- Bio
- Coaching
- Inception
- Information
- Study Momentum
- Hours
- Strategy: CSAT (Aptitude)
- Strategy: General studies
- Mains 2013
- Public Administration
- Geography
- Optional Subject in Mains 2013?
- Compulsory papers
- Essay
- Previous Attempts
- Insecurity about “Profile”
- Career Backup
- Family and Friends
- Interview
- Marksheet
- Wisdom
- Bogus marketing propaganda
Bio
Name | FRANK NOBLE A |
Roll number | 324581 |
Rank (CSE 2012) | 157 |
Optional Subjects |
|
Number of Attempts | Two |
Medium for Mains Exam | English |
Schooling (Medium) | English |
Centre for Prelim exam | Chennai, Tamilnadu |
Centre for Mains exam | Chennai, Tamilnadu |
Name of home town/city | Place of Birth: Tuticorin,TamilNaduPlace of Residence: Chennai |
Edu
% in class 10 | 79 / CBSE |
% in class 12 | 95.08 / TN State Board |
Graduation course and % | 82 / Anna University |
Name of college and year of passing out | St.Joseph’s college of Engineering, 2006 |
PG (if applicable) | N/A |
Any professional courses (if applicable) |
Extra C
Provide details of extracurricular actives, achievements and hobbies.
- Best outgoing student EEE batch 2006, St.Joseph’s College of Engineering
- Customer Support Excellence Award at Cummins Generator Technologies, Stamford, United Kingdom as part of TCS team.
- Hobbies: Amateur Photography, Dumb Charades and Table Tennis
Work Ex
- Provide details of your job experience, name of post, months/years.
IT Analyst with Tata Consultancy Services
2006 – Till Date ( Approx. 6 years and 6 months.)
- Did you leave the job to prepare for upsc yes/no
No.
- Your advice to fellow working professionals who’re preparing for upsc simultaneously.
Simple steps
- Never compare yourself with people who are fortunate to study dedicatedly only for the exam.
- Your work experience will play a major role in your mains exam as well as in interview.
- This might sound silly… but do not reveal your preparation to others in the workplace, especially, if your current job is the back up plan for you. Also, letting more people know will create a virtual stress on you to perform. Avoid it.
- Plan properly to take leaves.
- Whatever time you get for studying ( it may be as low as 2 hours per day), use it effectively.
Family:
My father is a retired Additional Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise .
My mother is a teacher turned housewife.
My brother is a Software professional in U.S.
My sister-in-law is a software professional turned housewife and most importantly my niece Miss. Joanna aged 2.
Family has been of great support to me during the entire examination process. They provided the motivation and relaxation required in the preparation for the exams without which this might not have been a possibility.
Coaching
Did you join any Coaching? | Prelims: NoMains: Yes
Interview : Yes |
Did you join any postal courses? | No |
Did you join any Mock test series? | Yes , for Prelims |
Did you appear in any other competitive exams? | Cleared IBPS PO CWE 2012 and got allocated to Bank of Baroda.Cleared Written and Mains Central Armed Reserve Force Exam
Cleared Written for RBI Assistant 2012. |
Inception
- First of all, my father, Mr. Augustine Manohar was the source of my inspiration and motivation. His sheer excellence in work and the hard work that he showcased in his life and profession along with honesty helped him to grow up higher in ladder.
- Secondly, as a part of life of any IT professional, I got an opportunity to work from United Kingdom for my company. It was during this stint that I realized that earning any amount of money will never give the satisfaction. I have always wanted to become a IAS/IPS and I was not happy with what I was doing. After 14 months of work at Onsite, I decided that it is now or never.
Information
Outside Delhi, it’s hard to dig how to prepare for civil service. So How did you gather the necessary information / strategy / booklist?
Here I would take the opportunity to thank Mr.Shankar and Mr. Vinoba from Shankar IAS academy for providing the necessary information and strategies. As a working professional, it is very difficult to get time to study and even if I had to study, it was required that I studied those things which were relevant.
In addition to it, websites such as upscportal, mrunal along with the inputs of experienced candidates helped me in arriving at proper strategy for the exam.
Study Momentum
There was couple of things that helped me to maintain the study-momentum.
- Necessity drives a man to perform wonders. A rat mostly wins the race when the Cat chases. It is because; the cat runs for its food whereas the rat runs for the life. I knew this might be virtually my final full fledged attempt by which I compete for the exams else it might not be a possibility as I had to decide upon my career for life.
- Unfortunately, In 2011 Steve Jobs died and his speech in Stanford University came up in all social networking sites. The following lines really motivated me to carry on the momentum and the mood swings.
- Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
- Full Text of Speech: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-full-text-of-steve-jobs-stanford-commencement-speech-2011-10
Hours
Q. On an average, How many hours did you study per day?
Ans. To speak the truth, I really didn’t notice the hours that I studied per day. I studied whenever I got a chance. So approx. it may be around 10-12 hours effectively. It doesn’t depend upon the quantity of time spent, it is simply the quality of time spent. Use time effectively.
Q. How many months did it take you to complete the core syllabus of GS and optional subjects?
Ans. Optional 1 : Geography : Started preparation for mains in June 2012 and completed in September 2012. Hence, around 4 months.
Optional 2 : Geography : Started preparation for mains in June 2012 and completed in September 2012. Hence, around 4 months.
GS: Started preparation from Jan 2012.
Strategy: CSAT (Aptitude)
Topic | Books/sources |
Maths | R.S Agarwal , IMS material |
Reasoning | IMS material |
Comprehension | News paper articles |
Decision making | No books used. |
Comprehension and decision making will only come by practice. Read the editorials in newspapers regularly and try to arrive at a conclusion on your own. Critically analyze and arrive at your own conclusion before reading the conclusion of the article. This helped me a lot in my decision making.
Strategy: General studies
Book/ source | ||
History | Ancient | Notes from NCERT |
Medieval | Notes from NCERT | |
Modern | NCERT XI, XII, Bipin Chandra | |
Culture | Did not have any separate source | |
Mains | Bipin Chandra, Spectrum | |
Polity | Basics | Lakshmikanth |
Current | Newspaper links, PRS bills website | |
mains | Books referred for Pub Ad ( Optional ) and PRS Bills website. | |
Economy | Basics | Mrunal.org, Spectrum |
Current | Newspapers ( The Hindu, Businessline) | |
mains | Newspapers ( The Hindu, Businessline) | |
Geography | Physical | NCERT |
Indian | NCERT | |
World | NCERT | |
mains | Books referred for Geography ( Optional) | |
Environment, Biodiversity | Basics | Shankar IAS academy – Environment Book |
Current | Newspapers | |
Mains | Shankar IAS academy – Environment Book | |
Science Tech | Basics | The Hindu – Speaks on Scientific Facts Vol 1 and 2 |
Current | Newspapers ( The Hindu ) | |
Mains | The Hindu – Speaks on Scientific Facts Vol 1 and 2 | |
Yearbook / Govt. schemes etc. | Notes by Shankar IAS academy | |
IR/diplomacy | Notes by Shankar IAS academy |
for prelims
- There are 99% chances that questions in the exam will not come from what you have studied. So, get ready to face the unexpected.
- Focus on eliminating the wrong options rather than choosing the correct options.
- Attend many mock test series and evaluate yourself and concentrate on the weak areas.
for GS Mains:
- Read the subjects very comprehensively. The capability will not be tested on how much deep you know about a particular issue, but it will depend on how comprehensively you are able to express the details.
- Put google/bing search to the maximum use.
- Don’t study in exam point of view, just do things which will help you to gain knowledge.
- Don’t get startled on seeing the mains GS paper. Questions will be vague, but if you concentrate properly, then you will be able to recollect and fill up the pages with information.
Mains 2013
Q. UPSC has changed the GS syllabus for Mains 2013. So if you were to prepare for it, what’d be your approach/strategy/booklist?
ans. I had planned to wait and watch the first new pattern of exam. So if I had to write again, I would have waited for 2014.
Public Administration
My first option was Public Administration.
Paper I – Mohit Bhattacharya, Fadia and Fadia, Lakshmikanth, Shankar IAS academy notes.
Paper II – Lakshmikanth, Indian Administration by Avasthi and Avasthi, Shankar IAS academy notes for Second ARC, State centre relations.
Geography
My second optional was Geography.
Paper I – Savindra Singh, Goh Cheng Leong, NCERT XI, XII, Spectrum Geogrpahy and Shankar IAS academy notes
Paper II – Khuller, Shankar IAS academy notes, NCERT XI, XII.
All current affair related topics for both Pub Ad and Geography were noted down. Linking those current affair with the concepts in the subject gave me much more clarity.
For both the optional, I practiced writing many mock exams and had one to one discussion with the concerned guide. Their inputs helped me shape well for the mains examination.
Optional Subject in Mains 2013?
Instead of two, now UPSC will have only one optional subject. So if you were to give Mains 2013, which optional would you keep and why?And what will be your strategy / approach / booklist for it?
Ans. I would have taken Geography.
Booklist – As stated above. I had equal liking for both Public Administration and Geography, however, I would be more successful in expressing the Geography contents (diagrams etc.,) and hence would opt for the same.
Compulsory papers
Q. Your booklist/strategy for compulsory Regional language paper.
I had taken HINDI as my regional language paper. It had been nearly 10 years since I wrote Hindi. So I had to spend at least 2 hours practicing the same. I had purchased couple of books from flipkart for writing practice.
Q. Your booklist/strategy for compulsory English language paper.
Just previous year question papers. I had solved a couple of paper just to gain confidence.
Essay
Q. How did you prepare yourself for the essay?
Preparing for mains optional subject itself gave the foundation for writing essays. However, in addition to the content, I practiced on writing couple of Essays for gaining confidence.
Q. Which Essay did you write in Mains-2012?
Managing work and home – is the Indian working women getting a fair deal.
Q.Provide some keypoints/highlights of your Essay.
Introduction highlighted that working women have not been getting a fair deal.
Compared the problems that they face at home, workplace and in the society. ( few quotes for the same were written) Probable solutions for the same ( ex: Career planning for women at workplace , Paternity Leaves similar on the line of Maternity leaves etc.,)
Score: 96
Previous Attempts
Q. When you look back in the past, what were the deficiency in your preparation in the previous attempt? How did you rectify them this time?
Ans. I had attempted for the civil service exams in 2010 with Public Administration as Optional. It was a turning point in my IT career and I could not balance work and studies. I had nearly 12-14 hours of work in office and couldn’t manage the studies at home. This time, I had moved to a higher role and a lighter one too, which gave me ample amount of time to study. I had also utilized my leaves accumulated in order to give a full thrust to the studies.
Insecurity about “Profile”
- Many aspirants have the (unnecessary) fear of interview, thinking that “my profile is not good because I’ve low score in class 10/12/college/ I’m from unknown college, I’ve no work experience etc.etc.etc.” What’s your take on this?
Profile is an important part of the interview. Whatever profile you have, prepare well for it. There is no point in feeling bad about your low scores or lack of work experience etc., , instead concentrate properly on your positives and have a reasonable explanation for your low scores/lack or work experience.
How much portion of your interview (in terms of minutes and no. of questions) was centered around your profile?
Around 15 mins approx.
Did they ask any uncomfortable question from your profile during the interview?
There was couple of uncomfortable questions which I had anticipated and prepared. These questions were asked in the interview. Those questions were,
- Aren’t you disloyal to your organization after 6 years of service.
- With the salary that you are getting, you can start a NGO and do service to the people. Why do you need IAS for doing good to the people.
Career Backup
I had couple of backup plans. Either it was to continue my career in IT or to join Bank of Baroda as a probationary officer.
Family and Friends
My family has been of immense support to me during all the stages. My parents, Brother and Sister in law and my niece provided the motivation to write the exams.
Special Thanks to my Friends, Mr. Arun, Mr. Anand Danny, Mr. Bhoobalan and Mr. Ramunujam for their constant encouragement at all the stages of examination.
Interview
Q. How did you prepare for the interview?
For my profile, I jotted down all the possible questions that could be asked and tried preparing proper reply for the same.
For current affairs, whenever I read any article in the newspaper, I used to generate a precise content of the same and try to talk out in my room as if I was in the real interview.
Q. Who was the chairman of you interview board?
Prof. David R. Syiemlieh
Q. How long was the interview?
30-35 mins
Q. Provide the list of questions asked (and if possible answers also)
1. A IAS in his initial career will never get the salary that you are getting now. Can you please justify why you still have opted for the services.
2. If you were to go a camera shop, which kind of camera would you buy ? ( My hobby: Amateur photography)
3. Do you know anything about a feature in camera which automatically takes photo when the subject gives a smile. (Smile recognition in Nikon P&S cameras)
4. What is meant by Dumb Charades?
5. Is it being used by special people?
Member 1
- In case the power and authority from IAS are removed, will you still be willing to take up IAS.
- How will you as an administrator improve the services for the people?
- Why don’t you start/join NGO instead of opting for IAS.
Member 2
- What is the difference between the service being provided by a product making company ( say soap ) and the service provided by you as an administrator.
- Give me an example of the issue in providing service to the people and use of Information technology to solve the same.
- Since my answer to the previous question was on improving the communication between people and the govt, the next question was , Give me a innovative idea of improving the communication between Govt and People ( both ways).
Member 3
- Don’t you think you are disloyal to your company.
- What is/are your qualities that should impress us to take you into civil services.
- Difference between smart working and hard working.
Member 4
- Since most of your answers are based on data collection, analysis and use of information technology, give me a solution for improving the communication without the use of Information technology.
- You are very interested in IT, however, your successor may not have the knowledge of IT, then won’t the system that you created become redundant?
- What are the activities did you do as an Events Organizer in college days.
Q. Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or
Did they ask you totally unexpected questions? If yes, how did you handle it?
Mostly all the questions were in expected lines, though their degree might vary. Questions like being disloyal to the organizations were unexpected, however, my preparation and work experience helped me to handle it without exhibiting any stress.
Marksheet
Essay | 96 |
GS1 | 125 |
GS2 | 112 |
Public Administration 1 | 97 |
Public Administration 2 | 101 |
Geography 1 | 121 |
Geography 2 | 162 |
Written Total | 814 |
Interview | 186 |
Final | 1000 |
Wisdom
Q. Through this struggle and success, what have you learned about life and competition? What is your message to future aspirants?
Ans.
- Never give up. This is not an event where the result will come out the next day. This will teach you how to be patient, handle criticisms and at the same time provide you the necessary motivation to continue studying.
- Don’t compare yourself with others. Put in your hardwork and leave the rest to the God. If you are successful, you have a message to share. If you are not successful, you still will have a message to share.
- Be positive. Understand your mistakes, rectify it and try again.
Bogus marketing propaganda
You are well aware of the unwritten golden rule of conducting toppers’ interview: Final question has to be about the bogus marketing propaganda. So,
Q1. Were you a subscriber/ regular reader of Mrunal.org. If yes, since when?
And You can even say “no”, I’ll publish it without editing, unlike certain magazines hahaha.
Ans. Yes, I was a regular reader of Mrunal from the stage of preparation of Mains examination. It has been of tremendous use to me personally as it has helped me clear my doubts easily. Keep up the great work and all the best.
Q2. How did Mrunal.org help you in your preparation?
Ans. I had a weak foundation in economics and environment. Mrunal’s website provided the clarity in the concept which I could not find in any other books. With limited time availability in my case, this was highly helpful as it allowed me to understand complicated issues with ease.
Hello Sir, I am planning to appear in 2015.
And right now…i am concentrating on basics, ncerts newspapers etc.
My doubt is I am facing problem in preparing notes from newspaper esp. ( Editorials), like important points and all..
How can I improve my writing skills?
hi,
please let me know from where i can get Shankar IAS academy notes, chennai as I am not able to join coaching in chennai.Thanks
Very Inspiring to read..! Congrats and Best Wishes..!!
Very Inspiring Frank. Keep going. Wish you all the very best!!
Congrats Frank! For the time being can you please share your answer for the interview question
Don’t you think you are disloyal to your company.
It would be really helpful for my preparation.
Congrats Frank ! Wish you to lead a noble life :)
And Thanks for the inspiring note too…
Hey Frank,
Really very happy for you bro!!! I’m glad to see you achieve. I thin you remember me. Your Cummins Friend right now in Germany :-)
All the best and take care.
Congrats on your suceess!!! Can u share some of ur hand written notes of GEOGROPHY or GS as it will benefit all of us!!!
Kindly direct me about public admim.
Notes….i want to go with this subject
Mrunal sir
can you please guide me, is it possible to find Shankar IAS academy notes in delhi?
sir in upsc mains exam, how many questions should be attempted to get through and toppers usually attempt how many questions?
Dear sir,
I am working for dr reddys laboratories,I want to write my civils exam in 2014,plz give some important sugestions.
How can i crtack exam without leaving job?
Regards,
k.maruti,
9866113978.
I am doing my b.tech and in 2nd year.. I want to prepare for civil services and i am bit of confuse over taking SOCIOLOGY or PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION as optional subjects…
please help me out..
hello. I am in b.com 2nd year. I want to start my IAS preparation can anyone tell which books or topic with which i should start first.
Congrats Frank….for your hard and smart work you have been paid….ALL THE BEST for your future..
congrats frnd i am aslo a aspirant
thanks for sharing your experience with us .i am glad to know that……thankyou very much.
congratulations sir, fo yo hard work.
I am in punjab police as constable and I want to start my civil service
preparation can anyone tell which books or topic with
which i should start first.
pen used by these toppers is
i want to know how to prepare sci-tec.
Dear frank sir
Pls guide through for I am also an civil service aspirant(IAS) and would like to go with public administration… Pls link me to the websites where u can find good lecture videos and als the good books to refer for my preparation….
Thank you…