yes the answer key, analysis of CSAT 2013 will be uploaded, Work in process. Coming to the topic of this article: reading Hindu online, keeping track of other important websites and shifting from google reader to feedly.
- How to get TheHindu
- Why RSS feeds?
- Shifting from Google reader to feedly
- Installing Feedly
- Fine-tuning feedly for Competitive exams
- Organizing feeds
- Feedly: Tweaking options
- Mrunal’s Autonotemaker (now working with Win8)
- Getting PDF output from webpages
How to get Hindu
One the biggest worries of every UPSC aspirant: Hindu not available in my city, what to do?
There are three Solutions:
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Goto this page
http://www.thehindu.com/navigation/?type=static&page=subs Send subscription money to TheHindu, mentioning your name and address. they’ll send paper. Problem: paper doesn’t come every day. Usually postman will throw 3-5 days’ papers at once. |
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Goto this page
http://epaper.thehindu.com/sub_inf.htm Send money. Hindu lets you access their e-paper edition online. Problem: not convenient on small screen monitor / low-speed internet. |
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Explained in this article.
Problem: not as convenient as reading a convention “paper” newspaper. You’ve to do lot of clicks! |
Why RSS feeds?
- Even if you’re getting physical “paper” of Hindu newspaper, there are still some goods websites like pib, idsa, PRSIndia that you should follow for exam preparations. Here RSS-feeds came handy.
- Until now, Google reader was the best RSS-feedreader. in earlier article I had explained how to use it for exam preparation click me
- But from 1st July, Google reader will be shut down. Reasons: declined users, expenditure, privacy laws.
Shifting from Google reader to feedly
There are plenty of alternatives to google reader : standalone software, desktop widgets, browser plugins. You can try out a few and decide whatever you’re comfortable with.
After wasting few days in trial n error, I’ve settled with “Feedly” (it is an extension/addon for chrome and firefox browsers. Even available for android tablets and iphones.) and yes of course free, legit and safe.
I recommend feedly to all readers for following reasons:
- Seemless migration from Google reader (you just have to type your email id and password, then feedly will import everything.)
- User friendly drag-n-drop features. Organizing feeds is even easier than in Google reader.
- If you’re using evernote, feedly has button to directly integrate stuff in it.
- Very aesthetic theme and responsive layout.
- ~14 lakh chrome users and ~2.5 lakh firefox users already installed it. Prominent tech websites and tech-bloggers recommend it, hence unlikely to go out of business soon.
In this article, we’ll see how to shift to feedly and how to optimize it for exam preparation.
Installing Feedly
First you’ve to install feedly extension in your browser.
Once you install, a green page asks you to either login or connect to google reader.
Since you’re using it first time, click on connect to google reader.
New window pops up, type of google reader username-password, which is same as you gmail username password.
Another new window comes, click “allow Access” and rest will be taken care of automatically.
Fine-tuning feedly for Competitive exams
Organizing feeds
- on the left hand corner, feedly displays your name, and three buttons “organize, preference, logout” click on organize. you get a window like this.
- Use drag n drop and various icons to arrange your feeds into various categories.
- to add new feeds, first copy the RSS link (for example the links given below)
then goto feedly page (in Chrome, click on new tab, you’ll see feedly icon. and in firefox, it is near google search box)
While in feedly page, do as showin following screens:
A new tab will come, save the RSS feed subscriptioin approrpriate category or create a new category then save.
By the way, always keep habit of classifying news and notes whether you read it online or do it via physical paper. A bigger picture will emerge after 2-3-5-7 months, when the individual pieces start fitting in the bigger picture especially for diplomacy/International relations and economy.
Here is the list of RSS-feeds that you should consider adding (if you already had google reader then these feeds will be already displayed in your feedly, just a few minor changes in URLs for certain sites).
Following list is not exhaustive or sacred, use it as per your taste and requirements.
Diplomacy / International relations (IR)
- http://syndication.indianexpress.com/rss/columnist/crajamohan.xml
- http://idsa.in/rss.xml
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/?service=rss
Note: C Rajamohan writes for Indianexpress, provides decent fodder points on India-China, India-US and India and its neighbors. IDSA website also covers many goods areas/topics of international relations.
Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)
- http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/?service=rss
- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rssfeeds/2647180.cms
- http://syndication.indianexpress.com/rss/912/climate-change.xml
Why follow three sites? Because UPSC getting obsessed with EnB, so you don’t miss out any ‘good-stuff’. Besides these sites don’t upload dozens of EnB news everyday. So reading load is not becoming very high.
Economy
Note: The Hindu also gives RSS-feeds for Stock-quotes and markets but that stuff usually provides very low fodder material / MCQ worthy info. So cost-benefit ration not good, hence skipped here.
You can add more to this like RSS feeds of Indianexpress, financialtimes depends on your taste and time. but usually the news keeps overlapping.
Science-tech
- http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/
- http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/
- http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/
Note: Hindu also provides aggregate RSS feed for Sci-tech but if we use that, it’ll lead to overlapping news with EnB section. That’s why giving three separate feeds. b
Besides sometimes technology feeds have useless stuff related to mobile gadgets. So makes it easier to weedout (when tech feed is separate, it doesn’t clutter the ‘whole sci-tech’).
Columns
Editorials/columns
- http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/?service=rss
- http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/?service=rss
- You can add individual writers, from here: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/ (click on names and then right click on orange colored RSS icon). You can add more to this list from Indianexpress, TimesofIndia etc. as well.
- Their main purpose is to provide fodder material for Essay, descriptive papers and interview.
- but keep the cost-benefit ratio in mind. Some people consistently write well, others are bogus and some have never grown up beyond the era of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. Observe for 3-4 articles then unsubscribe the irrelevant.
Letters to editors
- http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/?service=rss
- http://syndication.indianexpress.com/rss/40/letters-to-editor.xml
Letters to editor are written by readers (who usually disagree with what was given in previous article/column!) So, they provide you different angle / dimension / viewpoint to the same news-story/column. Helps you see a bigger, bipartisan picture.
Exam related sites
- https://mrunal.org/feed (shameless self-promotion hahaha)
- http://feedproxy.google.com/sarkari-naukri
Note: Sarkari naukri website gives alerts on vacancies in Central-State Government, universities and PSUs. Given the extremely competitive and unpredictable nature of UPSC results (at Prelims, mains and interview), you shouldn’t put all eggs in one basket –especially when you don’t have an IIT/IIM/CA/Doctor degree and have given more than two attempts in UPSC.
Polity n Yearbook
- http://pib.nic.in/newsite/rssenglish.aspx
- http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/?feed=rss2
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/?service=rss
- http://syndication.indianexpress.com/rss/columnist/solisorabjee.xml
Notes on individual feeds:
What to read in pib.nic.in?
- pib.nic.in provides updates on Government schemes policies, recommendation of Committee, schemes, statements of PM/minister etc.
- So in a way it covers many areas: rights issue, public health, EnB, Sci-Tech, diplomacy.
- Ignore trivial stuff like appointment of new Secretary in telecom dept.
- Do read the speeches of ministers. Because they usually contain some good fodder material for essay and mains-GS (like stats for poverty, Development, launch of new scheme/policy etc)
- Similarly the “joint statements” released after meetings with foreign leader / foreign summit= important. they provide you fodder for diplomacy/IR.
- Salient features of government policies and schemes should be noted down.
- Yes, TheHindu/Indianexpress articles will also give you the salient features of schemes/policy but they usually omit many points which may be important for exam but not so important for a journalist’s point of view.
- So whenever you want salient features of schemes/policy= pib.
- Similarly when you want salient features of act/bill=PRSindia.
- Bottom line: if something can be asked in MCQs or can be used as fodder for mains/essay/interview then it is important, otherwise ignore. Solve last 2 years’ prelim+mains papers (+ this year’s prelim paper) and you’ll see what information is worthy tracking and what information is worth skipping. This rule applies to all books, magazines, PDF, studymaterial, and websites.
Regarding other RSS-feeds
- Prsindia’s old rss link wasn’t working, hence I’ve given new RSS link. PRSindia gives you highlight of bills, Acts and other polity stuff.
- Thehindu’s national feed sometimes also gives useless stuff like how many passed in CBSE exam etc. But pay attention to Committee reports, defense purchases, SC judgments etc. More on what to read and what to skip in Hindu, already explained here click me
- Soli Sorabjee writes for Indianexpress. Sometimes unimportant stuff like Jazz and Music but otherwise good fodder for polity and judiciary related developments.
Profile/Location based interview Qs
- For UPSC interview, you need to be up-to-date regarding the developments taking place in your state, city, district (=profile/location based interview questions). so add the RSS feeds accordingly.
- The Hindu covers only a few cities and states (click me to see the list)
- for remaing place, go to this page of Indian express www.indianexpress.com/rss/ locate your city / state and subscribe to its RSS feed.
Where do I get more RSS-list?
all newspaper websites provide sectional RSS (for individual topics like Economy, Sci-tech etc.). goto following pages and grab more if you need.
- Hindu http://www.thehindu.com/navigation/?type=rss
- Indianexpress http://www.indianexpress.com/rss/
- Economic Times http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rss.cms
Misc/Timepass RSS
Provides articles on English idioms, phrases, grammar.
They do mockery of current news (particularly bashing Mohan and Rahul). Good read when life gets too stressful and serious.
- Timepass RSS list can go long endless like theonion.com, lifehacker.com, the-editing-room.com
- But use caution. Such websites are designed in a way that when you get to bottom of one article, it’ll show you list and photos of other funny/timepass articles and you can end up spending whole day reading stuff that has no application in exams.
- Self discipline is necessary. Try to spend your internet-time on productive reading, Don’t waste it on facebook, orkut, MP3, themes, movies, games and wallpapers.
Feedly: Tweaking options
- on the left hand corner, feedly displays your name, and three buttons “organize, preference and logout”
- click on preference.
- A new list of options is given.
| Option | What to do? |
|
Click “no”, because exam oriented feeds are already subscribed. this thing occupies unnecessary space on our feedly homepage and gives useless breaking-news type articles like Vindu Darasingh and BCCI chairman’s son-in-law’s connections in IPL matchfixing. |
|
Delete whatever text is written here. Because it tracks share-market prices, hardly useful for exam. |
There are many other options, to change link colors etc. I suggest you play with those settings as and when time and mood permits.
Mrunal’s Autonotemaker (now working with Win8)
- Whenever you select some phrases/sentences in any web/pdf article, this software copies it in a note. so when you combine this with RSS-reader, it becomes a killer combo.
- instruction and free download link given here click me
- Works flawlessly with Microsoft XP (SP3).
- and now works for Win8 too, if you launch it via ‘right click on icon–>Run as Administrator”. Using the same principle (launch program using right click–>run as administor) this should also work for win7 (or I atleast hope so!)
Getting PDF output from webpages
- If you use chrome browser, you can directly save webpages as PDFs.
- for example, in case of my website, scrolldown to bottom right corner, there is a pink button saying “print || PDF” click on it and press Ctrl+P. you get option to save as PDF
If this thing doesn’t work, reasons are following:
- You’re using outdated version of chrome. Download the latest one by clicking me
- In above screenshot, observe there is a button titled “Change” in the left panel. click it and select PDF.
- perhaps your printspooler function is has stopped. press Win+R key. “run” window comes.
type “services.msc”, a new Window comes,
Scroll down the list and make sure printspooler is running. otherwise click on start/restart button on left hand corner of that window.
![[Tech] Using Microsoft Onenote to organize your study-notes: Image to text, Audio notes and more](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/i-onenote-500x383.png)
Thanx Mrunal sir for guiding us all the tym….Lord bless u
Cut off cannot be so much high cause last time people and coaching experts was thinking for that its not happened,,209 around so its not like that,,,,UPSC always potray differently not like we predict…;-0000
Cut off also depends on number of people appeared for exam right? From the news across the places it says that the turn out this time has been very poor…Do you think this factor can lower the cut off marks?
obc category
according to cl
gs 1=103
gs 2=160
total=263
am i safe ?
plz guide
This time upsc prelims cut off might go below 2011 levels as they have new syllabus in mains for gs nd they want such players who hav an good analysis frm psychology socio phil pub ad politics nd its a totally different ball game as u hav to source different materials for diff topics plus reports nd journals pertainin to such topics so my bet is tat they will let in more ppl around 12 to 15 k nd first ttimers especially ppl frm engineerin background nd non arts background will hav tough time goin thru arts subjects
And how is that going to ensure their enhanced inclusion?
This is really helpful Mrunal Sir…..
Thanks a lot… :)
i remember in one of the motivation article of this site says
“Do your Best. Dont worry about result. Thats the best way to handle this. But start preparing for Mains immediately. Dont lose the valuable time in doubt about the Result”
and the same thing i will going to do, will not check any answer key, even i will not going to count how much i attempt in both paper…. i know i had given my best and rest is the job of almighty.. start preparing for mains by tomorrow itself…
really motivating.. :)
Nice!!!!
I have started last night itself :)
Craziest comment, one side asking with 263 score whether you are safe or not & another side started the preparation by last night… :) People are funny.
I got set B in Paper1 and set C in Paper 2. will thts an issue?
Don’t worry because even if you get wrong set it will be corrected. Because you are shading the question model what you get in the OMR & attendance sheet. Also invigilator shade the same in OMR. So no need to worry.
i think you should clarify with upsc and let us know as well
I am getting GS Paper 1 about 145 and CSAT 180.What do you think guys,should I start preparing for GS as I know for sure that Cut off(various sources) is going to be very high for general category people.I am really anxious.
*GS mains
u seems 2 be fresher…..
are they your real marks . because its a bit surprising that a person getting 325 is not sure whether he will qualify prelims or not
I think he has just solved the problems and dint colour the bubbles. Thats why this confusion. Otherwise no serious CS aspirant would ask this question.
i some times miss the like button so much!! Mrunal pls provide us one.
u r overqualified!
If u are not bluffing, which u surely are , provide your roll no. And date of birth
I think he/she not deduct negative marks, if this score is get after negative marks i congrats him for his performance
If he had , he wouldn’t ask such questions
I think probably he is trying to show that yes he has scored “some good marks” to qualify…
If he is fresher, he didn’t know that 50-55% is enough, he may think 80-85 like that na. but any way in my prediction he is 50% fake and 50% may be
What do u mean by fresher…. Whoever he might be, he must have seen this years final result and marks, would have solved last years paper which were tougher, …u know they are bluffing when u play poker…
well dear aspirant, if ur asking for cut off of mains then u r way behind.But if ur asking for prelims cutoff then 2 things are possible, either u didnt color the bubbles or came back home with the omr sheet itself. In either case ur are disqualified. Jokes apart. Bro if u are a little aware of civils circus then u should know that if u get more than 65% marks u r definitely in d race.
Paper 2 me decision making me ZERO aayi hogi fir!
I many sites are saying that UPSC will upload the official answer keys shortly. Can anybody confirm this?
YES UPSC will going to upload Officially the answer keys very shortly after 2013 merit list released. i.e. In MAY2014
hahaaha
hhahaha…,,,answer keys + marks also
according to carrer luncher e-OMR i am getting 101.25 in paper-1 & 159.2 in paper-2.total is 260.45
i had applied for IFS only.
any prediction about IFS cuttoff
This was prelims, this mark doesn’t help you get IFS. Its just a screening test for the mains exam. You need to get hight marks in Mains+interview to get IFS. Prepare for the mains and do well in that.
Oh, you were talking about the Indian forest service, I thought foreign service. I don’t have any idea about that. sorry.
yes i am talking about Indian Forest services.
Thanx alot…
now i can organise things very easily…
Please guys don’t rely on the expected cut offs that most coaching centres via there sites are projecting.They have vested interest in claiming the cut off to be low as they widen the net therewith and gullible fishes are caught.Just see how most of the coaching centres are starting their classes within one week,won’t even wait for results to come out.
Friends,
I kindly request to restraint.
Though there are people who may cross 350,
but they are god like and may be top 100 bracket.
UPSC has to select anything between 12000 to 14000 depending upon vacancy.
Well,definitely the CSAT paper was easy this time.
but given the fact that UPSC is changing mains, many
sincere players who have cleared mains and failed in interview
and giving 3rd or 4th attempt may not have appeared.
And GS is as always dicey,
Even coaching keys vary till today.
I don’t think the cut off would go up more than 230-235.
So guys, I dont think the people who are claiming
more than 300 scores and still asking that Am I safe ?
I find it very irritating.
Btw, all the best for mains preparation.
Lets prepare for the mains ..
Prelims is just for qualification.
Well said. People say its not gonna increase by5 marks..
correctly said. 1000*13= 13,000 candidates need to go mains. 300+ are in top 500, 250-300 are in next 3500. 220-250 are in next 6000.210-220 remaining.
All Coaching centres are varying 30-35 question keys even in simple questions also.
Those who claim that they get 250+ are ensure with more than 3-4 keys definitely they will be vary in your answers.
Any way those who score 150-350 prepare for Mains,it will be useful for 2013,14,15….
those scored below 150/400. select & prepare optional & concentrate on basics for GS& CSAT.
Thanking you
If someone is claiming 300+ and asking that “Am i safe!”.. then don’t feel any competition with such great idiots !!
perfecly said @mahesh
@mahesh
I second u….
Well Said
YOU ARE AWESOME SIR.
HATS OFF TO YOU AND I BELIVE THAT IF I WORK ACCORDING TO YOUR GUIDANCE. DEFINETELY ONE DAY MY INTERVIEW IS AT YOUR SITE .
THANKS ALOT
although i m just a beginner i would like to give one advice to ones who are confused ABOUT their selection in pre… dont push yourself into debates on cutoff’s ….. through urself into mains preprations …. bcoz… HARD WORK NEVER KILLED ANYONE …
Well said brother
the answer key market is rife with speculation…worse than a stock exchange. So mrunal lend some sanity to the proceedings..hope your key comes sooner than later.
After Prelims 2013, my respect for this site has increased manifolds. I’m VERY grateful. Keep up the good work.
Guys ,
Chuck pre. It’s not in our hands anymore.
Suggest good websites or magazine or journals you find that are useful for mains.
correctly said. 1000*13= 13,000 candidates need to go mains. 300+ are in top 500, 250-300 are in next 3500. 220-250 are in next 6000.210-220 remaining.
All Coaching centres are varying 30-35 question keys even in simple questions also.
Those who claim that they get 250+ are ensure with more than 3-4 keys definitely they will be vary in your answers.
Any way those who score 150-350 prepare for Mains,it will be useful for 2013,14,15….
those scored below 150/400. select & prepare optional & concentrate on basics for GS& CSAT.
Thanking you
Deja Vu…
Last year I had little low score(less than 200), I was scared and I checked all the forum.
Every where they said it was 225 minimum to clear. Every one were telling that they had got 250,300 etc
The fact : Cutoff was 209
If your study now it help you to clear Mains if you reach the magic number, if not you have more knowledge and will surely clear next year.
All the forum where i searched for comfort didn’t help me. I have a decent score this year and will start to prepare for mains after a small break(2-3 days).
Guys I wasted my time last year to find comfort and wasted my time.
So please don’t do that it does not help.
My First comment : Been Mrunal and Mrunal.org Fan since November 2012 ;)
Again, maybe one of the few sane comments here. Same story, started preparing late latest year, missed mains cutoff by ~65 numbers.
No point in arguing over cutoff.
Hi mrunal bhai…This year prelims paper was again a big suprise from UPSC.
Current affairs was hardly there.so much factual knowldege .Please give your analysis..”A big fan of you”
Re check your keys with other sources for me i get additional 12 marks when i check with Career leader .
other source i checked Shankar Ias Academy key.
Friends,
I would like to give just one advise
Start Mains preparation right away rather than speculating about the Cut Offs bcoz if we keep guessing I am pretty sure we will wait till Prelims results declaration and only then pick up the books, which would be too late.
Last year I also suffered from the same dilemma and hence got only 2 months for preparation which hampered my Final result.
So guys if we start the Mains prep from tomorrow and by misfortune we don’t get clear Prelims, there would be no harm bcoz we would have already gained a lot of ground for 2014 attempt. And moreover 2 months additional study won’t be a that big a loss even if it is our last attempt. Kyuki jab itne saal lagaye hai to aakhir me ek push to banta hai yaaro !!
All the best.
You r right Devendra last year i was also a victim of this dilemma. could’t cleared mains.But ab soch liya pre clear ho ya na ho mujhe padhna hai.
TO ALL…………. WHO R TALKING WITH THEIR MARKS….>>”IF U REALLY RESPECT THIS SITE AND ITS MENTOR(MRUNAL SIR),THEN STOP TALKING THESE NONSENSES AS HE HIMSELF HAS ADVISED MANY TIMES NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE CUTOFFS AND START PREPARING FOR MAINS”…THAT MEANS U R ONLY HERE TO GET THE BENIFIT REGARDING STUDIES,NOTHING ELSE.. U SELFISH FELLOWS.HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT MAN.IT WILL HELP U IN FUTURE ALSO.HE IS TAKING SO MUCH STRESS TO HELP US.AT LEAST RESPECT HIS WORDS U MORONS.ONLY SCORING 250,300 WON’T GIVE U A RANK.U SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS MARK HAS NO VALUE UNLESS UR NAME IS IN THE FINAL LIST TO BE PUBLISHED IN MAY,2014.OR ELSE NEXT YEAR ALSO U WILL BE TALKING WITH UR MARKS LIKE THIS HERE.THERE R LOT OF STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE NOT SCORED WELL.SO WHY R U DISCOURAGING THEM???””FIRST TRY TO BE A GOOD SELFLESS HUMAN BEING,THEN TRY FOR THIS””
Why you show a lot of angry?
Second Sam.. Lets not make this blog for cut-off discussion. Mrunal followers will have faith and start hitting the books irrespective of prelims marks. Lets keep the sanctity of site high!!.. friends,hit the books right away!
and lets type without the CAPS..
well said sam..
Well said. Some one start discussing about mains prep
Sir, I counted my prilims scores via CL answer keys, it is coming to 253 total. Can you tel that weather it is a safe score or not so that I can start preparing for mains, also I m waiting for your answer keys just to cross check it as I believe that you will provide genuine keys. Pls hurry sir.
Rajeev bhai, please read again.. ” please hurry sir”!.. you should be in hurry to start mains preparation. not Mrunal. he is not here to answer OUR silly questions. you have gorgeous 250+ marks. start preparations. all the best.
This forum seems to be hijacked by scaremongers and IITian who have really done well BUT seem to be disconnected with ground realities when they proclaim cut off 240+, its a disguised way of self aggraindizment, kindly reserve your wizardry for mains. Heres a proposal for you wise guys- the cut off won’t be more than 210 for General category and if you are dead sure about your hunches lets bet on this one (min amount 5000)…come on grab the offer make easy money.
Excellent post:)
very comforting post.. indeed..
second it. increase in cut-off gives wrong impression. No one should not decide the difficulty level by looking at previous years marks. upsc will keep the cut-off around 210 only. moreover, what i observed is,, they are trying the break the backs of year long preparations. go basics. forget all market magazine ,coaching class notes. win over prelims.
you may be right. upsc might tried to make all aspirants devoid if their routine preperations
Well said Zodiac sir,
This insane cut off talk has been fuelled by
bit easy CSAT paper + self inflationary prelims score where by combining all the keys
people would deduce the highest score they can get and then flaunt it over online forums.
(Purely personal opinion)
Very true!!! There are many factors which will work to determine the final cut off. Last year also some people predicted high marks and it watered down to 209 for General and accordingly other categories as well. Papers are always easy and hard. It all depends on perception and preparation. Aspirants with technical and management may score astronomically high marks but UPSC provides level playing fields for others as well. So let’s gear up for the Mains. We have nothing to lose, but will definitely gain something in one way or the other. Study and hard work never go in vain.
But it went up by 12 marks…this years paper easier so add at least 12 marks… 219
Okay….where is betting taking place…what are the odds…I am in….. Cut off min 220″””more like 225
I am also surprising with comment given by pompous persons….Just want to confirm that UPSC pre is not deciding factor for final rank it is just way to mains……RUKMANI having 199(cut off 198) got 2nd rank…One of my friend with 211(cut off 209)got 35th rank in 2012…..So do not leave hope and try to do preparation for mains…….Myself also got very high score but it is due to long hard learning….reason fail in last year pre with just 3 marks….Moreover due to coaching bogus answers i did half hearted mains preparation and wasted my precious time.. So please, all of u do not repeat my story…..and the Guys, getting very high score, do not frustrate others and not confirm urself final…Start preparation for mains…..
civil services is the only exam where one candidate from the topmost university and having gold medal, and the other from an unknown university having poor academic backgroun both prepare.And it is not a rare occurance that former fails and the latter qualifies.Don’t forget, here even history becomes logical and analytical.
this is the beauty of upsc \o/
NIce Zodiac ,You took words out my mouth.I really do feel some guys here are self aggrandising themself.The fact is that always any paper is difficult for someone and easy for someone.But the problem is that for some of the guys for whome the question paper is easy start advertising themself and others keep quiet.About the cut off i do feel it will be somw what more then previous year but below 220 any case.
Zodiac jee…..ap kuchh jyada hi over confident lag rahe hai….aur jin logo ka score 210 se kam hai wo log bhi wah wah kar rahe hai……General ka cut off 220 + hoga…..
@Onkara Your score must be between 220-230 otherwise you would have proclaimed a higher cut-off, people like you suffer from schadenfreude but that my friend won’t demoralize people with right frame of mind and scare tactics and rumours only confirms that you youself, for a considerable period of, have been molested and exploited by false rumours and have become sadistic.
I got 75 in gs & 148 in paper 2 …m of obc cat…..would i qualify
can any body tell me when new batches are starting for GS Mains preparation in Delhi ?
what coaching classes are good in eng medium ?
and optional geography ?
plz i really need help who are doing coaching in delhi or having experience .. i live in bangaluru doing here job so i have to think according my leave
Dear,u can join in July or next batch October……..
For geography there is no place else to go which is better than Directionias where Mrs Neethu Singh teaches, My optional is Public Admn which i took up in Raus but for Geography i referred only her notes and materials
To YJ ,
I think you should prepare on your own. The institutes are as clueless as an aspirant given the Pattern has changed. Mr YJ , if you really intend to clear the mains , you need to burn the midnight oil which means a lot of time you need till the mains. These Institutes can only provide notes, the rest is to be done by you. This time the exam would test the dynamism of the aspirants hence Preparing yourself in cosultation with the experienced aspirants shall serve the purpose.
Thanks Prashant
Prashant actually i don have any notes or material regarding mains paper. and here i don get so much time due to my job. i am really confused what should i do ?
should i take leave from company and go to delhi and prepare for exam.(i don have so many leave too)
or i should be in company and prepare by my own self.
but problems will going to come when i will be going to write exam . bcaz at that time i will be going to have competition with experienced and person who has done coaching.?
is it worth while go to delhi for coaching ? should i prepare my self?
if i prepare by myself then can any body help me ,what geography notes should i prefer. ?
I look at your problems from two perspectives, First “Do you have a chance as the competition is with those who have been studying for year/years?”. In simple words, I can say ” Answer to this can be found on this site, Mr Mrunal has posted the comparision of the previous years marks which shows that Mains of 2012 was low scoring hence It is safe to deduce that all People with good aptitude tried with their limited general knowledge. So, Yes, you have a chance considering UPSC is looking for dynamism.
Second perspective must begin with a mild reprimand (consider me your Wellwisher. What had you been thinking before appearing in the preliminary exam ? These problems will keep nudging your mind till the very end. If you want to pass, you must invest some time after all it is CIVIL SERVICES. If you speak to anyone with vested interest, he would tell you to join an institute and read the notes but I feel, choose a subject and begin your preparation in line with the previous year examination questions. Use internet extensively and try to find notes of your subject on IGNOU.
Why do you want to embrace “Geography” as your optional ? Why not any other subject.
Sociology and Political Science were my subjects. What do you think about them ?
I wish to inform you that my piece of advice is subjected to suspicion from all sections and aspirants as I am an aspirant. I have failed 3 times in the preliminary. I have never joined any institute yet because I could n’t convince myself to be directed by anyone else.
Above all you can get some wisdom on this issue from Mrunal so try to draw his attention to the quandary faced by you.
thanks Prashant again.
your replied is somewhat helpful.
and i m choosing geography because i find this subject with many scientific concept.
but when i talk to people who has given main exam ? those every one tell me to join coaching. but i am afraid to going for coaching in delhi. i have never taken any coaching in my whole life except for IIT JEE preparation where i became unwell due to load which they had created in coaching.
sometimes i believe in my self that i can do preparation with myself . when i say to others this thing
here answer comes from them that “UPSC halwa nahi hai jo tu aise hi nikal lega” ..
thank u so much sir………… really it helps me a lot regarding efficient use of net reading….