I, Nivedita R from Chennai, recently cracked the Civil Services Examination 2021 with AIR 572 in my 5th attempt (1st Mains and 1st Interview)
My journey of UPSC CSE has been a long drawn one. I wish to share the lessons I had learnt as I progressed.
PRELIMINARY:
Lessons:
(1) Practicing PYQs immensely helps to get a hold of the UPSC parlance
(2) Mocks(no one size fits all when it comes to number of tests) help us gauge our strengths and weaknesses
(3) Having a like-minded peer group helps.
Strategy:
Getting the concepts right on a day to day basis. Developing a sense of curiosity over novel issues.
Photographic memory helps.(Googling maps and concepts) Newspaper reading along with note making in Evernote(PCM combined)
Daily short quizzes from various coaching institute websites.
MAINS:
Lessons:
1)Balancing act when it comes to 10 markers and 15 markers
2) Balancing act between case studies and theoretical questions in GS4
3) Focussing more on writing rather than reading.
4) Completing the paper is as important as giving quality answers.
5) Peer review immensely helps apart from coaching institute paper correction
Strategy:
-Note making for every word in the syllabus and possible concepts(micro listing) based on PYQs.
- Writing mains mock tests in exam-like conditions
- Keywords for every subject and best practices that can create a better impact in the mind of the examiner
- Brainstorming on structuring answers on a daily basis
- Reverse engineering through framing questions on editorials that align with the syllabi.
Join Decode Civils Telegram Group For Free UPSC CSE Guidance From Mudit Jain, IRS CSE 2017 (Ex-IPS CSE 2014 & 2015), Author of Decode GS-2 1.0, Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-A, Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-B and Decode History 1.0 Books
You can reach me at Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Telegram.
Sample PDFs of Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-A & Part-B Books, Decode GS-2 Book & Decode History Book:
OPTIONAL:(Geography)
Lessons:
1) Technical aspects(subject specific terminologies, diagrams, facts, charts) are to be incorporated . This is no GS.
2) Optional can be a game changer to make it to the final list.
3)Answer writing and PYQs are to be taken seriously.
Strategy:
–Mudit Sir’s handwritten notes along with my own notes taken from standard books and open source.
- Having short notes with illustrations on every single word in the syllabi.
- Test series for fine tuning approach towards Optional
PERSONALITY TEST
Lessons:
- Being open-minded on the day of PT helps(in my case, no direct questions from DAF, I still managed)
-Trying to maximise score in PT helps in making to the final list (as Mains score remains
undisclosed until results)
-Polite disagreement with the Board is welcome( They do not seek a-yes- person) - Being confident throughout the PT helps (no matter how many bouncers)
- Leave for New Delhi in advance(two days prior to the Interview) to get accustomed to the local weather
Strategy:
Focussing on DAF and issue- based preparation helped.
One- on -One sessions and mock interviews ( 8 in my case )
helped me plug the knowledge gaps and to maintain a formal body language and parlance.
Also, in terms of brevity and in creating a positive vibe in those 30mins of the final lap.
And for Mudit Sir, I am immensely grateful for his Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-A, Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-B and Decode History 1.0 Books that helped me in GS1 and GS4 preparation. These books have been well crafted in terms of brevity with a content that matches the requirement of this examination.
I am also thankful for the Geography notes of Mudit Sir and his comprehensive strategy posts on every stage of this examination through YouTube and Telegram Channel which I have been following for long.
And also for his help in identifying focus areas in DAF for in depth preparation for PT
And to give back to the student community amidst work is a rare thing. I am glad to have travelled with you, though miles apart. Thank you, Sir.
ATB!!!
Other CSE 21 Topper Strategies:
- Anna Sinha (AIR-112, CSE-21) Strategy
- Pankaj Gujar (AIR-423, CSE 21) Working Professional Strategy
- Hiren Barot (AIR-332, CSE-21) GS & Sociology Strategy
- Antriksh Jain (AIR-130, CSE-21) Sociology Strategy
- Keshav Gupta, AIR- 439 CSE-21 Economics Strategy
- Dilip K Kainikkara (AIR-21, CSE-21) Maths Strategy
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