Mains Syllabus of ESIC UDC Exam 2024
The ESIC UDC (Upper Division Clerk) exam is conducted by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for recruitment to the post of Upper Division Clerk in various ESIC offices across India. The exam is conducted in two stages:
- Tier I: Computer-based exam consisting of four sections:
- Reasoning Ability
- Numerical Ability
- English Language
- General Awareness
- Tier II: Descriptive Paper (pen-and-paper based)
This article focuses on the Tier II syllabus, which is the Descriptive Paper.
Descriptive Paper (Tier II)
The Descriptive Paper is a pen-and-paper based exam of two hours duration, carrying a total of 100 marks. The paper comprises two sections:
- Essay: 60 marks
- Precis Writing & Comprehension: 40 marks
Note: Candidates must attempt both sections.
Essay
The Essay section requires candidates to write an essay on a given topic. The essay should be well-structured, grammatically correct, and should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively.
Key aspects to focus on:
- Content: The essay should be relevant to the topic and should present a clear and logical argument.
- Structure: The essay should be well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Language: The language should be clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
- Vocabulary: Use a wide range of vocabulary to enhance the essay’s impact.
- Presentation: The essay should be neatly presented with proper formatting and handwriting.
Possible Essay Topics:
- Social Issues: Poverty, Inequality, Education, Healthcare, Gender Equality, Environmental Issues, etc.
- Economic Issues: Inflation, Unemployment, Economic Growth, Globalization, etc.
- Political Issues: Democracy, Governance, Corruption, etc.
- Current Affairs: Recent events, developments, and trends in India and the world.
- General Topics: Technology, Science, Culture, Art, Literature, etc.
Table 1: Essay Writing Tips
| Aspect | Tips |
|---|---|
| Content | * Brainstorm ideas and choose a topic you are comfortable with. * Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information. * Develop a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument. * Support your arguments with evidence and examples. |
| Structure | * Use a clear and logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. * Each body paragraph should focus on a single idea and provide supporting evidence. * Use transition words and phrases to connect ideas and ensure smooth flow. |
| Language | * Use clear and concise language. * Avoid jargon and technical terms unless necessary. * Use a variety of sentence structures to keep the writing interesting. * Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors. |
| Vocabulary | * Use a wide range of vocabulary to enhance the essay’s impact. * Avoid using slang or colloquialisms. * Use synonyms to avoid repetition. |
| Presentation | * Write neatly and legibly. * Use proper formatting, including margins, spacing, and font size. * Proofread carefully before submitting the essay. |
Precis Writing & Comprehension
This section assesses the candidate’s ability to understand and summarize a given passage. The candidates are required to write a precis of the given passage, which is a concise summary of the main points of the passage. They are also required to answer comprehension questions based on the passage.
Key aspects to focus on:
- Understanding: Read the passage carefully and identify the main points and supporting arguments.
- Conciseness: The precis should be a concise summary of the passage, capturing the essential information without unnecessary details.
- Accuracy: The precis should accurately reflect the content of the passage.
- Clarity: The precis should be written in clear and concise language.
- Comprehension: Answer the comprehension questions accurately and comprehensively.
Table 2: Precis Writing & Comprehension Tips
| Aspect | Tips |
|---|---|
| Understanding | * Read the passage carefully and identify the main points. * Pay attention to the author’s tone and purpose. * Identify the key arguments and supporting evidence. |
| Conciseness | * Eliminate unnecessary details and focus on the main points. * Use concise language and avoid repetition. * Aim for a precis that is about one-third the length of the original passage. |
| Accuracy | * Ensure that the precis accurately reflects the content of the passage. * Do not add your own opinions or interpretations. * Use quotes from the passage to support your summary. |
| Clarity | * Write the precis in clear and concise language. * Use proper grammar and punctuation. * Organize the precis logically and use transition words to connect ideas. |
| Comprehension | * Read the comprehension questions carefully and identify what is being asked. * Refer back to the passage to find the answers. * Answer the questions comprehensively and accurately. |
Preparation Strategy
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and the topics covered in each section.
- Practice Writing: Regularly practice writing essays and precis.
- Read Widely: Read newspapers, magazines, and books to improve your vocabulary and understanding of current affairs.
- Improve Grammar: Work on your grammar and punctuation skills.
- Time Management: Practice writing within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Mock Tests: Take mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas for improvement.
Note: The ESIC UDC exam is highly competitive, and candidates need to prepare well to secure a good score. By following the above tips and strategies, candidates can improve their chances of success in the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – ESIC UDC Mains Exam 2024
Q1. What is the duration of the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A1. The ESIC UDC Mains Exam is a pen-and-paper based exam of two hours duration.
Q2. How many sections are there in the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A2. The ESIC UDC Mains Exam has two sections: Essay and Precis Writing & Comprehension.
Q3. What is the marking scheme for the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A3. The ESIC UDC Mains Exam carries a total of 100 marks, with 60 marks for the Essay section and 40 marks for the Precis Writing & Comprehension section.
Q4. What are some common essay topics that appear in the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A4. Common essay topics include social issues, economic issues, political issues, current affairs, and general topics like technology, science, culture, art, and literature.
Q5. What are some tips for writing a good essay in the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A5. Focus on content, structure, language, vocabulary, and presentation. Brainstorm ideas, research thoroughly, develop a clear thesis statement, support arguments with evidence, use a logical structure, write clearly and concisely, use a wide range of vocabulary, and present the essay neatly.
Q6. What is the purpose of the Precis Writing & Comprehension section in the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A6. This section assesses your ability to understand and summarize a given passage. You are required to write a precis, which is a concise summary of the main points of the passage, and answer comprehension questions based on the passage.
Q7. What are some tips for writing a good precis in the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A7. Focus on understanding the passage, conciseness, accuracy, clarity, and answering comprehension questions comprehensively. Read the passage carefully, identify the main points, eliminate unnecessary details, ensure accuracy, write clearly and concisely, and refer back to the passage to answer the comprehension questions.
Q8. How can I prepare for the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A8. Understand the syllabus, practice writing essays and precis, read widely to improve vocabulary and understanding of current affairs, work on grammar and punctuation skills, practice time management, and take mock tests to assess your preparation level.
Q9. What are some resources available for preparing for the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A9. Refer to previous years’ question papers, study materials from reputable coaching institutes, read newspapers, magazines, and books, and utilize online resources like websites and mobile applications.
Q10. What are some important things to keep in mind on the day of the ESIC UDC Mains Exam?
A10. Reach the exam center on time, carry all necessary documents, read the instructions carefully, manage your time effectively, and maintain a calm and focused mindset.