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Mains/Directive Verbs/Examine

Examine

Directive verb

Inspect the topic carefully — present the evidence on both sides and reach a qualified conclusion.

Rubric shape

INTRO

State what is being examined and the criteria for examination

DIM 1

Evidence in favour — what supports the proposition

DIM 2

Evidence against — what challenges or limits it

DIM 3

Qualification — under what conditions does each side hold

CONC

A qualified, evidence-based conclusion — not a strong verdict

Minimum dimensions:3

150-Word Discipline

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

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250W

15-mark format

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The Forge

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

PolarityRoot·The Forge

Word count distribution

15%
35%
35%
15%
Intro · 15%
For · 35%
Against · 35%
Conclusion · 15%

Inspect the topic carefully — present the evidence on both sides and reach a qualified conclusion.

Paper lens
Governance · Constitution · IR

Examine the policy or institution — evidence for and against drawn from constitutional provisions and governance data.

ForConstitutional validation, judicial affirmation, or quantitative policy outcomes supporting the position.
AgainstCAG findings, parliamentary committee reports, or implementation gaps that challenge the position.

What most aspirants write

Writing only the supporting evidence and ending with an affirming conclusion. 'Examine' demands that you inspect the counter-evidence too.

What the rubric actually requires

Both supporting and challenging evidence must appear. The conclusion is qualified — 'to the extent that X, yes; where Y applies, the picture is more complex'.

All directive verbs