What does “Comment” ask for?
Take a position on the statement and give reasons. A one-line stand, three reasons, a qualification.
Which papers ask it?
| Paper | Topper answers | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | 25 | 13% |
| GS Paper 2 | 26 | 14% |
| GS Paper 3 | 36 | 19% |
| GS Paper 4 (Ethics) | 7 | 4% |
| Optional subjects | 98 | 51% |
How do toppers answer a “Comment” question?
| Answers measured | 192 |
| Use headings | 49% |
| End on a “Way forward” or “Conclusion” heading | 9% |
| Bring in the other side (however, limitations, challenges, criticism) | 68% |
| Carry a diagram or flowchart | 23% |
| Median words, 10 / 15 marks | 181 / 256 |
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
No society can either be absolutely open or absolutely closed. Comment.
Opens distinguishing open and closed societies with brief examples, then supports the claim that neither is absolute with two case studies, David Glass on class mobility and Srinivas on Coorg society, plus a passing mention of Goldthorpe, closing on the general conclusion that no social system is fully open or closed.
How the bank describes the answer by Rajeshwari Suve M (AIR 2), Optional subjects, 2025 copy.
Though spatially distributed across the length and breath of the country, incidents of cloud burst disproportionately impact the mountaneous regions. Comment
Opens by defining cloud burst and citing last year's Amarnath event, then addresses the "spatially distributed" half of the question with three regional examples, before turning to why mountains bear a disproportionate share under a "Why?" sub-heading, and closes with a Way Forward pair and a one-line consequence statement.
How the bank describes the answer by Akansh Dhull (AIR 3), GS Paper 2, 2025 copy.
Investment in infrastructure is a precursor to social and economic transformation; however, the focus on economic gains must not marginalise the concerns for safety. Comment.
Opens with a World Bank investment figure, then splits the case into two headed numbered lists (necessity for economic transformation, precursor to social transformation), pivots with "however" to safety lapses in road and rail, lists their reasons, cites a committee recommendation, and closes with a one-line link between safety and inclusive infrastructure.
How the bank describes the answer by Raghav Jhunjhunwala (AIR 4), GS Paper 3, 2025 copy.
Check your own “Comment” answer
Read only your headings and your last two lines: do they do what “Comment” 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 · Analyse · Evaluate · Examine · Explain · all directive words.
Questions
What does “Comment” mean in a UPSC question?
Take a position on the statement and give reasons. A one-line stand, three reasons, a qualification.
How long should a “Comment” answer be?
Toppers in the bank write a median of 181 words for 10 marks and 256 for 15 marks on “Comment” questions.
Do toppers use headings for “Comment”?
In 49% of the 192 answers measured, and 9% 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.