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Common Mistakes In UPSC Mains Answer Writing, Tips and Trick

Common mistakes in UPSC Mains answer writing can be avoided to enhance performance. Learn how to avoid common mistakes in UPSC Mains answer writing.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit14 Jun, 2025
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Common Mistakes In UPSC Mains Answer Writing

 

Common Mistakes in UPSC Mains Answer Writing often become the deciding factor between selection and rejection in the final list. Despite having good knowledge and a strong grasp of the  UPSC Mains syllabus, many aspirants fail to secure high marks due to avoidable errors in structuring, presentation, and time management. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for refining your writing approach and aligning it with the expectations of UPSC examiners. Find out the 5 most common mistakes in UPSC Mains answer writing and how to avoid them!

5 Most Common Mistakes In UPSC Mains Answer Writing

It is the art of writing effective answers in the UPSC Mains because it is not only limited to showcasing your knowledge but also to presenting your answer in a structured and relevant manner. Avoiding these pitfalls helps the candidates to enhance the quality of their answers. Let us explore the common mistakes in answer writing that candidates often make while attempting the exam and understand how to correct them for better performance.

1. Do Not Skip Any Questions: All Questions Should Be Answered

Foremost and one of the common mistakes in answer writing is ‘skipping questions’. While attempting the UPSC Mains, it is essential to attempt every question. Unanswered questions or leaving them can significantly reduce the chances of candidates scoring well.

Why is this a Mistake?

  • Incomplete Papers: It is not sufficient to write excellent answers to questions; skipping a few of them can result in incomplete papers, which will affect the overall score.
  • Missed Opportunities: Every question is an opportunity to score marks. Missing out on any opportunity can lead to failure.

How to Avoid It?

  • Time Management: Adopt the skill of effective time management during UPSC Mains answer writing practice. Allocate specific time for each question and follow it diligently.
  • Prioritization: Candidates must start attempting the questions they are confident about. Conversely, candidates should ensure that they have enough time to attempt all questions.

2. Do Not Dissect Keywords from Sentences

Another mistake that happens is addressing questions improperly by ‘dissecting Keywords from Sentences’. Candidates often fail to understand the keywords and the demands of the question.

Why is this a Mistake?

  • Misinterpretation: Generally, misinterpretation takes place due to not paying attention to keywords in a question, which results in irrelevant answers.
  • Incomplete Answers: Ignoring keywords can result in incomplete, non-relatable answers that do not answer all parts of the question, leading to mark deduction.

How to Avoid It?

  • Identify Keywords: A candidate should practice identifying and understanding keywords in the questions during UPSC Mains answer writing practice.
  • Tailored Answers: Candidates must ensure their answers address the keywords and the overall question comprehensively.

3. Do Not Neglect Keywords

Closely related to the previous point, neglecting keywords is one of the mistakes to avoid in UPSC Mains answer writing. Keywords guide a candidate to what the examiner is looking for in your answer.

Why is this a Mistake?

  • Off-Topic Answers: Ignoring keywords can lead to off-topic answers, which do not help the candidate to score good marks.
  • Missing Key Points: Neglecting keywords can result in missing the important points that should be included in your answer.

How to Avoid It?

  • Keyword Highlighting: During UPSC Mains answer writing practice, highlight keywords in questions to focus on them while writing your answers.
  • Focused Writing: Keep your writing focused on the keywords, ensuring all aspects of the question are covered.

4. Use Both Specific Points and Generic Points

A candidate should write a balanced answer that contains both specific and generic points. Neglecting this balance is another common mistake in answer writing. Do not write the whole answer with general points or with specific points only.

Why is this a Mistake?

  • Lack of Depth  Answers formed with only generic points lack depth and specificity, while answers with only specific points may not cover the broader perspective.
  • Imbalanced Answers: Focusing only on one type of point can make your answers incomplete or imbalanced.

How to Avoid It?

  • Integrated Approach: Candidates must practice incorporating both specific and generic points while drafting answers during UPSC Mains answer writing practice.
  • Structured Answers: Prepare a strategy and then structure your answers to include a mix of generic and specific points, providing a comprehensive response.

5. Avoid Space Leaving and Manage Time

While drafting the answers, many students leave excessive space to complete the page limit in a stipulated time. This is a wrong practice and leads to negative results and poor time management, which are significant mistakes to avoid in UPSC Mains answer writing.

Why is this a Mistake?

  • Wasted Space: Leaving too much space in your answer sheet can make your answers look disorganized and may give the impression of an incomplete answer.
  • Incomplete Papers: Poor time management can lead to incomplete papers, which unintentionally leads to leaving space, and it leaves a negative impression, affecting your overall score.

How to Avoid It?

  • Practice: Regular UPSC Mains answer writing practice helps candidates understand how much space to provide while writing and how to manage time effectively.
  • Time Allocation: Allocate specific times to each question and follow your schedule to ensure you complete the paper.
Regular practice, time management, and focusing on keywords are key strategies that candidates can use to improve their answer-writing skills. Remember, each answer is an opportunity to showcase your knowledge and analytical skills, which will take you closer to qualifying for the UPSC exam.
The time is running for the UPSC exam, so stay ahead in your preparation journey with the courses by Physics Wallah . Enroll now!

Common Mistakes In UPSC Mains Answer Writing FAQs

What are some common mistakes in answer writing for UPSC Mains?

Some common mistakes in answer writing for UPSC Mains include skipping questions, not understanding the keywords, neglecting keywords, not balancing specific and generic points, and poor time management.

Why should all questions be answered in UPSC Mains?

All questions should be answered because leaving questions unanswered can significantly reduce your overall score. Attempting every question maximizes your chances of scoring well.

How can neglecting keywords impact your UPSC Mains answers?

Neglecting keywords can lead to off-topic or incomplete answers, as keywords guide the specific points that need to be addressed in your answers.

Why is it important to use both specific points and generic points in answers?

Using both specific and generic points provides a balanced and comprehensive answer, ensuring depth and wide coverage of the topic in your answer, which is necessary for scoring well in the UPSC Mains.

How can regular practice help avoid mistakes in UPSC Mains answer writing?

Regular UPSC Mains answer writing practice helps in understanding question keywords, managing time effectively, balancing points, and ensuring all questions are attempted.

How important is answer structure in UPSC Mains?

Very important. Poor structure can confuse the examiner and reduce marks.
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