Philosophy and the human condition

42 UPSC Mains Essay questions on Philosophy and the human condition, 2015 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them.

1. 2026 Topic A1Oxymorons reflect the ironies of life.125 marks · 1200 words
2. 2026 Topic A3A thorn is a changed bud.125 marks · 1200 words
3. 2026 Topic B5Nature is the symbol of the spirit.125 marks · 1200 words
4. 2026 Topic B6A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.125 marks · 1200 words
5. 2025 Topic A1Truth knows no color.125 marks · 1200 words
6. 2025 Topic A3Thought finds a world and creates one also.125 marks · 1200 words
7. 2025 Topic A4Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.125 marks · 1200 words
8. 2025 Topic B5Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.125 marks · 1200 words
9. 2025 Topic B6The years teach much which the days never know.125 marks · 1200 words
10. 2025 Topic B7It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.125 marks · 1200 words
11. 2025 Topic B8Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.125 marks · 1200 words
12. 2024 Topic A3There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.125 marks · 1200 words
13. 2024 Topic A4The doubter is a true man of science.125 marks · 1200 words
14. 2024 Topic B7All ideas having large consequences are always simple.125 marks · 1200 words
15. 2024 Topic B8The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.125 marks · 1200 words
16. 2023 Topic A1Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.125 marks · 1200 words
17. 2023 Topic A2Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.125 marks · 1200 words
18. 2023 Topic A3Not all who wander are lost.125 marks · 1200 words
19. 2023 Topic A4Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.125 marks · 1200 words
20. 2022 Topic A4A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for125 marks · 1200 words
21. 2022 Topic B5The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining125 marks · 1200 words
22. 2022 Topic B6You cannot step twice in the same river125 marks · 1200 words
23. 2022 Topic B7A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities125 marks · 1200 words
24. 2022 Topic B8Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right125 marks · 1200 words
25. 2021 Topic A1The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.125 marks · 1200 words
26. 2021 Topic A2Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.125 marks · 1200 words
27. 2021 Topic A3Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.125 marks · 1200 words
28. 2021 Topic A4The real is rational and the rational is real.125 marks · 1200 words
29. 2021 Topic B8There are better practices to “best practices”.125 marks · 1200 words
30. 2020 Topic A1Life is long journey between human being and being humane125 marks · 1200 words
31. 2020 Topic A2Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self125 marks · 1200 words
32. 2020 Topic A3Ships do not sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them125 marks · 1200 words
33. 2020 Topic A4Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication125 marks · 1200 words
34. 2019 Topic A1Wisdom finds truth125 marks · 1200 words
35. 2019 Topic A2Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be125 marks · 1200 words
36. 2019 Topic A3Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society125 marks · 1200 words
37. 2018 Topic A2A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge125 marks · 1200 words
38. 2018 Topic B6‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values125 marks · 1200 words
39. 2018 Topic B8Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it125 marks · 1200 words
40. 2017 Topic B1Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.125 marks · 1200 words
41. 2017 Topic B3We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.125 marks · 1200 words
42. 2015 Topic A2Quick but steady wins the race.125 marks · 1200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.