Essay (UPSC Mains) - Previous Year Questions - Rau's IAS

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COMPASS UPSC MAINS ESSAY (UPSC MAINS) - PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
Essay (UPSC Mains) - Previous Year

Questions
2023
1. Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite

team.
2. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and
logic.
3. Not all who wander are lost.
4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical
in the mundane.
5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands — two
equally harmful disciplines.
6. Mathematics is the Music of Reason.
7. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned
in school.
2022
Value based / Ethical Issues
1. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.

2. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has
to be right.
Philosophical
Menu
1. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
2. You can not step twice in the same river.
3. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for.
Miscellaneous / Mixed
1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.

(Environment / Economics)
2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (Literature /
Socio-political-economic impacts)
3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the
romantic man (History / Values / Philosophy)
2021
Philosophical
1. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an

awareness of me.
2. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
3. The real is rational and the rational is real.
4. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
History / Culture
1. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
Science and Technology
1. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
1. There are better practices to “best practices”. (Multiple Themes)
Menu
2. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically
outsourced. (Philosophy / Technology)
2020
1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
Philosophical
1. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.

2. Ships do not sink because of water around them; ships sink because of
water that gets into them.
3. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
History / Culture
1. Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
Social Issues
1. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but

economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
2. Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of
social inequality.
1. Technology as the silent factor in international relations (Technology /

International Relation).
2019
Menu
1. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be.
2. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success.
Philosophical
1. Wisdom finds truth.
History / Culture
1. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their
plural cultures and plural identities.
Social Issues
1. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.

2. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its
backwardness.
Science & Technology
1. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job

opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.
Media
1. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
2018
1. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

2. A people that value its privileges above its principles lose both.
Menu
3. “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and
values.
4. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life.
Philosophical
1. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.
Social Issues
1. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.
Environment
1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.
IR & Security
1. Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task.
2017
Philosophical
1. Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
Social Issues
1. Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
Media
1. Social media is inherently a selfish medium Domain.

IR & Security
Menu
1. Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multi-
polar world Domain.
Economy
1. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of

farmers in India Domain. (Agriculture)
2. Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union
and states in India Domain.
Education
1. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
Polity & Governance
1. We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws Domain.
2016
1. Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
Social Issues
1. If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
1. Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in

the long run Domain.
Economy
Menu
1. Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic
reforms.
Polity & Governance
1. Water disputes between states in federal India Domain.

2. Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality India.
1. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality.

(Technology / Economy)
2. Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social
welfare Domain. (Technology / Economy / Social Sector)
2015
1. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
Philosophical
1. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

2. Quick but steady wins the race.
1. Technology cannot replace manpower.
Economy
1. Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?
Menu
1. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man

more clever devil. (Education / Ethics)
2. Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. (Morality / Economics)
2014
1. With greater power comes greater responsibility.
Philosophical
1. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
Media
1. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
Economy
1. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which

slowed the growth of our country?
2. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
Education
1. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?

2. Are the standardized tests, good measure of academic ability or
progress?
Menu
1. Dreams which should not let India sleep. (Multiple themes)
2. Fifty Gold’s in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? (Sports /
Governance)
2013
Philosophical
1. Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji
1. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of
the nation.
Economy
1. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic

Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a
country.
1. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? (History / Culture /

Growth & Development / Ethics)
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COMPASS UPSC MAINS ESSAY (UPSC MAINS) - PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Essay (UPSC Mains) - Previous Year

1. Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.

1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.

1. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an

1. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

Science and Technology

1. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane.

1. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.

1. Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.

1. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but

1. Technology as the silent factor in international relations (Technology /

1. Wisdom finds truth.

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

Science & Technology

1. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job

1. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

1. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.

1. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.

1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.

1. Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task.

1. Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.

1. Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.

1. Social media is inherently a selfish medium Domain.

1. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of

1. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

Polity & Governance

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.

1. If development is not engendered, it is endangered.

Science & Technology

1. Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in

Polity & Governance

1. Water disputes between states in federal India Domain.

1. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality.

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.

1. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

Science & Technology

1. Technology cannot replace manpower.

1. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man

Value based / Ethical Issues

1. With greater power comes greater responsibility.

1. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.

1. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?

1. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which

1. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?

1. Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji

Science & Technology

1. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic

1. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? (History / Culture /

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