A ladder called UPSC

A few days ago I came across something really wonderful! something that reminded me how fulfilling reading was! It said and I quote

       “if there is a single skill that will get you through life above all others - more important than cleverness or passion or imagination - it is the resilience. Without it even the most brilliant person can be crushed. 

       And no one can develop resilience in vacuum. You have to fail in order to learn how to recover from failure.” 

UPSC is a journey that will churn us in understanding this truth, through a personalised experience. Each finding her/his own path to discovery.

Civil Service Exam(CSE)’18 brought me huge success. Securing an AIR 33 was not unthinkable but definitely uncertain. It is through these probabilities that when one sails during the process, does one realise the true worth of life and mind you, brings the much needed grounding, humility and respect for surrounding. While failure teaches you much more than success ever can, it is success we celebrate. Perhaps because in it we see a sense of accomplishment, a certainty that always lacks in our life and thus run after those who succeed. 

I wouldn’t want to dwell upon much of the philosophy needed for this exam as the queries and questions coming my way demand a straightforward answer. But I’m sadly to remind you that there is exist no tailor cut formula. And what I try to address is my own journey. There’s no shortcut to hard work anywhere. Similarly UPSC is no child’s play. While choosing a career such as Civil Services, I request the aspirants to do a little introspection as to why one has chosen this career at all. Rather than looking at it from the point of society (for example is highly prestigious, secured et al), one should try looking at it from the point of ones own liking, abilities and how s/he wants to contribute to society. The work profile needs to come in harmony with our sense of comfort. This will bring clarity, consistency in efforts and strength to handle obstacles. As the exam demands not just resources and  hard work but ample time of one’s life. Hope you make it worth and equally enjoy the process. 

Since the mailbox flooded with various questions, one that dominated the most was ‘what strategy I followed for the exam in general and optional in particular? And the list of books I referred?’. No point beating around the bush, following is the stage wise strategy and books I referred to. They stand in exact similarity to my co-aspirants. Hopefully the strategy helps in discovering the exam mindset.

Prelims books list and strategy

Subjects and books to refer

Polity- Laxmikant, ‘Indian constitution at work’- NCERT Geography - NCERT from 7 to 10th and 11th std two books, Atlas

History-Spectrum, old NCERT history (full reading for ancient and medieval few chapters to be covered like Vijaynagar, economic and social life, Chola empire, Bahamani kingdom)

Economics-for basic concepts shankarganesan, current affairs daily track, ‘Indian economy’11th ncert, Vajiram handwritten notes

Environment-Shankar IAS

Artand culture- Nitin Singhania, old ancient and medieval ncert

Current affairs- PT 365, daily newspaper reading with short notes

Science and technology PT 365, certain concepts from Vajiram handwritten notes

Government schemes (vision/insights/shankar IAS any can be done)

Solving test papers 

Around 30-50 papers with detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses in each subject. Specially certain chapters, topics can be tackled in this manner. Regular tracking of how many to attempt, which subjects to improvise and which area in that subject to improvise. Gives immense boost to self confidence, makes one aware of the time management, stress management.

Small topics that are not covered under any of the static and current affair portion can be looked up online. I would constantly google topics in economics, science and tech, art and culture to get a better idea for eg of paintings, temples etc. Also adding to the preparation list is whole bunch of ‘Whatsapp’ and ‘Telegram’ groups. They at times can be overload of information and at times can provide access to filtered knowledge. So choose wisely. I would suggest spending lesser amount of time here.

Revision is of immense importance in prelims. Thus small small notes come in handy. Stick your portion infront of your study table so that it keeps reminding you how much you have to study. Best thing to do is keep making weekly and monthly time tables. Make sure that you are follow at least 75% of your timetable. 

Mains ethics

Syllabus (learn it by heart with a list of keywords to be used again and again and areas to be covered in case studies, theory questions)

Lexicon especially case study, definitions and examples can give a precise idea of how to proceed with questions. Had also studied Vajiram handwritten notes.

Case studies needs practice and innovation so solve as many as possible. Can take online or offline class and listen to the approach. Eg Lukeman case studies

Mentioning names of authors, philosophers etc not needed. But analytical approach will do the trick.

Go in a balanced manner. Understand the question and give suitable introduction. Conclusion needs a positive approach.

Complete your paper no matter what. Plan how much time is to be given for theory and case studies. Devote accordingly. Thus solving practice paper will help in planning better.

Mains GS overall

It’s important to complete every paper. So improvise on speed. Handwriting need not be super nice but can’t be shabby too. Make it look pleasant for the eyes. Divide your answer in short para, points, underlining, table format with short intro and conclusion. A mix of all is a good idea. However there’s no sure shot formula to write an ideal GS answer. It depends on individual judgement in approaching the question. 

Remembering facts and committees is crucial in GS. So know ARC, other recent committees etc. sincere reading of standard books and prelims will surely make you confident in this area. They will automatically start coming to you. 

Syllabus will give you the idea and scope of each GS paper. This is really important because as per my analysis, if one diverts from the scope of subject in attempting respective GS paper, the end result is less mark. So be very thorough and to the point.

Sociology

 Book list paper1

Syllabus

IGNOU ESO 13V

VikashRanjan book part 1 (this is nothing but ignou in short)

Harlambos orange book 

Previous year question papers and toppers answer sheet

Newspaper reading (editorials specifically)

Paper2

IGNOU BA material

Thinkers from Nagla

NCERT 11th and 12th (preliminary reading only)

Mahapatra sir notes. Attended test series discussions of Mahapatra sir and Praveen Kishore sir (Nice IAS). Please do make detail notes and reread them.

Newspaper article specifically on social issues. 

Yogendra singh book covered 1st chapter

Write test as much as possible (3 each for paper 1&2)

For sociology (or any optional for that matter) an insight into the subject is necessary. Thus syllabus holds the key. Go through the portion again and again. Though I did not do any coaching for Sociology,I would advise if you have time in your hand and you have started your preparation a year early, go for it. It needs constant understanding and much hard work. Initially, grasping the subject might become an issue.  It’s here thinkers are the key in both paper 1&2. So start with that. Finish paper 1 first. I have put forth the sources I referred to. They are not exhaustive in any manner but just what I had limited myself to. Since I had limited time, my strategy was to cover Syllabus topic wise, write sectional tests and discover which area I’m lacking. This kept me aware of my preparation. Going back to thinkers in sociology is great way of covering syllabus, as their coverage further matters in almost all chapters of paper 1. 

Paper 1 forms the base for paper 2. If any concept needs more depth, please do that. There can be no short cut to understanding. Thus I started with ncert as to see what sociology demands from its student. It gave me preliminary understanding in approaching the subject, an insight into the language I would be using to write my answer, etc. Again covered Indian thinkers from Nagla. If certain concept requires deeper and broader understanding one can read online(Done by me quite often). One thing is to be noted here, paper 2 this year was more on modern lines with everyday issues an Indian society faces eg me too movement, problems of metropolitan cities etc. such questions require a generalist approach with sociological insight. That was provided by Mahapatra sir’s lecture. His discussion are thorough and gives an all round perspective on answer writing. Meanwhile I did not stop editorial paper reading. One has to make notes of analysis that comes in newspapers like the Indian express eg on caste based conflicts, women’s movements, social impact of poverty, farmers suicide etc. Test series discussions on paper 2 also becomes immensely important in understanding the demand of the question and approaching it in a precise manner.  For a dynamic subject like sociology, the approach can’t be static. Lay your foundation strong through theory but enhance it by current sociological analysis.  

Interview/Personality Test

Here the strategy demands confidence and brevity in talking. Which needs to be inculcated during preparation itself. One could read newspapers loudly. While discussing current affairs underline the precise ness one has to follow. In my experience once the candidate goes through above two stages, s/he definitely will find in it her to prepare solidly for this stage. Certain tips to keep in mind-

Constant discussion over current affairs/DAF analysis 

Preparing question bank

Had joined Maharashtra interview group with several key mentors who updated me and resolved my queries.

Giving mock for self assessment

Hopefully the above matter helps aspirants in planning their preparation and resolves their doubts in broader sense. I request you all to not consider my attempt as foolproof, as there are tremendous others who have provided rather much detailed strategy. I stand far behind in that line. I wish you a very good luck in this evolving journey. Enjoy it :)