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Mains/Directive Verbs/Comment

Comment

Directive verb

Give a brief, informed opinion on the topic with supporting reasoning. Compact and pointed — not a full essay.

Rubric shape

INTRO

State your position immediately — no extended context-setting

DIM 1

Supporting argument 1 — brief, with evidence

DIM 2

Supporting argument 2 — brief, with evidence

DIM 3

Qualifier — the one condition that limits or nuances your position

CONC

Restate the position with the qualifier factored in — one to two sentences

Minimum dimensions:2

150-Word Discipline

Practise 10-mark answers

Practice on the real format

A4 ruled sheets matching the UPSC answer booklet. Spatial markers show where each section should end.

150W

10-mark format

Open PDF

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The Forge

Train the cognitive demand of "Comment" in The Forge.

Compression·The Forge

Word count distribution

20%
35%
30%
15%
Position · 20%
Reason 1 · 35%
Reason 2 · 30%
Close · 15%

Give a brief, informed opinion on the topic with supporting reasoning. Compact and pointed — not a full essay.

Paper lens
Governance · Constitution · IR

State a constitutionally grounded position, supported by two governance or institutional reasons.

Reason 1Constitutional provision, SC judgement, or committee recommendation that supports the position.
Reason 2A practical governance consideration — implementation capacity, federalism, or rights impact.

What most aspirants write

Writing a full 'discuss' answer when asked to 'comment.' Comment answers are compact — 150 words at most. The aspirant who writes 300 words has misread the verb.

What the rubric actually requires

Position stated in the first sentence. Two supporting arguments, each brief. One qualifier. Conclusion is a pointed restatement. The entire answer fits the word limit comfortably because the verb demands concision.

All directive verbs