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MrunalUPSCTopperAmanSamirRank245:Samastipur,IITR,ISRO

Mrunalhttp://mrunal.org

[ToppersInterview]AmanSamir(AIR245/CSE2014)
Samastipur,IITR,ISROScientist,GeographyOptional
PostedByMrunalOn05/08/2015@8:30amInmotivation|15Comments
1. CandidateProfile
2. Education
3. Introduction
4. ElectronicVsPapermaterial
5. Tempoandstyle
6. StruggleofaSeniorplayer
7. Workingprofessional
8. Prelims(CSAT)Generalstudies
9. Prelims(CSAT)Aptitude
10. Prelimaccuracy
11. Mains:Compulsorylanguagepaper
12. Mains:Essay
13. GeneralStudies(Mains)paper1
14. Generalstudies(Mains)paper2
15. Generalstudies(Mains)Paper3
16. GeneralStudies4:Ethics,Integrity,aptitude
17. GS4EthicscasestudyanswersinMains2014
18. Mainsanswerwriting?
19. MainsOptional:Geography
20. Beforetheinterview
21. Duringtheinterview
22. CSE2014Marksheet
23. ViewsonUPSCreforms
24. Insecurityaboutprofile
25. Wisdom
26. Credit:Friends/family
27. BOGUSMarketingPropaganda

CandidateProfile

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Q.

Details

Name

AmanSamir

RankinCSE
2014

245

RollNo.

094863

Age

28Years

Totalattempts
inCSE
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(includingthis
one)

3rd(Third)

Optional
Subject

Geography

Schooling
Medium

Hindi(Till8th),English(9thOnwards)

Collegemedium English
Mediumchosen
forMains
English
answers
Mediumchosen
English
forInterview
Hometown/city Dalsinghsarai,Samastipur,Bihar
Work
experienceif
any

5+YearsRelianceIndustriesLimited(Manager,1Year4Months)ISRO
(Scientist,~4Years)

Detailsofother
competitive
exams,
including
success/failures
Detailsof
coaching,mock
tests,postal
materialfor
anycompetitive
exam(ifused)

SinceIwasPreparingwithJob,Propercoachingwasnotfeasibleforme.
BasicguidelinesaboutpreparationstrategyIgotfromKeralaStateCivil
ServicesAcademy,Trivandrum.However,ForMainsPreparation,Icameto
DelhiinAugust2014andJoinedSynergyforMainsTestseriesbutcould
giveonly5tests.Overall,MypreparationwasmostlybySelfStudy.

Service
preferences
(Top5)

IASIPSIFSIRS(IT)IRS(C&E)

statecadre
preference
(Top5)

BiharJharkhandMPRajsthanAGMUT

Education
fillthedetailshere
%inclass10

84(CBSE)

%inclass12

79(BIEC)

Graduationcourseand%

B.Tech8.18/10

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Nameofcollege,city,passing
outyear

IITRoorkee

Postgraduation

None

Anyotherprofessionalcourses None
Hobbies&Extracurricular
achievements

HindiPoemWriting,Teaching,PlayingCrickets,Cooking
(asMentionedinDAF)

Introduction
Q.Tellussomethingaboutyourself,yourfamily,whenandwhydidyouenterinthisfieldof
competitiveexams?
HelloAll,IbelongtoGadobazidpurvillageinSamastipurDistrictofBihar.Didmyschoolingupto
8thclassfromGovtmiddleschoolinmyvillageinHindiMediumandthereafterexperimented
withEnglishMedium(tochallengesomethatIcandowellinEnglishmediumschoolalsoJ)
schoolinnearbytownDalsinghsarai.Ihavedonemygraduation(B.tech)inMetallurgicaland
MaterialsEngineeringfromIITRoorkee.MyFatherisaretiredschoolteacherandMotherisa
homemaker.Weare2brothersand3Sisters.
Though,PreparationwasinmindduringlastyearofgraduationbutdidmaterializeonlyinJanuary
2012(Atthattime,IwasworkingasScientistinISRO).IwashavingagoodcareerasScientistin
ISRObutIfeltthatIcancontributemoretothesocietyasIASofficerthanbeingaScientist.The
reasonbeingmyinclinationtoworkwithpeople,understandtheirproblemsandhelpthemwith
bestofmyabilityratherthanbeingengrossedinslightlyonedimensionalworkasascientist
(Havingsaidthis,Iaminnowaydemeaningthecontributionofscientists.Itisjustmypersonal
beliefaboutmyselfonly)

ElectronicVsPapermaterial
Q.Inrecenttimes,thereisspurinelectronicmaterialblogs,sites,pdfs,RSSfeeds.Many
aspirantsfeelboggeddownbythisinformationoverload.So,howmuchdoyourelyon
electronicmaterialandhowmuchonthepapermaterial(Books,newspapers)?Ifpossible
narrateatypicaldayinyourstudylife.Whatisyourstyleofpreparation(e.g.Icontinue
makingnotesnomatterwhatImreading,Ijustreadmultipletimesbutdontmaintain
notes,Imakemindmapsoncomputerorxyzstyle)
IthinkUPSCisallaboutdoingsmartstudyandknowingyourstrengthandweakness.And
electronicmaterialsdohelp.Sometimesinternethelptoreadbetweenthelines.However,People
needtobejudiciousinselectionofelectronicmaterialsastheymaygetconfuseandlosetheir
precioustime.
Ireliedonstandardpapermaterialavailable.However,formyoptionalandGS,Ibrowsedtopic
wisetogetclarityandformypersonalitytestIwasregularvisitorofRajyasabhaTVonYoutube.
BesidesthatIbrowsedregularlyPIB,IDSA.EvenIusedFacebookasnewsfeedbylikingvarious
newspaperpages(butFacebookmaybedistractivetosome!)
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Becauseofpaucityoftime,Ihavenotmadenotes.Ipreferredunderling,markingandwritingin
Bookitself.However,IdidnoteregularlytheimportanttopicsofTheHinduNewspaperforGS
preparationwhichIdidseparatelywiththehelpofInternet.WhilereadingNewspaperIwas
conscioustoutilizetherelevantnewsorcasestudiesinmyanswers.SoIwouldadvisepeopleto
makeuseofnewspaperstomaketheiranswermorerelevant(Ithinkwritingcurrentthemescan
giveyouaddedadvantageinoptionalalso)

Tempoandstyle
Q.Peopleknowwhatbooksandsyllabuspointsaretobeprepared.Butmostofthemlack
consistencyintheirpreparation.So,howdoyoukeepstudymomentumgoingon?Howdo
youfightagainstthemoodswingsanddistractions?
Tomaintainmomentum,thebasicthingwhichIfollowedwasnevertoskipNewspaperReading.
Barringfewoccasions,IwasregularwithNewspapers.Besidesthat,Iusedtowritepoemstofight
againstmoodswingsanddistractions.

StruggleofaSeniorplayer
Q1.Howdidyousurvivethroughthismentalprisonandwhatreyourwordsofwisdomto
otherseniorplayers?Ifanyspecificinspirationalincident(s),pleaseshare.
Iwaspreparingwithajobandhencetherewasverylessanxietyorstress.IjustdidwhatIcanwith
timeavailable.OneadviceIwouldliketogiveisthatCivilServicesPreparationisnottheultimate
thinginlifeandhencehavealittlecarefreeattitudetowardsoutcome(Expectationdokillyour
efficiency).Sojustgiveyourbestandtrytoreflecton:areyoudoingenough?Ifyourmethodis
notworkingthenthinkaboutitandmakenecessarycorrectionsratherthanventingfrustrationson
godorluck.Forseniorplayers,Iwouldadvisethemtomeetthefreshaspirants,discusswiththem
togetrequiredfreshair.
Q2.Whatwentwronginyourpreviousattempt?Whatchangesdidyoumakeinthiscurrent
attempt?
Attempt WhatwentWrong

1st
(CSE
2012)

ThoughIclearedprelimsbutcould
notclearmainsbecauseoflackof
preparation.Icouldnotfinishhalfof
Geographysyllabusandcouldread
onlyoncefadiaandfadiaforPublic
administration.ForGeneralstudies,I
preparedonlyfrompapers.(Even,I
couldnotcompletehistorybookby
BipinChandra).However,Mymarks
werepromising:Geography211/600,
PubAd131/600(butcheringyearJ),
GS~190/600andEssay~87/200

Correctiondone/required
IdroppedPublicadministrationasIhadgood
marksingeography.Itriedtocompletethe
syllabusofgeographyandGSbylookingat
topics.Thisgavemesomecoherencewith
timeavailable.However,Manyweaklinks
stillremained:Icouldnotcompletegeography
Syllabus,Worldhistorynotdone,ethics
somehowmanagedandmanytopicsofGS
untouched.

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2nd
(CSE
2013)

WithallmissingLinks,becauseof
answerwriting(Ibelieve),Iwas
calledforinterview.MyMains
Markswere:Essay120/250,
Geography181(72+109)/500,
GS~295(61+62+85+87)/500.Ithink
Iwrotegeographywellbutmarksdid
notreflect.OnereasonIcould
analyzewasthatIbluffedin~2
geographicalperspectivequestions
(incompulsoryquestions).Secondly
inGS,Historyremainmyweaklink
(left7questionsoutof25)andI
couldnotdojusticetocasestudiesin
Ethics.Ididnotpreparewellfor
InterviewthinkingthatUPSC
interviewwouldbelikeanyother
andhencereflectedinmarks
(143/275KilemsunglamamBoard)
andmissedthelist

IrevisitedtheGeographysyllabuswithmore
emphasisonconceptualpartandlookingthe
thingsfromthepointofviewofgeographer.I
triedtocreatelinkagebetweenvarioustopics
whilereading.ItriedtofocusonHistorybutI
supposehistoryisnotmycupoftea(Icould
notcreateenoughinterest).Whileanswering,I
triedtofocusonqualityratherthanquantity.
ForCSE2014mains,Ididnothavemuch
writingpracticebut5synergytestthatIgave,
Itriedtoinnovateduringtestandnevertried
tocompletethepaper(Mymarkswereinthe
rangeof5060J).ForGeographyTest,Idid
notliketheShabbirSirway(Firstclassand
thenTestbasedondiscussedquestions)and
gaveonly2testbecauseIfeltinthese2testI
waswritinghislanguageandmethods(Iam
littleparticularaboutmyoriginalanswers)

3rd
(CSE
2014)

AIR245NotsogoodGSmarks:
337(81+80+85+91).Reasonbeingin
GS1,Iagainleft6questions(15
numberscouldhavebeenincreased)
andinGS4,inmanyanswers,I
couldnotprovideenoughcontent
e.g.multidimensionalanalysisofa
case,quotingphilosopheretc.My
answersweresimple.Average
InterviewMarks(168/275)

Forthebenefitofaspirants,Iwouldtoshare
takingsfromthisattempt.Icouldnotprepare
GSthoroughly.Especially,inmyviewGS4
needsgoodamountofanalysisinanswers(So
prepareaccordingly).Whilefacinginterview,I
forgotsomewordsandbecauseofthatIfelt
lowwhichmighthavebeennoticedonmy
face.Soevenifyouforgetsomewords,One
cangoaheadconfidentlyevenbyusingHindi
words.

Workingprofessional
Ifyoureaworkingprofessional,sharesometipsonhowtomanagestudieswithjob
ItisalwaysachallengetomanagetimewithJob.However,ifoneisstrictwiththeschedule,even
34hoursoftimeinweekdayscangetyoualonginpreparationandaveragetimecanbeenhanced
bydevotingmoretimeonweekends.Myofficebususedtotakearound45minutestoofficeandI
developedthehabitofreadingNewspaperinbus(thoughsomepressureoneyeJ).Inthisway,
withleisuretimeinoffice,IcouldfinishmyNewspaper.Otherthanthat,doingYogaafter
returningfromJobalsohelpedmetostudytillaround1am.Mostimportantly,if23working
professionalsarepreparingaroundyou,loadofpreparationoftopicscanbeshared.
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Prelims(CSAT)Generalstudies
Topic

strategy/booklist/comment

HistoryAncient

NCERT

HistoryMedieval

NCERT

HistoryModern(Freedom
Struggle)

NCERT+Spectrum

Cultureandsociety

NCERT

Polity(theory+current)

Laxmikanth

Economy(theory+current)

NCERT

Science(theory+current)

NCERT+Newspapers

Environment(theory+current)

EnvironmetalScience11&12ofCBSE+Internet
Search+Newspapers

geographyphysical

NCERT+CheongLeong

geographyIndia

NCERT

geographyworld

NCERToldEdition

othernational/international
currentaffairs

TheHindu

Schemes,Policy&FillerStuff

GovtMinistriesWebsite

Q.Anyobservation/comments/tipsaboutGSprelim2014paper?
Focusoneliminationmethod.Manystatementscanbeeasilyeliminatedwithlogicalthinking
Q.inGSPrelims2014,therewasunusualquestionsfromenvironmentandagriculture
portion.Ifyouweretogivetheattemptagainin2015,whatnewstrategy/books/sources
wouldyoufocus?
Iwouldtrytofocusonthebasicconceptsbecausemanyquestionsrelatingtoenvironmentsare
relatedtobasicconcepts.However,muchtimeshouldnotbewastedonunusualtopicsasprelims
shouldbelookedfromthequalifyingpointofviewandfocusingontraditionaltopiccanfetchyou
enoughmarkstoclearprelims.
Q.NowthatAptitudepaperhasbecomequalifying,obviousmoreattentionneedstobepaid
ontheGSpapersoapartfromthebooksthatyoualreadyhavegonethrough,whatelse
wouldyouhavetriedforCSE2015(ifyouweregoingtoappear)?
Iwouldgoforregularrevisionofwhateverstudiedtominimizethenegativemarks

Prelims(CSAT)Aptitude
Topic

strategy/booklist

Maths

RSAgarwal

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reasoning

RSAgarwal

comprehension

RSAgarwal

DecisionMaking Discussionwithfriends
Q.Anyobservation/comments/tipsaboutGSAptitude2014paper.
Oneshouldfocusonincreasingtheaccuracythanattemptingmorethan80questions.Thisis
because,toget100marks,youneedonly50correctanswers

Prelimaccuracy
Q1.Didyouattendanymocktests?doyouthinktheyrenecessaryforsuccess?
Ididnotattendmocktests.However,Mocktestsmayhelpyoubecomeregularwithstudiesand
mayhelpyoucoversyllabus.Butitshouldbeindividualchoicebecauselessmarksinmocktests
mayleadtolowconfidence.
Q2.Approximateno.ofattemptedanswersvs.correctanswers.inCSAT2014
Idontrememberexactly.ButattemptinGS1wasaround68andInCSATwasaround64.
Q3.Yourscoreinprelim(whenUPSCuploadsitpleasemailmeyourscore)
GS1:100
CSAT:~108

Mains:Compulsorylanguagepaper
Compulsorylanguagepaper Yourpreparationstrategy/booklist?
Englishpaper

NotPrepared

yourregionallanguage

NotPrepared

Q2.otherobservations/tips/commentsonthelength/difficultylevelofcompulsory
languagepapersinCSE2014
InbothCompulsorypaper,oneshouldfocusonEssaywriting.Takeyourtime,useappropriate
wordstowritegoodessay.Secondly,oneshouldtrytocompletethepaper.

Mains:Essay
Q1.Howdidyoupreparefortheessaypaper?
Ineverpreparedforessaywritings.However,mypoemwritingandblogginghelpedmealotin
lookingforvariousdimensionsandmakingthoughtsynchronous.
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Q2.WhichtwoessaysdidyouwriteandWhatkeypointsdidyouincludeinit?
1. CompetitionamongYouth
2. Tourism

GeneralStudies(Mains)paper1
Topic

Howdidyouprepare?

culture

NCERT+http://ccrtindia.gov.in/

Indianhistory

Spectrum

worldhistory

NCERT+SynergyClassnotes

postindependenceIndia

NCERT

Indiansociety

NCERT

roleofwomen,povertyetc.

DiscussionwithFriends

globalizationonIndiansociety

NCERT

communalism,regionalism,secularism NCERT
worldgeophysical

NCERToldeditions

resourcedistribution

Notprepared

factorsforindustriallocation

EconomicgeographyKSidhhartha

earthquaketsunamietc

NCERT

impactonflorafauna

SavinderSingh

Generalstudies(Mains)paper2
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

IndianConstitution,devolution,disputeredressaletc. MLaxmikant
comparingConstitutionwithworld

MLaxmikant

parliament,stateLegislatures

MLaxmikant

executivejudiciary

MLaxmikant

ministriesdepartments

Notprepared

pressuregroup,informalasso.

VisionIASnotes

Representationofpeoplesact

VisionIASnotes

variousbodies:Constitutional,statutory..

VisionIASnotes

NGO,SHGetc

VisionIASnotes

welfareschemes,bodies

GovtWebsites/VisionIASnotes

socialsector,health,edu,HRD

GovtWebsites

governance,transparency,accountability

VisionIASnotes

egovernance

Randomarticles

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roleofcivilservice

VisionIASnotes

India&neighbors

Newspapers/IDSA

bilateral/globalgrouping

Newspapers/IDSA

effectofforeigncountrypoliciesonIndianinterest

Newspapers/IDSA

diaspora

Newspapers/IDSA

internationalbodiesstructuremandate

Wikipedia

Generalstudies(Mains)Paper3
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

Indianeconomy,resourcemobilization

Newspapers/Randomarticles

inclusivegrowth

Newspapers/Randomarticles

budgeting

IGNOUNotes

majorcrops,irrigation

Khullar

agroproducestorage,marketing

VisionIASnotes

etechnologyforfamers

Randomarticles

farmsubsidies,MSP

VisionIASnotes

PDS,buffer,foodsecurity

VisionIASnotes

technologymission

Notprepared

animalrearingeconomics

Internetsearch

foodprocessing

Ministrywebsite

landreforms

MajidHussain

liberalization

Randomarticles

infra

Khullar

investmentmodels

NotPrepared

sciencetechdaytodaylife

Newsapers/VisionIAS

Indianachievementsinscitech

Newsapers/VisionIAS

awarenessinIT,space,biotech,nano,IPR

Newsapers/VisionIAS

environmentalimpactassessment

MinistryWebsite

DisasterManagement

OnearticleonPRS

nonstateactors,internalsecurity

TMHbookonSecurity

internalsecurityroleofmedia,socialnetworkingsite TMHbookonSecurity
cybersecurity

TMHbookonSecurity

moneylaundering

TMHbookonSecurity

borderManagement

TMHbookonSecurity

organizedcrime,terrorism

TMHbookonSecurity

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securityagenciesstructuremandate

TMHbookonSecurity

GeneralStudies4:Ethics,Integrity,aptitude
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

ethicsandinterface,
family,societyand
allthehathodaa
topics

MypreparationwasbasedonsearchingonInternet.ForExampleBBC
chaptersonEthics,AnapproachtoethicsbyDr.VVivekanandan,IRS
etc.ForFewTopics,IdidrefertomaterialsbyVisionIAS.
BesidesSwamiVivekananda,Ididnotprepareonanyotherthinker

attitude,moral
influenceetc.
civilservice:
integrity,impartiality,
tolerancetoweaketc
emotional
intelligence,itsusein
governance
moralthinkersof
Indiaandworld
ethicsinpub.ad,
accountability,laws,
rulesetc.
corporategovernance
probityin
governance,work
culture
citizencharter,ethics
code,workculture
etc.
challengesof
corruption
casestudiesonabove
topics

GS4EthicscasestudyanswersinMains2014
Q.inGS4ethicspapers,pleasegiveasketchyoverviewofyourcasestudyanswers:
case
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yourapproach/
keypoints
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case1:yourfriendpreparingUPSC
case2:RameshwartheuptightUPSCtopper.
case3:nobribenocontract.
case4:corruptsubordinatesfilebogusrapecomplaintagainstyou.
intheremainingbolbachchantypequestions(e.g.whyethicsimportant,
whyprobitydifficultetc).

Mainsanswerwriting?
Pleasetellushowmanymarksworthattemptdidyougive?alongwithcommentsifany,inthe
followingcells:
Paper

Bestattempted Averagequality namesakeanswer Totalattempt

GS1

190

GS2

250

GS3

250

GS4

230

OptP1

250

OptP2

250

ItriedtoanswerquestionswhichIfeltconfidentabout.Itriedtoavoidbluffing.However,thereis
differencebetweenbluffingandlogicalassumption.Iwouldcertainlyvouchforlogical
assumption.Idontunderstandthefillerlineormakingupananswer.Ibelieveyouranswerwould
bethenarepetitionandyouwouldbewastingyourtime.ManyquestionsIhavefinishedinabout
100words.Despiteleaving6questions,myGS1markis81.SoformeanytimeQualitymatters.
Quantityshouldnotbeirritatingtoexaminers.
Q.Howwasyourexperiencewiththefixedspaceanswersheet?
Iwritecompactly.Sonoissue.
Q.Didyouwriteanswersinbulletpointsorinparagraphs?Someplayers(whocleared
mainsandgotinterviewcallletter)wereclaimingthattheywroteentirepaperinbullet
points,soitdoesntmatter.whetherexaminerisaskingexamine,comment,discussor
xyz.simplywriteinbulletsandpoints.
Itwasboth.Forexample,therewasaquestiononmarinepollutioningeography.Iwrotethis
questioninbulletpoints.ManypersonhaveraisedthisbulletvsparagraphdebateandIthinkthis
isoverhyped.Theonlyconcernformeisthatyouranswershouldbeeasilyreadableand
comprehensible.Peopleshouldknowtheirstrengthi.ehowtheycanexpresswell?Andalittlebit
oftweakingcanbedonetomakeanswermoreeffective.
Q.Didyoufollowtheintroductionbodyconclusionformat?becausesomemainsqualified
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candidatesclaimtheysimplywrotethepointstheycouldrecallwithinthetime,insteadof
botheringwithproperintroductionandconclusion.
Notinallquestions.Butmanyquestionsdemandcriticalanalysisorexamination,thereIfollowed
IBCformat.
Q5.Didyouusehighlighters/sketchpensinyouranswers?
IhighlightedsomeandinrushofwritingforgottohighlightJ
Q6.Didyoudrawanydiagraminanypaper?(e.g.inGS1Geography)
YesinOptional(Geography)only
Q7.Ifyes,Didyoudrawdiagramswithpencilorpen?
Penonly
Q8.Didyouuserulertodrawthelinesindiagram?Ordidyoujustmakeitbyhand?
Madebyhand
Q9.Youwrotetheanswerinbluepenorblackpen?
BlackPen(IwroteeveryexaminblackonlyJ)
(Mrunalsincereaderskeepmailingsuchqueries,thereforeImaskingthetoppertoclearallthe
airhaha.)

MainsOptional:Geography
Q.Whatsyouroptionalsubjectandwhydidyouchoseitandnotsomethingelse?
Geography.InitiallyIwantedtotakePhysicsbutmanagingPhysicswithjobwasatedioustask.
Since,Geographypaper1isbittechnicalandgeographyhaveaddedadvantageinGS1,GS3and
Essay.AndIsincerelythankmyfriendNarendraKumarGangwarforbringingoutpositivesof
GeographyandforadvisingmetooptGeography
Q.Ifanewplayerwantstopickthissubject,wouldyouadviceforitoragainstit?(e.g.every
seniorplayerinPublicAdministrationseemstobeadvisingagainstpub.ad)
Iwouldcertainlyadviceforit.
Q.Firsttheessentialbook/resourcelist.(AlsomentionwhichoneistheBasebookfor
coveringthetheory?+Whatevercommentsyouveforaparticularbooke.g.myseniors
saidreadxyzbookbutIfoundthatABCbookwasbetter.xyztopicnotgivenproperlyin
thisbook,sopreparefromxyzwebsiteorbookORandsoon.)
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Readerscanvisitthis(BecauseIwouldnotliketorepeatsimilarthings.OnlythingIwouldliketo
shareisIhavenotreadfromanyteachersnote.Allmyresourceshadbeenreferencebooks(Ibuy
bookmindlesslyJ)
http://mrunal.org/2012/05/strategygeographymainsbookliststudy.html
Q.Howmuchofinternetresearch/currentaffairsisnecessaryforthisoptional?ORcanone
simplyrelyonthebooksandbedonewiththissubject?
Internetsearchcanbedonetogetbetterclarityi.ewithrespecttogettingbetterpictures,watching
videosetc.Forexample,forunderstandingCoriolisforce,onecanwatchvideosorreadwell
explainedarticles
Q.Howmanymonthsdidittaketofinishthecoreoptionalsyllabus?
~4monthswouldbesufficientbutregularrevisionisrequiredtofinishthesyllabusinshorttime
afterprelims.
Q.Howmanydays/weeksbeforetheexam,youstartedanswerwritingpractice?
ThoughIdidnotwritemuch.However,besttimewouldbeafterprelimsresult
Q.Doyoumaintainselfnotesforrevisionofoptional?Inwhichformatelectronicorpaper?
Noselfnotes.Imarkedinbooksonlyandreviseddirectlyfrombook
Q.Yourobservationaboutthedifficultlylevelof2014mainsvspreviouspapers.Andwhat
precautions/rectificationsarenecessaryinthefuturestrategyforgivenoptionalsubject?
ThisyearGeographyPaper1waseasierthanthatoflastyearbutPaper2requiredmoreanalysis
thanlastyear

Beforetheinterview
Q1.Howdidyoupreparefortheinterview?forcollegegrad,hobbies,placeoforigin,
currentaffairsatnationalandinternationallevel?
ForeachandeverywordmentionedinDAF,Itriedtogatherinformationandmaintainedadiary.I
discussedDAFwithmyfriends(ThankstoRahul,Amit,Jwala).Iwasregularwith3Newspapers
(Hindu,IEandMint)andInthelast10daysday,TOIwasalsointhelist.
Q2.Didyouattendanymockinterviewsbycoachingclasses?Howweretheysimilar/
differentthanofficialinterview?Doyoubelieveitisnecessarytoattendsuchmock
interviews?
Iattendedfewmocks.Theyaredifferentfromtheofficialmocksinthesensethatanxietylevelof
candidatesandexpectationofboardmembersaredifferentinofficialvsmock.However,Ibelieve
oneshouldattendmocktoknowonesstrengthandweakness.
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Q3.Describetheformaldresswornbyyouininterview.
Lacedblackshoe+LightblueShirt,DarkBlueTiewithSuit

Duringtheinterview
Q1.Whowasthechairmanofyouinterviewboard?
DavidR.Syiemlieh
Q2.Howlongwastheinterview?
35mins
Q3.Whydoyouwanttojoincivilservice?Whydontyoucontinueinyourgraduationfield?
Socialservicecanbedonefromprivatesectortoo.[SinceIdontknowwhethertheyaskyou
thisquestionornot.Butiftheyhadaskedwhatwillbeyourreply?]
Ihavegivenanswerinintroductionitself
Q4.Pleasenarrateyourentireinterviewwhatquestionsdidtheyaskandwhatdidyoureply
andotherpleasantoruncomfortableexperiencesduringtheinterview.(Earliersometoppers
onlytellmetheirquestionbutnottheiranswer.IwouldappreciateifyougivebothQuestion
+youroriginalanswers)
MyInterviewwashighlytechnical:RelatedtoSpaceScience,RelatedtoMyworkatISRO,GPS,
IRNSS,CryogenicEngines,GSLVvsOthernationvehicles,Darksideofmoon,Bionics,
Nanomaterialsanditsmedicalapplications,Efficiencyofphotovoltaiccell,ComparisonofSolar
thermalvsPhotovoltaic,Artificialintelligence,Biomaterialsetc.Thereisnouseofwritingmy
answersasreaderscangoogleandfindcorrectanswers.
Q5.Wasyourinterviewontheexpectedlinesofwhatyouhadpreparedordidtheyaskyou
totallyunexpectedquestions?Wasitastressinterview,didtheyaskanyuncomfortable
questions?Ifyes,howdidyouhandleit?
Onexpectedlinesbarringfewquestionsbuttheywentfarintechnicalsense.Itwasvery
comfortableandinteractiveboard.
Q6.Anysidedetailsabouttechnicalitieslikemakesureyoubringxyzdocumentordoxyz
thing,oryoullfaceproblem?
Justfollowtheinstructions.Evenifyoumiss,UPSCgiveenoughtime
Q7.Anywordofwisdom/observationsaboutmedicalcheckup?
DuringInterviewPreparationphase,maintainagoodBMIandhealthtoavoidmedical
reassessment.
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CSE2014Marksheet
Q1.Pleaseattachbothprelimandfinalmarksheet.(whenitcomes)
Prelims:
GS

100

CSAT 108
FinalMarksheet:
Essay

133

GS1

81

GS2

80

GS3

85

GS4

91

Geography 291(135+156)
Interview

168

Q2.Afterlookingatthemarksheet,supposeyouhadtoprepareagainnexttime,what
changeswillyoumakeinyourstudies?
IwouldtrytoimproveGS1andGS4

ViewsonUPSCreforms
Q.Optionalsubjectsshouldberemovedaltogether.Thepresentstalemateishelpingnoone,
exceptcoachingowners,bookpublishers.
Yes,Optionalsubjectshouldberemoved.
Q.YourviewsonthedecisiontomakeCSATpaper33%qualifying?
Ithinkitisastepinbackwarddirection.BetterthingwouldhavebeenintroducingweightforGS
andCSATtohavemuchneededbalance(Peoplefromrural,artbackgrounddoclearPOexams)
Q.DespitewhatUPSChasdoneinrecentyears,ithasfailedtocurbthenuisanceofDelhis
coachingfactories.Infactitsincreasedunderthenewsyllabusin2014.Letsfaceit,most
candidateswhogaveMains2014havereliedon(authenticORXeroxed)coachingnotes
becausetherewashardlyanytimelefttopreparesomanytopicsinsuchshorttime.This
systemworkagainstanindividualpreparingfromfarawayarea,withoutanyfinancial
resources,highspeedinternetorcontactsinDelhi.
IagreebutwithUPSCquestionsmoreorientedtowardsopinionandanalysis,manydisadvantages
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canbeminimized.ButIbelievethatmanypeoplejoincoachingforfearoflosingraceandthatfear
isgoingtobenefitcoachingfactoriesalways.
Q.HalfmergerofIFoSwithCSEisabadmovebecauseithasraisedthecutoffsforplayers
whoresolelydedicatedtoIFoSonly(andnottoIAS/IPS).Addingsalttothewounds,many
whohadappliedforbothjobs,clearedtheprelimstheydidnotevenbothertoappearinall
thepapersofMainsIFoS.(atleastthatwasthescenein2013).
Thereshouldbechangeinthisarrangement.
Q.UPSCshoulddiscloseofficialprelimanswerkeyandcutoffs,immediatelyafterprelimis
over,insteadofpostponingittillinterviewphaseisover.
Agree
Q.UPSCshouldbeconductedonlinelikeIBPSandCATexamtoshortenthedurationof
exam.
Canbedone.
Q.IfyouaremadetheUPSCchairman,whatotherreformswouldyouinitiateforthecivil
serviceexam?
Idontknowitispossibleornotbutitisawish:WishasUPSCchairmanIcouldhelpsetethics
paperwhereinthemarksofacandidateandhisethicalvaluesaresynchronousbecausethisethics
filterisnotworkingproperlyJ

Insecurityaboutprofile
Q.Manycandidatespreparesincerelybutconstantlyliveunderfearaboutprofile
insecurity.Imnotfromabigcollege,ImnotfromEnglishmedium,andIdonthavework
experience.Whatiftheyasksomestressfulquestionsintheinterviewaboutthis?Didyou
sufferfromsuchinsecurities?Whatisyourmessagetothesecandidates?
UPSCisallaboutunderstandingtheneedofexaminationandexecutingyourplans.Andanybody
candoit.ItisnotarocketscienceandPeoplewhoqualifyaremereordinarycreatures.Sothere
shouldbenoinsecuritiesaboutanything.

Wisdom
Q.Throughthisstruggleandsuccess,whathaveyourlearned?Whatisthewisdomoflife
andcompetition?Whatisyourmessagetothenewaspirants?
OnlyadviceIwouldliketogiveisthattreatIASorotherjobsaremadetomakeyourlife
enjoyable,productive,enrichingandsatisfying.DontmakeIASyourlife.Justdoyoubestand
enjoythefailureandsuccessalike.Ibelievethatanypersondoinghisdutyhonestlyisworthmore
thanacorrupt,insensitive,arrogantofficers.
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Q.ManyhardworkingcandidateshavefailedinMains/InterviewofCSE2014.Theyre
feelingcynical,hopelessanddepressedwhatisyourmessagetothem?
Theflamevisibledeadfromhereisnotveryfar,
brotherwhyareyousittingtired,destinationisnotfar

Credit:Friends/family
Q.Behindeverytopperaremanypeoplewhostoodbyduringthoseuncertaintimeswhen
he/shewasmerelyanaspirant.Wouldyouliketotelltheworld,whowerethosepeoplein
yourcase?Anyspecificincidencethatyouwouldliketosharewiththereaders?
Whensuccesscomes,itsparkleswithhappinessandjoy.Butifwerememberthemomentswhen
thissuccesswasshaped,thehappinessandjoybecomesevensweeter.Andtherearemanywho
werethereformeduringmyformativeyearstoshapemysuccess.Thereasonformyexistence,
myparents,needspecialmentionbecausetheyhavereactedwithoutmuchemotiontomysuccess
andfailures.Besidesthatmybrother,my3sistershavealwaysbeenthereformeandtaughtmethe
meaningofwordSupportevenifyouarenotpenniless.Iwouldliketothankmydearandbrother
KumarRahasyamwhostoodbymeduringmystrugglesandwithoutwhommyIITdream
wouldhavebeenverydifficult.BigThankyoutomyfriendArvindKumarVermaforsowing
andnurturingtheseedofcivilservicesinmymindduringmygraduationdaysatIITRoorkee.
ThankstoNarendraKumarGangwarWestudiedtogether,infactstrengthenedIASdream
togetherandthankyouagainforsuggestinggeographytome.Specialthankstomydearfriend
Priyaforbelievinginmeandstandingbesideme.ThankyouAmit,Jwala,Rahulforyour
continuousencouragementandhavingfaithinme.ThankyouAbhishek(Yourcarreallymademy
interviewexperiencecomfortableJ).IKnowIhavemissedmanynamesBigthankstoyouallJ

BOGUSMarketingPropaganda
Q.Youarewellawareofthesacredrulethelastquestionmustbeaboutselfmarketing.So,
DidyouuseMrunal.orgforyourpreparationandifyes,howdidithelpyou?Andyoucaneven
replyNo.Illstillpublishyouranswerwithouttempering.
Iwasnotaregularreaderandinfact,Igottoknowaboutmrunal.orgverylateandwishIcould
haveknownearlier.However,IhaveusedMrunal.orgformyEnvironmentrelatedcurrentaffairs
andImustsaytheexplanationarelucid.
ArticleprintedfromMrunal:http://mrunal.org
URLtoarticle:http://mrunal.org/2015/08/upsctopperamansamir245samastipuriitisro
geography.html
Copyright2014Mrunal.Allrightsreserved.

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