AIR 24 UPSC CSE 2025 | What the UPSC Essay Examiner Actually Wants | Decoded by Ifra Shams Ansari

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

• Essay marks are a major differentiator in UPSC CSE: the scoring range is widening; performance can vary greatly between attempts.
• To improve, diagnose why you missed the required criteria rather than only assuming your writing is “good.”
• Use the UPSC essay syllabus as a framework so you’re not improvising randomly.
• Because essay evaluation is subjective, a basic methodology reduces the risk of missing minimum requirements.
• Your style must be personal, not copied blindly—learn from toppers, but adapt what works for your voice.
• Balanced essay composition matters:
  • unify the topic instead of using isolated subthemes,
  • maintain logical flow,
  • be concise,
  • make expression “deep” rather than shallow-but-broad,
  • avoid preachiness/righteous conclusions.

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Step-by-step / methodology in detail (as described)

1) Start from the Essay Syllabus (use it as your framework)

• Treat syllabus keywords/themes as the guiding structure for your strategy.
• The approach aims to help ensure basic score attainment, even though checking is subjective.

Syllabus theme 1: Understand the topic + establish the demand

• Don’t write isolated subthemes that weaken the unified whole.
• Address both sides of the topic early (in the opening/first paragraph).
• Use an anecdote/hook that already contains the “two sides” so the examiner sees correct understanding immediately.
  • Example approach:
    • Quote a cultural reference (e.g., Interstellar),
    • Map characters to the two positions (scientific vs romantic/purpose-driven),
    • Add a linking paragraph tying the anecdote to essay keywords.

Syllabus theme 2: Arrange topics in an orderly fashion (flow/structure)

• Avoid “one paragraph, one idea” random progression that loses the central thread.
• Use an approach inspired by topper Alfred:
  • Hook + linking paragraph, then proceed with a smoother transition.
• Avoid writing methods that feel like they restrict the discussion scope.
• Add a philosophical/evolutionary context to expand the intro dimension (without making it the entire essay).
  • Example: self-discovery “evolves” across eras (Renaissance → Industrial Revolution → telephone-exchange era → AI age using data sets).
• Use Thesis–Antithesis–Synthesis:
  • Thesis: arguments using “what/why/what if/how” prompts.
  • Antithesis: logical opposite/challenges to the thesis.
  • Synthesis: resolve and conclude.
• The speaker explicitly mentions not using subheadings because it didn’t naturally suit their style and didn’t add value.

Syllabus theme 3: Write concisely

• Fix verbosity:
  • Spend at least ~25 minutes brainstorming to organize ideas logically before drafting.
  • Rewrite certain paragraphs/sections to refine expression and meet conciseness demands.
• Use an Argument–Example–Conclusion pattern per paragraph:
  • Each paragraph should feel complete/holistic.

Additional tactic:

• Inspired by Vikram Rewal’s style:
  • Use essay keywords at the beginning and end of paragraphs,
  • Reduce dependence on transition crutches (“Firstly,” “However,” etc.).
• Aim for balance between “transition-less” writing and clarity.

Syllabus theme 4: Effective Expression

Speaker’s interpretation:

• “Essence” should have depth and dimensions.

What they changed/improved:

1. Reduce over-reliance on pop culture name-drops

   • In a past essay, multiple references were used without adequate development.
   • Lesson: don’t broaden with names while staying shallow—balance breadth with depth.
   • Goal: maintain balance so the essay doesn’t sacrifice depth for width.

2. Open dimensions properly using a framework

   • Use the Pastel framework (as named by the speaker).
   • Create thematic categories like: nature, women, sports, music.
   • Use these “verticals” to generate stronger examples.
   • Example: use a nature metaphor (caterpillar → cocoon/metamorphosis → butterfly) to explain transformation.

3. Avoid becoming preachy/righteous in synthesis

   • Instead of explicit moralizing (“we must be virtuous…”), conclude with poetic/reflective lines.
   • Example pattern:
     • life/journey phrasing plus lines attributed to Sahir Ludhianvi,
     • another concluding citation referencing Amitabh Bhattacharya (“Ilahi”) to emphasize wisdom/knowledge guiding one’s own path.

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2) Additional preparation tactics beyond the essay framework

• Thematic analysis of PYQs (with a friend):
  • Helps guide what to prepare; the speaker notes writing only 3–4 full essays max, but brainstorming more.
• Brainstorm deeply using PYQ-linked philosophical ideas:
  • Example: “Thought finds one and creates one” (as a remembered theme).
  • Another example: consequences start with simple ideas—used to add philosophical depth.
• Topic selection strategy during the exam:
  • Even if popular topics come, attempt the one you know best.
  • If two topics are equally known, prefer the more “unpopular” one (the speaker hasn’t seen this happen so far).
• Use catchy keyword phrases to set the tone (examples):
  • “difference between full and fulfilling,”
  • “eureka moment,”
  • “take a leaf out of nature.”
• Stop underlining in drafts/copies:
  • Underlining felt forced/self-righteous; the speaker wanted the examiner to follow strong prose naturally.
• Collect anecdotes/examples from topper copies and enrich with peer inputs
  • The speaker frequently cites Alfred and Nosheen as sources for anecdotes.
  • They also learn from UPSC and non-UPSC friends and incorporate ideas from their writings (even taking photos of useful sections for notes).
• Use long-term vision / planning analogies from sports
  • Example: football—Alex Ferguson building a youth academy (long-term vision vs short-term wins).
  • Example: Morocco (2022) and Iceland (2016) breaking hegemonies through meticulous planning and collective spirit.

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3) Evaluation / review process (how they improve drafts)

• Mostly rely on self-review, using the same framework discussed earlier.
• Use AI to identify gaps and improve:
  • structure and expression,
  • whether the required philosophical dimension is opened,
  • potential relevant movie references to deepen the essay.
• Peer review, but incorporate feedback selectively:
  • Example feedback: improve spacing to highlight music/court-related writing (presentation/visibility).
  • Another feedback: information exists but isn’t “palatable,” leading to rewriting for better flow.
  • Another feedback: decide whether the issue is the example or the expression.
• Core principle: you can’t make a perfect essay—prioritize fundamental, actionable improvements.

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4) Advice to beginners (aspirants)

• Practice a full-length essay early to find your natural flair.
• Get feedback from friends to identify strengths and blind spots.
• Study topper copies, but mimic what resonates with your style.
• Then systematically build preparation using:
  • PYQs,
  • peer discussion,
  • and do self-audit using the essay framework to improve scoring.

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Speakers / sources featured (named in the subtitles)

Speaker

• Shamas Ansari (video speaker; AIR 24, UPSC CSE 2025)

Other people referenced (topper copies / personal references / citations)

• Alfred (topper/copy referenced for structure/transitions)
• Nosheen (topper/copy referenced; also discussed with the speaker)
• Vikram Rewal (topper/copy referenced for keyword usage at paragraph start/end)
• Ravi (named in the intro/music segment; appears to be part of video branding/credits)
• DKT (credited/thank you for platform)

Poets / lyricists / creators quoted for conclusion examples

• Sahir Ludhianvi
• Amitabh Bhattacharya

Pop-culture / character references used in examples

• Dr. Brand (from Interstellar)
• Doctor Cooper / Dr. Cooper (from Interstellar)
• Adolf Eichmann (used in the example set)
• Joker (used in the example set)
• Abraham Lincoln (used in the example set)
• Fuko (mentioned in the example set)

Sports/real-world figures referenced for analogies

• Alex Ferguson
• Morocco (team context, 2022)
• Iceland (team context, 2016)

Film / work referenced

• Interstellar
• (Mentioned generically) movie as a possible source of references (no specific title beyond Interstellar)

Service / platform referenced

• Telegram channel (speaker plans to share answer copies there)