UPSC Mains Essay Paper — Previous Year Topics (2013–2025)

Truth knows no color.

Truth knows no color.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Thought finds a world and creates one also.

Thought finds a world and creates one also.

Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

The years teach much which the days never know.

The years teach much which the days never know.

It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.

It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.

Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.

Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.

The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.

The empires of the futures will be the empires of the mind.

There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.

There is no path to happiness, Happiness is the path.

The doubter is a true man of science.

The doubter is a true man of science.

Social media is triggering 'Fear of Missing Out' amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.

Social media is triggering 'Fear of Missing Out' amongst the youth precipitating depression and loneliness.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.

All ideas having large consequences are always simple.

All ideas having large consequences are always simple.

The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.

The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

Not all who wander are lost.

Not all who wander are lost.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands — two equally harmful disciplines.

Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands – two equally harmful disciplines.

Mathematics is the music of reason.

Mathematics is the music of reason.

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India

A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge

Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere

Management of Indian border disputes — a complex task

Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life

'The past' is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values

A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both

Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it

Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

Quick but steady wins the race.

Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.

Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.

Technology cannot replace manpower.

Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.

Dreams which should not let India sleep.

Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

With greater power comes greater responsibility.

Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?

Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?

Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.

Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?

Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?

Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?

Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?

Be the change you want to see in others — Gandhiji.

Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s success?

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.

Science and Technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.