UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress. Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for September 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.comQUESTION 1The India-EU Strategic Agenda reflects a deepening partnership between the two sides. Discuss the potential of India-EU relations.QUESTION 2“Demand for Sixth Schedule status in Ladakh reflects deeper aspirations for autonomy.” Discuss the constitutional and political dimensions of extending Sixth Schedule protections to Ladakh.General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC MainsIntroduction— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.BodyStory continues below this ad— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.Story continues below this ad— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.Way forward/ conclusion— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.Self Evaluation— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.Story continues below this adTHOUGHT PROCESS FOR UPSC MAINSYou may enrich your answers by some of the following pointsQUESTION 1: The India-EU Strategic Agenda reflects a deepening partnership between the two sides. Discuss the potential of India-EU relations.Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.Introduction:— The India-European Union (EU) leaders’ summit, which will build on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India earlier this year, is set to take place next February. The two sides will discuss cooperation in a number of areas.— The EU issued a document which outlines the strategic agenda for India-EU ties ahead of the summit.Body:Story continues below this adYou may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:— This vision, based on a commitment to mutual benefit, is based on five pillars:1. Economy & trade— The EU is India’s largest trading partner; India is the EU’s largest trading partner in the Global South. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached EUR 120 billion, an increase of nearly 90% over the last decade. Trade in services adds another EUR 60 billion.— Around 6,000 European companies operate in India. They directly employ 3 million people and support millions more jobs indirectly, making the EU one of India’s top investors. EU foreign direct investment in India reached EUR 140 billion in 2023 — almost doubling in five years.2. Global connectivityStory continues below this ad— The EU’s Global Gateway mobilises EUR 300 billion globally to support energy, digital and transport infrastructure, while India boasts initiatives such as MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth). In 2021, the two partners concluded the EU-India Connectivity Partnership.— A flagship example of this strategic collaboration is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This project seeks to revive historical Eurasian trade routes by integrating maritime, rail, digital, energy, and clean hydrogen infrastructure.3. Emerging technologies— The EU proposes setting up a number of EU-India Innovation Hubs: dedicated platforms on key technologies, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, startups, investors, and experts to identify shared priorities and catalyse innovation.— It also proposes an EU-India Startup Partnership, in collaboration with the European Innovation Council, Start-up India, and member countries.Story continues below this ad— The EU and India are working towards robust measures to prevent the unauthorised transfer or misuse of sensitive technologies, ensuring their responsible utilisation in support of global stability, democratic values, and strategic autonomy.4. Security & defence— The EU-India security and defence cooperation has recently gained momentum through the Strategic Dialogue on Foreign and Security Policy launched in June 2025. Regular thematic dialogues between India and the EU address themes of maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and non proliferation. The creation of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership is now being explored.— The EU’s increasing strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific — especially its support for regional partners in comprehensive security areas — aligns closely with India’s role as a key pillar of regional stability.— The EU and India are working towards combating terror, terror financing, online propaganda, and the security risks posed by emerging technologies.5. People-to-people tiesStory continues below this ad— In 2023, 825,000 Indian citizens lived in the EU, the largest group receiving EU Blue Cards and intra-corporate transfer permits. Travel has become easier, with nearly one million Schengen visas issued in India in 2024, many as multiple-entry short-stay visas.Conclusion:— Both partners aim to manage migration sensibly: tackling illegal flows while supporting balanced talent mobility that serves India’s development priorities and the EU’s economic needs.— Closer cooperation is needed to facilitate recognition of qualifications and learning periods abroad. This will support systemic collaboration in higher and vocational education, enabling joint programmes, satellite campuses, and language training in India.(Source: India-EU strategic agenda)Points to PonderRead more about India-EU relationsRead about trade between India and EURelated Previous Year QuestionsIndia-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate. (2025)“Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign policy trajectories in the coming years? (2025)QUESTION 2: “Demand for Sixth Schedule status in Ladakh reflects deeper aspirations for autonomy.” Discuss the constitutional and political dimensions of extending Sixth Schedule protections to Ladakh. (Source: PTI)Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.Introduction:— Protestors demanding statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh triggered a massive shutdown in Ladakh’s Leh town.— The issue dates back to 2019, since Article 370 was repealed and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed. The result was the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with a legislature, and Ladakh without a legislature.— The political and legal status of Ladakh has remained contentious since, with the people of the UT finding themselves under direct central administration.Body:You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:— Over 90% of Ladakh’s population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes, and there has been a consistent demand to include the region under the Sixth Schedule.— The people of Ladakh have demanded the decentralisation of power as they believe that “lower levels of bureaucracy” may have been “influenced by industrial powers and business houses”, who wanted “mining to take place in every valley here”.Significance of the Sixth Schedule— The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 of the Indian Constitution provides for the formation of autonomous administrative regions called Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), which govern tribal-majority areas in certain northeastern states.— ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five years and can make laws, rules and regulations on land, forest, water, agriculture, village councils, health, sanitation, village- and town-level policing, etc. Currently, there are 10 ADCs in the North East, with three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, and one in Tripura.Conclusion:— Since the abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Ladakh’s political and legal status has remained contentious. Demands have grown for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which grants tribal-majority areas legislative and financial autonomy through autonomous district councils.(Source: What to know about Ladakh protests demanding statehood, autonomy from Centre)Points to PonderRead more about 6th schedule of the Indian ConstitutionRead about India-China relationsRelated Previous Year QuestionDiscuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (2025)Previous Mains Answer PracticeUPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 122)UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 121)UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 120)UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 121)UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 121)UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 120)Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.