Best Wishes for UPSC Mains 2024: Key Tips and Mains 365 Insights for GS Paper 2

By the time you successfully complete Essay and GS Paper I, you will have fully switched on your answer writing mode. These two papers would assess the critical knowledge and skills required to be part of coveted civil services and we are confident you would strive to give your best in these two papers. 

Next, as you prepare to take on GS Paper II in the UPSC Mains 2024, we want to equip you with some specific tips to help you make the most of your efforts during the exam. These tips focus on how to structure your answers, enrich your content, and manage your time effectively to maximize your score in this Paper.

General Answer Writing Tips

• Answer Structure: Always follow a structured format—Introduction, Body, Conclusion. This helps organize your thoughts and makes your answer more readable.
• Introduction: Start your answer with a relevant fact, definition, or background. You can also quote a constitutional provision, judgment, or a relevant committee report.
• Body Of the Answer: Create a mental outline or scribble the broad headings and subheadings of the answer and use it while writing the answer. This would allow for comprehensive and to-the-point answers while reducing the likelihood of you deviating from the core demand of the questions. 
• Conclusion: End with a well-rounded summary, recommendations, future perspective, or constitutional ideal. You can use quotes from the Constitution, significant judgments, or recommendations of expert committees.
• Presentation: Use bullet points, subheadings, diagrams, and flowcharts to convey your points. This would not only save precious time but also improve the presentation of answers.

GS Paper II Specific Tips

1. Polity & Governance

• For the Introduction: Begin with a relevant constitutional provision, article, judgment, or current event. This creates a strong foundation for your answer.
• In the Main Body:

1. Quote landmark judgments (e.g., Kesavananda Bharati case, SR Bommai case) to substantiate your points.
2. Include constitutional articles (e.g., Article 21 for Right to Life,).
3. Use committee recommendations in your arguments (e.g., Second Administrative Reforms Commission, Punchhi Commission).
4. Highlight relevant acts, bills, and amendments to showcase your understanding.

• While Concluding: End by citing constitutional values or referencing an expert’s opinion (e.g., Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision, NITI Aayog recommendations).

2. Social Justice

• For the Introduction: Begin with a government initiative, laws or definition.
• In the Main Body:

1. Mention relevant government schemes and policies (e.g., PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao).
2. Quote reports like the National Family Health Survey or Global Hunger Index.
3. Highlight relevant laws (e.g., Right to Education Act, Maternity Benefit Act).
4. Use current statistics to back up your points (e.g., literacy rates, unemployment stats, etc.).
5. Include real-life examples from various walks of life to show your application-oriented attitude. 
6. Borrow and use keywords and ideas from the syllabus(Citizen Charter, Transparency, Accountability, Vulnerable Sections, etc.) to give weight to your arguments

• While Concluding: Refer to constitutional ideals (like social justice under the Preamble) or suggest measures to ensure equity and inclusive growth.

3. International Relations

• Introduction: Start by mentioning the historical context, the significance of a particular bilateral/multilateral relationship, recent events/meets/Summits, etc. 
• In the Main Body:

1. Quote current international events or initiatives (e.g., Quad, SCO, G20 summits).
2. Use facts and figures from recent international engagements.
3. Include arguments, strategies, and recommendations by key global and national thinkers such as C Raja Mohan, S Jaishankar, etc.
4. Incorporate key features from agreements, MOUs, and treaties.
5. Draw maps where relevant, especially when discussing borders or geopolitical alignments.

• While Concluding: End with a future perspective, citing India’s aspiring role in global leadership, or mentioning India’s adherence to Panchsheel principles/National Interest First, etc.

A Key Aid: Mains 365 Quick Facts and Summary Documents

• Mains 365 Quick Facts: Keep Mains 365 Quick Facts: Social Issues, Polity, Governance, and IR handy for last-minute examples, facts, and figures.

1. Polity: Key constitutional provisions, judgments, and amendments.
2. Social Issues: Major schemes and recent statistics.
3. IR: Recent international agreements and significant geopolitical trends.

• Mains 365 Summary: Refer to Mains 365 Summary: Polity & Governance, Social Issues and International Relations for quickly revising the Mains 365 and other topics for GS paper 2.

1. Polity and Governance: Review summaries of constitutional issues, governance frameworks, and policy analyses.
2. Social Issues: Cover vital social topics such as health, education, and social justice.
3. International Relations: Review summaries of India’s foreign relations, international policies, and strategic alliances.

Mains 365 Quick Facts & Summary: https://visionias.in/current-affairs/mains-365

Last Minute Time Management Tips:

• Start by reading all questions quickly. Mark the ones you are less confident about and attempt them later.
• Divide your time across the questions equally, leaving buffer time to review your answers.
• Don’t get stuck on one question for too long. Keep moving to ensure you attempt all questions.

Time Management Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLHm_Oh1aGM

Remember, you have already put in the hard work. Now, it’s time to apply it in the exam. Stay calm, manage your time well, and be confident in your abilities. Believe in your preparation and give it your best shot.

Wishing all the best for your continued success!

Team VisionIAS