TOPPER’S STRATEGY
Political Science Optional (Marks 303)
Keerthi Kiran Pujar, Rank 115 UPSC CSE-2017
It was 31st of May 2017 around 6:45pm, and I came to know that the CSE-2016 results are out. I opened the holy PDF, with my wife beside me, with much anticipation. I searched for my surname, and there you go – 1014. For someone who had already passed this exam (CSE-2015 AIR 932), this number was more of a pain than relief. More painful was to know that I failed the prediction of my dear wife. Oh, How many times I had wished after seeing that result, that my actual rank contained one digit less, say 101 or 104 or 114, I donno! So then and there began my journey for CSE-2017. This time I was pretty clear on the areas I had to work upon, ie everything! My knowledge of optional was shallow, I had not written the optional test series in the past, I had not got my General Studies test copies evaluated, I hadn’t practiced essay seriously nor did I solve the Ethics case studies at home. So it was a huge backlog.
General studies
I vividly remember writing my first answer on September 27th 2015 at Insights centre in Bengaluru, roughly after one month of writing CSAT 2015. The day before I got relieved from my job and next day evening I met Vinay GB, founder of Insights. He told admissions to core batch are over, but I can join non-core batch. I immediately went to the nearby ATM, withdrew cash and paid the fees upfront. Since it was optional mock test that day, I took a previous year paper and started writing whatever I knew. Couple of days later, I started writing the General studies mock tests. That was during the CSE-2015
Fast forward, though I had known what to do for General studies, I hadn’t implemented nor internalized it. For example, I almost always missed writing a conclusion to my answer in a hurry to attempt the next question. So without proper conclusion, your answer is incomplete and does not make proper sense. Likewise, the introduction would be too long and cursive, thus consuming much of the time and real estate on the answer sheet. Also, not answering the demand of the question, and writing what you know than what is asked.
So I tried correcting all these deficiencies this time.
- Before writing any mock test, I used to have few objectives in mind like speed/number of questions to be attempted, presentation format including proper introduction and conclusion etc.
- While writing, I consciously tried to implement them and evaluate my performance after the test.
- More importantly I got the test copies evaluated this time and worked on the feedback. An aspirant has to balance the feedback he gets with his intrinsic/original writing skills. Adopting every feedback or suggestion will frustrate oneself and he/she loses the originality in answer writing. At the same time, being overconfident about one’s writing skills without paying heed to deficiencies and genuine suggestions will not do any good. Ultimately there is no fixed format or formula for writing an answer.
Few other things that I did are as follows:
- Read relevant reports like NITI Aayog’s Action agenda, 2nd ARC recommendations, Economic Survey and used them in introductions and giving futuristic suggestions/Conclusions like shown below
- Made short notes on the syllabus topics esp for GS-2 & GS-3
- The night before mock tests, I tried cramming relevant facts, figures and reports. I used to imagine starting an answer with the above data in case a related question comes tomorrow. Its like preparing Dosa batter in the evening for the next day’s breakfast.
- Very imp – revision. I revised my notes atleast thrice before mains
- Presentation – divided the answer space for Introduction, main body and conclusion. Introduction can be for two-three lines and then jump straight to the demand of the question. The space for the main body of the answer can again be divided for a small diagram, flowchart, criticism etc
- Using flow chart can save space and time. But don’t over do it.
At this point, I would like to remember Kirthi Chekuri (Rank – 14, CSE 2015) whom I tried to emulate in GS answer writing. Her tips in this regard were very useful
A Clarification – Some say drawing more figures and maps and flowcharts etc will fetch extra marks. At the same time writing in point wise is better and many other things. I would like to bring to your observation that, there is no such proven formula. If you observe AIR-1 Gaurav Aggarwal’s answer scripts, you find that he hardly draws any figures/diagrams or flow chart. Nonetheless, his answer content was very good and meeting the demand of the question. So ultimately, it all boils down to relevant and appropriate content meeting the demand of the question.
Essay
This is one such paper, which can single handedly make or break your rank. I scored 135, 110 and 145 marks last three years. In CSE-2016, I got 110 marks in essay because I went astray in one of the topics, God knows why! So I knew what to do and what not to do specifically this time. This time, my goal was not to experiment too much with the essay paper. Just keep it plain simple, content with the average marks it would fetch. I would come up with a separate article on Essay soon.
Optional
This is one area where I really toiled. Some people get IAS solely on the merit of optional by getting insanely high marks. While General studies is generic, optional is very specific. What I meant to say is, mastery over the optional subject is sine quo non for a very good rank. For Political Science and International Relations, I increased the sources this time, jotted down relevant notes and tried to update myself with the latest thoughts in the field. More importantly, I tried to interlink thinkers and their thoughts, theory and practice, different view points etc.
PAPER-1 PART A/B
PAPER-2 PART A/B
For example, consider a 10 marks question “Polity, a product of social contract” – Comment; I start my answer saying that the tradition of treating Polity as a product of social contract started with Thomas Hobbes, which was later adopted by Locke and Rousseau. Then I explain the meaning of the statement. Then deal with the variations in social contract theory. But not stopping here, I also talk about how Anarchists like Peter Kropotkin do not view polity as product of social contract. Here comes the interlinking aspect. You can bring up a thought which either supports the statement or opposes it. This makes for a balanced answer. So its upto your creativity and the hold over the subject to write an outstanding answer. But this requires lot of homework! I also have to mention that I derived great joy digging more into the subject and ruminating over the same.
Next, I had not written optional test series in my last two attempts. In CSE-2016 I made a half-hearted attempt in writing test series. This time, I left no stone unturned and despite lack of company, I wrote alone all the tests and got it evaluated from a faculty and friends. You get a sense of accomplishment writing one test after another with good preparation.
A more detailed article on Political Science will follow.
Ethics
This is one paper, where I couldn’t cross 100 marks in all my three attempts. This year, I got 91 which people say is above average after taking into consideration the scaling. Nonetheless, I will give my two cents. I felt I’m at ease while answering the theoretical questions; it came to me naturally. But I had to work upon the case studies. So a month before the mains, I started to solve two case studies every weekday in the evening. I used to compare my answers with the model ones and found lot of scope for improvement. I used to miss many dimensions of a given case study. Also I chanced upon the answer scripts of one of the ethics toppers in CSE-2016. His/her method was to explain in detail the best possible solution asked for a given situation/case. I adopted this.
For theory, I would say there’s no need of any text book. After having gone through multiple ethics text book, I’ve not come across even one book, which explains ethics through examples. It’s just the theory. Use a dictionary or internet to understand words like Integrity, Probity, Honesty etc and come up with examples from the lives of great men, women, administrators, celebrities, from your own life etc.
For topics like Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration, refer 2nd ARC.
Few other things that can be done for Ethics
- Have some famous quotes on Education, Family, Character, Public Service etc ready to be quoted both in Essay and Ethics paper
- Gather examples from your own life and life of great men on Ethical values and virtues like Young Mohan Das Gandhi refusing help from his teacher in test while writing Kettle spelling, Sir M Visveswaraiah using personal candle for personal work and office candle for official work…
- Have simple definitions for terms like Integrity, Honesty, Probity, Good Governance etc
- Be practical in giving solutions to problems in Case studies. Our solutions should be pragmatic and ethical at the same time which is called Pragmatic Idealism
Personality test
Honestly, I was too complacent to take the personality test seriously this time. I was rather content with IRS and the training. I didn’t give even single mock interview this time, not even with friends or batch mates. But since it would be a disgrace to not to answer questions on IRS, I prepared that subject quite decently. I also read newspapers daily especially focusing on World politics. Rest, I went to the Dholpur house without any notions in mind. The interview went well all along except for a hiccup in the end. So it was mixed feeling coming out of UPSC building that evening. However, I didn’t worry much post that and resumed my training.
Having given three interviews I can say few things
- Prepare DAF related stuff in detail- twice, my interview began on Hobbies
- Don’t bluff, just say I don’t know or I forgot
- Maintain calm and composure even if you are grilled or mocked at; don’t lose your smile
- Sleep well the night before
- Interview can be a walk in the park if we can prepare from day one of our UPSC preparation. It just takes some curiosity to know more about ourself and things around us.
- Form a group of like minded friends and allow them to grill you on all aspects of DAF and other areas. For CSE-2016, I did this and was quite helpful this time. I thank InsightsonIndia for providing an environment and infrastructure for this. Vinay of Insights took couple of mocks and asked some challenging questions and his feedback was valuable.
What to do for Prelims
We can talk at length regarding mains preparation, but first we have to clear the preliminary exam. CSAT has turned out to be unpredictable for many reasons. Nonetheless, following things can be done
- Read the standard books on history, geography, Polity, Environment thoroughly – focus on facts as well as concepts
- By thoroughly I mean read multiple times and revise the above books by solving previous year questions papers and mock tests
- Since The CSAT is common for Civil Services and Forest Services candidates, we can expect a lot of questions on Environment and Biodiversity, Agriculture etc. So prepare accordingly
- Few types of questions repeat every year, like on National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reports and their publisher, map related questions, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties…So please go through last three years papers and find out those types of questions and prepare those topics thoroughly
- Try to increase the accuracy in attempting the questions
- Questions which you are 100% sure to be answered in the first round
- Next round answer questions which you are almost sure
- Next try to answer 50-50 questions. I would attempt half of such questions leave the rest unattempted
- Don’t go with an imaginary cutoff in mind. As we have seen last couple of years, Prelims has become way too unpredictable and cutoff has been decreasing. So, on that given day, pray to God that you should in the best of your form, health and spirits to do well.
Post Prelims
After writing the prelims exam, I relaxed for a week with family. Then started preparing for mains hoping that I would clear the Prelims rather narrowly. This time I had joined Shankar Test series at Bengaluru for both GS and Optional. Before the test series started, I gathered relevant notes and revised the syllabus of first three or four General Studies Mock Test, so that I don’t have to study in a hurry a day before the mock test. This gave time for me to consolidate the content in my head and internalizing it. Also I used to work on the value addition part by reading relevant reports and their facts and recommendations. I mugged up few catchy phrases and sentences which were later useful in writing powerful introductions and conclusions. After one month of writing GS test series, I switched gears and started preparing for Optional subject rigorously. Though I was out of sync with the time table of optional test series, later I wrote each test on my own keeping a timer. Uff, I still remember, it was a race against time.
My Two cents
Its my duty and desire to share few words about life during & after UPSC preparation phase
- Everybody has a particular point upto which they can stretch themselves during preparation. Some may study 6 hrs and others 12 hrs. Find out how much you can and plan accordingly. But don’t put yourselves completely in your comfort zone or don’t be on the verge of a break down.
- Family support is very essential during preparation. Clarify your position and expectations with your family members. Don’t keep yourself or near and dear ones in an illusion.
- It does no good if you are healthy throughout and fall sick during exam period. I remember, one of the reasons for poor performance in 2016 mains being bad stomach and loose motion from day one to the last day of the mains exam. I had to take one eldopar tablet everyday before going to exam hall. So keep yourself healthy mentally and physically. You can do some exercise daily for few minutes.
- Every aspirant has a doubt about oneself regarding clearing the exam. That is natural. Don’t let those thoughts bog down you. Keep moving.
- Sounds trite, but find out your strengths and weakness and work upon the same. The sooner you do it, the better. How do you find your strengths and weakness? Talk to seniors, friends and mentors.
- Again clichéd, but life is bigger than UPSC or IAS/IPS/XYZ. Its not guaranteed you will be happy if you get IAS home cadre. You may be much better off doing something else. So whatever be the dejection or failure or depression, give time some time. There’s no wound that time cannot heal.
- Clearing UPSC and getting service is just the beginning. You have a whole career ahead to prove your worth. So please keep the momentum going.
I would like to end by thanking foremost, my wife who is the main reason for this success. But for her, I would not have done it. I thank my parents and inlaws, my brother for their constant support and encouragement. I thank the Almighty for his Grace. He has given me more than I deserve. I thank Vinay GB of InsightsonIndia for guiding me especially in the initial phase of my UPSC preparation. He always believed that I could do it. I thank the Previous toppers for their valuable insights and articles. Last but not the least, my friends and peers were there to discuss answers and provide timely help. Everyday I used to look forward for a cup of tea with them in the evening and chill out for sometime.
All the best!!!
“I didn’t come this far, to only come this far”
