upsc essay highest marks 2022

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UPSC highest scores and topper marks

UPSC Paper-wise highest scores.

Essay – 149 | AIR 61 | Gautam Vivekanandan

GS 1 Highest – 128 | AIR 110, Abhishek Dawachya

GS 2 Highest – 125 | AIR 23, Vaishali

GS 3 Highest – 102 | AIR 105, Mayur Hazarika

GS 4 Ethics Highest – 141 | AIR 02, Garima Lohia

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IAS Toppers Marks Subject-Wise

The UPSC civil services exam, considered one of the toughest exams in the country, is attempted by lakhs of people every year. Out of them, only a tiny fraction emerge successful after the long-drawn process concludes. The IAS exam is so rigorous that the toppers generally create much curiosity every year. Aspirants are eager to know the toppers’ preparation strategies, their book lists, their optional subjects and of course, their marks in the various subjects. In this article, we bring you the IAS toppers’ marks in all the subjects in the civil services exam.

Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC Marksheet  PDF of which can be download from the linked article.

For videos of IAS Toppers along with strategy, preparation tips and more, aspirants can check the linked article.

List of IAS Toppers Interview + Mains Marks in last few years:

• IAS Topper 2022 – Ishita Kishore (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1094)
• IAS Topper 2021 – Shruti Sharma ( Marks in Mains + Interview = 1105)
• IAS Topper 2020 – Shubham Kumar ( Marks in Mains + Interview = 1054)
• IAS Topper 2019 – Pradeep Singh (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1072)
• IAS Topper 2018 – Kanishak Kataria (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1121)
• IAS Topper 2017 – Anudeep Durishetty (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1126)
• IAS Topper 2016 – Nandini KR (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1120)
• IAS Topper 2015 – Tina Dabi (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1063)
• IAS Topper 2014 – Ira Singhal (Marks in Mains + Interview = 1082)

IAS Toppers 2022

• AIR 1 – Ishita Kishore (1094/2025, 54.02%)
• AIR 2 – Garima Lohia (1063/2025, 52.49%)
• AIR 3 – Uma Harathi N (1060/2025, 42.34%)

IAS Toppers 2021

• AIR-1 Shruthi Sharma (1105/2025, 54.7%)
• AIR-2 Ankita Agarwal (1050/2025, 51.85%)
• AIR-3 Gamini Singla ( 1045/2025, 51.60%)

IAS Toppers 2020

• AIR-1 Shubham Kumar (1054/2025)
• AIR-2 Jagruti Awasthi (1052/2025)
• AIR-3 Ankita Jain (1051/2025)

IAS Toppers 2019:

• AIR-1 Pradeep Singh (1072/2025, 52.94%)
• AIR-2 Jatin Kishore (1063/2025, 52.49%)
• AIR-3 Pratibha Verma (1062/2025, 52.44%)

IAS Toppers 2018:

• AIR- 1 Kanishak Kataria (Final Total – 1121/2025, 55.36%)
• AIR- 2 Akshat Jain  (Final Total – 1080/2025, 53.33%)
• AIR-3 Junaid Ahmed (Final Total – 1077/2025, 53.18%)

Marks of IAS Toppers Across the Years:

Check the following comprehensive table that gives the IAS topper list with marks of candidates from various years. You can also know the optional subject of the candidates.

To know more about the inspiring journeys of 2019 & 2018 IAS toppers, click on the links below:

• Himanshu Jain (AIR – 4, 2019)
• Jeydev C.S. (AIR – 5, 2019)
• Srushti Jayant Deshmukh (AIR – 5, 2018)
• Sreedhanya Suresh (CSE 2018)
• Pujya Priyadarshini (AIR – 11, 2018)

Do you want to see your name in a list like the one above? You can! If you have decided to take the UPSC exam and enter into the prestigious civil services, all you need is fierce determination and utmost perseverance until you achieve your goal. The UPSC exam might be tough, but it is certainly possible to crack it and come out with flying colours. With a planned approach and guided study, you can clear the IAS exam successfully. BYJU’S helps you prepare for the IAS exam, wherever you are. With the Free IAS Prep website, you can access unmatched coverage of current affairs, history, geography, polity and other subjects.

If you want to get your hands on the BYJU’S IAS Preparation Tablet or attend our offline coaching classes, call 9243500460 now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who got the highest marks in upsc ever.

The highest marks ever scored in the UPSC exam were by Anudeep Durishetty, the topper for UPSC 2017. He scored 1126 (55.60%) out of 2025 marks. He scored 950 out of 1750 marks in Mains and 176 out of 275 in the personality test (UPSC Interview). The 2018 IAS Topper came close with 1120 marks.

How many hours do IAS toppers study?

IAS toppers study between 4-16 hours a day, depending on their preparation strategy. However, studying efficiently and focusing on one area of preparation at a time, some toppers have managed to top the UPSC exam by studying as low as 3 hours a day. The key to their success is understanding the Syllabus of UPSC and the IAS exam pattern and studying according to the structure of the UPSC exam.

Are IAS officers allowed to have tattoos?

Tattoos are allowed in the IAS as long as they are inoffensive and inconspicuous. Tribal tattoos are allowed for candidates belonging to scheduled tribes with a tradition of displaying tattoos. Though information on tattoo policy in the DoPT is hard to find online, different departments who absorb successful candidates from the UPSC exam have their own rules. Tattoos are heavily restricted in most government services and aspirants should check their target department’s rules regarding the same.

What is the last rank for IAS?

The last rank which secured an IAS officer position in UPSC 2018 was 92 in the general category. The last rank for IAS in OBC was 457, SC 492. The ST candidate who secured IAS with the last rank was ranked 528.

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how to prepare for an upsc exam

1. Understand UPSC Syllabus 2. Start with NCERTs and complement with daily newspaper. 3. Refer to UPSC previous years’ question papers. 4. Read Rajiv Ahir’s Brief of Modern History, M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity for GS 1 and 2 respectively. 5. Revise often. 6. Take mock tests periodically.

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UPSC Topper Ishita Kishor’s Marksheet

Last updated on September 11, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

Ishita Kishor topped UPSC CSE 2022. Read the article below to know more about UPSC Topper Ishita Kishor’s Marksheet and exam journey.

Ishita Kishore, A graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, achieved the first rank in the 2022-23 Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC.

The final result of the UPSC CSE 2022 exam was announced in May 2023 which shows that she scored exceptionally well in all the papers of general studies and optional subjects, as well as in the interview/personality test.

27-year-old Ishita Kishor who failed in her two prelims earlier scored overall 1094 marks and secured first place. Even after failing twice in her first two attempts, she always had the option of continuing her promising corporate job as a risk analyst but Ishita has this determination and desire to help people by becoming an IAS officer. This thought of her motivated her throughout her journey and helped her attain her dream.

Table of Contents

Journey of Ishita Kishor

Ishita Kishore, a remarkable individual, recently made headlines by achieving the top rank in the highly competitive 2022 Civil Services Exam conducted by the UPSC . A 26-year-old graduate from the esteemed Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) at Delhi University has shown tremendous dedication and perseverance throughout her journey.

Despite facing setbacks in her previous two attempts, where she failed to qualify for the interview round, Ishita remained undeterred. In a recent interview, Ishita Kishore expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the constant support she received from her family during her entire journey.

Her mother, who is a school teacher, her brother, who is pursuing a career in law, and her late father, who was an Indian Air Force Officer and served as her main source of inspiration, all played significant roles in her life. Ishita considers herself fortunate to have such a supportive and inspiring family by her side.

Ishita’s hard work and commitment paid off, as she emerged victorious in her third attempt, securing the coveted All-India Rank 1. Along the way, her impressive mock UPSC interview garnered tremendous attention, amassing over a hundred thousand views within hours of the results being announced.

Ishita’s remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the invaluable support of loved ones in achieving one’s goals.

Marksheet of UPSC CSE 2022 Topper Ishita Kishor

Ishita’s mark sheet reveals that she scored a total of 1,094 marks. Out of this, she got 193 marks in the interview round and 901 marks in the written exam. Her optional subjects were Political Science and International Relations (Papers VI&VII). In which she scored exceptionally well marks.

Ishita Kishor’s marks are as follows:

• Essay (Paper-I): 137
• General Studies-I (Paper-II): 121
• General Studies-II (Paper-III): 130
• General Studies-III (Paper-IV): 088
• General Studies-IV (Paper-V): 112
• Optional-I (Political Science & International Relations) (Paper-VI): 147
• Optional-II (Political Science & International Relations) (Paper-VII): 166
• Written Total: 901
• Personality Test: 193
• Final Total: 1094

It is worth noting that this year showcased a remarkable achievement as girls secured the top four positions. Ishita, who secured the first position, was followed closely by Garima Soni in second place. Uma Harathi N. claimed the third spot with great accomplishment, while Smriti Mishra proudly secured the fourth position.

Also read: Pradeep Singh Marksheet: UPSC Topper Secures 52.9% Marks

Article Written By: Priti Raj

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UPSC Topper 2022: List, Ranks, Ishita Kishore AIR 1 Biography

By vajiram & ravi.

Distinguished as the UPSC topper 2022 , Ishita Kishore's remarkable feat shines as she clinched the pinnacle of success in the Civil Services examination. This accomplishment takes on added significance as the top four ranks were secured exclusively by exceptional female candidates, showcasing their exemplary capabilities. Alongside Ishita Kishore, Garima Lohia, Uma Harathi N, and Smriti Mishra secured consecutive positions in the list of UPSC 2022 Toppers , while a total of 1022 recommended candidates stand poised to contribute to public service across various roles, in alignment with their aspirations and the UPSC's discerning selection process.

Ishita Kishore's triumph resonates beyond mere achievement, generating a substantial fan base within India and invitations for engagement in discussions, interviews, and motivational dialogues. This article provides readers with an insightful glimpse into the UPSC Topper 2022 list, enabling them to glean invaluable insights from the journey and strategies of these accomplished candidates and understand the underlying motivations that drive them towards the challenging pursuit of the IAS examination.

Who is UPSC Topper 2022?

Ishita Kishore , attaining the coveted All India Rank 1 and emerging as the UPSC Topper 2022, holds the distinction of being identified by roll number 5809986. While originally rooted in Patna, Bihar, her journey led her to Delhi, India, where she spent a substantial phase of her life. Beyond her exceptional feat atop the UPSC Topper 2022 list, Ishita's prowess extends to the realm of sports, as she has notably showcased her skills as a talented soccer player. A testament to her athletic abilities, she proudly represented the nation in the esteemed Copa Subroto soccer tournament back in 2012.

Ishita Kishore's ascent to the zenith of the UPSC rankings, achieving the highest pinnacle on her third attempt at the age of 27, serves as a beacon of inspiration. Her illustrious accomplishments stand as a vivid testament to the potent synergy of unwavering dedication and relentless perseverance, casting a guiding light for aspirants aiming to conquer the UPSC challenge.

UPSC 2022 Topper List

The UPSC Outcome reveals the UPSC 2022 Topper List of 1022 candidates who has been endorsed for various services. This comprehensive list encompasses the names of the top 20 UPSC achievers, encapsulating their remarkable achievements.

Journey of the UPSC Topper 2022: Ishita Kishore

Ishita Kishore, the 2022 UPSC Topper, hails from Begumpet, Hyderabad, and was born in 1996. After graduating in economics from Delhi's Shri Ram College of Commerce in 2017, she garnered professional experience at Ernst & Young. Her achievement underscores resilience and diligent effort, with a family background of her father's Indian Air Force service and her mother's teaching career.

Having contributed two years to Ernst & Young's Risk Advisory, Ishita's focus shifted to the UPSC journey. Opting for Political Science & International Relations, she secured the top spot in her third attempt at the UPSC CSE, standing as an inspiring role model at 27. Ishita's success reflects her unwavering determination and dedication, setting a compelling precedent for aspiring candidates.

UPSC Toppers 2022 Ranks and Final Marks

Recently the Union Public Service Commission released Toppers Final Marks. The notification provides insight into the scores achieved by UPSC CSE 2022 toppers in both the Mains examination and the Interview phase, along with their final scores. The provided list showcases the 10 UPSC CSE 2022 Toppers' Final Marks as follows:

Rank 2 and 3 Among UPSC Toppers 2022

Ishita Kishore clinched the top spot in the UPSC CSE Examination of 2022. Following closely is Garima Lohia, securing the 2nd position. Subsequently, Uma Harathi N attained the 3rd position. Explore the comprehensive details below concerning UPSC Topper 2022 Rank 2 and 3. Who gain insights into their chosen optional subjects alongside their educational backgrounds.

UPSC Topper 2022 Rank 2 Garima Lohia

Garima Lohia , a graduate of Commerce from Delhi's Kirorimal College, attained the second position in the ranking of UPSC Topper 2022. Opting for Commerce and Accountancy as her optional subject, her extraordinary achievement etched a historic milestone as she seized the All India Rank 2.

UPSC Topper 2022 Rank 3 Uma Harathi N

Uma Harathi N , who holds a degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Hyderabad, clinched the third position in the list of UPSC Topper 2022. Having chosen Anthropology as her optional subject, she attained the All India Rank 3, exemplifying her exceptional academic prowess and expertise in her chosen field.

UPSC Topper List Year Wise [2022 – 2017]

Below is a tabulated representation showcasing the chronological UPSC Topper List year-wise from 2017 to 2022, inclusive of their respective scores in the Mains examination and Interview:

UPSC Topper 2021

Shruti Sharma, the UPSC Topper of 2021, attained an achievement of 54.57% in her score. Hailing from Bijnor, with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics. Shruti achieved an All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) on her second attempt.

UPSC Topper 2020

According to the list of UPSC toppers 2020, Shubham Kumar from Bihar attained the top position nationwide, achieving 1054 out of 2025 marks and securing 176 marks in the UPSC interview phase out of 275.

UPSC Topper 2019

Pradeep Singh, hailing from Haryana's Sonipat district, emerged as the UPSC topper 2019 in the examination, achieving this feat on his fourth try. Presently, he holds a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) within his native state. Pradeep credits his accomplishment to his father, a farmer, and his aspiration to contribute to the upliftment of the agricultural community.

UPSC Topper List PDF

The UPSC unveiled the list of UPSC Topper 2022 on May 23, 2023. The complete UPSC Topper List 2022 PDF, featuring the ranks and names of the toppers, is conveniently accessible on the official website. Additionally, we have provided the list in PDF format here.

Download:  UPSC Topper List PDF

Success Story of UPSC Topper 2022

The UPSC Topper 2022 Ishita Kishore's path to achievement is undeniably remarkable. Following graduation, Kishore embarked on her professional journey at Ernst & Young, delving into risk advisory. Her tenure in the corporate world bestowed upon her an extensive comprehension of business intricacies, enhancing her cognitive abilities and proficiency in addressing challenges.

Apart from her academic and vocational feats, Ishita Kishore's active engagement in sports showcases her multifaceted character and adeptness at managing diverse facets of life. With her varied background, Ishita Kishore's attainment of the top spot in the UPSC 2022 examination underscores her versatility and aptitude. Her narrative is a source of motivation for individuals from varying educational backgrounds, inspiring them to chase aspirations and pursue excellence in civil services.

FAQs on UPSC Topper 2022

The UPSC Topper 2022 list revealed on May 23, 2023, Ishita Kishore secured the 1st rank in the UPSC 2022 examination . This accomplishment was achieved on her 3rd attempt at the age of 27, showcasing her remarkable dedication and achievement.

What is the optional subject of UPSC Topper 2022?

The UPSC Topper 2022 Ishita Kishore opted for Political Science & International Relations as her optional subject.

What is the age of UPSC Topper 2022?

Ishita Kishore, the UPSC Topper 2022, achieved this feat at the age of 27 after successfully clearing the prestigious examination on her third attempt. Her initial two attempts at the Preliminary exam did not yield success.

Who are the top 10 candidates of UPSC 2022?

The top 10 candidates for UPSC 2022 rank-wise are as follows:

Ishita Kishore, Garima Lohia, Uma Harathi N, Smriti Mishra, Mayur Hazarika, Gahana Navya James, Waseem Ahmad Bhat, Aniruddh Yadav, Kanika Goyal and Rahul Srivastava.

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

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UPSC Civil Services 2022 Result Declared: Here’s how much the top 10 rankers scored

Upsc civil services 2022 result: air 1 ishita kishore has secured highest marks in total (mains + personality test). however, the highest marks in the personality test, which is 210 were secured by three candidates at rank 203, 545 and 598..

The Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) declared the Civil Services 2022 results on May 23. Continuing the trend, this year again women candidate have secured top three positions in the UPSC CSE final results. This year, Ishita Kishore has secured AIR 1 followed by Garima Lohia at rank 2 and Uma Harathi N at AIR 3.

AIR 1 Ishita Kishore has secured the highest marks in total (mains + personality test). However, the highest marks in the personality test, which is 210 were secured by three candidates at rank 203, 545 and 598.

Here’s a stage-wise breakup of marks secured by UPSC Civil Services Top 10 rankers in mains and PT

The mains result is computed by combining the marks secured by a candidate in four General studies paper, one essay paper and two optional papers. Combining the marks secured in mains and personality test, the final merit list is curated. Ranks are allotted based on the total marks secured at both (mains + PT) stages.

As per the UPSC release, the candidature of 101 candidates stands provisional. Their roll numbers have been mentioned in the press release. A total fo 178 candidates have been kept in the reserve list. Of these 89 are from general category, 28 in EWS, 52 in OBSm 5 and 4 in SC and ST Respectively

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Gautam Vivekanandan, AIR-211 CSE-22 Essay Strategy (149 Marks)

This is the 2nd Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023 and it pertains to essay writing.

Till date of writing this post i.e. 01-06-2023, I have gathered and analyzed 154 mark sheets of CSE-22 selected candidates and Gautam has scored the highest marks i.e. 149 .

Few pertinent pointers from the analysis to ponder upon:

• Average essay score is 115.
• Only 8 out of 154 have scored > 140 Marks.
• 24 have scored between 131-140.
• 27 have scored between 121-130.
• 36 have scored between 111-120.
• 30 have scored between 101-110.
• And the rest i.e. 29 have scored 100 or less marks including 8 scores of less than 90!!!

Thus, you can see that there is a huge variation in essay scores in CSE-22 and out of all subjects, essay turned out to be a ‘king maker’ . This is the reason I bring to you Gautam’s Essay Strategy as under in his own words.

Introduction

Hello fellow aspirants. My name is Gautam Vivekanandan . I live in Valsad, Gujarat and I hold a B. Tech degree in Electronics & Communication engineering. I secured AIR 211 in UPSC CSE 2022 , and this was my first attempt. During college, I had joined weekend batch of Chahal Academy in Gujarat. That was my first exposure to the UPSC CSE preparation. However, I was occupied with college activities and so could not focus on preparation. Thereafter, I worked in TCS for 6 months (till April 2021). From May 2021 I started my full-fledged UPSC preparation. I joined Vision IAS foundation course in Delhi for GS preparation. My optional subject is English Literature for which I took classes from Prof Radhakrishnan (Kerala) – he was my mentor and guide for both optional subject as well as essay.

You may contact Gautam on his Telegram Channel , Instagram Profile and his Mail: [email protected]

The term ‘essay’ is derived from the French word ‘essai’ which means to ‘try’ or ‘attempt’. Paper 1 in the UPSC CSE-Mains is the Essay paper. Personally, I am a big fan of this paper for two reasons. One is that there is no fixed syllabus here and we have the freedom to express ourselves, and two – this paper in a way reflects the personality we have.

My Strategy

1) Went through the essay topics of last 25 years (available online) and found out which topics were asked more than once (e.g.: Agriculture, Education, Technology, Terrorism &c.)

2) For topics that were repeated and for some other important topics such as – Health, Poverty, Women empowerment &c., I prepared short 3–4-page notes. These notes inter alia included

•  Relevant data and statistics
•  Important quotes
•  Initiatives/Schemes in India & the world
• Solutions (Way Forward)

3) There are templates that can be used for writing essays such as – Problem, Challenges & Solution approach or Dimensions approach (social, political, economic etc). I used them when required but they were not my only option. It is my personal opinion that essays should be free flowing and creative. Repetitive use of any set template may make your essay boring and it will also not allow your brain to be more creative.

4) Some pre-requisites for a good essay, according to me, include the following

•  Adequate & relevant content
•  Good arguments + equally good examples/data (relevant)
•  Quality of being on point always
•  Smooth flow (should not feel like paragraphs are mechanically placed together)
•  Covering various dimensions (horizontally & vertically)
•  Good introduction & conclusion – Introduction is where you can make a first good impression & conclusion is where you can make a lasting impression.

5) I had looked for quotes or lines from some famous poems which could in general be applied to various topics and could be used in introduction or conclusion. e.g. – Road not taken, Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening, If &c.

6) Had gone through some well-known philosophies such as feminism, universalism, Socialism, Humanism &c. The knowledge of these can help you decode philosophical essay topics.

7) For philosophical essays, I tried to interpret the topic right at the onset and thereafter my attempt was to justify my interpretation using various arguments and examples.

Join here for free UPSC guidance  from Mudit Jain, IPS-15, IPS-16, IRS-18, Author of  Decode CSAT ,  Decode Essay ,  Decode GS2 ,  Decode Ethics 4.0  &  Decode History  Books Ethics book referred by CSE 22 Toppers: AIR –76,  91 ,  176 ,  189 ,  249 , 288, 297,  299 ,  326 ,  356 , 476, 541, 611,  616 , 700,  737 , 739, 746 & others History book referred by CSE 21 Toppers: AIR – 44, 212, 572, 653 & others Find PDFs of All Decode Series Books Here

Why do I think I secured 149 in essay paper

1) The topics I selected were unique (This criterion however does not give a candidate any significant edge is what I believe)

• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world
• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities

2) I tried to write as many relevant & diverse examples as possible. For e.g., in the 1st essay, I wrote about both foreign and Indian poets such as – Wordsworth, Auden’s theory of agape and eros, our very own Kabir and his ‘dohas’ which had social overtones. Tried to quote a few of their lines too.

3) Right at the onset I mentioned my interpretation of the topic. Thereafter, my attempt was to expand the same and cover as many dimensions as possible.

4) Did not stick to any template for essay. I personally believe that essays should be free flowing.

5) Tried to start and end on a high. Quote or anecdotes etc.

A thumb rule that I followed- Whatever one has experienced or gone through in life, whatever one has read or heard, all of that could be utilized in an essay (however it is extremely important that your points are relevant). It’s the only paper where there is no fixed syllabus. It is where you can express yourself. Use that opportunity to the fullest.

Important Note: The reason why I selected those topics was because I was extremely comfortable in them. Not because I thought that they would be less chosen (As I have mentioned earlier, unique topics does not equal good marks). This is an important point of difference. Whatever you feel you are comfortable with and can write with conviction, go for that. You need to have both good points as well as good examples. I was very fortunate that there were these two topics where I could easily write with conviction and with appropriate examples.

Disclaimer – This is a personalized opinion-based post and not a flawless strategy that can be endorsed. No one can guarantee that any fixed approach will work for scoring good marks in essay. You can use this as a framework to try and understand the requirements of the essay paper.

Feel free to reach out to me regarding any queries with respect to UPSC CSE preparation. You can join my Telegram channel where I will be sharing my detailed strategy and plan along with my notes.

Best wishes to all.

Gautam Vivekanandan

CSE-22 Topper Strategies:

1)  Dwij Goel AIR-71 Journey & GS-2 124 Marks  & His  Anthropology Strategy 315 Marks

2)  Gautam Vivekanandan AIR-211 Essay Topper 149 Marks

3)  Khushboo Oberoi AIR-139 Prelims, Ethics & Public Administration 294 Marks

4)  Aaditya Sharma AIR-70 Prelims, Mains & Medical Science

5)  Abhishek Dawachya AIR-610 Prelims, Mains (GS-1 Topper) & Sociology

6)  Avinash Kumar AIR-17 Philosophy Topper 319 Marks

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UPSC Essay Paper: Structure, Significance, Toppers and Their Marks

Unlock success in UPSC Mains with expert insights on the UPSC Essay Paper. Learn structure, scoring, and top scorer trends. FAQs answered for mastering this 250-mark exam challenge.

UPSC Essay Paper: Structure

The Union Public Service Commission conducts Civil Services Exams every year which comprises three stages i.e Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. The Mains exam consists of multiple papers, with the first paper being the UPSC Essay paper. In this article, we will explore every aspect of the UPSC Essay paper. Before going further let’s see the structure of the UPSC exam .

Marks Distribution of Mains Examination: The 250-Mark Weightage of UPSC Essay Paper

Each Paper of mains exam of UPSC has an equal weightage of 250 marks. So UPSC Essay paper has a weightage of 250 marks, and marks scored in the UPSC Essay paper were considered for evaluation.

Structure of UPSC Essay Paper: Sections, Topics, and Scoring

• The UPSC CSE Essay Paper in Mains Exam consists of two sections A and B with four topics each of 125 marks and a total of 250 (125×2) marks.  
• Candidates are given a choice to select a topic from each section and write about it in 1,000 to 2,000 words within the given time of three hours.

Importance of UPSC Essay Paper: Probing Skills, Knowledge, and Ethics for Administration

The UPSC essay paper of the UPSC mains examination is a comprehensive tool for evaluating a candidate’s intellectual, analytical, communication, and decision-making abilities. It extended beyond the factual knowledge, emphasizing the qualities necessary for effective and ethical administration. Let us see the importance of essay paper in UPSC Mains:

• Articulation of Ideas- The UPSC Essay paper assesses a candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts and ideas coherently. It tests the candidate’s proficiency in expressing complex ideas in a clear and concise manner.
• Analytical Skills- The UPSC essay paper evaluates analytical and critical thinking skills. Candidates are expected to analyze a given topic from various angles and present a balanced view.
• Integration of Knowledge- It requires candidates to integrate knowledge acquired from various subjects. This reflects the interdisciplinary approach necessary for administrative services.
• Current Affairs Awareness- The UPSC Essay topics often cover contemporary issues. This ensures that candidates are not only aware of current affairs but also capable of providing insightful perspectives on them.
• Language Proficiency- It assesses the candidate’s command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and overall language proficiency.
• Time Management- Writing two essays in a span of three hours challenges a candidate’s time management skills. It assesses their ability to prioritize and allocate time effectively.
• Personality Assessment- The UPSC essay paper provides insight into a candidate’s personality, thought process, and values. It helps the UPSC to evaluate whether the candidate possesses the qualities required for a career in public service.
• Communication Skills- Effective communication is a crucial aspect of administrative roles. The UPSC Essay paper evaluates a candidate’s ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Decision-Making Abilities- The UPSC Essay topics often require candidates to take a stance or make a decision. This helps in assessing their decision-making abilities and the rationale behind their choices.
• Ethical Dimension- Essay topics may also touch upon ethical dilemmas. This allows the UPSC to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of ethical principles and their ability to apply them in real-life situations.

Key Areas Evaluated in UPSC Essay Paper: Skills, Knowledge, and Effective Communication

Candidates should keep in mind that the UPSC Essay paper is an opportunity to showcase not only their knowledge but also their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. Practicing diverse topics and refining writing skills are essential for success in this component of the UPSC examination.

• This involves demonstrating knowledge, facts, and insights about the subject matter. 
• The ability to incorporate relevant data, examples, and references is essential.
• Ideas should be presented in a coherent manner, with a well-defined introduction, body, and conclusion. 
• Logical sequencing of thoughts is crucial for effective communication.
• This involves evaluating different perspectives, weighing pros and cons, and presenting a balanced view. 
• Analytical skills are essential for addressing complex issues and offering nuanced solutions.
• Language Proficiency: The command over language, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, is a vital aspect of the evaluation. 
• Merely reproducing information from study materials is not sufficient. 
• Candidates are encouraged to present their own ideas, viewpoints, and conclusions.
• The essay should directly address the key issues raised in the question.
• Transitions between paragraphs and ideas should be smooth, ensuring a cohesive narrative throughout the essay.
• Conclusion and Summation- The essay should conclude with a strong summary of the key points discussed. The conclusion should be insightful and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Significance of UPSC Essay Paper in Mains: Trends and Analysis

• High Scoring Potential- If we go through the marksheet of toppers and selected candidates in general we can see that candidate gets highest marks in essay out of other nine subjects in UPSC mains.
• No barrier in content- There are no content barriers in the essay paper. It stands unique among the exam components as candidates enjoy the freedom to explore and elaborate on the topic without being constrained by specific question conditions.
• Gives a boost for other papers- Essay paper of UPSC mains is scheduled on the first day of UPSC mains exam schedule so writing a good essay can give a confidence boost which will help in rest of the papers.
• Opinion Based Topics- Last few years papers of essay shows the inclination of essay topics towards opinion based topics either focusing on society or philosophy. In a nutshell UPSC puts a general topic in which its test candidate’s intelligence and opinion about the topic.

Top Scorer Trends in UPSC Essay Paper: Marks of Toppers Over the Years

Let us see the marks in essay paper of the toppers over the years

• The UPSC Essay Paper of the UPSC Mains examination is a pivotal component, embodying the essence of the Commission’s assessment philosophy. Beyond its weightage of 250 marks , the UPSC Essay holds the power to illuminate a candidate’s intellectual prowess, analytical acumen, and communication finesse. 
• The structured evaluation criteria, ranging from articulation of ideas to decision-making abilities and ethical considerations, reflect the multifaceted demands of a career in public service. 
• As evidenced by the consistently high scores of toppers in this section, the UPSC Essay Paper not only distinguishes itself as a scoring opportunity but also as a platform for candidates to exhibit their unique perspectives and original thinking. 
• By emphasising the significance of critical analysis, effective communication, and a nuanced understanding of diverse topics, the UPSC essay remains a cornerstone in identifying individuals equipped for the challenges of responsible and ethical administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the upsc essay paper, is the essay paper in upsc mains qualifying in nature, do toppers always get highest marks in upsc essay paper, what is the word limit for each essay.

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UPSC Civil Services Mains 2022 Essay Paper

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022: The Union Public Service Commission started the UPSC Civil Services Main Exam 2022 on September 16, 2022. The UPSC mains exam started on September 16, 2022 , and will be held on 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2022, at various locations around the country. GeeksforGeeks have brought the UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022 to make your exam preparation perfect. 

The highest score in the Mains Written level is crucial since 7 out of 9 papers are counted for merit ranking. Preliminary level marks, on the other hand, are not counted for merit ranking. As a result, the candidate’s attention should not only be on passing the exam but also on obtaining the best and highest possible grades. 

To gain a notion of Important Essay Topics for UPSC 2023 , one needs at least to look at the previous seven years of UPSC Essay Topics. Practicing the UPSC Essay Topics of Previous Years helps throughout the UPSC Mains exam, and the aspirant may ace the essay paper with enough preparation.

UPSC 2022 Mains Essay Question Paper:

The UPSC Essay paper is divided into two portions. Section A and Section B are the two. Each segment has four questions. Candidates must select one topic from each section, resulting in a total of two essay questions.

The word count for each question should be between 1000 and 1200 . Each question is worth 125 marks , thus the total number of marks is 250. The question paper will be evaluated on merit.

The Essay Topics asked in the UPSC Mains 2022 are given below:

1) Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.

2) Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.

3) History is a series of victorious won by the scientific man over the romantic man.

4) A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is for. 

1) The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. 

2) You cannot step twice in the same river. 

3) A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities. 

4) Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Aspirants can evaluate and plan their approach for the Civil Services Examination’s Mains level based on the question paper of 2022. UPSC Mains 2022 Essay Paper UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 1 UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 2 UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 3 UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 4

UPSC Mains Essay Previous Year Question Paper:

• UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2021
• UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2020
• UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2019
• UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2018
• UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2017
• UPSC Mains Essay Paper  2016 

How to Score Marks on UPSC Mains Essay Topics?

Writing provides insight into your cognitive process. This is precisely what the examiner looks at when reading your answer script. An essay is essentially a well-organized collection of ideas on any given topic. Mastering the skill of getting the highest possible grade on a test involves a lot of effort and dedication. The UPSC Mains essay is more than just a test of factual knowledge; it is also a test of creativity and confidence. 

Follow these strategies to get high marks in the UPSC Mains Essay paper:

1. Choose your topic carefully

The UPSC Essay paper 2022 is divided into two portions, and applicants must write one essay from each area. Both essays are worth 125 points and are 1000-1200 words long. Before choosing a topic, consider if it is too contentious or whether you have enough facts to write about it.

2. Think about the subject

Once you’ve decided on a topic, think about it and jot down the essential keywords you’ll use in your essay. Try to take a multifaceted approach to the essay and stick to a decent format of introduction, body, and conclusion.

3. Structure the essay in a proper manner

The opening paragraph is the heart of the essay and should provide a clear overview of the issue. The main focus should be on your thoughts on the subject. The primary body of the essay should be broken into little paragraphs that are interconnected nicely. The essay’s wording should be simple, clear, and easy to grasp. 

The UPSC Mains essay assesses your critical thinking abilities rather than your use of fancy language. Facts and statistics should be supplied whenever necessary. The use of quotations and sayings strengthens the essays. The final paragraph should speak for itself. Candidates should aim to write the essay in an unbiased or balanced manner.

Economic Growth, women empowerment, art & culture, media & society, social justice or poverty, education, renowned quotes from notable individuals , and other themes are among the UPSC Essay Topics.

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Some Potential Trump Witnesses Get Carrots. Michael Cohen Got the Stick.

Former President Donald J. Trump has taken different approaches to those who may testify at his trials. Some, he attacks publicly. Others he rewards for loyalty.

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By Ben Protess ,  William K. Rashbaum ,  Maggie Haberman ,  Jonathan Swan and Alan Feuer

Donald J. Trump watched anxiously from the White House in April 2018 as news broke about federal agents searching the home of Michael D. Cohen, the man entrusted to conceal some of the president’s deepest secrets. After initially coming to Mr. Cohen’s defense, Mr. Trump washed his hands of his fixer within weeks, brushing aside Mr. Cohen’s feelers about a pardon and disavowing his legal bills.

Mr. Trump took a different tack when prosecutors shifted their scrutiny to Allen H. Weisselberg, the Trump family’s longtime financial gatekeeper. Mr. Trump’s company paid Mr. Weisselberg’s legal bills and awarded him a $2 million severance, with a condition: He could not voluntarily cooperate with any law enforcement agency.

After Mr. Weisselberg signed the deal last year, Mr. Trump’s lawyers privately pressed him to testify in a civil fraud case filed against the former president, hoping the finance chief’s testimony would aid their defense, according to people with knowledge of the discussions, which have not previously been reported. But prosecutors say Mr. Weisselberg lied during his testimony, and this month he pleaded guilty to perjury.

The fixer and the moneyman both landed behind bars. But while Mr. Weisselberg remained loyal, refusing to implicate his boss, Mr. Cohen is poised to become a central witness for the Manhattan district attorney at Mr. Trump’s criminal trial next month, the first prosecution of a former U.S. president.

The contrasting cases of Mr. Cohen and Mr. Weisselberg — detailed in court records and interviews with 18 people directly involved in the cases, some of whom requested anonymity to discuss confidential conversations — demonstrate the power and peril of Mr. Trump’s tactics for avoiding a crisis like the one he now faces. The trial, in which Mr. Trump is accused of covering up a sex scandal surrounding the 2016 presidential campaign, is the realization of his long-held fear that prosecutors would flip trusted aides into dangerous witnesses.

The former president, facing four indictments and several lawsuits while seeking to reclaim the White House, careens from one case to the next, seeking to exert control over witnesses. In screeds posted on his social media site, he mixes enticements with threats, praise with scorn, and when all else fails, he makes life miserable for anyone audacious enough to cross him.

Mr. Trump’s company praised Mr. Weisselberg as a “fine and honorable man,” but Mr. Cohen felt the brunt of the former president’s attacks. Mr. Trump has sued him, called him a “rat” and referred to him as “death.”

That aggressive approach — stick, rather than carrot — will be tested at the Manhattan criminal trial, and at others that may follow in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. Despite Mr. Trump’s public lashing of Mr. Cohen and others, they are still set to testify against him.

The former president’s attacks now might put him in even greater legal jeopardy. On Tuesday, the judge in the Manhattan case issued a gag order that bars Mr. Trump from assailing potential witnesses and labeled his invective “threatening, inflammatory, denigrating.”

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Mr. Trump’s campaign, did not respond to requests for comment, but he criticized the gag order previously as unconstitutional because, he said, it prevented Mr. Trump “from engaging in core political speech, which is entitled to the highest level of protection under the First Amendment.”

The prosecution’s potential witness list for the Manhattan trial is expected to resemble a 2016-era roster of Mr. Trump’s employees, campaign aides and friends.

Mr. Cohen will testify that Mr. Trump helped orchestrate the hush-money deal with Stormy Daniels, the porn star at the center of the case. Ms. Daniels may testify as well. David Pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher who was once friends with Mr. Trump, is expected to tell the jury that he helped initiate that deal and buried other damaging stories for Mr. Trump. And Hope Hicks, a former campaign and White House aide to Mr. Trump, may be called to shed light on the tumultuous period.

Mr. Weisselberg is not expected to testify for either side. Although prosecutors have sought his help for years, he has repeatedly rebuffed them, disputing Mr. Cohen’s account of the hush-money deal and contending that he has no decisive information to offer. Given his guilty plea to perjury, and his financial dependence on the Trumps, he would not make a particularly credible defense witness either.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers have portrayed Mr. Weisselberg as a victim of prosecutorial overreach, and Mr. Cohen as an opportunistic liar who has admitted to perjury. They note that Mr. Cohen, whose memoir is titled “Disloyal,” pleaded guilty to federal charges involving the hush-money deal as well as personal financial crimes unrelated to Mr. Trump.

Mr. Trump has never said that refusing to pay more than $1 million of Mr. Cohen’s legal bills was shortsighted, but Mr. Cohen has told people it was “the biggest mistake” the former president ever made. Mr. Trump has, however, wondered aloud whether it might have been possible to handle Mr. Cohen differently to keep him loyal.

And Mr. Cohen’s break from Mr. Trump helped inform how Mr. Trump has handled other witnesses, a person with knowledge of the former president’s thinking said. His political action committee has paid more than $50 million in legal fees, mostly for aides and employees who are now witnesses in the cases against Mr. Trump.

While Mr. Trump’s legal fate is still undecided, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Weisselberg had their lives upended and their freedom revoked.

“I was the first lamb led to the slaughterhouse,” Mr. Cohen said in an interview.

It was Mr. Cohen’s loyalty that first caught Mr. Trump’s eye nearly two decades ago.

Mr. Trump was embroiled in a dispute over control of the condo board at his tower across from the United Nations when Mr. Cohen, a former personal injury lawyer who had bought several Trump apartments, helped him win.

The feat earned him a job at the Trump Organization, and the next decade of Mr. Cohen’s professional life was an act of devotion to the real estate mogul turned reality television star turned presidential candidate.

But Mr. Cohen ultimately concluded that his loyalty was not being reciprocated, setting in motion the events that led to the Manhattan criminal trial, which is scheduled to begin on April 15.

The case stems from the 2016 presidential campaign, when, behind the scenes, Mr. Cohen was cleaning up his candidate’s messes.

Mr. Pecker, the National Enquirer publisher, alerted Mr. Cohen to one such mess that October: Ms. Daniels was interested in selling her story of a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump. The threat came as the campaign reeled from the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” recording that captured Mr. Trump boasting about groping women.

Soon after, Mr. Cohen negotiated a $130,000 hush-money deal.

Mr. Cohen put up the money, and Mr. Trump reimbursed him. But Mr. Trump’s company falsely recorded the reimbursements in its books as “legal expenses.”

The hush money caught the attention of the federal authorities, leading them in April 2018 to search Mr. Cohen’s home and office; a hotel room where he was staying; and a safe deposit box.

Initially sympathetic, Mr. Trump called Mr. Cohen a “good man” and the search “a disgraceful situation.” He also called Mr. Cohen with a message — stay strong — and the Trump Organization paid for Mr. Cohen’s main lawyer.

But Mr. Trump’s advisers were concerned about witness tampering accusations and he stopped reaching out. Their relationship soon soured.

When Mr. Trump called into one of his favorite television shows, “Fox & Friends,” a few weeks after the search, he distanced himself from Mr. Cohen, who he said had handled just “a tiny, tiny little fraction” of his legal work, adding: “From what I understand, they’re looking at his businesses.”

“I’m not involved,” Mr. Trump added three times.

At the time, people close to Mr. Trump were dangling possible presidential pardons to advisers who had been caught up in criminal investigations. Mr. Cohen dispatched lawyers to ask whether Mr. Trump was open to giving him one, but the response from Mr. Trump’s then-personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, was that discussion of a pardon was premature.

The final straw, Mr. Cohen said, came when the Trump Organization stopped paying his main lawyer in June 2018. The company reasoned that it already had spent more than $1 million on the lawyer, and that Mr. Cohen was facing prosecution for his own business dealings in addition to the hush-money deal.

Mr. Cohen soon hired Lanny J. Davis, a veteran Washington lawyer and public relations strategist with close ties to Democratic politicians, and was telling friends that he was willing to cooperate with prosecutors.

When he pleaded guilty to federal charges that August, Mr. Cohen pointed the finger at Mr. Trump, saying he had paid the hush money “at the direction of” his former boss — an accusation he is expected to repeat on the witness stand in the Manhattan trial. A spokeswoman for Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, declined to comment.

Before going to prison, Mr. Cohen also appeared before Congress, where he was asked who else had worked on the hush-money deal. His answer: Mr. Weisselberg.

The Moneyman

After spending decades in relative anonymity as Mr. Trump’s finance chief, Mr. Weisselberg now had a target on his back.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office had come to view Mr. Weisselberg, whose relationship with the Trump family had begun under Mr. Trump’s father nearly a half-century before, as a linchpin in its investigation of the former president. When he rebuffed the prosecutors, he was indicted on tax fraud charges. He pleaded guilty in 2022.

While Mr. Weisselberg was serving time at the Rikers Island jail complex early last year, prosecutors offered him a path to freedom: Turn on Mr. Trump.

But that path was closed. The day before he arrived at Rikers, Mr. Weisselberg had signed the $2 million severance deal with its provision against cooperation.

The money is paid in installments. And while the Trump Organization agreed to pay Mr. Weisselberg’s lawyers, there was a caveat: “The company must approve the selection of employee’s counsel.”

If that were not incentive enough to remain loyal, one of Mr. Weisselberg’s sons works for the company.

Still, when Mr. Weisselberg returned home from Rikers last April, prosecutors tried a final squeeze. Unless he talked, they warned, he would face a new round of charges for misleading investigators over the years.

The threat could not have come at a worse moment for Mr. Weisselberg. The New York attorney general’s office, which had sued Mr. Trump and Mr. Weisselberg for fraudulently inflating the former president’s net worth, was set to question the onetime finance chief under oath in a deposition soon after his release from jail.

Mr. Weisselberg’s criminal lawyers expressed concern about his testifying. Doing so could expose Mr. Weisselberg to perjury charges.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers were adamant that he testify, noting that if he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, the judge deciding the case could hold it against the defense and doom their case. The Trump lawyers argued that prosecutors could charge Mr. Weisselberg whether or not he testified at the deposition.

It was Mr. Weisselberg’s decision to make, and he chose to testify. But as his criminal lawyers had feared, the district attorney’s office concluded that he had lied, and Mr. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury on March 4.

He will soon return to Rikers.

The property manager and the vice president

Mr. Trump’s divergent approaches to Mr. Cohen and Mr. Weisselberg have been replicated in his approach to witnesses in the two federal cases against him.

The cases, brought by a special counsel, Jack Smith, include one in Florida, where Mr. Trump is accused of mishandling classified documents, and one in Washington, where the former president has been charged with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

As Mr. Smith was investigating, Mr. Trump used part of his political fund-raising operation to pay the legal bills for several former aides and allies who had been called before grand juries to testify about him. Mr. Trump also paid for lawyers for his two co-defendants in the classified documents case: Walt Nauta, a personal aide who works for the former president at his Mar-a-Lago estate, and Carlos De Oliveira, the property manager there.

Like Mr. Weisselberg, Mr. Nauta and Mr. De Oliveira remained loyal, and they are now paying the price: Mr. Smith charged both men not only with obstruction of justice, but also with lying to investigators.

And like Mr. Cohen, the former Trump aides who were possible witnesses against him have felt his wrath on his social media site, Truth Social.

Mr. Trump has attacked his vice president, Mike Pence, claiming that Mr. Pence has gone to the “Dark Side.” He has taken aim at his onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows, whom Mr. Trump likened to “weaklings and cowards” after fearing that he might be cooperating with federal prosecutors. And after Alyssa Farah, a former White House communications aide who talked to investigators about Mr. Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, criticized him publicly, he called her a “loser.”

Late last year, Mr. Smith, tiring of the outbursts, told a federal appeals court that the hostility “was part of a pattern, stretching back years, in which people publicly targeted by” Mr. Trump were “subject to harassment, threats, and intimidation” as a result.

Mr. Smith cited many of the attacks to obtain a gag order against Mr. Trump in the election-interference case in Washington.

“Mr. Trump’s documented pattern of speech and its demonstrated real-time, real-world consequences pose a significant and imminent threat,” an appeals court in Washington wrote in affirming the order.

More recently, prosecutors have also sought to protect witnesses in the Florida case. Mr. Smith’s team has even opened a separate criminal investigation into threats made on social media against a witness.

When the former president’s lawyers tried to put the witnesses’ names in public court filings, prosecutors complained to the judge overseeing the case. Releasing the names, they said, would risk “exposing them to significant and immediate risks of threats, intimidation, and harassment.”

And when aides become witnesses, Mr. Trump sometimes seeks to clarify their allegiances.

During the documents investigation, his team questioned whether Mr. De Oliveira was loyal. One of Mr. De Oliveira’s friends, Brian Butler, responded affirmatively: He would not do anything to jeopardize his relationship with Mr. Trump.

Within 15 minutes, Mr. Butler said, Mr. Trump called Mr. De Oliveira and offered to get him a lawyer.

Ben Protess is an investigative reporter at The Times, writing about public corruption. He has been covering the various criminal investigations into former President Trump and his allies. More about Ben Protess

William K. Rashbaum is a senior writer on the Metro desk, where he covers political and municipal corruption, courts, terrorism and law enforcement. He was a part of the team awarded the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. More about William K. Rashbaum

Maggie Haberman is a senior political correspondent reporting on the 2024 presidential campaign, down ballot races across the country and the investigations into former President Donald J. Trump. More about Maggie Haberman

Jonathan Swan is a political reporter covering the 2024 presidential election and Donald Trump’s campaign. More about Jonathan Swan

Alan Feuer covers extremism and political violence for The Times, focusing on the criminal cases involving the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and against former President Donald J. Trump.  More about Alan Feuer

Our Coverage of the Trump Case in Georgia

Former president donald trump and 18 others face a sprawling series of charges for their roles in attempting to interfere in the state’s 2020 presidential election..

 Fani Willis: Trump’s lawyers had argued that the Fulton County district attorney should be removed  from the case because of her relationship with Nathan Wade, a colleague and former romantic partner . A judge later ruled that Willis could continue leading the prosecution , but only if Wade withdrew from the case. Wade subsequently  resigned .

 Other Threats to Prosecution:  A special committee of the Georgia State Senate is also looking into accusations of misconduct by Willis , making it clear that the effort to disqualify her from the prosecution is not the only threat to her case .

RICO Charges:  At the heart of the indictment in Georgia  are racketeering charges under the state Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act . Here’s why such charges  could prove to be a powerful tool for the prosecution .

Who Else Was Indicted?:   Rudy   Giuliani , who led legal efforts in several states to keep the former president in power, and Mark Meadows , the former W hite House chief of staff, were among the 18 Trump allies  charged in the case.

Plea Deals: Sidney K. Powell , Kenneth Chesebro  and Jenna Ellis  — three lawyers indicted with Trump in the case — pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors   against the former president.

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Celebrating a Storied History: Moscow Preobrazhenskaya Mental Hospital Marks its 245 th Anniversary

Larisa a. burygina.

Mental-health Clinic No. 4 named after P. B. Gannushkin

Sergey A. Golubev

Oksana v. filipchenko, associated data.

• 1876. 217. 1. 76. [On the 100th anniversary of the Preobrazhenskaya hospital which takes place 13th of July 1877] Central State Archive of Moscow (Moscow)

Figure S2 . «About the centenary anniversary».

In 2022, Mental-health Clinic No. 4 named after P. B. Gannushkin, one of the oldest mental health institutions in Russia known as Preobrazhenskaya Hospital before the October Revolution of 1917, celebrated its 245 th anniversary. The history of the hospital reflects all stages of the evolution of the basic principles and aspects of mental health care in Russia. On many occasions, the institution served as a platform for eminent researchers and clinicians to achieve scientific breakthroughs and their application in practice. This article is a review of the major milestones in the history of the hospital. It highlights the great achievements of its psychiatrists and presents some previously unpublished archival documents that offer a new perspective on the history of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital.

INTRODUCTION

In 2022, Mental-health Clinic No. 4 named after P. B. Gannushkin, one of the oldest mental health institutions in Russia known as Preobrazhenskaya Hospital before the October Revolution, celebrated its 245 th anniversary. This represents the number of years since Catherine the Great signed a decree establishing the Moscow House of Invalids, where several dozen beds were set aside for the mentally ill. The document, issued in 1777 [1] , laid the foundation not only for Moscow’s first specialized institution that could accommodate patients with mental disorders, but also, without exaggeration, for the entire field of Russian psychiatry.

The implementation of the Pinel reform in Russia, the introduction of the concept of “moral treatment”, the first scientific conferences and open clinical discussions, all these stages in the evolution of the basic principles and aspects of mental health care have found their reflection in the history of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital over the past 245 years. This is why Vasily Gilyarovsky poetically referred to the Hospital as “the cradle of Russian psychiatry” [2] .

Each page in the history of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital is not only an impressive list of achievements and innovations, but also a unique gallery of distinguished names [3-7] . It served as a basis for the greatest medical luminaries of the time, such as V. F. Sabler, V. R. Butzke, V. A. Gilyarovsky, N. N. Bazhenov, A. V. Snezhnevsky, D. E. Melekhov, T. I. Yudin, S. G. Zhislin, and G. Y. Avrutsky, from which to make their scientific discoveries and validate them in practice; this was also the place where such luminaries of Russian psychiatry as S. S. Korsakov, A. U. Frese, E. K. Krasnushkin, P. E. Snesarev, A. S. Tiganov, and I. Y. Gurovich, and many others, began their medical careers.

It is a well-known and undisputed fact that Preobrazhenskaya Hospital was the first (and almost only one until the end of the 19 th century) psychiatric hospital to appear in Moscow. But historians and researchers in psychiatry have spent more than 100 years trying to dig up documents that could allow them to determine the exact year of its founding.

Starting in the second half of the 19 th century, the question has frustrated many eminent physicians of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital, including S. I. Steinberg [8] , I. V. Konstantinovsky [9] , N. N. Bazhenov [10] , M. A. Dzhagarov [11] , and A. B. Alexandrovsky [12] . Their work can now help us to form a fairly comprehensive view of how the State and society gradually, step by step, developed an awareness of what such an independent institution as a psychiatric hospital was all about. They painstakingly assembled scattered documents and facts to finally pinpoint with certainty the day it all began and the events that could be considered key milestones in the hospital’s history.

FROM FIRST MENTIONS TO 19th CENTURY REFORM

The first building that hosted Preobrazhenskaya Hospital, originally known as Moscow Dolgauz, opened its doors on June 15, 1808. In the 20 th century, it became routine to trace all anniversaries of the institution back to that date. But is that right? Could the mere fact that the hospital acquired its own building be considered the seminal event of the first inpatient psychiatric hospital in Moscow?

On July 13, 1777, Catherine the Great signed a decree mandating the opening of the House of Invalids in Moscow, with one of its “wards” dedicated to the care of the mentally ill. This is the date that, 100 years later, the doctors at Preobrazhenskaya Hospital referred to as the starting point in the history of their institution [8] . One of their main arguments was the fact that, on May 17, 1792, Catherine the Great issued a decree [1] establishing for the first time the position of Special Doctor at the mental health hospital. Hence, this decree confirms that this type of social institution for people with mental disorders already existed in 1792.

According to the decree signed by Catherine the Great, the primary role in the observation of patients was assigned to the warden, who was in charge not only of the guards (retired soldiers), but also of the doctor responsible for the professional supervision of patients. In reality, however, the staff physician had to juggle work at the mental health hospital with his duties in the nursing home, the hospice, and the almshouse. As a result, his attention was limited to those patients who had a chance of recovery [13] .

When assessing the efforts of the first doctors at the mental health hospital, such as F. Raschke, then C. Pouliard, A. Blimmer, J. Karas (and all this happened long before the hospital had its own building), N. N. Bazhenov wrote in his book about Preobrazhenskaya Hospital: “It is important to note that even then there was a firm belief that the insane person was a patient, with all that such a conclusion entailed, including examination by a physician, admission to the mental health hospital for treatment (no matter how crude and primitive that treatment might have been), and finally discharge when the physician was satisfied that the goal of admission (a cure) had been achieved” [10] .

Other doctors at Preobrazhenskaya Hospital also left their mark in the history of Russian psychiatry of the 19 th century. For example, Zinovy Ivanovich Kibalchich, Chief Doctor of the hospital in 1811–1828, left us a documented description of the prevailing realities in a mental hospital at the beginning of the 19 th century. In his 1821 article “Report on the House of the Insane in Moscow and the Methods of Treatment Used There” published in the Journal of the Imperial Philanthropic Society (issue No. 11, 1821), he not only described in detail Moscow Dolgauz and the methods of treatment used there, but he was also one of the first to point out the existence of mental disorders that are now referred to as “borderline conditions” [14] .

Vasily Fedorovich Sabler, chief doctor of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital in 1828–1871, was a true “revolutionary” in the early history of psychiatric care in Russia ( Figure 1 ).

A brilliant clinician and talented scientist, V. F. Sabler provided evidence for the nosological independence of progressive paralysis, described its accompanying mental and neurological disorders, and developed humanistic principles of individual approach to patients. He was one of the first to hypothesize that some forms of illness can evolve into others, and that severe somatic illness accompanied by high body temperature (fever) can contribute to the cure of psychosis.

In the history of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital, V. F. Sabler played an equally prominent role as an outstanding manager. With a radical reform of the hospital’s management system, he ensured that the Chief Doctor would become the actual head of the institution. He supervised all areas of the hospital’s activities and prepared reports on the clinic that were published in the press (including in Europe).

This administrative reform marked a dramatic shift in attitudes toward the mentally ill. V. F. Sabler was greatly influenced by Philippe Pinel’s concept, which led him to completely overhaul the patient management system, finally replacing the chains used on violent patients with straitjackets and restraint chairs with straps.

It was the first instance when treatment was given priority over charity. This included the first patient histories (known as “case sheets”, see Figure S1 in the Supplementary File 1 ) and prescription books. Depending on the course of their disease, patients were categorized as acute or chronic and treated using a different therapeutic approaches.

The new emphasis was not only on the medical observation of the patients, but also on their moral challenges and re-education. Patients were no longer seen as “dangerous madmen” but as “unreasonable children” who needed proper care and exercise. That is why occupational therapy was considered so important. According to the instruction “On the Exercises for the Sick People Placed at the Mental Health Hospital” published in 1834, each patient was assigned a strictly individual occupation. It was then that Preobrazhenskaya Hospital established a sewing shop, a tailor’s shop, a shoemaker’s shop, a dyer’s shop, a paint shop, a plasterer’s shop, and a vegetable garden. The women could also knit socks and embroider canvas.

V. F. Sabler initiated the effort to draft legislation on the mentally ill, which provided the impetus to address a long overdue problem in the patient examination process. For centuries, medical matters had been handled by officials with no expertise in diagnosing mental illness, and during the reign of Nicholas I, the authorities began committing patients to institutions “pending further orders” rather than “pending recovery”, as had always been the case. It was not until February 18, 1835, that a decree was issued establishing a procedure for forensic psychiatric examination that required convincing evidence of mental illness from credible medical experts.

In 1841, the so-called “special patient examination procedure” was introduced and implemented for the first time at Preobrazhenskaya Hospital. If in St. Petersburg the “lunatics” continued to be transported to the Provincial Board, in Moscow the “subjects” were now sent to Preobrazhenskaya Hospital for “expert examination” and placed in a ward specially purposed for such subjects in a section of St. Catherine’s Almshouse. Membership in the Patient Examination Committee was also established at that time and did not change until 1917. It included the hospital doctor, his/her assistant, the provincial marshal of the nobility, the chief of the district police or the head of the city. Patients were discharged only after a new examination, which could take place at the end of a two-year “observation” period, and this period could be shortened only by special decision of the Senate.

The hospital owes both its name, Preobrazhenskaya, and the confirmation of its new official status as a medical institution to V. F. Sabler. It was he who on May 31, 1838, petitioned Emperor Nicholas I to sign a decree renaming the Moscow Dolgauz as the Preobrazhenskaya Mental Hospital.

Assessing the changes that took place in the hospital during the first hundred years of its existence, historians of psychiatry are quite right to note that as early as the middle of the 19 th century Preobrazhenskaya Hospital had made the transition from a “charity house” to an in-patient psychiatric institution and had evolved into “the center of not only practical but also scientific psychiatry, which became the tradition of the Moscow psychiatric school, distinguishing it from the St. Petersburg psychiatric school” [7] .

These changes, most of which were introduced during V. F. Sabler’s leadership, allowed Samuil Ivanovich Shteinberg (the hospital’s chief doctor in 1872–1877) to begin work on the institution’s first collection of scientific papers in the run-up to the centennial of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital in 1877. The preserved documents (“Preobrazhenskaya Hospital Office File on the Centennial Anniversary...”) show that the preparations for this anniversary had begun well in advance. As early as in February 1876, the chief physician, S. I. Shteinberg, wrote a letter to the trustees of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital with a detailed plan of the celebration. A circular letter was sent to the staff instructing S. S. Korsakov, N. I. Derzhavin, and V. R. Butzke to begin preparing articles identifying the major milestones in the history and development of the hospital (Figure S2 in the Supplementary File 1 ).

In the 1870s and 1880s, the hospital attracted a cadre of brilliant and exceptionally gifted young physicians who introduced the most advanced methods of patient care into existing medical practice. First of all, this applies to Sergey Sergeyevich Korsakov, the founder of the nosological branch of psychiatry, the creator of the Moscow scientific school and the author of a classic course in psychiatry [4,5] . His name is closely connected with the history of the “therapeutic revolution” at Preobrazhenskaya Hospital. The energy and reputation of S. S. Korsakov helped to complete and irretrievably establish “moral treatment” at the hospital and the “open door” policy (from 1889), followed by out-of-hospital care, which radically changed the entire approach to patients.

20 th CENTURY: TRANSFORMATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Looking back, it is impossible to ignore one obvious fact: almost all the chief doctors of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital in the period before the Russian Revolution of 1917 acted as reformers of the entire Russian psychiatric care system. An honorable place in this gallery of illustrious figures is occupied by Nikolai Nikolaevich Bazhenov, chief doctor of the hospital in 1904–1917 ( Figure 2 ).

Preobrazhenskaya Hospital owes its vast expansion and the introduction of the then — revolutionary system of “advanced care” to this fascinating figure of Russian psychiatry, outstanding clinician, ingenious manager, and respected teacher.

In the new “advanced care” system, the uneducated wardens and nannies were replaced by young medical interns and sisters of mercy. The doors to the wards were unlocked, the bars on the windows were replaced with tempered glass, and the straitjackets were displayed as museum pieces [15-17] . To ensure that patients were under continuous and competent supervision, the interns were required to live in the hospital, rotate on round-the-clock duty, welcome new admissions, and complete patient histories and observation diaries. All direct patient care was assigned to mid-level medical staff. Thirty-two sisters of mercy washed and fed the patients, gave them baths, accompanied them on walks, etc. Each ward had a head nurse who distributed medications, served lunch and dinner, was in charge of laundry, and performed other household duties. Nannies and servants were assigned only janitorial duties. In the spirit of those times, the hospital widely applied a system of moral influence, a prototype of today’s psychosocial therapy that included respectful treatment and support of patients, their socialization, and involvement in various activities.

At the beginning of the 20 th century, with N. N. Bazhenov’s contribution, the hospital was transformed into a research and treatment institution, which became a center of advanced psychiatric knowledge. The scope of N. N. Bazhenov’s innovations is quite impressive: in just a few years the clinic, where at the turn of the century treatment of patients resembled more that in a prison than in a medical institution, was transformed into a modern hospital, on par with the best that Europe could offer [15-17] .

Preobrazhenskaya Hospital was also the place where the Law on the Mentally Ill, a revolutionary act for its time, was proposed 80 years before the adoption of the Russian Federal Law on Psychiatric Care in 1992. The legal principles outlined by N. N. Bazhenov at the first congress of the Russian Union of Neuropathologists and Psychiatrists in 1911 are still relevant today:

“The following issues need to be brought to the forefront of mental health care and legislated:

• The principle of extending state care to all mentally ill people in the country, and specifying the measures to implement this task and the central and local authorities responsible for these tasks.
• Conditions for allowing treatment at home in the patient’s own family.
• Sufficient safeguards must be in place to ensure that the principles of inviolability of the person and individual liberty can only be violated when the mental illness of the person in question makes this imperative” [18] .

N. Bazhenov is also connected with the first commemoration of the foundation of the hospital celebrated in the 20 th century. In December 1909 the 100 th anniversary of the opening of the first building hosting Preobrazhenskaya Hospital on Matrosskaya Tishina Street was commemorated in gushing but solemn fashion, with the participation of the general public.

By that time the clinic had already received a plot of 11 dessiatins of land with the two and three-story buildings of the former Kotov factory (known as “Kotov’s Half”) ( Figure 3 ).

The factory buildings were refurbished, and a dormitory for the staff was equipped with ventilation, plumbing, and even central heating, which allowed N. N. Bazhenov to write proudly that “now Preobrazhenskaya Hospital has such premises for the staff that few Russian or even Western European hospital institutions can boast of” [10] .

However, the problem of overcrowding could be solved only by the construction of new buildings on Kotov’s Half, which required additional funds. So, N. N. Bazhenov decided to organize a gala evening for the city’s dignitaries on the former Kotov estate.

The day of the anniversary celebration was packed with events, including a solemn liturgy and breakfast for 300 guests; in the afternoon, there was a large concert by professional musicians from Moscow; a festive tea ceremony for patients, distribution of anniversary souvenirs, such as cups with the hospital insignia; and in the evening a banquet for 200 guests was held at the Kotov’s cottage located in a picturesque setting on the border of the Preobrazhenskaya and Sokolnicheskaya groves.

In addition to the concert, the highlight of the “cultural program” was the exhibition, for which N. N. Bazhenov selected not only everyday objects from psychiatric hospitals of different centuries (straitjacket, restraint chair, and “case sheets”), but also the creative works of patients (paintings and caricatures, wood and paper crafts, embroidery, and knitting). The models of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital and the Eiffel Tower were particularly popular with the public, because of their size and resemblance to the originals.

In addition to the gala dinner, the guests were treated to a theatrical performance, which included an act from the play “The Marriage of Krechinsky”, with a reference to Preobrazhenskaya Hospital, and, at the end of the evening, fireworks from an area near the buildings in Kotov’s Half — N. N. Bazhenov did not miss a single opportunity to draw the attention of the patrons and city authorities to the matter of financing the future construction. In 1910–1914, his work culminated in the successful completion of three new buildings and repairs to the old factory facilities on Kotov’s Half.

But let’s take a closer look at the year of this anniversary: Why was it celebrated in 1909? For a long time, 1809 was mistakenly considered the year in which the first specialized hospital for the mentally ill was opened. It was mentioned both in the Historical Essay on the Imperial St. Catherine’s Almshouse by V. Molnar [13] and in the Historical Essay on Preobrazhenskaya Hospital by I. V. Konstantinovsky [9] . For this reason, the anniversary was celebrated in 1909 and the following plaque was installed on the facade of the building: “1809–1909: To the centenary of the Preobrazhenskaya Mental Hospital, the first in Moscow designed specifically for psychiatric purposes”.

Only later, while working on the manuscript of his book “The Moscow Dolgauz” or “Essays on the History of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital” did N. N. Bazhenov study the documents in the hospital archives and found out that the new mental health hospital in Preobrazhenskoye was opened earlier, in June 1808, when 53 patients from the house of the former Secret Expedition were transferred to the building on Matrosskaya Tishina 1 [10] .

By the beginning of the 20 th century, the records had cemented all three major milestones in the history of the establishment of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital: 1777, 1808, and 1838. One might think that this would have settled the question of the first dates for future celebrations once and for all.

However, the revolution of 1917 and the subsequent division of the hospitals sowed confusion into the “question of anniversaries”. In the spirit of Soviet traditions, Preobrazhenskaya Hospital was stripped of its former name in 1920 and became Moscow City Hospital No. 1. What’s more, in 1931, it was divided into two independent medical institutions with different goals and missions. The hospitals kept changing names, numbers, internal organizational structure, and overall scope of activities, and only relatively recently, in 2017, did the two hospitals return to their historical roots by merging under the name of P.B. Gannushkin Mental-health Clinic No. 4 ( Figure 4 ).

Over the next 100 years, Kotov’s half of Preobrazhenskaya Hospital acquired a different, but equally illustrious, name — Gannushkin Hospital. In the second half of the 20 th century, it maintained its position as an advanced center of research and practice, with many pioneering milestones in the history of Russian psychiatry:

• It developed the system of maintenance therapy, which is so important in preventing relapses.
• For the first time in the USSR, it began to use insulin shock therapy (under the direction of M. Y. Sereisky), as well as electroconvulsive therapy (with the contribution of G. A. Rotshtein).
• It also marked the beginning of the “psychopharmacological treatment era in psychiatry” with the trials of many medications that were subsequently integrated into mainstream clinical practice.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Reflecting on the title of this article, “Celebrating a Storied History”, one may note that in 2022 the institution historically known as Preobrazhenskaya Hospital will celebrate its anniversary for the first time in more than a century since that memorable evening organized by N. N. Bazhenov at the former Kotov estate. How does Gannushkin Hospital, the illustrious heir to the great traditions established by Preobrazhenskaya Hospital, look at the new generation in the year of its 245 th anniversary?

More recently, just 3–4 years ago, it got a facelift after extensive repair and construction work to restore the buildings dating back to the early 20 th century. Most importantly, the reorganization allowed for more streamlined psychiatric care, created a common information space, rationalized territorial localization, and brought patient treatment and routing patterns into a consolidated format.

With four specialized clinics in operation since 2020, the hospital now has several new structural units, including a clinic for affective and suicidal disorders, a clinic for borderline conditions, a clinic for first psychotic episodes, a clinic for pharmacoresistant conditions, and a clinic for mental disorders that are compounded by substance abuse. The Mental Health Counseling Center, opened in 2021, provides outpatient care for individuals suffering from various mental disorders including somatoform, stress-related, and neurotic disorders.

Today Gannushkin Hospital boasts a center for complex diagnostics, a clinical and diagnostic department with specialized clinics (such as dentistry, ophthalmology, gynecology, ENT, ultrasound), an anesthesiology and intensive care unit, a clinical and diagnostic laboratory, a psychological and psychotherapeutic center, a social and legal assistance center, as well as a physiotherapy department (including a transcranial magnetic stimulation room and xenon therapy room), pharmacy, X-ray rooms, and a physiotherapy room.

At the moment, the hospital has 9 outpatient branches known as Psychoneurological Dispensaries (PNDs), some of which have a history spanning more than 100 years. 2 Three Memory Clinics were founded on the basis of PND. These medical and rehabilitation units are designed to help elderly patients with early signs of dementia and mild cognitive decline.

The staff of the oldest psychiatric hospital in Moscow has carefully passed down to younger generations traditions that combine the utmost sense of humanity and the highest level of professionalism in helping patients with mental disorders. These traditions are the cornerstone that enables the team at Mental-health Clinic No. 4 named after P. B. Gannushkin to live its mission every day by providing personalized and comprehensive mental health care based on the principles of partnership and trust, with the aim of restoring and maintaining a high quality of life for its patients.

Authors’ contribution

All the authors made a significant contribution to the article.

The research was carried out without additional funding.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Supplementary data

Supplementary material related to this article can be found in the online version at doi: 10.17816/CP3704

Supplementary File 1

Figure S1 . «Case sheets».

1 The house on Myasnitskaya Street, formerly owned by the Secret Expedition, was transferred to the Public Charity Office in the early 19 th century. This is where the patients of the House of Invalids and the Madhouse were accommodated in 1801.

2 PND No. 8, for example, was founded in 1919 and made psychiatric history as the prototype of the emerging district-level psychiatric care in Soviet Russia.

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