Shubham Kumar: Strategy and Notes for UPSC(CSE)

2022-09-19 11:45:13 I hope that those who are writing this year’s mains are preparing well for their optional and language paper.

Going through papers I realised that GS 4 was extremely lengthy and overall the questions are becoming more and more analytical-
1) many questions were asked directly from syllabus
2) few from current affairs
3) some very rare topics from syllabus
4) some factual and random questions. (Only this part is not under your control)

You should realise that performance in Essay and GS is very relative. If the questions were tough or paper was lengthy then it was for everyone. So always your relative performance matters and not the absolute

In 2020 mains, after GS papers, I actually was not satisfied with my performance as I knew that I won’t be able to improve marks in GS + Essay combined as compared to 2019 attempt (and it did came true 2019 I had got 560 and in 2020 attempt 558)

After GS 4 exam I felt that this attempt has gone waste as I was not able to deliver better as compared to 2019 attempt

After some crying after GS 4 exam that evening I realised that if I’m able to score well in optional and interview combined then there is decent probability to get into top 70. (I almost improved 90 marks in this)

Some insights and suggestions

1) Forget about what has happened in GS and Essay. It will unnecessarily impact your performance in optional.

For GS, If you have prepared well, practiced answer writing and attempted almost all questions in real exam, you can get minimum 115+ in essay and 360+ in GS.

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

2) Utilise these 5 days well. After a certain point, performance in optional defends upon how well you are able to reproduce facts/data/thinkers in exam. This depends upon how well you have revised and revision requires time (More on this later)

3) Language paper: don’t ignore it. Every year many people are not able to clear it. So go through PYQ papers if you haven’t till now, see model answers of last 2 years minimum, see the types of questions being asked, rote learn few things like opposite words, idioms, writing essays on common topics etc

Best wishes !!

Shubham Kumar
views are personal Open / Comment

2022-09-18 15:53:18 GS 4 CSM 22 Clean PDF Open / Comment

2022-09-18 15:53:17 Gs-3 Open / Comment

2022-09-17 18:52:51 #mains
How to attempt

GS 4

Time division: 1 hr 40 minutes for case studies and 1:20 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- 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 (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.

(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 !!

P.S- Views are personal Open / Comment

2022-09-17 16:58:04 Gs-2 Open / Comment

2022-09-17 10:02:08 GS -1 Open / Comment

2022-09-16 17:01:07 #mains
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

1) Writing Intro and conclusion are must (conclusion gives a sense of completion and it is here after which marks are given)

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

3) Use of Sub Headings from question itself.

4) Paper completion and good time management is highly rewarding

5) Value addition where ever possible with examples/facts/committees/Case studies/graphs/diagrams etc

6) Presentation- Underline and make Boxes. Use of diagrams (to fill space also) and flow charts (help in conveying more in less words)


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 compulsorily. 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)

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)

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 for tomorrow !!

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 !!

PPS- The goal is to give your best and deliver your best performance in the exam. Many people face difficulty in replicating well in exam- so making short notes, last minute revision and reminding oneself on how to attempt the paper helps !!

—Views are personal, you can follow any strategy which suits you well Open / Comment

2022-09-16 10:42:51 Essay 2022 Open / Comment

2022-09-15 17:08:24 Some common queries raised by aspirants

1) Stopwatch allowed or not? Some people find it easy to see time if it is shown digitally

Rules 9 says

9. Possession (even in switch off mode) / use of Mobile Phones and other Electronics / Communication devices are banned at the examination premises. Any infringement of these instructions shall entail disciplinary action including ban from future examinations under the rules of the examination.

Reading this, it all depends whether one considers stopwatch as electronic device or not- I think the stopwatch that we use is generally digital stopwatch and not electronic stopwatch. So, I think stopwatch can be allowed as there is no Bluetooth and no communication system and also not programmable.

Some invigilators don’t allow in that case showing them rules might help. For better security if you are carrying stopwatch then carry a analog watch as well. I have seen some people using stopwatch.

2) Is it necessary to carry 2 photographs?

Rule says -

10.Candidates who do not have clear photographs on the e-admit card will have to bring passport size photograph, one for each session, for appearing in the examination with an Undertaking.

(Not necessary but it is better to keep it. Don’t panic if you don’t have now)

3) Can we underline the terms in question section of answer sheet or only underline in that detachable question sheet?

Rule says -

12. Candidates must note that they should strictly answer all parts and sub-parts of a question in the Question Cum Answer (QCA) booklet in the space provided under each question / part in the QCA booklet. Read the Instructions for Candidates printed on the QCA booklet carefully. Any infringement of the instructions in the QCA booklet might entail penalty in the form of deduction of marks scored by the candidate and disciplinary action including cancellation & debarment from future examinations under the rules of the examination.

My interpretation: UPSC guidelines says not to mark anything which can reveal your identity (or may be used to give signal). I underlined on question paper of answer sheet in real exam. As I thought simply underlining won’t reveal my identity- I took that risk. No marks were detected in Mains 2019 and 2020

Some other important rules-

13. Candidates are advised to ensure that spaces / pages remaining blank are clearly crossed out before the QCA booklets are handed over to the Invigilator.

Also never write beyond the two lines which are there on sides of the page. It can lead to negative marking.

Best wishes for tomorrow !! Open / Comment

2022-09-15 10:43:15 How to Attempt

Specific institutions, used to read before entering exam hall

Essay

1) Write short sentences. To improve coherency- read previous sentence before writing next sentence- the concepts should flow logically and sequentially (similarly while writing new para)

2) One concept one para

3) Intro: 1.5-2 page- write anecdotes and relate it with topic. Explain key words in topic, through definition and what you feel. Try to open up topic and write as broadly as possible

4a) Body 1 (5-6 pages) Dimentionalization: 7-10 most imp dimensions. Don’t forget administrative dimension. Connect with topic after writing each dimension- sign posting

4b) Body 2 (3 pages): Analysis of the topic by posing questions. (Essay is not only about writing examples, so analysis becomes important)

5) Way forward and conclusion. Also connect with anecdote written at start. Futuristic and reflection of positive mindset. Use of Quotes

PS- Stick to the topic. If you feel deviated try to link that thing with the topic itself. Open / Comment