The 15-mark answer, in 250 words
Questions 11 to 20 of GS Papers 1 to 3 are 15-mark questions. You get 100 more words than a 10-mark answer. Use them to explain each point more fully.
The facts
| Questions | 11 to 20 |
| Word limit | 250 |
| Marks | 15 each, 150 of the paper's 250 |
| Time to spend | 11 minutes |
The shape
| Part | Words | What goes in it |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 30 to 40 | Your answer to the question in two lines |
| Body | 170 to 180 | Three or four points, each with a claim, evidence and what it shows |
| Conclusion | 30 to 40 | What should be done, by whom. For a history question, your verdict and what followed |
What the extra words are for
| 10 marks, 150 words | 15 marks, 250 words | |
|---|---|---|
| Points in the body | 3 | 3 or 4 |
| Each point | A claim and one piece of evidence | A claim, evidence, and what it shows about the question |
| The other side | Often no room | A short point, two or three sentences |
| Conclusion | What follows | A specific step, and who takes it |
Six points in 175 words gives each point about 30 words. That is the same depth as a 10-mark answer. Keep to three or four points.
Questions with two or more parts
In 2020 to 2026, 66% of GS Paper 3 questions asked for two or more things. Count the parts before you plan. Split the body words between them. The splitting table is in questions with no directive.
Eleven minutes
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Read the question, underline the directive, number the parts | 1 minute |
| Plan three or four points and the other side | 1 minute 30 seconds |
| Write | 8 minutes |
| Check the answer covers every part | 30 seconds |
Steps
- Underline the directive and number the parts.
- Choose three or four points. Put the strongest first.
- Decide the strongest point against your view. Plan two or three sentences on it.
- Write the introduction as your answer, in 30 to 40 words.
- Give each point a heading, a claim, evidence, and one sentence on what it shows.
- End on a specific step, or on your verdict.
Worked example
Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment.
(UPSC Mains 2026, GS Paper 1, 15 marks, 250 words)
Comment asks for your judgement on the statement, with reasons. Here is a plan.
| Part | Words | What goes in it |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 35 | Largely true. Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi movements forced a reluctant Congress leadership to redraw the map between 1953 and 1966. The centre still set the terms |
| 1. Pressure from below | 60 | Potti Sriramulu's fast and death in December 1952 led to Andhra State in 1953. The Samyukta Maharashtra and Mahagujarat movements split Bombay State in 1960 |
| 2. Reluctance at the top | 45 | The Dar Commission (1948) and the JVP Committee (1949) advised against reorganising on language so soon after Partition |
| 3. The centre set the terms | 45 | The States Reorganisation Commission (1953 to 1955) and the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 drew 14 states and 6 union territories. Punjab waited until 1966 |
| 4. The other side | 25 | The Congress had accepted linguistic provinces for its own organisation at Nagpur in 1920. The principle came from the national movement too |
| Conclusion | 35 | Your verdict, and what followed |
A conclusion, written twice
For the same question.
| An average conclusion | A strong conclusion |
|---|---|
| Thus, linguistic reorganisation was the result of various factors and it strengthened Indian unity. A balanced approach is needed to address new demands for states. | Popular pressure decided when states were redrawn. The centre decided how, through the commission and through Parliament's power under Article 3. Telangana in 2014 followed the same pattern, after a long agitation, the Srikrishna Committee and an Act of Parliament. |
| Could sit under any question on states. Gives no verdict | Gives the verdict, names the mechanism, and adds one later case |
Mistakes and what to do instead
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Six or seven thin points | Three or four, each explained |
| No point against your view | Two or three sentences on the strongest objection, and why your view still holds |
| Spending most of the words on the first part | Number the parts and give each its words |
| "A balanced approach is needed" as the conclusion | Name the step, and who takes it |
| Going past 11 minutes | Stop and move on. The time comes out of a later answer |
Your turn
✍️ Your turn
Write a conclusion of 30 to 40 words for this question: "Explain the key challenges for India's energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?" (UPSC Mains 2026, GS Paper 3, 15 marks, 250 words). Do not summarise. Name what should happen, who should do it, and what it depends on.