Should I underline keywords in UPSC Mains answers, and how?

Why Underlining Matters

UPSC Mains evaluators assess approximately 30–50 answer booklets per day. The physical act of scanning hundreds of pages under time pressure means visual cues — headings, structure, underlining — help examiners quickly locate your core argument and key facts.

Underlining signals: 'This is what I think is important in this answer.'

The 3–5 Keyword Rule

Underline 3–5 keywords or key phrases per answer:

• The central concept or constitutional article (e.g. Article 356, Basic Structure Doctrine)
• The key data point (e.g. 21.76% forest cover per FSI 2023)
• The answer's core argument (1 phrase in the conclusion)

What not to underline:

• Full sentences (this is highlighting, not underlining — it reduces readability)
• Transitional phrases ('therefore', 'however', 'on the other hand')
• More than 5–7 items per 250-word answer

Single vs. Double Underline

• Single underline: Key terms, important concepts, significant data
• Double underline: The central argument or most critical point — use once per answer

Practical Technique

1. Underline while writing — do not go back and underline retroactively (wastes time)
2. Use your pen consistently — do not switch to a different colour or marker
3. Keep underlines neat and under the text, not through it

The Risk of Over-Underlining

An answer where 40% of the text is underlined sends the signal that the candidate underlines everything — which means the underlining carries no information. The evaluator's eye is not drawn to anything specific, and the technique backfires.

Calibration test: If you removed all underlines from your answer, would the text still communicate your argument clearly? If yes, your underlining is adding emphasis, not compensating for structural weakness.