What does “Analyse” ask for?
Break the issue into its parts and show how they connect. Parts as headings, the links between them stated, a short synthesis.
Which papers ask it?
| Paper | Topper answers | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | 45 | 15% |
| GS Paper 2 | 64 | 21% |
| GS Paper 3 | 68 | 22% |
| GS Paper 4 (Ethics) | 35 | 11% |
| Optional subjects | 98 | 32% |
How do toppers answer a “Analyse” question?
| Answers measured | 310 |
| Use headings | 66% |
| End on a “Way forward” or “Conclusion” heading | 10% |
| Bring in the other side (however, limitations, challenges, criticism) | 61% |
| Carry a diagram or flowchart | 25% |
| Median words, 10 / 15 marks | 176 / 248 |
Measured from the toppers’ answer copies in the writeupsc bank; UPSC does not publish marked answer sheets. Counted on the question text after numbering and marks are removed; essays left out.
Examples from topper answers
Analyze the recent developments in the US-India defense relationship and their implications for regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
Dates the transformation from the end of the cold war and Vajpayee's "natural allies", then lists the defence architecture in order of signing: the cooperation framework, STA-1, the civil nuclear treaty, and the foundational agreements LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA. Turns to consequences for the Indo-Pacific, China's influence, Malabar and QUAD, and closes on net security provider and SAGAR.
How the bank describes the answer by Harshita Goyal (AIR 2), Optional subjects, 2024 copy.
What makes dark matter difficult to detect? Also, analyse how the search for the elusive dark matter has influenced the trailing of modern pursuits in science.
Opens with a one-line definition of dark matter and its share of the universe, then begins a Difficulty to Detect list with one point before breaking off; the candidate left the rest of the page and the whole of the next page blank, so the answer stops well short of addressing the second half of the question on modern scientific pursuits.
How the bank describes the answer by Akansh Dhull (AIR 3), GS Paper 2, 2025 copy.
Analyse the role of fisheries in nutrition security, livelihood generation, and economic growth. What are the major challenges faced by the fisheries sector?
Opens with export figures establishing fisheries' weight in agricultural exports and coastal demography, then argues the sector's role under three headed lists (nutrition, livelihood, economic growth) before turning to challenges as a fourth list, and closes on a one-line call for a "Blue Revolution."
How the bank describes the answer by Raghav Jhunjhunwala (AIR 4), GS Paper 3, 2025 copy.
Check your own “Analyse” answer
Read only your headings and your last two lines: do they do what “Analyse” asks? writeupsc reads the directive from your question and marks whether the structure and the conclusion match it, beside what the toppers to the closest questions did. Upload an answer.
Other directives: Discuss · Critically examine · Evaluate · Comment · Examine · Explain · all directive words.
Questions
What does “Analyse” mean in a UPSC question?
Break the issue into its parts and show how they connect. Parts as headings, the links between them stated, a short synthesis.
How long should a “Analyse” answer be?
Toppers in the bank write a median of 176 words for 10 marks and 248 for 15 marks on “Analyse” questions.
Do toppers use headings for “Analyse”?
In 66% of the 310 answers measured, and 10% end on a “Way forward” or “Conclusion” heading.
See how your own answer compares.
Photograph the sheet the way you wrote it. 1 free evaluation with a Google account, no card.