GS-2 Answer Writing: How To Maximize Your Score?

Hi All,

In this post, I have explained the answer writing structure for GS-2 i.e. Polity, Governance and IR and also discussed few questions from CSM 2020 and 2021 papers. This example based structure analysis will help you maximize your score in GS-2, that is actually very tricky paper to score.

GS-2 Polity and Governance in Brief:

Polity: Static + Current
Governance: Static + Current
Schemes and Policies: Current
Reports: ARC, Court cases, Committee Names/Reports in news, SDG etc.
Keywords: FR, DPSP, Preamble, Articles etc.

Polity – Governance Answer Writing Strategy:

Read question and Break in parts.
Address each part, equally or as per marking scheme given in question. Mark in question paper.
Address Statement!!
Introduction: Define the keywords. Write news background of question if it appears to be from current affairs. Write facts, report name etc. to catch examiner’s eye.
Make headings.

Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015), Author of Decode Ethics and Decode History Books

Write in points. Ideally, number of points = marks of question.
Paper specific keywords like from ARC, Supreme court case names, Committees / Reports, Preamble, Constitution articles, DPSP, Fundamental rights etc.
How to use ARC?
Cases, Committees, Reports from Current.
Draw diagram to gain +1 mark!!
Conclusion: Summarize answer in 1-2 lines. Do not skip in any case.
Way forward approach in policy based questions and where steps or solutions are not asked already.

GS-2 IR in Brief:

International relations make an important component of Mains GS-2 Paper, with around 4 questions every year. In all 41 questions have been asked from IR in 9 years (2013-2021).
Questions Asked Are Of Following Types: Purely current based or Purely static based or Mix of current and static.

Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015), Author of Decode Ethics and Decode History Books

IR Answer Writing Strategy:

I followed following answer structure for IR: Intro, news background, headings, points, keywords, diagram, conclusion etc.
Wrote answer in points as it is a GS paper and not optional. (Important for PSIR Aspirants)
Diagram in IR can include Map of India or World. (Draw Parts)
Keywords specific to IR shall be prepared and used in answers to gain edge over others.

PYQ and Their Structure:

CSM 2021: ‘Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions. 10 marks.

Read & Break Question into parts. Address statements & parts.
10 marks = 10 points.
Define CM and write news background (2-3 points).
3 points on how it is rooted in constitution and founded on essential facets.
3 points on further detailed explanation.
Examples / judicial decisions.
Use polity keywords and underline.
Diagram (Hub-Spoke).
Conclusion (Summary) or way forward (steps to ensure CM).

CSM 2021: How have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the states to improve their fiscal position? 10 marks.

Read & Break Question into parts. Address statements & parts.
10 marks = 10 points.
Intro: FC polity, 14^th FC facts and news background (2-3 points).
3-4 points on FC recommendations. This you must be knowing from GS and CA.
Even if you don’t know about FFC impact on States, write 5 points from general idea about which State had poor fiscal position and which improved recently.
Use polity keywords and underline.
Diagram (Hub-Spoke).
Conclusion (Way forward in policy related questions = 2 points).

Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015), Author of Decode Ethics and Decode History Books

CSM 2021: Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through the microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. 10 marks.

Read & Break Question into parts. Address statements & parts.
10 marks = 10 points.
Define GI, P, M & WSHG-MF and write news background (2-3 points).
1-2 points on how cycle of GI, P and M is vicious.
How WSHG-MF can break cycle: 4 points. Where WSHG-MF can face limitations: 4 points.
Examples of WSHG-MF active in this field.
Use polity keywords and underline.
Diagram (H-S).
Conclusion (Way forward in policy related questions = 2 points).

CSM 2021: Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? 15 marks.

Divide question in parts.
Parts are (3): SCO aims/objectives pro and cons & importance.
15 marks = 15 points. 4 points on pro, 4 points on cons and 4 points on importance.
Introduction: News background if any, facts about SCO.
Underline important keywords/examples of SCO countries.
Points from CAs + Country wise facts and examples.
Draw SCO countries rough map or Hub-Spoke diagram.
Conclusion (Way forward: 2-3 points).

CSM 2020: “Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries”. Comment with examples. 10 marks.

Divide question in parts.
Parts are (4): Pol of America (Both N and S), Eco of America, pol of Europe and eco of Europe.
10 marks = 10 points. 2 points on each subpart = 8 points.
Introduction: News background if any, facts about Diaspora.
Underline important keywords/examples of countries/diaspora.
Draw Table or Hub-Spoke diagram.
Conclusion (Way forward: 2-3 points).

ATB!!!

Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015), Author of Decode Ethics and Decode History Books

CSE-21 Topper Strategies:

DecodeCivils by Mudit Jain