Written for those who feel stressed about General studies and their chances of success in civil service exam,
We’ve 5 category of players for each topic- Let us take a topic for example:
Geography: earthquake, tsunami and volcano.
JBPS no0b guy /Lord Curzon:
He doesn’t know the difference between earthquake, tsunami and volcano. He filled the application form just because his papa (or friend or relative) said and because it costs around 100 rupees only.
His Destiny:
We are not concerned.
Level 0 player:
- He buys required books and magazines.
He reads them only once, and thinks he’s done with the topic. - He spends majority of his time day-dreaming about how he’ll kick the bad guys and impress his friends and family after becoming IAS/IPS/IFS.
- In his heart, he knows he has to study more, but for some reason he cannot gather enough motivation or desire to read the books.
- He believes some divine force will intervene and help him get through the exam.
- Last month before exam, he is in deep stress, visits local bookstore to buy some quick-fix current affairs magazines or notes because he cannot go through the whole syllabus from the original book-collection.
Destiny of Level 0 guy:
He may get lucky in a few very easy GK questions in prelims e.g. What is the use of Seismograph?
But he’s doomed to fail in prelims anyways because we know every question in prelims, will not be that easy.
So For most of the questions in exam hall, his facial expression is
“oh yes I think I’ve read this somewhere but I can’t recall it right now!”
Level 1 Player
- His book and magazine collection is same as the Level 0 guy.
- Only difference is that he revises whatever he reads, so If you ask something from what he has read, he can answer correctly 6 out of 10 times.
- He knows what is Seismograph, what is Richter scale, can name a few recent EQ and Volcanos. Knows the difference between dormant and active volcano. Has layman’s understanding about how EQ, Tsunami and Volcano happen. Knows what is meant by Pacific Ring of fire and so on.
- He has rudimentary idea about the current-affairs related to the topic.
- He is not an expert but at the same time, he’ll not appear totally dumb during a conversation about Earthquake/Tsunami/Volcano.
His limitation
- He sometimes fumbles in 4TF question (4 statements given and he’s asked to identify the correct ones), depending on his revision frequency. Because while doing revision he concentrates only on the fact and data part, and doesn’t pay close attention to the theory / principles part.
- He can only answer Multiple Choice Questions only, if you ask him to write 100 words on the same topic, his pen will stop after 50 words.
Destiny of Level 1:
- Chances to succeed in prelims = 50-50
- With every revision and practice of demo questions: His Prelim success chance increases exponentially.
- Chances to clear mains or final selection=0%
Level 2 Player
He knows everything that Level 1 guy knows plus some extra knowledge : e.g. S and P waves. Has deeper understanding about plate-techtonics and Seismic-zones. Can talk about Cinder-cones, crater-lakes etc with examples. Can answer descriptive questions such as why some parts of India are more prone to Earthquakes than the other parts (in 150 words.)
He revises more often than Level 1 guy, so If you ask something from what he has read, he can answer correctly 9 out of 10 times.
He is less likely to be confused in the 4TF questions because he reads more thoroughly and pay attention to description and not just facts.
For certain important topics, he may be maintaining his own hand-written notes.
Destiny of Level 2 Player
Chances to succeed in prelims = very good, almost 80% and upwards.
Post-prelims result, There are two types of L2 players:
Type#1: L2 Player without answer-writing practice for mains.
He ends up with
- a. low score in mains, hence no interview-call
- b. Even If he gets interview-call, he doesn’t find his name in final selection list.
It is his reluctance to do writing practice for mains exam- So he may be knowing a lot but he is always unable to express it properly in the given time and word limit. That’s why his mains score is low and it ruins his chances of selection.
Type#2: L2 player with answer-writing practice for mains
He gets Final selection in some group A or B service,
But his chances of selection in the top three jobs: IAS/IPS/IFS, are low because he lacks the finesse of Level 3 players while expressing himself so his rank is around 200 or below.
Level 3 Player
Ranjikanth himself. He doesn’t mind writing descriptive answers for practice every now and then.
For this particular topic “Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanos (ETV)” he knows everything upto Level 2 plus He can cross connect topics and deal with descriptive questions and essays related to it, e.g.
- 1. ETV’s impact on global economy,
- 2. Human activities as a cause for ETV,
- 3. Disaster Management in ETV,
- 4. Feasibility of setting up nuke-powerplants in ETV prone area, and so on.
Level 2 guy can also deal with above topics but sometimes he staggers while putting his ideas because he is a little low either in quality content part or practice part.
Level 3 guy isn’t a master of trivial details (dates and numbers) but still well versed in facts, and global-current affairs for the given topic. He can put his ideas eloquently both orally and in writing because
- 1. He reads from diverse sources and doesn’t confine his reading to only one book or a class-note.
- 2. Since he consults more than one book/source so he comes across more words and sentences, hence he has better command over the language compared to L2 guy. That’s the reason why he can express himself better.
Knowledge wise he is just a little above L2 but presentation wise his answer-content is far superior both in terms of quantity and quality compared to L2.
Destiny of L3 Player
- Most likely to get an interview call.
- Even with bad-luck during interview, he can walk away with a decent group-A service.
- With just a little good-luck on his side during interview= smooth selection to IAS/IPS/IFS.
- For each topic, you draw a line somewhere: e.g. For prelims, I’m going to be prepared for History upto Level 1, and for Polity Level 2.
-
To clear the prelims, You can afford to remain Level 1 in a many topics, provided that you’re Level 2 in a few big topics.
Being total ignorant about any topic = digging your own grave. - Being Level 0 guy in any topic= wasting your time. Either you give serious preparation for civil service or do something else. Nobody is going to give you marks for “oh yes I think I’ve read this somewhere but can’t recall it right now”
- You don’t need to become level 3 in any topic for prelims. Being Level 1 in majority of topics and Level 2 in some topics, is more than sufficient to clear prelims.
- You don’t need to become Level 3 in each and every topic for GS- mains. But If you want to become IAS/IPS/IFS (Top in the merit list), then You must become Level 3 in a few selected ‘hot topics’, and level 2 (with answer writing practice) in majority of the remaining topics before mains and interview, else you’ll be washed out from the merit list.
For your optional subject,
Given the unpredictable scaling system, it is desirable that you become L3 in each and every topic of the optional subject. That way your interview-call becomes immune to the fluctuations in scaling-system for the given year.
For General Studies (prelims)
Keep in mind that GS is not all about current-affairs.
There are lot of questions from the core (static) part too- like history, polity, science.
Same way GS is not all about a single topic (History/Geography)…there are questions from diverse topics.
So, If a particular GS question is tough, then it is tough- not just for you but for a lot of other L1 and L2 players as well. So inability to solve some questions, doesn’t mean you’ll never clear prelims. But you’ll have to get at-least in that “Level 1″ category first.
Dear sir,
Which all specific conventional topics we have to be a Level-3 Player in GS Mains ? Is it like India-IMF/WTO, Indo-China relations, Agricultural issues in India , Constitution-related relevant knowledge ?
hello mru,
very nicely explained.its totally unimaginable that this type of great work ur doing, really its very helpful to newcomers who dont know anything, in what way to go & all they can easily follow up this route..
im totally fed up by replying to emails which im getting, im always saying this that each & every solution is there in IO just follow that, no, nobody listen to my words…
even if 2morow xm is there also 2day atleast 4-5 mails how to do this madam, that madam etc.,
but you are doing absolutely great job..
next time if somebody asks me i'll refer to ur website & give ur name, i think i can do this na, y bcoz, 1 side my concentration is coming down for only upto few extend, just by replying to mails, sometimes i myself forget what i was doing at that time…
thanzxs……keep it up…my friend…
oh you are so great Mrunal… you have understood the psychology of the candidates appearing for this exam… Great reading. I enjoyed it
Hello Mrunal,
This is vineet. I wrote this years mains and expecting the interview call.
As this was my first attempt i need your guidance in optimally utilizing the time prior to mains result.
Currently, i am reading the hindu/ magazine(CST) and strengthening my mains weak point(GS: govt. schemes et al).
Please suggest on following 2 points
1) What would you suggest me to do during, the next 2-3 months, prior to mains result?
2) Where should i indulge myself in?
If you could mail me the suggestions at vineeb21 (my gmail id) then that would be more comfortable to me.
In anticipation of your reply.
Regards.
Vineet
superlike this analysis :) this will help a lot to decided where the aspirant is standing !
hi mrunal,
I have been a regular reader of your blog and it really helps.thank you.now coming to my question- this might sound silly but i wanted to ask whether marks will be deducted (if yes approx how much?) for not filling up the question number and page number or the answer sheets of the mains paper.please don't feel this is a silly question.my gs paper didnt go well and i might be on the borderline of cutoff.every mark will be important to me.so please help.
thank you
sir,
your articles always motivate me. I am a 2nd year student of llb ( 5 years course ).my first question to you is if i can give ias exam in the year 2013 and if yes, then how should i start preparing. beginning with the preparation at the moment will be helpful. please guide me.
thank you
awesome ..u defined me thst where i m stands as m a delhi university 2nd yea student
iit ki prepration yaad dila di phaaduuu…
Hello Sir, this was a finest way, anyone can explain, how to go about building oneself for UPSC…..Priya
good job!!!! defines our study status …
great job sir.. quiet easy way to self evaluate yourself .all about that you need to qualify to deserve what you desire :-)
Simply loved your analysis, you will make a good film critic too ;) , i somehow feel iam a level 1 , hmm.. i need to improve :(
It’s there in the news that the pattern of IAS Mains Exam is due for a change.Below is the copy pasted news from “The Hindu” Daily News Paper
NEWS PUBLISHED IN THE HINDU: Before you gear up for the IAS 2012, here is an important information for you – another change in the IAS exam (main examination) is likely to be introduced sooner than we expect. After the marathon meeting with experts, UPSC has almost designed a broader framework of GS Main exam that will replace the optional subjects.
However, this is not a new information, as last year only, it was deliberated by the officials to replace optional subjects from main examination very soon. What is new is its timing. The expected decision is based on the Alagh Committee Report.
The relevant portion of the Report goes like this- “The present testing of optional subjects is based on College/University curriculum. Re-examining the candidates in their own subjects appears to have a doubtful utility. The universities have already done the work and retesting, possibly even at a lower level that what candidates have completed earlier, appears to be unnecessary.
What is important is the relevance of a subject to the job requirements of a Civil Servant, especially in the changing scenario.” In this regard what is to be done? Large count of students ask – Should we go for PT first or do we need to devise an integrated preparation? Preliminary test (PT) is little bit unpredictable because of its vastness. CSAT confirms it. But understanding of the trend can be of some help in the changing scenario. For that you need to go through previous years’ questions again-and-again and try to understand why UPSC asks questions of current development.
The aim of prelims is to test candidates’ range of information. Configuration of questions has been changed in the last few years. However, previous years’ questions will give you clear idea about the formation of questions. You need to give up the traditional approach in order to accept fresh challenges. More time should be devoted to GS. General Studies is as vast as an ocean. It cannot be measured merely on the basis of topics or sections.
Anything that exists in the universe can be a part of General Studies, especially if that is in the news. Aspirants, those who are taking Civil Services Examination must be aware of this fact. Its Vastness often leads to directionless preparation. But understanding of the trend helps in carving proper focus.
To tame the dreaded demon of GS, candidates must, first of all, select important areas and then go for extensive study. Reason behind this argument is the vastness of the syllabus and changing configuration of questions. Even CSAT is nothing but an extension of General Studies. Don’t try to read it in isolation. It always gives a shock. Result of this year PT exam is the latest example.
(by Manoj K Jha) source The Hindu daily newspaper date September 28, 2011
Kindly advice, under such circumstances when the exam syllabus is unknown/doubtful to the candidates planning to appear for 2013 IAS Exams,how are they expected to start their preparation???
Is it not possible to approach UPSC for 2013 Syllabus(where the pattern of the main exam is expected to change)via RTI so that aspiring candidates atleast can start their preparation accordingly.
Dear Renu Shekhawat,
Dealing with uncertainty is a part of life. How well you deal with exam related uncertainties will decide your caliber as a professional bureaucrat.
Part of this negotiation with unknown future involves analysis of present and past along-with a bit of common sense.
In your case, it might behoove you to ask yourself the following questions:
1) PRESENT: can the UPSC really cause substantial changes in pattern without giving the aspirants enough time to get ready? are they really playing a “psyche out and surprise” game?
2) PAST: in the history, how many committees have submitted recommendations for change in the way the exam is conducted? out of all those how many recommendations were accepted? In what way did UPSC inform the aspirants and did it give them enough time to cope or just announced change in pattern 2 days before the exam?
From this you should be able to calculate the approximate probability of this committees recommendations being chosen.
Besides, please note that the news clip you copy-pasted is already old enough to be evaluated. The 2012 mains are about to commence and no change in “pattern” has been announced so far.
So worry not, 80% the status-quo will remain and in the 20% chance that change does come through, you will be notified by the UPSC in good time..
Regards.
GFOX
Hello Sir,
Acc. to your analysis, i probably wud have bn selectd i the pre. But im not. So will see thru RTI tht by how numbers i ve nt made it.
Me Level 0 Player !! Thankyou for the analysis !
Brilliant Analysis I can say….
I just read your site coz one of my friend’s recommended you & its really worth it. Thanks a lot..
Thank you so much for your Analysis…now i realized that i m a level 0 player…but with your advice i will become level 2 player for sure..and then level 3….thanks a lot sir…really appreciable…
dear sir,
I am new o prepare IAS please guide me to which part shoud be level 1, which should be up to level 2 and which should be up to level 3. please guide me sir through mail I am very confuse sir.
Start with this:
http://mrunal.org/2012/02/study-plan-topicwise-plausible-booklist.html
Brilliant Classification of aspirants…when i read first time this blog i was on L0 postion now i improved me a lot and i myself now stand in L2 postion with no answer writing skills….gradulaay i will improve…nevaz helpful blog atleast 4 me
Mrunal Sir,
I am preparing for Civil services examination 2013 and I am engineering graduate + 28 year age + Working Professional.
My optional are History and Public administration with Hindi medium as I feel comfortable to express myself\thoughts with this language.
1: Whether History and Public administration is the good options keeping in mind that the pattern of exam might change in coming session 2013.Or instead of History, Hindi literature would be a good option.
2: Even hearing rumors spreading now a day about general category age limit would reduce 30 to 26.
3: As I am working with software Industry in Bangalore it is very tough me to give 10-12 hours every day, then how to manage my schedule\time for preparation.
Waiting for your reply Thanks….
thanks sir for ur valluable support
hi mranul,
thanks a lot for this beautiful explanation.
Things are more clear to me now.
but where is level 4 and level 5?
i m looking for them.
Rahul ji,
If you will look closely all 5 levels are already covered.
hello sir / bro , i’m doing my second year in mechanical engineering ……….. i’m very much interested to crack civil service exams …… but i’m not able to find a balance between academic works and preparation for civil services ….. i’m also doing a distance education degree course in public administration ………….. i request you bro to suggest ways of how i could find a way to prepare for civil services without affecting my academics
anticipating your response
Your advises really awesome sir.These will be helpful to new comers….thank you for your analysis and really appreciable…
I just read this, its eye opening, i cant beleive that i have all points of level 0 contestent,, i never appeared in CSAT, started it thru APFC and behaved like level 0 player in that exam, now regreting, getting 60-61 there, could have done much better,, i am very luckey that i read this in october only, will try to change my level asap.
nw i am at level 0
nice way to show us where we stand .a must for aspirants.thanx mrunal
are paaji kya great likhte ho . sadda da dil khush ve gaya.
biji ki haal he mrunal ji. aap to apne gujarat ke dikhte ho ji kyunki gujarati bade hi compassionate hote he ji.
o ji dhanyavaad .
baae guri ji da khalsa
baae guruji di fatah
Really very much useful for me to understand where I am and what I have to do further. Thanks for your great work!!!
Last year I have bought the GS manual from ” Unique “…but now I looking in some websites that people are referring TMH manual ..whts the difference between these two ..
Is it larger enough to buy another ..i.e. that of TMH worth Rs 1000 ..approx ..
Plz have some view .
GS manual is needed for the static portions (History, Geography, Science) and the mock questions. And that content remains one and same every year.
If you already have a GS Manual (from any publication), then there is no need to buy a new GS manual.
Hi Sir,
I am doubtful for the GS manual (Unique) in hand as I have heard from some – that it has many fault/wrong data & concepts etc ..
please comment.
Thanks.
Toooo gud mrunal sir….U r a genious..
Sir,
i am b.tech 1st year student aspiring for becoming IAS
course i opted is electronics and communication
i wanted to know what you would recommend me the way of preparation
subject for mains exams
time management techniques
as you know i got enough time for preparation but i want to start my preparation as soon as possible
If you could mail me the suggestions at then that would be more comfortable to me.
In anticipation of your reply
Regards
RM
How to approach GS= read these five articles
http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-ips-csat-general-studies-part1.html
No need to make haste with optional now. By the time you pass out of college, optionals may be removed.
I AM 0 LEVEL
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the mind blowing advice! I have a doubt:
For clearing Prelims you have suggested Level 1 for majority topics(No notes preparation) and Level 2(More revision and making notes).But sir,I’m confused whether only making some notes(as per level 2) affect my GS mains as only 5 months will be remaining for mains after prelims??Pls do help sir…:(
How to approach GS for UPSC prelims and mains = explained in this article: http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-ips-csat-general-studies-part1.html
alok i have come to know that cut of for first list is 1134 .the reserve list may exetnd till 1124-1125.it may have 76-85 candidates.but i m not confirmed when it will come.but if ur name is in list u will definatally get a service even if u r at the last spot of list. some people are saying that it may come in oct.or sept. along with list of 2009 which is still pending.if anybody get any information regarding list plss blog.
awesome content
Thank u sir.
Thank you sir ji…..
Great work…..It is really help for Civil aspirants especially for day-dreamers!!!
Thank You!!!!
Mrunal bhaiya…yearbook kab aayigi.?saala patna k har dukan p pooch liye… hum bahut paresan hain pleej help
aarrrey chinta kaahe lete ho bhaiya ji, tanik intejaar karo, aa jaayegi. waise aaj bharat 2013 ka vimochan to ho hi gaya hai, tanik usi pe nazar dal lo…
Bahut bahut dhanyawad supradeep bhai…
Sir, I am 2nd year student and aspiring for IAS . I hav started reading newspaper and making notes of important news..but sir i remain confused about my way of starting the prepration.. plz tell how to start preparation when i hav 2 and 1/2 years in hand..daily i change something to mah schedule and finally get panic.PLZ help with ur solutions
I mean to say what to read first GS manual , NCERT or G.K books … totally confused regarding the start !!!
read these five articles:
I got my first issue of CST.. does all the news given in it is worth for IAS , as i can see many international news on individual PMs and tat too of very small countries..do we need to mug this up. ???? do reply.
Yours Sincerely.
Sir please reply to my question.I cant afford coaching so solely dependent on u !!!!
Sir, i will be appearing in 2015…Will there be any optionals till that time …Tell me about the upcoming pattern …
hard to speculate.
sir
my name is raghuveer. i am studying B-tech, could you please suggest me how can i prepare for civil service examinations
on words…
I am at o level …….
loved it, though i am very late in realizing what i really want yet when i finally started i was a lot confused from where to start… was getting headache’s all day long but now it seems i know how to start now.. thank you