- Candidate 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
- Ethics Case studies in Mains-2013
- Mains answer-writing?
- Geography Optional Subject
- Before the interview
- During the interview
- CSE-2013 Marksheet
- Career Backup
- Insecurity about profile
- Wisdom
- Credit: Friends/family
- Bogus Marketing Propaganda
Candidate profile
Name: | Shweta Chauhan |
Rank in CSE-2013 | 573 |
Roll No. | 099610 |
Age | 22 |
Total attempts in CSE | Ā 1 |
Optional Subject | Geography |
Medium chosen for Mains answers | English |
Schooling medium | English |
College medium | English |
Home town | Ghaziabad |
Work-ex | No |
Other exams | Cleared IB ACIO Exe of 2013. Training yet to start. |
Coaching, if any |
|
Education
% in class 10 | 96% |
% in class 12 | 94% |
Schooling (Medium) | English |
Graduation course and % | Bsc(H) Physics 86% |
Name of college, city, passing out year | Hindu college passed in 2013 |
Post-graduation | Not done |
Any other professional courses | No |
Hobbies & Extra curricular | Visiting old age home, Travelling, Listening music |
Introduction
Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?
My father is in Army and he has been a great motivation for me. The always fighting spirit and dare to dream are the qualities I was brought up with.My mother have supported me on every stage. My younger brother is doing MBBS and youngest is preparing for IIT.
Electronic Vs Paper material
Electronic material is of great help and necessary for preparation.But there is a limit to that and should restrict to few important sites like Mrunal.org, PIB,
and sites of important ministeries. For newspaper I religiously followed The Hindu, for magazine Yojana, Kurushetra and EPW. Revise from same source rather than getting burdened down with lot of material.
Tempo and style
On an average I studied for 8 hours but regularly.To keep the momentum enjoy the process rather than thinking it as burden.
To fight the mood swings I would take break , follow my hobbies and think why am I in the process and its my choice.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Prelims (CSAT) General studies
Make polity and economy your strong point they are most reliable. Focus more on environmental issues.
Topic | strategy/booklist/comment |
History Ancient | NCERT |
History Medieval | NCERT |
History Modern (Freedom Struggle) | Bipin Chandra-IndianĀ struggle for independence |
Culture society | NCERT , NIOS |
Polity (theory + current) | DD Basu, The Hindu, EPW |
Economy (theory + current) | Mishra and Puri, EPW, The Hindu |
Science (theory + current) | not prepared |
Environment (theory + current) | NCERT of geography class 11 and 12, The Hindu, Down to Earth website |
geography physical | GC Leong |
geography India | NCERT |
geography world | NCERT |
other national/international current affairs | IDSA, The Hindu |
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff | India year book |
Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
Topic | strategy / booklist |
Maths | R S Agarwal |
reasoning | R S Agarwal |
comprehension | Last year paper |
Decision Making | Last year paper |
Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS Aptitude 2013 paper.
Prelim accuracy
Q1. Did you attend any āmock testsā? do you think theyāre necessary for success?
No..I dont think anyone can match UPSC standards. Look through last years question papers.
Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in CSAT-2013
attempted Q. | correct (Expected) | |
GS | GS | 65 |
aptitude | aptitude | 76 |
Q3. Your score in prelim (when UPSC uploads it please mail me your score)
Ans. CSAT prelims: GS 96+ Aptitude 164.18
Mains: Compulsory language paper
Compulsory language paper | Your preparation strategy / booklist? |
English paper | did not prepare |
your regional language | Hindi did not prepare |
Q2.other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsory language papers in CSE-2013
Consider them as other question paper and write with same enthusiasm otherwise its easy.
Mains: Essay
Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?
Did not prepare separately but would suggest others to write regularly. The was the mistake I will not repeat again.
Q2. Which among the following essay did you write? What key points did you include in it?
I wrote on the science-panacea topic. I divided the essay such that the benefits of science can be told in every sector like agriculture, industry, defence ,development , disaster management , space, medicine , human resource dev etc.What India have done in each field , ho it have proved beneficial, what is not yet done and what can be done more ith special focus on innovation and science with human face.
General Studies (Mains) paper 1
Topic | How did you prepare? |
culture | spectrum, NIOS |
Indian history | NCERT |
world history | NCERT |
post-independence India | Bipin chandra Indian struggle for independence |
Indian society | NCERT |
role of women, poverty etc | NCERT,Yojana,PlanningĀ Ā Ā commission |
globalization on Indian society | The Hindu |
communalism, regionalism, secularism | Mrunal.org, NCERT |
world geo physical | NCERT |
resource distribution | Mrunal.org |
factors for industrial location | Mrunal.org/geography |
earthquake tsunami etc | Down to Earth |
impact on flora-fauna | Down to Earth |
General studies (Mains) paper 2
Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc | DD Basu |
comparing Constitution with world | Vajiram notes |
parliament, state Legislatures, executive-judiciary | DD Basu |
ministries departments, various bodies: Constitutional, statutory. etc. | India year book |
pressure group, informal asso. | NCERT |
Representation of peopleās act | Internet |
NGO, SHG etc | EPW |
welfare schemes, bodies | PIB, Yojana |
social sector, health, edu, HRD | PIB, Yojana |
governance, transparency,accountability,role of civil service | Ministry of personnel |
e-governance | DIETY |
India & neighbors, bilateral/global grouping, effect of foreign country policies | DSA, The Hindu, Mrunal.org |
intl.bodies- structure mandate | Internet |
diaspora | Ministry of overseas affairs |
General studies (Mains) Paper 3
Indian economy, resource mobilizatio | PlanningĀ Commission |
inclusive growth | PlanningĀ Commission |
budgeting | Ministry of finance, Yojana |
major crops, irrigation | NCERT geography |
agro produce ā storage, marketing | Ministry of food processing |
e-technology for famers | planning Commission |
farm subsidies, MSP | 12 FYP |
PDS, buffer, food security | Ministry of food processing |
technology mission | DIETY |
animal rearing economics | planning Commission |
food processing | Ministry of food processing |
land reforms | planning Commission |
liberalization | planning Commission |
infra | FYP |
investment models | FYP |
science-tech day to day life | The Hindu, Mrunal.org |
Indian achievements in sci-tech | Dept of science and tech. , Mrunal.org |
awareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR | Dept of science and tech. , Mrunal .org, The Hindu |
environmental impact assessment | Down to earth |
Disaster Management | NDMA |
non state actors, internal security, role of media, social networking | vajiram notes, 2nd ARC report |
cyber security | National policy on cyber security |
money laundering ,border Management | vajiram notes |
security agencies- structure mandate | MHA |
General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
ethics and interface, family, society, emotional intelligence,…. and all the hathodaa topics | vajiram notes |
moral thinkers of India and world How many did you prepare? | Not prepared |
ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc | 2nd ARC Reports |
corporate governance | Vajiram notes |
probity in governance, work culture | 2nd ARC Reports |
citizen charter, ethics code, work culture etc. | 2nd ARC Reports |
challenges of corruption | 2nd ARC Reports |
case studies on above topics | vajiram |
Ethics Case studies in Mains-2013
Q. Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such crisis of conscience and how you resolved the same.
I wrote a simple incidence when I was in a dilemma to tell the truth about my brother’s caught cheating in a class to my parents or not. I thought of not telling initially but later I have to because i thought this may seem good for the present time for my brother but in the long term it may prove fatal, so I decided to tell and resolved my dilemma and my voice of conscience worked for me.
case | your approach/ keypoints |
1: RTI: To hide or not to hide | Ā Hiding information is against PIO integity to his service which not only make him guilty throughout his life as he is honest but also degrade the very basis of RTI, he should be ready for the cosequences and reveal the truth. |
2: Engineer: Bogus flyover vs deadline | Ā Public safety cannot be compromised,I need to first look deep into the matter whether my apprehensions are correct if they proved right then the lacunae need to be addressed even if I have to convince seniors. |
3: Child Labourers in Sivakasi | Ā The units having child labourers first need be given warning that this is against law and strict action can be taken against them. TheĀ family of children need to be counselled and whatever help under govt scheme can be provided should be given with regular inspection in the units and taking strict action for non compliance. |
4: Nepotism in Job recruitment | Ā Favouring a candidate for funds is against college good. Funds if are sanctioned will be recieved with time but cheating with candidates will not only provide the college with unworthy student but also deprive the worthy student of studies which will be great loss for the society. |
5: Leaking information | Ā There need to be level playing field for the good of public. Information cannot be leaked on any terms. |
Mains answer-writing?
Q1. How was your experience with the āfixed spaceā answer sheet?
Sufficient space.
Q2. Did you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs?
Started with paragraph writing but have to switch to bullet form because of time limit.
Q3. In GS papers, Since UPSC came with those 100 and 200 words questions. What was your approach in the exam?
I did not try the question with no idea but tried to answer as much possible rather giving perfection to few questions.
Q4. How many marks worth questions did you skip/couldnāt finish in the GS papers?Ā Ā
Almost 100 marks
Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?
No
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)
yes
Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?
pencil
Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?
by hand
Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen?
blue pen.
(Mrunal ā since readers keep mailing such queries, therefore Iām asking the topper to clear all the air haha.)
Geography Optional Subject
Q1. First the essential book/resource list and strategy.
My optional was Geography much of its preparation can be done easily with GS. Book included
- NCERTs
- GC Leong
- Savinder Singh
- Majid Hussain
- DR Khullar
Q2. How much of internet-research / current affairs is necessary for this optional? OR can one simply rely on the books and be done with this subject?
You need to have definite knowledge about the basics and apply that knowledge in current affairs. Like i read full ICAR report on Indian agriculture. Then the questions political geo was on the basis of current news. Also to make the answers more appealing one should give current example especially in subject like geo to take the edge.
Q3. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?
About 2 months and then revision by writing last years questions.
Q4. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?
I summarised imp The Hindu editioral by myself which gave me confidence to write.
Q5. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?
I made self need as revision is must and can be done if something is limitedĀ and compiled. I believe if something goes once under my hand it goes to my mind too.
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?
Geography first paper have become unpredictable. From which physical geography the questions come I am unable to understand. It can be harder but should atleast have some basis or limit.
Q7.How much did you skip OR couldnāt answer properly, in the optional paper?
optional paper | Couldnāt finish __ mark. + comments on any weird questions |
Paper I | Ā Very hard I had no idea about 60 marks paper and have to make up many other answer. Questions were literally Greek to me and some them I could even find on internet. |
paper II | Ā Easy, could attempt whole paper easily. |
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 OR Geography given the bad scaling and odd questions. Whatās your take on this?
Geography first paper was really very hard but was covered up by second. The thing about geo is that it is easily covered under GS plus this time in GS 1 we had the typical geo questions. Do not think about any scaling down or other things choose the subject you enjoy. Geography is really interesting subject.
Before the interview
Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? Particularly college graduation subjects related questions?
Read Physics Ncerts and its current topics, balanced view on current events, Geography basics, and mock interview in Raus IAS.
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 mock interviews?
I took mock interviews in Raus Ias Study circle. Nothing can match UPSC but they were quite helpful and if one is going for first time then it is good to attend few mocks.
Q3. What attire did you pick up?
A light coloured cotton saree. I would suggest female candidates to wear saree as it gives a beautiful look and confidence.
Q4. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friendās home ā¦) and what books/material did you bring for the ārevision before interviewā?
No need of revision material. I directly went from my home.
During the interview
Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?
Mr. Amar Pratap Singh
Q2. How long was the interview?
Approx 30 min
Q3. Why do you want to join civil service?
It has always been my dream to become an IAS officer which is not yet fullfilled so will try again harder.
Q4. Please narrate your entire interview- what questions did they ask and what did you reply?
why did you take geo as optional?
I took Geography because it is very much related to my graduation subject Physics.Then it helped me for the preparation of GS and knowledge of geography of an area will help me during the service.
Why do visit you old age home?( My hobby)
I developed visiting old age home my hobby when I went on school visit to a old age home.There, I realised the peace and happiness I get talking to old people cannot be get anywhere. The satisfaction of bringing smile on their faces and getting their blessings are precious part of my life.
What are the problems old age people face?
The most important problem they face is loniliness and worthlessness. This with decline in their physical and economical condition make their life miserable.
What do you want to improve there?
The most important problem they face is thier health issues which should be improved by more geriatic services. There is also need for more recreational activities for them in old age home. It would be better that they do not require to stay in old age home which can be done by making them economically independent and may be by making law stringnent that their children should not abandon them.
Govt old age homes are better or private?
Govt. old age home provide the services free so the facilities are less as compared to private.
Why no. of old age home are increasing?
Globalisation and urbanisation have lead to lot of migration and the fabric of joint family which was the basis for Indian culture of love and respect is breaking. This has lead to independent and individiualistic nature thus lonely parents and development of old age home.
Are they good?
They have become a necessity . They are required but should not become basis for chidren to shirk their responsibility.
What is India’s stand on climate change?
India believe in common but differentiated responsibility. The nature of our future depends on the future of our nature( I made smile everyone here) so we do believe that we too have responsibilty in mitigating climate change but as can be seen by recent reports the developled countries have already contributed much in accumulation of green house gases so they have more responsibilty.
Do you support India’s stand or western countries?
I would support Indian stand as we also want that level of development and because of environmental constraint we suffer. We need to protect environment but in international arena we need put ourself for technological and financial help.
If you have a subordinate who irritates you by sharpening pencil after every minute and that too he gets up throw it every time. What will you do?
I would provide him the new pencil which need not to be sharpened,Ā provide him the dustbin closer and tell him that his activity irritates me.
What about suspending him?
His activity do not affect the work he does, its only about my irration so I cannot suspend him.
What about providing him a helper?
I cannot hire two persons for same work.
Do you know any IAS officer?
Yes sir, Director of Ghaziabad development authority.
What were the qualities you liked about him?
The qualities I coul observe were his down to earth nature, politeness, humbleness, and the ability to handle 20 people with ease with no panic and biasness.
Do you look upto him as role model ?
Yes sir, He have been a great District Magistrate of Ghaziabad with crime rate lowering down in his tenure.
Do you want be one like him?
I will try my level best.
Do Christian missionary propagation a violation of human rights?(I studied in ICSE school)?
Everyone is allowed to profess his religion, in thier propagation they should not force anyone but if one benefits as I too have seen many examples in my school where the workers there who were converted were living better life because of conversion then it cannot be said wrong.
Is the new form of appraisal of civil servants good?
Sorry sir, I dont have much idea.
GK questions
- which is the longest river in south America?
- Why it is named so?
- What is Phalin?
- Why Tropical cyclones are named differently?
- What is the difference between Tropical cyclone, Storm surge and Hurricane?
- Questions about high jump and long jumpĀ (my sports interest).
- Can you file RTI online?
- What is India’s record in high jump?
- Your’s?
- What are different forms of high jump?
(I made them literally laugh here)
“You are quite a mature person in small age”.Smiled and said Thank you
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? If yes, how did you handle it?Ā
Interview was not at all stressed. Board was very cordial and I made them smile in whole interview. It was on expected lines around my biodata.
CSE-2013 Marksheet
CSAT prelims: GS 96+ Aptitude 164.18
Essay | 102 |
GS1 | 076 |
GS2 | 056 |
GS3 | 101 |
GS4 | 107 |
Geography Paper 1 | 066 |
Geography Paper 2 | 121 |
Written Total | 629 |
Interview | 154 |
Final total | 783 |
Career Backup
Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?
I would have continued Msc in Physics.
Q2. when were you going to āexecuteā that backup plan?
Never thought about it..
Insecurity about profile
One cannot change his profile so the need is to prepare considering yourself the best and be confident about yourself.
Wisdom
Q. Through this journey and success, what have your learned? What is the wisdom of life and competition?
I think the process transformed me from a child to a matured person. Learning have become a continuous process and the qualities like patience and empathy are now inbuilt.
Q. What is your message to the future aspirants?
Enjoy the process and keep the patience nothing is impossible. You are here because of your choice so keep that in mind and give your 100%.
Credit: Friends/family
My parents have been a great support and motivator to believe in my dreams. My brothers always helped me with studies and supported emotionally. I remember a incident when my father took a great pain to make me meet Director of Ghaziabad development authority an IAS officer. Interestingly, I was asked direct question in Interview “Have you ever met an IAS officer”.
This proves the dedication and wish of a father.
Bogus Marketing Propaganda
Q. You are well aware for the sacred rule of conducting toppersā interview- 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 āNoā. Iāll publish your answer without tempering/editing it.
I thank you for your great work. Frankly, I have read each and every article of Mrunal. I would suggest aspirants that there then net for preparation on Mrunal.org.
Mrunal: Thank you Ms. Shweta for sharing your journey and experience with us. Best wishes for the service allocation, keep in touch.
I AM B.TECH MECH.CAN U SUGGEST ME TO ELECT OPTIONALS FROM BETWEEN HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY. I AM FROM VISAKHAPATNAM AND HERE THERE IS A COACHING CENTRE FOR CIVILS BUT THEY ARE SAYING TO TAKE ONLY HISTORY BUT I AM INTERESTED IN TAKING GEOGRAPHY AS OPTIONAL.NOW I AM NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO. I AM IN DILEMMA. PLEASE GIVE GOOD SUGGESTION FOR TAKING OPTIONALS OR IS THERE OTHERWAY LIKE GOOD COACHING CENTER IN HYDERABAD OR DELHI.THANK YOU
Hi swheta how r u
i wana tomake ips officer plz help …
WHAT IS THE STUDY PLAN TO MAKE SCORE ….
Dear Ms. Shweta,
I really delighted to read the interview of a successful aspirant from my own district. Many congratulations on your success.
Regards,
Tarun Sharma.
CONGRATS.. and ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THIS TIME.. :)
CSE 2015 s mine.. i am taking geography as optional bcoz i feel comfortable with it.. thanks for the tips and suggestion..
mam, have u completed ur optional subject coaching bfore pre or after pre examination ??
is it possible to complete d opt. subject after pre ??
ACIO ka exam kab hoga ? abhi tak date nahi aayi
Miss Shweta congrats on your success. Did you attend the college in the last year as i feel it is very difficult to be regular in college and attend coaching and prepare at the same time. FYI i am in dU too so …can you plz tell how you did it.
Congratulations…..
Congratulation…..really nice…..all the best
Dear shweta mam,
First of all congratulations and all the best for cse 15 .
Regards
First of all congratulation making ur father dream true.
I shown my kids who are studying in Class -vth and 2nd the kind of passion u maintained to fulfill ur as well as father dreams true.
We too are from pratapvihar, ghaziabad and my daughter also wants to be IAS.
Wish her ur blessings
Rgds,
Rajesh singh
mam i am running on veterinary graduation but mam i like geogr. very much but it will against prep. of Indian forest service which permit only art sub. as optional plzzzzzzzzz…. help me mam
I have given search in Google just now with this name and with my sheer surprise get back these pages. I think I find the right person we traveled with in MAS-HWH Corromandal Exp on 9-10 Jan 2016. I have saved these pages to show to my wife and daughters. If you see this msg and if I am correct you are requested to reply in the e-mail. My regards to your parents and blessings to you and your siblings.
Mrunal sir, please ask Shweta Mam to write a fresh article as she has scored 326 marks in geography and got 8th rank in CSE 2016. It would be of immense help to people with geography optional!!
Thanks.
sir please suggest me the books to study economics optional paper-2 for upsc…
Nmste mam mera name shambhu kumawat
Mam muje IAS OFFICER BNNA H
ABHI 3RD YEAR MATHS SUBJECT H
PLZZ HELP ME KESE TEYARI KRU