[CAPF Lady Topper] Tanu Shree Pareek Rank 194: B.Tech, Bikaner, NCC certificate

1. CAPF Topper Profile
2. Education
3. Introduction
4. Electronic Vs Paper material
5. Tempo and style
6. GS and Aptitude paper
7. Accuracy in GS paper
8. Descriptive paper
9. Four Essays
10. CAPF Physical Efficiency Test
11. Interview by UPSC Panel
12. UPSC Interview Transcript
13. After the interview
14. Service preference
15. Credit: Friends/family
16. Bogus Marketing Propaganda

CAPF Topper Profile

Name	Tanu Shree Pareek
Rank in CAPF-2013	194
Roll No.	37994
Age	22
No. of previous attempts in CAPF	0
Home town/city	Bikaner
Work-experience if any	–
other competitive exams including success & failures	RAS, ICS
coaching/postal material (if used)	Aspire classes
Hobbies Extra-Curricular Activities	Badminton, Adventure Tourism,
Do you have NCC certificate?	Yes

Education

% in class 10	81%
% in class 12	81%
Schooling (Medium)	Hindi
Graduation course & %	B.Tech 74.50%
College & batch-year	2012
Post-graduation	2014
Any professional courses

Introduction

Q. Tell us something about yourself and your family. When and why did you enter in the competitive exam field?

Ans. I belong from a service class family, My father is veterinarian and mother is housewife. It was in final year of engineering when my colleagues were preparing for either GATE / MBA / or to join IT industry. Though I got campus placement in TCS in my final year but it wasn’t the job I wanted to be in. In my college I joined NCC and actively took part in all of its activities including firing, horse riding, piloting, camping.
It was then I get influenced form UNIFORM. I decided to join Police force .  So it was not a childhood dream or so, just after completing my B.Tech I started my journey and completed it in one Go .

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. What is your style of preparation (e.g. I continue making notes no matter what I’m reading, I just read multiple times but don’t maintain notes, I make mindmaps on computer …or xyz style)

Ans. I am comfortable with paper material, you can say its just because I got habitual of it. When ever I take reference from online data , if its in pdf format or long enough I used to take print out of that for reading. For quick search data I jolt down thinks on paper .

Reading through electronic device have its own merits but it can also happen that a fine day you get up and find your system software get crushed or any memory/hardware/software/malware related problem then you are left with nothing. And this had happened with me once in my college time. So I go for easy and comfortable paper material.

Regarding notes making it depends. If you are not having much time just high light important stuff and write down additional information in blank space.

If you are in initial stage of preparation it is advisable to make short notes of NCERTs.

For newspaper, notes making is must otherwise you will end up with bulk of newspaper cuttings and at last trashing them. Make 5 compartments of a big notebook with sections of Economy, Polity, Sports, International relation and S&T. or make notes Date wise.

Tempo and style

Q. People know what books and syllabus topics are to be prepared. But most of them lack consistency in their preparation. So, how did you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings and distractions?

Ans. I believe most of people do hard work or even smarter then what you do but the Mantra of getting success is having “belief that you can do and keeping that belief until your name is in the list”. Whenever you feel distracted just think what difference will it make after getting into that service or think of what all you wanted from your life, if you are preparing without 3^rd persons pressure you will automatically get back to your preparation.

It is equally important to have breaks , go for outing, spent time with friends or do the things which make you feel happy . This will give you energy to start your preparation again with 100% freshness and interest. But keep in mind that you should regulate yourself before anybody else starts regulating you.

GS and Aptitude paper

Q1. Please share the list of resources you used, your strategy and other tips for benefit of future aspirants.

Topic	input
History Ancient	11th class Old Ncert
History Medieval	I didn’t touch this portion
History Modern (Freedom Struggle)	Old ncert (Bipin chandra) , appendix of spectrum
Culture society
Polity (theory + current)	Laxmikanth, update from newspaper
Economy (theory + current)	Newspaper, vaji and sriram notes,
Science (theory + current)	newspaper
Environment (theory + current)	Aspire class notes
geography physical	Ncert old +new(6to 12)
geography India	‘’
geography world	‘’
other national/international current affairs	newspaper
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff	Newspaper
Maths	R. S. agarwal
Data interpretation	‘’
Reasoning	‘’

Accuracy in GS paper

Q. What’s your overall experience with GS paper? (E.g. it was on expected lines as per my preparation, it was quite tougher than earlier years etc.)

Ans. If you are thorough with one year newspaper(The Hindu) and Ncerts and have understanding of current events you can easily write .

Descriptive paper

Q. How did you prepare the Essay, grammar, précis and report writing?

Ans. Don’t Burdon yourself much . just see once all the rules , and for essay write historical, geographical, political ,social ,technological dimensions of given topic.

Four Essays

This time, UPSC required the candidates to write 4 out of 6 essays. Which of the following did you attempt? And what were your keypoints in them?

Topic	your key points
doctor-pharma nexus
interstate water dispute
social reformers in freedom struggle	Individual efforts(Raja Ram mohan ray, Ishwar Chandra vidya sagar, B L Malabari), role of INC, Acts of British govet (refoms by lord Bentick etc)
falling rupee & Indian economy
China’s aggressive policy	String of pearls, skirmishes in depsang(J&K), showing Arunachal and aksai chin in its map.  revival of silk route, more coop with smaller nations like Maldives, srilanka, Bangladesh to counter India,  Mari time silk route.
media publicity on terrorism

CAPF Physical Efficiency Test

Q1. To pass Physical Efficiency Tests (PET), what preparation did you do at home?

Ans. I started my PET preparation after coming of written result. Mrunal. Org helped me in this phase . it provided me the all background information. I read experience shared by all who went through PET. Because running was the thing which was troubling me and it was toughest part of this exam for me. But I started slowly . everyday one hr in morning and evening I started running, along with It I changed my food habits for weight reduction and maintain energy .

I intensified my PET preparation before  two weeks of my PET date, and only those days I practiced for long jump. But don’t exhaust your body too  much, else you will not be able to perform on your PET day.

Q2. Where was your PET held?

Jharoda Kalan, Delhi.

Q3. Please narrate your actual experience PET test with readers.

Ans. I got strain in my left leg while practicing for long jump, so I went for my PET with a fear that I may not be able to jump 3m . At main gate of Jharoda Kalan camp a bus was standing for all CAPF PET candidates. There were only two girls in total including me. Bus left us near PET location.

First off all documents were checked , after that girls were sent for a medical test, then 100 meter race was held. Staff was cordial and supporting. In 800 meter race it was really difficult to run at 11:30 Am with strong sun overhead. My strategy for 800 meter was running in medium pace from beginning and increasing it at the end but after one lap I was losing energy [while practicing whenever I used to stop, a friend of mine used to say me “YOU CONTROL THE OUTCOME” (a dialogue of “never break down”)]

So I repeated same and it really provided me thrust and finally completed the race on time.

But long jump was real fear, staff gave us time (which usually not given) between 800 m and long jump for 10 to 15 min. I checked the field and counted steps for jumping . In my 1^st jump my leg was on line so I was left with 2 attempts . Then one staff member told me to take less steps before jump and tilt body while jumping. It worked and finally qualified PET.

I will say that those who fear about PET should stay clam if you practice even for one month you can make it.

Interview by UPSC Panel

Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? Particularly college graduation subjects related questions?

Ans. I get to know about my interview on 27^th June that I have it on 30^th June (just two days before).

Mean while my masters exams were going from 24 to 28^th June.   Then it was a big confusion about what to wear i.e. sari or salwar. I decided to wear sari as it is more elegant dress. So the two days I got before my interview got exhausted in my selection and making my sari ready.

I relooked my DAF (detailed application form) and the only thing which I prepared was working, organization and functioning of CISP/BSF/CRPF/ITBP/SSB/Assam rifles. I left touch with my engineering two years back and left it on GOD .

For rest of the things like current affairs / IR  I was confident and I didn’t need to prepare all these.

Q2. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friend’s home …) and what books/material did you bring for the ‘revision before interview’?

Ans. friends home.  It’s the brain which go along with you not the piece of paper or any gadget. I didn’t bring or read anything on my interview day except that day’s newspaper.

And reading newspaper paid as that day there was a news that saina nehwal won Australian open and the same question was asked to me in interview. So READ NEWSPAPER on your interview day. A must do thing.

Q3. Who was the chairman of you interview board?

Ans. Mr. Vinay Mittal. (four members included one female member)

Q4. How long was the interview?

Ans. 25-30 min

Q5. Why do you want to become an Assistant commandant? Why don’t you continue in your graduation field? [Since I don’t know whether they asked you this question or not. But if they had asked- what will be your reply?]

Ans. they didn’t ask me anything regarding my graduation and why I want to join CAPF my reply is mentioned while answering when I start preparing.

UPSC Interview Transcript

Q. Please narrate your entire interview- what questions did they ask and what did you reply and other pleasant or uncomfortable experiences during the interview. (Earlier some toppers only tell me their question but not their answer. I would appreciate if you give both Question + your original answers)

I entered , wished good morning mam and good morning sirs (female member should be addressed first)

They asked me to sit, I thanked

Board chairman asked me whether I am NCC cadet ? as I mentioned in my DAF I said yes

He asked me the difference between B and C certificate , I replied C is highest and B is prior req to get C and what all comes in examination of B and C certificates.

Chairman- why you want join this

Me- feeling of wearing dress (I was mentioning NCC uniform but used wrong word ie dress instead of using word uniform, chairperson corrected me ;-p)

Chairman-what all you learn in NCC

Me- drilling, weaponry, leadership etc

Chairman- do you know different parts of a weapon? Or can a weapon be broken down in diff parts?

Me- yes sir, then I tried to recollect the names of different parts , I could list barrel, butt, piston. Bullet etc

Chaiman- can you tell me diff btwn gun and pistol?

Me- (don’t bluff, this thought was coming in my mind as I wasn’t aware of exact diff so I didn’t gave a sec of thinking) said sorry sir ;-p

Chairman- can you tell me organization structure, diff between platoon , troop, battalion? Do you know the exact no of persons in each?

Me- I was blank ;-p, I tried answering then he said you don’t know , I accepted ;-p

Chairman- your hobby is badminton, are you aware of recent development ?

Me- yes sir yesterday saina nehwal won Australian open ( newspaper reading worked)

Chairman-what type of tournament is it?

Me- it’s a Australian open ;-p ( as it was a super series , he wanted to know this)

[the most disastrous part of my interview over …………… ]

2^nd member- recently international sports is going in brazil do you know it?

Me- yes sir, FIFA world cup (football)

2^nd member-  what you know about it

Me-sir, I am not much interested in football but all I know is (I ooze out all what a friend told me a day before ;-p) last time winner was Spain it won due to Tiki Taka style of playing, this time its out in early phase, Colombia is new team.  Indian team’s international football ranking in 154 and sunil chetri is captain of Indian football team (uff happy about it that it was asked )

2^nd member- recently one of indian state got divided can trace its origin?

Me- yes sir, its Andhra Pradesh which get divided and Telangana   has become 29^th sate of indian union. The origin of demand of Telangan was made just few years after independence then I told chronology of Telangna movement

2^nd member-what is security? How important it is acc to you ?

Me- most important as all socio-economic- and political growth is void without citizens of country feel safe . I conceive security in 3 compartments 1) security at individual level

2) community level 3) state/national level

I described all

2^nd member- work of CAPF in it?

Me – internal peace maintenance until political solution come out

3^rd (female) member- how many female member in cabinet?

Me – I started counting said 5 , she said wrong

3rd member- if you get odd posting will you leave and all questions related to women issue

Me – I replied all satisfactorily.

Chairman: why women are not in all over world in front line army?

Me- sir one reason is biologically males have are more stronger str as compared to women another factor is the need of special and advance infrastructure for women which is difficult to get in rough territories in war time.

4^th member- do you know AFSPA?

Me- yes sir its Armed forces special power act, I described the act and some of its provisions , its origin

4^th member-who is protesting against it?

Me- Irom sharmila

4^th member- where

Me- Manipur

4^th member- why

Me- against killing of dozen civilians and no actions against those who were responsible 14 years back

4^th member- what is your opinion? It should be repealed?

Me- sir, I am against the blatant misuse  of powers accorded under it but once it will be nullified it will be politically unviable to form such kind of law in near future as human right activism is on rise . but in diverse country like India there should be some provisions like AFSP to counter insurgency and separatism.

4^th member- A great personality has said naxalism is biggest threat for india, what is your opinion?

Me- (what I considered was insurgency and separatism but since in question naxalism was accorded biggest threat so I replied acc to that) sir, I have its origin in exploitation and socio economic backwardness, it is easy to mobilize poor as they are not getting the benefit of growth and outsiders (companies and big plants) are coming and extracting there resources and not giving share of profit to inhabitants.

4^th member- poor are spared almost in every part of country then why only naxalism is concentrated in red corridor?

Me- red corridor is mineral and resource rich region including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh all sates have good reserve of Iron, Coal and other minerals . so inhabitants of resource rich region are poor that’s a dichotomy, where as in other part of India people are poor because they don’t posses resources and live in dry, barren, fellow or land less.

4^th member- so acc to you naxalism is legitimate?

Me-sir the cause for which they are fighting is just but the mode of their expression is unlawful ie violent  govt is doing efforts to make these people stake holder of development and giving rights through legislations like forest dwellers act ( he stopped me )

4^th member: what is forest dwellers act?
Me- (I got confused and coursing myself why I mentioned it , I would have used PESA act which I know properly :-p) sir its regarding minor forest produce…… no its regarding land rights !

Over. Thank you.

(Is more of a personality test rather then interview, they want to know about your opinion and stand not the factual database you have in your brain.)

After the interview

Q1. 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?

Ans. I knew they will screw me on NCC which chairmen did rest it was good totally best on understanding of affairs and analysis. Don’t take extreme stands be moderate and listen question properly. Take 15 to 25 seconds before answering.

Q2. Any side details about technicalities like “make sure you bring xyz document or do xyz thing, or you’ll face problem”?

Ans. read newspaper of interview day, stay calm, you cannot predict your interview they can ask anything so don’t be stressed that you didn’t prepared well. According to me preparation of interview goes hand in hand with your daily understanding of affairs.

Service preference

Q1. What is your service preference order BSF,CRPF, CISF, ITBP?

CISF,BSF,CRPF

Credit: Friends/family

Q. Behind every topper are many people who stood by him/her 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?

Ans. parents are back bone of every child so as with me, my father being my internal strength who always provided me open space to do what I wanted .  he is my motivation . my younger sister Somya and her belief on me given me reassurance that I can do. My grant father, my mother and my extended family gave immense emotional strength.

My childhood friends Ladha and Himanshu acted as relief vent which is most important part to release tension and stress. I thank Virenrda specially for PET preparation and making me run (which was really a great support). Thank you pooja di for stabilizing me during mood swing zones. Thanks to Poonam and Hemant too.

Bogus Marketing Propaganda

Q. Did you use Mrunal.org for your preparation and if yes, how did it help you?  And you can even reply “No”. I’ll publish your answer without tempering.

Ans. Information and knowledge on how’s about PET it provided me the all background information. I read experience shared by all who went through PET and how to start my PET preparation.