My booklist and sources that I referred. I kept my preparation very dynamic and was heavily dependent on online sources !!

My Interview Transcript CSE 2020

Board- TCA Anant
Date- 09/09/2021, forenoon
B.Tech (Civil), IIT Bombay
IDAS, Table Tennis, Anthropology
Katihar (Bihar)

Chairperson

Read my DAF. Where are you from in Katihar? Have your childhood spent in village, are you still staying in village?

1. Tell me about Katihar
2. As DM of Katihar, tell me what you will do for next 2 years

Member 1

1. Tell me height of TT net
2. Difficulty in construction activity in black soil
3. Why black soil swells? Is it due to any compound/chemical?
4. Asked me about some principle related to CE (haven’t heard of)

Member 2 (lady member)
1. From where govt collects revenue- tell me the percentage wise bifurcation
2. Counter questions

Member 3
1. Tell me some govt schemes being implemented in your village and their success, failures
2. Purdue Univ vs IIT Bombay (Daf)
3. Do you play sports? TT- name some players and olympians.
4. In recent para olympics, a civil servant participated. Tell me the sport and name
5. OFB corporatisation
6. Afghan issue- what is happening there and India’s interest

Member 4
1. DAP2020 vs DPP 2016 (daf)
2. earlier offset clause in defence procurement was an issue for MSME. Tell me the reasons
3. Why separate accounts department for defence?
4. Why Civil services after IIT

Maximum questions revolved around DAF. Once you are in service, they expect you to know things related to that service well. Hence, preparation related to your DAF becomes important !!

Some suggestions from my friend Pallavi Verma (IAS, 2021 batch). She has given in total 7 attempts, 4 mains and 3 interviews. A lot can be learnt from other’s experience and what NOT to do in preparation.

1)Starting the preparation without knowing the Exam well

Never start the preparation without knowing the exam well and it’s demands. Know the syllabus well. Do your research before getting into it

2) Reading from multiple sources

Limit your sources and Revise-Test-Revise-Repeat. Everyone can have own strategy. Never follow anyone blindly. But there are few common things which one MUST do like Solving Tests, Answer writing, multiple revision, short notes etc

3) Not focusing on syllabus

Don’t go for shortcuts. It is important to cover syllabus. You dont have to cover books and notes line by line. It is important to cover syllabus.

4) Not giving mock Tests

You will always have the resistance to give tests. You ll have to overcome it. Tests are a great opportunity for reality check. It’s better to fail in tests than to fail in the examination hall.

5) Totally cutting off yourself from outside world

You don’t have to cut off completely from people or things you enjoy. Having strong support system is very essential. Especially when self doubts over powers you. Strong support from family and close friends is important

Finally it is just an exam, don’t take it emotionally. Don’t make it bigger than life. Self doubts are very common considering the time it takes. So focus on what is in your control that is -Efforts, relentless efforts, Consistent efforts. Consistency is the one thing that is lost at times.
Hard work is always rewarded, if not here, may be somewhere else.

Prelims Strategy

Around 40 days is left for Prelims. I will share my strategy which worked for me in CSE 2019 and CSE 2020. Both the time I cleared with decent margin after failing in prelims in CSE 2018.

A) Static
Static forms core of Prelims. Around minimum 55-60 questions comes from static area. Static covers your basic books (NCERTs etc) and classroom notes. There should not be generally more that one source for the same topic.

Many questions have been asked from history in last few years. So I think, no areas/subjects can be ignored. UPSC knows what all are there in basic books like spectrum, ShankarIAS (Environment) etc. so many questions are now asked outside these books as well. I would recommend to develop conceptual understanding from these sources and apply your mind to do intelligent guessing in exam.

Also one should see the trend and analyse PYQs to know which topics to focus more. For example many questions are now coming from pictures and glossary of new NCERTs History (class 11th and 12th). I covered Bhakti Sufi movement and Buddhism and Jainism in detail as generally every year UPSC has asked questions from these areas.

B) Current Affairs

Current has to be read with static part. I used PT365 along with google and online sources (Will share it). 1 year of CAs is enough. If one is covering monthly magazine of one year then there is no need to read PT 365. Also one source is enough, no need to follow Current affairs of two coaching institutes. Current Affairs (PT 365/magazine) of environment, Science and Tech and economy are important. Use GOOGLE to broaden your knowledge and gain extra knowledge.

C) Extra Sources

Few topics like maps, environment, reports, International organisations, schemes etc requires further reading. Different sources can be used to cover this. (will share it in a pdf)

D) Mock Tests

One should give both sectional as well as full length tests. One can give sectional tests of any one coaching institute and Full length tests of 3-4 coaching institutes. In my opinion one should give minimum 30-40 tests. Just by decreasing blunders and increasing efficiency in attempting paper, one can increase 20 marks.

1) It is important to give almost 20 tests in last 1 month. Avoid giving tests in last 1 week.
2) Giving 1 test daily, one month prior to prelims helps a lot. It helped me to get used to test and pressure environment. Also I practiced attempting around 20-25 questions in last 10 minutes after reading questions twice in 1st and 2nd iteration. As the real prelims paper would feel always lengthy than mocks, so practice to perform like Dhoni, attempting more questions while maintaining accuracy.
3) Analysis of test is as important as giving tests. See in which areas you are making mistakes.
4) I decided how to give my real prelims paper based upon my performance in these mock tests. Like when to start bubbling (at 1:35hrs), how many iterations to use (3), how many questions to attempt (90-95), which questions to leave (questions in history as it was my weak area) etc etc.

E) Revision: There should be minimum 3 revisions

1) The last revision will happen in 4days starting from 1st June
2) 20 days for 2nd revision (10th may-30th may)- make short notes as well, Ready Reckoner by LA Excellence can be referred
3) 1 month for 1st revision and reading new things

Covering static portion well, limiting current affairs, revising the same thing many times, doing less blunder and improving intelligent guessing are important to improve one’s chance to clear Prelims.

Best wishes !!

#prelims #current_affairs

I’m sharing this, just to show how to make short notes. Not relevant for coming prelims

This is my short notes of current affairs which I made during my preparation for prelims 2020

Such shorts are very handy while doing last minute revision. I made multiple such short notes, as it is easy to revise and also helps in better retention.

1) For every PT 365, I made short notes like this.
2) One can find 5-10 hrs lectures on current affairs on YouTube. Short notes can be made on that

All the best

#prelims

This is how I used to attempt my prelims paper. I shared it before CSE 2021 Prelims. You can have your own strategy on how to attempt the Prelims paper, but you must try it and ace your strategy in mock tests first !!
You can go through this strategy and accordingly mould your own to maximise your efficiency while attempting the paper

#Bharat_Darshan

As part of Bharat Darshan, I have come to Chennai. Anyone who is NOT writing Prelims 2022 and is interested in meeting, kindly reply to this message

Today was the last day for the personality test, CSE 2021. With just few days to go for the next UPSC(CSE) result to come, I would like to share my thoughts on how to handle the sudden glamour and attention faced by the successful candidates.

Within minutes the bio-data, phone number, address of till now anonymous and not so important aspirant becomes public. ‘Privacy is a myth’ holds true in every sense !!

The life of maximum serious aspirant revolves around struggling to manage syllabus, stress, food, accommodation and what not. The sudden attention received after result many times become overwhelming.

My thoughts

1) Managing Emotions

First of all, let the emotions that will overflow once you see yourself on the list, sink in well. Talk to your family and close friends first.

People around you will start treating differently as if you are a Demi-God. Here one should not get emotionally charged. You should always remember that you have just cleared a very competitive exam due to your hard work as well as lots of blessings and luck.

2) Being Honest and Integral

In every response to endless questions being asked, you should be very honest, if the questions are not breaching your privacy. Your response shouldn’t be based upon what society/media/aspirant expects you to say rather it should be based upon TRUTH !!

3) Handling Coaching Institutions

Be honest while visiting and delivering speeches at the coaching institutions. If they have called you, it doesn’t mean that you are obliged to speak good things about the coching institute.

What I did-

a) Select institutes where you want to go. Best is to select those from where you have taken help in meaningful way.

b) Before going make your intentions clear with the coaching institutions and know the details of your interview.

c) During the start of your interview itself make it clear about what kind of help have you taken from there. Sometimes, the coaching institutes might edit your video, be aware of that. Tell them beforehand that you want this part not to be edited !!

d) If you feel that some coaching institutes are misusing your name then don’t remain silent. Speak to them and if required complaints to relevant authorities. You can approach to previous toppers for help

Coaching institutions wait for this moment (declaration of result) to use it in their own advantage. Many coaching institutions will literally try to BUY you, they are also very clever in this. They will try to convince you that there is nothing wrong in this and they are just paying for your time and hard work !! Don’t fall into their trap.

They will ask you to come and deliver speech and in-return they will give you gifts and honorarium (learnt about this word when one of the coaching institute offered me). If gifts are shipped to your home address, then one can return it and ask the institute to pay for the courier charges.

Many people who are not used to so much attention are lured into this.

Be aware of this fact that whatever you will take, won’t remain a SECRET. Coaching institutions will be the first who will spread the amount that you have taken. Also it affects the aspirants community negatively a lot.

It will certainly affect your career later

Although some coaching institutes have made good reputation (well known to those already in service) and doesn’t offer expensive gifts or money. I was told by previous year toppers that their platform can be used and won’t impact your own reputation also. I would also suggest the same.

Choice is yours- whether you want to stick to your values and cardinal principles and make your own reputation or compromise on everything that you have stood till now.

4) Handling Media

Sometimes response to not so important questions becomes headlines like ‘when you are getting married’, personal questions or political questions. Aspirants are not used to facing these many questions and interviews. Be very CAREFUL while giving response to any media persons.
Sometimes I used to choose not to answer to those questions which I used to to think is breaching my privacy or are irrelevant. At the same time try to maintain smile while dealing with even difficult questions !!
The good thing is if you keep calm and think before giving reply then you will learn very quickly to handle media.

5) Handling Fake social media accounts

A lot of fake social media account of mine propped up within minutes of the result. Many aspirants might face this issue. In the name of you, many might do unimaginable things like talking to girls, selling fake notes, spreading fake news etc !!

What I did-

a) Made my own social media account- I did for Instagram and Twitter. If you don’t have time for this, tell your close friends to make it (my batchmates from IDAS helped me a lot) and then while giving media interviews make it clear on which platform you are present and in which you are not. Also mention about your fake accounts to media persons.

b) Report fake accounts and told my friends also to do it.

c) Made a video and shared on my real social media account stating which all are my real account and mentioned few fake accounts which gained a lot of followers.

6) Giving back to the Community

No one can deny the fact that in recent years aspirant community has benefitted a lot by many toppers who honestly shared their strategies. This in turn has made this exam preparation more democratic. This is also reflected in the result where people from all socio-economic background are coming.

So one should share his/her strategy honestly. I would suggest to have your own platform and limiting interactions through platforms being provided by others (like coaching institutions)

One can choose platform of his/her choice like blogging, YouTube, telegram etc. I made a telegram channel to share my thoughts !!

All the best for the result !!

Best Wishes 😇😇😇

#prelims

With one week to go for Prelims, here are some suggestions-

1) Don’t read any new topic now. Think that whatever you have left, won’t be asked in real exam.

2) It is advisable not to give mock tests now. If you have given a mock test and scored decently then don’t give a new one. If you have given a mock test and not performed well then attempt a easy mock to build back your confidence.

3) Prepare you mind to think according to upsc prelims paper by looking at few PYQs daily. This will also help to remove any biases that creep in due to mocks. I used to solve 20 PYQs daily before sleeping, in last one week

4) Start you final revision. I used to revise everything- static, current affairs and tests series. Here short notes that I used to prepare beforehand used to come very handy. Very short notes can be made for final day revision, if you feel it is very important and you might forget it.

I used to divide last 4 days for revision of different subjects. Devote time according to importance of the topics. Revision of mock tests is also important as it helps in knowing our blunders and also gaining peripheral knowledge.

5) Building Confidence. Proper revision itself builds confidence (more on confidence later). Think positive and do share with your close family members if you are feeling nervous.

6) Consolidate your learning’s from mock tests. Write it somewhere like in which areas you are making blunders etc. I would suggest not to try new things in real exam. I hope that by now everyone will have a strategy on how to attempt the Prelims paper- number of iterations, when to bubble, time management etc

7) Correct your sleeping cycle. This will give you maximum output. Nothing can be as bad as feeling sleepy in real exam. Apart from this a fresh mind can help you more in real exam than reading few topics extra in last 1 week. It helps in improving intelligent guessing. You should prepare your mind to work in most efficient manner, during day time.

8) If you have not given any mock test for CSAT, then please give it now even if you are an engineer from IIT background. CSAT is becoming trickier year after year. You can prepare short notes for CSAT which can be revised during 2 hrs break.

Best Wishes !!

#prelims

Confidence is key

First of all, it is very common to feel the examination pressure. Your one or more year of hard work would be judged within 2 hours. The good part is everyone will be facing it and those who have cleared it, have already faced it.

Many toppers have already told time and again that being confident is very important in Prelims.

Importance of being confident-

1) It helps the candidate to improve on intelligent guessing. No one is sure of answer for more than 40-50 questions in real exam. So in rest questions, one has to eliminate wrong positions and guess right options based upon some knowledge or common sense

2) It helps to recall better whatever you have studied in last one year or more.

How to remain confident-

1) Stay away from negative people, those who make you feel that you have not studied well.

2) Speak to yourself- you have to force your mind to think positive. I used to think like this- ‘If I have studied static and current affairs well and have attempted mock tests, then there is nothing more I could have done. So I have already a decent chance to clear this examination.’

3) Don’t make yourself under-confident. Many people have this tendency to make themselves under confident by saying that he/she has not prepared well. Think forward like you are going to clear this prelims and then how you plan to prepare for Mains

Most common mistake an aspirant makes is thinking again and again that he/she has not covered the syllabus well. I can assure you that even if one gets one extra year, he/she won’t be able to finish the syllabus. So think what all you have already covered and what all you can do in remaining days so as to clear the cut off !!

Last few days can be utilise to do the final revision and gain confidence.

More than anything this exam is test of your mental strength. If you have given your blood and sweet to this examination then don’t give up in the final week !!

‘Future belongs to those who conquer their own fear’

All the best for upcoming Prelims

Best wishes 😇😇

Final result out !!
Congratulations 😇👏

Congratulations to those who got their name printed in the final holy pdf !!

Enjoy the moment with your family and close friends.

There will be lot of attention given to you in coming few days, handle those very carefully. You are the role model now, whatever you do will set an example for others to follow !! Only one suggestion I would make, never forget your family values and ethics !!

Meaning of success is quite different to different people. Some people clear this exam in the first go. Some clear it after many attempts. Some clear it many times but get their chosen service after featuring in the list few times. The kind of emotions people go through may be little different. But maximum successful candidates do feel satisfied that finally they are out of UPSC cycle !!

All the very best for future career !!

For those who are not able to make it to the final list or are not able to improve their service — don’t get disheartened.

This is just an exam where apart from your ability, outside factors also play important role. A friend told me that today’s serious aspirants are tomorrow’s officers !!

It is also a time of introspection- in which areas you can improve and also what will be your approach to future attempts !!

Aspirants will have to make the choice of whether to write coming prelims or not. With less than a week to go for next Prelims, the decision becomes tricky. Whatever your decision is, kindly decide it quickly maybe by today only !!

The only thing which is in our control is our effort and hard-work. We as aspirants only can maximise our chances to get into the final list but cannot guarantee our selection.

Have faith in yourself, as many gets into final list after few attempts. Also have confidence in yourself that whatever field your will choose, you are going to excel in that.

I jumped into Civil Services preparation, thinking about the worst- what if I didn’t get selected, what will I do after giving 3-4 years into preparation?

I thought at that time that I will give serious 2-3 attempts and when I feel that I have given 100% and even after that I’m not able to clear it then I will do something else. My family members supported my decision and at bottom of my heart I knew that if not in Bureaucracy, I will do well in some area. You just have to put your honest hard work to excel.

And Congratulations to all those who were courageous to fight this exam till the last stage 👏💐💐.
A lot of mental strength is required to be even into serious preparation !!

Best Wishes
Yours
Shubham Kumar

Here are the links of channels/groups of CSE 2021 toppers, as shared by Interview Transcripts telegram group (https://www.tg-me.com/PTT2019) :

Ravi Sihag, AIR18 (Hindi Medium)
https://www.tg-me.com/ravikrsihag01

Kaptaan's Channel (IPS, CSE 2021)
https://www.tg-me.com/TeamKJS
[Physics optional]

Narayan Amit (AIR 70)
https://www.tg-me.com/Narayan_Amit_AIR70
[One of the Highest in Anthro]

Kushal Jain(AIR 40)
[https://www.tg-me.com/+Oqhu_JYYj_5iODk1]

Mridul Shivhare(AIR 247)
https://www.tg-me.com/+8I2EAhWm-Y0xY2Zl

Lakshay Anand (AIR 101, History)
https://www.tg-me.com/lakshayanand

Vishal (AIR39, 130 in GS2)
https://www.tg-me.com/tattvamasiiii

Raj Krishna, AIR 158
https://www.tg-me.com/rjk158

Antriksh Jain - AIR130
https://www.tg-me.com/antrikshjain309

Ruthvik (AIR 461, anthropology)
www.ruthvikbairy.com

Arjit (AIR 204, Geography Optional)
https://www.tg-me.com/arjit204

Rahul Bansal (AIR 251)
https://www.tg-me.com/RahulBansalAir251
For those who are preparing with job.

AIR21, Dilip (Maths optional, 300+)
https://www.tg-me.com/dilipkk21

Pragya Jat (AIR 91)
Telegram: https://www.tg-me.com/pragya_jat91

Arpit Gupta (AIR 54, Mathematics)
https://www.tg-me.com/arpit_gupta_54

Roja , AIR 108, Anthropology
https://www.tg-me.com/+dqHipTiZ-kY1MWU1

Aishwarya, AIR-4, Geography
https://www.tg-me.com/aish_verma08

Akshay Mahadik(AIR 212, Anthro)
https://www.tg-me.com/akshaymahadikcse

Saksham AIR 27 (PSIR)
https://www.tg-me.com/SakshamGoelOfficial

Naman Goyal (AIR 30, Geography)
https://www.tg-me.com/namangoyal30

Arpit Sangal AIR 53
https://www.tg-me.com/ArpitSangal

Shivani Jerngal AIR 300
https://www.tg-me.com/shivani_jerngal

Pratik Agrawal AIR 156 (Geography)
https://www.tg-me.com/impratikagrawal

Soham AIR-267 (PSIR)
https://www.tg-me.com/Soham267
PSIR 232, 278, 290 in 3
attempts

Surbhi goyal AIR-78
https://www.tg-me.com/surbhi_goyal_rank78
Gs-440, Anthro-263

Vaibhav Kajale AIR 325 (Anthro)
https://www.tg-me.com/Vaibhav_Kajale_AIR_325

Shreya Sree AIR 71 (Economics optional)
https://www.tg-me.com/shreya_shree_71

Mehak Jain, AIR17 (Pub Ad)
https://www.tg-me.com/mehak_jainAIR17

Shruti Sharma AIR 1 (History Optional)
https://www.tg-me.com/shrutisharma97

Akshay Wakhare AIR 203 https://www.tg-me.com/XshayW203

Divyansh Singh, AIR49 (Chemistry Optional)
https://www.tg-me.com/singhdivyansh0

Anustha Kalia, AIR 143 (Psychology)
https://www.tg-me.com/anushthakalia

Vaibhav Kajale, AIR 325
https://www.tg-me.com/Vaibhav_Kajale_AIR_325

Abhinav Singh, AIR 146(Pub Ad Optional)
https://www.tg-me.com/+2b5k26in-E03OTE1

Abhinav J Jain, AIR 14 (Sociology)
https://www.tg-me.com/abhinavjjainias
https://www.tg-me.com/socio_abhinavjjain

Neha AIR 260 (Economics)
https://www.tg-me.com/Neha_Byadwal_AIR260_economics

Afnan AIR 274 Sociology
https://www.tg-me.com/afnancreativespace
Sociology- 288

Sumit Kumar Thakur AIR 263 (Pub Ad)
https://www.tg-me.com/roadtoCivils

Gaddam Sudheer Kumar AIR 69
https://www.tg-me.com/gsudheerkumarr1996

Dr. Diksha Joshi, AIR 19 (medical science)
https://www.tg-me.com/DikshaJoshi_530

Namneet singh AIR-436(pub ad)
https://www.tg-me.com/+Ee7KI-IckFRhN2Vl

SHUBHAM SHUKLA AIR 43
https://www.tg-me.com/ShubhamShuklaIAS2021

Navdeep AIR-150
https://www.tg-me.com/CSE21_150_Navdeep

Shubham Bhaisare AIR 97 (IFoS; IRTS; Ex IES; GATE AIR 57) (Civil engg -294) ( Interview 145–>180). Will also be sharing common strategies to Ace any exam.
https://www.tg-me.com/shubhambhaisare_ias

Will keep on updating it as other toppers make their channel/groups