How do I write a good prompt for ChatGPT or other AI tools?

A prompt is the instruction you give an AI tool. Better prompts usually give much better answers.

Five habits that work:

Give context. Say who you are and why you need it. "I am a Class 10 teacher in Lucknow" changes the answer.
Be specific about the task. Not "write about pollution" but "explain three causes of winter smog in Delhi."
Ask for a format. A table, 5 bullet points, 200 words, simple Hindi, a step-by-step plan.
Show an example of the style or output you want.
Iterate. Treat it like a conversation: "make it shorter", "add data", "explain point 2 for a beginner".

Before and after:

Weak: "Tell me about UPSC."
Strong: "I am a working professional starting UPSC preparation with 3 hours a day. Make a 6-month plan for the prelims, week by week, as a table with subjects and sources."

Also useful:

Ask it to list its assumptions or ask you questions first.
For facts, ask it to cite sources, and verify them, because hallucinations happen.
Do not paste passwords, Aadhaar numbers or confidential office data into public AI tools.

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