Shubham Kumar: Strategy and Notes for UPSC(CSE)

2023-09-18 06:20:31 Some insights and suggestions

1) Forget about what has happened in GS and Essay. It will unnecessarily impact your performance in optional. Always remember that your relative performance matters and not the absolute

2) From here, If you are able to score 270+ in optional and 180+ in interview, there is enough probability that you will get into the list. So entire focus of yours should shift towards optional

3) Utilise these 5 days well. After a certain point, performance in optional depends upon how well you are able to reproduce concept/facts/data/thinkers in exam. This depends upon how well you have revised and revision requires time

Optional Strategy

I’m sharing what I followed in these 5 days after GS papers

1) Studying for 10-12 hours

2) Revising Optional thrice - 1st revision in 3 days (Till Wednesday) , 2nd revision next 2 days, 3rd revision after language paper

3) Writing some questions: can write 3hours test also, after revising for 2-3days

I wrote 2018 PYQ paper (during 2020 attempt) of Anthropology paper 1 on 3rd day. Till this time I was able to revise whole paper 1 and half paper 2 (1st revision). One can write 2021 paper.

It serves 2 purpose-

a) Generally we get out of touch with optional due to minimum 12-15 days of only GS studies. Writing tests boost confidence and prepare us well for real exam

b) Increases your efficiency of revision - generally we become complacent and revise optional in very relax way for first 2 days

4) Avoid studying anything new

Even if you study now, you won’t be able to write in exam.
Have some basic knowledge in every topic so that you can handle compulsory questions

Best wishes for remaining mains papers !! Open / Comment

2023-09-17 15:06:11 GS3-2023 Open / Comment

2023-09-16 16:06:20 How to attempt GS 4

Time division: 1 hr 35 minutes (max 1:40) for case studies and 1:25 minutes for section A

Section A

1) Write 3-4 dimensions and give examples. Don’t forget to mention administrative dimension where ever possible. Write Ethical angle also as far as possible

2) Other important dimensions- global, environmental, historical, personality based, corporate, current affairs

3) Administrative dimension: Can frame examples- few best scenarios where many qualities are covered are riot control, disaster management, handling election (these departments directly come under DM)

4) Values mapping: Use words from syllabus like integrity, emotional intelligence etc

5) Link with GS 2 (governance): write Constitutional articles, DPSPs, FRs, Acts/Rules (Eg- Civil Services Conduct Rules), NITI, ARC2, Institutions
(true for case studies also)

6) Writing appropriate quotes in section A is rewarding

7) Make flow charts

Section B (Case studies)

1) Write good intro: come out of case study and give a broader perspective- (like the above case study pertains to classic debate between env vs development…)

2) Space management: give more focus on ‘what will you do/be your approach’ - (eg - in questions where it is asked what all options available and what you will do- write 2 extreme steps and then your own)

3) Write long and short term solutions (no need to mention as subheading though): not in all but where ever possible- write some specific and concrete steps

4) Explain ethical dilemmas/issues well - with help of short short paragraphs (don’t only mention it rather explain it)

5) Try to address smaller problems apart from main problem: Underline and mark on (1,2,3,4) the question paper (not answer booklet) and keep it in front of you while writing answers so that you don’t miss anything.

6) Think from all stakeholders: No need to mention, if it has not been asked exclusively, but thinking in lines with all stakeholders- makes answers comprehensive

(Eg if question came related to drug trafficking in state which share boundary with other nation……- answer should reflect not only control at drug, but other solutions related to problem arising out of being border state)

All the Best for tomorrow !! Open / Comment

2023-09-16 16:00:50 GS-2, 2023 Open / Comment

2023-09-16 10:17:25 GSM-1 2023 Open / Comment

2023-09-16 08:23:30 Last year, I posted a message on how to attempt GS papers. I’m posting it again with slight modifications.

How to Attempt (GS1-3)

General Instructions:

While reading question paper (before start of examination, papers are distributed 2-5 minutes before)- try to link questions with your short notes of value addition. If you are able to remember committee name/articles/case studies- try to mark it on question paper itself.

It is better to start answering the questions as soon as exam starts (9am/2pm) and not to waste time in complete the reading of question paper

No need to complete sentences while in writing points- if it conveys the meaning

Hello Specific institutions:

GS1

1) History/World History/Art and Culture- enough scope to make maps, diagrams like Ashokan pillar, Stupa, Temples

2) Geography- make diagrams in most of the questions. Micro (Small) diagrams also

3) Society- important to define key terms (like poverty, caste), mention Policy, life cycle approach (eg women- child, adolescent, old age)

GS2

1) Analytical- use of small small paragraphs in some questions. Properly explaining the statements becomes important with examples and analysis

2) Show ethical dimension if possible in governance

3) International Relations- political diagram must, historical dimension, use of key words (like track 2 diplomacy), G20

4) Use of ARC2/Articles/SC Judgments/Budget, NCRWC, LCI, Commission (Sarkaria/Punchhi)

5) Linking Static with Current Affairs (for GS3 also)

GS3

1) Use of Graphs/pie charts(which I had prepared beforehand) and statistics: economist love stats/data

2) Disaster Management- Use of diagrams and maps, best practices

3)Security- use of bodies/Acts/Institutions

4a) Value addition- Budget/Economic Survey/NITI Aayog/ SDGs

4b) Env and Security: Summits and agreements

5) Time management is utmost important- generally you will be knowing all questions. At the same time you have to be accurate in answering and not beating around the bush as far possible

Best Wishes !!

P.S- No matter how well you have prepared and managed time, for maximum people including me there used to be few questions where I had to rush to finish it !! Open / Comment

2023-09-15 19:45:23 Few last minute tips:

1) Scope for Maps- in Geography and History, A&C. But it should be relevant

2) In 10 marker ques- it is advisable to draw small maps on side of the paper (takes less space rather than in centre)

3) GS2- is more analytical. In big questions- one can write in small small paragraphs initially to cover many dimensions of the question and then shift to point wise format for the core part of the question

4) GS2- Remember to write Articles, DPSPs, FRs, FDs, ARC2, Niti Aayog etc

5) Some good case studies/examples/ Schemes in governance questions

6) SDGs in Society and Social Justice ques. Flow charts can also be drawn

7) Incorporation of G20 and other big news related content in the answers

Best Wishes !! Open / Comment

2023-09-15 19:26:30 For all those who are writing mains tomorrow —

All the very Best for small small battles that you will have to fight in every paper to conquer mains.

There will be many questions where you won’t be that confident. But remember that you can score well in GS by attempting 10-12 questions well and then writing average answers for 8 questions.

Few last minutes tips

1) Never JUDGE your performance in the examination hall itself- you might score better in paper where you feel that it didn’t went well

2) Scoring in GS/Optional is RELATIVE.
So you have to outperform other people rather than writing best answers for every questions. If the paper is tough than it is tough for everyone

3) Don’t discuss anything between the break. Utilise the break to cool and relax yourself and REVISE your short notes.
Remind yourself what to write and how you are going to attempt the paper

4) It is advisable to complete the paper somehow. It is always good to devote equal time (11min for 15marker and 7min for 10 marker).

5) Eat light but energy rich food. Can drink tea/coffee- rejuvenate yourself- can take 10min Power Nap !!

Those things which are not under your control, leave it to almighty

All the best once again !!
You WILL do well Open / Comment

2023-09-14 20:45:12 All the very best for tomorrow’s paper. No matter how hard you have studied for mains, it always feel like less.

The point is, with better preparation, our expectation also increases. Also the fear of failure makes us under confident. With more than one year of preparation, now is the time to deliver.

It is but obvious to feel little stressed. Always remember that all the battle are first won or lost in the mind and not on battlefield !!

Every year, many aspirants turn into toppers by just scoring average marks in all the papers. The idea is to perform decently in every paper.

Have faith in your preparation. The only thing which is now in your control is to perform according to your potential, whatever you have prepared, you write that well in exam.

Also, remember the knowledge level of serious aspirants are generally at same level. The difference comes in delivery. So it is important to be calm and composed before the examination

Either conquer you fear or develop a habit to live with it. In morning, always think that this is your day and only you should have control over it. Make it count !!

Best wishes !! Open / Comment

2023-09-13 22:26:11 Someone asked me, what constitute a good answer. According to me any answer should address what is being asked in the question.

The difference in checking between any coaching evaluators and UPSC evaluators is that they don’t focused much on facts, figures, committees, intro, conclusion or whether you have written a particular value addition point or not. Rather they focus more on whether you have addressed the demand of the question or not. Whether it presents a complete picture to the question being asked or not.

After analysing many answers, a good answer should have:

1) Time Management and Space allocation based upon the degree of importance to the different part of the question. Some part of question has more weightage than other parts. Space should be allocated accordingly

2) Presentation and format: the handwriting should be legible and good. Underline, Making Boxes, Flow charts and diagrams enhances this.

3) Context: Hitting the nail directly- answer the question directly and address the demand. Initial one may get the feeling that if one answers the question directly then he/she may not write the entire page. But with practice, one can fill the space at the same time write contextually.

Putting forward valid argument first and then substantiating with facts is very important

4) Coherency: the answer should have the logical flow. Sub heading should be made from the question itself. If the question has been asked about the challenges then after writing all the challenges, the answer should contain some way forward.

Example of Logical flow format is Prospects-Issues/Challenges-Way forward (+-+). Ending should be in optimistic/positive direction. Generally question is asked in a logical flow.

5) Value addition: Now facts/figures/committees/diagrams/flow charts should be added in support of the arguments put forward and shouldn’t replace it.

Finally a good conclusion helps in giving a sense of completion. Apart from broad aspects, it is important to include the language of question in concluding your answer !!

Best Wishes !! Open / Comment