Check the complete UPSC Essay Paper 2025 with topics from Section A & B, detailed analysis, similarities, and answer writing strategy.
UPSC Essay Paper 2025
Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following Sections A and B, in about 1000–1200 words each:
(125 × 2 = 250 marks)
SECTION – A
- सत्य कोई रंग नहीं जानता है।
Truth knows no color. - बिना लड़े ही दुश्मन को परास्त करना युद्ध की सर्वोच्च कला है।
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. - विचार एक दुनिया खोजता भी है और एक बनाता भी है।
Thought finds a world and creates one also. - सबसे अच्छे सबक कड़वे अनुभवों से सीखे जाते हैं।
Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.
SECTION – B
- मैला पानी को अकेला छोड़ने से ही उसे सबसे अच्छा साफ किया जा सकता है।
Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone. - वर्ष बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं, जो दिन कभी नहीं जानाते।
The years teach much which the days never know. - जीवन को एक यात्रा के रूप में देखना सर्वोत्तम है, न कि एक गंतव्य के रूप में।
It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination. - संतोष प्राकृतिक संपत्ति है; विलासिता कृत्रिम निर्धनता है।
Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty
UPSC Essay Paper 2025- Analysis
1. Nature of the Essay Paper
- Unlike some previous UPSC essay papers which balance philosophical topics with contemporary/social issues (e.g., education, technology, women empowerment, globalization, federalism), this paper is entirely philosophical and abstract.
- All 8 topics demand reflection, interpretation, and articulation of life’s truths rather than factual recall or current affairs.
2. Section-wise Themes
Section A (Abstract, Idea-Centric)
- Truth, war without fighting, creativity of thought, and bitter experiences.
- These are rooted in universal principles (ethics, wisdom, human struggle).
- They test whether the candidate can philosophically interpret an idea while using real-life, historical, or policy-based examples.
Section B (Life Lessons, Value-Centric)
- Clearing muddy water, wisdom of time, life as a journey, contentment vs. luxury.
- These are personal growth and social value-based reflections.
- They require the candidate to show maturity, balance, and holistic perspective.
3. Skills Tested
This paper is not about knowledge but about:
- Philosophical depth – Can you interpret metaphors and extract meaning?
- Balanced thinking – Can you bring in multiple perspectives (individual, society, governance, global)?
- Integration – Using examples from history (e.g., Gandhi, Mandela), literature (Tagore, Tolstoy), science/technology, economics, and personal anecdotes.
- Writing skills – Coherence, flow, and ability to sustain abstract thought for 1000+ words.
4. Observed Similarities
- Essay 4 (Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences – A) is very similar in spirit to Essay 6 (The years teach much which the days never know – B). Both are about learning from time and hardship.
- Essay 3 (Thought finds a world and creates one – A) connects with Essay 7 (Life as a journey, not a destination – B), since both talk about perspective, creativity, and meaning-making.
- Essay 1 (Truth knows no color – A) resonates with Essay 8 (Contentment vs. luxury – B), both about values over superficiality.
- Essay 2 (War without fighting – A) has a unique flavor (strategic wisdom), but still shares reflective depth with B’s essays.
The overlap suggests UPSC wants candidates to show depth in abstract themes consistently, no matter which section they choose.
5. My Impression
- This is a challenging but scoring paper for candidates comfortable with abstract and philosophical writing.
- It levels the playing field – even someone with less “factual knowledge” but strong analytical and reflective writing ability could excel.
- It also signals that UPSC values ethical maturity and broad thinking in future administrators.
In short:
This is a very philosophy-heavy, abstract essay paper, designed to test intellectual depth, ethical reasoning, and holistic worldview rather than factual mastery.
If you found this helpful, you might also like these articles:
[https://upscmatters.com/indus-valley-civilization/ ]
[https://upscmatters.com/buddhism-a-complete-guide-for-upsc-history/]
[https://upscmatters.com/advent-of-europeans-in-india-arrival-expansion/]
They cover key concepts that will boost your preparation!
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