Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000–1200 words each. 125×2=250

SECTION—A
1. Truth knows no color.
2. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
3. Thought finds a world and creates one also.
4. Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

SECTION—B
5. Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.
6. The years teach much which the days never know.
7. It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.
8. Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

⸻


UPSC’s affinity for Philosophical Essays continue.

Before I give you my take on the essays, let’s do a mini exercise.

1. Choose one essay each, and tell me why you chose what you chose.

2. Give a structure and overarching themes you would touch.

3. Later you can write and use https://t.me/UpscAWE_bot for feedback.

@UPSCneil

Parkinson’s Law for UPSC: shrink a day’s syllabus into tight 2-hour blocks. Finish the chapter, not the clock.

@UPSCneil

GS1 2025:


1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (Answer in 150 words)
2. Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism. (Answer in 150 words)
3. “The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.” Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
4. How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
5. What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)
6. Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)
7. What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
8. How does a smart city in India address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice? (Answer in 150 words)
9. The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness—Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
10. Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer. (Answer in 150 words)
11. Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)
12. Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations. (Answer in 250 words)
13. The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. (Answer in 250 words)
14. Give a geographical explanation of the distribution of off-shore oil reserves of the world. How are they different from the on-shore occurrences of oil reserves? (Answer in 250 words)
15. How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones be effectively used along with GIS and RS techniques in locational and areal planning? (Answer in 250 words)
16. Discuss how the changes in shape and sizes of continents and ocean basins of the planet take place due to tectonic movements of the crustal masses. (Answer in 250 words)
17. Discuss the distribution and density of population in the Ganga River Basin with special reference to land, soil and water resources. (Answer in 250 words)
18. How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience. (Answer in 250 words)
19. Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India—Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
20. Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion. (Answer in 250 words)

@UPSCneil

UPSC GS1 2025 Live Breakdown I Generating points using Common Sense, Actual Question and Frameworks

https://youtu.be/jypkuiuEQJ8

UPSC CSE Mains GS2 2025 Live Breakdown: Generate Points with Common Sense Frameworks

https://youtu.be/L_8iKICxWpc

Stacks may rise, nights may blur—but choose the tougher page today, and you’ll earn the smoother road tomorrow. 💪📚

@UPSCneil

UPSC Mains GS3 Paper 2025 Analysis I Most Practical I Live Points Generation

https://youtu.be/tjPGFVknvWw

When the day’s pages close, it’s just you and your dream - with all its quirks and doubts.

So breathe, enjoy the tiny moments, and keep becoming the officer you already see in your mind. 🌙

@UPSCneil

Prelims is unpredictable but utilising basic sources and common sense in the right way is the key. Click below to see the application.

Instagram👇:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNxyTCc4oRh/?igsh=Ym9idTQ1NnFtbmZl

Testimonials:
https://t.me/Neil_You/1741

App details:
https://t.me/Neil_You/1765

Trust the timeline. Keep tending the seeds, and let the victory arrive in its own perfect season. 🌱

@UPSCneil

🪔 Why Ganesh ji is Worshipped First 🪔

When asked to circle the world, Ganesh ji didn’t rush across lands or seas.
He simply walked around his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati because he knew they were his real world, his true treasure.

In life too, success isn’t always about speed.
It’s about knowing what truly matters and placing your energy there.
Be like Ganesh ji. Be wise. Circle the treasure.

🌺 Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
May Lord Ganesha bless you with the wisdom to recognise your true treasures and the courage to walk steadily around them.

For Mains appearing students regarding optional paper attempt strategy:

Before time begins after QCAB distribution, find qns to attempt. Find qns that you know most subparts in.

Attempt 80 marks worth of easy paper first to gain momentum and pick the low hanging fruits, in the first hour from the ones you choose. Then Q1 and Q5 compulsory ones in around 75-80mins since they would be complex and then the remaining paper.

@UPSCneil

All mains and DAW enrolled students must have received the link for the Mains Sherlocking Meet, scheduled for Saturday, 30th August at 11.00 AM. If not, please contact @helpdeskupsc. The meeting link is also available in the app's chat section.

Choose the burn that builds, not the sting that lingers.

@UPSCneil

🏆 Happy National Sports Day 🏆

It’s not just about winning a race or hitting the perfect shot.

True sportsmanship is shaking hands after defeat, clapping for others when you didn’t make it, showing up even when you're tired, and playing fair even when no one is watching.

On the field just like in life, the game changes but the values don’t.

🥇 Respect.
🥈 Discipline.
🥉 Grit.
🤝 And the courage to try again, no matter how many times you fall.

Whether you’re an athlete on the ground, or a student running the daily marathon of life — sportsmanship is your quiet superpower.

Let’s celebrate that spirit today.
Let’s carry it beyond the track.

“I’m not cut out for this.”
“What if I fail again?”
“I’ll never finish the syllabus.”

Stop. These aren’t just thoughts — they’re spells you’re casting on yourself.

In UPSC prep, your self-talk becomes your fuel.
Speak like you’re someone who’s growing.
Act like you’re someone who will rise again.
And you will.

✨ What you whisper to yourself in quiet hours decides what the world hears on result day.

@UPSCneil

Some days, you won’t revise 3 chapters.
You won’t solve 50 MCQs.
You’ll just sit at your desk with sleepy eyes and a heavy heart and still try.

That’s courage, too.

📍 Getting out of bed when you’d rather give up?
That’s not laziness, that’s resilience in disguise.

Honor the quiet victories. They’re the bricks beneath your bigger ones.

@UPSCneil

Let’s have an open meet session on @UPSCneil around 7:30PM. Can leave queries if any there in advance.

Failed last year? Took a gap year? Burned out midway?
That’s not the end of your story. That’s where the gold starts.

Like kintsugi, your cracks, your disappointments, breakdowns, re-starts — aren’t stains on your journey.
They’re proof that you held on. That you rebuilt.

📖 The UPSC final list doesn’t just carry names.
It carries stories written in gold, of those who broke and still rose.

@UPSCneil