Every directive, what it asks, how toppers shape it
| Directive | What it asks | How toppers shape the answer | Share of GS questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discuss | Present the main sides of the issue and end with your view. | Two to three headings for the sides, one line of judgement to close. | 35% |
| What / how / why (direct question) | Answer the question asked, in its own terms. | The answer in the first line, then the reasons. | 21% |
| Examine | Look closely at the causes, features or effects. | Headings for each factor, an example under each. | 7% |
| Explain | Say how or why something is so. | Mechanism first, then illustration. | 6% |
| Analyse | Break the issue into parts and show how they connect. | Parts as headings, links between them stated, a short synthesis. | 4% |
| Critically examine | Give the case for, the case against, and your judgement. | Merits, limitations, then a balanced way forward. | 4% |
| Suggest | Propose measures. | Grouped measures, each with a named precedent. | 3% |
| Do you agree / think | Give your view and defend it against the other side. | Stand in the first line, both sides, stand restated. | 2% |
| Comment | Take a position and give reasons. | A one-line stand, three reasons, a qualification. | 2% |
| Evaluate | Weigh the worth against a standard and conclude. | Criteria, evidence for each, verdict. | 2% |
| Highlight | Bring out the main points. | Points as headings, brief support. | 2% |
Share counts each question by its last directive word across the 3,732 GS questions in the bank (2018–2025).
The three usual mistakes
- Treating every directive as "write what you know". The topic is the same; the shape is not. "Critically examine the scheme" and "discuss the scheme" want different last paragraphs.
- Missing the second verb. "Examine the causes and suggest measures" is two directives. Toppers give each its own heading.
- Forgetting the judgement. Critically examine, evaluate, comment and do-you-agree all end with your view. Ending on the last argument loses the marks for it.
One page per directive
Counts, length, structure and real topper examples for each: discuss · critically examine · analyse · evaluate · comment · examine · explain.
Check it in your own answer
Underline the directive before you write. After you write, read only your headings and your last two lines: do they answer that verb? writeupsc reads the directive from the question and marks whether the answer's structure and conclusion match it, beside what the toppers did. See an example.
Questions
What is the difference between examine and critically examine?
Examine looks closely at causes, features or effects. Critically examine adds a judgement: merits, limitations, and where you land. The word 'critically' asks for the verdict.
Which directive does UPSC use most?
In the bank, discuss appears in 35% of GS questions, then what / how / why (direct question) (21%) and other (8%).
Do directives matter in GS4 case studies?
Less. Case studies ask for options, their evaluation and your choice. The shape is set by the case, not a verb, though 'evaluate' and 'justify' still mean what they mean.
See how your own answer compares.
Photograph the sheet the way you wrote it. 1 free evaluation with a Google account, no card.