Aspirants can prepare for the essay paper in UPSC Mains by practicing writing skills and developing a structured approach to essay composition. Understand the essay format and allocate time for brainstorming ideas before drafting. Reading widely—including newspapers, journals, and literature—can help generate diverse perspectives. Regularly practicing with previous years’ question papers helps candidates familiarize themselves with topics likely to appear in the exam. Incorporating relevant examples and well-organized arguments while managing time effectively during the exam is vital for scoring well.