Emotional Intelligence — Concepts, Components (Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Empathy)

What should you study in Emotional Intelligence?

• EI definition — Salovey-Mayer model; Goleman's 5 components
• Self-awareness — recognizing own emotions; Johari window
• Self-regulation — impulse control; anger management; stress response
• Motivation — intrinsic vs extrinsic; flow state; mission-driven service

How often is Emotional Intelligence asked in UPSC Mains?

Asked in 5 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: asked
2. 2017: not asked
3. 2018: asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: asked
6. 2021: not asked
7. 2022: asked
8. 2023: not asked
9. 2024: asked
10. 2025: not asked

About the Mains GS Paper IV paper

GS Paper IV is the 250-mark Mains paper on ethics, integrity and aptitude, including case studies. See all 34 Mains GS Paper IV topics.

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