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MrunalUPSCTopperPulkitGargRank490:ChemistryOptional

Mrunalhttp://mrunal.org

[ToppersInterview]PulkitGarg(AIR490/CSE2014)
ChemistryOptional,CivilEngg.fromDelhi
PostedByMrunalOn09/08/2015@4:00pmInmotivation|17Comments

CANDIDATEPROFILE
EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
ELECTRONICVSPAPERMATERIAL
PRELIMS(CSAT)GENERALSTUDIES
PRELIMS(CSAT)APTITUDE
PRELIMACCURACY
MAINS:COMPULSORYLANGUAGEPAPER
MAINS:ESSAY
GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER1
GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER2
GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER3
GENERALSTUDIES4:ETHICS,INTEGRITY,APTITUDE
GS4ETHICSCASESTUDYANSWERSINMAINS2014
MAINSANSWERWRITING?
MAINSOPTIONALSUBJECT
BEFORETHEINTERVIEW
DURINGTHEINTERVIEW
CSE2014MARKSHEET
CAREERBACKUP
VIEWSONUPSCREFORMS
INSECURITYABOUTPROFILE
WISDOM
CREDIT:FRIENDS/FAMILY
BOGUSMARKETINGPROPAGANDA

CANDIDATEPROFILE

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Q.

Details

Name

PulkitGarg

RankinCSE2014

490

RollNo.

423042

Age

22

TotalattemptsinCSE(includingthisone)

OptionalSubject

Chemistry

SchoolingMedium

English

Collegemedium

English

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MediumchosenforMainsanswers

English

MediumchosenforInterview

English

Hometown/city

Delhi

Workexperienceifany

No

Detailsofothercompetitiveexams,includingsuccess/failures Rank823,IITJEE2010
DIASChemistry
Detailsofcoaching,mocktests,postalmaterialforany
competitiveexam(ifused)

VisionIasTestSeriesPre
andMains
InterviewSamkalpand
Sriram
IFSIASIPSIRS(IT)

Servicepreferences(Top5)

IRS(C&CE)

statecadrepreference(Top5)

EDUCATION
fillthedetailshere
%inclass10

93%

%inclass12

93.6%

Graduationcourseand%

BTech,CivilEngineeringCGPA8.15

Nameofcollege,city,passingoutyear IITDelhi2014
Postgraduation

Anyotherprofessionalcourses

Hobbies&Extracurricularachievements

INTRODUCTION
Q.Tellussomethingaboutyourself,yourfamily,whenandwhydidyouenterinthis
fieldofcompetitiveexams?
Hi,IamPulkitGargandIhavedonemyB.Tech.inCivilEngineeringfromIITDelhi.
IhavebeenaresidentofDelhithroughoutasIhavedonemyschoolingaswellasgraduationfrom
here.Myfatherisabankerbyprofession.MymotherisaseniorlecturerofMathematics.
Duringmyearlycollegedays,Istartedintrospectingaboutwhatactuallyinterestsme.Whatisit
thatIwouldliketodothroughoutmylife?ItisthenIrealizedafewthingsaboutmyself.Icannot
dosomethingjustbecauseitpaysmewell.Ireallyneedtohavegenuineinterestinsomethingto
doitwithfullpassionandcommitment.Whilereadingnewspaperscasuallyduringthisperiod,I
realizedthatanythingrelatedtothedevelopmentandprestigeofIndiainvokedstrongemotionsin
me.IwasveryhappywheneverIreadaboutIndiasachievementsinthefieldofeconomicand
humandevelopment,wheneverweactedasagloballeaderandsetexampleforothernationsto
follow.Iexperiencedseethingangerandstrongurgetochangesituationswheneveritwasa
negativenewsconcerningIndia,suchashighpovertylevels,lackofhousing,poorsanitation
coverage,mortalityinmillionsduetoeasilycurablediseasesuchasdiarrhea,Indiaobtainingpoor
rankinGenderInequityIndex,HumanDevelopmentIndex,DoingBusinessIndex.Thisiswhatled
metothinkingoftakingCivilServiceasmycareerthroughwhichIcouldmakeaqualitativechange
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inthelivesofpeopleandtakeIndiatogreaterheights.Interactionwithfamilymembers,seniors
andfriendswhoknowmewellalsoreinforcedmybeliefthatitwasacareerwhichwaswellsuited
forme.
Itwasaftermy2ndyearthatItooktheplungeandstartedpreparingseriouslyforthisexam.

ELECTRONICVSPAPERMATERIAL
Q.Inrecenttimes,thereisspurinelectronicmaterialblogs,sites,pdfs,RSSfeeds.Many
aspirantsfeelboggeddownbythisinformationoverload.So,howmuchdoyourelyon
electronicmaterialandhowmuchonthepapermaterial(Books,newspapers)?If
possiblenarrateatypicaldayinyourstudylife.Whatisyourstyleofpreparation(e.g.I
continuemakingnotesnomatterwhatImreading,Ijustreadmultipletimesbutdont
maintainnotes,Imakemindmapsoncomputerorxyzstyle)
Ihavereliedheavilyonelectronicmaterial(7080%ofmypreparation).Theexamhasbecome
highlydynamicandthekindofinformationanddepthtowhichitisrequiredisdifficulttosearchfor
inabook.ThewaysinwhichIusedelectronicmediawere:
1.MakingnotesonEvernotetopicwiseasmentionedbyGauravAggarwalSir(2013AIR1)in
hisblog(https://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/)easytomanageandtoaddfurtherdetails
asandwhentheycome.
2.Stayingabreastwithcurrentaffairsandtoknowanyissueindetailwhichhasnotbeencovered
adequatelyinthenewspapersandbooks.
3.FollowingMrunal,InsightsonIndiaandForumIasandimportantnewsarticlesasstatedonthese
websites.
4.ForgovernmentsreportssuchasofARCs,FYPs,AnnualreportsofMinistries.
TheimportanceofbooksisdecreasingprimarilyimportantnowforPrelimsandGSPaper1in
Mains.
ReadingeitherHindu/IndianExpressdailyisamust.
Thereisnotypicaldayassuch.Butnewspapers(12hrs)andoptional(34hrs)mustbedone
everydayalongwithcoverageoftopicwisecompletesyllabusofmainsandalotofanswerwriting
practiceforbothGsmainsandoptional.
Imakeonlinenotesofwhatireadonlyforimportanttopicsofcurrentaffairs.Buttheyshouldbe
verypreciseandtothepoint.Dontcopypastewhilemakingnotes.Makeittopicwise.Use
headingsandsubheadingsforclarityandeaseduringrevision.
TEMPOANDSTYLE

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Q.Peopleknowwhatbooksandsyllabuspointsaretobeprepared.Butmostofthem
lackconsistencyintheirpreparation.So,howdoyoukeepstudymomentumgoingon?
Howdoyoufightagainstthemoodswingsanddistractions?
Consistenceandpatienceisthemostimportanttraitinthisexam.Onethingthatreallyhelpsfor
maintainingmomentumisgenuineinterestandcuriosity.Trygeneratinginterestforeverytopic
andsubjectwhichcouldbedonebyaskingregularquestionstoyourselfwhilereadingannything
keepaskingwhy,how,when,whatcouldbedonedontbesatisfiedwithonlywhatthearticleis
tellingyougoandfindoutanswersforthesenaturalandselfmadequestionsonthenet.For
example:youreadanarticlethatIndiahasgotarankof128inGenderInequalityIndexandsoand
socountryhassuchandsuchrank.Inthis:findout..1.Whatdoesthisindextell2.Whatare
thedimensionsusedtocomeouttothisconclusion3.WhereisIndialackingspecifically4.Whyis
Indialackingspecifically5.Whatisthepositionofourneighboursifbetterhow?6.Whathas
beendoneandwhatmorecouldbedonebydifferentstakeholdersreviseinyourheadforeachof
thedimensions.Thiswouldbetheholisticcoverageofthetopicwhichwouldalsokeepyourinterest
upandenterintoavirtuouscycleofinterestandlearningoutfromthenegativecycleof
moodswingsanddistraction.
ThefactthatIknewthatthisisthecareerofmychoiceandIwouldhavetositagainfortheexam
nextyearifIdontstudywellthistimeusedtomotivatemeevenmorei.ewhatIshouldstudy
wasinevitableandithadtobedoneeitherthistimeorsomeothertimesowhynotthistime
only.
YoucanalsokeepmaximumonehourforthethingsthatyoulovedoingexampleIusedtogofor
joggingwheneverIdidnotfeellikestudyingbutthisshouldbedonewithinthetimelimit.
Listeningtomotivationalsongsusedtohelpmealottoo.

PRELIMS(CSAT)GENERALSTUDIES
Topic
HistoryAncient
HistoryMedieval

strategy/booklist/comment
NCERTonld11thprettydetailedwouldneedtoberevised
multipletimesprovidesholisticcoverage
NCERTold11thand12thdetailedaswellwouldbesufficient
Spectrum(mustprecentric)+BipinChandrasomechapterssuchas

HistoryModern
(FreedomStruggle)

oncivilianrebellions,peasantmovements,workingclass
movements,Gurudwarareformswhicharenotadequatelycoveredin
SpectrumhoweverifuhavetimedoreadBipinChandra
completelyasitneedstobedoneforMainsforsure.
NothingcertaintoomanysourcesbutIdiditfromNitin
Singhania(Rank51notes)+11thclassNCERTfineartssome

Cultureandsociety

questionscouldhavebeeneasilyansweredfromthesebooksdont
knowofanyonesourcefromwhereallquestionscouldhavebeen
answeredhoweverpeoplealsorecommendCCRT+NIOSculture

Polity(theory+
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current)

Laxmikant+readingofbareprovisionsfromPMBakshi

Economy(theory+

11th12thNCERTMacroEconomics+EconomicSurvey+Srirams

current)

IASnotes

Science(theory+
current)
Environment(theory
+current)

Nothingspecific
Ireadnothingspecific

geographyphysical

11th+12thNCERT+GCLeong

geographyIndia

do

geographyworld

do

other
national/internationalCurrentAffairsVisionIAS+IndianExpress
currentaffairs
Schemes,Policy&
FillerStuff

PRSIndia+PIB+mrunal+insightsonindia

Q.Anyobservation/comments/tipsaboutGSprelim2014paper?
1.Morefactualquestionschangeas2013wasmoreunderstandingbased
2.VeryhighnumberfromEnvironment,Geography,Culture.
Q.inGSPrelims2014,therewasunusualquestionsfromenvironmentandagriculture
portion.Ifyouweretogivetheattemptagainin2015,whatnewstrategy/books/
sourceswouldyoufocus?
1.WhilereadinggeographyNCERTwouldbesufficientbutfocusonthelittlelittlethingsgiven
somewhereinthemapintinyletterseg.thoughthenameofallpassesaregiveninthemapsbut
theneedistoknowmoreaboutthemeg.whereisLipulekhpasswhatisitssignificanceIsIndia
Chinatradeallowedthroughit.Likethis:formmapsfora)allpassesinIndiab)allmajorrivers
andtheirimptributariesc)majordamsd)typeofvegetationsindetailanddohavecertaindepthin
knowledgeaboutthem.
2.WhilereadingenvShankarIASisgoodbutdokeepgooglingstuffwhichcomesinnewspaper
andfollowVisionIascurrentaffairsitsgood+dohavethemajornationalparks,wildlife
sanctuaries,biospherereserves,tigerreservesmarkedonthemap.
Q.NowthatAptitudepaperhasbecomequalifying,obviousmoreattentionneedstobe
paidontheGSpapersoapartfromthebooksthatyoualreadyhavegonethrough,what
elsewouldyouhavetriedforCSE2015(ifyouweregoingtoappear)?
Sameasabove.

PRELIMS(CSAT)APTITUDE
Topic

strategy/booklist

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Maths

none

reasoning

do

comprehension do
DecisionMakingdo

PRELIMACCURACY
Q1.Didyouattendanymocktests?doyouthinktheyrenecessaryforsuccess?
Yes.ItookVisionIAStestseriesitisreallygoodasitistopicwiseandhenceyoucanpreparea
schedulearounditwhichhelpsinkeepingstudiesforprestructured:eg.take2daysforprepof
polityandgivepolitytestthen2daysforgeoprepgivetest..Givingmocktestsisimpasyou
noticethefinepointswhichyoumisssometimeswhilestudyingespeciallyinpolity,geographyand
history.Hence,itisnecessarytodomocktests.Butitisnotnecessarytotakeatestseriesyou
canjustbuyquestionpapersandanswersfromthemarketandsolvethemundertimelimit
yourself.Youcanalsocomparemarkswithyourfriendsandseniorsinthistesttoknowthelevelat
whichyouarepresentlyandwhatyoushouldbeaimingat.Attheendphaselast1015days
mocktestsofmorecoachinginstitutescouldbedone.
Q2.Approximateno.ofattemptedanswersvs.correctanswers.inCSAT2014

GS

attemptedQ.

correct(Expected)

58

52

aptitudesomewhereinmid60s5560
Q3.Yourscoreinprelim(whenUPSCuploadsitpleasemailmeyourscore)
GS:100
Aptitude:128
Total:228

MAINS:COMPULSORYLANGUAGEPAPER
Compulsory
languagepaper

Yourpreparationstrategy/booklist?

Englishpaper

Solvedpast23yearspapers.

yourregional

HindiUniquepublishersHindiguidebookpracticedwritingessays.Solvedpast

language

34yearspapers.Didthisinthelast2weeks12hrseveryday.

Q2.otherobservations/tips/commentsonthelength/difficultylevelofcompulsory
languagepapersinCSE2014
Hindipaperwasmuchdifficultthistime.DonttakeHindiforgranteddopracticeitbeforegiving
theexamlackoftime.Translationwaslengthy.

MAINS:ESSAY
Q1.Howdidyoupreparefortheessaypaper?

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ThepreparationforessayismostlyintegratedwiththatofGSmains.However,specialattention
mustbepaidtowritingpractice.
ItookclassesfromRamaswamySirhisfeedbackwasverygooditenabledmetowritealotof
essaysbeforetheactualpaper.
Q2.WhichtwoessaysdidyouwriteandWhatkeypointsdidyouincludeinit?
Themainfocusmustbeoncoveringtheisuesfromalldimensions.
Iattempted:
1.Isthegrowinglevelofcompetitiongoodfortheyouth
a)FirstshowedwithexamplesaboutincreasingcompetitionUPSC,IITJEE,AIIMSmedicalentrance
exametc
b)Reasonsforgrowingcompetitionhighpopulation,goodopportunitiesareveryfewinnumber
etc
c)Effectsofcompetition:
A.Positive:BrandnameofIITasselectedthroughveryhighcompetc.
bringoutthebestinchildrenandsuch
B.Negatives:depressions,suicides,cuttingcornersorusingunethicalmeanstostayaheadofthe
competition.
d)Whatcouldbedonetominimisenegativeeffectswaysandmeans
Overallconclusionsupportedhighcompetitionbutinapositiveenvironmentfocussedonbringing
outthebestfromthepeopleandminimisingnegativeeffects.
2.TourismcanthisbethenextbigthingforIndia?
Example:inthe2ndone:
a)WhyIndiahasrichtourismpotential?
b)WhatisIndiascurrentpositioninattractingtourism
c)Whyisthepositionsolowthereasons
d)Whathasbeendoneinthepastandwhatisbeingdone.
e)Whatneedstobedoneinthefuture

GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER1
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Topic
culture

MrunalUPSCTopperPulkitGargRank490:ChemistryOptional

Howdidyouprepare?
AlmostleftdidnotprepareindeepNitinSinghanianoteshoweveroneshould
preparethisindetailfromCCRTorNIOSor11thFineartsbook
BipinChandraorNCERT12tholdIreadNCERTcompletelyandBipinChandras

Indianhistory

somechapterssufficientforunderstandingdofocusonnewsincurrentaffairs
relatedtothiseg.Kohimabattlein194470years100yearsofKomagataMaru
incidentandGhadarmovementinnewspreparetheseindetail.

worldhistory
post
independence
India

NormanLowewouldbesufficient+RomanSainisirsvideoscouldbeseenforimp
pointsassummary.
IreadBipinChandrabutguessnoneedtoprepareinthisdetailVisionIASnotes
couldbedoneforthis.

Indiansociety 11th12thsociology.Moreofcurrentaffairsandcommonsenseoriented.
roleof
women,

VisionIASnotes

povertyetc.
globalization
onIndian

do

society
communalism,
regionalism,

do

secularism
worldgeo
physical
resource
distribution

NCERT11th12th+wiki
Mrunal+Ncert

factorsfor
industrial

Mrunal+Ncert

location
earthquake
tsunamietc
impacton
florafauna

VisionIasnotes
general

GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER2
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

IndianConstitution,
devolution,dispute

Laxmikanth

redressaletc.
comparingConstitution
withworld
parliament,state
Legislatures

Visionnotes
Laxmi

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executivejudiciary

Laxmi+currentaffairs(CA)

ministriesdepartments

Wiki

pressuregroup,informal
asso.
Representationof
peoplesact

Vision
Vision

variousbodies:
Constitutional,

Vision

statutory..
NGO,SHGetc

Vision

welfareschemes,bodies Vision+newspaper
socialsector,health,
edu,HRD

Currentaffairs(CA)newspaper+mrunal+insights+VisionIAScurrent
affairsbookletmadenotesofimpschemesEvernoteforallCAidid
thesame

governance,
transparency,

CurrentAffairs

accountability
egovernance

Vision+CA

roleofcivilservice

Vision

India&neighbors

RajivSikriIRbook+CA+VajirambookonIR+visionnotesonIR
releasedinlastmonth

bilateral/globalgrouping do
effectofforeigncountry
policiesonIndian

do

interest
diaspora
internationalbodies
structuremandate

do
do

GENERALSTUDIES(MAINS)PAPER3
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

Indianeconomy,resourcemobilization

Mrunal+Sriramsnotes+EconomicSurvey+CA

inclusivegrowth

Vision+CA

budgeting

Vision

majorcrops,irrigation

Vision+GeoNcert

agroproducestorage,marketing

Mrunal+Vision+CA

etechnologyforfamers

do

farmsubsidies,MSP

do

PDS,buffer,foodsecurity

do

technologymission

do

animalrearingeconomics

Mrunal

foodprocessing

Mrunal

landreforms

Mrunal+BipinChandrasomechaptersofPost

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IndependenceIndia
liberalization

11thNCERTEco

infra

CA

investmentmodels

Vision

sciencetechdaytodaylife

VisionnotesonScience+CA

Indianachievementsinscitech

NIOSculturelastchapter

awarenessinIT,space,biotech,nano,IPR

Vision

environmentalimpactassessment

Vision

DisasterManagement
nonstateactors,internalsecurity
internalsecurityroleofmedia,social
networkingsite

2ndARCreportverygoodpointswouldbe
sufficient
VajirambookonInternalSecurityVerygood
Vajirambook

cybersecurity

Vajiram

moneylaundering

do

borderManagement

do

organizedcrime,terrorism

do

securityagenciesstructuremandate

Wiki

GENERALSTUDIES4:ETHICS,INTEGRITY,APTITUDE
Topic

HowDidYouPrepare?

ethicsand
interface,
family,society
andallthe
hathodaa

IdidmostofthetopicsfromonlyonebookChronicleLexiconwhichIthinkis
morethansufficientforthispaperforthosetopics.Itdoesnotcoverinadequate
detailcertaintopicsforwhichIusedVisionIas.

topics
attitude,
moral

Lexicon

influenceetc.
civilservice:
integrity,
impartiality,

Lexicon

toleranceto
weaketc
emotional
intelligence,
itsusein

Lexicon

governance
Howmanythinkersdidyouprepare?onlytheoneswhichwereveryimp
eg.RabindranathTagoreandaroughideaofPlatoSocratesand1or2others.Butit
moralthinkersisnotveryimportanttoremembertheirphilosphiesverbatimasthequestionwould
ofIndiaand

nevercomeastowhatmightbeconsideredethicalacoordingtoPlato?butforother

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questionsyoumightquotethatasperthisthinker,thisactwouldbemoralor
immoralaspertheneed.

ethicsin
pub.ad,
accountability,Lexicon
laws,rules
etc.
corporate
governance

Vision

probityin
governance,

Lexicon

workculture
citizen
charter,ethics
code,work

Vision

cultureetc.
challengesof
corruption

Vision

casestudies
onabove

Pastyearpapers+Mocktests

topics

GS4ETHICSCASESTUDYANSWERSINMAINS2014
Inthispaper,themostimportantthingishowyouwriteyouranswer,Ifollowedageneral
frameworkforwritingcasestudiesanswers.
1.Startwithidentifyingthevaluesatconflictsuchasambitionandtruthfulnessetc.andidentify
thestakeholdersconcerned.
2.Thencomeonthepossiblescenariosthatmighttakeplace.Writethemclearly.Identifythe
impactsofanyparticularscenarioonallstakeholders
3.Usealotofvaluebasedtermssuchascompassion,empathy,integrity,probity,transparency.
4.Youcanalsouseaparticularprincipletosupportyourstandsuchasaspertheutilitarian
arguementmaximumbenefitformaximumpeopleorasperthegoldenrule(neverdowrongto
anyoneinanycase)etc.
5.Distinguishbetweenshorttermandlongtermbenefitsdontforgettostudyenvethics
6.Intheconclusion,clearlywritethepreferredsolutionandthevaluesduetowhichyouwouldtake
thestance.
7.IwouldalsoliketoguideyoutoSumitsirsstrategyforEthicswhichIfoundverygood
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/toppersinterviewsumitkumarcse2013air81rohtakmechengineer
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4yearsexperiencemathematicsoptional.html
Foranswerwritingpractice:
1.IgaveVisionIasMainsTestserieswhichhadverygoodqualityquestionsandtheirchecking
wasofveryhighlevelhelpedmetoreallyimprovemyanswerwritinginEthics
2.IalsostudiedGauravAggarwalSirsblogastohowtowriteagoodanswerinEthicspaperas
hehasuploadedallhisVisionIasanswersheetsonhisblog
https://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/upsciasprepvisioniasanswerscripts
gauravagrawal/
Domakesurethatyougetalotofanswerwritingpracticebeforeyougoforthefinalexam.
Q.inGS4ethicspapers,pleasegiveasketchyoverviewofyourcasestudyanswers:
caseyourapproach/keypoints
case1:yourfriendpreparingUPSC
Thisquestionindifferentformsall4pointshavebeenraisedbeforeinvariousbooksandtest
seriesandhavestandardanswerspleasereferGauravAggarwalSirsanswers.Ethicaldillemas
includingshorttermvslongtermandothersvaluesofintegrityandprobityetchowdoessmall
scalecorruptiondeleteriouslyaffectsIndianEconomyetc
case2:RameshwartheuptightUPSCtopper.
Notgivinginofcourse.Whistleblower+atyourowndisposaluseyourauthoritytothemaxto
preventsuchcases.
case3:nobribenocontract.
Notgivingbribeinanycase.Exploreotherpossibleoptions.
case4:corruptsubordinatesfilebogusrapecomplaintagainstyou.
Asyouhavedonenothingwrongstayuprightdont
ignorethecommissionrespondsincerelydontgo
softondisciplinaryactionjusticewouldtakeitsown
coursetherightpath.
Preparestandardanswersforsuch
intheremainingbolbachchantypequestions(e.g.whyquestionsaskedagainandagainin
ethicsimportant,whyprobitydifficultetc).

slightlydifferentformsgivetestseries
haveanswerwritingpractice.

MAINSANSWERWRITING?
Paper BestattemptedAveragequalitynamesakeanswerTotalattempt
GS1

220

GS2

200

GS3

200210

GS4

230

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OptP1

180

OptP2

210

Q.Whatwasyourapproachintheexam(Iwroteall,Ionlyfocusedonthequestions
whereIcouldanswerperfectly,Ijustnottohighqualitypointstoreachthewordlimit
etc.)BecausetheUPSCaspirantCommunityisdividedoverwhatcountsasagood
paper.Someexpertsclaimyoushouldattemptallevenifitinvolvesmakingupan
answerwithfillerlines,someclaimattemptonlythosequestionsyouknowperfectly.
Wheredoyoustandonthis?[Basedonyourexperienceandofyourseniors/buddies]
1.IthinkonemustattemptasmanyquestionsaspossibleitriedtoattemptallinwhichevenifI
hadaroughideastillhadtoleavesomeasIhadabsolutelynoideaonthem.
2.AnswerwritingisveryimptoscorehighinMainsgotothepaperwithalotofpracticeelse
writingfor3hrsfor9papersinaspanof5daysisalmostimpossible.
Thetimeconstraintisalwaystherehencenecessarytowriteonlythemainpointsinaconcise
mannerfromasmanydimensionsaspossiblereadthequestioncarefullyandansweronlywhatis
asked.1lineintro+1lineconclusionmax.Notimeforfillermaterialspeciallyforquestionsyou
knowwell.Taketimeforevery10markeras7mins.
3.Underlinethemainpointsheadingsorsubheadinsmakeitaseasyaspossibleforcheckerto
understandyouranswershealreadyhasalotofcopiestocheck.Writeneatly.
Q.Howwasyourexperiencewiththefixedspaceanswersheet?
Thespaceisadequate.
Q.Didyouwriteanswersinbulletpointsorinparagraphs?Someplayers(whocleared
mainsandgotinterviewcallletter)wereclaimingthattheywroteentirepaperinbullet
points,soitdoesntmatter.whetherexaminerisaskingexamine,comment,discussor
xyz.simplywriteinbulletsandpoints.
Iwroteaspertheneedsofthequestion.IfIhadmultipledistinctpointsfortheanswerIwould
mostlywriteinbulletform.Ifitwasmoreofadiscussiononasinglepoint,Iwouldwriteinthe
paragraphform.Justletitbeveryclearandeasyforthecheckertoreadandunderstand.
Q.Didyoufollowtheintroductionbodyconclusionformat?becausesomemains
qualifiedcandidatesclaimtheysimplywrotethepointstheycouldrecallwithinthetime,
insteadofbotheringwithproperintroductionandconclusion.
Exactly.Mostlyonlywhatisaskedprecisely.Insomequestionsonly1lineintro+1lineconclusion
max.Notimeforthesefillers.
Q5.Didyouusehighlighters/sketchpensinyouranswers?
No.Justunderlinedwithbluepen.
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Q6.Didyoudrawanydiagraminanypaper?(e.g.inGS1Geography)
No.butifneededthenyoushouldsurely.
Q7.Ifyes,Didyoudrawdiagramswithpencilorpen?
WithPenifrequired.
Q8.Didyouuserulertodrawthelinesindiagram?Ordidyoujustmakeitbyhand?
Notimeforsuchthings.
Q9.Youwrotetheanswerinbluepenorblackpen?
Bluepen.PilotV5lightinweightpennecessarywhenyouhavetowriteforsuchalongtime.
(Mrunalsincereaderskeepmailingsuchqueries,thereforeImaskingthetoppertoclearallthe
airhaha.)

MAINSOPTIONALSUBJECT
Q.Whatsyouroptionalsubjectandwhydidyouchoseitandnotsomethingelse?
Chemistry.DuringthetimeofmypreparationforIITJEE,IdevelopedaninterestinChemistryand
scoredwell,gotAIR1inChemistryIITJEE2010.Interest+goodpastperformance+highscoring
potentialifdonewellweremybasisforchosingChemistry.
Q.Ifanewplayerwantstopickthissubject,wouldyouadviceforitoragainstit?(e.g.
everyseniorplayerinPublicAdministrationseemstobeadvisingagainstpub.ad)
OnlyifapersonhassoundbasicsinthissubjectandanabidinginterestwouldIsuggestsomoneto
takethis.
Q.Firsttheessentialbook/resourcelist.(AlsomentionwhichoneistheBasebookfor
coveringthetheory?+Whatevercommentsyouveforaparticularbooke.g.myseniors
saidreadxyzbookbutIfoundthatABCbookwasbetter.xyztopicnotgivenproperly
inthisbook,sopreparefromxyzwebsiteorbookORandsoon.)
ItookcoachingfromDIASinDelhifromRKSinghsirinChemistry.
IfoundthecoachingnotessufficientinPaper2foralltopics.
Forpaper1coachingnotes+PSPforsometopicssuchaselectrochemistrywouldbesufficient+
AbhijeetAggarwalSirsnotescouldbeused.
AbhijeetAggarwalsirhaswrittenadetailedstrategyonhisblogwhichmightbefollowedthough
thenumberofbooksthathehasmentionedistoolargeonlysomeofthemneedtobedonefrom
theexampointofview.

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http://abhijeetagrawal.blogspot.in/
Q.Howmuchofinternetresearch/currentaffairsisnecessaryforthisoptional?ORcan
onesimplyrelyonthebooksandbedonewiththissubject?
None.Onlybookswouldbesufficient.
Q.Howmanymonthsdidittaketofinishthecoreoptionalsyllabus?
45months.
Q.Howmanydays/weeksbeforetheexam,youstartedanswerwritingpractice?
Writingpracticeisveryimp.Practiceanswerwritingofallthepreviousyearquestionsasked.
Preparestandardanswerstooftenaskedquestions.TestseriesofDiasmayalsobetaken.
Q.Doyoumaintainselfnotesforrevisionofoptional?Inwhichformatelectronicor
paper?
Imaintainedasynopsisforeachchapterforendminuterevisionhandrwritten.
Q.Yourobservationaboutthedifficultlylevelof2014mainsvspreviouspapers.And
whatprecautions/rectificationsarenecessaryinthefuturestrategyforgivenoptional
subject?
2014hadquestionsfrominorganicincompulsoryquestions.Normallytheyareaskedinoptional
questions.ThisprovedtobemyAchillesheel.HenceIwouldsuggestthatcoursecompletion
irrespectiveofthetypeofquestionaskedinthepreviousyearsisamust.

BEFORETHEINTERVIEW
Q1.Howdidyoupreparefortheinterview?forcollegegrad,hobbies,placeoforigin,
currentaffairsatnationalandinternationallevel?
GoogleallthedetailsrelatedtoyourDAF.
BrushupcurrentaffairskeepreadingnewspapersafterMainsuseVisionIascurrentAffairs
notes.
Q2.Didyouattendanymockinterviewsbycoachingclasses?Howweretheysimilar/
differentthanofficialinterview?Doyoubelieveitisnecessarytoattendsuchmock
interviews?
Yes.Idid.FromSamkalp,VajiramandSriram.ThepersonalsessionatSriramwasverygood.The
groupmockatSamkalpwasexcellent.Mockinterviewsaregoodtoprepareforanyunexpectedand
togenerateaknackofthinkingunderpressureconditionsandpenetratingeyes.Italsogivesyoua
roughideaaboutthetypeofquestionsthatcouldbeasked.
23mockinterviewsmustbetakenbytheaspirants.Wouldgearyouupforthefinalgrilling.
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Q3.Describetheformaldresswornbyyouininterview.
Asoberlightblueshirt+blacktrousers+tie.
Q4.Wheredidyoustayfortheinterview?(Hotel/friendshome)andwhat
books/materialdidyoubringfortherevisionbeforeinterview?
Athome.Nothingassuch.

DURINGTHEINTERVIEW
Q1.Whowasthechairmanofyouinterviewboard?
HCGupta
Q2.Howlongwastheinterview?
Around30minutes
Q3.Whydoyouwanttojoincivilservice?Whydontyoucontinueinyourgraduation
field?Socialservicecanbedonefromprivatesectortoo.[SinceIdontknowwhether
theyaskyouthisquestionornot.Butiftheyhadaskedwhatwillbeyourreply?]
Sameasstatedabove.
Q4.Pleasenarrateyourentireinterviewwhatquestionsdidtheyaskandwhatdidyou
replyandotherpleasantoruncomfortableexperiencesduringtheinterview.(Earlier
sometoppersonlytellmetheirquestionbutnottheiranswer.Iwouldappreciateifyou
givebothQuestion+youroriginalanswers)
Abriefoverview(wouldwriteindetailsoonandsendyouthelink)
Chairperson
Q.Sincewhenhaveyoubeenpreparingincollege?
Answer:Sincestartingof3rdyear
Q.Idontthinkthenyouhavestudiedyourengineeringsubject.
A:Sir,IthinkIhavedonejusticetoboth,ascouldalsobeseenfrommyCGPA.
Q.HowdowemeasureEarthquake?Tellitsmechanism.(duetoNepalEq)
M1
SomeCivilEngineeringrelatedtechnicalquestions
M2

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Q.Doesthe3IdiotsmoviecorrectlyrepresentsthestateofeducationinIITs?
A.Nosir,IITshavealotmoretoofferthanwhat3Idiotsmovieshows.Intermsofeducation,there
isintensefocusonunderstandingandrotelearningisdiscouraged.Studentsareencouragedto
innovateandresearch.Thereisahealthcompetitionamongstudents,motivatingeachotherto
bringoutthebestinthem.
Q.HowwouldyougeneraterevenuesfortheconstructionofHighwaysector?
A.Gavesomegeneralpointsonnewannuitybasedmodelforbringinginprivatesector
investmentinthelongtermandhowgovernmentwouldhavetotaketheresponsibilityintheshort
term,astheprivateplayersaresufferingfromweakfinances.
M3
PurelyDAFbasedquestionsonhobbiesandextracurricularactivities
M4
Q.GaveanexampleofatownshipcomingupinMumbai.Wantedmetoidentifythe
modelunderwhichitiscomingup.
A.Landpoolingmodel
Q.Whatislandpooling?
A.Explainedindetail
Q.NamesomegreenbuildingsinDelhi.
A.IrememberedonlyoneduringthattimeIndiraParyavaranBhawan
Q.Anyother?
A.Idontrememberanyothersirrightnow.
Q.NamesomesmartcitiesfromwhichIndiacouldlearn.
A.NamedsomeTokyo,Berlin,TelAviv,Frankfurt
Q5.Wasyourinterviewontheexpectedlinesofwhatyouhadpreparedordidtheyask
youtotallyunexpectedquestions?Wasitastressinterview,didtheyaskany
uncomfortablequestions?Ifyes,howdidyouhandleit?
TheinterviewwasonExpectedlines.No.
Q6.Anysidedetailsabouttechnicalitieslikemakesureyoubringxyzdocumentordo
xyzthing,oryoullfaceproblem?
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No.
Q7.Anywordofwisdom/observationsaboutmedicalcheckup?
Justgoforitwhenscheduled.

CSE2014MARKSHEET
Q1.Pleaseattachbothprelimandfinalmarksheet.
PrelimsMarksheet
Paper1 100.00
Paper2 128.33
Total

228

MainsandInterview
Subjects

Marks

Essay(PaperI)

107

GeneralStudiesI(PaperIi)

082

GeneralStudiesIi(PaperIii)

081

GeneralStudiesIii(PaperIv)

078

GeneralStudiesIv(PaperV)

110

OptionalI(Chemistry)(PaperVi)

128

OptionalII(Chemistry)(PaperVii)

122

WrittenTotal

708

PersonalityTest

195

FinalTotal

903

Q2.Afterlookingatthemarksheet,supposeyouhadtoprepareagainnexttime,what
changeswillyoumakeinyourstudies?
LowermarksinEssaysomorepracticehere.
Lowermarksinoptionalsubjectsowouldincreasethenumberofhoursofpreparationhere.

CAREERBACKUP
Q1.Ifyouwerenotselected,whatwasyourcareerbackupplan?
Nonethoughtofyet.Still22.Wouldhavetriedagain.
Q2.Whenwereyougoingtoexecutethatbackupplan?(e.g.after__failedattempts/
afterIcross__age/afterdadretires/aftergirlfrienddumpsmeetc.)
IhadnobackupplansasIwassurethatIwantedtojointheservicesonly.

VIEWSONUPSCREFORMS
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Q.Optionalsubjectsshouldberemovedaltogether.Thepresentstalemateishelpingno
one,exceptcoachingowners,bookpublishers.
Idontagree.Itenablesthepersontoshowhisproficiencyorcommandoveraspecificsubjectin
whichheistrainedin.ThisisnotfullypossibleinGSduetoitsverydynamicnatureandthe
limitlesscourse.
Q.DespitewhatUPSChasdoneinrecentyears,ithasfailedtocurbthenuisanceof
Delhiscoachingfactories.Infactitsincreasedunderthenewsyllabusin2014.Lets
faceit,mostcandidateswhogaveMains2014havereliedon(authenticORXeroxed)
coachingnotesbecausetherewashardlyanytimelefttopreparesomanytopicsinsuch
shorttime.Thissystemworkagainstanindividualpreparingfromfarawayarea,without
anyfinancialresources,highspeedinternetorcontactsinDelhi.
Idontagreewiththeabovestatement.Theroleofcoachinginstituteshasdrasticallydecreased.
Lastminutelearningofcoachingpreparednoteswonthelpanyone.Youneedconsistentstudyof
newspapersandstandardreferencebooksandwritingpracticetosucceedintheexam.Thesedays
onlinerepositoryofmaterialsanddatahasrenderedcoachinginstitutescompletelyirrelevant.
Q.HalfmergerofIFoSwithCSEisabadmovebecauseithasraisedthecutoffsfor
playerswhoresolelydedicatedtoIFoSonly(andnottoIAS/IPS).Addingsalttothe
wounds,manywhohadappliedforbothjobs,clearedtheprelimstheydidnoteven
bothertoappearinallthepapersofMainsIFoS.(atleastthatwasthescenein2013).
True.Thisshouldnothavebeendone.Thereshouldbeseparateexams.
Q.UPSCshoulddiscloseofficialprelimanswerkeyandcutoffs,immediatelyafterprelimis
over,insteadofpostponingittillinterviewphaseisover.
Iagree.
Q.UPSCshouldbeconductedonlinelikeIBPSandCATexamtoshortenthedurationof
exam.
Yesthisismuchneeded.Atpresentthelengthofexamfrompretofinalresultisexcruciatingly
long.
Q.IfyouaremadetheUPSCchairman,whatotherreformswouldyouinitiateforthecivil
serviceexam?
Makinginterviewmoreobjective.
Releasingcutoffsandmarksofcandidatesaftereverystageassoonaspossible
Reducingthedurationofthisyearlongexamination.

INSECURITYABOUTPROFILE
Q.Manycandidatespreparesincerelybutconstantlyliveunderfearaboutprofile
insecurity.Imnotfromabigcollege,ImnotfromEnglishmedium,andIdonthave
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workexperience.Whatiftheyasksomestressfulquestionsintheinterviewaboutthis?
Didyousufferfromsuchinsecurities?Whatisyourmessagetothesecandidates?
IhavehadaprivilegedbackgroundasIhavestudiedintopconventschoolofDelhiandthen
graduatedfromIITDelhi.Hence,Ihavenothadthisinsecuritypersonally.ButIguess,themore
difficultcircumstancesyoufaceinlifetorise,thatisifyouarefromaruralbackgroundoraHindi
mediumbackgroundoreconomicallynotwelloffthatisallthemoreappreciatedbyanyonethatI
havemetandIthinkisagreatadvantageintheinterview.Itgivesthemessagethatdespiteallthe
hardshipsandchallenges,youhavemadetoittothetop.J

WISDOM
Q.Throughthisstruggleandsuccess,whathaveyourlearned?Whatisthewisdomoflife
andcompetition?Whatisyourmessagetothenewaspirants?
Themainaiminlifeistomaximizehappiness.Findwhatgivesyouhappinessandgoforthekill.
Dontthinkwhatyourfriendisdoing,dontthinkwhatthesocietywantsyoutodo.Dowhatyou
wanttodoandyouwoulddefinitelysucceed.Iwouldliketosaythatthisexamtestspatienceand
determinationovereverythingelse.Ifyouaredeterminedandhardworking,itisanobrainerthat
youwoulddefinitelymakeit.
Q.ManyhardworkingcandidateshavefailedinMains/InterviewofCSE2014.Theyre
feelingcynical,hopelessanddepressedwhatisyourmessagetothem?
Itwouldonlyenhancethetasteofsuccessatalaterstage.Keepworkinghard,analyseyour
mistakesandweaknesses.Successisboundtofollow.

CREDIT:FRIENDS/FAMILY
Q.Behindeverytopperaremanypeoplewhostoodbyduringthoseuncertaintimes
whenhe/shewasmerelyanaspirant.Wouldyouliketotelltheworld,whowerethose
peopleinyourcase?Anyspecificincidencethatyouwouldliketosharewiththereaders?
Myparentshavestoodlikearockbehindmethroughoutthispreparation.Theyhavehadto
sacrificealltheirsourcesofenjoyments,outingsandmeetingwithrelativesastheyfirmlybelieved
thatapeacefulenvironmentathomeismostessentialtostudy.Ineverhadtoworryaboutany
financialconstraintsandneverfeltanylackofresourcesthroughoutmypreparation.HenceInever
hadtobotheraboutanythingwhileinmypreparationphase.Ijusthadtoconcentrateonmy
studieswhichmademytaskeasier.ThissavedprecioustimeasIalreadyhadverylesstimeat
handasIhadgiventheexamjustaftermygraduation.
Myfriends,fromcollegeandschoolhaveprovidedmeintensemotivation.Eachoneofmyfriends
hasexcelledinhis/herownrespectivefields.Thishasingrainedacultureofexcellenceinme
too.Theyhavealwaysbeenthereduringmylowphasestoliftmeupandtopushmetodomore.I
wouldbeevergratefultothemforthis.

BOGUSMARKETINGPROPAGANDA
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Q.Youarewellawareofthesacredrulethelastquestionmustbeaboutself
marketing.So,DidyouuseMrunal.orgforyourpreparationandifyes,howdidithelp
you?AndyoucanevenreplyNo.Illstillpublishyouranswerwithouttempering.
WhenIstartedmypreparation,Mrunal.orgwasthe1stwebsitethatIcameacross,whichIhave
extensivelyusedformypreparation.Inadditiontousingitforpreparation,Ihavedevelopeda
strongemotionalconnectwiththiswebsiteandMrunal.Thewayyouyouwrite,provedtobeabig
motivatorformeduringmycourseofpreparation.
TherearecertainsectionswhichIfoundtobeextremelyusefulsuchas:
Economy
WorldGeography
ToppersInterview
CurrentAffairs
Iwouldliketothankyouprofuselyforhavingthiswonderfulresourceattheaspirantsdisposal
duringthedifficulttimeofpreparation.Carryonthisawesomework.Bestofluckforthefuture!!

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