Ira Singhal (IAS Rank-1) Essay improvement: From 90 marks(2010)to 160 marks(2014)

Описание: Essay from 90 marks (2010) to 160 marks (2014)

In my 2010 attempt, I got only 90/200 marks in the essay paper.
I had made mistake of picking an essay on “Geography may remain the same ; history need not”, because geography is my optional subject so I got excited. I wrote about evolution of landforms and everything. 10 out 12 pages I only wrote on geography. when I came out, I was super happy but after few days I realised it was unbalanced, because history wasn’t covered in sufficient length. 
In earlier three mains, I had content but presentation was bad / unbalanced, hence I lost marks.
Essay should be written in paragraphs and not in bullet points.
Feel free to use catch-phrases only if there are well known example “POSDCORB” in management field. Don’t invent your own catchphrases.
Don’t pick philosophical or vague essays, unless you’ve philosophy as optional. Else, what you’re writing, may not connect with the examiner. 
Your essay must cover all aspects, give equal attention to all of them. But Don’ run in all directions, your essay must connect with the examiner in a structured manner. It shouldn't look like fragmented ideas put together in paragraphs. Each paragraph should have some connection with the previous paragraph.
You need to give concrete points. Wider view necessary than depth. Example, this years’ Panipat question was asked in history section but it was connected with geography and economy. They’re no longer asking straight-subject based questions. What matters is your ability to think and analyse. Better discuss with peers. Try listening to everyone, especially with devil’s advocates.
I gave headings and subheadings.
I made underlines
I made mindmaps, diagrams and maps (e.g. map of India showing important tourist destinations).
I wrote about standardized test and tourism essay.

Tourism Essay structure
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In Mains-2014, I wrote two essays (1) Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? (2) Tourism: can this be the next big thing for India?
Here's how I approached second essay on Tourism
Introduction and global scenario: Rising disposable incomes and stress-level making people go on vacation.
Factors promoting global tourism like airlines, global hotel chains etc.
Types of tourism- adventure, health, eco, green, family, etc.
What sort of potential india has in each type- and map showing tourism sites.
Benefits of tourism for our country -eco, social, infra, etc.
Special ways that it can promote backward regions and segments of population
Negative points of promoting tourism
What are the current gaps - infrastructure, mindset, safety issues, govt support, transport, maintenance, guides etc type stuff and how to fix it.
How do we go forward and finally Conclusion

Venue: SPIPA, Ahmedabad
Date: 12 August 2015