Biodata

Ganga Singh
Q. Details
Name Ganga Singh
Rank in CSE-2016 33
Roll No. 078265
Age 23
Marital Status Unmarried
Total attempts in CSE (including this one) 2
Optional Subject Hindi Literature
Schooling Medium Hindi
College Medium Hindi
Medium chosen for Mains answers Hindi
Medium chosen for Interview Hindi
Hometown/ city Village – Dandali, Barmer (Rajasthan).
Work-experience if any Nil.
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures Cleared various written examinations of RPSC, UPSC, SSC etc.
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material for any competitive exam (if used) Wrote some test series and a few mock tests.
Service preferences (Top-5) IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS(IT), IRS(C&CE)
state cadre preference (Top-5) Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra.
Education Fill the details here
% in class 10 76%
% in class 12 83%
Graduation course and % B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), 76%
Name of college, city, passing out year Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, 2014
Post-graduation M.A. (Hindi Literature) from JNU, New Delhi
Any other professional courses Nil.
Hobbies & Extracurricular achievements Playing volleyball and listening to Rajasthani folk music, especially Manganiyars.

I am Ganga Singh, and I come from Barmer, Rajasthan, a district situated in the Thar Desert. I completed my early education in my village and topped my school in the 10th standard. Recognizing my interest and aptitude, my teachers encouraged my parents to guide me toward the science stream. I later completed my 12th in Jalore, again securing the top position in my school and ranking 6th in the district.

My journey took a decisive turn when I moved to Jodhpur for my B.Sc. During these years, my parents especially my grandfather motivated me to consider Civil Services as a career. In my final year, I began studying NCERT books and regularly followed the interviews of Civil Services toppers in  Pratiyogita Darpan . By the time I completed my graduation, I was fully convinced that Civil Services was the right path for me, as it offered a meaningful platform to serve society.

I have also been deeply inspired by the dedication and integrity of many accomplished civil servants, which strengthened my resolve to pursue this profession. This combination of personal motivation and inspiration is what ultimately led me to choose the Civil Services.

I primarily relied on paper-based study material, as the availability of authentic, updated resources in Hindi medium is limited. I regularly followed  Mrunal.org . My optional subject was largely content-stable , which reduced the need for extensive online content. I also prefer thoroughly engaging with books especially revisiting and underlining key sections which naturally made printed material my dominant source. As a result, nearly 95% of my preparation was based on paper based published resources.

Typical day in your Online life?
Online life Answer
Daily hrs. spent on online platforms for predicting cutoff / syllabus change / age-attempt limit change and other “peripheral-bolbachchan” related to civil services. —
Daily hrs. spent on WhatsApp and telegram study groups —
Daily hrs. spent on online for exam prep. Need based
Primary Device for online study: desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile Laptop

I generally prepared  short, synopsis-style notes for my optional subject, focusing mainly on complex or concept-heavy topics. Instead of writing everything down, I prioritized  repeated revision , which helped strengthen recall and improve conceptual clarity. Note-making has several advantages, it enables quick revision during the examination phase and enhances writing speed and handwriting quality. These benefits were the key reasons I relied on concise, handwritten notes throughout my preparation.

Booklist for Prelims
Topic strategy/booklist/comment
History Ancient R S Sharma
History Medieval Satishchandra (only 11th and 17th chapter)
History Modern (Freedom Struggle) Bipinchandra
Culture and society New NCERTs of 6,7,8,12 th standard.
Polity (theory + current) NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard, M.Laxmikanth
Economy (theory + current) Notes of Rameshwar Sir, videos on mrunal.org
Science (theory + current) Notes of Spring board coaching classes, Vision IAS, current affairs magazine.
Environment (theory + current) DRISHTI special edition
Geography – Physical NCERT 8–12
Geography – India NCERT
Geography – World NCERT
Other National/ International current affairs Vision IAS
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff Vision IAS

Candidates are complaining that compared to earlier years, Prelim 2017 GS paper was comparatively tougher, Tickmasters’ 90+ strategy (and it’s populist version known as Guessmaster-giri) and various other E-learning materials had limited utility. What are you views and insights on all these?

I believe candidates should avoid developing a  rigid mindset , as there is no fixed formula or universal thumb rule for preparation. Flexibility, openness, and adapting strategies to one’s own strengths are far more effective in the long run.

Suppose, if you had to prepare for Prelims-2018, then after going through this 2017 paper, what changes would you make in your preparation?

If I had to prepare for Prelims 2018 after reviewing the 2017 paper, I would focus on three key aspects:

  • Strengthen current affairs by following them thoroughly and consistently.
  • Revise all relevant NCERTs multiple times to reinforce core concepts.
  • Increase the number of mock tests to improve accuracy, speed, and examination temperament.
Topic strategy / booklist
Mathematics NCERT 6–8
Reasoning Previous years question papers.
Comprehension Previous years question papers.
Decision Making Previous years question papers.
  • Read each passage twice before answering. Do not overthink or question the information given. If the passage states something like  “Agra is the capital of India and is located on the banks of the Sindhu River.”  accept it as it is. Your answers must be based  solely on the information provided in the passage , not based on the outside knowledge.
  • Attempt the questions you understand clearly first. Maintain your confidence even if the initial questions seem difficult. Stay patient and apply logical reasoning with a calm and rational approach.
  • Maintain balance across all sections such as mathematics, logical reasoning, and comprehension. Do not leave any section completely un-attempted.

Mock Test

Q1. Did you attend any ‘mock tests’? Do you think they’re necessary for success?

Yes, I solved around 40 (forty) mock tests. They are certainly essential. Every candidate should complete at least one full test series as part of their preparation.

Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers in Prelim-2016
Attempted Q. Correct (Expected) Official score
GS 98 79 145.34
Aptitude 55 — 111.68
Compulsory language paper Your preparation strategy / booklist?
English Paper Followed only previous years papers
Your Regional Language —

Other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of the compulsory language papers in CSE-2016?

No specific points to highlight.

Essay

Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?

I practiced around  6–7 essays  and maintained a separate diary to collect  short poems, stories, quotations, inspirational anecdotes, and recent examples  for use in essay writing. My seniors and classmates at JNU played a significant role in helping me refine and strengthen my writing skills.

Q2. Which two essays did you write and What key points did you include in them?

  • If Development is not Engendered, it is Endangered.
  • Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run?
Topic How did you prepare?
Culture I read some books for this section e.g., RS Sharma, Nitin Singhaniya, New NCERTs of Class 6,7,8,12.
Indian history Bipinchandra, Spectrum for Modern India.
World history NCERT old, Drishti Notes.
Post-independence India NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard (polity).
Indian society NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard (Indian society, Social movements).
Role of women, poverty etc. —do—
Globalization on Indian society —do—
Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism —do—
World Geo-physical NCERT old and new both (6 th to 12 th standard).
Resource Distribution —do—
Factors for Industrial location —do—
Earthquake, tsunami etc. —do—
Impact on flora-fauna —do—
Topic How Did You Prepare?
Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc. NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard, M.Laxmikanth
Comparing Constitution with world Not prepared well, I collected information about the constitutions of UK, USA and INDIA.
Parliament, State Legislatures NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard, M.Laxmikanth
Executive-judiciary —do—
Ministries departments Vision IAS (test series papers of 2015 and 2016)
Pressure group, informal associations Vision IAS
Representation of people’s act Vision IAS
Various bodies: Constitutional, statutory. NCERT 11 th and 12 th standard, M.Laxmikanth
NGO, SHG etc. Vision IAS
Welfare schemes, bodies Vision IAS
Social sector, health, education, HRD Vision IAS
Governance, transparency, accountability 2nd ARC summary report
e-governance —do—
Role of civil service —do—
India & neighbors Vision IAS current affairs, Dainik Jagaran Rashtriya Sanskaran.
Bilateral/ global grouping —do—
Effect of foreign country policies on Indian interest —do—
Diaspora —do—
International bodies- structure mandate —do—
Topic How Did You Prepare?
Indian economy, resource mobilization NCERT 11 TH mrunal.org , Rameshwar Sir class notes.
Inclusive growth —do—
Budgeting —do—
Major crops, irrigation —do—
Agro produce – storage, marketing —do—
e-technology for famers Kurukshetra journal
Farm subsidies, MSP Eco survey.
PDS, buffer, food security NCERT 11 TH mrunal.org , Rameshwar Sir class notes.
Technology mission —do—
Animal rearing economics —do—
Food processing —do—
Land reforms —do—
Liberalization —do—
Infra —do—
Investment models —do—
Science-tech day to day life Vision IAS current affairs.
Indian achievements in sci-tech —do—
Awareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR —do—
Environmental impact assessment —do—
Disaster Management TMH Book by Ashok Kumar and Vipul.
Non state actors, internal security —do—
Internal security – 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—
Topic How Did You Prepare?
Ethics and interface, family, society and all the hathodaa topics 2nd ARC Report on Ethics in governance.
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 NCERTs
Ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc. 2nd ARC Report on Ethics in governance.
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 Vision IAS test papers.

In Ethics, the questions often include random definitions and concepts out of the book. Most serious candidates (both topper and non-toppers) have received marks in similar ranges. What are your observations and tips for future aspirants regarding the preparation of this paper?

Use  everyday examples  in your answers to reinforce your arguments clearly. Wherever appropriate, include  diagrams, flowcharts, maps, or relevant contemporary examples  to enhance presentation and maximize marks. Always stay grounded in the  fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution your answers should naturally reflect the  values and spirit of the Preamble .

Mains answer-writing?

Please tell us the number of marks you attempted, along with any comments, in the following cells:
Paper Best attempted Average quality Namesake answer Total attempt
GS1 15 4 1 20
GS2 13 4 3 20
GS3 17 3 — 20
GS4 14 4 2 20
Opt-P1 17 1 1 19
Opt-P2 16 — 2 18

Q1. What was your approach in the exam? Did you attempt all questions, focus only on the ones you could answer perfectly, or write only the essential high-quality points to meet the word limit? The UPSC aspirant community is divided on what constitutes a ‘good’ paper. Some experts argue that you should attempt all questions even if it means adding filler content while others believe you should attempt only those you know well. Based on your experience, and that of your seniors or peers, where do you stand on this?

I wrote all the answers because I believe it is better to attempt every question rather than attempt fewer questions with greater substance.

Q2. How was your experience with the ‘fixed space’ answer sheet?
There is sufficient space to write the answers.

Q3. Did you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs? Some candidates (who cleared mains and got interview call letter) claimed that they wrote the entire paper in bullet points, suggesting that it doesn’t matter…. whether the examiner asks to ‘examine, comment, discuss or xyz’…. simply writing in bullet points is enough. What is your view?

My response was mixed. Sometimes I wrote in bullet points, and sometimes in paragraphs. The structure of the question should guide your approach, analytical questions are better answered in paragraphs, while factual questions can be presented more effectively in bullet points.

Q4. Did you follow the ‘introduction–body–conclusion’ format? Some Mains-qualified candidates claim they simply wrote the points they could recall within the given time, without focusing on a proper introduction or conclusion.

Generally, I followed the ‘introduction–body–conclusion’ structure, but it is not possible to apply it to every question.

I don’t like asking the following rudimentary questions, but they are the ones most frequently asked by new aspirants.
Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketch pens in your answers? No
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography) Yes, I drew many diagrams. I used 5–6 diagrams, maps, flow charts etc.
Q7. If yes, did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen? Black pen
Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand? By hand.
Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen? Blue pen.

Q1. What was your optional subject and why did you choose it and not something else?

My optional subject was Hindi Literature. I am pursuing an M.A. in this subject from JNU, so it was relatively easy for me to handle. All optional subjects are good what matters is material availability and, more importantly, your interest in the subject. These should be the primary factors while opting an optional subject.

Q2. If a new candidate wants to select your subject, would you advise for it or against it?

I would advise him/her to go with it as it is very interesting, short and a scoring subject.

Q3. Please share the essential list of books/resources. Also mention which one served as your ‘base book’ for covering the theory. Add any comments you may have on specific books, for example, if your seniors recommended one book but you found another more useful, or if certain topics were not adequately covered in a particular book and had to be referred from another source or website.

I prepared my own handwritten notes. The list of books is available on Youtube.

Q4. How much internet research or current affairs preparation is necessary for this optional? Or can one simply rely on the books and still manage the subject effectively?

Hindi Literature is a very static subject, and there is little need to use the internet for studying it because a number of reliable books are available. However, some videos on the IGNOU platform are quite good.

Q5. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?

Just around 3–4 months only.

Q6. How many days/ weeks before the exam did you start answer-writing practice?

I started answer writing practice just after the prelims exam. I wrote 10 tests for the optional subject.

Q7. Did you maintain self-notes for revising your optional? If yes, then in which format, electronic or paper?

I usually preferred to make hand notes, and it was in paper format.

Q8. What is your observation about the difficulty level of the 2016 Mains compared to previous papers? What precautions or adjustments are necessary in future preparation strategy for this optional subject?

There was not much difference between them. Regardless of the specific strategy, a candidate should thoroughly cover the entire syllabus.

Interview

Q1. How did you prepare for the interview such as for questions related to your graduation, hobbies, place of origin, and current affairs at the national and international level?

Mostly, I followed group studies in JNU, especially with my senior fellow and classmates. I went through my DAF thoroughly and prepared current affairs properly.

Q2. Did you attend any mock interviews conducted by coaching institutes? How were they similar to or different from the official interview? Do you believe it is necessary to attend such mock interviews?

I attended some mock interviews in different coaching institutes, and a few of them were really good. Although the UPSC interview was completely different from those conducted by coaching institutes, a candidate should still attend at least one or two mock interviews.

Q3. Where did you stay for the interview (hotel, friend’s home, etc.)? And what books or material did you bring for revision before the interview?

I stayed at my Kaveri hostel, JNU.

Q4. Describe the formal-dress worn by you in the interview.

I wore a light blue shirt, navy blue trousers and a tie.

Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?

Shree Chhattar Singh Sir.

Q2. How long was your interview?

It was around 25 minutes.

Q3. Why do you want to join the civil service? Why don’t you continue in your graduation field? Social service can be done from the private sector as well. Since I don’t know whether they asked you this question or not, but if they had asked, what would your reply be?

The interview board didn’t ask this question, but if they had, I would reply in a very practical way. I come from a rural background and have closely observed the working style of civil servants in my area. They work on a wide platform and have adequate resources to bring meaningful change to adverse situations. There is also a tremendous scope for learning and growth in this service. That is why I would like to join the civil services.

Q4. Please narrate your entire interview — what questions were asked and how you responded, along with any pleasant or uncomfortable experiences during the interview. Earlier, some toppers shared only the questions without their answers, but I would appreciate it if you could provide both the questions and your original answers.

I reached the UPSC building with my classmates from JNU. There were many candidates scheduled for the interview. In our group, I was the second to appear. My interview started at around 3 PM, and it was conducted by the board of Mr. Chhatar Singh. As I entered the hall, the Chairperson and the board members greeted me and asked me to take a seat.

CHAIRPERSON

Is this you Mr. Ganga Singh (Showing my photo)

Me – Han-ji , Sir.

So, Mr. Ganga Singh, you completed your B.Sc from Jodhpur in 2014. Good, you performed well. I think you should have continued in your field. Why didn’t you apply for further studies?

Me – Sir, now a days, I am pursuing M.A. in Hindi literature from JNU, New Delhi.

You stayed in a hostel. What kind of problems do students generally face there? If you were the warden, how would you resolve them?

Me – Sir, my hostel (Kaveri) provided good facilities during my two-year stay. However, sometimes there are issues such as misunderstandings among students and sanitation-related problems. If I were the warden, I would try to resolve these matters in a positive and constructive manner and make every effort to address them peacefully. But if any issue continued despite this, then I would take strict action. (Acche students badmashi nahi karte. Aap itni achhi jagah padh rahe hain, ye aapka saubhagya hai).

Which tourist sites around Jodhpur are the most popular?

Me – Sir, there are many popular tourist places such as Umaid Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, and the Sun Temple at Osian, etc.

What is the distance from Jodhpur to Barmer?

Me – Sir, it is around 220 km (actually, it is 208 km). This question was already prepared with my colleagues at the JNU library.

What are the sources of income in your district?

Me – Sir, agriculture and animal husbandry are the main sources of income in our area. Yes, some people are also performing well in the service sector in cities.

1st member (Lady Member)

What is the population of your Gram Panchayat?

Me – Madam, it is just around 5500 people.

From where are you inspired to become an IAS officer?

Me – Madam, in our area some District Collectors have performed very well on a wide platform. That inspired me to try for this service. If I get through, I believe I will be able to assist people directly and more comprehensively.

How did you qualify the Mains exam at such a young age?

Me – I consistently topped my class from school to college, so I believed that if I prepared well with full enthusiasm, I could achieve success. Proper guidance, adequate study material, effective time management, a positive environment at the JNU library, and a supportive friend circle made it easier for me to qualify at a very young age, even in Hindi medium.

What are the differences between the people and environment of JNVU Jodhpur and JNU New Delhi?

Me – At both places, people are committed to their duties. However, JNU is comparatively a more politically vibrant campus.

For which handicrafts is Barmer famous globally?

Me – There are various wood and textile handicrafts, such as Ajrakh print and wooden toys, which are globally famous.

2nd Member

How does the RBI control money circulation in the market?

Me – There are various qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the RBI uses them as required.

At present time what is CRR, SLR, WPI and CPI inflation rates?

Me – Sir, the CRR is around 4%, and the SLR is around 22% (at that time, it was actually 20.5%). The WPI inflation rate is around 5%, and the CPI inflation rate is around 3%. At that moment, the member seemed impressed because I answered very quickly.

What is measurement of Bigha, Acre, Hectare?

Me – Sir, actually I am not aware of ‘bigha’. But I think 100 × 100 meters is for a hectare, and 40 × 40 meters is for an acre. (At that moment, a little stress appeared on my face, but I managed to compose myself quickly.)

What is the present situation of the Indian economy? Is it performing well?

Me – Sir, the Indian economy is currently performing at an average level. It is neither very good nor very bad, but rather mixed. There are several challenges before it, yet there are also positive factors such as a large consumer market and a demographic dividend that help us counter adverse conditions.

3rd member

If you were to travel from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, which states would fall on the way during this journey?

Me – Sir, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. (I missed Karnataka, and this route was not exactly straight.)

Me – Sir, I think the government is not focusing only on this river but is also working on other rivers under the Integrated River Development Programme. Yes, in some ways the government is giving special attention to the Ganga because it is deeply connected with religious sentiments, and its basin also covers around 40% of the productive land area.

Many people from your Barmer district join the Army. Then why didn’t you?

Me – Sir, from my village, 2–3 students were recruited into the Indian Army last year. I also tried through NDA, CDS and AFCAT, but I couldn’t get through.

4th member

If you get IFS, where would you like to serve first?

Me – Sir, Africa continent.

No, Amongst the neighboring countries where do you prefer to serve?

Me – Sir, Pakistan.

Have you heard about racism in Africa, America, and the recent incidents in India such as in Bengaluru and Noida? Is there any connection between these incidents, and what do you know about this phenomenon?

Me – Sir, there are some historical reasons, but as of now, these incidents are the result of a narrow mentality.

Chairperson again

Mr. Ganga Singh, tell me, is this kind of mentality (related to the previous member’s last question) really present in Indian society or Indian culture?

Me – Yes sir, this type of mentality is indeed present.

Me – Sir, that’s true, but in reality, discrimination based on skin colour (kale aur gore ka bhed) still exists in our society.

How can you say so?

Me – Sir, there are many examples that still exist in our society even today. I can present some of them before the board as examples.

So, tell them?

Me – First example: On Indian roads, many loading vehicles display the tagline ‘Buri nazar wale tera muh kaala.’ (When I gave this example, the entire board started laughing.)

Second example: In Bollywood, many songs glorify fair skin (gora rang). (The lady member smiled at this moment.)

The Chairman intervened, and he now looked completely convinced.

Chairman: “Thank you, Ganga Singh.”

Me – Thanked every member.

Q5. Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared, or did they ask totally unexpected questions? Was it a stress interview, and did they ask any uncomfortable questions? If yes, how did you handle them?

Most of the questions were on expected lines, though some were very factual and unexpected. There was no stress or discomfort on my face at any point. The board was very cordial and supportive.

Q6. Any side details about technicalities, such as ‘make sure you bring certain documents or do certain things, otherwise you may face problems’?

No problem at all; the UPSC staff were very supportive.

Q7. Any words of wisdom / observations about medical checkup?

Get up early in the morning and be punctual. Your attire should be simple—lower, T-shirt, and slippers.

Marksheet

Q1. Please provide both prelim and final mark sheet:
Prelim paper-1 145.34
Prelim paper-2 111.68
Mains marks
Essay 157
Gs 1 119
Gs 2 083
Gs 3 107
Gs 4 108
Opt 1 156
Opt 2 159
Written total 889
Interview 172
Total 1061

I would have continued appearing for the other competitive examinations, but my complete commitment was always toward the UPSC.

Your background is not the criteria for your success. Believe in what you have, transform and utilize your strengths productively. Candidates from all background are gaining success in the UPSC examination.

To achieve this, I followed a  Creative Daily Schedule . Regular discussions with my friends at JNU and through active participation in the campus seminars and conferences helped me stay motivated.

Message to failed candidates

Q1. Through this struggle and success, what have you learned? What is your wisdom about life and competition? What is your message to the new aspirants?

There is no alternative to hard work. Recognize your inner strength, believe in yourself, and stay positive.

Q2. Many hardworking candidates failed in the Mains/Interview of CSE-2016 and scored quite low in Prelims-2017. They are feeling cynical, hopeless, and depressed. What is your message to them?

“ Mast rho vyast rho ” meaning “ Stay happy and stay productively engaged ”. I said to myself Remain positive and continue your journey. Soon, you’ll be the one writing words of encouragement for new aspirants. When I failed my first mains examination, I told myself that “Apna bhi Samay aayega” meaning “My time will come too” .

The credit for my success goes to my parents, my teachers at JNVU and JNU, and my friends from Dandali, my native village, Jodhpur and Delhi.

mrunal.org is a very good platform for those candidates who cannot afford coaching and are from the remote areas. I have been following this site since my graduation days. In particular, reading toppers’ interviews has been a major source of motivation for me.