- Candidate Profile
- Education
- Introduction
- Electronic Vs Paper material
- Tempo and style
- Struggle of a Senior player
- 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
- Mains answer-writing?
- Mains Optional Subject
- Before the interview
- During the interview
- CSE-2015 Marksheet
- Career Backup
- Views on UPSC reforms
- Insecurity about profile
- Wisdom
- Credit: Friends/family
- BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
Candidate Profile
Q. | Details |
Name | Vinay Goyal |
Rank in CSE-2015 | 79 |
Roll No. | 0002469 |
Age | 27 |
Total attempts in CSE (including this one) | 3 |
Optional Subject | Medical science |
Schooling Medium | English |
College medium | English |
Medium chosen for Mains answers | English |
Medium chosen for Interview | English |
Home town/city | Jind, Haryana |
Work-experience if any | Worked as Medical Officer for 6 months |
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures | CSE 2014 â 628 rank |
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material for any competitive exam (if used) | GS coaching from Vajiram and Insights, Test series from Vision IAS |
Service preferences (Top-5) | IAS>IPS>IFS>IRS IT>Customs |
state cadre preference (Top-5) | Haryana>Rajasthan>Gujarat>AGMUT>Punjab |
Education
% in class 10 | 87 |
% in class 12 | 79 |
Graduation course and % | MBBS 62 |
Name of college, city, passing out year | PGIMS, Rohtak, 2013 |
Post-graduation | |
Any other professional courses | |
Hobbies & Extracurricular achievements | Playing badminton, football, playing music |
Introduction
Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?
I belong to Jind, Haryana. My father works in a chemist shop and mother a home maker. The idea of me going for Civil Services matured during my internship in 2012.This was because I used to believe that as a Civil Servant I could work for masses in much more effective way, having greater authority as well as resources at my disposal.
Electronic Vs Paper material
In my view, out of sea of information available one needs to be selective and not get carried away. I used to read newspaper and make notes, also referred to internet for value addition.
Tempo and style
Q. People know what books and syllabus points are to be prepared. But most of them lack consistency in their preparation. So, how do you keep study momentum going on? How do you fight against the mood swings and distractions?
The beauty of this exam is that it rewards perseverance. Definitely mood swings will be there but one needs to be focused. Having faith in oneself is the precondition. I used to make small small achievable goals rather than planning big. Also I used to play sports to keep myself fit and energetic.
Struggle of a Senior player
Q1. How did you survive through this mental prison and whatâre your words of wisdom to other senior players? If any specific inspirational incident(s), please share.
Have faith in yourself and keep yourself motivated. Talk to your friends, family, relatives. Feel joyous in small achievements like good marks in a test series. This exam takes time till final goal is achieved.
Q2. What went wrong in your previous attempt? What changes did you make in this current attempt?
I got selected last year also but my rank was not satisfactory. The main reason was low marks in optional. I worked on that aspect along with on essay and that paid off well.
Prelims (CSAT) General studies
Topic | strategy/booklist/comment |
History Ancient | NCERT |
History Medieval | NCERT |
History Modern (Freedom Struggle) | SPECTRUM |
Culture and society | Nitin Singhania notes + Society from The Hindu articles |
Polity (theory + current) | Lakshmikant +newspaper(Hindu and IE) |
Economy (theory + current) | Mrunal +newspaper |
Science (theory + current) | NCERT + newspaper |
Environment (theory + current) | NCERTÂ +newspaper |
geography physical | Mrunal + NCERT |
geography India | Mrunal + NCERT |
geography world | Mrunal+ NCERT |
other national/international current affairs | Newspaper+ Vision IAS notes |
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff | Vision IAS notes |
Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS prelim 2014 paper?
Practice the prelims by solving last 3 years question papers and analyzing the trends. Also try some mock tests before appearing in prelims
Q. Now that Aptitude paper has become qualifying, obvious more attention needs to be paid on the GS paper so apart from the books that you already have gone through, what else would you have tried for CSE-2016 (if you were going to appear)?
Practice as many papers as possible for prelims. Focus more on areas like environment and culture from where too many questions come these days.
Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
Topic | strategy / booklist |
Maths | Practice papers |
reasoning | -do- |
comprehension | -do- |
Decision Making | -do- |
Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS Aptitude 2015 paper.
Just solve 2-3 papers of CSAT. If you are finding it difficult need to work more.
Prelim accuracy
Q1. Did you attend any âmock testsâ? do you think theyâre necessary for success?
I used to practice sample papers ofVision IAS. Mock tests can help in a way that they streamline your preparation and give you necessary feedback.
Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in CSAT-2014
attempted Q. | correct (Expected) | Official score | |
GS | 92 | 72 | 131 |
aptitude | Donât remember | Donât remember |
Mains: Compulsory language paper
Compulsory language paper | Your preparation strategy / booklist? |
English paper | Previous year papers |
your regional language | Hindi |
Mains: Essay
Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?
In my first attempt I got just 75 marks in essay and thus could not qualify mains. Then I seriously focused on essay .I used to write essays and got them evaluated from many persons. One important aspect of essay writing is that the beginning and ending must be appealing. Ending must also be visionary.
Q2. Which two essays did you write and What key points did you include in it?
First one on value education and second on dreams which shouldnât let India sleep.
General Studies (Mains) paper 1
Topic | How did you prepare? |
Culture | Nitin Singhania notes |
Indian history | Spectrum |
world history | Ncert + Norman Lowe |
post-independence India | NCERT |
Indian society | Newspaper + GS score booklet |
role of women, poverty etc. | -do- + Yojana |
globalization on Indian society | -do- |
communalism, regionalism, secularism | -do- |
world geo physical | NCERT + Mrunal videos |
resource distribution | -do- |
factors for industrial location | -do- |
earthquake tsunami etc | -do- |
impact on flora-fauna | -do- |
General studies (Mains) paper 2
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc. | Lakshmikant |
comparing Constitution with world | Vision IAS notes |
parliament, state Legislatures | Lakshmikant |
executive-judiciary | -do- |
ministries departments | Vision IAS |
pressure group, informal asso. | Vision IAS |
Representation of peopleâs act | Vision IAS |
various bodies: Constitutional, statutory.. | Vision IAS + Lakshmikant |
NGO, SHG etc | Yojana + Newspaper |
welfare schemes, bodies | Vision IAS + GS score booklet |
social sector, health, edu, HRD | Newspaper |
governance, transparency, accountability | Vision IAS + Newspaper |
e-governance | -do- |
role of civil service | -do- |
India & neighbors | Newspaper |
bilateral/global grouping | Newspaper |
effect of foreign country policies on Indian interest | Newspaper |
DIASpora | Newspaper |
international bodies- structure mandate | Newspaper |
General studies (Mains) Paper 3
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
Indian economy, resource mobilization | Ramesh Singh |
inclusive growth | -do- |
Budgeting | -do- |
major crops, irrigation | Geography NCERT |
agro produce â storage, marketing | Newspaper |
e-technology for famers | Yojana + Mrunal |
farm subsidies, MSP | Newspaper |
PDS, buffer, food security | -do- |
technology mission | -do- |
animal rearing economics | -do- |
food processing | -do- |
land reforms | Mrunal |
Liberalization | Newspaper + Ramesh Singh |
Infra | Mrunal + Newspaper |
investment models | Mrunal |
science-tech day to day life | NCERT |
Indian achievements in sci-tech | Newspaper |
awareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR | Newspaper |
environmental impact assessment | Vision IAS |
Disaster Management | Yojana issue |
non state actors, internal security | Vision and Vajiram booklet |
internal security â role of media, social networking site | -do- |
cyber security | -do- |
money laundering | -do- |
border Management | -do- |
organized crime, terrorism | -do- |
security agencies- structure mandate | -do- |
General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
Topic | How Did You Prepare? |
ethics and interface, family, society and all the hathodaa topics | Notes of Mohanty sir and S K Mishra sir |
attitude, moral influence etc. | -do- |
civil service: integrity, impartiality, tolerance to weak etc | -do- |
emotional intelligence, its use in governance | -do- |
moral thinkers of India and world | How many thinkers did you prepare? |
ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc. | -do- |
corporate governance | -do- |
probity in governance, work culture | -do- |
citizen charter, ethics code, work culture etc. | -do- |
challenges of corruption | -do- |
case studies on above topics | Test series of Vision IAS |
Q. Many candidates found Mains-2015 Ethics paper very peculiar and âout of the bookâ. What are your observations and tips for future aspirants regarding preparation of this paper?
Once basic concepts are clear then paper could be attempted easily. Focus on answer writing particularly case studies.
Mains answer-writing?
Please tell us how many marks worth attempt did you give? along with comments if any, in the following cells:
Paper | Best attempted | Average quality | namesake answer | Total attempt |
GS1 | 18 | 2 | Full | |
GS2 | 18 | 2 | Full | |
GS3 | 17 | 3 | Full | |
GS4 | All | Full | ||
Opt-P1 | 190 | 40 | 230 | |
Opt-P2 | 180 | 30 | 40 | Full |
Try to attempt as many questions as possible. Even if you have some idea about a question, attempt it.
Q. How was your experience with the âfixed spaceâ answer sheet?
Merely filling space doesnât matter, what matters is content.
Q. Did you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs? Some players (who cleared mains and got interview call letter) were claiming that they wrote entire paper in bullet points, so it doesnât matterâŚ.whether examiner is asking âexamine, comment, discuss or xyzââŚ.simply write in bullets and points.
I tried to answer mostly in bullets, but in some cases paragraph also.
Q. Did you follow the âintroduction-body-conclusionâ format? because some mains-qualified candidates claim they simply wrote the points they could recall within the time, instead of bothering with proper introduction and conclusion.
In few questions this can be done but completing paper is race against time so not possible in each and every question.
Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?
In optional papers only. In GSs papers no time left to use them.
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)
Yes I drew diagrams in Geography and optional.
Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?
With pen only because no time to use pencil.
Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?
Hand
Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen?
Blue pen as it gives a better contrast in white sheet.
Mains Optional Subject
Q. Whatâs your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else?
Medical Science. I chose it as it is my graduation subject and well scoring.
Q. First the essential book/resource list. (Also mention which one is the âBase bookâ for covering the theory? + Whatever comments youâve for a particular book e.g. âmy seniors said read xyz book but I found that ABC book was betterâ.  âxyz topic not given properly in this book, so prepare from xyz website or bookâŚâ OR and so on.)
Basic books referred during MBBS time
Q. 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?
Not required
Q. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?
4-5 months
Q. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?
No test series available in market so need to practice previous years question papers.
Q. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?
On certain topics like Dermatology and Psychiatry. In paper format.
Q. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2014 mains vs previous papers. And what precautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?
Same level as of previous year.
Before the interview
Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? â for college grad, hobbies, place of origin, current affairs at national and international level?
Searched from internet and books. Read newspapers for current affairs.
Q2. Did you attend any mock interviews by coaching classes? How were they similar / different than official interview? Do you believe it is necessary to attend such mock interviews?
Yes. Not exactly similar but they do help in sensitizing you for the ultimate day.
Q3. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friendâs home âŚ) and what books/material did you bring for the ârevision before interviewâ?
At friendâs room. Just read the newspaper.
Q4. Any words of wisdom about Medical checkup?
Be there on time and bring your eye prescription if using spectacles.
Q5. Describe the formal-dress worn by you in interview.
Dark grey coloured suit.
During the interview
Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?
Arvind Saxena sir
Q2. How long was the interview?
Approx. 25 minutes
Q3. Why do you want to join civil service? Why donât you continue in your graduation field? Social service can be done from private sector too. Â [Since I donât know whether they ask you this question or not. But if they had asked- what will be your reply?]
This question disturbs a lot especially the medicos. I replied that in Civil Services I would have greater resources at my disposal as well as authority to bring the required change which I somehow lack in my present job.
Q5. Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or did they ask you totally unexpected questions? Was it a stress interview, did they ask any uncomfortable questions? If yes, how did you handle it?
More or less on expected lines. Questions were mainly from medical field and railways (I got IRAS from my last yearâs rank)
CSE-2015 Marksheet
Q1. Please attach both prelim and final marksheet
Prelims mark sheet-
Subject | Marks obtained |
Paper 1 | 131 |
Paper 2 | ————- |
Mains mark sheet-
Subject | Marks obtained |
Essay â Paper-1 | 135 |
General Studies â Paper 2 | 98 |
General Studies â Paper 3 | 79 |
General Studies â Paper 4 | 84 |
General Studies â Paper 5 | 83 |
Optional Paper â Paper-1 | 139 |
Optional Paper â Paper-2 | 124 |
Written total | 742 |
Personality Test | 193 |
Final Total | 935 |
Q2. After looking at the marksheet, suppose you had to prepare again next time, what changes will you make in your studies?
Would have focused more on GS.
Career Backup
Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?
Though I havenât thought of it but if not selected I would have continued my career in medical field.
Q2. When were you going to âexecuteâ that backup plan? (e.g. after __ failed attempts/ after I cross __ age/after dad retires/ after girlfriend dumps me etc.)
After finishing my attempts.
Views on UPSC reforms
Q. Optional subjects should be removed altogether. The present stalemate is helping no-one, except coaching-owners, book publishers.
In my view Optional subject helps aspirants of science background especially when the whole exam pattern is tilted towards humanities, so I am not in favour of removing it.
Q. Your views on the decision to make CSAT paper 33% qualifying?
That was a good move but still some issues like Hindi translation are there which needs to be resolved.
Q. Half-merger of IFoS with CSE is a bad move because it has raised the cutoffs for players whoâre solely dedicated to IFoS only (and not to IAS/IPS). Adding salt to the wounds, many who had applied for both jobs, cleared the prelims- they did not even bother to appear in all the papers of Mains-IFoS.
Yes in my view IFoS exam should be separated from CSE. Half merger has led to one more problem that the prelims paper is flooded with environment ecology questions.
Q. UPSC should disclose official prelim answer key and cutoffs, immediately after prelim is over, instead of postponing it till interview phase is over.
Yes
Insecurity about profile
Q. Many candidates prepare sincerely but constantly live under fear about âprofile insecurityâ. Iâm not from a big college, Iâm not from English medium, and I donât have work-experience. What if they ask some stressful questions in the interview about this? Did you suffer from such insecurities? What is your message to these candidates?
In my case it wasnât present as I was working. But honestly speaking these things donât matter at all. In interview, you are judged based on your views and not your schooling medium and work profile.
Wisdom
Q. Through this struggle and success, what have your learned? What is the wisdom of life and competition? What is your message to the new aspirants?
Try to give your best and you will succeed one day. Never get bogged down by the facts that you are from rural/poor background. Its only hard work that matters and nothing else.
Q. Many hardworking candidates have failed in Mains/Interview of CSE-2014. Theyâre feeling cynical, hopeless and depressed- what is your message to them?
As mentioned earlier self-confidence and perseverance are the key to success not only in this exam but for every exam. Rectify your mistakes and again prepare with full energy, you will definitely succeed.
Credit: Friends/family
Q. Behind every topper are many people who stood by during those uncertain times when he/she was merely an âaspirantâ. Would you like to tell the world, who were those people in your case? Any specific incidence that you would like to share with the readers?
My parents, teachers and friends. Two persons I would like to mention here are: My uncle Dr K S Goyal – he is the person who first suggested me to go for this exam and stood with me during my entire preparation phase and second is my brother Vivek who is my best teacher, mentor and guide.
BOGUS Marketing Propaganda
Q. You are well aware of the sacred rule of conducting toppers 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 âNoâ. Iâll still publish your answer without tempering.
Yes definitely helpful especially for the starters. Your Economics articles have helped a lot in clearing basic concepts. The lectures on geography are also quite helpful. I owe you much in my success.
Sir,how many questions on medical science were asked in the interview.?
One thing i do not understand ,,why do they join coaching when they prefer the Basic standard book like NCERT for Ancient medieval and so on like polity lakshmikant or say mrunal economics ?? stranage ..again if they following NCERT then how do they got/managed time for Coaching material and their materials??
I think the same reason – “Why did you attend the school from class 1-10th when you could have read all the NCERTs sitting at home” i.e. the reason to attend coaching is to get guidance and to learn how to read, visualise things in a broader aspect, how to develop forward and backward linkages and moreover to assess urself where you are standing among all the aspirants.
you enlightened us by Your reasoning ,but Unfortunately you are judging as I am against you(coaching ) I simply mean to say “How do they manage time”,isn’t Coaching Enough? or Isn’t Self-study Enough,, (you are unnecessarily exaggerating the importance of coaching ,you will get low mark in GS :P ,coz u deviated from original question (i assume you are aspirant (and not a coaching owner type staff,)) )
for GS papers which books i should follow
Sir can u provide ur paper notes …….so we can download nd learn from them
Congrats
Sir me MBBS kar rha hu 1st year h.
me optional sub. kya rakhu…mereko lagta h ki medical science ka sylebus thoda jyada lamba h…so please suggest me
Suggest me please: I completed b.pharmacy can I take medical science as optional ??
Sir biggest fan of yours..
I want to be like you.
Aap ki profile din me kitani bar padhti hu ..salute.
I completed b.phamra can I choose medical science as optional? Plz suggest me