Cogent describes an argument that is so logically tight and well-marshalled that it compels assent. It is one of the highest forms of praise an examiner or jurist can offer a piece of reasoning, stronger than ‘valid’, softer than ‘irrefutable’.
In UPSC Mains and Essay writing, a cogent argument is one where premises connect cleanly to conclusion without rhetorical filler. Aspirants should aim for cogency, not verbosity. The word also appears frequently in Supreme Court judgements, ‘no cogent evidence’, ‘cogent reasons must be recorded’, making it indispensable for GS2 governance answers.
