[Topper’s Interview] Vijay Singh Gurjar (Rank-574/UPSC-2017) Sanskrit Literature, 5th Attempt, hails from Jhunjhunu

1. Candidate – Profile
2. Education
3. Introduction
4. Electronic Vs Paper material
5. Typical day in your Online life?
6. Prelims (CSAT) Paper-1: General studies
7. Prelims (CSAT): Paper-2: Aptitude
8. Prelim accuracy
9. Mains: Compulsory language paper
10. Mains: Essay
11. General Studies (Mains) paper 1
12. General studies (Mains) paper 2
13. General studies (Mains) Paper 3
14. General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude
15. Mains answer-writing?
16. Mains Optional Subject
17. Before the interview
18. During the interview
19. CSE-2017 Marksheet
20. Career Backup
21. Views on UPSC reforms
22. Insecurity about profile
23. Struggle of a Senior player
24. Struggle of Working professional
25. Grand wisdom
26. Credit: Friends/family
27. BOGUS Marketing Propaganda

Candidate – Profile

Q.	Details
Name	Vijay Singh Gurjar
Rank in CSE-2017	574
Roll No.	0043364
Age	31
Marital Status	MARRIED
Total attempts in CSE (including this one)	5
Optional Subject	SANSKRIT LITERATURE
Schooling Medium	HINDI
College Medium	HINDI
Medium chosen for Mains answers	HINDI
Medium chosen for Interview	HINDI
Home town/city	VILL-DEVIPURA, JHUNJHUNU (RAJ.)
Work-experience if any	CONSTABLE IN DELHI POLICE: JUNE 2010 TO DEC 2010 SUB-INSP IN DELHI POLICE: DEC 2010 TO DEC 2012, INSPECTOR IN CENTRAL EXCISE: JAN 2013 TO JAN 2014, INSPECTOR OF INCOME TAX: FEB 2014 TO TILL DATE
Details of other competitive exams, including success/failures	SUCCESS: CONTABLE IN DP, SI IN DP, CENTRAL EXCISE INSPECTOR (SSC CGL 2011), INCOME TAX INSPECTOR (SSC CGL 2012), RAS 2013 (RANK 556), RAS 2016 (RANK 456), FAILURE: CSE 2013, 2014, 2015 (PRELIMS) CSE 2016 (FINAL LIST)
Details of coaching, mock tests, postal material for any competitive exam (if used)	Paramount Coaching for Delhi Police Constable, Nirman IAS test series for CSE mains
Service preferences (Top-5)	IAS>IPS>IFS>IRS(IT)>IRS(C&CE)
Preference for the first states in top-3 zonal cadres.	RAJASTHAN>GUJRAT>UP

Education

Education	fill the details here
% in class 10	54.5%
% in class 12	67.23%
Graduation course and %	SHASTRI– 54.5%
Name of college, city, passing out year	GOVT. SANSKRIT ACHARYA COLLEGE, CHIRANA, JHUNJHUNU, RAJ-333303 (2009)
Post-graduation	NA
Any other professional courses	NA
Hobbies & Extracurricular achievements	LONG DISTANCE BIKE RIDING, PLAYING BADMINTON, LISTENING MUSIC

Introduction

Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field of competitive exams?

Hi everyone! I am Vijay Singh Gurjar, belongs to Devipura Bani village of Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan. My father Sh. Laxman Singh is a farmer, mother Smt. Chanda devi is homemaker. I am third of 5 siblings.

I never think about Civil Services and even doesn’t know anything about it till I join Delhi Police. Initially, I just want to prepare for competitive exams to get a job to support my family and to get social respect (Govt servant and their families are more respected in my area).

I always have a desire to go forward and work hard in life. So after joining DP, I  started preparation for SSC CGL and cleared twice CGL 2011 (Rank 1728) and CGL 2012(Rank 264).

After joining Income Tax, Delhi in 2014, I start preparing for CSE with some batchmates.

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 do you balance this i.e. electronic material vs. paper material (Books, newspapers)

I depends mostly on paper material. I also maintain some online notes (easy to update). I use only selective online platforms like prsindia.org, mrunal.org, insightsonindia.com, gktoday.com etc. I found most of online material repeated and unnecessary.

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.	Nil
Daily hrs spent on whatsapp and telegram studygroups	Nil
Daily hrs spent on online for exam prep.	2 Hours
Primary Device for online study: desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile	Laptop

Q. Any other things that you wish to elaborate on above table:

Nil

Prelims (CSAT) Paper-1: General studies

Topic	strategy/booklist/comment
History Ancient	NCERT
History Medieval	NCERT
History Modern (Freedom Struggle)	Bipin Chandra, Spectrum
Culture and society	CCRT, NIOS,
Polity (theory + current)	Laxmikant, Insightsonindia.com, prsindia.org
Economy (theory + current)	Economic Survey, Ramesh Singh Book, Mrunal.org, Vision 365 PT
Science (theory + current)	Cover S&T and disease only through Insightsonindia, Mrunal.org, newspaper Notes (The Hindu and Dainik Jagran)
Environment (theory + current)	Theory : N.K. Ojha (Parikshavani Pub.), Current : Mrunal Video on Youtube, Thinker IAS video in Youtube,
geography physical	NCERT 11th only
geography India	M.K. Bernwal Book in Hindi
geography world	M.K. Bernwal Book
other national/international current affairs	I prepare my own notes since 2 years from The Hindu, Dainik Jagran, Insightsonindia. Rest I go through Vision PT 365
Schemes, Policy & Filler Stuff	Mostly covered in my own notes, rest through Vision PT 365

Q. Candidates are complaining that compared to earlier years, Prelim 2017 GS paper was very tougher, Tickmasters’ 90+ strategy (and its perverted & populist version known as Guessmaster-giri) and E-learning materials had limited utility. What are you views and wisdom on all these?

I don’t found it difficult, as I am well prepared with Current affairs, Environment and Polity. Although there are lot of unexpected questions. Definitely, tickmaster strategy also worked in CSE 2017 and will work in CSE 2018 prelims also.

Regarding E-learning platform, I found them useful compare to classes, we can skip if we don’t like it, we have lot of options also. While watching Youtube video, we can speed it up to view with 1.5x speed(time saving).

 

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

This time I am practicing more mock  test papers.

Prelims (CSAT): Paper-2: Aptitude

Topic	strategy / booklist
Maths	I have cleared SSC CGL so didn’t prepare this paper
Reasoning	-do-
Comprehension	-do-
Decision Making	-do-

Q. In the recent two prelims (2016 and 2017), the comprehension portion becoming quite tough and lengthy. Candidates struggle even to finish the paper-II. Kindly provide some words of wisdom:

I CSAT paper, I start with questions I can solve easily and accurately, I used to skip lot of questions and paragraphs in first round. If any candidate secure 30-40 correct questions in 90 minutes, it is good. In last 30 minutes, he/she can try to solve more questions.

Prelim accuracy

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

I used photocopy of Vision and Insights paper series last year. I also appeared in CSE, 2016 interview, so after result, I have only 17 days, I solved about 20 tests in that duration.

 

Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in Prelim-2017

	attempted Q.	correct (Expected)	Official score
GS	94		126.66
aptitude	80		152.50

 

Mains: Compulsory language paper

Compulsory language paper	Your preparation strategy / booklist?
English paper	Revised Lucent English
your regional language	HIndi

Q. other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsory language papers in CSE-2017

Prepare some parts of English paper like Translation, Summary, essay writing. I think last 4-5 year paper solve is sufficient for Hindi Medium aspirants.

Mains: Essay

Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?

I wrote essay after prelims only. I covered all topics of Yojana last year and some permanent topics like Women, Poor, Unemployment, Federalism etc. I wrote around 15 essays before mains exam.

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

1. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.

I started with Mahatma Gandhi’s sentences about farmers. Then include problems of farmers, why agriculture is not a source of livelihood, reason responsible for problems, their solution.

1. Fulfillment of New women in india is a myth.

Started with- Who is new women? what she want? why she unable to fulfil her dreams? why india unable to fulfill her vision? Include major problems faced by women and new women, why problems are still in India? Provide some solution, At last build a good image of india that we are improving our environment, give some examples also.

General Studies (Mains) paper 1

Topic	How did you prepare?
Culture	CCRT, Drishti IAS booklet on art and culture
Indian history	Spectrum
world history	NCERT
post-independence India	India after independence (Selected Topic)
Indian society	Nirman IAS Notes
role of women, poverty etc.	Nirman IAS Notes
globalization on Indian society	—do–
communalism, regionalism, secularism	–do–
world geo physical	NCERT 11
resource distribution	M. K. Bernwal book and Nirman IAS notes
factors for industrial location	Mrunal.org
earthquake tsunami etc	NCERT 11
impact on flora-fauna	Didn’t prepare

General studies (Mains) paper 2

Topic	How Did You Prepare?
Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc.	M. Laxmikant
comparing Constitution with world	M. Laxmikant and google some comparisons
parliament, state Legislatures	M. Laxmikant and prsindia.org
executive-judiciary	M. Laxmikant
ministries departments	M. Laxmikant
pressure group, informal asso.	M. Laxmikant
Representation of people’s act	Download gist online
various bodies: Constitutional, statutory..	M. Laxmikant
NGO, SHG etc	Vision 365 mains
welfare schemes, bodies	Vision 365 mains and My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet
social sector, health, edu, HRD	Vision 365 mains
governance, transparency, accountability	Vision 365 mains
e-governance	Vision 365 mains
role of civil service	Vision 365 mains
India & neighbors	My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet
bilateral/global grouping	My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet
effect of foreign country policies on Indian interest	My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet
Diaspora	My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet
international bodies- structure mandate	My own notes prepared by newspaper and internet

General studies (Mains) Paper 3

Topic	How Did You Prepare?
Indian economy, resource mobilization	Rameshwar sir’s class notes, mrunal.org and Ramesh Singh’s book
inclusive growth	Rameshwar sir’s class notes, mrunal.org (Video)
Budgeting	Rameshwar sir’s class notes, mrunal.org
major crops, irrigation	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
agro produce – storage, marketing	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
e-technology for famers	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
farm subsidies, MSP	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
PDS, buffer, food security	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
technology mission	Rameshwar sir’s class notes
animal rearing economics	Rameshwar sir’s class notes
food processing	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
land reforms	Rameshwar sir’s class notes and mrunal.org
Liberalization	Rameshwar sir’s class notes
Infra	Rameshwar sir’s class notes
investment models	Rameshwar sir’s class notes
science-tech day to day life	MC graw hill Book
Indian achievements in sci-tech	MC graw hill Book and own notes
awareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR	MC graw hill Book
environmental impact assessment
Disaster Management	Own notes and Drishti IAS Mains booklet
non state actors, internal security	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains
internal security – role of media, social networking site	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains
cyber security	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains
money laundering	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains
border  Management	vision 365 mains and own notes
organized crime, terrorism	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains
security agencies- structure mandate	Drishti IAS Mains booklet and vision 365 mains

General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude

Topic	How Did You Prepare?
ethics and interface, family, society and all the hathodaa topics	G. Subbarav Book and lexicon
attitude, moral influence etc.	G. Subbarav Book and lexicon
civil service: integrity, impartiality, tolerance to weak etc	G. Subbarav Book and lexicon
emotional intelligence, its use in governance	G. Subbarav Book and lexicon
moral thinkers of India and world	How many thinkers did you prepare? 6-7 like Aristotle, Socrates, plato, Gandhiji, Vivekanand etc.
ethics in pub.ad, accountability, laws, rules etc.	G. Subbarav Book and 2nd ARC
corporate governance	G. Subbarav Book and 2nd ARC
probity in governance, work culture	G. Subbarav Book and 2nd ARC
citizen charter, ethics code, work culture etc.	G. Subbarav Book and 2nd ARC
challenges of corruption	G. Subbarav Book and 2nd ARC
case studies on above topics	Nirman IAS Test series and Vision IAS test series

Q. In ethics, Most of the serious candidates (both topper and non-toppers) have received marks in similar ranges. What are your observations and tips for future aspirants regarding preparation of this paper?

• Ethics paper is different every year, we can see in 2015,2016 and 2017. In 2017 paper seems easy but score goes down.
• For part first, aspirant should clear all concepts and terms, try to compare thinkers (easy way to remember, I think), practice more case studies.

Candidate appearing in 2018 mains and 2019 should make a register of current case studies published in various newspapers and should cot them in exam (It make your answer and example different). Aspirant should learn to solve case study in various form to make them more attractive.

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	12	6	2	20
GS2	11	7	2	20
GS3	15	5	0	20
GS4				14
Opt-P1	5	0	0	5
Opt-P2	5	0	0	5

Q. What was your approach in the exam (I wrote all, I only focused on the questions where I could answer perfectly, I just not to high quality points to reach the word limit etc.) Because the UPSC aspirant Community is divided over what counts as a ‘good’ paper. Some experts claim you should attempt all- even if it involves “making up” an answer with filler lines, some claim attempt only those questions you know perfectly. Where do you stand on this? [Based on your experience and of your seniors/buddies]

I attempted all questions in all papers even if I have a mere idea about it. I did all may papers in 3 rounds, I thick questions, which I know perfectly and attempt them first, in second round I attempt average answer and rest in third.

I think we should attempt as more as possible.

Q. How was your experience with the ‘fixed space’ answer sheet?

I found it very good, It enhance our capability to attend all questions and not to bluff unnecessary.

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 doesn’t matter…. whether examiner is asking ‘examine, comment, discuss or xyz’….simply write in bullets and points.

I write both in point and paragraph as per demand of questions. I also write some questions in both para and bullets.

Q. Did you follow the “introduction-body-conclusion” 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.

I tries to give 1-2 line introduction and conclusion in every question. Also skipped in some questions due to paucity of time.

 

I don’t like asking following rudimentary questions, but these are the most frequently asked questions by new aspirants.

Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?	No, I just underlined some points with black pen
Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)	Yes in paper 1 and paper 3
Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?	Pencil (Black and Blue)
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 (Technotip)

Mains Optional Subject

Q. What’s your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else?

I chose Sanskrit Literature as optional as I have done Shastri (B.A. Sanskrit) so I am more comfortable in this. Small syllabus and scoring subject are another factors.

Q. If a new player wants to pick your subject, would you advice for it or against it?

You can go with it, you have to write 3 questions (Min.) in Sanskrit. So please go through syllabus and previous papes, if you found you can write 3 questions, go for it. Subject is very interesting also.

Q. First the essential book/resource list. (Also mention which one is the “Base book” for covering the theory? + Whatever comments you’ve for a particular book e.g. “my seniors said read xyz book but I found that ABC book was better”.  “xyz topic not given properly in this book, so prepare from xyz website or book…” OR and so on.)

I have studied Sanskrit during my graduation so my strategy is different.

In paper one for grammar part, I have gone through Sidhant Kaumudi. For indian Philosophy Jagdish Chandra Mishra book. For Paper 2 I took all books form my college liberary and make my own notes for all Shloka’s.

I also take help of Dr. Rajendra Kumar Sir’s class notes. Their notes are very precise and useful 9i found them to-the-point and without major errors)

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?

Nil

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

4 Months only. After that it can be revised in 15 days only.

Q. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?

Just after the prelims 2017.

Q. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of optional? In which format- electronic or paper?

Yes in paper format.

Q. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2017 mains vs previous papers. And what precautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?

An aspirant should prepare whole syllabus instead of preparing limited syllabus (Some advice are there, like you should attempt question no 1,2,5,6,8 so just prepare them only. Please don’t listen them, If you want to score 300+ cover full syllabus)

Before the interview

Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? – for college grad, hobbies, place of origin, current affairs at national and international level?

Make maximum questions regarding my college, Univesity, Optional subject, work experience, State, District and New Delhi (residing here since 2010 so)

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?

I have attended 6 mocks in various coaching, but none of them is like the real one. My suggestion is an aspirant should appear in at least 4-5 mocks to check his body language, expressions etc. Also should carefully prepare questions arise in Mock interview.

Q3. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friend’s home …) and what books/material did you bring for the ‘revision before interview’?

I am working in delhi.

Q5. Describe the formal-dress worn by you in interview.

Dark blue shoot with neck tie.

During the interview

Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?

Ms. Sujata Mehta

Q2. How long was the interview?

It is around 25-30 minutes.

Q3. Why do you want to join civil service? Why don’t you continue in your graduation field? Social service can be done from private sector too.  [Since I don’t know whether they ask you this question or not. But if they had asked- what will be your reply?]

I am already a public servant, civil service provide me vide platform to work and also a career progress for me (Inspector to IAS)

Q4. Please narrate your entire interview- what questions did they ask and what did you reply and other pleasant or uncomfortable experiences during the interview. (Earlier some toppers only tell me their question but not their answer. I would appreciate if you give both Question + your original answers]

Ms. Sujata Madam welcomed with a smile.

Madam: Vijay, is this your picture?

Me: yes madam.

Madam: tell us something about you?

Me: I am Vijay Singh belongs to jhunjhunu  Rajasthan. I have done shastri form my native place and worked in Delhi police as Constable and SI and as an Inspector in Central excise and Income Tax.

Madam : you seems very hard worker, started from Constable and sitting before me, so what’s your philosophy of life?

Me: (Unable to handle this question, not expecting this so earlier) Madam, I love to learn, I always like to learn new things, work hard and stay focused.

Madam: you have worked in Police as Constable and SI, you should go in police, why IAS first?

Me: Madam, In police, I can work for crime prevention/ police related only but as an IAS, I can work more towards society.

Madam: How you will stop trafficking of women and children?

Me: (Unexpected question) We can improve surveillance by enhance co-ordination between Railways, Transport dept., Police and local authorities in various states.

Madam: No, No, How you caught them? What mechanism you have?

Me: We can ask police beat staff to regular monitor all placement agencies, if any complain received, the action should be fast and sensitive.

Madam: Is there any institution on national level for this?

Me: Sorry Madam.

Madam: Ok, (Asked M1 to ask)

M1: You have studied Sanskrit, use of foreign language in Hindi is harming sanskrit??

Me: No sir, Sanskrit vocabulary is already very rich (more than 1 billion words). So this is globalization effect on Hindi, but not affecting Sanskrit.

M1: What should we do for Sanskrit improvement in India?

Me: We should implement the recommendation of N. Gopalswami committee (Tell 5-6 recommendations), give some ideas like Sanskrit teaching method changes, Online portal like e-Granthalaya, Appointment of Sanskrit teacher and translators, mix Sanskrit,ayurveda and yoga to bring more jobs for Sanskrit scholars, start a Sanskrit lab to do R&D on Sanskrit literature to assist us in IPRs.

M1: (seems satisfied) How it will help you in administration?

Me: Normal answer like character building, knowledge of history, art and culture, improve my concise capacity etc..

M2: You did Shastri in Sanskrit and join Constable, why? Normally try for teacher.

Me: After  my graduation, I need a job to assist my family, so I joined it.

M2: Where is more “money” in Excise or Income tax??

Me: Sir, tax collection is higher in direct taxes. But individually GST collection will be higher.

M2: Can eradication of direct tax (Suggested by Baba Ramdev) is possible?

Me: Sir, our direct tax collection is around  10 lac crore, so how we fulfill this. I think in near future it is not possible.

M3: Asked a long question around 2-3 minutes regarding Tribunal system in India (I am posted in ITAT, Delhi), but I am unable to understand his question.

I requested to repeat the question, again he repeated his question of 2-3 minutes, still I am unable to understand, what exactly he want to ask. I again requested that I am unable to understand.

Sujata Madam intervene and asked M4 to ask:

M4: You worked in Police, what is the name of committee formed after Nirbhaya case on Law reforms?

Me: Justice Verma Committee.

M4: Good. Please tell major recommendation in IPC section wise?

Me: sir, some changes in JJ Act…………stopped

M4: No,No just tell about IPC???

Me: Sir definition of rape has been changed, rape is defined in various forms, punishments has been increased.

M4: Do you remember sections also?

Me: Sorry sir.

M4: What is tax avoidance and tax evasion??

Me: I replied the same (Prepared question)

M4: What 3 things you have learned in police department that inspired you a lot?

Me: Situational Decision making, to serve all part of society, stay alert all time.

M4: (Smiling), Have your thought on North Indian has been changed ??

Me: Yes sir

M4: How?

Me: Earlier, when I was in schooling and college, I also treat them as different person. Now, I am more sensitive about their problems, I know better their behavior etc…

Madam: (Watching TV, fixed just behind me) Look, what’s going in Chennai? IPL match has been shifted form Chennai? Is it right?

Me: No madam, It should not be done. Sensitive matters should be handled carefully, they should not be politicized.

Madam: Ok vijay, your interview is over, If you want to ask us anything, you may ask??

Me: No madam, thank you.

Madam: Ok, all the best

(I thank all members and left the room)

 

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?

 

Lot of unexpected questions are there. I tried to handle them with smile, but sometimes failed to do so. 2-3 questions are from my prepared topics.

Q6. Any side details about technicalities like “make sure you bring xyz document or do xyz thing, or you’ll face problem”?

No

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

Stay relax, take at least 7 hours sleeping before medical. Reach by time, don’t take panic of anything like BP, Eye sights. It is just a normal procedure.

CSE-2017 Marksheet

Q1. Please provide both prelim and final mark sheet:

Prelims Paper-1	126.66
Prelims Paper-2	152.50
Mains Subjects	Marks
Essay	135
GSM1	110
GSM2	100
GSM3	124
GSM4	86
Optional Paper-1	153
Optional Paper-2	145
Written Total	853
Interview	149
Final	1002

Career Backup

Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?

I am working as Inspector in Income Tax dept. Delhi so I stay with the same.

Views on UPSC reforms

Q. Optional subjects should be removed altogether. The present stalemate is helping no-one, except coaching-owners, book publishers.

Optional paper should be removed and some important topics like human rights, some national and international law etc. should be included.

Q. Your views on the decision to make CSAT paper 33% qualifying?

The real purpose of the CSAT has gone now. There is no need of this paper with 33% qualifying. There should be 2 papers of GS now so that Tukkabazi may be controlled and hard workers will not be “Bali ka Bakra”

Q. Despite what UPSC has done in last seven years in syllabus and pattern change, it has failed to curb the nuisance of Delhi’s coaching factories and the readymade e-material sellers. In fact, it’s increased under the new Mains-syllabus post-2013. Let’s face it, UPSC added so many topics and so many random questions, even fulltime student struggles to gather and process all standard reference books and material himself within the short time available to him.

Yes Sir, We can see the same in CSE 2018 prelims paper also. Any changes in pattern make Coaching factories more wealthy and crowded.

Q. UPSC should disclose official prelim answerkey and cutoffs, immediately after prelim is over, instead of postponing it till interview phase is over.

UPSC should disclose Prelims answer key just after the declaration of prelims result.

Q. UPSC should disclose the evaluated mains- answer sheets like some StatePCS are doing.

It may resulted in court cases, so maybe same situation like some state PSCs. UPSC can declare question wise marks at least, so aspirant can guess about marking and answer writing.

Q. UPSC should be conducted online like IBPS and CAT exam to shorten the duration of exam.

For prelims, UPSC should think about it.

Q. If you are made the UPSC chairman, what other reforms would you initiate for the civil service exam?

removal of optional paper. Reduce maximum marks of interview to 200.

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? Did you suffer from such insecurities? What is your message to these candidates?

I don’t think it matters. Now a days, lot of candidate from rural area and small cities cleared this exam. I also studied in Govt Sanskrit College in Hindi and Sanskrit medium. I never think about this. I just focus in improving myself. I advice all aspirants not to think all these insecurities, just focus on syllabus and your preparation only.

Struggle of a Senior player

I am totally unplanned aspirant. I appeared in CSE, 2013 and 2014 with my friends without any preparation. After wasting 2 attempts, I started preparation seriously. But, again I couldn’t clear CSE 2015. I escaped with 1-3 marks in CSE 2014 and 2015 prelims. I found reason of my unsuccess is weakness in Environment and Ecology and Current affairs. So I focused on my weakness in CSE 2016. I cleared CSE 2016 and 2017 with good score. I appear in CSE 2016 interview and escaped with 14 marks in final list. I again try to improve my weakness, this time I make it with AIR 574.

My suggestion to aspirants is- prepare a whole year strategy like completion of optional and GS mains till November. From December you should focus on both answer writing and prelims. 2 months before prelims exam, you should focus fully on prelims. Try to write an essay after every 15 days and evaluate it yourself or by friend/ teacher.

Q1. How did you survive through this mental prison of UPSC  and what’re your words of wisdom to other senior players? If any specific inspirational incident(s), please share.

Just stay focused. If you are preparing for CSE, just focus here only. Normally senior players are engaged with State PCS exam simultaneously. It will destroy your attempt or rank (if selected).

Q2. What went wrong in your previous attempt? What changes did you make in this current attempt?

I could not clear prelims three times. I have already mentioned above. If I appear again I want to improve my essay and ethics paper.

Struggle of Working professional

If you’re a working professional, share some tips on how to manage studies with job

I am working since 2010, I always try to save my time like I used to study while travelling to office (both side). It saves my 80 minutes (40*2). IN lunch hours in office, I stick with my books and try to manage at least 30 minutes. So I steals 2 hours from my working hour without any disturbance with my work.

Working professional/aspirant should stay away from office politics, office gossips and being social. He/she should make small targets like 1-2 hours, one day target. It is easy to achieve and good to confidence also.

Grand wisdom

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?

In the preparation of CSE, demoralization is obvious part of study. I think everyone has faced it. Just stay relax, do some exercise, read some toppers article, listen some motivational songs or dialogues like I watch a one minute video of Nawazzudin from Manjhi “jab tk todenge nahi chorenge nahi” and come out of demoralization ASAP. Stay away from negative thinkers.

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?

I learn from this success that nothing is impossible. Hard work and dedication will definitely give positive result.

Dear Aspirants, Stay motivated, Stay confident! When a person with 55% in 10th, 55% in graduation can do it, You can easily crack it. Just believe in yourself. Don’t be scare by someone’s career or marks or background.

Q. Many hardworking candidates have failed in Mains/Interview of CSE-2017. They’re feeling cynical, hopeless and depressed- what is your message to them?

It is always painful that anyone fails after hardwork. I also have suffered from the same. Please don’t feel demoralized. Make strategy for next year, improve your weakness, try to add some value in your answer writing, it is the right time to start for next year. Trust me, persons who failed in prelims/mains, make their strategy for next year and lot of them are in 200 AIR.

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?

My family, friends, teachers, my officers, my colleague in all departments supported me a lot in this journey.

One incident, I came to Delhi (Mukhrajee Nagar) first time to prepare for Delhi Police Constable. I stayed in overburdened PG there. Mess is in other building, one day we are returning from Mess to PG. One of my colleague (Who was Constable in Delhi Police and preparing for SI) commented on me that I am looking like a beggar (may be due to my village like wearing/cloths). That day I decided that I’ll also prepare for SI. I would like to thanks that friend.

Second incident, I was SI in Delhi Police. One miner girl from my native place went missing. FIR was lodged in nearest police station. After two days girl found in a train near Jaipur. RPF handover her to local police. They even didn’t took him for medical examination after 72 hours (It should be done immediately). I talked with SHO whose reply was very disgusting and abusive. Also tried to insult me. That day I promised myself to work hard and never let it be with anyone (Specially with illiterate , rural background people). Now praying to god to give me strength for the same.

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 “No”. I’ll still publish your answer without tempering.  

When I start little bit preparation in 2014. One of my Gujrati friend told me about this platform. I understand concepts of economics first time here. I also go through Environment and ecology video in 2016 and 2017. Most important thing I like about this platform is the innovative way of teaching like using SADHU YADAV picture, VIJAY MALLYA picture. I also prepared some part of art and culture. This platform also bring me up from demoralization.