UPSC Mains 2019 Essay Paper and Analysis

SECTION-A

1. Wisdom finds truth

2. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be

3. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society

4. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success

 

SECTION-B

5. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities

6. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness

7. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy

8. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling

 

UPSC asked aspirants to write an essay on philosophical topics like wisdom and truth in section-A of 2019 essay paper. The section also included ethics related topics like values and humanity, best for individual and best for society and courage and dedication as keys to success. The topics in Section-B covered formation of South Asian societies around their plural cultures and identities and not around the state. Section-B also covered issues like neglected primary health care and education in India as reasons for its backwardness and biased media as a real threat to Indian democracy. Artificial intelligence, its rise, and effects on job opportunities also appeared in section – B of this year’s essay paper. Overall the topics in Section A were philosophical and general, while in Section B, the focus was mainly on the national, regional and global issues which have been in the news for long.