Coaching or No Coaching

This is one of the difficult questions to answer. The answer to this depends completely on Individual Capacity, strategy, Financial condition, and time at your disposal. I know both kind of people who have cleared the exam with and without the coaching. Individually I did not take any coaching but believe me there  is no hard and fast rule for the same.
                     
                                     Remember you are here to clear the exam and it does not matter how you achieve it. Only End result matters. My advice is to go through the subject which you have to appear for. Check how comfortable you are with the subject. If you think you can self prepare , go ahead else look for guidance.

    Selecting coaching institutes is again a daunting tasks. Either you can go for standard one in Delhi which have produced results in recent past or you can go on for trial and error. The more famous one have bigger batch strength and you have to be smart to get all your doubts cleared. You can also try to attend some free classes of lesser known Institutes and see if you are getting right and personal guidance over there.You will get list of Institutes from any Civil Services prep magazine like Civil Services Chronicle, Frontline etc.

                              The most important point is that you have to be very cautious in assessing the cost-benefit factor. The cost is not just financial but your time is also equivalent to money. So if you have made a bad selection of Institute or the quality has gone down don't hesitate to call it a day. This will save you from further trauma.

Interview/Personality Test

 My Interview was in Madam Alka Sirohi Board ( IAS 1974 batch from MP cadre ). My Optionals were PubAd and Sociology and this was my first Interview. I have scored 219 in interview and thats perhaps the Highest for this Board. 


My group constituted   of 6 people of which all were Engineering Graduates with Work Experience though the stream differed widely. As per demography the group had a person each from  Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, Paschim banga, Maharashtra, AP. The diversity had ensured that board is not going to repeat any question. 


Alka Sirohi was a new member of UPSC Interview Board and not much was known about her in terms of awarding marks. Considering the Importance, Interview has in deciding your ranking , this uncertainty was really a cause of concern for all the candidates interviewed by board.


 I reached delhi  few days in Advance and appeared for Mock Interview. The feed back from mock Interview was not very clear so I decided to stick  to basics and Self Prepartion. During this time i tried to finish last few editions of magazines like Frontline, Chronicle. I also concentrated  on latest news and Budget 2012. I also tried to brush up important concept of my optionals.


           
My interview was in afternoon season at UPSC Bhavan, New Delhi. I reached  venue well in advance. I was wearing a black Trouser, Blue Shirt, Matching tie, Black shoes. Considering the heat I had decided against the suit. I was 4th one to be interviewed by board. I spent time chatting with fellow candidates. Finally after 90 mins my turn came.


 In my life I had appeared for many interviews but I knew this one was going to be very different. Its going to judge not just my answers but my Personality as well. Finally the bell rang and here I go inside the room.




The Interview board consist of 5 members. Board President and 4 other members. The sitting location is like a circle. You are siting directly opposite to Chairman and 2 members on left and 2 members on right. I took ta deep breath and finally entered the room.


( I have put down  the Interview as it happened based on my memory. )


I wished Good Afternoon to all members starting from ChairWoman.


ChairWoman ( CH ): GoodAfternoon Santosh. Please seat.


Me: Thank you madam.


CH:  Ok Santosh, you know we celebrate lot of days across the world , in India. They are certain reasons behind them. ( It was World Hemophilia Day on day of my interview. i thought this is the question coming my way. I had prepared well for this question. I was elated to have very first question on the spot. )
You know Santosh we celebrate Science and Technology day in India. Can you tell me the reasons for the same. 


( So , here goes my guess work. It took me few second to regain my composure. )


Me : Madam we have science and technology for the achievement in field of S&T.


CH:  Yes, But whats the exact reason.


Me:  Madam .technology day due to Pokharan nuclear test. ...thought for few secs and said madam I am not sure about Science day. 


( Here I did not want to take any risk of bluffing or guessing and straight way accepted the same ).


CH : I know you know the answer. Try ..think..


Me. Sorry madam..I am not sure but may be achievement in space research, Satellite etc,,


CH : You talked about space , Sky ..Tell me why Sky is blue ?


Me:  madam , because blue light is reflected or scattered  more  than any other light..


CH..  You talked about reflection , Scattering ... ( She paused ..)


( All of sudden some thing stucked me )


Me:  Madam, Scattering, Scattering efffect, C.V Raman, Raman Spectrum ...Yes Mam it's discovery of Spectrum  Effect by CV Raman.


CH : Yes right ..Here you go. Now tell why tech day.


Me:  ( With Confidence and Smile  ) Mam for sure its for Pokhran Nuclear test of 1998.


CH;  Right ..See I said you know the answers.


CH: What do you know about Consitution.


Me:  I explained in brief.


CH: Can you amend constitution.


Me. Yes madam and explained the ways of amendment.


CH: What is basic structure of Constitution.


Me: I explained.


CH:  Can basic Structure be amended.


Me: No Madam it can not be amended. 


CH: Has it always been like this?


Me. No madam. It has been shaped over the time.


CH:  Tell me all cases related to the same.


Me: I explained all the cases i.e Golknath, Keshavnanda etc.. Explained it in details so as to avoid further cross questions.


CH:  What according to you is most important part of Constitution.


( This one was tricky . I thought for few secs )


Me : Madam, Justice- Social , Economic, Poilty.


CH:  Explain them


Me: Explained it as best as i could.  


CH: Good. ( Asked member2 to take over. )


( Member2 was gentlemen of age around 65. He seemed to be an ex Defense Officer )


M2:  Santosh, tell me the fuels used in Missiles.


Me.  Sir, Solid and Liquid fuels ..Oxygen, hydrogen etc ( Was not too sure of my answers )


M2:  tell me some more..


Me:  Sorry Sir, Dont remember. 


M2: Tell me some thing about Agni Missiles..


Me: Explained the same.


M2:  ( After thinking for a while ) Santosh, tell me how do you see AFSPA....Do you see its legitimacy


Me: Sir , shall i explain AFSPA first


M2:  Yes please do..


Me: I explained the history and present of AFSPA. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), was passed in 1958, by the Parliament of India. It grants special powers to the armed forces in what the act calls "disturbed areas" in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. It was later extended to Jammu and Kashmir as The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990.


( M2 interrupted )


M2:  What is disturbed area,


Me:  For declaring an area as a 'disturbed area' there must be a grave situation of law and order


M2:  Who takes this call.


Me : Central Gov


M2: Whats its use:


Me: Mentioned few of below Points (Source:Wikipedia )  that how it enables Army to take swift decisions: 


According to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), in an area that is proclaimed as "disturbed", an officer of the armed forces has powers to.


Fire upon or use other kinds of force even if it causes death, against the person who is acting against law or order in the disturbed area for the maintenance of public order, after giving such due warning.
Destroy any arms dump, prepared or fortified position or shelter or training camp from which armed attacks are made by the armed volunteers or armed gangs or absconders wanted for any offence
To arrest without a warrant anyone who has committed cognizable offences or is reasonably suspected of having done so and may use force if needed for the arrest.
To enter and search any premise in order to make such arrests, or to recover any person wrongfully restrained or any arms, ammunition or explosive substances and seize it.
Stop and search any vehicle or vessel reasonably suspected to be carrying such person or weapons.
Army officers have legal immunity for their actions. There can be no prosecution, suit or any other legal proceeding against anyone acting under that law. Nor is the government's judgment on why an area is found to be disturbed subject to judicial review






M2 : Now take stand.


Me: I took the side in favour of AFSPA but mentioned how slowly we need to reach stage of no use of AFSPA through Development and better policing in disturbed areas. 


 ( CH interrupted and asked M3 to take over. )




M3 : Santosh you have taken Pub Ad and Sociology with out any back ground in the same. Why did you choose Pub Ad.


Me : Mentioned about its relevance, Interest etc.


M3:  Tell me few ways to curb poverty.


Me: Explained some. Standard answers.


M3: You know Political structure of country. If given an option what would you prefer --2 party system. or .
multiparty system. 


Me: ( Thought for a moment ) Sir, Multiparty system. 


M3: Argue your case.


Me. Explained the diversity of country,different voices, different aspects, how country has seen one and two party system. Explained regional aspirations not addressed properly in many parts in last 6 decades. Explained how regional leaders are doing better work ..Nitish, Patnaik, Modi. Showed caution about divisive politics that how regionalism should not stall dev of country. 


M3:  Santosh, you know about black money..recent crusade about black money...( Paused )
        If you are given all the black money stashed outside ..What will you do with it. 


Me: ( Thought for few Seconds )  I said that I would use it for social Sectors scheme which dont have sufficient fund for impl. I named some schemes form Budget 2012.


M3:  Have you heard of River Linking Project.?


Me:  Yes sir, explained in detail starting from concept of BJP gov


M3:  Why would not you use the money for the same.


Me :  I said in totality the feasibility of project is doubtful. The project has good intentions but in changed socio economic situation its implementation looks difficult.


M3: Explain the problem in IMPL.


Me; Explained this very nicely. Starting from Land issues , to Power issues to difficult geographical terrain , Political issues, Engineering issues. 


M3:  So you oppose this project.


Me: No sir, Per se I am not against it but it should be case to case basis.


M3; Whats do you mean


Me: Sir, smaller project can be implemented and it should be taken as case study for further impl.


M3: So you are not against it .


Chairman Interrupted and asked the M4 to take ahead.


M4:   Whats is judicial review.


Me: Explained.


M4:  Explain Judicial Activism


Me; Explained.


M4:  SC judgement on cancelling of 2G licences. How do you see it.


Me:  I supported saying good for one time. mentioned the need for setting examples to curb corruption and unethical corporate practices. 


M4: Why only one time ?


Me: Explained that the decision has effect on Economic side as well. mentioned about investor sentiments, Share market reaction , job losses for company losing contracts from telcos.  In end mentioned the need of  parliamentary supremacy.


M4: You have hobby as Stock Market. What is stock market.


Me; Explained.


M4:  Have you heard of Wall Street.


Me: Yes. Explained.


M4: Have you heard of Dalal Street.


Me. Yes Sir, explained.


M4:  Why such a name.


Me;  Explained the meaning of Dalal and linked it with Stock Market.


M4:  What is SEBI.


Me:  Explained.


M4; Its functions ?


Me : Explained


M4: Recent steps by it to boost investor sentiment.


Me: mentioned few points.


M4: ( All of sudden ) have you heard of Madhusala.


Me: Poem/Kaviita by shri hariwansh rai bacchan.


M4: Whats so important about it.


Me: Explained its history, its relevance.




CH Interrupted and asked to M1 to take forward;


M1: Tell me the about S/W Industry.


Me: Explained.


M1:  Success of S/W in India.


Me: mentioned general reasons. Talent, Hardwork etc


M1: I think Cheap labor is biggest reason,


Me: I disagreed mentioning the high packages in S/W.


M1:  Let me give example. Amdocs has big presence  in India and not other SE asian country. 


Me:  I took a different view here. Discussed about foreign policy. Mentioned how few of SE Asian country have Islamic effect. Mentioned strained relation of Israel and Islamic / Arab world. Talked about Israel -Palestine dispute. Mentioned how Amdocs indian counterpart take care of business in such places. Hailed it as strategy than just cheap labor. 


M1:  Explain the kashmir issue.


Me:  Explained in very detail starting from raja hari singh times.


M1;  Whats is Sir Crick and Siachin issue.


Me; Explained well.


President Interrupted:


CH:  Santosh what is CCS. 


Me;  Sorry Mam. Dont remember.


CH :  Conditional Cash transfer. Highly successful in Mexico.


Me :  Yes mam I know. Explained it.


CH. How do you see its effectiveness in India.


Me: I mentioned few points. Then she told me  about few  new initiatives.


CH:  What is difference between Soccer.FootBall and rugby.


Me: Madam you mean football or American Football.


CH ( Smiling)  Football normal one.


Me:  Madam Soccer and Football are same. In US its called Soccer and as Football in rest.Also mentioned American football. Then Mentioned the diff between Rugby and football.


CH: Whats is Mossad.


Me:  Madam, its Israeli Intelligence agency.


CH:  You have worked in Israel based company Amdocs .Do you think Mossad will be keeping watch on us.


Me:  I dont think so madam. 


CH: Do you think they keep watch at place where you worked.


Me: Dont know madam.


CH:  Why ?


Me: Madam its an Intelligence Agency. If I knew they are keeping watch on me or I knew so and so is Mosssad agent then its not fit to be an Intelligence agency.


CH:  Started Laughing. All other joined her.


( Wanted to ask something )


CH:  hmmm...Ok Santosh..Your Interview is over...Thank you


Me:  Thank you madam. Thank you sirs.


I Turned around and left the room quietly.

My interview went for 35 mins.  These 35 mins gave me 219 marks which is probably Highest or among Highest in 2012  for Alka Sirohi Interview Board.

 The most important point I noted is that you have to be humble all the times and give utmost respect to board members who are much senior to you in age and experience. Be honest and  flexible. Even if you disagree with board member do it in right way.

Sociology Preparation

My second optional was sociology. I was very much clear about Pub Ad as Optional but for 2nd optional, it took me lot of time to zero in to Sociology. I did not take any coaching for Sociology.

I started serious preparation of Sociology from August onwards which included Answer writing. But well before this I had covered substantial part of Syllabus from NCERT, IGNOU and other basic books.

                                             Sociology is a subject where a decent level of understanding and good writing skills can fetch you good marks. Its also a subject which you can opt for just after Prelims and go on to score decent score.

Books List:

Paper 1:

1) NCERT XI th and XII th
2) Haralambos :  All Chapter
3)  Sociological Thoery by Ritzer.
4) Anthony Giddens ; Selective Study


NewsPaper and Magazines


Paper 2:


1) NCERT XII th
2) IGNOU ( MSO is enough )

3) M.N.Srinivas-Social Change in India

4) Yogendra Singh-Modernisation of Indian Tradition

5) Books by Ram Ahuja on Soicology

Newspaper and Magazines

During preparation Concentrate  on clearing the concepts from one standard resource and during course of time keeping adding to your notes. You can follow the coaching notes as well it that suits you.

P.S:  For answer writing practice I had joined Vision Ias Test Series.  You can find my sample Socio Answer at their WebSite.

Strategy for Public Administartion

One of My optional was Public Administration. I have scored 180 + 150 in pub Ad.
I did not join any coaching for Pub Ad and prepared the subject on my own.

I was very clear in my approach towards Pub Ad that an answer needs to be multidimensional with current affairs content and diagrammatic presentation where ever possible.

I did not follow many books and concentrated on rereading of few standard books.

Paper 1 Books:

  New Horizons of Public Administration : Mohit Bhattacharya: ( Read it 3-4 times )
  Pub Ad Theory :  Prasad and Prasad. ( Read it 2 times )
  Pub Ad by Lakshmikant.
  Public Policy Section from Ignou Books .
  MA Ignou Books.
 
I used Internet Extensively for all the sections and prepared my notes which had current affairs content as well.


Refereed to Government of India , Various Ministry Sites for collecting information.
  
Also collected material from News paper and Magazines


Paper 2 Books:


Indian Administration by  Arora and Goyal
Indian Constitution by DD Basu
Our parliament by Subash Kasyap.


Here again I used Internet extensively for topic like disaster mangement, Policing, etc.
Also collected information from newspaper and magazines.


Answer Writing Practice:


I joined a test series for Answer writing practice at Sharp Ias , Mukherjee Nagar. Mr Griraj Shankar was the incharge and since the institute was less known , I could get extensive feedback on my answers.

 I feel Pub Ad is all about presenting the right content in right manner. The standard content should be backed by some recent happenings and updated data, facts etc.

Prelims Preparation

UPSC Prelims consists of two papers. General Studies and Aptitude of 2 hours duration and 200 marks each. I concentrated more on Paper1 i.e GS.

Strategy for Paper1:

I followed Standard Books , news paper and Magazines.
Books:

NCERT XI and XII  Class books of History, Geography, Economics,( Skip MicroEconomics Part ) Political Science  , Sociology, Business Management.

India Struggle for Independence : Bipin Chandra
Our Parliament : Subash Kashyap
Constitution: D.D Basu

News paper:

The Hindu, Indian Express ( Mostly Editorial Part ).
You can take online Subscription of The Hindu  if you are working and and during your free time in office you can prepare you notes by copy pasting relevant news.
Do maintain the important news cutting or else just write it down if  its just the fact.

Magazines:

Civil Services Chronicle, Frontline.
I could never complete any magazine completely but made sure to glance over all the toipcs.
Here again , frontline is available online , so it would be advisable to working fellows to cover it during office time if you get free time.

Past Year Papers:

I solved some past year papers of UPSC exams including CDS, NDA, CRPF. These papers are available on UPSC site.

Internet:

I used Internet extensively. Any new terms in newspaper or magazines  I would straight way jump to Wikipedia and go in depth of news or term.

Thats all I did for Paper1. Here , I would say you can go on to use coaching notes , or other books but make sure you cover the basics well from NCERT Books.

Strategy for Paper2:

Paper 2 is Aptitude type some what on CAT/MBA entrance exam  pattern. It was introduced for first time.

Books :

Get any decent book from market. I glanced through a CAT exam books.

Past year Papers:

I solved last 8-10 years CAT paper knowing that exam can not get tougher than this. I made sure to pay special attention to all wrong answers especially in English Section. I Also solved UPSC exam papers like CDS, NDA, CRPF which have good amount of Math, reasoning , English etc.


Thats all I did for Paper -2.

Here , I would say that Paper -2 has potential to give you high score. So Please prepare it in best possible way. If English or Math is not your strength then please work hard on it and sharpen your skills as much as possible. It will pay rich dividend.



On day of exam I was apprehensive but satisfied with my preparation . As per answer keys available I had scored above 300 mainly due to high score in 2nd paper.

A score in range of 190-210 in general category is good enough for selection to Mains but a high score in prelims will give you extra confidence required to bell the mains.

General Preparation of Civil Services/IAS Exam

In general an year long preparation is enough to make you ready for having an successful attempt at Civil Services. However, there is something called luck factor as well, so in case you don't hit the target early , just keep trying. 

For me the things were a bit different during preparation as I was working  till Prelims. I appeared for prelims on 12th June 2011 with month long preparation.
After prelims I took break from job and started with Mains Preparation. During the preparation I did not take any coaching , however I joined test series for answer writing practice.  For interview  as well , I did self  preparation and  appeared for  2 mock interviews.

Overall My Experience with UPSC has been that there is no fix formula for success. You have to prepare your strategy according to your circumstances and ability.