- UPSC topper’s profile
- Education
- Introduction
- Electronic Vs Paper material
- Tempo and style
- Prelims (CSAT) General studies
- Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
- Prelim accuracy
- Mains: Compulsory language paper
- Mains: Essay
- General Studies (Mains) paper 1
- General studies (Mains) paper 2
- General studies (Mains) Paper 3
- General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
- GS4 Ethics case study answers in Mains 2013
- Mains answer-writing?
- Public Administration optional subject
- Before the interview
- During the interview
- UPSC Topper Marksheet
- Career Backup
- Views on UPSC reforms
- Insecurity about profile
- Wisdom
- Credit: Friends/family
- BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
UPSC topper’s profile
Name | Rajarshi Raj Varma |
Rank in CSE-2013 | 351 |
Roll No. | 154924 |
Age | 25 |
Total attempts in CSE | 1 |
Optional Subject | Public Administration |
Medium chosen for Mains answers | English |
Schooling medium | English |
College medium | English |
Home town/city | Ranchi |
Work-experience if any | 1 year experience in a development consultancy |
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures | CAT, XAT; qualified for Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (Rural Management) through XAT in 2009 |
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material (if used) |
|
service preference #1, 2 and 3 | IAS, IFS, IPS |
state cadre preference (top3) | Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab |
Education
% in class 10 | 92.8 |
% in class 12 | 87 |
Schooling (Medium) | English |
Graduation course and % | Economics (H); 66.6% |
College | Kirorimal College, Delhi University, 2008 batch |
Post-graduation | Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (Rural Management); 2009-11 |
Any other professional courses | NA |
Hobbies & Extra curricular | Yoga, playing Cricket and Table Tennis |
Introduction
Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?
After having spent my formative years in Patna and Ranchi, I joined Economics (H) in Kirorimal College of Delhi University. Thereafter, I took admission in Rural Management programme of XIM, Bhubaneswar and worked in the development sector for a year before leaving the job for full time CSE preparation in 2012. During the course of my Rural Management degree and subsequently when I worked in rural development sector after my MBA, I travelled extensively in rural areas and realized the profound impact that administration has on the lives of the people and thus decided to prepare for this exam.
Electronic Vs Paper material
Q. In recent times, there is spur in electronic material- blogs, sites, pdfs, RSS-feeds. Many aspirants feel bogged down by this information overload. So, how much do you rely on electronic material and how much on the paper material (Books, newspapers)? If possible narrate a typical day in your studylife.
It has to be an optimal mix of both. For optional, books and paper material are more important and for GS, internet has to be used extensively. For GS, I maintained e-notes under different headings (social issues, economy, S&T, foreign policy and IR etc) which I tried to revise before the exam. I could not make notes for my optional due to lack of time and relied on 2-3 readings instead.
Tempo and style
Q. People know what books and syllabus points are to be prepared. But most of them lack consistency in their preparation. So, how do you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings and distractions?
Given the long drawn and tedious nature of the exam, mood swings are inevitable. There would be days when you won’t feel like studying and there would be days when you would be excited and energetic. I guess the important thing is to know oneself and master the art of unwinding. When you are feeling low, take a break and do something that you enjoy (I used to watch movies). At the same time, the break should not be too long. The only way to ensure consistency is through internal motivation. Nobody can force you to study if the heart is not willing.
Prelims (CSAT) General studies
Topic | strategy/booklist/comment |
History Ancient | 11th NCERT |
History Medieval | 11th NCERT |
History Modern (Freedom Struggle) | 12th NCERT, Spectrum |
Culture society | Did not prepare |
Polity (theory + current) | D.D Basu, Sriram notes, newspapers |
Economy (theory + current) | Sriram notes, newspapers |
Science (theory + current) | NCERT books (6th to 10th) |
Environment (theory + current) | Newspapers, Mrunal.org, googled relevant topics |
geography physical | NCERT (6th to 12th) and internet |
geography India | |
geography world | |
other national/international current affairs | Newspapers, television debates (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha tv, CNN-IBN and NDTV) |
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff | Newspapers, TV, internet |
Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS prelim 2013 paper?
The key is to focus on fundamentals and reading basic books
Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
Topic | strategy / booklist |
Maths | R.S Aggarwal |
Reasoning | Same |
comprehension | TMH manual |
Decision Making | Just previous year question papers |
Q.Any observation / comments / tips about GS Aptitude 2013 paper.
Emphasis should be on developing speed through practice
Prelim accuracy
Q1. Did you attend any ‘mock tests’? do you think they’re necessary for success?
No. I don’t think they are necessary. One can practice on one’s own by practicing mock papers.
Q2. Your score in preliminary exam
- GS: 108.66
- Aptitude: 169.18
- Total: 278
Mains: Compulsory language paper
Compulsory language paper | Your preparation strategy / booklist? |
English paper | Just previous year question papers |
your regional language | Hindi |
Q2.other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsory language papers in CSE-2013
The compulsory papers this year were quite difficult and lengthy and hence should not be taken lightly.
Mains: Essay
Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?
No specific preparation. GS preparation took care of Essay. I wanted to write few mock essays but could not due to paucity of time.
Q2. Which among the following essay did you write? What key points did you include in it?
- Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)
- Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success?
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country
- Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
I wrote on the topic GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country. My Key points were as following:
- Started with Amartya Sen’s recent quote: “GDP is not an end in itself but a means to achieve a higher end”
- Took a lot of points from the recent debate between Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati on growth v/s redistribution (growth as a representative of GDP and redistribution required for equity/happiness not captured by GDP)
- Definition of GDP, use of GDP as a measure of development and pros and cons of the same
- Evolution of alternative indices of development such as PQLI, HDI, inequality adjusted HDI etc.
- The concept of GNH and its components
- The way forward (need to balance GDP and growth related parochial indicators with a more holistic concept entailing indicators pertaining to quality of life, equity, justice, environment etc.)
General Studies (Mains) paper 1
Topic | How did you prepare? |
Culture | Did not prepare |
Indian history | 12th NCERT and Spectrum; started reading Bipin Chandra after the exam; lots of overlapping between NCERT, Spectrum and Bipin Chandra |
world history | Old NCERT (9th and 10th); Sriram notes |
post-independence India | Bipin Chandra’s India after independence |
Indian society | NCERT sociology books |
role of women, poverty etc. | Newspapers, internet, TV debates |
globalization on Indian society | Same |
communalism, regionalism, secularism | Same |
world geo physical | Sriram notes |
resource distribution | NCERT and Mrunal.org |
factors for industrial location | Mrunal.org/geography |
earthquake tsunami etc | NCERT book on disaster management |
impact on flora-fauna | Nothing specific |
General studies (Mains) paper 2
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc. | D.D Basu; Sriram notes |
comparing Constitution with world | Did not do |
parliament, state Legislatures | D.D Basu |
executive-judiciary | D.D Basu |
ministries departments | 2nd ARC report |
pressure group, informal asso. | Internet, newspapers |
Representation of people’s act | Just went through those sections that were in news |
various bodies: Constitutional, statutory.. | D.D Basu, internet, Sriram notes |
NGO, SHG etc | Internet, newspapers |
welfare schemes, bodies | Draft 12th plan |
social sector, health, edu, HRD | Draft 12th plan |
governance, transparency, accountability | 2nd ARC reports |
e-governance | 2nd ARC report |
role of civil service | 2nd ARC report |
India& neighbors | Newspapers |
bilateral/global grouping | Newspapers |
effect of foreign country policies on Indian interest | Newspapers |
diaspora | Nothing specific |
international bodies- structure mandate | Internet; websites of different bodies |
General studies (Mains) Paper 3
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
Indian economy, resource mobilization | Newspapers, 12th plan |
inclusive growth | 12th plan, Economic Survey |
budgeting | Union budget and newspaper reports; internet |
major crops, irrigation | NCERT geography |
agro produce – storage, marketing | Mrunal.org; newspaper items related to APMC act etc. |
e-technology for famers | Sriram material |
farm subsidies, MSP | Sriram material |
PDS, buffer, food security | Newspapers, Sriram material |
technology mission | Internet |
animal rearing economics | Did not do |
food processing | Mrunal.org/economy |
land reforms | Mrunal.org/polity |
liberalization | IGNOU material on economic reforms |
infra | 12th plan |
investment models | 12th plan |
science-tech day to day life | Nothing specific |
Indian achievements in sci-tech | Newspapers |
awareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR | Sriram material, internet, newspapers |
environmental impact assessment | Did not do |
Disaster Management | NCERT book on disaster management |
non state actors, internal security | Annual report, Ministry of Home |
internal security – role of media, social networking site | Newspapers and TV debates |
cyber security | Newspapers and internet |
money laundering | Sriram material |
border Management | Sriram material |
organized crime, terrorism | Newspapers and internet |
security agencies- structure mandate | Sriram material |
General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
ethics and interface, family, society and all the hathodaa topics | IGNOU material |
attitude, moral influence etc. | Sriram material |
civil service: integrity, impartiality, tolerance to weak etc | 2nd ARC report |
emotional intelligence, its use in governance | Sriram material |
moral thinkers of India and world | How many thinkers did you prepare?I did 4-5 thinkers such as Buddha, Vivekananda, Gandhi, Nehru etc. |
ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc. | 2nd ARC reports |
corporate governance | Internet |
probity in governance, work culture | 2nd ARC report |
citizen charter, ethics code, work culture etc. | 2nd ARC report |
challenges of corruption | 2nd ARC report |
case studies on above topics | I had joined a facebook group and used to contribute to case studies posted in the group |
Any other comments, word of wisdom after going through the mains-2013.
Instead of reading too much, rely on your gut feeling and try to give a balanced answer
GS4 Ethics case study answers in Mains 2013
Q. in GS4 ethics papers, please give a sketchy overview of your case study answers:
case | your approach/keypoints |
1: RTI: To hide or not to hide | Will upload the answer-sheet once I get it through RTI |
2: Engineer: Bogus flyover vs deadline | |
3: Child Labourers in Sivakasi | |
4: Nepotism in Job recruitment | |
5: Leaking information | |
6: Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such crisis of conscience and how you resolved the same. |
Mains answer-writing?
Q. How was your experience with the ‘fixed space’ answer sheet?
I think there is enough space. Given the time constraint, anyway one won’t be able to write more than that.
Q. Did you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs? Some players (who cleared mains and got interview call letter) were claiming that they wrote entire paper in bullet points, so it doesn’t matter….whether examiner is asking ‘examine, comment, discuss or xyz’….simply write in bullets and points.
Mix of para and bullet points depending on the nature of questions. I believe we should not focus too much on words like examine, comment etc and try to write a multi-dimensional answer irrespective of the word used.
Q. Did you follow the “introduction-body-conclusion” format? because some mains-qualified candidates claim they simply wrote the points they could recall within the time, instead of bothering with proper introduction and conclusion.
Given the word constraint, a proper introduction and conclusion is not possible. I wrote 1 sentence of introduction, main body and 1 concluding remark.
Q. In GS papers, Since UPSC came with those 100 and 200 words questions. What was your approach in the exam (I wrote all, I only focused on the questions where I could answer perfectly, I just not to high quality points to reach the word limit etc.)
Although I tried attempting as many questions as possible, however there were a number of questions where I did not know anything and therefore did not want to antagonize the examiner by guessing too much
Q. How many marks worth questions did you skip/couldn’t finish in the GS papers?
GS (Mains paper) | Couldn’t finish __ mark. |
GS1 | 70-80 marks (it was a total disaster!) |
GS2 | 30-40 marks (this went good but has been low scoring for everyone) |
GS3 | 50-60 marks |
GS4 | Nil (only paper where I could attempt every thing) |
Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?
No
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)
No
Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?
NA
Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?
NA
Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen?
Blue pen
(Mrunal – since readers keep mailing such queries, therefore I’m asking the topper to clear all the air haha.)
Public Administration optional subject
Q1. First the essential books, resource and strategy
In Public Admn, I believe we should read as less books as possible.
Paper 1:
- Fadia and Fadia (for most topics)
- Sharma and Sadana
- Prasad and Prasad for thinkers
Paper 2:
- Fadia and Fadia
- Arora and Goyal
- 2nd ARC reports
- Newspapers
Although, I wanted to go through Punchi Commission reports but could not due to paucity of time.
Q2. How much of internet-research / current affairs is necessary for Public Administration? OR can one simply rely on the books and be done with this subject?
For paper 2, current affairs is very important; internet should be used for topics where enough material is not available in books
Q3. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?
3-4 months
Q4. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?
I practiced answer writing 1 month before the exam
Q5. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?
I could not make notes for optional due to lack of time. I relied on 2-3 readings of books and ARC reports.
Q6. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2013 mains vs previous papers. And what precautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?
The paper was quite tricky. It is no longer possible to predict questions in Pub Admn. I guess one should be thorough with fundamentals (especially first 3 units of paper 1) and try to answer, using whatever he/she has read, as per the needs of the question.
Q7.How much did you skip OR couldn’t answer properly, in the optional paper?
optional paper | Couldn’t finish __ mark. + comments on any weird questions |
Paper I | 20 marks |
paper II | 10-15 marks |
Q8. would you advice any interested party (new player) to pick this optional? Nowadays wind seems to be flowing towards sociology and political science. Some senior players advice new players not to pick Public Administration given the scaling and odd questions. What’s your take on this?
Going by this year’s results, all optional seem to be in the same boat. I guess if you are able to score around 200 marks, you have done well and many people with Pub Admn have scored around or above that. I believe there is nothing wrong with Pub Admn as an optional. I took it in spite of its poor performance last year. I sincerely believe that if you are genuinely interested in a subject, every optional is good.
Before the interview
Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? Particularly college graduation subjects related questions?
Just went through the basics of graduation subjects and current affairs related stuff related to Indian economy.
Q2. Did you attend any mock interviews by coaching classes? How were they similar / different than official interview? Do you believe it is necessary to attend such mock interviews?
Yes. I attended 1 interview at Samkalp and 1 at ALS. While they were quite different from actual interview, the feedback does help in preparation.
Q3. What did you wear? Some experts say coat is must, some say tie is must, and some say black shoes must. What attire did you pick up?
I wore a light blue shirt with black paint, blue tie and black shoes. But there were many people without a tie. Very few people wore coat. So, I guess if you are neat and your dress is ironed, coat or tie is not a must.
Q4. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friend’s home …) and what books/material did you bring for the ‘revision before interview’?
My sister’s home. I just brought few ARC reports and some notes related to my profile along with my laptop.
During the interview
Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?
Alka Sirohi
Q2. How long was the interview?
30-35 minutes
Q3. Why do you want to join civil service? Why don’t you continue in your graduation field? Social service can be done from private sector too. [Since I don’t know whether they ask you this question or not. But if they had asked- what will be your reply?]
I was already working in the development sector. Although they did not ask why I wanted to join civil services, I did convey (in one of my answers) my experience of working in the rural areas and my understanding of ground level issues as the main reason for making me take this exam.
Q4. Please narrate your entire interview- what questions did they ask and what did you reply and other pleasant or uncomfortable experiences during the interview.
Questions which I could answer:
- What is the difference between public sensitivity and public conscience?
- NSEL scam
- Reasons for under-development in Orissa and how to tackle naxalism
- Few questions related to biodiversity in Orissa (Olive Ridley Turtles)
- Questions on Yoga
- Recent incidents of DMs being kidnapped in Orissa and Chattisgarh. What do you feel? What should be done?
- Reasons for single party getting a clear majority for the first time since last 30 years.
Question which I could not answer:
- Can you name a hermit king from ancient Greece? (since the chairperson interpreted the meaning of my name as a hermit king)
- Issue between Bihar Cricket Association and BCCI
- Few questions on White Tigers (where did they originate, what will be the colour of the offspring if a White Tiger and a regular Tiger mate?)
I will try to upload detailed transcript of my interview in few days.
Q5. Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or did they ask you totally unexpected questions? Was it a stress interview, did they ask any uncomfortable questions? If yes, how did you handle it?
Few unexpected questions were asked but I was ready for them. If I did not know an answer, I just said ‘I do not know Sir/Madam’. The board was very cordial.
Q6. Any side details about technicalities like “make sure you bring xyz document or do xyz thing, or you’ll face problem”?
Just carry the original documents along with photocopy as instructed in the call letter. The people there will take care of everything.
Q7. Any word of wisdom / observations about medical checkup?
nothing to worry.
UPSC Topper Marksheet
Q. When UPSC uploads the Marksheets, please mail it to me so I can include it in your interview article.
ESSAY (PAPER-I) | 135 |
GENRAL STUDIES -I (PAPER-II) | 061 |
GENRAL STUDIES -II (PAPER-III) | 062 |
GENRAL STUDIES -III (PAPER-IV) | 073 |
GENRAL STUDIES -IV (PAPER-V) | 096 |
OPTIONAL-I (PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VI) | 095 |
OPTIONAL-II (PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VII) | 092 |
WRITTEN TOTAL | 614 |
PERSONALITY TEST | 187 |
FINAL TOTAL | 801 |
Career Backup
Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?
It was my first attempt. So, had I not qualified, I would have joined my previous job and would have continued with the preparation.
Views on UPSC reforms
What are your views on following issues?
Q. Optional subjects should be removed altogether. The present stalemate is helping no-one, except coaching-owners, book publishers and the candidate whose optional subject gets favorable treatment under given year’s scaling formula.
Yes I sincerely believe that optional should be scrapped to ensure a level playing field for everyone.
Q. Despite what UPSC has done in recent years, it has failed to curb the nuisance of Delhi’s coaching factories. In fact it’s increased under the new syllabus in 2013. Let’s face it, most toppers who gave Mains-2013 have relied on (authentic OR Xeroxed) coaching notes because there was hardly any time left to prepare so many topics in such short time. This system work against an individual preparing from far-away area, without any financial resources or contacts in Delhi.
Yes. I do agree. Having said this, today, there is no dearth of information. Books and notes can be bought and strategy etc. is available on the internet (assuming you have access to internet). Websites like mrunal, blogs of toppers and forums such as iasforum.com are really helpful for those who cannot go to Delhi.
Q. Half-merger of IFoS with CSE is a bad move because it has raised the cutoffs for players who’re solely dedicated to IFoS only (and not to IAS/IPS).Adding salt to the wounds, many who had applied for both jobs, cleared the prelims- they did not even bother to appear in all the papers of Mains-IFoS. (RTI revealed this).
Yes. This is true. I think UPSC should de-merge the two.
Q. UPSC should disclose official prelim answer key and cutoffs, immediately after prelim is over, instead of postponing it till interview phase is over.
Yes, I agree. It will bring more certainty.
Q. UPSC should be conducted online like IBPS and CAT exam to shorten the duration of exam.
I guess this eventually would be done. However, logistics need to be worked out given the scale of the exam.
Q. If you are made the UPSC chairman, what other reforms would you initiate for the civil service exam?
- Shortening the entire process of the exam (say within 6 months-from prelims to final results)
- Allocation of service should be done during or after the training (on the basis of merit list only but after proper counseling regarding the skill sets required for various services)
Insecurity about profile
Q. Many candidates prepare sincerely but constantly live under fear about ‘profile insecurity’. I’m not from a big college, I’m not from English medium, and I don’t have work-experience. What if they ask some stressful questions in the interview about this? What is your message to these candidates?
I had a decent profile. So, I was not worried about that.
I believe, in the interview, your profile does not matter. It’s how you perform there that determines everything. On the contrary, if you have a humble profile and you perform well, the board members might get more impressed.
Wisdom
Q. Through this struggle and success, what have your learned? What is the wisdom of life and competition? What is Your message to the new aspirants?
My only message is that candidates should use this preparation phase as a learning experience. Do not think too much about the results. If you are sincere, results will come automatically. Even in the worst case, in case you do not qualify (god forbid), your knowledge base gets so enhanced that you will do well in whichever field you work.
Q. Many hardworking candidates have failed in Mains/Interview of CSE-2013. They’re feeling dejected- what is your message to them?
This exam is really a gamble. Just take few days off, introspect what went wrong and start your preparation with full vigour again. Just think that you have got the opportunity to study for some more months, learn and further expand your knowledge base. Even, I could not get the rank I wanted and would take the exam again.
Credit: Friends/family
Q. Behind every topper are many people who stood by during those uncertain times when he/she was merely an ‘aspirant’. Would you like to tell the world, who were those people in your case? Any specific incidence that you would like to share with the readers?
My parents were really supportive after I left my job to prepare for this unpredictable exam. I would also like to thank my friends and the almighty.
BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
Q. You are well aware of the sacred rule – the last question must be about self-marketing. So, Did you use Mrunal.org for your preparation and if yes, how did it help you? And you can even reply “No”. I’ll still publish your answer without tempering, unlike those competitive magazines.
Yes, I did use mrunal.org for my preparation. It was really helpful especially on issues related to economy and environment. I hope you keep up the good work and help umpteen number of candidates in unraveling this mother of all exams. Let me know if I could be of any help.
Mrunal comments: Thank you Rajarshi for sharing your journey and experience with us. Best wishes for the service allotment. Keep in touch.
Congrats….!!!!
bhaiya yaha to bina coaching ke koi nahi hai….seems like coaching is inevitable
dont worry.. main bina coaching wala rahunga Aman bhai . haha ( atleast for 1st attempt)
Respected Sir,
Congrats on your Achievement Would u plz mention the FACEBOOK group that u used for preparing case studies on GS-4 Ethics
@ Akash.. Are you preparing for Maharashtra PSC along with UPSC ??
Sir, please mention the facebook group that used for preparing gs-4
I wish to know what u did for answer writing and which news papers u followed?
Thanks
congrats raj..!!
Congrats on ur success !! will u please guide me how to write ans. in public admin. What books shd i read now to fetch gud marks in 2014 mains ?? will u suggest me any test series ??
Hmm nice….keep it up….sir where to start my prepration for ias exams as an early bird??
CONGRATS SIRJI
first time hearing no one self preparing successful candidate ..is self preparing era gone ???
Congrats Sir ! Being a 12th pass student what steps should be taken by me to crack the CSE in very First attempt, just like you. Please help me sir …..
1. Try to decide your optional at this very stage and if it is also linked with GS paper (subjects like Geography, History, Polity especially) would provide you dual benefits.
2. If you prefer such subject for graduation, it will automatically help you out both in Pre+Mains.
3. Since, it is an early stage, try to focus on good writing. Keep writing articles about current issues. From 2nd year onwards start preparing for GS section wise. And keep yourself up to date about any change in examination Pattern.
4. Decide your study materials consciously and avoid following 8-10 books for single topic. Rather follow any 2 good books+Internet if possible.
5. Don’t get stressed. Enjoy your years of preparation. Do not take it as WAR….. take ample rest, recreation and then stay focused.
I agree
This will surely help me !!
Sir,
Request you to kindly ask the topper to also specify which NCERTs they studied, weather old/new.
That would remove a major ambiguity.
As in my case I live in Delhi but still bought new NCERTS (i am blind could not even read the writing on the wall) for geo and started with them. But later when i checked out the old ones I discovered what I was missing.
It was heart breaking to find my prep start on wrong foot.
Agreed!! Same happens in my case. Still struggling for proper guidance. NEW OR OLD. plz mrunal sir, help me out.
kingbruce,
old NCERTs are not useful beyond history and geography. and there too, alternatives available:
for history: refer to Tamilnadu class11, 12 history uploaded under Mrunal.org/download and for world history Mrunal.org/history
for geography truckload of alternatives available in market.
sabke hausale buland ho gaye hai including MRUNAL ….MRUNAL is probably trying civil services this tym……32 kar diya age uska bhi asar hai…..if im not wrong mrunal got 20 in essay of upsc ias..
Sir,
I have bought new NCERTs, all four of 11th and 12th. Done one reading of Fundas of Phy. Geo and India Physical environment both. Should I proceed with making notes of the said two books or switch over to Old NCERTs?
Thank you sir.
By all four I meant of geography.
Dear Mrunal,
So far no Topper in this series of interviews has Political Sc. & IR as his/her optional. I request you to please share with aspirants a comprehensive strategy for this optional.
Thanks.
same request…
i hve one query sir and dear aspirants. does the interviewer knws written marks of mains when they conduct interview? and why i am seeing all rank holders having more than 80 percntge marks in 10th and 12th. is nt there any average student frm stateboards having 70 or 60 pertange who got slectd?
No …the interviewer isn’t aware of anything about your mains marks. And for your concern…You can take 60% of state board (specially Bihar & Jharkhand, i don’t know about any other state) well about 80% in CBSE.
thnks aporva
Sir are u in future planning to post articles on upsc mains 2013 analysis of other topics(post ind,world history,ind society,gs 2 & gs 3)
thnax sir and congrtas raj sir:)
Anybody from Hindi medium………….
Hindi medium walo ki to bhai is baar upsc baat lga di..saare angrej select hue h
खुदा के खौफ से डरो !
हिंदी वालो ने upsc का क्या बिगाड़ा है?
It is not fault of UPSC….. from past 2 years all private sector people are shifting towards govt sector jobs.
now why english medium selections are high??? most of the private sector job holders are enginnering + mba
wit good command over english. further more there is truckload of materials available in english medium.
i dont think UPSC can do something regarding that except of keeping some sort of reservation for hindi medium :(
http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/i-wanted-to-be-ias-and-this-was-my-goal-vandana-1-732132.html
mrunal sir ,plz provide those topper who did not take coaching
Previous Batch Vandana secured 8th rank by only self-study and it was her first attempt. And that too in Hindi medium.
This is how Haryana girl Vandana Chauhan got through IAS!
Ambala: A resident of Nasrullagarh in Haryana, Vandana Chauhan, amazed everyone by her exceptional performance at the civil services examination 2012. She secured 8th rank in the exam and top rank among the students with Hindi medium.
Vandana was born on April 4, 1989 in a family that does not have a history of getting their girls educated. But Vandana made an exception by continuously pushing her father to send her out for studies. She was then sent to Gurukul in Bhiwani. Daughter of Mithilesh and MS Chauhan, Vandana has done graduation in Sanskrit (Honours) from Kanya Gurukul and LL.B. from BR Ambedkar University, Agra.
Vandana had always dreamt of becoming an IAS. She did her initial studies in the village but insisted on sending her out of the village for better education.
Vandana used to stay in her room only and used to study 20 hours in a day. The mantra that worked for her success was dedication and focus. She did her all her studies without any coaching.
It is extraordinary to find a Hindi medium candidate with single-digit rank.
in latest 2013 topper without coaching ???
http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/i-wanted-to-be-ias-and-this-was-my-goal-vandana-1-732132.html
can anyone post a link for older ncerts?
mrunal can you please get the interview of political science and IR candidate making it to the top?
Coaching is important ya not…..
i will complete graduation in 2016 , what are initial steps , how can i start gs , i already read the hindu etc
THNKS mrunal these interviews really inspire us… keep the gud work buddy…….ur awsum
Congrats Partner….
Congrats Rishi Sir…. Wish You very best luck….
Congrat’s Bhaiya !!!!!!!!!!
How do we file an RTI for the mains answer sheet?
I had written in 2012. Can I file an RTI for it now?