Essay Writing by Gautam Vivekanandan, AIR 211, UPSC CSE 2022
• Critique & Feedback Loop: Practice writing on a weekly or fortnightly basis and get feedback.
  • Self-evaluation Checklist:
    • Did I stay on topic?
    • Did each paragraph have a clear purpose?
    • Are my examples up-to-date and varied?
    • Is my language precise and concise?
  • Mentor Feedback: Get 1–1 reviews focusing on depth of analysis and expression. Vision IAS supports students through the Lakshya Mains Mentoring Program and the Daksha Mains Mentoring Program, where students master the essay paper through extensive academic sessions and rigorous practice. We are thrilled to highlight that Topic 6 from Section B of the UPSC Essay Paper 2024, "Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power" aligns perfectly with topics from our Daksha Mains Mentoring Program’s Practice Tests (DMPT) and All India GS Test Series - Paper IV (Test Code: 2698)

Final round: In the final round before your Mains exam, you can realign your UPSC preparation with what you have done with the Vision IAS support ecosystem by:

• Joining the Essay Enrichment Programme, where you will have 5 essay classes with the flexibility to watch live or revisit through recorded sessions. Practice using tests, built into this programme, and then discuss the gaps with your mentor.https://beta.visionias.in/essay
  
  
• All India Essay Test Series: Depending on your requirement, Vision IAS also provides a series of tests for essays, which is meticulously designed keeping in mind the evolving pattern of examination.

In the end, wishing you all the best! For any queries with regards to your essay preparation, feel free to contact us.