Mains answer writing: be mechanical

You have approximately 9 minutes to write 250 words. That leaves not more than a minute in total to think and brainstorm on the answer. Effectively, you can’t think.

So be mechanical in your approach. Automate as much as possible: have 4 or 5 approaches ready, depending on your writing style.

Be ready with:

• 10 to 15 generic conclusions
• 20 to 30 introductions
• 100 definitions
• 10 to 12 types of subheadings
• Data points, topic by topic

Conclusions

Keep 10 to 15 generic conclusions you can adapt to the demand of the question. A conclusion must be balanced, optimistic and forward-looking, without any obvious shortcomings.

With the right mix of accelerators, including regulatory frameworks, educational ecosystems and government incentives, India can lead the XYZ while simultaneously enhancing the quality, equity and sustainability of its own growth and development outcomes.

This one works for most topics in education, health and entrepreneurship.

No doubt, XYZ is a welcome step. However, the government should also focus on the core issues of ABC and DEF to make the initiative successful.

• Women’s reservation is a step in the right direction. However, it must be complemented with reforms addressing the core issues of discrimination, a declining sex ratio and plummeting female labour participation.
• Lateral entry is a step in the right direction. However, the government cannot ignore the need for core civil service reforms, including, but not restricted to, protection from politicisation and partisanship.

Practise each with at least five different topics from the syllabus.