"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bounds. Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamt yourself to be."
Maharishi Patanjali Yoga Sutra before 2200 years.
1 .Sachin spends 40% of his monthly income on food articles, 40% of the remaining on cloths and 50% of the remaining on transportation. He saves Rs.900 which is 50% of the remaining amount after spending on all the heads. What is the difference between the amount he spends on clothes and transportation?
(A)Rs.1, 200 (B) Rs.600 (C) Rs.1000 (D) 6000
2. Pointing to a man, kamala said that his the only daughter-in-law of my father-in-law Mahesh. How is the man related to Mahesh?
(A) Son (B) Uncle (C) Father (D) Brother
3. In the following number series wrong is given. Find out that wrong number.
6918121.55467.549207.5
(A) 729(B) 5467.5 (C) 9 (D) 18
4. How many pairs of letters are there in the word” INEFFECTUAL” Which have as many letters between them in the word as in the alphabet?
(A)12(B)8(C) 11 (D) None of these.
5 .Ritu is elder to Ragitha. Suresh is younger to Ritu and Rekha. Rekha is younger to Ragitha. Who amongst them is the youngest?
(A) Ritu (B) Rekha (C) Ragitha (D)Suresh
6.In a row of students, Neeta is eighth from the right and Rajesh is Sixteenth from the Right. How many boys are there in that row?
(A) 8 (B) 24 (C) 22 (D) Data inadequate
7.If ’P’ means ’×’ , ’Q’ means ‘+’,’R’ means ‘÷’and ‘S’ means ‘─’ then 16Q8R4P5S5SRQ=?
(A) 25 (B) -25(C) -21(D) 18
8.If CEJQis coded as XVQJ, then BDIP is coded as
(A) WU R Q(B) YWRK (C) WUPI(D) YWPI
9. Sand is to stand as say is to__________
(A) spray(B) sway (C) Sigh(D) Stay
10.If GOLD is written as IQNF, how WIND can be written in that code?
(A) YKPF (B) XJOE (C) VHMC (D) DNIW
Choose the option that is CLOSEST in meaning to the CAPITALISED word.
11. FIDUCIAL:
(A) Official (B) Deceit (C) Trustworthy (D) Parochial
12. MIRIFIC:
(A) Marvelous (B) Mundane(C) Mystical (D) Morbid
14. A company is said to be sick when the accumulated loss at the end of any financial year leads to erosion of____%of its net worth.
(A) 45 (B) 50(C) 55 (D) 60
15. National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) deals with:
We had met Muthayala Raju IAS today formally to invite him to our college departmental fest MICROCOSM'11 as Chief Guest, but he replied that he will try max to attend, because he doesn't went his home from last one and half year, he had got the optional holiday only on March 17th only .....
Any way we are anxiously waiting for his reply..............
Union Public Service Commission of India had released some sample questions regarding to CSAT pattern in its official website.The below link roots you there........
Interview took place on 17th april in New Delhi for 35 mins
Raju: May I come in Sir?
Chairman: Yes, please.
Raju: Good morning, Sir. Good morning, Madam. Good morning, Sirs.
Chairman: You are Mr...
Raju: (Still in standing position), Matyalaraju Revu Sir.
(Chairman is writing something. Other members are keenly watching the candidate.)
Member 2: Please take your seat.
Raju: Thank you, sir.
Chairman: Mr. Revu, You did B.Tech from REC Warangal, ME from IISc, Bangalore. But why did you do diploma?
Raju: Sir, After completion of my 10th class, based on my financial background, my father joined me in polytechnic. After completion of polytechnic, we do get jobs. Also, since I will get scholarship, the amount of money spent on me is less.
Chairman: That means you will get job after diploma.
Raju: Yes Sir, I got a private job. Company is Cain energy limited.
Chairman: Then, why did you join B.Tech?
Raju: Sir, After completion of my diploma, I wrote ECET and I got state 1st rank. So I convinced my father that I will join REC which is a premier Engineering institute in our state.
Chairman: Then, you joined ME because your father insisted on that?
Raju: No Sir, It is based on my project guide Õ³ suggestion.
Sir, infact there are two streams to enter into B.Tech. One through EAMCET after Intermediate and other is through ECET. After ECET...
Chairman: What question I have asked?
Raju: Sorry Sir, you have asked me why I joined ME after B.Tech.
Chairman: OK. Then stick on to the question.
Raju: Sir, I am explaining it.
Chairman: Be specific.
Raju: OK sir, during my final year I got all India rank 3 in Gate. My guide on knowing this result suggested me to join IISc. He further told that this is the golden opportunity for me. Ô‰f you miss it you will not get it again! Õ he told sir. Then, I informed about my career option as civil services. He then convinced me by saying that I can write civil services after M.E. also.
Chairman: That means you are preparing for civil services while you are in IISc?
Raju: I beg to differ with you sir. I started my preparation only after completion of M.E.
Chairman: You have written that you joined Railways in September 2004. That is of which exam?
Raju: Sir, This is based on IES-2003.
Chairman: That means you are in IISc.
Raju: Sir, I completed my second semester at that time.
Chairman: That means you have prepared for IES in IISc.
Raju: Sir, I have given IES in my own background i.e., Electrical Engineering. Hence I need not prepare much for this exam. I just gave the exam.
Chairman: For how many years you are in Railways?
Raju: Sir, I joined Railways on September 2004. Then I took leave for 1 year, i.e., leave on loss of pay.
Chairman: What did you do in that year?
Raju: Sir, I have prepared for this exam.
Chairman: How many months you are in Railways?
Raju: Sir, roughly 5 months.
Chairman: That means you are in Railways till February.
Raju: Sir, I am in Railways till the result of civil services exam 2005 was out. I was given leave for interview preparation in March.
Chairman: Then what did you do after the declaration of the result?
Raju: Sir, Once the result of out, I came to know that I will get IPS. So, I convinced my director for leave to appear civil services again. My director gave me leave.
Chairman: When did you join IPS?
Raju: Sir, I joined IPS on December 18, 2006.
Chairman: Which part of training you missed?
Raju: Sir, I missed foundation training in Mussorie. At SVPNPA, training started on December 18, 2006. So, I haven Õ´ missed any training at Hyderabad.
Chairman: How many days you have taken leave for interview?
Raju: Sir, 4 days.
Member 2: How was your IPS training?
Raju: Sir, training is good and we are enjoying every aspect of training.
member 2: What are you learning in training?
Raju: Sir, our training is divided into two parts. Indoor and outdoor. In indoor, we have subjects like police in modern India, criminology and law subjects like IE Act, CrPC, IPC and other subjects.
Member 2: You are in IPS for 4 months. So I can ask some questions.
Raju: Yes, sir.
Member 2: Do you aware that the confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Why?
Raju: Yes sir. Confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Since there is always a possibility of getting the confession in the way the police like, law doesn Õ´ allow it.
Member 2: What is Res gestae?
Raju: Sir, All the circumstances leading to the same transaction are allowable as evidence.
Member 2: You are on the line. Could you explain more?
Raju: (after 2-3 seconds), If some people wanted to commit dacoity and in the process if they theft a vehicle, eventhough theft of vehicle is not connected with dacoity but it is admissible as it forms the circumstance leading to dacoity.
Member 2: Could you tell me the section which deals with Res gestae?
Raju: Sorry sir, I could not remember the exact section.
Member 2: Then how sections you were taught in IE Act?
Raju: Sir, In our academy our sirs are not teaching according to sections. They are teaching the sections which are more useful for the police at first.
Member 2: Do you aware of RTI?
Raju: Yes. Sir. It is Right to Information Act.
Member 2: What are the provisions in RTI?
Raju: Sir, According to provisions of RTI, every government department has to nominate one officer as information commissioner to give information about duties, responsibilities and functions of various officers working in those departments...
Member 2: Then what is the benefit to common man?
Raju: Sir, Common man can know the functions, duties & responsibilities of various officers. They can know the status of their applications. This also increases transparency and accountability of officers. Hence reduces corruption.
Member 2: How can you say that people will get required information?
Raju: Sir, There is a provision in RTI that any one who refuses to give information or delays 30 days for giving information, they are liable for cut in salary.
Member 2: How much salary cut?
Raju: Sir, I think it is 250 Rs./ day.
Member 2: It is not cut from salary. It is separately cut.
Raju: Thank you Sir.
Member 2: Can you tell me what is the maximum limit?
Raju: Sorry sir, I don Õ´ know.
Chairman: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. Don Õ´ you think that all are inward looking?
Raju: Sir, Whenever possible I play cricket in addition my hobbies, which is a team game.
Member 2: Tell me which countries will reach final in the present world cup?
Raju: Sir, I think Australia and Srilanka.
Member 2: Already two countries reached semifinals i.e., Sri Lanka & Newzealand. What do you think about other two?
Raju: Sir, I beg to differ with you. Actually three countries i.e., Srilanka, New Zealand andAustralia reached semifinals. 4th team depends on the outcome of the today Õ³ match between England & South Africa.
Member 2: Do you know about fly ash?
Raju: Sir, Thermal power stations produce fly ash while generating electrical power.
Member 2: Which state is using it more? Definitely it is not Haryana, My own state.
Raju: Sorry Sir, I don Õ´ know.
Member 3 : (X-A) (X-B) has highest X power of 2. Do you agree?
Raju: Yes, Sir.
Member 3: (X-A) (X-B) (X-C) has highest X power...
Raju: 3, Sir.
Member 3: Then, tell me. What is the answer for (X-A) (X-B).... (X-Z).
Raju: (after 3-4 seconds), It must be Zero. Sir, because of the presence of the term (X-X).
Member 3: Whom do you think a greatest mathematician of all times?
Raju: Sir, Srinivasa Ramanujan, because even though he lived for only 33 years, he contributed more to mathematics in the areas like Numerical methods, Solution of algebraic equations, number theory like prime numbers etc.
Member 3: Can you tell me the formula for prime numbers?
Raju: Sir, exactly I don Õ´ know but recently IIT, Kanpur professor along with his students wrote a software program which gives whether a number is prime or not within less time.
Member 3: You are an electrical engineer. Tell me where prime numbers are used?
Raju: Sir, they are used in coding.
Member 3: I am asking a question in your engineering only. Tell me how prime numbers are used in coding?
Raju: Sir, exactly I don Õ´ know. But to the best of my knowledge, if the code length is prime, decoding and encoding are easy.
Member 3: You are on the line, but not exact answer.
Member 1: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. What you do in motivation?
Raju: Madam, many of classmates and Juniors came to me for clearing their doubts in subjects as I am the toper of my class. I usually listen to their problems regarding their understanding of concepts as many have problems either in one or many subjects. I tell them that every subject is easy if knew the concepts clear and we should like the subject what we are studying...
Madam: Do your response same for all?
Raju: Madam, I usually spend more time with those who are very much lagging. I take classes to clear their doubts.
Madam: Then do you call it motivation or strategic learning?
Raju: Madam, strategic learning may be the correct term.
Madam: What is the difference between these two?
Raju: Madam, motivation is a general term which includes not only academic motivation but also others like psychological, etc., Madam, I don Õ´ know exactly the meaning of strategic learning.
Madam: Which books you read in Indian Mythology?
Raju: Madam, I read Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Madam: Since your hobbies are motivating others and Indian Mythology, tell me how Krishnamotivated Arjuna?
Raju: Madam, When Arjuna refused to fight with friends, teachers, Krishna told him that it is the duty of the king to protect Dharma and fight wars for protecting it. We should not move away from our duty. Since soul is immortal and of which is born, death is certain, of which death happened, birth is certain. Hence you should not think that you are committing crime. Also he motivated him by saying that we should do our work only. We should not think about the results of our actions. Otherwise, attachment to the results will occur which is a major reason for unhappiness.
Madam: Do you practise it?
Raju: Madam, It is very difficult to practise.
Madam: Why?
Raju: Madam, for example, if we are about to play a cricket match, we will think about the winning of the match which is actually the result of the playing that match.
Madam: One last question. What kind of training our team got during our last year world cup?
Raju: Madam, exactly I am not able to recollect it. But it is like Ò·e can do it this time Ó¼ /span>
Madam: Sorry, It is not last year world cup but it is 2003 world cup. The team was given psychological training.
Raju: Yes, Madam
Member 4: You studied your B.Tech. from REC Warangal and M.E. from IISc Bangalore. Do you proud of your institutions like IISc?
Raju: Sir, I am proud that I have studied in a great institution like IISc, which according UNESCO survey conducted in 1997 was in 18th place among world universities. Recently a Chinese university conducted a survey in which IISc was placed at around 250th position.
Member 4: Do you think that 250th position is a good position?
Raju: Sir, even though it is not a good position, the position depended on the parameters they have taken into consideration like no. of nobel laureates present, no. of research papers presented, etc.
Member 4: Who are nobel laureate present in IISc?
Raju: Sir, now there is no nobel laureate in IISc. Earlier Sir C.V.Raman worked in IISc. Now, there are two internationally reputed professors working there.
Member 4: Last year government proposed to stop B.Tech entry into IITs. Do you support that?
Raju: Sir, I support it. Sir, due to hectic schedule, the professors of IITs are not able to concentrate much on research. Once the B.Tech entry is stopped, they will get more time for research and quality of research will increase.
Member 4: Don Õ´ you think the quality of B.Tech students will reduce as IITs are known for better professors?
Raju: Sir, those students who are earlier eligible for entry into IITs, they will join NITs. Since they are the core students I don Õ´ think the quality will reduce. But the professors in other institutes should get sufficient training to reach the level of IIT professors.
Member 4: You agree to that proposal. But the government has withdrawn the proposal due to very good argument against it. Can you tell me?
Raju: Sorry sir, I don Õ´ know.
Member 4: What do you think is responsible for reduction in research?
Raju: Sir, IISc is not able to retain those students who completed M.E. and other courses there. One reason is brain drain, Sir. Second one is that research is not attractive in India, Sir. For example, in our batch out of 230 students who completed M.E. only 2 joined for Ph.D. in IISc. At the end of our M.E. we got campus placements. The minimum salary is around 6 lakhs/ annum. It is attracting most of us. Those who are really interested in research, they are going abroad as they will get more money and research is attractive there. Here, a Ph.D. student gets 12,000 - 15,000 Rs per month. Also material considerations have risen these days, sir. We have to include some compulsory courses in morale & ethics to stop this.
Member 4: Instead of choosing job or research, why did you choose services as career option?
Raju: Sir, The incident that took place in my village in November 2000, when I am in 3rd year of B.Tech, has changed my career options. Nearby Engineering college students came to our village for picnic as our village has excellent beach. 7 of them drowned in the Bay of Bengaland all of them has taken sand into their lungs in addition to water. Since our village is an island, there are no transportation, medical & meagre educational facilities, it took 2 hours to reach nearest town which is 16 Km away from my village. By that time, 6 out 7 were died, Sir.
Chairman: You are telling about an incident in your village. In that case who will respond first?
Raju: (3-4 seconds silence)
Chairman: Whether it is Block development officer, Doctor, or Police.
Raju: Sir, It is the police to respond first.
Chairman: Then, you are in IPS. Why did you come?
Raju: Sir, even for police it took 2 hours to reach that place as there is not enough transportation facilities.
Chairman: Thank you.
Raju: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Sirs.
Choose Subject with Which You are Comfortable Suja K.
All India Rank - 4 C.S. Exam. 2004
The trait of enjoying the process of learning and finding pleasure in the acquisition of knowledge should be cultivated from the early beginning. The solid preparation can begin later, may be one year before the exam. But, it is good to know if only really wants it right from the school, college days.” Says Suja K. All India Rank - 4 C.S., Exam. 2004.
Congratulation on your success. Having met your ambition now, what role do you visuals for yourself in context of the nation, society at large and your family?
I see myself doing my own bit of Science that I can in building an India, that has stronger economic ties with other nations, an India whose economic aspirations receive priority over political consideration. As a responsible individual. I will express my gratitude to the family and society that have groomed me by delivering them with all the best things which are within my reach.
Whom would you give credit for your success? Your secret of success?
To my family members who have always allowed me to carry on with my over aspirations, who have never pressurized me to do anything what they wanted, who have genuinely helped me to achieve all that I have achieved. Yes, the credit goes to my sweet parents, grand mother and uncle.
How much time did you devote for
(i) Prelims 1 year (GS was given more attention). (ii) Mains 21/2 months (after declaration of Prelims result). (iii) Interview nearly 20 days.
Did you integrate Prelims & Mains preparation or was ti separate?
It was separate.
Which magazines & newspapers did you concentrate on? Did you get any help from Civil Services Chronicle?
The Hindu, The Economic Times, Yojana, CSC etc. I was not a regular subscriber of any magazine. But I found it to be a handicap while preparing for mains.
What were your Optionals in Prelims & Mains? What was your basis of selecting them?
Prelims - Economics Mains - Economics & Malayalam Literature. I was familiar and extremely comfortable with both the subject.
Which books did you refer for Optionals & GS in Prelims and Mains?
GS : Prelims (Spectrum’s Books, India Year Book). GS : Mains (Spectrum’s Book on Eng. T., Indian Geography, Polity, History etc.), Economics (Prelims). Economy Survey, graduation notes, scum series work books, Books on various branches of Economics by Indian authors. Economics (Mains) Public Finance (Bhatia) Micro & Micro Economics (Ahuja) International Trade (Ravi Batra) Development Economics (Debraj Raj, Thirwal & Missa & Puri) Malayalam Literature Sahitya Charithaam (KM George) Indian Economy (Missa & Puri Dutt & Sundharam) Karitha Charithaam (Leelavethi)
Did you make notes? Are they useful? What is your advise on note-making?
I was not good at making notes. But I used to note down the points. It has helped a lot especially for Prelims. I find it is good to do that when one is reading. It saves a lot of time in the end.
Did you feel any change in the trend of questions? When you appeared for the first time in the exam did you feel any change in question-trend in comparison to what you had anticipated? Comment on trend day in comparison to 5 to 10 years earlier.
There is a change in the trend of questions - Questions are becoming more and more analytical. Prelims has also been made together in the sense even if you knew two matches for sure out of sure, you cannot guess the correct match unless & until you know all four.
Did you attend any coaching institute? What is your over all opinion about the coaching institutes?
No, Attending Coaching Institutes are not a pre-requisite.
When should one ideally begin thinking about and preparing for this exam?
The trait of enjoying the process of learning and finding pleasure in the acquisition of knowledge should be cultivated from the early beginning. The solid preparation can begin later, may be one year before the exam. But, it is good to know if one really wants it right from the school, college days.
Do you believe writing style matters in the examination? What are your suggestions?
It may matter to some extent in all papers in the sense that you should ....... what you want to convey in a precise way, to the point. Flowery language is not advisable even for the essay paper writing point-wise can be useful for some questions.
Q. What is your opinion on time management for preparation and in the actual exam?
A. It is very important, especially when one is taking GS-II. It is good to give a fair deal to all questions rather than writing too much on some questions you know well and leaving out the rest. Keep up the word limit.
What is your observation on
(a) Disadvantage to Rural background candidates in this exam. Accessibility to relevant materials may be a problem. If there is a factual doubt, through Internet, it can be easily cleared. In rural areas, this may be a problems. Searching things manually may waste a lot to time. (b) Advantage to Professional and Technocrats qualifying in greater number. It is easy for Technocrats to study humanities, but not the other way round .... GS contains questions from both, it may prove to be an advantage for them. As far as Optionals go, there is no difference, I believe between technocrats & others. (c) Advantage to students of public school and top universities. The atmosphere, discussions with friends, the peer-group frame work etc. may help. Interactions within such group may be an advantage.
What should be the strategy to maximise one’s score in essay paper?
Do not quote. Be personal and original. Do not use flowery language. Look at the issue from all angles. There should be a flow. Choosing of topic is also important.
Before getting down to actual preparation, what kind of reading should one do to prepare one’s suitability for this exam?
Quiz Books, GK Books, Previous issues of various magazines etc. give a feel of the knowledge that one is trying to acquire.
What is your advise to
(i) Freshers who are going to appear for the first time. Read the instructions carefully Do not be in a hurry. Be relaxed. First attempt should be the best attempt. (ii) Candidates who cannot decide upon Optionals. Choose those subjects with which you are comfortable and you would enjoy reading it. There is nothing called a scoring optional. Do not be misled by this idea. (iii) Those who have failed in this exam. Whatever happens in life, happens for good... You might be wanted else where... Not clearing this exam should not be a dead-end... All people have failed to some point in their life...
Tell us something about your interview? Did you feel nervous in the exam?
It is an experience which I was worried about since my college days, but when it actually happened, it turned out to be wonderful.. I was very nervous before the actual interview and I was not satisfied after it was over... But I was relaxed when it was happening.
What was the biggest mistake you made in this exam?
That I wasted my time in between Prelims Exam and declaration of result. That I wrote my Roll No : in the precise-Sheet which I was not supposed to do.
When were you introduced to CSC for the first time? As a reader what do you think are the strong points in CSC and in which segment do you visualise a room for improvement?
In my M.A. days. The expected questions a mains is extremely useful. (Career Quest General Studies Notes for Prelims and mainswww.studykit.blogspot.com)
Questions Test Knowledge Not Just Memory Dr. Amit Shiv Kumar Telang All India Rank - 11 C.S. Exam. 2004 " I look forward to represent my country at various international fora. I wish to let the world know that we are a country not only big in number but in intellect, culture and above all democratic ideals."
Congratulation on you success. Having met you ambition now, what role do you visualise for yourself in context of the nation, society at large and your family?
I look forward to represent my country at various international fora. I wish to let the world know that we are a country not only big a number but in intellect, culture and above all democratic ideals.
Whom would you give credit for you success? Your secret of success?
I thank the almighty and my parents my teachers from my early schooling till date, my friends Sandeep, Atul, Prasad and my wife Deepali who were always with me in thick and thin. The secret of my success is my perseverance and hard work.
How much time did you devoted for (This attempt)
(i) Prelims 15 days (ii) Mains 21/2 months (iii) Interview 15 days I devoted equal time, for GS & Optionals in mains. In prelims I concentrated more on optional.
Did you integrate Prelims & Mains preparation or was it separate?
I integrated study of my first optional-Medical Science.
Which magazines & newspapers did you concentrate on? Did you get any help from Civil Services Chronicle?
I exclusively depended on Civil Services Chronicle for general studies (Current Events). It also read Hindu. I read books from Spectrum Publication for General Studies.
What were your Optionals in Prelims & Mains? What was your basis of selecting them?
Prelims : Medical Science Mains : medical Science & Zoology The former was my subject of graduation and Zoology was much similar to my first optional especially the second paper.
Which books did you refer for Optionals & GS in Prelims and Mains?
GS - Spectrum books, NCERT class VIII to XII, Civil Services Chronicle. Medical Science - Standard books Zoology - Kotpal series, Verma & Agrawal (Cell biology, ecology etc.), Veer Bala Rastogi (Evolution), Reena Mathur (Ethology), Guyton (Physiology) & Harper (Biochemistry)
Did you makes notes? Are they useful? What is your advise on note-making?
No, I have not made any notes. I relied on books, underlined them and revised them.
Did you feel any change in the trend of questions? When you appeared for the first time in the exam did you feel any change in question-trend in comparison to what you had anticipated? Comment on trend today in comparison to 5 to 10 years earlier.
The questions are more generalised now and test knowledge and to just memorising the notes.
Did you attend any coaching institute. What is your over all opinion about the coaching institutes?
I attended coaching for interview only. I feel guidance from a good coaching constitute helps a lot.
When should one ideally begin thinking about and preparing for this exam?
During final year for graduation.
Do you believe writing style matters in the examination? What are your suggestions?
Success in this examination depends a lot on one’s writing style. One has to be precise, succinct and simple. Illustrations, examples, diagrams are must.
What is your opinion on time management for preparation and in the actual exam?
It is “the most important” factor, infact poor time management is the reason for my initial failure in this examination. One must practice writing answers within time to prevent last moment hurry.
What is your observation on
(a) Disadvantage to Rural background candidates in this exam. I don’t think in this examination any disadvantage exists. Infact background doesn’t make any difference. (b) Advantage to Professionals and Technocrats qualifying in greater number. They are a habit of writing precise answers. (c) Advantage to students of public school and top universities. I don’t find any specific advantage.
What should be the strategy to maximise one’s score in essay paper?
Should write a simple essay with real life examples. No need of any unnecessary idioms, phrases or quotations.
Before getting down to actual preparation, what kind of reading should one do to prepare one’s suitability for this exam?
One should be a regular newspaper reader to say the least. Interest in quizing, watching current event programs on TV etc. does help.
What is your advise to
(i) Freshers who are going to appear for the first time. Think that it is your best attempt and put all your energy in it. (ii) Candidates who cannot decide upon Optionals. The best ways is to select an optional with which you are familiar. Write some answers, get them corrected by teachers and ask for their advise.
Those who have failed in this exam.
The failure is because of some mistakes. Try to rectify them and success is all yours.
Tell us something about your interview? Did you feel nervous in the exam?
I appeared in Prof. D.P. Agrawal’s board. The members and chairman were very cordial. Questions were general and situational. I did feel a bit nervous at the time of interview but not in prelims or mains.
When were you introduced to CSC for the first time? As a reader what do you think are the strong points in CSC and in which segment do you visualise a room for improvement?
I started reading CSC since 2001. Its strong points are sections like World Watch, India Watch, Economy Sections. Questions & answers on constitution are very good. Improvement may be done on model test papers many times the answers are wrong.
I Stressed on Writing Structured Answers Mundhe Tukaram Haribhau All India Rank-20 C.S. Exam. 2004 Language plays a crucial role in the main exam. If the language is good, it communicates your message clearly and precisely. ‘Good’ language means simple, lucid and intelligible language, with short and meaningful sentences. Good language does not mean language loaded with big and heavy words and complex sentences. It applies to all the papers, including Essay.
What was your strategy for success?
Planned hard work; particularly I stressed on writing “structured answers.” It is the writing communication which fetched me better marks. I resorted to the presentation of answers in point and attractive formats.
What were your Optionals?
Political Science International Relations and History.
On what basis did you select them?
It was a planned strategy these Optionals were my subjects at Graduation level.
What should be the approach of beginners in selecting Optionals?
The Criteria of selecting Optionals should be aptitude, interest and ability to comprehend the subject matter. Also, one should be able to express views in lucid and simple language.
What was your plan for preparation?
My plan for preparation was to go for the examination after my graduation. Preparation at graduation level was a part of preparation for civil services. Therefore, Optionals for civil services were already selected. When actual preparation for civil services examination began, I prepared my own notes, as my style of studying was by preparing notes. I prepared notes on almost every topic. Later on, I changed my strategy a little bit. Instead of preparing notes topic wise, I prepared by writing answers on every topic and sub topic, which paid rich dividends.
How much the quality of language is effective in main exam?
Language plays a crucial role in the main exam. If the language is good, it communicates your message clearly and precisely. “Good” language means simple, lucid and intelligible language, with short and meaningful sentences. Good language does not mean language loaded with big and heavy words and complex sentences. It applies to all the papers, including Essay.
Your opinion about coaching institutes?
Coaching institutes could play the role of improving your performance. The coaching institute can guide you along right path particularly in writing proper and complete answers. However, all coaching are not good, only select few give proper guidance in writing quality answers.Coaching institutes help to a particular point only candidate himself has to devise the means to achieve the goal.
Did you prepare notes for Optionals and G.S.?
Yes, I did. It helps in creating structured answers. It also gives you confidence as you are ready to tackle any question as preparation takes place along those lines. Above all it helps in time management in the main examination.
