mrunal upsc topper kranti singh rank 417, geography optional

7/24/2015 Mrunal UPSC Topper Kranti Singh Rank 417, Geography Optional

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[Topper’s Interview] Kranti Singh (AIR417/CSE2014)Geography Optional, Haryana, St.Stephens

Posted ByMrunalOn 19/07/2015 @ 9:00 pm In motivation | 10 Comments

1. Candidate Profile2. Education3. Introduction4. Electronic Vs Paper material5. Tempo and style6. Struggle of a Senior player7. Working professional8. Prelims (CSAT) General studies9. Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude10. Prelim accuracy11. Mains: Compulsory language paper12. Mains: Essay13. Mains General studies paper 1 to 414. General Studies (Mains) paper 115. General studies (Mains) paper 216. General studies (Mains) Paper 317. General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude18. GS4 Ethics case study answers in Mains 201419. Mains answerwriting?20. Mains Optional Subject21. Before the interview22. During the interview23. CSE2014 Marksheet24. Career Backup25. Views on UPSC reforms26. Insecurity about profile27. Wisdom28. Credit: Friends/family29. BOGUS Marketing Propaganda

Candidate Profile



Kranti Singh: Rank 417, CSE2014, Geography Optional

Q. DetailsName Kranti Prabhat SinghRank in CSE2014 417Roll No. 000022Age 27Total attempts in CSE (including this one) 3Optional Subject GeographySchooling Medium EnglishCollege medium EnglishMedium chosen for Mains answers EnglishMedium chosen for Interview EnglishHome town/city Kurukshetra



Workexperience if any 1 yearDetails of other competitive exams, includingsuccess/failures

SEBI(Interview),NABARD(Phase 1cleared, Didn’t appear for Phase 2)

Details of coaching, mock tests, postal materialfor any competitive exam (if used) Vajiram for Geography

Service preferences (Top5) IAS,IPS,IFS,IRS(IT),IRS(C&E)state cadre preference (Top5) Haryana

Education

fill the details here% in class 10 84% in class 12 74Graduation course and % 58Name of college, city, passing outyear St Stephens College,DU(2008)

Postgraduation Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute ofManagement,Delhi(2011)67%

Any other professional coursesHobbies & Extracurricularachievements SportsCricket,Football, Badminton,Chess

Introduction

Q. Tell us something about yourself, your family, when and why did you enter in this field ofcompetitive exams?

I was born in Mussorie,did my schooling from Campus School and St Sophia School Hisar,Graduation from St Stephens College and PG in Management from Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute ofManagement. I have a work experience of 11 months in Insurance Broking and Risk Management.

My father,Prem Singh, is Registrar in SGT University(Gurgaon). My mother,Shakuntla Singh, isHome maker. I have two elder sisters(Shalini, Priyanka).Both of them are happily married and areworking professionals.

I never thought of Civil Services till I turned 25 and then I got too much attracted towards it whichforced me to quit a well paying job. With Civil Services, you can have a much wider impact andcontribution towards the society which can be a motivating factor for a person to work hard for thenext 30 years.

Electronic Vs Paper material

Q. In recent times, there is spur in electronic material blogs, sites, pdfs, RSSfeeds. Manyaspirants feel bogged down by this information overload. So, how much do you rely onelectronic material and how much on the paper material (Books, newspapers)? If possible



narrate a typical day in your studylife. What is your style of preparation (e.g. I continuemaking notes no matter what I’m reading, I just read multiple times but don’t maintainnotes, I make mindmaps on computer …or xyz style)

I prefer reading Books and paper material over electronic material but at the same time, electronicmaterial saves time and energy which is very vital in Civil Services Preparation. Electronicmaterial should be supplemented with Paper Material.

Tempo and style

Q. People know what books and syllabus points are to be prepared. But most of them lackconsistency in their preparation. So, how do you keep study momentum going on? How doyou fight against the mood swings and distractions?

This is most difficult aspect of the preparation as mood swings are bound to take place. There aredays when you question your abilities to crack the exam. I am too much into sports and I used toplay football for an hour everyday during early days of my preparation. Later on, I switched ontoChess to freshen myself up. This is how I used to keep myself away from the distractions.

Struggle of a Senior player

(Answer only if you’re a senior player.)

After 12 failures in any competitive exam, a phase of mental saturation comes. The person knowsthe booklist, he knows what is necessary to succeed. But it doesn’t yield result. The armchair‘experts’ would point out UPSC is ‘testing’ emotional intelligence of the candidate or UPSC wantsto break the backs of senior players, daily conspiracy theories on orkut….…Not to mention all theemotional struggleagainst those irritating neighbors and relatives who keep asking your mother“aap kaa betaa kya karta hai” (What does you son/daughter do?)

MY question are two:

Q1. How did you survive through this mental prison and what’re your words of wisdom toother senior players? If any specific inspirational incident(s), please share.

I consider myself lucky as my parents, sisters,my brotherinlaws, friends supported me immenselythroughout my preparation. Sense of positive energy was imposed on me making me believe that Ican achieve what I want to. I used to run away from all those who used to say”ye nahin hopayega,bahut difficult hai etc etc”. Failures should motivate you more than successes. Once I got51/250 in Geography test and I pasted the first paste of answer sheet in front of my desk so as toremind myself everyday of my poor performance. My dear friends, Hard work pays. I got127(Optional paper 1 and 2 combined) in CSE 2013 and I managed 99 and 164 in CSE 2014owing to perseverance and hard work.

Q2. What went wrong in your previous attempt? What changes did you make in this currentattempt?



In my first attempt, I went with zero preparation just to experience the exam(Left job one monthbefore the exam). In my second attempt, I went for the rattafication route and it was a disaster. Inmy third attempt, I focused on analysis of topics and minimum rattafication and it paid dividends.

Working professional

If you’re a working professional, share some tips on how to manage studies with job

I left my Job with Marsh and Mclennan group in 2012.

Prelims (CSAT) General studies

Topic strategy/booklist/commentHistory Ancient Left this partHistory Medieval Gk todayHistory Modern (Freedom Struggle) Spectrum,Bipin ChandraCulture and society Nitin Sighania notes, Balyan Sir NotesPolity (theory + current) Laxmikanth,Current AffairsEconomy (theory + current) Ramesh Singh,Economic Survery,Current AffairsScience (theory + current) Current AffairsEnvironment (theory + current) Shankar IASgeography physical Optionalgeography India Optional(Khullar)geography world Sriram IAS notesother national/international current affairs IDSA,NewspapersSchemes, Policy & Filler Stuff Internet

Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS prelim 2014 paper?

Try and Attempt maximum number of questions. Smart guess work is advisable.

Q. in GSPrelims 2014, there was unusual questions from environment and agricultureportion. If you were to give the attempt again in 2015, what new strategy / books / sourceswould you focus?

I wasn’t thorough with Environment Portion. I would read Shankar IAS for better coverageof Environment topics. Agriculture was manageable.

Q. Now that Aptitude paper has become qualifying, obvious more attention needs to be paidon the GS paper so apart from the books that you already have gone through, what elsewould you have tried for CSE2015 (if you were going to appear)?

I am appearing for CSE 2015. I would emphasize on Environement, Art and Culture,International Affairs so as to strengthen my chances for clearing the exam.

Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude



Topic strategy / booklistMaths Solving Test papersreasoning Samecomprehension SameDecision Making Same

Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS Aptitude 2014 paper.

Practice one/two tests before CSE Pre2015 just to be in touch.

Prelim accuracy

Q1. Did you attend any ‘mock tests’? do you think they’re necessary for success?

I attended mock test and these weren’t very useful but it can help you in comparative performanceanalsis. Question Banks are much more beneficial.

Q2. Approximate no. of attempted answers vs. correct answers. in CSAT2014

attempted Q.GS 82aptitude 84

Q3. Your score in prelim (when UPSC uploads it please mail me your score)

CSE 2013: Paper 1 111 + Paper 2189CSE 2014: Paper 1 111.34 + Paper 2128.33

Mains: Compulsory language paper

Compulsory languagepaper Your preparation strategy / booklist?

English paper Noneyour regionallanguage

Focusing on Grammar as it is scoring. Try and write a page atleast 78times before mains.

Q2.other observations / tips / comments on the length / difficulty level of compulsorylanguage papers in CSE2014

It is manageable.

Mains: Essay

Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?

I wrote 78 essays during my preparation last year and got it checked from teachers and friends.



Based on their feedback, I tried to inculcate the suggestions for future essays .

Q2. Which two essays did you write and What key points did you include in it?

Essay 1 With greater power comes greater responsibility.

Key points: I focused on covering as many dimensions as possible eg Social(RoleParents,Teachers,Leaders play in development of the country), Economic(IMF,World Bank, USAHegemony), Environmental(Common but Differentiated Responsibility), Military(Misadventuresin Afghanistan,Iraq,IsraelPalestine,Syria) and finally India’s growing status and responsibility in21st Century.

Fifty GOLDS in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?

Key Points I focused on the factors responsible for pathetic condition of sports in general in India,Why Cricket has marched ahead, What needs to be done(Infra,Financial Security, Coaching, Grassroot mobilization etc). Comparison of Chinese model of Sports development and USA model ofproducing world class athletes, talked about rapid rise of Badminton,Wrestling, Shooting. IPLmodel for other sports.

Mains General studies paper 1 to 4

I’ve created a table, so you can quickly point out what you referred. Alternatively you can write aseparate standalone “Strategy” article in a wordfile.

General Studies (Mains) paper 1

Requests while you fill up the following tables

1. apart from your book/resource list, also comment on your own strategy after mains2014(e.g. after exam I realized that I shouldn’t have prepared xyz topic in so much detail, Icouldn’t finish xyz syllabus topics properly before exam, I had expected UPSC to ask xyzfrom but they asked abc……etc.etc.etc.) [Same request for each table given below for gs2,gs3, gs4]

2. If you used “internet” as source of preparation in xyz, then provide website name as andwhere possible.

3. Since mains2013 had new syllabus and many people relied on Xerox of some coachingnotes. so If you used such resource, please attest comment on quality e.g. “it was too deep,but I did only selective study/ It did not cover xyz. OR its quality was not upto the mark, so Isuggest future players to avoid it and use ABC instead…..etc..”

Anyways, here starts the list:

Topic How did you prepare?culture Nitin Singhania, Current Affairs,Balyan Sir NotesIndian history Spectrum,Bipin Chandra



world history Norman Lowepostindependence India India Since IndependenceIndian society Sriram IAS notesrole of women, poverty etc. Vision IAS notesglobalization on Indian society Vision IAScommunalism, regionalism, secularism Vision IASworld geo physical Optional Notesresource distribution Sri ram Iasfactors for industrial location Optional Notesearthquake tsunami etc Sameimpact on florafauna Same

General studies (Mains) paper 2

Topic How Did You Prepare?Indian Constitution, devolution, dispute redressal etc. LAxmikant, Current Affairscomparing Constitution with world Internetparliament, state Legislatures LAxmikant,Current Affairsexecutivejudiciary Sameministries departments Samepressure group, informal asso. SameRepresentation of people’s act Samevarious bodies: Constitutional, statutory.. SameNGO, SHG etc Samewelfare schemes, bodies Current Affairssocial sector, health, edu, HRD Current Affairsgovernance, transparency, accountability Vision IASegovernance Vision IASrole of civil serviceIndia & neighbors Newspapersbilateral/global grouping NEwspaperseffect of foreign country policies on Indian interest Newspapersdiaspora Vision IAS notesinternational bodies structure mandate Internet

General studies (Mains) Paper 3

Topic How Did You Prepare?Indian economy, resource mobilization Economic Surveyinclusive growth Vision IASbudgeting Samemajor crops, irrigation Geography optionalagro produce – storage, marketing Same



etechnology for famers Samefarm subsidies, MSP Economic Survey,Vision IASPDS, buffer, food security Sametechnology mission Noneanimal rearing economics Geography Optionalfood processing Internetland reforms Geographyliberalization Ramesh Singhinfra Internetinvestment models Internetsciencetech day to day life Mrunal,NewspapersIndian achievements in scitech Internetawareness in IT, space, biotech, nano, IPR Mrunalenvironmental impact assessment Geography OptionalDisaster Management NDMA sitenon state actors, internal security Vajiram notesinternal security – role of media, social networking site Vajiram Notescyber security Samemoney laundering Vision IAsborder Management Sameorganized crime, terrorism Samesecurity agencies structure mandate SriRam Notes

General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity, aptitude

Topic How Did You Prepare?ethics and interface,family, society and allthe hathodaa topics

For all these topics, I read Mishra Sir notes, Vajiram Class notes,Synergy Class notes and summarized all of these in my own words. Ithelped me in revision and clear understanding of the topics.

attitude, moralinfluence etc.civil service: integrity,impartiality, toleranceto weak etcemotional intelligence,its use in governance

moral thinkers ofIndia and world

How many thinkers did you prepare? I prepared around 78 thinkerswhich I think is a good enough number. But it may vary from aspirant toaspirant.

ethics in pub.ad,accountability, laws,rules etc.



corporate governanceprobity in governance,work culturecitizen charter, ethicscode, work culture etc.challenges ofcorruptioncase studies on abovetopics

GS4 Ethics case study answers in Mains 2014

Q. in GS4 ethics papers, please give a sketchy overview of your case study answers:

case your approach/ keypoints

case1: your friend preparing UPSC

Sorry Sir, I don’t Remember. Butfollowed a framework which is as follows:

1. Stakeholders2. Options –Positive as well as

negative aspects for all the optionsavailable.

3. Conclusion

case2: Rameshwar the uptight UPSC topper.case3: no bribe no contract.case4: corrupt subordinates file bogus rapecomplaint against you.in the remaining bolbachchan type questions (e.g.why ethics important, why probity difficult etc).

Mains answerwriting?

Please tell us how many marks worth attempt did you give? along with comments if any, in thefollowing cells: Approximate figures

Paper Best attempted Average quality namesake answer Total attemptGS1 80 100 70 250GS2 60 120 70 250GS3 80 70 100 250GS4 100 150 250OptP1 100 80 70 250OptP2 130 70 40 240



Q. What was your approach in the exam (I wrote all, I only focused on the questions where Icould answer perfectly, I just not to high quality points to reach the word limit etc.) Becausethe UPSC aspirant Community is divided over what counts as a ‘good’ paper. Some expertsclaim you should attempt all even if it involves “making up” an answer with filler lines, someclaim attempt only those questions you know perfectly. Where do you stand on this? [Basedon your experience and of your seniors/buddies]

I tried to attempt the entire question paper as time limit wasn’t a problem in CSE 2014. I devotedless time on questions that I knew very well(like 78 concrete bullet points). For the tricky ones, Itried to write more with whatever information I had at that point of time.

Q. How was your experience with the ‘fixed space’ answer sheet?

It is a good move from UPSC as you can neither write more nor less and focus is entirely onquality of answers.

Q. Did you write answers in bullet points or in paragraphs? Some players (who clearedmains and got interview call letter) were claiming that they wrote entire paper in bulletpoints, so it doesn’t matter….whether examiner is asking ‘examine, comment, discuss orxyz’….simply write in bullets and points.

It was a combination of both. Bullet points were used when I knew a lot about the topic . And to behonest, when I wasn’t sure of the answer then I used to write in paragraphs hoping that bareminimum marks are given for that answer.

Q. Did you follow the “introductionbodyconclusion” format? because some mainsqualifiedcandidates claim they simply wrote the points they could recall within the time, instead ofbothering with proper introduction and conclusion.

No introduction because of paucity of time . But I tried to conclude every answer in a line or two.

Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in your answers?

NO

Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper? (e.g. in GS1 Geography)

Yes

Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil or pen?

Pen

Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?

Free hand

Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black pen?



Blue pen

(Mrunal – since readers keep mailing such queries, therefore I’m asking the topper to clear all theair haha.)

Mains Optional Subject

Q. What’s your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else?

Geography. I chose it because I found Indian Geography very interesting and I could relate to it.Moreover it has good overlap in GS and Essay also.

Q. If a new player wants to pick this subject, would you advice for it or against it? (e.g. everysenior player in Public Administration seems to be advising against pub.ad)

It should be based on your liking for the subject as the interest in the subject has to be carried tillthe time you clear the exam.Q. First the essential book/resource list. (Also mention which one is the “Base book” forcovering the theory? + Whatever comments you’ve for a particular book e.g. “my seniorssaid read xyz book but I found that ABC book was better”. “xyz topic not given properly inthis book, so prepare from xyz website or book…” OR and so on.)

1. Physical Geography by Savindra Singh2. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Che Leong3. Human Geography by Majid Hussain4. Evolution Of Geographical Thought by Majid Hussain5. Indian Geography by Khullar6. Indian GeographyMajid husain7. The Orient blackswan Atlas,TTK Atlas,Oxford Atlas8. Spectrum’s geography guide.9. Made Simple series of Rupa publications(Economic and Social Geography,Physical

Geography)10. Shabbir sir’s class notes. He is such a motivating figure and has played a very important role

in my preparation.11. Insights of IndiaCurrent Affairs.12. Geography and You magazine.

Q. How much of internetresearch / current affairs is necessary for this optional? OR can onesimply rely on the books and be done with this subject?

I got 164 in Paper 2 thanks to my habit of internetresearch and current affairs analysis on dailybasis. It’s a must in Geography Paper 2.

Q. How many months did it take to finish the core optional syllabus?

67 months



Q. How many days/ weeks before the exam, you started answer writing practice?

4 months

Q. Do you maintain selfnotes for revision of optional? In which format electronic or paper?

If I have to give one advice to aspirants in general then I would say that self made summarizednotes is a key to success in UPSC. I summarized my optional notes(paper 1 and paper 2) in 110pages.

Q. Your observation about the difficultly level of 2014 mains vs previous papers. And whatprecautions / rectifications are necessary in the future strategy for given optional subject?

It was manageable as compared to previous years. I am relieved that it wasn’t butchered thisyear.

Before the interview

Q1. How did you prepare for the interview? – for college grad, hobbies, place of origin,current affairs at national and international level?

I focused on my previousjob profile,hobbies, places of origin and current affairs. Didn’t give tooemphasis on Graduation and PG(Mangement) and just prepared the basics.

Q2. Did you attend any mock interviews by coaching classes? How were they similar /different than official interview? Do you believe it is necessary to attend such mockinterviews?

Yes, I attended Vajiram Mock Interviews. It was more or less on similar lines. The feedback givento me by Vajiram Mock Interview panel was very insightful and useful. Yes, I think ,mockinterviews polishes your preparation and one should give atleast 23 mock interviews as possible.

Q3. Describe the formaldress worn by you in interview.

I wore light blue shirt and dark blue pant. No tie.

Q4. Where did you stay for the interview? (Hotel / friend’s home …) and whatbooks/material did you bring for the ‘revision before interview’?

I stay in Delhi only. So, everything was available in the vicinity.

During the interview

Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview board?

Shri Chattar Singh

Q2. How long was the interview?



40 minutes(First Day,First Show)

Q3. Why do you want to join civil service? Why don’t you continue in your graduation field?Social service can be done from private sector too. [Since I don’t know whether they ask youthis question or not. But if they had asked what will be your reply?]

It wasn’t asked in the interview. Civil Services can help you achieve your professional andpersonal goals. The best feeling is when after a hard day’s work at office, there is sense ofcontentment,satisfaction in whatever you have done that day. It gives you a platform to give it backto the country, to the society and you can have an impact not only on your life but on others life aswell. The prestigious and challenging nature of this job is a supplementary factor.

Q4. Please narrate your entire interview what questions did they ask and what did you replyand other pleasant or uncomfortable experiences during the interview. (Earlier some toppersonly tell me their question but not their answer. I would appreciate if you give both Question+ your original answers)

The questions were largely from my DAF only. Questions :

1. Tell me something about your work profile, What was your role in the organization, Whypeople are moving towards government sector leaving their well paying jobs in privatesector?

2. Hobby(Sports)IPL, Superover, What happens in case of tie in super over(Couldn’t answerthis),Football leagues around the world, Favourite team and why(FC Barcelona and teamspirit), Significance of team spirit in real life( emphasized on the importance of Sum andWhole concept), 5 factors which can take football at par with Cricket(Infrastructure,Grassroot mobilization,Financial Security,World class coaching system,Sports bodies to bemanaged by Sports persons and not politicians), what role chess has in everydaylife.Managed this part well.

3. Current Affairs Section 66A( Answered it well along with info on Section 69A,79),Stephens Controversy(Devansh Mehta one), India’s image as a donor country( Gave regionaland International scenario on this), Was it a good diplomatic effort on part of India to helpNepal immediately after earthquake(I said it was done on humanitarian grounds anddiplomatic gains are secondary), Compare Education Scenario in Kerela and Bihar( Talkedabout qualitative and quantitative aspects,ASER report, Learning by level)

4. Optional Nepal Earthquake, Types of Earthquakes, Plate tectonics, Speed at which plate ismoving northwards(That days TOI helped me answer this question). Was prepared on thisand managed it decently.

5. State Agriculture Insurance and what needs to be done to promote agriculture insurance inIndia(Talked about NAIS, WBCIS and gave the solution),Why Haryana has very goodeconomic indicators but poor social indicators. This section could have been betterprepared.

Q5. Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or did they ask youtotally unexpected questions? Was it a stress interview, did they ask any uncomfortablequestions? If yes, how did you handle it?



It was on expected lines.

Q6. Any side details about technicalities like “make sure you bring xyz document or do xyzthing, or you’ll face problem”?

Please carry your eyesight prescription.

Q7. Any word of wisdom / observations about medical checkup?

CSE2014 Marksheet

Q1. Please attach both prelim and final marksheet. (when it comes)

PrelimsMarksheet

Paper1 111.34Paper2 128.33Total 240

Mains and InterviewSubjects MarksEssay (PaperI) 113General Studies I (PaperIi) 89General Studies Ii (PaperIii) 87General Studies Iii (PaperIv) 79General Studies Iv (PaperV) 114OptionalI (Medical Science) (PaperVi) 99OptionalII (Medical Science) (PaperVii) 164Written Total 745Personality Test 165Final Total 910

Q2. After looking at the marksheet, suppose you had to prepare again next time, whatchanges will you make in your studies?

I would try and write more number of essays as scope of improvement is huge in essays.Moreover, I would concentrate more on Optional Paper 1(Geography).

Career Backup

Q1. If you were not selected, what was your career backup plan?



No back up plan was in place. But If I wouldn’t have been selected this year then I would havetaken a government job for sure this year. But somehow, I could clear it(Thanks to Almighty God)

Views on UPSC reforms

Q. Optional subjects should be removed altogether. The present stalemate is helping noone,except coachingowners, book publishers.

I think optional should be removed and 2 more GS papers can be added in its place. It wouldnullify the butchering scenarios.

Q. Your views on the decision to make CSAT paper 33% qualifying?

Either it should be removed or the qualifying marks should be increased to 50%.

Q. Halfmerger of IFoS with CSE is a bad move because it has raised the cutoffs for playerswho’re solely dedicated to IFoS only (and not to IAS/IPS). Adding salt to the wounds, manywho had applied for both jobs, cleared the prelims they did not even bother to appear in allthe papers of MainsIFoS. (atleast that was the scene in 2013).

IFoS aspirants should have a separate paper to tackle the above scenario.

Q. UPSC should disclose official prelim answerkey and cutoffs, immediately after prelim isover, instead of postponing it till interview phase is over.

It hardly matters.

Q. UPSC should be conducted online like IBPS and CAT exam to shorten the duration ofexam.

For Prelims, UPSC should move towards conducting exams online but the same cant be replicatedfor mains.

Q. If you are made the UPSC chairman, what other reforms would you initiate for the civilservice exam?

UPSC interview process should be made much more transparent as some of the genuine candidatesgot very low marks despite decent interviews which is beyond comprehension. May be they canhave a average score of two interviews per candidate.

Insecurity about profile

Q. Many candidates prepare sincerely but constantly live under fear about ‘profileinsecurity’. I’m not from a big college, I’m not from English medium, and I don’t have workexperience. What if they ask some stressful questions in the interview about this? Did yousuffer from such insecurities? What is your message to these candidates?



Yes, there were lots of insecurities. I suffered from this syndrome as I scored 58% in mygraduation. I was always an average student and my profile was hovering around sports whichadded to my anxiety before interview. But thankfully, UPSC Board panel was very forthcomingabout sports and appreciated my achievements . But at the same time , they questioned my inabilityto score good marks in graduation. I accepted by mistake and also conveyed the fact that Icorrected it during my PG. So,don’t worry about your profile and work on your shortcomings.That’s the best possible way out.

Wisdom

Q. Through this struggle and success, what have your learned? What is the wisdom of lifeand competition? What is your message to the new aspirants?

There is no substitution of hard work in life. Keep working hard and keep pushing the limits set byyou. It will make you happy,satisfied after hard day’s work. And remember, Civil Services is onlya mean to achieve the desired ends. Visualize yourself as an Officer giving it back to the country.

Q. Many hardworking candidates have failed in Mains/Interview of CSE2014. They’refeeling cynical, hopeless and depressed what is your message to them?

Work on your shortcomings(writing skills, presentation,content etc), work even harder ascompared to last year and success is just one year down the line. Perseverance is the key whichwill separate you from the rest. Please have a look at marksheet CSE 2013 and CSE 2014.

MAIN SUBJECTS MARKSESSAY (PAPERI) 088GENRAL STUDIES I (PAPERII) 065GENRAL STUDIES II (PAPERIII) 040GENRAL STUDIES III (PAPERIV) 066GENRAL STUDIES IV (PAPERV) 079OPTIONALI (GEOGRAPHY) (PAPERVI) 057OPTIONALII (GEOGRAPHY) (PAPERVII) 070WRITTEN TOTAL 465

Credit: Friends/family

Q. Behind every topper are many people who stood by during those uncertain times whenhe/she was merely an ‘aspirant’. Would you like to tell the world, who were those people inyour case? Any specific incidence that you would like to share with the readers?

Without the support of my parents ,sisters,brotherinlaws,Rathee family,friends(VijayBehra,Sanjeet Singh,Jitin Yadav,Sakshi Khurana,Runul Pratap,Vivek Pandey,Tanuj Syal..list isendless), it wouldn’t have been possible. My esteemed teachers from School,College,PG andVajiram(Shabbir Sir) inculcated so much confidence in my own abilities that I tried achieving



things that I thought I never could. I want to thank all those who have supported me throughout myjourney.

BOGUS Marketing Propaganda

Q. You are well aware of the sacred rule – the last question must be about selfmarketing. So,Did you use Mrunal.org for your preparation and if yes, how did it help you? And you can evenreply “No”. I’ll still publish your answer without tempering.

Mrunal Sir, I was a regular visitor of your site. There wasn’t a day during my preparation last yearwhen I didn’t visit your site for some exceptional yet simplified articles. I thank you and your teamfor the support you provide to the aspirants. Keep guiding aspirants the way you have been doingtill now.

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mrunal upsc topper kranti singh rank 417, geography optional

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