Arvind Hanglem, AIR-83 CSE-22 Prelims, Mains & More

Hi All,

This is the 42nd Topper Journey & Strategy post from the Batch of 2023. Arvind Hanglem secured AIR-83 in CSE-22 in his 4th attempt. Following is his detailed write up.

Introduction

Hello everyone !

I am Arvind Hanglem and I have secured AIR 83 in UPSC CSE 2022 in my 4th attempt (Ist Mains & Ist Interview). I come from the small town of Imphal West, Manipur. I come from a very humble background. I lost my father at the age of 5 and was raised single-handedly by my widow mother. My two brothers played the role of a father to guide and support me in whatever way they can. I am forever grateful for having raised by such a positive and dedicated family.

My family has been a constant source of inspiration & motivation throughout my entire journey. Perseverance, Dedication & Commitment is something that I have learned from them which helped me in fighting every odds & challenges of not just UPSC but also of life.

I completed my schooling till 12th standard in Imphal, Manipur. Thereafter I moved to Delhi to pursue my further studies from Delhi University pursuing Physics Hons.

You can contact Arvind on his Instagram Profile

My UPSC journey

I started my full-fledged preparation since 2019. I couldn’t sail the Preliminary stage not just once but thrice continuously (2019, 2020 & 2021). I failed miserably in 2020 Prelims because of my ignorance in CSAT paper though I performed decent in GS-I. 2021 attempt was again brutal for me since I missed the Prelims cut off by just ~2.5 marks. That was a shattering moment for me and on that night of 29th October, 2021 I have decided to give up on UPSC. Had I not been supported by my family and close friends at that life-turning moment, I would not be writing this piece today to share my little journey. I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to God for the continuous blessings, my family and dear friends who have been a constant supporter without any sort of expectations.

After sinking all these heart-breaking emotions and constant introspection upon my mistakes, I gave full-throttle to my UPSC preparation. Through a random interaction via telegram, I happen to interact with an admin of Special Focus Group (SFG) run by IAS corridor. I joined the group and we used to update daily targets, make group notes, had weekly current affair sessions through gmeet. I even met some of the best people who became my closest friends. My success in 2022 Prelims wouldn’t have been successful without SFG and my close friends (name undisclosed for privacy)

Detailed strategy for PRELIMS

GS:

Attempting 90-95 questions. You should find a sweet spot of your own by replicating a personalized strategy through Mocks and UPSC PYQs.
Detailed Analysis of PYQs 2011- Latest Year for every subjects is mandatory. Make specific notes with special emphasis on keywords and phrases used by UPSC while framing statements.
For History, I would advise to start from 1994.
Conceptual clarity is a must for subjects like Indian Polity & Constitution, Indian Economy, Geography & Environment, S&T basics etc.
Focus on specific keywords used by UPSC in PYQs such as doctrine of Constitutionalism, limited government, separation of powers.
While eliminating options, focus on specific phrases used in statements such as “and not”, “in general”.
For Current Affairs, VISION Monthly Magazines or PT 365 is more than enough.

CSAT:

Ensured conceptual clarity in basic topics like Number system, Percentage, Permutation & Combination, Time-Speed-Distance, Average, Proportion and son on.
Conducted a detailed analysis of PYQs from 2011 to the latest year, topic- wise.
Referred to a guidebook such as WIZARD Edition or RS Sharma.
Compiled a list of formulas, shortcuts, tips, and tricks for relevant topics.
Conducted SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
Practiced mocks during the designated UPSC time frame (2:30-4:20 PM) for 1 hour 50 minutes instead of 2 hours.
Attempted all passages in one go within a limited span of 35-40 minutes, followed by the remaining questions in Quantitative Aptitude (Maths) and Reasoning.
Prioritized speed and accuracy.

MAINS OVERALL STRATEGY

Detailed Analysis of PYQs starting from 2013 till 2022. The UPSC previous year’s question papers (PYQs) serve as an invaluable resource to navigate your preparation journey effectively.
PYQs Model answers should be your base notes. I wrote almost all PYQs for every important subjects such as Indian Society, Geography, Modern Indian History, Art & Culture, Indian Polity & Constitution, Governance, Ethics & so on.

While writing PYQs or any answers per se, the following essentials should be kept in mind: Understanding the “CORE DEMAND” of the question. This is a must since we basically tend to divert while writing answers. To understand the “CORE DEMAND” of a question, you can do the following things:

Underlining the important “Keywords” of the question & breaking the question into sub-parts.
Determine the specific section of the syllabus from which the question has been derived.
Brainstorm your basic Introduction, Conclusion and Body within a time of 1 minutes (MAX) and then start writing 1.

Structuring your arguments from important ones to less important ones. While giving an argument, it should be substantiated or illustrated with an example/data or a thinker’s idea in the context of GS-IV paper. Generally 1 argument/point followed by an example.

For instance, As per PLFS report, Agriculture sector comprises nearly 45% of the Employment with a meagre contribution of nearly 16% to GDP.
For instance, in the case of Ethics paper, “Integrity is a value that empowers human being”. This is a quote/argument and this can be illustrated with a personal example from your own life or from the lives of great personalities.

Dropping technical words related to the Subject or keywords from the syllabus. Prepare a list of few keywords for each GS-papers. For instance, in the case of GS-II

Cooperative federalism, Doctrine of Constitutionalism, Minimum- Government & Maximum-Governance etc.

Diagrams whenever there is any scope. For instance, in a question on Buddhist stupas, you can draw a basic structure of stupa with appropriate labels such as Anda, Medhi, Pradakshinapath (circumbulatory path), Toranas (gateways) etc

How to start writing PYQs?

Watch PYQs discussion videos available on YouTube.
You can also refer PYQs model answer such as Decode Ethics by Mudit Jain Sir
Segregate all PYQs (2013-2022) for different themes of each GS paper. For example,

Theme (GS-I): Salient features of Indian Society

What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss- 2019 PYQ.
Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples- 2019 PYQ.
“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment- 2018 PYQ

Theme (GS-II): Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein

The strength sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funds’ to the contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times. PYQ 2020, 15m, 250 words.
“The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self- government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment PYQ 2019, 15m, 250 words.
“The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation. PYQ 2017, 10m, 150words.

Collect a list of Introductions, Conclusions, examples, data, articles for each theme. For instance, Major provisions related to Scheduled Tribes:

Art 342, Art 366
Art 15(1), 15(4)
Art 16(4), Art 19(5)
Art 46- special care, educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections
Political safeguards- Art 243(D), Art 330, Art 337
Scheduled V & VI
Agency to monitor- Art 338A (NCSTs)
Government of India (GOI) efforts (Legislative enactments + Schemes & Policies)- STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, PESA’ 1996, FRA’ 2006, PMJDY, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Minor Forest Produce via TRIFED, LEAP etc

Join here for free guidance from Mudit Jain, IRS CSE-17 (IPS CSE-14 & 15), Author of Decode Civils – Philosophical Essay Writing, Decode GS2, Decode Ethics 4.0 & Decode History Books

Ethics book referred by CSE 22 Toppers: AIR –76, 91, 176, 189, 249, 288, 297, 299, 326, 356, 476, 541, 611, 616, 700, 737, 739, 746 & others

History book referred by CSE 21 Toppers: AIR – 44, 212, 572, 653 & others

Sample PDFs of Books: Decode Civils – Philosophical Essay Writing, Decode Ethics 4th Edition, Decode GS2 & Decode History

Slideshow of References from Decode Ethics 4th Edition of 9 out of 13 Section-A Questions of 2023 CSE Ethics Paper:

Also, Important introductions, Conclusions & articles related to “Local-self- government”

The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution established local self government in India. Some important articles pertaining to local government are:
243A (Gram Sabha), 243B (Panchayats), 243G & 243W (Powers and responsibilities of Panchayats and Municipalities), 243 ZD & ZE (District and Metropolitan Planning Committee), Art 243G powers and responsibilities of Panchayats, Art 243W- powers and responsibilities of Municipalities, Art243ZD- District Planning Committee (DPC), Art 243ZE- Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) A,rt 243H- devolution of taxation powers, Art 243Y- State Election Commissions (SECs), Art 243D(6)- Provision for reservation of seats in any Panchayat or offices of CPs (OBCs) voluntary, Art 243T(6)- Reservation of seats for OBCs in Municipality or Offices of CPs

Recent headlines (Source from MAINS 365); can be used for Conclusion:

Union government launched People’s Plan Campaign 2021- Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas and Vibrant Gram Sabha Dashboard.
Recently, The Chhattisgarh government approved draft rules under the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
Recently, in a workshop organised by Ministry of Panchayat Raj, Mysuru Declaration on Service Delivery by Panchayats was signed.
Revised Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines Released by Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Recently, Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022 was enacted that seeks to reunify the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD).

Also, for Ethics paper:

Theme: Importance of Ethics

WHY ETHICAL? (Individual, societal, governance) / Value-based administration:

We don’t examined our life. An unexamined life is not worth living.
SC: Corruption is the worst form of violence.
Narrow perception of good life in the society.
Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results into unblemished common good.
Hedonism.
Violation of Rousseau’s social contract.
ARISTOTLE- “it is in Justice that the ordering of the society is centred upon”.
Integrity is a value that empowers human being.
The practitioner of ethics is the beneficiary of ethics.
The intention of the act is more important than the act itself- Buddhist philosophy.
Happiness is what when you think, what you say, what you do are in harmony-Gandhiji.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs- Self-actualization.
The good of an individual is contained in the good of all- John Ruskin (Unto this Last).
MOTHER TERESSA: “If everybody cleans up his/her door step then the whole society will be clean”.
Immanuel Kant gives his ideas of Governance in Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical sketch. He says “The state of peace is not a state of nature which is rather a state of war, so must the state of peace is established”.
Rousseau in Theory of Social contract: that people come together and surrender some freedom to state so that the state can serve public interest. This makes the govt a trustee. This idea was further strengthened by John Locke.
Socrates said that country should be run by virtuous people, people who are knowledge seeker.
Plato gave the concept of Philosopher King in his book The Republic.
Aristotle laid the foundation of good governance. The one that is ruled is like the master of flutes and the ruler is the flute player who makes use of it.
Plato’s model of the just state which is that of a healthy organism where all the parts function for the benefit of the whole and the whole benefits the others.
We need a government, writes Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, which knows how to govern and does so. Not a government which administers, but a government which truly governs.
Kautilya in Arthashastra: “In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness; in their welfare his welfare”. He urged the ruler to remain compassionate towards his subjects Kautilyan Yogakshema Sushashan (welfare state)
Ashoka’s janahita- welfare of all species.
“The Republic” of Plato talks about the “Philosopher King”, statecraft & administration based on Ethics & Morality Indian Constitution- “welfare state”- safeguarding FRs and Liberty of citizens + Constitutional morality as CJI Ramanna said.
2nd ARC- foundational values of Civil Service.
When morality is separated from administraion there is destruction of civilization. For instance fall of Roman Empire.
To infuse animal spirit and to separate moral crisis led to several crisis– egs 2008 GFC, scams.

This is not an exhaustive list but just a basic illustration. Aspirants should prepare a list either in soft-copy or hard-copy for every GS papers.

In the end I would like to remind all of you that, there is no substitute to hard- work. In the entire journey of UPSC, you might face several challenges like financial difficulties, family obligations, setbacks but you must understand that these brick walls are necessary to remind you why have you started in the first place. Challenges and setbacks makes you humble and you get to stay your foot on the ground by constantly reminding yourselves of the long journey that you have come.

I never topped my 10th or 12th Exam. I was not born in a metro city. I never had a father to look up as a role model.

I only learnt one thing- the will to persevere and to be courageous not from any great or a famous personality but my from my widow mother who has been silently waiting for years to see her shine and make her proud. That’s all that matters to her.

To conclude, I would like to quote few lines to show my gratitude:

In a distant land, where courage blooms,

Resides a mother, resilient amidst life’s glooms

With unwavering strength and a heart so bold

She perseveres, a story waiting to be told

Her sacrifices, countless, often unseen,

For her children’s dreams!

Lastly I want to remind all aspirants that, “mehnat karne wale logon ki haar nahi hoti” (as the saying in Hindi goes). Being on the other side today, I can say that every effort, every ounce of energy of you put in during your youth is worth the fight.

Keep fighting, keep your spirits high, and never let anyone question your efforts and dreams, not even yourself!

Lastly, I want to remind all aspirants that “mehnat karne wale logon ki haar nahi hoti” (as the saying goes in Hindi). Being on the other side today, I can say that every effort, every ounce of energy you put in during your youth is worth the fight.

P.S-

As I have no plans to create my own Telegram channel, I have shared my notes in one of my friend’s Telegram channel (Ishan Sinha, AIR 234)

You are welcome to utilize them for your own needs. Also, if you have further doubts and queries, you can follow my Instagram handle for exam related updates and beyond! All the best everyone!

CSE-22 Topper Strategies:

1) Dwij Goel AIR-71 Journey & GS-2 124 Marks & His Anthropology Strategy 315 Marks

2) Gautam Vivekanandan AIR-211 Essay Topper 149 Marks

3) Khushboo Oberoi AIR-139 Prelims, Ethics & Public Administration 294 Marks

4) Aaditya Sharma AIR-70 Prelims, Mains & Medical Science

5) Abhishek Dawachya AIR-610 Prelims, Mains (GS-1 Topper) & Sociology

6) Avinash Kumar AIR-17 Philosophy Topper 319 Marks

7) Virendra Kumar Meena AIR-883 Hindi Medium Cleared Prelims Thrice

8) Jatin Jain AIR-91 Prelims, Mains & Sociology

9) Kasturi Panda AIR-67 Prelims, Mains & Interview

10) Laxmipriya Upadhyaya AIR-176 Prelims, Mains & Agriculture

11) Nidhi Goyal AIR-202 GS-3 Topper 107 Marks