Toppers Talk VANDANA IAS Topper Rank: 8 Exam: Civil Services Examination IAS Topper Year: 2012 Optional Subjects Law, Literature of Sanskrit Language Success Plan Hindi medium draw attention again with success of Vandana (AIR 8, CSE 2012) After Vandana’s outstanding result, expectations are high with Hindi medium candidates Positive Attitude is important while preparing for Civil Services Exam, says Vandana AIR 8, CSE 2012 Language Medium of writing examination Hindi Language Medium for Personality Test Hindi Number of attempts First Attempt I had fixed my goal very early in my life when I was in 10th and after that most of the decisions I took, I kept in mind the career choice I had chosen for me. In fact, my LL.B. was a part of my preparation-strategy for Civil Service Examination Preparation for Civil Services Examination was like worship for me. When I started serious preparation after completing LL.B., I looked at the syllabus and just believed in what UPSC has mentioned in that. I had no one in my surrounding who could guide me or tell how to plan for this examination. I didn’t have any role model. I took the safest route by covering all topics covered in the syllabus and relied on most of the books and study-material that I had used in my graduation and LL.B. Be it Preliminary or Main Examination, I faced all with full confidence and after my Main Examination, for the first time, I realized that I had performed well and the final result should be good. Time management I did a lot of answer writing practice just keeping in mind the importance of time-management for the examination. This time graph questions from Statistics constituent were lengthy and took a lot of time. But, despite best of my efforts, I could not attempt the complete paper and left around 30 marks questions unanswered. Secret of success There is nothing hidden – only hard work, support from my family and self-belief. Hobbies Poetry, reading books, painting Optional Subjects While choosing optional subjects, understanding of the subjects and availability of study-material were main factors for picking the subjects. Optional subject 1: Law Optional subject 2: Literature of Sanskrit Language I have done graduation in Sanskrit Literature in MDU (Kanya Gurukul, Bhiwani) and LL.B. from B R Ambedkar University, Agra. So, both the optional subjects were my own subjects and I was comfortable in managing these two. Prelims I appeared in Civil Services Examination for the first time and was not concerned about the recent changes at Preliminary Examination level. I just prepared myself to face what was mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. Strategy for Paper I and Paper II As such, there was nothing that could pose big problems. Rather, I found Paper II comparatively easier to prepare. Actually, I was to focus more on Paper I as I had done my schooling from UP Board and have not read NCERT Books. I needed to lay a solid foundation with basics and that really helped me. For Paper II, as I said, I didn’t give much of time and I could get only about a month’s time to prepare. Negative Marking As I didn’t have much idea about exam-techniques, I answered all questions in Preliminary Examination as I felt that I know almost all. But, later, I realized that I have marked some wrong answers as well; still, I cleared it. Now, I feel that one should care for Negative Marking and the Preliminary Examination should be attempted with alertness and care. Mains For Main Examination, both my subjects were my own and just relied on my books that I read earlier. For me, it was sort of revision. For my optional subject Law, I got immense help from my elder brother who is a lawyer. Yes, preparation for General Studies was really challenging and as I mentioned earlier, I devoted maximum time for this only. Essay For Essay, as such I didn’t prepare specifically. I wrote my essay based on my knowledge I gained and on articles I read in newspapers and magazines. I picked up the topic In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’ as I found it relevant. Interview For facing personality test, I just prepared of my own at my home. I equipped myself with information relating to my bio-data and refreshed few important things relating to my optional subjects. As this was first interview of my life, I attended a mock interview and got a feedback that my confidence level is good and I need to focus on my presentation. I was interviewed by Mr. Purushotam Agarwal sir’s board and my interview lasted for about 30 minutes. I was comfortable althroughout and he kept on smiling in between which gave me courage and I answered confidently. Interview Questions I was asked about my optional subject Law, my bio-data, my state etc. Advice Do not follow herd-mentality; have faith on your capabilities. There is no substitute to hard work.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 04:51:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015