Essay (Hindi or English)

What the official syllabus says

Main Examination, Paper IV: General Hindi and General English

Unit III - Essay (Total Marks 40)

There will be Six thematic areas in the Essay part of the question paper. Candidates will have to write one essay of about 600 words in either Hindi or English language as per their choice. The essay topics will be based on the following Six themes:

1. Language, Literature, and Cultural Heritage
2. Society, Governance, and Public Affairs
3. Science, Technology, Environment, and Sustainable Development
4. Economy, Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce
5. Current Affairs, Disasters, and National Development Initiatives
6. Tourism, Culture, and Contemporary Issues with reference to Rajasthan

Candidates may be required to write an essay on a range of topics arising from these thematic areas. They are expected to maintain strict relevance to the assigned subject, organize their ideas in a coherent manner, and present with precision and brevity. Credit will be accorded for clarity of thought, coherence of structure and effectiveness of expression.

Topics in detail

The task and how it is marked

• One essay of about 600 words, in Hindi or English as the candidate chooses; 40 marks
• Topics arise from six thematic areas (listed above)
• What RPSC expects: strict relevance to the subject, ideas organised coherently, precision and brevity
• What earns credit: clarity of thought, coherence of structure and effectiveness of expression

Planning and structure

• Reading every topic and choosing the one on which one can write a balanced, informed essay
• Noting ideas first, then an outline before writing
• Introduction: the meaning of the topic and its context, in a few lines
• Body: one dimension per paragraph, such as historical, social, economic, political, environmental and ethical, with India and Rajasthan where they fit
• Both sides of an issue, then a reasoned view
• Conclusion: a way forward that follows from the body
• About 600 words means roughly six to eight paragraphs; keeping to the limit is part of brevity
• Facts and figures only where sure of them; quotations only where apt

Theme 1: Language, Literature, and Cultural Heritage

• India's many languages; the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (22 languages); Hindi as the official language of the Union (Article 343)
• Rajasthani and its dialects: Marwari, Dhundhari, Mewari, Mewati, Hadoti and Wagdi
• Literature and society; oral traditions and folk literature
• Tangible and intangible heritage, and their conservation
• Rajasthan's World Heritage sites: Keoladeo National Park, Jantar Mantar (Jaipur), the Hill Forts of Rajasthan and Jaipur City
• Mother tongue in education; languages in the digital age

Theme 2: Society, Governance, and Public Affairs

• Women's empowerment, social justice, inclusion of weaker sections
• Education, health, ageing and the changing family
• Good governance: transparency, accountability, citizen-centric administration, e-governance
• Right to information, social audit and grievance redressal
• Local self-government: Panchayati Raj and urban bodies
• Role of the civil services; ethics and integrity in public life
• Democracy, elections, federalism and the rule of law

Theme 3: Science, Technology, Environment, and Sustainable Development

• Artificial intelligence and society; the digital divide; cyber security and privacy
• Space, defence and biotechnology in India
• Climate change, desertification, heatwaves and water stress
• Traditional water harvesting in Rajasthan: johads, baoris (stepwells), kunds and tankas
• Renewable energy, with Rajasthan's solar potential (for example the Bhadla Solar Park)
• The Sustainable Development Goals; circular economy; conservation of wildlife and biodiversity

Theme 4: Economy, Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce

• Growth and development; inclusive growth; employment for the young
• Agriculture in dry and arid regions: water, crops, animal husbandry and food processing
• Industry, MSMEs, start-ups and investment
• Infrastructure, logistics and trade
• Fiscal federalism, GST and cooperative federalism
• Financial inclusion; tourism and handicrafts as livelihoods

Theme 5: Current Affairs, Disasters, and National Development Initiatives

• Disasters: drought, floods, heatwaves, earthquakes and epidemics
• Disaster management: the Disaster Management Act, 2005, national and state disaster management authorities, preparedness and resilience
• National development initiatives by type: digital services, sanitation and water supply, financial inclusion, skills, housing and infrastructure
• India's place in the world; internal security
• Writing on current affairs without depending on exact figures one is unsure of

Theme 6: Tourism, Culture, and Contemporary Issues with reference to Rajasthan

• Heritage tourism: forts, palaces and havelis; desert tourism
• Wildlife tourism: Ranthambore, Sariska and Keoladeo
• Religious and pilgrimage tourism: Pushkar, Ajmer Sharif, the Dilwara temples at Mount Abu
• Fairs and festivals: the Pushkar fair, the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, Teej and Gangaur
• Crafts: blue pottery of Jaipur, block printing of Sanganer and Bagru, bandhej and leheriya
• Folk music and dance: Ghoomar and Kalbeliya (Kalbeliya is on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage)
• Sustainable and community-based tourism; carrying capacity of heritage sites
• Contemporary issues of the State: water scarcity, desertification, migration, girls' education and child marriage

Writing in Hindi or English

• Choosing the language in which one writes most accurately and fluently
• Keeping to one language and script throughout the essay

Overlaps

The themes draw on all three General Studies papers: Paper I (history, culture and economy of Rajasthan and India), Paper II (science, technology and earth science) and Paper III (polity, governance, public administration and current affairs). Rajasthan's culture is also assessed in the interview.