ESSAY ENRICHMENT

PROGRAM 2024
Target 145+ in Essay



 

Essay

MK Yadav Sir Divya Ma'am

Template Mentor Essay Mentor
 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

TARGET 145+: AN APPROACH TO WRITING A SCORING ESSAY

BY DIVYA RATURI MA’AM

Essay is indeed one of the least understood and underrated, yet scoring paper, in the entire CSE Mains
examination scheme. Time and again, aspirants have come up with fluctuating scores in essay over the years.
So, what makes some candidates score consistently well (140-150+) every time? What are they doing right?
With UPSC, one can only make an educated guess.

Here are some pointers that will enable you to develop a consistent strategy & approach to writing a scoring
essay. These have been tried & tested by theIAShub’s selected candidates, thus, offer a credible blueprint.
1. What sources should one study for writing a brilliant essay?
• You may refer the same sources as you’ve referred for the GS exam preparation, including optionals.
• Basically, it is the same knowledge pool and content bank. Only the approach changes ie. you’ve to
write in a precise manner in GS answers and in detail explanation format in an Essay.
• Word of Caution - Do not overuse your optionals knowledge. It would limit your ability to generate
general and varied dimensions. Do not make your essay too complex.
2. What kind of language should one use?
• Remember, it’s not about writing heavy words and showing the strength of your vocabulary. Write an
essay which can be understood by anyone ie. write in a simple yet lucid language.
• Do not forcefully insert complicated words, it will only break the natural flow of your thought.
• If you really want to appreciate the power of simplicity, do listen to US ex-president Barak Obama’s
presidential speech of 2008 (available on YouTube). He used the simplest possible vocabulary, and yet
very powerfully expressed his thoughts.
• And have neat, clean, & legible handwriting. You’re not in a calligraphy competition!
• Word of Caution – Simple language does not mean simplistic language. Do not hesitate to be creative
with language - use keywords, quotes, idioms etc and make your essay interesting. Of course, this ability
comes with reading good articles, books etc.
3. Should one write essay in point format? And draw diagrams, just like GS answers?
• A 1000-1200 words essay should preferably be written in a paragraph format, with small paragraphs (to
break the monotony).
• Each paragraph should have a unique idea which must not be repeated anywhere else in the essay
(don’t unnecessarily break single idea paragraphs).
• You can divide the entire essay into 6-7 major parts and give relevant sub-headings.
• Avoid mindmaps/diagrams or use only if it goes with the overall flow of your idea. Do not attempt to
“force fit”. You can use tables to show data, if necessary, or maps.
• Word of Caution – Proper structuring of essay is crucial. Prepare a rough outline of your essay, in the
rough space provided, before actually attempting it. This requires brainstorming of points and
prioritising them to give a proper flow to the essay.
4. How should one go about choosing the Topic?
• Choice of topic must be based on familiarity with the topic. If you are comfortable with the topic, ideas
will flow naturally. You have to own the topic!
• Choose a topic where you can generate more dimensions and have a reasonable depth of knowledge.
• Remember to stick to the topic. Keep a grip on the central theme throughout the essay. Deviation from
the topic ends up irritating the evaluator and results in poor marks.

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

• Word of Caution – Do not unnecessarily choose a difficult, unconventional topic. A good topic with bad
content will (definitely!) not fetch marks.
5. How important is writing an introduction? How to write a catchy introduction?
• Well begun is half done! A catchy introduction captures the interest of the examiner (who probably is
dead bored with correcting several essays!). It gives a sneak peek into what more interesting ideas await
in rest of the pages.
• Preferably, start with a relevant quote! If need be, you may explain it.
• You may narrate a historical anecdote, state a current situation (fact, news etc.), relate a personal story,
pose a counter question, can extrapolate a future happening based on current scenario etc.
• Develop a good quote bank (for introduction & conclusion). Memorising takes time, so begin early. Try
jotting down good lines, quotes, examples, stories, case studies, etc. from daily newspaper editorials or
other readings. Try compiling the quotes theme-wise – for eg. Women, Economy, Education, Health,
International Relations etc. (We have done this for you!).
• Word of Caution – Do not overuse quotes or straight jacket them where they do not belong.
6. How can one cover all the major dimensions in the body of the essay?
You may use these well-tested techniques to gather dimensions –
• Temporal Analysis – Past, Present and Future
• PESTLE Analysis – Polity, Economics, Science, Tech, Law, Env.
• Level Analysis – Personal, Family, State, National, International
• Stakeholder Analysis – Govt, Public, Business, Media, NGOs etc.
• GS syllabus based – Geography, History, Society, Polity, Governance, International Relations, Economy,
IS, S&T, Environment, Disaster Management, Ethics etc.
• Word of Caution – In an attempt to generate too many dimensions, do not forget to maintain the flow
and central idea of the essay. Your ideas, point of view and vision must be solid, dimensions are to be
used only to expand on them.
7. How can one enrich the essay and make it stand apart?
• As mentioned earlier, before attempting, make a rough framework of the essay and jot down all the
important dimensions in the rough space provided. This will help you to remember all your enrichment
points and stick to the topic, otherwise you may lose track!
• Cite important facts, Keywords, SDGs, Committee’s name, SC judgements, World Summit, Parliamentary
Law, words from PM/President/Vice-President speeches, thoughts of famous thinkers, NITI Ayog
Reports, Important Indices/ Index, current affairs news etc.
• Simply generating issues is not enough, give innovative solutions, or a positive way ahead.
• Word of Caution – For every argument you make, back it up with facts or examples to lend weight to
your opinions.
8. What else?
• Time Management – Preferably, assign 5 minutes to select the topic, 20 to prepare broad framework
and brainstorm, 1 hrs to write the essay, 5 minutes to quickly review.
• Practice, Practice, Practice – The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war. Practice at least 5-
6 essays before the exam (Ideally, till you start hitting the 130+ Mark).
• Go through last 20-25 years’ essay topics - This will also help assess the oft repeated topics and aid you
in preparing ready reference fodder on various topics (We have shared in this handout!)
• You may also refer to the answer copies of past toppers to have an idea and give few tests to help you
in self -evaluation.

ALL THE BEST!

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

REGISTER NOW!

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

THEME-WISE PREVIOUS 25+ YEARS’ ESSAY TOPICS

1. HISTORICAL
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man. - 2022
• History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce. – 2021

2. SOCIETY & CULTURE

• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. – 2023
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have. 2020
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the Gates-Buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm
shift? -2010
• Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
• As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
• Youth culture today. -1999
• The composite culture of India. -1998
• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
• True religion cannot be misused. -1997
• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
• The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994

3. WOMEN & GENDER ISSUES

• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines. – 2023
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality. -2020
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? -2012
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
• If women ruled the world -2005
• The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
• Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
• Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
• Men have failed: let women take over. -1996
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
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4. EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & SKILL DEVELOPMENT

• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. -2023
• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! - 2023
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil -2015
• Are the standardized tests a good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2011
• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges - 2011
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses? -2008
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right from childhood. -2007
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
• What is real education? -2005
• Privatization of higher education in India. -2002
• Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. - 1996
• Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995

5. HEALTH & NUTRITION

• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
• Food security for sustainable national development -2005

6. POLITY, GOOD GOVERNANCE , COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM

• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. - 2023
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
• Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality. -2016
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
-2014
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013
• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms
‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian
democracy -2012
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication
-2011
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -
2007
• Justice must reach the poor -2005
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
• Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
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• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997

• Judicial activism. -1997
• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
• Need for transparency in public administration -1996
• Whither Indian democracy? -1995
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994

7. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & GLOBALISATION

• Technology as the silent factor in international relations. – 2020
• South Asian societies are woven not around the state but around their plural cultures and plural
identities. -2019
• Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
• Geography may remain the same; history need not. -2010
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
• Globalization’ vs. ‘Nationalism’ -2009
• Good fences make good neighbours -2009
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006
• Terrorism and world peace -2005
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. -2004
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
• The masks of new imperialism. -2003
• The implications of globalization for India. -2000
• My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
• India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
• The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1995

8. ECONOMY & INCLUSIVE GROWTH

• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social
justice is meaningless - 2020
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India. -2017
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. - 2016
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices
for judging the wellbeing of a country. -2013

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• Is the criticism that the ‘Public-Private-Partnership’ (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than
a boon in the Indian context, justified? -2012
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009
• Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
• BPO boom in India. -2007
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006
• Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs. -1994

9. ENVT, CLIMATE CHANGE & DISASTER MGMT.

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. -2022
• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
• Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1995

10. INTERNAL SECURITY

• Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018
• In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating
terrorism -2011
• Are we a ‘soft’ state? -2009
• National identity and patriotism -2008

11. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• Mathematics is the music of reasons. – 2023
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. - 2021
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations. - 2020
• Rise of artificial intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling
and upskilling. -2019
• Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
• Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible? -2012
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
• The lure of space. -2004
• Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
• Modern technological education and human values. -2002
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
• Value-based science and education. -1999
• The modern doctor and his patients. -1997

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12. MASS MEDIA/ SOCIAL MEDIA/ CINEMA

• Biased media is a real threat to Indian Democracy.- 2019
• ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
• Is sting operation an invasion of privacy? -2014
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
• Role of media in good governance -2008
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? - 2007
• Responsibility of the media in a democracy. -2002
• Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
• The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998

13. PHILOSOPHICAL, ABSTRACT , QUOTE BASED

PHILOSOPHICAL ESSAYS HAVE BEEN BASED ON

➢ Morals, Values & Attitudes: like Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality, Justice, Objectivity & Rationality, Empathy,
Compassion, Open mindedness & Tolerance, Forgiveness, Dedication, Wisdom, Simplicity, Courage, Creativity,
Critical Thinking, Leadership (Visionary), Proactiveness, etc.
➢ Emotional Intelligence: Self Awareness & Self-Management, Social Awareness & Relationship Management,
Conflict resolution etc
➢ Moral Thinkers: Quotes, teachings.

• Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. - 2023
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. - 2023
• Not all who wander are lost. - 2023
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane. – 2023
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for- 2022
• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining- 2022
• You cannot step twice in the same river- 2022
• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities- 2022
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right- 2022
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. - 2021
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. - 2021
• Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. - 2021
• The real is rational and the rational is real. - 2021
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. - 2021
• There are better practices to “best practices”. – 2021
• Life is long journey between human being and being humane. - 2020
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self. - 2020
• Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them. -
2020
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - 2020
• Wisdom finds truth. - 2019
• Values are not what humanity is but what humanity is ought to be. -2019

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for society- 2019

• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are keys to success. -2019
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life. – 2018
• ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values 2018
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
• Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
• Words are sharper than the sword- 2014
• With greater power comes greater responsibility- 2014
• Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
• The pursuit of excellence. -2005
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
• If youth knew, if age could. -2002
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
• Truth is lived, not taught -1996
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. -1994

==========================================================================================

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
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•
YEAR-WISE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS’ ESSAY TOPICS

2023
Section A
1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
2. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
3. Not all who wander are lost.
4. Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

Section B
5. Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands- two equally harmful disciplines.
6. Mathematics is the music of reasons.
7. A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
8. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

2022

Section A
1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence
2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man
4. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for

Section B
5. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining
6. You cannot step twice in the same river
7. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
8. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

2021
Section A
1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
2. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
3. Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
4. The real is rational and the rational is real.

Section B
5. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
6. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
7. History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.
8. There are better practices to “best practices”.

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
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2020

Section A
1. Life is long journey between human being and being humane
2. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
3. Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them
4. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Section B
5. Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have
6. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social
justice is meaningless
7. Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality
8. Technology as the silent factor in international relations

2019
Section A
1. Wisdom finds truth
2. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be
3. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society
4. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success

Section B
5. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural
identities
6. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness
7. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy
8. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling
and upskilling

2018
Section A
1. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
2. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
3. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
4. Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task

Section B
5. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
6. “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
7. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
8. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
Under the Guidance of Divya Raturi Ma’am

2017
Section A
1. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
2. Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India.
3. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
4. Has the Non- Alignment Movement(NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world.

Section B
5. Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
6. Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
7. We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
8. Social media is inherently a selfish medium.

2016
Section A
1. If development is not engendered, it is endangered
2. Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed
3. Water disputes between states in federal India
4. Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare

Section B
5. Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality
6. Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run
7. Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms
8. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality

2015
Section A
1. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
2. Quick but steady wins the race.
3. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
4. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.

Section B
5. Technology cannot replace manpower.
6. Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.
7. Dreams which should not let India sleep.
8. Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

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 ESSAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME: TARGET MAINS 2024
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2014
Section A
1. With greater power comes greater responsibility.
2. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
3. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
4. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.

Section B
5. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
6. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
7. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
8. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?

2013
1. “Be The Change You Want To See In Others” – Gandhiji
2. Is the colonial mentality hindering india’s success?
3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices
for judging the well-being of a country
4. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.

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SINCE AGES, WE ARE LIVING ON THIS PLANET

1 AS IF WE HAD ANOTHER ONE TO GO TO

Note: The aim of this document is to give varied dimensions and broad fodder points for the essay topics.
These are meant to serve only as indicative frameworks for students to build further upon. Essays are a
subjective expression of one’s point of view. So, content, context, and dimensions may change from one
person to another.

MODEL APPROACH
DEMAND OF THE TOPIC:
The topic mainly requires addressing major issues related with overall environmental degradation over the
period of time. These major issues are - climate change, pollution, extraction of earth’s resources, extinction of
various species, etc. It also (indirectly) questions the so-called “Development” which the human race has
achieved, and the efforts, achievements, hurdles, and future of sustainable development paradigm.
INTRODUCTION
The essay can be started with
1) Quotes: For e.g.-
• “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.”- Mahatma Gandhi
• “The greatest danger to future of our planet is apathy.”- Jane Goodall
• “Here we are, the cleverest species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we
have?” - Jane Goodall.
• “The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant
except in a picture book?”- David Attenborough.
2) Reports/ facts:
• IUCN data - world will witness loss of 20% of its biodiversity (flora and fauna) by the end of this century.
• UNEP Report - A healthy environment plays a key role in meeting almost all the 17 SDGs!
• Current Warming: Earth already warmed by 1.1°C over preindustrial level (100% due to manmade
causes). Climate Tipping Point: Immense damage if temperature breaches 1.5°C.
• Vulnerability [Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI), 2021]
- Developing countries More Vulnerable - 8 out of top 10 affected countries (2000-2019) belonged
to the low or lower-middle income group.
- Developed countries equally vulnerable ➔ Eg. Japan Ranked 4th Most Vulnerable.
• Our Common Future Report, Brundtland Report, 1987- “Humanity’s inability to fit its activities into that
pattern is changing planetary systems, fundamentally. Many such changes are accompanied by life-
threatening hazards. This new reality, from which there is no escape, must be recognized and managed.”

FODDER POINTS FOR MAIN BODY

Broad Outline/Essay flow
1. Connecting introduction with significance of environment for the whole humanity.
2. Despite widely acknowledged looming climate change threat, why delays in dealing with or ignorance
towards environmental issues.

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3. Consequences of such ignorance/ inaction/ procrastination/ negotiation deadlock/ current scenario.

4. The other side of the coin/ positives/ what we have done at various levels.
5. What more needs to be done at individual/ societal/ national / and international level.
6. Concluding essay on positive note.
7. Note: Give a Short sub heading for each dimension.

1. Importance of the environment & ecology for mankind:

“Environment: A Cornerstone to Human Existence”
• Prerequisite for life - providing food, oxygen, water, shelter for humans and habitat for innumerable
wild flora and fauna.
• Economic activities - Raw material for almost all the industries is derived from nature eg.-timber,
minerals, sandstones, etc.
• Industrial activities- eg: (a) tourism and modern-day adventure sports industry- eg. diving, snorkelling,
rafting (b) pharma & cosmetics - total dependence on extracts and essences from nature.
• Social practices - Festivals, traditions strongly connected with nature, eg. North East India festivals,
Cheraw dance (famous Bamboo dance from Mizoram), Bishnoi Community worshiping and believing in
coexistence with nature and other living beings in the surrounding areas.
• Cultural significance - Sacred groves supporting cultural linkages of various communities in India.

2. Why apathy/ignorance towards Environmental issue:

“The Climate Change Denial”
• Growth at any cost – a race for higher production among nations - journey from extraction to irrational
exploitation, to reach the top of economic ladder (“Race to the Top” that inevitable results in “Race to
the Bottom”).
“As long as people and governments treat climate and environment as marginal to development, and
well-being as marginal to GDP growth, climate change impacts will strain and tear every weak stitch
of the world’s economic and development fabric.” (Quote for reference purpose)
• Population is increasing rapidly vis a vis Resources: Human population continues its explosive growth
— estimated today at 7.7 billion — and large segments of that population seek more affluent and more
consumptive ways of life. The human numbers and growing impact stress every aspect of Earth’s
systems.
• Tragedy of Commons Theory: resources of the earth are not shared properly, rather self-interests are
at the core when people are using resources.
• Developing nation’s dilemma: Development vs. Environmental conservation. Eg. Brazil’s arguments for
deforestation in the Amazon rainforest area. Need for (limited & shrinking) Carbon space for economic
growth and to pull out millions from the abyss of poverty. Social cost of giving up fossil fuels is too high.
• Developed Vs Developing Countries Perspectives- e.g. deadlocked climate change negotiations, need
for Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, demand for “loss and damage”, more
flexibilities for Developing nations, Developed country hesitant in committing finance & technology
transfer, Nation before Earth (America first policy led to its withdrawal from UNFCCC) etc.
• It is an Issue of “Global Willpower”, not of Global Capacity – In fact, shifting the world onto low carbon
path would eventually benefit the economy by 1.8 Trillion Euros a year.
• Near absent “Environmental Literacy” ➔ Ignorance among people
- Poor Environmentally responsible behaviour - It is the “behaviour that consciously seeks to
minimize the negative impact of one’s actions on the natural and built world”. People ignorant of
ways in which they contribute to climate degradation; and manner in which they can rescue the
environment.
- Constructed apathy – resigned to believe that their individual actions would mean almost nothing
for the global issue of climate change.

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3. Major consequences (give as many examples as you can)

“Drifting toward a Climate Catastrophe”
• Socio- Economic Consequences:
- Increased poverty – Give data points wherever possible for eg. Estimates indicate that by 2030 more
than 100 million people could fall back into extreme poverty due to climate change (UNDP)
✓ High poverty ➔ less choice about resource use ➔ wasteful use of resources ➔ even greater
environmental degradation
- High level of inequality - Initial inequality makes disadvantaged groups suffer disproportionately
from the adverse effects of climate change, resulting in greater subsequent inequality. (UNDESA)
➔ climate becomes another conduit for reinforcing existing inequalities.
✓ The gap between the economic output of the world’s richest and poorest countries is 25% larger
today than it would have been without global warming (research from Stanford University).
✓ Threatens Intergenerational equity
✓ Inequality erodes social cohesion and undermines individual willingness to engage in collective
action. It weakens the sense of social responsibility that is vital to foster demand for pro-
environmental policies.
✓ High inequality hampers the development and adoption of new green technologies.
- Low HDI – climate change exacerbating poverty, poor incomes, health impacts, infrastructure
damage (due to increased frequency of disasters), displacement, etc.
- Impact on food security
- Loss of Livelihood of people
- Increasing number of “Climate Change Refugees” – For eg. within India, around 50 lakh internal
displacements caused by disasters and extreme weather conditions like floods, cyclones and
drought in 2019 ➔ highest in the world. (Source: State of India's Environment 2020).
- Negative impact on Living Standards of people especially in developing world ➔ frontal threat on
our national objective to deliver “Ease of Living”.
- COVID-19 is alarm bell for climate change- more outbreaks may follow
• Ecological and Biospheric consequence:
- The rate of species extinction continues to accelerate, diminishing Earth’s biodiversity and
weakening the web of life which sustains us all. For eg. Year 2019 witnessed extinction of 7 wildlife
species- IUCN
- Plastic gyres in Pacific Ocean can be seen from space.
- Increased frequency of forest fires- eg. recent disastrous forest fires in Australia, USA etc.
• India specific consequences:
- Global Climate Risk Index (GCRI), 20201
✓ India is the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change induced extreme weather events
✓ India recorded the highest number of fatalities due to climate change and the 2nd highest
monetary losses (over $37,000 million = 4 times India’s Health Budget) from its impact in 2018.
- Loss of Man hours & productivity – By 2030, India would lose about 6% of its working hours due to
heat stress, a productivity loss equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs (Source: ILO report)
- Increasing pollution eg. Indian cities in WHO most polluted cities of the world list
- Increased Monsoon Anomalies
- Recent Locust Attack
- India lost its Parali island: climate change standing at our doorsteps!

• International consequences:
- Water crisis - Cape Town case study

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- Increasing deforestation eg. Of the countries that lost the most forest since 2001, the top five are
located in the Global South namely - Brazil, Indonesia, Columbia, Peru, Bolivia (i.e rainforests
countries of the world) - The World Resources Institute Report
- Climate change evidence - melting glaciers, increasing temperatures in polar regions, etc.
- Increased International water dispute, eg. India and all its neighbours - China (Brahmaputra river),
Pakistan (Kishanganga), Nepal ( source of Mahakali), Bangladesh (Teesta) etc.
- Climate change refugees ➔ Xenophobia, conflicts, etc.

4. Another side of the coin/ positives:

“Green Shoots of Efforts”
• India’s ancient heritage and culture which recognizes that every Atma/ Jiva is a part of Parmatma
philosophy and ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam philosophy’
• Successful examples of individual initiatives
- The Forest man of India - Jadav Payeng who transformed barren sandbars of Brahmaputra into
lush green forest reserves.
- Tulsi Gowda, aged 76, planted innumerable plants, and also looks after the nurseries of the Forest
Department.
- Common people - bringing lifestyle changes, opting for sustainable food, fashion etc. People are
going back to organic food, eco-friendly homes, practices etc.
• Collective Environmental movements like
- Chipko, Appiko, Narmada Bachao Andolan etc
- Contemporary NGOs- Vandana Shiva, Suniti Narain- Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
• Current Government's initiatives like
- International Solar Alliance, One Sun-One World-One Grid Plan, and other initiatives.
- India’s actions and programs related with UN-SDGs.
- Local initiatives e.g. ban on plastic, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework,
Environment regulation rules, acts, policies and related Institutions.
• Increasing awareness at international level
- INDCs finalised
- Green Deal by European Commission was announced for member nations to cut emissions by at
least 50% by 2030 & go net zero by 2050.
- Gender Action Plan (GAP) – Adoption of new five-year gender action plan (GAP), intended to
“support the implementation of gender-related decisions and mandates in the UNFCCC process”.
- Awareness generation – IPCC’s Special Reports
- Climate protests - Hope for the future: Positive events initiated by Greta Thunberg.

5. What More needs to be done

“Tackling the climate crisis”
• “We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do
something about it.” - Barack Obama
• Reject Climate Change denial - the truth of our crisis is obvious, and the need for transformational
change is clear.
• Industrial level - Producers responsibility towards environment- applying strict Polluters Pay Rules
• Inculcating values in our children like switching lights when not required (small changes make big
impacts)
• Societal level - promoting practices like donating trees/ adopting trees on occasion of social- political
functions instead of felicitations with garlands.
- Piplantri Village Model (Rajasthan) - they plant 111 trees to celebrate the birth of every girl child.

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• National level - Increasing role of local governments, incentives for social forestry, better and effective
implementation of existing plethora of schemes and initiatives, stabilize GHG emissions, reduce
emissions by 2/3rd by 2050, improve energy conservation and efficiency, introduce new regulations eg.
transportation and building codes, raise price of fossil fuels and establish a carbon tax etc.
• International level:
- Not reactive but proactive policies and programmes for implementation.
- Increasing awareness - supporting international efforts like Earth Hour
- International community – Governments, private sector, media, NGOs etc must work together to
act against climate change. For eg. Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
- Global south- south cooperation for stricter implementation of common but differentiated
responsibilities principle.
- Paris Deal plus approach - more ambitious targets, while ensuring welfare of all.
- Ability of developing countries to take on ambitious targets hinges on availability of finance,
technology, and capacity building ➔ Thus, developed countries, the historical polluters, must fulfil
their commitments under the Pre 2020 agreement.
- More transparent rules and guidelines for usage and utility of Global Commons (Atmosphere, Outer
space, The high seas, Antarctica) etc.
- Consensus on outcomes will be achieved only if trust is built. Thus, the platform provided by Talanoa
dialogue must be used optimally.
• Need to stop being an “individual” and work as a “collective force” - “We cannot, of course, save the
world, because we do not have authority over its parts. We can serve the world, though. That is
everyone’s calling, to lead a life that helps.” - Barry Lopez

6. Conclusion on a positive note:

“Facing Daunting Challenge, with Our Indomitable Spirits”
• Connecting all arguments with a major argument that - Earth is a living planet- everything is
connected and there is Core Interdependence of all living and non-living things on the planet, which is
the key to survival!
• One can end the essay by addressing that there are multiple problems but simultaneously multiple
possibilities!
• OR can conclude an essay by using quotes such as:
“The environment is at the brim. It is our collective responsibility to work together for providing a
brighter future for the coming generations – a lifestyle that is self-sustaining, resources that are
adequate for all, development that is not compromising our ecosystem, flora-fauna and wildlife that
are in safe hands and the land, water and air that are fit for humans and other forms of life.”
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ROUGH FLOW-MAPS

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