UPSC CSE Mains 2025 starts today with beautifully crafted essay paper.
Today marked a significant milestone for thousands of UPSC aspirants across India as they sat for the UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025. Conducted by UPSC from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, this crucial examination kicked off the Mains phase, carrying the hopes and dreams of countless aspiring civil service aspirants.
The Weight of Words: Understanding Today’s Paper
The Essay Paper 2025 presented candidates with eight thoughtfully curated topics divided into two sections, each requiring deep introspection and analytical prowess. With 250 marks at stake and just three hours to craft two compelling 1000-1200 word essays, every minute counted for the aspirants who have spent months, sometimes years, preparing for this moment.
UPSC CSE Essay Paper 2025 (Download from link given below)
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 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
- मैले पानी को अकेला छोड़ने से ही 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 जानते।
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.
Let’s briefly discuss about it…
Section A: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Challenges
The first section challenged aspirants to connect age-old ideas with today’s world:
“Truth knows no color” — This wasn’t just about honesty. It was about how truth remains the same whether you’re rich or poor, Indian or foreign, Hindu or Muslim. Perfect for discussing unity in diversity and fair governance.
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” — Borrowed from ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, this topic was a goldmine for writing about diplomacy, India’s neighborhood policy, and how smart negotiations often work better than conflict.
“Thought finds a world and creates one also” — This deep quote was about how our thinking shapes reality. Aspirants could explore everything from policy-making to how a civil servant’s mindset can transform communities.
The beauty? These weren’t just philosophical topics. Each one connected directly to governance, policy-making, and leadership—exactly what future IAS officers need to understand.
Section B: Life Lessons That Matter
The second section brought the paper closer to personal experience and everyday wisdom:
“Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone” — A simple metaphor about patience. Sometimes the best solution is to wait and let things settle naturally. Great for discussing conflict resolution or how hasty decisions can backfire.
“The years teach much which the days never know” — This was about experience vs. instant knowledge. Perfect for aspirants to reflect on their own preparation journey and why experienced administrators often make better decisions.
“It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination” — Ironically fitting for UPSC candidates! This topic reminded everyone that growth happens in the process, not just at the result.
“Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty” — A powerful statement on materialism vs. happiness. Candidates could discuss everything from sustainable development to mental health in modern society.
Difficulty level– Moderate
What Made This Paper Special?
This year’s paper wasn’t testing how much current affairs you’d memorized or how many government schemes you knew. Instead, it asked: Do you think deeply? Can you connect ideas? Do you understand human nature?
For many aspirants, this came as a relief. No matter what your educational background, everyone has life experiences to draw from. The farmer’s son could write about patience as beautifully as the engineer about problem-solving.
The Real Test: Beyond the Exam Hall
Here’s what this paper was really checking:
- Can you think like a leader? Not just manage files, but inspire people and solve complex problems.
- Do you have emotional intelligence? Understanding that governance is ultimately about people, their emotions, and their needs.
- Can you balance idealism with reality? Knowing when to be firm and when to be flexible.
Why This Matters for You
Whether you clear this exam or not, wrestling with these questions changes you. They force you to think about:
- What kind of leader do I want to become?
- How do I balance personal values with professional demands?
- What does service really mean?
These aren’t just exam questions—they’re life questions that every civil servant faces every day.
Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 (PDF).
Conclusion
UPSC 2025’s Essay Paper proved that becoming a civil servant isn’t just about knowing facts and policies. It’s about developing wisdom, empathy, and the ability to see the bigger picture.
For future aspirants, the message is clear: Read widely, think deeply, and remember that your life experiences are just as valuable as your textbook knowledge. Sometimes, the best preparation for leadership is simply living life thoughtfully.
After all, the best administrators aren’t just policy experts—they’re human beings who understand other human beings.