IAS Essay Topics: UPSC through their IAS essay paper, consisting of a topic divided in two parts with maximum marks being 250 and time duration of 3 hours, check the construct of Ideas in the students mind, the coherence in the writing of the candidate, and the way one can systematically put them on paper. The topics range from contemporary social issues to ethical and philosophical inquiries.
You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.
List of Crucial IAS Essay Topics
1. The Importance of Higher Education
You have to write about the centres of Higher Education(universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, conservatories, institutes of Technology) and their issues. Significance of Higher Education available through a certain college-level institution, including vocational schools, trade schools, and other career colleges that award academic degrees or professional certification should be mentioned with pertinent information.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Privatization of higher education in India- 2002
Credit-based higher education system- status, opportunities and challenges- 2011
2. Skilling the Youth of India
The schemes that you should include are Kaushal Vikas Yojana, skill India and StandUp India. Mention the public-private partnership in preparing the curriculum for training packages, corporate social responsibility(CSR) skills fund, national policy on skill development, etc.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Is the standardized test good measure of academic ability or progress? – 2014
Irrelevance of the classroom- 2001
3. Environment Vs Growth
You have to point out the weakening of the ancient symbiotic relationship between society and the environment on account of development population growth, how introducing greater scientific rigour in the environmental impact assessment of projects, and the lack of policy enthusiasm towards the ground.
Related Topics Asked Previously:
Ecological considerations need not hamper the environment- 1993
Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustainable economic development – 2006
4. Water Disputes between States
The Cauvery water dispute and the Sutlej Yamuna link Canal case, inter-state river water dispute bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha with the provision of the tribunal’s decision on a dispute within three years;are the key points that should necessarily be included.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Water resources should be under the control of the central government- 2004
Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality- 2016
5. Agricultural Schemes of the Government in the Era of Rampant Farmer Suicide
The increase in the minimum support price by 1.5 times, the loan waivers, the physical effect of such schemes has to be mentioned. If the farmers are benefited or not, Atal Bhujal Yojana scheme and the concentration of underground water while using an adequate amount of water for the use of agriculture purpose are some of the subtopics that will fetch you good marks.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Food security for sustainable national development- 2005
How far has democracy in India delivered the goods?- 2003
6. India and its Role in Changing Global World Order
In this topic, you must mention the demographic dividend, the technological revolution, the increase in FDI, the ease of doing business, the position as against China and new alignments, for example, QUAD, BISMTEC, etc.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Preparedness of our society for India’s Global leadership role- 2010
The implications of globalization for India- 2000
7. The Foreign Policy of India in the Current Government Era
Policies like the Act East policy, the West link policy, and the friendly-Israel policy are the key points for this topic. It will also be advantageous to mention the improving ties with India’s immediate neighbours in the neighbourhood first policy, development of a dedicated SAARC satellite, the Para diplomacy, project Musam, and the Indian Ocean outreach.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
The Global order: Political and economical – 1993
India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation- 2004
8. The Debate on Nationalism
You have to mention the effect of globalization, the possible substitute such as Global capitalism, socialist internationalism, and un multilateralism, the major challenges arising within their territories and their coping techniques, and the World Bank which significantly abridged the space for Macro-Economic policy-making by its nation-states.
Related Questions Asked Previously:
Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs- 1994
Globalization what’s finish small scale industries in India- 2006
Topics that will Fetch you the Most Marks
The question of choice between a topic that interests you versus the ones that fetch you marks has plagued the aspirants for as long as you can remember. In the words of Ira Singhal, CSE-AIR 01 2014, it is advisable to choose an option in which you can hope to clear the exam.
List of some Previous years IAS Essay Topics
- Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India.
- Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the Union and the states in India.
- The destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
- Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
- Fulfilment of ‘new women’ in India is a myth.
- We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
- ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium.
- Need brings greed. If need increases it spoils breed.
- Relevance of non-alignment movement (NAM).
- Innovation is the key determinant to economic growth and social welfare.
Sample Essay Topics for IAS Exam
- Higher education versus skill equal acquisition
- Entrance exams vs. qualifying exams – what is the relevance of entrance exams for admission to UG and PG courses in India?
- The scrapping of section 377- the latest addition to human rights protection
- Pro-poor policies of the current government
- Impact of increasing oil prices on Indian economy
- The relevance of the supreme court’s decision to decriminalize the crime of adultery laid under section 497 of IPC
- Controversies surrounding the present-day NDA government in India
- Women empowerment: challenges and prospects.
To score good marks in the essay paper one needs to practice. A good essay also requires planning. The most common method of structuring is breaking it up into paragraphs. You should go through the essay topics given in IAS exams previously, and understand the concept. Having a simple understanding of complex social problems is the secret to writing a good essay for your IAS exam.