- Details
- Education
- Introduction
- How essential is coaching Material?
- Electronic Vs Paper material
- Tempo and style
- Working professional
- Prelims (CSAT) General studies
- Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
- Prelim accuracy
- Mains: Compulsory language paper
- Mains: Essay
- General studies 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?
- Medical Science Optional Subjects
- Before the interview
- During the interview
- CSE-2013 Marksheet
- Career Backup
- Insecurity about profile
- Wisdom
- Credit: Friends/family
- BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
Details
Name | Roman Saini |
Rank in CSE-2013 | 18 |
Roll No. | 074397 |
Age | 22 |
Total attempts in CSE | 1 |
Optional Subject | Medical Sciences |
Medium chosen for Mains answers | English |
Schooling medium | English |
College medium | English |
Home town/city | Jaipur |
Work-experience if any | Junior Resident Psychiatry AIIMS |
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures | – |
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material for any competitive exam (if used) | Vajiram material and test series |
Cadre preference | Rajasthan > Haryana > Gujarat. |
facebook.com/romansaini.official |
Education
% in class 10 | 85.5 |
% in class 12 | 91.4 |
Schooling (Medium) | English |
Graduation course and % | MBBS 62 |
Name of college, city, passing out year | AIIMS NEW DELHI 2013 |
Post-graduation | – |
Any other professional courses | – |
Hobbies & Extra curricular | GUITAR TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON, professional degree, puzzle solving |
Introduction
Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?
I am a doctor at AIIMS, gave AIIMS entrance at 16 and passed out in Jan 2014, appeared in civil services exam as 21 year old kid. Wanted to solve grass root problems of people as we have been taught that prevention is better than cure.
How essential is coaching Material?
Q. Let’s face it, many toppers have relied solely on (authentic OR xeroxed) coaching notes for Mains-2013. Some of the readers are getting a negative ‘vibe’ that UPSC is not meant for an individual preparing from far-away area, without any financial resources or contacts in Delhi to import such coaching material. What’s your stand on this?
- I don’t agree. It’s a big misconception that coaching class or coaching notes are essential for success.
- I personally know many in the top-100, who succeeded without relying on such material.
- In fact, barring just 1-2 topics like Comparing Constitution, I myself have not relied on the coaching resources.
- I’ve covered majority of the GS syllabus from Wikipedia, internet, Hindu and India yearbook alone, and the result speaks for itself.
- Similarly even for medical science optional, I relied on my own college notes and google.
- All of the studymaterial is out there on public domain. There are no “secret coaching notes” which you can mugup and automatically secure a high rank in civil service.
- And as far as ‘financial resources’ are concerned, Ab kya chhotaa kya badaa…today everyone has internet. So just download everything on your pen drive and keep studying wherever you 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.
Never made any notes, 90% of stuff I read is in electronics format, even newspaper, books, Wikipedia, your blog and a closed group whose details I can’t share. I read a lot and I am blessed with a good memory.
Tempo and style
Q. On an average, how many hours do you study? How do you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings?
9 hours a day, if I don’t like I don’t read, I play guitar, helps me a lot.
Working professional
You’re working in AIIMS. How to manage studies with job/internship?
I graduated after giving my mains exam, (degree will be given in august convocation), and started working as a junior resident at Aiims. Managing internship with preparation was one of the toughest struggle of my life. Utilize micro opportunities. That’s it. You won’t get long stretches to study. 10-15 minutes here and there makes a lot of difference
Prelims (CSAT) General studies
Read variety sources, stop mugging up dates facts and persons in news, that trend is long gone.
Topic | strategy/booklist/comment |
History Ancient | Wikipedia |
History Medieval | Wikipedia |
History Modern (Freedom Struggle) | Bipin chandra |
Culture society | Wikipedia |
Polity |
But you may skip Basu and Kashyap. |
Economy | Shyamsundar sir notes, Mrunal |
Science | Wikipedia, Mrunal |
Environment (theory + current) | Wikipedia |
Geography Physical, World | GC LEONG |
Geography India | NCERTs |
other national/international current affairs | Mrunal |
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff | Internet |
Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
Topic | strategy / booklist |
Maths | didn’t read anytime at all for this section |
reasoning | Nothing separately. |
comprehension |
|
Decision Making | Nothing separately. |
Prelim accuracy
Q1. Did you attend any ‘mock tests’? do you think they’re necessary for success?
Yes, they help you gauze their level of preparation, keep competing with yourself and you are bound to improve.
Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in CSAT-2013
MCQattempted | MCQ correct(Expected after checking at home) | official score | |
GS | 100 | 72 | 125.34 |
aptitude | 80 | 75 | 183.33 |
Total | 309 |
Mains: Compulsory language paper
Compulsory language paper | Your preparation strategy / booklist? |
English paper | nothing separately. |
your regional language | Upkar hindi |
Q2.other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsory language papers in CSE-2013
It was pretty long in English so for non-English background student I would recommend to study Basic English grammar.
Mains: Essay
Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?
Nothing specific.
Q2. Which among essay did you write? What key points did you include in it?
I wrote on “Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.”
My Essay was centered around 4 key points
- Brief history of development of Science & Tech in India and world,
- how it has changed lives of people starting from industrial revolution
- how does all the areas are affected by it
- How science is both boon and bane as far as security and growth are concerned.
General studies paper 1
Q. Did you use frontline/EPW/Yojana magazines for mains?
- I did not read frontline or EPW.
- But yes I referred Yojana.
Topic | How did you prepare? |
culture |
|
Indian history | Spectrum Publication: A brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir) |
world history |
|
post-independence India |
|
|
|
world geo physical |
|
|
There are just a few theories to prepare. |
earthquake tsunami etc | GC Leong. |
impact on flora-fauna | Nothing separately. |
General studies (Mains) paper 2
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
|
|
comparing Constitution with world | Notes from Ravindran Sir’s class. |
ministries departments, welfare schemes, bodies, social sector, health, edu, HRD | Just basic features from India Yearbook. Don’t go in depth. Previously UPSC was focused on ‘depth’, nowadays just ‘range’. |
pressure group, informal asso., NGO, SHG etc | Hindu editorials. No need for separate preparation. |
Representation of people’s act | Internet and Wikipedia. just focused on the basic provisions only. No need to go through entire draft. |
governance, transparency, accountability, role of civil service | Refer to my GS4 section. |
e-governance | On pib.nic.in search “E-governance” to find out various projects by various ministries, How can it help implementing SEVOTTOMA etc. |
|
|
intl.bodies- structure mandate | WHO, UN and World bank group: prepare them in detail.beyond that just 15-17 bodies. Goto Wikipedia then one link leads to another and prepare basic features only. don’t go in detail. only read introductory paragraph in Wikipedia. We don’t have time to read everything and even if you do, you can’t memorize it much. |
General studies (Mains) Paper 3
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
|
|
major crops, irrigation |
|
agro produce – storage, marketing |
|
e-technology for famers | |
farm subsidies, MSP | |
PDS, buffer, food security | |
technology mission | |
animal rearing economics | |
food processing | |
land reforms |
|
liberalization | Class 11 and 12 NCERT Economics and Hindu |
infrastructure, investment models | As such this is covered in Dutt Sundaram. But please avoid this book as it is written for those with economics optional. |
|
|
environmental impact assessment | Collected some internet material, while I’ll share soon. |
Disaster Management | Prepared only introductory part from NDMA’s official site. Whenever you can’t understand any terminology just google it. |
|
|
cyber security |
|
money laundering | arthpedia.in |
security agencies- structure mandate | just the main 5-7 bodies from Wikipedia. no need for coaching material here. |
General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
Q. 2nd ARC report: how much did you prepare?
Ans. I only read its summary points. There is not much time left so it won’t be beneficial read the entire report- particularly for those without Public Administration optional.
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
ethics and interface, family, society and all the hathodaa topics | Moral Lexicon by Chronicle. |
attitude, moral influence etc. | |
civil service: integrity, impartiality, tolerance to weak etc | |
emotional intelligence, its use in governance | |
moral thinkers of India and world | |
ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc. | |
corporate governance | Corporate social responsibility related provisions. |
probity in governance, work culture | Moral Lexicon by Chronicle. |
citizen charter, ethics code, work culture etc. | |
challenges of corruption | |
case studies on above topics |
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 | I’ll file RTI to get my mains answersheet. Then you upload it for the readers.Mrunal: awesome. You’ve 98 marks in ethics. It’ll be great to see your paper. Thanks in advance. |
2: Engineer: Bogus flyover vs deadline | |
3: Child Labourers in Sivakasi | |
4: Nepotism in Job recruitment | |
5: Leaking information | |
Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such crisis of conscience and how you resolved the same. |
Mains answer-writing?
Q1. How was your experience with the ‘fixed space’ answer sheet?
It was really nice experience, being a doctor I’m used to write to the point. But for non-science student, a word of caution, straight away jump to the answer, no need to give introduction, you won’t get time.
Q2. 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.
That’s 100% true. Write as precise as possible. There is no time for flowery introduction and all that.
Q3. In GS papers, Since UPSC came with those 100 and 200 words questions. What was your approach in the exam .
I have followed a “9-8-7” strategy for each paper of General studies.
3 hours paper | finish __ questions |
1st hour | 9 |
2nd hour | 8 |
3rd hour | 7 |
total | 25 Q x 10m = 250m |
- For any topic just recollect 20-30 keywords. and once you add grammar to it, you’ve reached the wordlimit of 100-200 words.
- UPSC is no longer about “depth” but range. Don’t waste time preparing every topic in extreme detail.
- I’ve answered at least 95% questions. Whoever hasn’t followed similar strategy, he hasn’t found place in the top 100 ranking.
Mrunal comment: yes boss, you’ve ~100 marks in each GS paper except GS2. And despite the fact that panel give you only ~150 in interview (While others got ~200), still you’re 18th ranker because of your awesomeness in general studies. In short, *RESPECT*.
Q4. How many marks worth questions did you skip/couldn’t finish in the GS papers?
I wrote something in all the questions.
Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?
Nope, highlighted with the same pen I was writing with.
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)
Yeah, lots of them
Q7. if yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?
Pen only, you won’t get time to pick something else.
Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?
Hand, save time on fancy stuff, we are not Leonardo da vinci and examiner knows this
Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen?
Black pen
(Mrunal – since readers keep mailing such queries, therefore I’m asking the topper to clear all the air haha.)
Medical Science Optional Subjects
Q1. How did you prepare Medical science optional?
- Just read all your college books, notes and Google all the topics
- As such MBBS is gigantic but UPSC syllabus has only 200-250 topics. After analyzing previous paper I saw there are 60-70 core topics from where majority of the questions come. I’ll share that list with the readers shortly.
Q2. Whenever a Doctor starts UPSC preparation the ‘experts / coaching sirs’ recommend him to opt for Public Administration, sociology, Literature etc. saying “you won’t be able to finish syllabus of medical science”. Your view?
Like I said, although MBBS course syllabus is gigantic but UPSC syllabus of medical science is shorter. Just focus on the syllabus points. You can manage it, like I’ve done.
Before the interview
Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? Particularly college graduation subjects related questions?
I graduated after my mains exam so remembered a lot of stuff, didn’t do anything separately.
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 did attend samkalp, it is a not for profit organisation . It is not necessary but it helps a lot
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?
Light blue cotton shirt with filler sleeves, black trousers with black shoes and a belt.
Q4. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friend’s home …) and what books/material did you bring for the ‘revision before interview’?
AIIMS, my hostel room where I am staying for past 6 years. I did make personal notes and can upload them if needed.
During the interview
Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?
A.P. Singh
Q2. How long was the interview?
38 – 49 MINUTES
Q4. Please narrate your entire interview- what questions did they ask and what did you reply?
Q. Why do you want to be civil servant after graduating from best college of india. (AIIMS)
Yes AIIMS is the elite-most medical institute of India but still, the grass root situation hasn’t changed. Forget about medical care, even pure drinking water or basic sanitation is lacking. I wish to work at the grass root level, tackling the causes of problems and nipping them in the bud as I can’t do that as a Doctor, We can only cure not prevent the diseases. Provision of basic amenities like water, sanitation etc. that will prevent origin of diseases.
Q. You are the youngest person till date I have interviewed, don’t you think you will succumb to the political pressure.
The very face that I’m the youngest person means I haven’t spent 4 attempts in preparation. I’m not carrying any baggage, I have no dependents, I’ve nothing to lose. Therefore, I being the youngest person is least likely to succumb.
Q. Dowry is prevalent in your state, how will you refuse to take it.
Yes it is unfortunate, nowadays IAS-grooms are ‘selling’ for 50 lakhs and 1 crore but someone has to take a lead by refusing dowry. If I, as a civil servant, succumb to such bad practices what can be expected from a common fellow.
Q.What is relevance of ethics in medicine
Ethics is the corner stone of medicine. We get many poor-illiterate patients. They don’t know what is good for them, what is the bad for them. If the doctors start misusing their position to make quick material gains, then profession itself would be tainted. Medical practice without ethics, would be an abomination.
Then I was asked GK-type questions from my graduation and hobbies. Here are some samples:
- What is BMI
- What is a puzzle
- From which country was rubik, what was his profession, how much do you take to solve a rubik cube, what is the world record?
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?
If you’re well prepared there is nothing you can’t handle.
Q6. Any side details about technicalities like “make sure you bring xyz document, or you’ll face problem”?
Just take photo, graduation degree and a 10th certificate
Q7. Any word of wisdom / observations about medical checkup?
Just go there and come out, always wear spectacles.
CSE-2013 Marksheet
Essay | 145 |
GS1 | 97 |
GS2 | 61 |
GS3 | 108 |
GS4 | 98 |
Medical Paper 1 | 109 |
Medical Paper 2 | 112 |
Written Total | 730 |
Interview | 154 |
Final total | 884 |
Rank | 18 |
Q. Your marks are awesome. You’ve bit low score in GS-2, but that has happened with every topper. Suppose you had to give exam again what change will you make in your preparation?
- Whether I had revised twice, I would have revised it four times.
- In certain areas, my study was focused on ‘terms’ and persons in news. Next time, I would have tried to get a holistic overall perspective of the given syllabus topics.
- This time UPSC did not ask much on laws / current bills but we should prepare that as well.
Q. if you were made the UPSC chairman, what reforms will you initiate?
- Candidates should be given more time to write answers peacefully. These mains papers were so long, felt like Gaddha majoori rather than articulating one’s views in the answersheet. What’s the point of this exercise, is it a writing-race?
- Candidates should be told the criteria for evaluation. I’ve seen many hardworking candidates receiving very low scores. I had prepared and written GS2 paper sincerely, yet I’m given barely 61 marks.
- UPSC should upload the prelim scores, cutoffs and answerkeys without waiting for the entire exam phase to complete.
Career Backup
Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?
Would have continued as Jr.Resident in AIIMS.
Q2. When were you going to “execute” that backup plan? (e.g. after __ failed attempts/ after I cross __ age/after dad retires/after GF dumps me/ etc.)
Frankly speaking, I wouldn’t have given next attempt.
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?
Fortunately I had a good profile. However, I just want to say that it is all in your head. It doesn’t matter to them if it doesn’t matter to you
Wisdom
Q. Through this journey and success, what have your learned? What is the wisdom of life and competition?
I’m still looking out for the so called wisdom, but fail frequently, earlier and faster than others.
Q. What is your message to the future aspirants?
Just decide if it is for you and jump into the midstream and forget everything any one ever told you. Most of the people lack intellectual prowess to decide what is the right thing to do. Always make your own rules and break them again and again till they start suiting you.
By the way, any doubts I can be reached through my facebook page: facebook.com/romansaini.official
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?
Nope, no one stood behind me. I was completely alone while I prepared for this exam.
BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
Q. You are well aware about the sacred rule of conducting topper’s 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 “No”. I’ll publish your answer without tempering/editing it.
Yup, as I mentioned earlier I read your blog from time to time and just want you to tone down the sarcasm a bit. Otherwise continue the good work. You are really helping the poor and rural aspirants a lot.
Mrunal: thank you doctor for giving your prescription for Success. We wish you the best for the long career ahead, keep in touch.
Sir i was engineering student i left engineering after my first year because of some problem then i have completed my graduation in bsc .but my documents in both the college ..it ll create problem to me?
sir please add me at fb and wtsp i want to……..
at 8394029669
Hello sir… I wanna know which optional subject should one choose ?
I am new to everything about upsc ..I have Registered for the Prelims on 7th aug. What all do I need to prepare for that..what should I studyy and go through and from where can I take coaching or which notes ‘ll be helpful?
I have chosen psychology as optional subject.
My medium is English language.
Hello sir. I am a single working mother with high aspirations of becoming an IAS officer. I gave my first attempt in 2010 and cleared prelims. Henceafter I got married without appearing for mains. Now I am 28 yrs old and can utilise 3 attempts till I attain 32. Do u think I should take this chance at my age?
looks like you sure have the guts to do it.! :)
hello sir, please suggest the booklist for philosophy optional
Sir I am doing b.tech n now m in final year sir plz suggest me to forwarding my life
Gd aft sir, i am in 3 rd year of btech and want to prepare for CSE 2018.please guide me sir.
hlo sir myself navneet singh,m in bcom first year n wanna bcom IAS, so i want to know when should I start preparing for UPSC exam….. please guide me sir i will be very thankful to you…
Sir plz suggest books for sociology optional
sir m the student of forensic science and criminology…………….i use to follow your videos and read NCERT BOOK throughly.but their is lots of differnce between your lecture and ncert.wat can i dosir…..
hiii sir. .
actually I m so confused about the optional subject which I should opt in order to clear UPSC??
Nd also wht is the preparing strategy of NCERT ?????
Dr. Saini , your this piece of interview is sufficient enough to inspire even a dead soul……#respect to you sir…
Sir, can one who was dull in his earlier education crack UPSC if he try in his college life?????
Sir, am also to be an IAS .
Sir I follow u
U was really a good teacher
Thank u sir
Sir my date of birth is August 10,1997 and I graduated in science since 2016.
When I eligible for ias examination.
Thanks.
Sir,
Please Give All UPSC Syllebus and Prepration month
Sir
My english and hindi both language is not good i am average student now im 24 year old want to become ias .but i have no time to read i am working in privet sector on 6000 monthely iam only person who earn money in my house i start preparation with some book but i confuse which medium i choose please suggest me what i do
What is your Message? Search before asking questions & confine discussions to exams related matter only.
sir
can a b.pharmacy graduate apply for forest service
gsir i am also agree with your opinion and i think self study is more important than 100% on codependency on coaching classes.minimum study for qualifying any competitive exam is 8-10 hours rigirious study.
में पश्चिम बंगाल से हूँ । २ बार prelims & mains qualified कर चुकी हूँ लेकिन unfortunate में interview पे reject हो जाती है इससे कैसे achieve करे ? में बंगाली माध्यम से १२ तक की है उसके बाद मेंने MBBS किया Calcutta Medical College से (2011-2013) से सन्यास लेके UPSC की तैयारी किया लेकिन अभी तक IAS का सपना अधूरा है । माता पिता मुझसे बहुत नाराज़ है क्यूँकि मेंने MBBS dropped कर दिया । अब में क्या करूँ Please बताइए।
No doubts Roman Saini is one of the best inspiring people among youth. His mission to provide free education to everyone is the best thing on the internet.
‘Nope, no one stood behind me. I was completely alone while I prepared for this exam’. This is quite exaggerating even for roman
Sir my name is ramesh I was completed my graduation b-tech in 6 years is there any problem for civil service exams and interview sir add me your WhatsApp my number 7780782227 please tell me sir
Hello sir, my self m.deepika studying mbbs 1st year and I wanna bcom ias.so, I want to know when should I start preparing for upsc exam.please guide me sir. I will be thankful to you sir.
Sir 8 months left for cse so make a strategy on that
Nice initiative …..Roman sir
Great Roman Bhai.. Motivating journey so far!