---
title: "Topic Sentence Definition for Civil Services"
description: "A topic sentence is the main declarative line of a paragraph that states its central claim, crucial for UPSC Mains and essay writing."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/topic-sentence"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- A topic sentence is the opening declarative line of a paragraph that states its central claim, which the remaining sentences then explain, evidence, and qualify.
- Where should a topic sentence be placed in a paragraph?
- How does the topic sentence relate to the PEEL and SEXI frameworks?
- What distinguishes a strong topic sentence from a weak one?
- Which exam papers test topic-sentence skill?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In her 2023 UPSC Mains GS-II answer on the collegium system, a top-ranking candidate opened each paragraph with a topic sentence — first naming Articles 124 and 217, then the NJAC verdict (2015) — letting the evaluator grasp the structure at a glance.

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