S. Divyadharshini (AIR- 1, 2010)
"Being confident, dedicated and consistent will help crack the exam"
What were the basic mantras of your success?
Ans: I had put in hard work and was confident that I could clear the
exam. So, hard work, dedication and confidence paved way for my success.
What were your strategies for the lengthy syllabus of General Studies for both Prelims and Mains?
Ans: For prelims, I studied extensively concentrating basically on
facts. For the mains it was a more intensive study with subject
knowledge. Further, internet as a source helped me enormously in my
preparation.
What should be the basis of selecting optionals?
Ans: One's interest in the subject should be the prime consideration.
Apart from this, availability of guidance and materials of study and the
vastness of the syllabus would also form the basis.
How did you plan your optional strategy?
Ans: First, I took Public Administration as my first optional since it
was a new subject and covered all sections as per syllabus. Second, I
opted for Law, since I had done my graduation in Law, no extra effort
was needed, but merely a different strategy to go about the preparation
for civil services.
Did you follow the myth that only so called popular optional should be opted?
Ans: No, I felt comfortable with law as an optional though many tried
to dissuade me. I felt the syllabus comfortable and interesting so I
went about it. Also Public Administration was an interesting subject and
had many parts of polity in it so I took it as another option.
What were the sources of information for general reading? How did you
come to know that which sources of reading materials are standard?
Ans: My basic source of reading had been the public library. Apart from
this, I also had internet as a source but was also cautious to cull out
genuine and reliable information there from.
Tell us something about preparation of essay paper.
Ans: I did not prepare separately for essay paper. My GS preparation and my optional papers helped me answer the essay better.
How much time one should devote for this exam?
Ans: To give this exam a fair chance, it needs one and a half years of comprehensive preparation.
Prelims-1 year
Mains- depend upon the optional chosen. But it would take at least 6 months.
Interview- it would take few weeks to a month as it includes preparing of own profile and updating with current affairs.
Which is the most difficult part of this exam and why? What was your strategy to tackle this difficult part?
Ans: I feel, Prelims is the most difficult part, not just because it is
tough but because it is highly competitive. I think being cautious in
answering the prelims exam with taking few calculated risks would help
one clear the exam. But overall this dedication towards the exam and
consistent preparation would also help.
Did you integrate your Prelims or Mains preparation or was it separate?
Ans: I built my mains preparation by further building on my prelims
preparation. But initially when I started, I had concentrated only on my
prelims preparation.
How helpful are the notes? What is your advice on notes-making?
Ans: It had also been my strategy to make my personal notes for each
topic that I considered important. It leaves your impression on the
answer and further note-making proved important during my refresher,
before the prelims exam. So it helped me in a big way towards saving a
lot of time.
What are your suggestions for fresher’s ?
Ans: The exam is extremely competitive. So, fresher’s have to work
towards that end. Being confident, dedicated and consistent will help
crack the exam.
Civil Services Exam process is quite strenuous.
It requires long hours of constant study. How did you maintain your
tempo and what did you do to break the monotony of preparation?
Ans: I would prepare my notes and then study. It is one laborious exam
that goes around for almost a year. I was consistent in my preparation
and whenever I would feel burnt out I would take a short break and
rejuvenate myself with things that interest me.
The trend
suggests that Professionals are more successful in this exam. Does this
exam prove difficult for Humanities and Social Science background
candidates?
Ans: I don't think that it plays a part in the
result. Being a professional cannot be a consideration when you have
done your exam well. So it ultimately comes down to the individual
preparation.
What should be the best strategy to tackle negative marking?
Ans: Negative marking requires a person to take calculated risks. It
makes a person think objectively and not go about taking / relying
completely on chances.
How did you prepare for interview?
Ans: My preparation for the interview was profile based and I also
concentrated on my background subject Law and my other optional subject
Public Administration. Also I was keeping myself prepared on the current
hot topics of discussion.
Which type of questions were asked in the interview? Did you answer all?
Ans: The interview was very spontaneous. It depends on the way the
candidate answers. I observed that most questions were built upon the
answers that I had given.'' I had some questions on travel, law, current
topics, RTI, Lokpal, why civil service and a couple of situational
questions.
What is your advice to the candidates who have failed in this exam?
Ans: Please don't give up. You would have surely learnt from your
unsuccessful attempt. Please correct it and you can surely clear this
exam.
Can you give details of your earlier attempts?
Ans: My first attempt was in 2009, where I could not clear the prelims.
Can you give your marks detail of the final attempt?
Marks Mains 2010-
GS- 265
Pub Ad- 356
Law-374
Essay-114
Interview- 225
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