My Experiment with UPSC

Introduction:
For last two years I am in the race but this year only I was admitted to the UPSCs mains
club. Here I had some lessons which might be useful for the new comers. Before that, I want to
introduce me. I am Vengatesh from a village in Tamilnadu, working in a private company as a m/c
operator on shift basis. Why I am telling is this because there is a wrong perception that working
men/women cant play this game. I believe that with strong dedication and perseverance, we not
only can play this game but also can win it.
Lessons from mains:
ESSAY:

The first day is Essay writing. I chose sci&tech. Because of the topic is not confined to any
particular period and my optional is History, I started with Indus Valley civilization as intro. It is
goes like The Indus peoples remarkable growth is due to their adaptation of sci&tech and their
destruction is their small negligence of sci&tech in the security. I gave short justification for that.
And I wrote about European renaissance & colonization. But the crux is about the current scenario.
My essays main body titles are following.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Agri growth Role of sci&tech

Industrial growth
Service sector
Human development
Internal security
External Security
Food Security
Energy Security

But for writing the conclusion, I had very less time. So my conclusion is not satisfactory to me.
The lessons are
1. One should study the question clearly. Otherwise you may write very narrow answer.
2. Clear time management is essential. Otherwise you will be in rush at the end, to fill up
whatever you gathered. Then your answers wont be logically arranged and your
conclusion also wont be satisfactory to you.
3. Dont try to give more examples and more quotations. Both shows to examiner that you
dont have anything worthy. He may think you just trying to fill the paper. So every time
try to give the larger picture.

English:
Afternoon is English. Everyone appeared very calm. But I think UPSC is get disturbed about
the language issue on syllabus change. The questions are not in the normal SSLC standard. Though
I am a Tamil medium student in school days, I prepared UPSC in English only. But still I feel the
question is difficult. Whoever prepared in regional language, I think it is more difficult for them.
The first question is essay with 50 marks entitled as We Indians are hypocrites. I dont
know the meaning of hypocrite! (After the exam I came to know there were many who dont know
or misunderstood it). The second issue is in precise writing. I thought I have to fill the full precise
sheet. Only after explanation of Mrunal sir, I find the mistake. The same mistake I did for the
CAPF exam also.
The lessons are
1. UPSC now expecting good vocabulary knowledge. So whenever we come across a new
word while reading the Hindu, we shouldnt simply neglect it. We do it because even
without the meaning of particular word, we would manage to understand that sentence.
So using dictionary continuously is must. I find Wordweb free dictionary is good one. I
think Mrunal sir also mentioned it.
2. Before attempting mains, read last year question papers. Understand the directions.
3. Dont go with any preoccupied thought. Read question paper directions carefully in the
exam hall.
GS Paper
More questions Less Mark No choice More words UPSCs new mantra
Implications on aspirants Need Wide coverage + Fast Writing practice
Ethics paper: Everyone feel they did quite well here and their answers are good. But only
after the results we can find the reality.
The increase in quantity decreased the quality of answers. It is the concern of many
aspirants. What I feel is UPSC will give due concern for both when evaluating the paper.
But the quality will take hedge over the quantity. Because writing 5000 words is not
possible in 3 hours.
Optional
Here only I did the biggest mistake. For all the four GS paper I had read the directions very
clearly before starting to write answers. I dont know about the choices based on the sections. So
with the preoccupied mind, immediately after receiving the question paper I started to answer.
Only after the end of exam I read that directions. Then I calculated that I had written 100 marks
more than need. Also I left 30 marks which I should have written. Of course there is hardly one,
other than me who did this mistake. But even if it saves one aspirant I will feel it is good.
Still, the relative difficulty level on every optional first paper and better completion of map
questions by me, I feel I can get decent marks. My optional is History.

For Prelims
I failed in first attempt with 10 marks due and passed in second attempt. So I can tell the difference
between first attempt and second attempt.
2012

On Syllabus Coverage:
Initially I dont have any GK. So I almost started from zero.
Green Very strongly revised
Light Blue one time revised
Red Not even read
SIA Shankar IAS Academy - Tamilnadu

1. History NCERT Modern India

NCERT Medieval India
NCERT Ancient India
2. Culture
3. Polity - Lakshimikant
4. Economy Materials from SIA
5. Sci & Tech NCERT, Notes from Hindu
6. Geography - NCERT
7. Environment SIA
8. India Year Book
9. Magazines - Wizard
10.Mrunal.org I dont knew
11.Aptitude RS Agarwal & Sijuali by
Arihant
12.Comprehension
On Revision :
1. Revised everything one or two time. But
there is no clear strategy and time
management. Attempted mock tests in
SIA.
2. On December itself I started to prepare
extensively. One month before the exam
my energy dried up. So I cant
concentrate at the crucial time.
3. Attempted mock tests in SIA. It is very
helpful for 2nd paper.

2013
1. History NCERT Modern India
NCERT Medieval India
NCERT Ancient India
Bipin Chandra
2. Culture
3. Polity - Lakshimikant
4. Economy Materials from SIA & Mrunal
5. Sci & Tech NCERT, Notes from Hindu,
SIA &Mrunal
6. Geography - NCERT
7. Environment SIA & Mrunal
8. India Year Book + Mrunal
9. Magazines
10.Mrunal.org I know well
11.Aptitude RS Agarwal & Sijuali by
Arihant & Mrunal
12.Comprehension TATA McGraw GS2
(But dont buy it. Because nothing special
in that. Just practice sample
comprehensions from the internet)
(For economics by Sankar Ganesh & mrunal.org
is enough)
1. Created a comprehensive chart with clear
strategy with time target. In that I
mentioned target date for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
revisions for every subject. Attached in the
wall and religiously followed it.
2. From Sept to Dec my preparation went
slowly. After that I Gradually increased
the studying time. So the exam comes
perfectly at my peak preparation time.
(Note : This year exam only in August
also it will very person to person)
3. Same

On Motivation :
Whenever I get doubt on me, I will just close my eyes and think about small small successes I
made in the past. It is really inspires me. Also I believe hard work never fails. After all studying
civil service is like studying our life. It teaches you everything that both outside and inside of you.
What I find is the subject itself is a motivating one. I am really enjoying when I am reading it, of

course not every syllabus and not every subject.

Finally as Mrunal sir said DONT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET