Ancient and Mediaeval History that were supposed to be strictly part of Prelims are now being regularly asked in the Mains Examination.

The above paper shows that Laxmikant is not sufficient for UPSC Mains.

My Analysis of the UPSC CSE GS Mains Paper-II (Polity, IR, Governance, and Social Justice)

1. The paper was above average and the questions were not direct and straight forward.
2. PYQs of UPSC are extremely important. Parallel questions can be found out in the past. Example: Question on Attorney General is parallel to the question on CAG in 2024. Similarly, the comparison of US and Indian President is a similar question from the past.
3. Every year, at least one question is now being asked from the Acts and Laws. This year it was Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act. This gives more importance to the laws passed in the Parliament.
4. Extreme focus on Judgments of the Supreme Court. Earlier, UPSC used to ask about the topics and Judgments were used to supplement the answers. But now, direct questions are being asked based on the verdicts of the Court.
5. The concepts asked in Governance and Social Justice are much beyond simple gender and child issues. The questions require thorough understanding of the topics and not just a shallow undeerstanding of the topics. If you are not well versed with the concepts and if you are not following the issues round the year, you will find it hard to understand deep linkages. Newspaper and current affairs are indispensible.
6. More quote based questions are being asked across the paper. These quotes are based on the important documents and joint statements. Just a summary of issues won't help in such papers. You need to read between the lines and go beyond just the headlines.
7. Every single question required a thorough understanding. Its difficult to write 20 such questions in 3 hours span. |

First timers would have found this paper a bit more tough.

Thanks.

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