My name is Shaik Habeebulla and I secured AIR 189 in UPSC CSE 2022 this is my marksheet:
I did not qualify prelims in the first two attempts and scored 30+ cut-off in third attempt. This was my first mains and first interview which fortunately turned out to be my final attempt as I am joining the police service. Here are few insights for prelims (gs paper), ethics (127) , gs1, gs2 and anthropology optional (285).
Basically in my first 2 attempts i went through with random news sources, multiple websites and random test series. I did not believe that upsc will give emphasis to previous year questions
In the third attempt ,I changed my strategy radically. I restricted myself to basic books and ncert without running here and there for various sources.
Previous year question analysis: pyqs are very imperative in understanding the pattern of questions, themes repeating every year, logical deductions to make and many other. This should not confused by blind elimination tricks. Blindfold eliminations without intellectual guessing and knowledge will lead to devastation. Elimination techniques efficiency is directly proportional to knowledge we aquire.
Wise use of test series: Test series should be attempted to check our subject knowledge, not for anything else -neither for pattern of solving not to expect same questions in real paper, so test series should be limited but revised thoroughly.
Last 15 days mind makeup: in last 15 days I have attempted pyq papers from year 2009 to 2021 daily each .even though we know answers for them ,we should solve a paper daily as it prepares our mind ready to a paper prepared by upsc .
Managing ourselves: we should be calm ,composed and confident because whatever we have studied before paper will only materialise if we perform on that day with calmness. Any difficult paper should be seen as “A problem common to everyone is no longer a problem, everyone dies -we all know, so no one fears death”
Coming from a biology background, as I am a veterinary doctor, maths was always a tough nut to crack. So these are my few inputs which worked for me:
Attempt around 38-45 but with great accuracy. In 2022 I attempted 38 questions only but scored near 80, we just need to cross 66 marks.
We can rely on passages as only 6-7 passages are tough and ambiguous if we practice well.
Remaining 20 passages are easy to moderate, but as they are mixed with tough passages in between which makes us doubt our answers in easy passages also.
We should learn to leave questions at right time. Any question consuming more than 2-3 minutes should be left and move to another question.
Beat panic: It is natural to get panic in csat paper, we need to overcome it. Trust ourselves and our strategy and also the efforts we have put before the exam.
Gs1 and Gs2 Preparation Strategy by Shaik Habeebulla
Preparation for prelims and mains to be done in an integrated manner
Specifically in gs1, I tried to write answers specific to the subject asked like geography answers cannot be same as of environment neither of disaster management though the asked question is same (example cloud burst)
Try to include diagrams, timeline maps, geography diagrams, india maps etc.
In gs2, we need to be more careful in regards to non laxmikanth part -for that note making from various sources will be helpful and decode gs2 by mudit Jain sir helped me a lot in those last days
Try to make short notes of judicial cases, committees,data ,mind maps for last minute and multiple revisions
Ethics paper needs to be understood differently from other gs papers. This paper needs an element of humanistic touch rather than mechanical writing.
As these days, papers are lengthy, we need to learn to complete the whole paper in given time along with use of very good examples ranging from both newspapers and personal life .
Anthropology Preparation Strategy by Shaik Habeebulla
Paper 1 Preparation Strategy by Shaik Habeebulla
Need to get a clear understanding of each and every topic in the syllabus
Better to have self made notes made from all the available good sources in the market ranging from anthropology simplified to mandar patki sir notes
Try to write all the pyqs at least from 2013 to now ,as the questions will be asked in and around the same themes
Test series between prelims and mains becomes very imperative as it teaches us time management,getting accustomed to bouncer questions
Make value addition to notes like -thinkers, books, examples, case studies to be compiled seperately and revised it repeatedly.
Answering individual components like physical anthropology by diagrams and linkage with social part. Archeology by places, time period, geographic age etc is very important. Not all answers should be of the same format.
Paper 2 Preparation Strategy by Shaik Habeebulla
Above pointers also apply to paper 2
Indian examples and casestudies for both tribal and Indian anthropology are important and to be used at relevant places only
Linkage of paper 1 with paper 2 and vice-versa is so crucial to appeal comprehensively
Try to follow current trends of anthropology discipline and try to inculcate wherever possible in conclusions
Writing answers with subheadings that are within scope of anthropology view point makes answers more optional based than generic
For bouncer questions,try to answer with the limited knowledge but relevant by linking all the possible aspects of the syllabus
We don’t need to restrict our answers to what we have read, try to explore the horizon by bringing various viewpoints in the syllabus on the day of exam
Eg. linking paper 2 questions with theories, linking theories with physical anthropology, archeology.
I started upsc preparation with confidence and self belief, but eventually after repeated two prelims failures I was greatly demoralised and had self doubt every second day
With the help of a lot of self motivation, family, friends from jamia rca, college and my hometown ,many mentors -finally I was able to make it. from this experience I can say dont be isolated nor be completely occupied with people. Have a quality people with you. Talk to them. Move with them. This really helps.
Never compare with others. don’t undermine yourself that you are not from a great institution or have a great career record. Finally what matters is how we handle the process of examination and sail through it.
Keep healthy daily routine. Meet and greet people. Have good hobbies. Have gratitude. Reward yourself for even small accomplishments and have faith in almighty’s plan
I am always available and happy to help fellow aspirants on my Instagram account, where I have even answered few queries regarding upsc
