When I had to decide how would I like to spend the next 30- 40 years of my life I had many options .But I could only traverse a single path. I chose the vocation of a Civil Servant.
And lo and behold today I am one. I am Anya Das ,AIR 60 in CSE 2018. In this post I would like to share my journey and if this sharing turns to be of some help to aspirants it would be great.
Background:
I belong to Jamshedpur ,Jharkhand .I did my graduation in English literature from Ravenshaw University ,Cuttack.
Tryst with UPSC:
I completed my graduation in May 2016 and I gave my first attempt the very same year. I secured AIR 579 and was allotted IRPS.
What I did in the first attempt?
- Only constant thing I did was reading newspapers
- I followed a sectional approach. Chunk of the prelims preparation was done after May and GS preparation was done primarily after prelims.
- I began my Optional Sociology only after prelims, spending around 2 and half hours everyday in optional coaching class.Its syllabus is comparatively less and therefore I could complete it in three months time.
- I could not complete the syllabus but due to my decent writing skills and Essay marks- 162 and decent Optional score -267, I could sail through
In 2017 I gave my second attempt but couldn't clear prelims for 1 mark :(
From dreaming to becoming- getting into IAS
For my 3rd attempt I started from January 2018 as till December I was doing my foundation course.
Strategy:
Prelims-
Revising and giving
Test series is the key. I gave
IASbaba 60 Days test. I made notes out of these tests and revised them frequently.
I have mentioned more about Prelims Strategy @ the end of this Post
Mains-My focus was on improving my GS score, as in my first attempt my total GS score was 382. This time it is 417 (GS Marks).
For this,I jotted down keywords in the syllabus, went through books, study material, internet and created crisp notes. Revision of these notes frequently ,with focus on maps, diagrams helped.
One must go through previous year's questions and try to solve them. Focus on areas from where most questions are asked, for example in GS 1 Paper monsoon is a favourite topic.
How to deal with the Grey areas?
Art and culture- apart from reading NCERT and CCERT text, doing history section thoroughly helps. For mains, practicing diagrams can help-eg stupa, Harappan pottery.
Science and technology- Read one basic material for science and tech . I referred to Vajiram's yellow book and kept an eye on the current developments. Rajya Sabha TV episodes on certain topics help.
Role of Iasbaba in my Preparation:
My Motivation:
It's a long exam, demanding a lot of mental energy. I meditated every morning and used to read motivational quotes in the internet. One needs to do the positive self talk everyday to stay motivated. Remember you have chosen this glorious road- of hard work,of contributing to the society. You will certainly feel someday-
"Two roads diverged in a wood ,and I
I took the less traveled by ,
And that has made all the difference"
Scores:
PRELIMS -112