Handling Difficult Questions in UPSC Mains

“Abstraction forces you to reach the highest level of the Basics” 

-Alan Soffer

“Abstract thinking leads to greater creativity” in real conditions UPSC aspirants do the opposite, rather intense focus and a widening of view are entailed for the examination. Abstract questions also seldomly called difficult questions are one of the trickiest parts of UPSC CSE, which are to be handled swiftly and with circumspection.

Consider a situation where a person finds oneself which one never faced earlier; it becomes difficult to overcome the situation in a short period of time. Similar situations are faced by UPSC CSE aspirants when they face hidden/abstract/unknown questions in UPSC CSE. These questions are used by UPSC to test the attitude and aptitude of aspirants in an unfamiliar situation and such questions make them different from the masses.

Now the question arises of how such questions can be handled swiftly in a stipulated time frame.

how to handle difficult questions in a stipulated time frame?

For making the best out of these questions, “TEST SERIES” becomes an unrivalled tool. With test series, a level of discipline is achieved in writing answers in a simulated environment where aspirants are able to write numerous questions in the same line. With persistence and perseverance, the aspirants are able to develop critical thinking to attempt such abstract/unknown questions which they can accomplish in a stipulated frame of time.

By attempting the right test series, the aspirants are able to epistemologically break the questions into short terms and then through a systematic approach they understand the question finally, they integrate the terms into the structure as demanded by the UPSC CSE. 

Thus the development of a 360 ° view of the subject which is achieved through the Test Series approach helps in the proper navigation of writing answers and achieving the goal of content and time management through the test series.

GS SCORE provides a test series unparalleled in its class in terms of the quality and nature of questions giving a simulated environment to aspirants where they can develop their critical thinking in solving such abstract /unknown questions and uplifting the creative ability of aspirants.

GS SCORE in the test series have included abstract nature of questions which are similar to UPSC CSE like 

1. UPSC: Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. 

GS SCORE: Discuss different types of igneous rocks on the basis of the mode of occurrence and landforms associated with them.

2. UPSC: Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising Indian soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better-equipped armies of the then-Indian rulers? Give reasons.

GS SCORE: The colonial state was qualitatively different from the pre-colonial Indian states, especially in the manner in which it marshalled military force and extracted resources from India”.

3. UPSC: Discuss the main contributions of the Gupta period and the Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.

GS SCORE: The art and culture of India have not developed continuously, rather there have been different phases, in which there was spectacular growth and phases, where there was a slow decline. Analyze the above statement in the context of the Gupta period.

4. UPSC: “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws.

GS SCORE: Discuss the role played by the Supreme Court of India in conserving natural resources with suitable examples.

5. UPSC: Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.

GS SCORE: The Model Code of Conduct, which comes into force during elections, has not met its stated objectives fully. What changes are required to make it effective during elections?

6. UPSC: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Governance and Social Justice

GS SCORE: Differently abled persons have to face not only physical barriers but also social stigmatisation by society. Discuss the challenges associated with social security infrastructure in India for differently-abled persons. Also, elucidate the features of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.-

7. UPSC: Clean energy is the order of the day.' Describe briefly India's changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. Governance

GS SCORE: Can India reap geopolitical and environmental advantages from International Solar Alliance? Discuss the barriers that must be overcome for its success.

GS SCORE makes a perfect simulated environment for aspirants by providing abstract/unknown questions in line with UPSC CSE making aspirants' navigation smooth and undistracted in accomplishing their aspirations. Our Test Series helps the aspirants in mapping their performance on tests and prepares them to give their BEST during the UPSC CSE.

ALL THE BEST!!!

-Abhishiekh Saxena

Faculty, GS SCORE