Hi everyone. My name is MD Asim Mujteba. I am a BE Chemical Engineer and a Resident of City of Whispering Monuments- Bidar in Karnataka. In 2023, I qualified for CSE for the 2nd time. Earlier in CSE 2022 I cleared the exam and could secure IRMS. In CSE 2023 I improved my Rank to 481 and expecting Indian Police Service.
My journey has been sinusoidal. I couldn’t clear Prelims in my first three attempts. Later, I realised my mistake and worked upon the loopholes along with simultaneously working for mains. Thus, In my 4th attempt, I could clear UPSC Prelims, Mains and Interview in one go and secured IRMS. Again, in 5th attempt, I took a jump in my ranking by securing Rank 481.
Learning from my Mistakes- Initial 3 attempts I could clear GS with forest cutoff. But I couldn’t clear CSAT. I realised it late, but I worked on it and cleared CSAT and GS both in consecutive 4th and 5th attempts.
In my opinion, once the graduation is completed, one can look for Civil services as a career opportunity among various career prospects.
One can start with basics like Newspapers and NCERT’s along with informative debates like RSTV. This is integrated for prelims and mains. Meanwhile, for mains, one must also be clear about what Optional they want to pursue in order to get an edge in the exam process.
Regarding coaching – I was lucky enough to have good guidance from my friends. So I did not feel a need to take coaching. Coaching is not mandatory. Most of the content is available on internet and smart use of the internet can keep you in the race.
Timetable
Consistency and Discipline is the key for any success. This has worked for me. I was an early-bird and used to start my early mornings with newspapers. Later on, I used to plan what to study for the whole day. I used to keep an hour window of revision at the end of the day. Yet, timetable is very personal in nature and one must prepare in according to one’s maximum efficiency.
Preparation with Job
I had worked for 2 years post my graduation and had initially prepared for CSE while doing job. I believe, job is not a major hindrance. One can manage preparation even while working if proper planning and targetted approach along with time management could be done.
Prelims Booklist
Polity: 11th and 12th NCERTs + Laxmikanth+ explained section of Indian express/the Hindu
Economy: Mrunal sir notes+ economy editorials/explained section in the Hindu/Indian express
As CSAT has been the game changer, a proper strategy is must for CSAT. CSAT has 2 parts- Comprehension and REASONING/QUANT.
Comprehension can be improved by regular newspaper reading which will improve comprehension aptitude significantly and also practicing PYQs passages to get familiarize with CSAT exam pattern.
For Reasoning/quant, Youtube videos for Sective areas like Percentages, ratios, syllogism, clocks along with practice of questions on respective topics can help in improving Quant Aptitude. Regular test series can make a big difference .
Note Making or Not
In my opinion, notes making is an important part of the whole process. It helps in consolidation of content, making it crisp for easy revision along with easy to reproduce in exam as through Pictographic memory. I strongly suggest making notes. But they must be crisp and easy to read atleast to yourself. Yet, it is not an essential precondition as many of my friends has also cleared without making any notes.
Role of PYQs in Prelims-Mains
It is the most important part of the whole process as it guides you in right direction. PYQ’s are important not just for prelims and mains, but also for interviews (Transcripts). They helps us in understanding WHAT UPSC is focussing upon and which topics can be read in depth. For instance, Buddhism and Jainism, Parliament, President etc. Also, most of the themes get repeated in prelims and mains. So one must analyse PYQ and go through PYQ thoroughly.
Revision Strategy
For prelims, focus on static like history, polity, economy with supplementing it with current affairs. Pyq must always be a guiding torch.
Revision of the whole syllabus must be done atleast 3 times before the prelims . This is a very important thing .
For mains, topic wise notes must be prepared . Then multiple times reading and revision of the topic along with doing of regular answer writing so that we are able to apply our knowledge and improve our Analytical ability .
How to Attempt Prelims?
Before Exam
Prelims is the most important pillar as it can take you in or keep you out of the cycle for the whole year. Prelims require confidence. – – – This can be done by completing of the whole syllabus and doing atleast 3 revisions. Also test series with PYQ will improve the application part.
On the Day of Exam
UPSC is all about confidence and Emotional intelligence. I understood this and I used to ensure that I was confident while entering the exam hall irrespective of preperation.
Also while attempting the paper, I took multiple rounds to finish paper, and ensure first round involved those questions I am 100% sure of. Then in subsequent rounds, I used to find questions in which I can eliminate options to come to an answer.
There are always some questions, which even the most prepared candidate doesn’t know. One must find such questions and use emotional intelligence to either do smart guessing or leaving them. This depends on the levelband nature of fact.
How and Which Tests to Practice
Any test series is equally good. The most important part is analysis. So after giving test, one must do analysis of right and wrong marked questions to make use the most of the test series.
Answer Writing Strategy
Writing answer on daily basis, can help us get Structured answers along with improving the content. I used to do Peer learning and peer reviewing which further enhance my answer quality.
In a nutshell, my journey has been full of learning, self discovery and growth. It would have not been possible without the support of my family and friends. Where my parents and brothers were the backbone during the long process, my friends like Nadeem bhai (IPS), Haaris Sumair (IAS) and Ghulam Mayadeen (IPS) and all other friends who have been the guiding torch in my success to which I am thankful to one and all.
Also, I had added most of the important things above. Yet, UPSC preparation is a personalised one for each individual. So anyone having any doubt, they can feel free to connect to me on my Instagram – asim_mujteba_ips . I would be happy to help.
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