This is Chaitanya and fortunately I secured AIR 397 in recently concluded UPSC CSE 2021. Optional was Sociology.
This was my third attempt as in first two I couldn’t clear prelims.
I am no guide-er, rider or provider. Here on this channel I will try to share what I learnt in whole process and at each stage of exam & will explore how it can be useful for others too.
Name in holy pdf😊
Two lines that kept me going all throughout-
1- Control the controllable. 2- Implement the best plan at hand.
UPSC Preparation Strategy by Chaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021
Sources that I followed…
Newspaper- During first two attempts I read The Hindu and in the third one switched to Indian Express (personally felt IE being more balanced and diverse).
1-Didn’t made any notes out of newspaper, rather noted down keywords and references for connecting them later at the time of revision.
2- Used to write down specific good points from articles/editorials regarding specific topics.( pro and cons sort of thing)
Monthly Magazine- I used to follow only one monthly magazine which was Vision’s. One must take out time to revise them too, unfortunately I couldn’t do much.
GS subjects Basic standard booklist that everybody tells was what I too followed like Spectrum- Modern History Laxmikant- Polity Environment- Shankar Ias book Thematic NCERTs etc
Other than those, was part of classroom program of a coaching, notes that were prepared there were basic reference points.
Note: I used to make notes in good writing and used 3-4 different colored pens as vibrancy of notes will not discourage me from reading in later stages of exam.( Will try to upload some samples of those)
Yojana/Kurukshetra Never read Kurukshetra.
Sometimes used to refer to Yojana summary provided by Vajiram & Ravi on their website( got that printed and read in hard copy, that too very rarely)
Front page from Yojana where there an article is written which denotes the crux of whole magazine..generally From Editor’s Desk— Used to read that and tried to take points from that to use in answers and essays.
World History: Had a booklet of Dhyeya IAS coaching and read that only. What I did was used to read world history alongwith Atlas. This exercise made me learn whole map of Europe whole heartedly without any extra effort.
Optional Sociology I attended classes by Kumar Amit Sir, and those notes were basic reference points.
Had very much selective reading of Nitin Sangwan’s Essentials of Sociology and Indian Sociological Thought by BK Nagla.
Answer Writing: Basically followed toppers answer copies for learning innovative ways of representations. Used to refer to the specific subject copy in which he/she got more marks. Like in Ethics I analysed someone’s copy who got 160 in final paper…and tried to inculcate good ways/points, same drill for other subjects too.
For Data: I used compliation of data made by Saloni Verma ma’am( AIR 70, 2020) and used data straight from there only in my answers. Also googled data on certain topics like Global warming, World Inequality, Women Empowerment etc and wrote that down and eventually used in answers.
Essay: Read whole blog of Anudeep Durishetty Sir( AIR 1, 2017) on essays, got that pdf printed in hard copy and read.
Read around 10-15 essays of toppers to learn how to start/ end the essay and also how to maintain flow and also to learn about different dimensions to be added. What all points should be there or not etc.
Basic aim: I always aimed and tried to complete whole Mains paper, be it any subject. In all 7 papers I attempted each question and tried to finish the paper with 5 minutes remaining. Used those 5 minutes to underline etc.
One can’t afford to leave any question as each marks count in the final list…one mark difference can cost someone his/her rank so it is important to attempt each question. In the end, it is anyday better to get 2 out of 10 instead of getting 0 out of same 10 marker.
Prelims Wishes to students on Instagram by Chaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021
Prelims result of 2022 are expected to be announced in quite sometime. All the best to everyone from my side who have appeared in the exam.
Be it any result, either positive or negative always remember it will not be the end rather a new beginning. No exam is bigger than life🔥.
I have experienced the same anxiety in last 3 attempts and couldn’t clear in first two. All we can do is the implementation of best plan at hand alongwith leaving the uncontrollable things aside.
Once again all the very best😇
Independence Day Wishes to students on Instagram by Chaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021
Hello everyone, Today , the 76th Independence Day is about to end but it is emergence of a new dawn. Today nation entered in The Amritkaal – a journey of 25 years from now to 2047. We the citizens of this vibrant country must give every ounce of our effort, mind and thought in the days ahead to make our beloved India reach where our forefathers had dreamt of. With immense possibilities and opportunities we must make cent percent out of it. Give your best in every moment and place wherever the duty lies on you. Think of what contribution you can make in this journey of Amritkaal. Ignite a fire within to be an active participant and a proud citizen of our beautiful nation called India that is Bharat 🇮🇳.
Happy Independence Day to all🇮🇳
Mains Wishes to students on Instagram by Chaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021
All the very best to all who are appearing in Mains from tomorrow onwards.
Be the best version of yourself in each second of those 27 hours. Fortune favours the brave. Best of luck.
Chaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021 with Father and MotherChaitanya- AIR 397, UPSC CSE 2021 Formal Picture
