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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

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MAY 28TH, 2012

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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story
In the year 2011, a gentleman achieved 11th rank in his 1st attempt in Civil service Exam. Today Weve Neeraj Kumar Singh who achieved this amazing feat and he is with us sharing his journey and studyplan of clearing the mother of all examination. By the way, Sum of digits of (2011, 11, 1) =7 and his roll number 240550 also sums up to 7. A curious coincidence!

Introduction
Name Roll number Rank (CSE 2011) Optional Subjects Medium for Mains Exam Mains Examination Centre Number of Attempts Schooling (Medium) Extracurricular activities, hobbies, achievements etc. Are you a working professional? If yes, then did you leave your job or prepared while on the job? Did you take Coaching? Did you buy any postal courses? Did you join any Mock test series? Neeraj Kumar Singh 240550 11 1. Economics 2. Public Administration English New Delhi 1 English Essay Writing Event Management Yes Joined the job after the main examination Prelims: Yes Mains : Yes. (for economics) Interview: Took mocks No Yes

Details of Graduation and Post-Grad. Integrated (5 year) Master of Arts in Economics

Questions Inception
Q. When and how did the inspiration and idea of joining civil service come in your mind? I zeroed on civil services as a career option in 2009 after a lot of deliberation. During my undergrad days I was a part of National Service Scheme. The projects there interested me and also got an experience of some of the lacunae in public policy implementation. Further, discussions on developmental issues in classrooms and with friends also made me interested in taking up a career in public policy implementation.

The Choice of Optional Subjects

Q7. After a person decides to appear in civil service exam, the first big obstacle is Choice of optional subjects. What factors did you consider before selecting your optional? Choice of subjects should be based on interest and availability of guidance. For me, Economics was a natural choice as I was pursuing my post-graduation in it. The subject interested me and I was willing to put in the hard-work to crack the exam with Economics as an option. For my second option, I looked through the probable options and considered taking either Public Administration or Political Science. I had done few courses in Political Science during my undergrad studies and quite liked the subject. But when I read the syllabus of Pub Ad and saw a couple of ARC reports I felt inclined to take this subject. Since I hadnt earlier studied theories of administration and organization I thought there will be a lot of new things I could learn by taking this subject. Hence, I chose Pub Ad as my second option.
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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

My advice to the aspirants would be keep your interest in the subject foremost while deciding on optional subjects. Then look at factors like previous training in the subject (especially for technical subjects) and availability of guidance. Make a rational choice based on these three factors. Please do not go by preconceived notions like one subject is easier to score than others. A lot of people kept telling me that one cannot score high marks in Economics but I found no reason to listen to them.

Momentum
Q. People initially prepare with much enthusiasm but then a boredom phase comes they dont even find the motivation to read the daily newspapers, let alone studying the books. Sometimes they get diverted because of external factors e.g. heavy workload in office, family responsibilities and so on. How did you sustain the study-momentum throughout the year, How did you keep yourself busy with the books, continuously? This is a huge problem. This happens not just with civil services but with any relatively long term project we take up. We tend to start with the lot of enthusiasm which gradually declines. In this respect, I think the intensity of your resolution matters. When I started my preparation I had told myself that I will give all that I have in this first attempt. If I cannot clear this year, then I wont have anything to regret since I gave my all. This might sound slightly over the top but I had a countdown on my Gtalk status message to the prelims . It was a 365 day countdown and when I changed the number of days left each day I remembered the promise I made to myself to clear in the first attempt. These small things do help in sustaining the momentum and making sure that you dont let a day go waste. But despite all this, it wasnt easy. There will always be some issues at home, some fights with friends, the feeling of being cut-off from everyone that will test the strength of your resolve. At all these times, I would just remind myself that I have made a promise to myself and I would lose that self-respect if I deliberately break that promise. And with that I would shutoff everything that distracts me and get back to the books.

Hours
On an average, How many hours did you study per day? How many months did it take you to complete the core syllabus of GS and optional subjects? My prep was divided into phases. Phase 1 The first phase was from May 2010 to July 2010. This was the period when we had a summer break in IIT. Since there was no pressure of coursework I went full-on with the preparation during this period. Call it the initial enthusiasm, but I often studied for 16 hours per day during this period. On an average I think I devoted 14 hours per day during this time. A lot of learning happened at this time as anything I read added to the knowledge base. I completed about 80 percent of first reading of Pub Ad and 40 percent of first reading of Econ during this time. Phase 2 The second phase was from August 2010 to November 2010 which was my 9th sem at IIT. There was coursework but most of the courses related to Economics so the time spent in classes was also in some ways useful for civil services prep. During this period I spent close to 8 hours a day on civils prep. I managed to complete full reading of Pub Ad and Econ once and started on revision of both subjects. Phase 3 The third phase was from December 2010 April 2011. I completed one more revision of my optional subjects. I wasnt very confident about paper 2 of Pub Ad though. Since I also had to work on my final year thesis, I spent about 10 hours per day on civils prep. Phase 4 The fourth phase was mid-April 2011 to May 2011. I prepared only for prelims during this period. I had also kept on preparing for GS during all these phases. But I never set any target on GS. I was a very fluid preparation. Phase 5 Fifth phase was from June 2011-October 2011. This was the most crucial phase. I moved to Delhi and joined a coaching from Economics and test series for Pub Ad and GS. For Pub Ad and GS I also started a discussion group with few friends. The discussions were really helpful. During this time I started understanding both Econ and Pub Ad in a much better way. Now I was able to not just understand a concept but go beyond that and relate it with other concepts in the subject and present a coherent picture. I devoted close to 10 hours a day during this period.

Internet
How did you use computer and internet for your exam-preparation?
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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

I used to read many articles online, watch lectures on youtube, listen to All India Radio discussions their website for my preparation. Most of my notes were made on my computer as I found modifying it much easier than modifying hand-written notes. I would go as far as to say that you can no longer merely rely on books to crack civil services. Using internet is a must.

Essay
How did you prepare yourself for the essay? Which Essay did you write in Mains-2011? What were your keypoints in that essay? How many marks did you get in that essay? Didnt do any special preparation for essay. Wrote the essay on smaller states in the exam. The main line of argument was that the available evidence gives an inconclusive result about the benefits of smaller states. Hence, a case by case study is needed for each of such demands and decision should be taken on the merit of such study only. Marks: 105

Profile
Many aspirants fear the interview, thinking that my profile is not good because Ive low marks in SSC/HSC/College, I dont have any extra-curricular certificates, I dont have work experience, I graduated from some unknown college, Im from non-English medium and so on So, How important or relevant is the profile of a candidate during interview? Its hard for me to answer this question as I have no background to answer satisfactorily. From my interview experience I can say that they didnt ask me many question on my academic profile or my achievements. They mostly focused on the problems existing in Chhattisgarh (my home state) and what solutions I have in mind for them. How much portion of your interview centered on your profile? 80% of the questions were about the problems in Chhattisgarh (my home state). The rest 20 % was also from my profile. So nothing outside the profile was asked. Did they ask any uncomfortable questions from your profile? There wasnt any uncomfortable question. All the questions were expected. But the questions were such that they required in-depth understanding the ground level issues.

Backup
Q. In case you had not cleared the UPSC exam, what was your career/future backup plan? I had taken up a job recently. I would have worked on this job for next two years.

Family and Friends

Q. Behind one topper are many people who stood by him/her during those uncertain times when he/she was merely an aspirant. Would you like to tell the world, who were those people in your case? Any specific incidence that you would like to share with the readers? My sisters and parents supported me through the period of preparation and gave me the needed encouragement. I used to talk home on phone for about 30 minutes daily to as a stress buster. I made some extremely good friends during my studies and talking with them at times helped get out the stressful moments. My family and all my friends were always confident that I would crack the exam and speaking with them provided the positive attitude that is needed for sustaining oneself through the period of preparation.

Your Study plan CSAT (Paper I) General studies

Topic Current Affairs

Source of your preparation The Hindu, Economic Times, Live Mint

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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

History Ancient/Medieval/Modern Physical Geography Geography of India Geography of World Polity and Governance Public Policy Rights issue Environment and Biodiversity Science Economy

NCERT NCERT, Go Che Long NCERT NCERT, Atlas Laxmikath Made self notes from internet Made self notes

Economic and social Development Made self notes

General Studies paper I

Syllabus Topic History Culture Geography of India Polity Issues of social relevance Public health Law and order Good governance Environment

Source of your preparation Bipin Chandra, NCERT Spectrum NECRT Laxmikanth Self notes

Indian economy and planning Self notes

Self notes

General Studies paper 2

Syllabus Topic India and the World Indian diaspora International affairs and institutions Statistics Science & Tech.

Source of your preparation MEA website + made notes on all the important countries and institutions Ministry of Overseas Indians Affairs Made self notes -

Indias Economic interaction with world Website of commerce ministry + self notes

Optional Subject #1 and #2

I have posted my detailed strategy for the optional subjects on IO. Public Administration Strategy My Strategy for Economics Optional

Interview
How did you prepare for the interview? Didnt prepare much. Made sure I knew my profile well. Who was the chairman of you interview board? Mr. Vijay Kumar Singh
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-neeraj-kumar-singh-air-11cse11-shares-his-preparation-strategy-and-success-story.html

Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or

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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or

Yes. I had expected a lot of questions to be from Chhattisgarh and so it turned out to be. Did they ask you totally unexpected questions? No. What was the toughest question you faced during the interview and how did you answer it? Rather than toughest the most curious moment that I faced in the interview was when I was asked to repeat a rather long answer I had answered few minutes back. [Mrunal: For more on his Interview, see the thread Neeraj Singh's UPSC Personality Test April 17, 2012]

Marksheet
SUBJECTS ESSAY (PAPER-III) GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-IV) GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-V) OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VI) OPTIONAL-II(ECONOMICS) (PAPER-VIII) OPTIONAL-II(ECONOMICS) (PAPER-IX) WRITTEN TOTAL PERSONALITY TEST FINAL TOTAL Remarks: Recommend MARKS 105 118 103 184 170 209 1056 210 1266

OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VII) 167

Message
Q. What is your message to the aspirants? 1. You will have distractions all your life. Never let any distraction move you away from your goal. 2. If you dont believe you can clear in this attempt, you never will. Set the date for yourself when you want to see yourself as an IAS officer and work towards it. Ask yourself each day if what you have done today is the maximum you could have done to achieve your goal.

Finally two questions

When youll give interview in the famous competitive magazines, the last question is generally did you use our xyz magazine and how did it help you? So here goes mine. And Even if you answer No, there is no problem; Ill publish your answer as it is. (Unlike some Competitive magazines who distort the answers after taking the Toppers interview.)

1. Did you use indianofficer.com for your preparation? If yes, How did it help you?
I joined IO in early 2012. So I hadnt used it during my mains preparation. But I am delighted to note that the quality of discussion on IO is very high and useful for civil services aspirants.

2. Did you use mrunal.org for your preparation? If yes, how did it help you?
Yes. I had subscribed to RSS feeds from mrunal.org during the entire period of my preparation. The website helped me clear a lot of doubts about the exam. The articles by Mrunal helped me better understand a lot of topics in GS. Previous Posts
[Topper's Interview] Shefali Singh (AIR 336/CSE-2012) Geography and Sociology [Topper's Interview] Tanu Priya (AIR 18 / CSE 2012) First attempt, No coaching: Political science, Sociology
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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

[Topper's Interview] Anoop Shetty (AIR 140 /CSE-2012) Kannada Litt, Agriculture, No Coaching [Topper's Interview] Pratibha Singh (AIR 407/ CSE 2012) Hindi Literature, Geography, Working Professional [Interview] CPF Topper Kartikeya Mishra (AIR 4/CPF-2011) shares his strategy, tips, success mantra [Interview] Central Police Forces Topper Gangavarapu Vikram (AIR 137/CAPF 2011) [Interview] Central Police Forces Topper Dharmendra Singh (AIR 25/ CAPF 2011) [Interview] Central Police Forces Exam Topper Swachhand Chavan (AIR 99/CPF 2011) No consolation prizes for participating in UPSC so Change the habits or Change the game [Interview] Arvind Menon (AIR 201/CSE 2011) shares his success-story (Malayalam Litt. + Pub Ad)

13 comments to [Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story

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mayur
Reply to this comment why i can not see the latest article posted by you . it showing me now older entries upto june 2 is there problem in website?because from last three on opening your site it shows error. please do something .please please please because my day starts by opening your website . for your superb article. reply me .

ANU
Reply to this comment WAT IS ARC REPORTS..PLS EXPLAIN IT..

vikash kumar
Reply to this comment @ sir neeraj kumar singh can i know which is the best coaching for economics and public admin. because i have also these two optional subject so plz reply ..

Bhardwaj Soni
Reply to this comment sir is it necessary to attempt about every question to fetch good marks in the upsc cse mains in optionals and gs,

MrunalBhaiyaRocks
Reply to this comment Are you sure the digits of his Roll No. add up to 7?

MrunalBhaiyaRocks
Reply to this comment I guess 16 then 1+6 = 7 ..

INDRAJEET DAS
Reply to this comment Hi, I am indrajeet Das preparing for SSC exam of various posts. Congratulation! on Your great achievement. Sir, I read Time Of India daily news paper, but I have a problem to understand that what news should I read what is not necessary for me? How I read news period in short period of time? What news I should underline. Kindly suggest me above mentioned problem solution. I should remain grateful to You. Thank U Sir.

Nupur
Reply to this comment Hello, I want to know from where can I get all the study material for Prelims(CSAT). NCERT textbooks and all do I need to buy every book?

malini
Reply to this comment
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[Toppers Interview] Neeraj Kumar Singh (AIR 11/CSE11) shares his Preparation strategy and Success Story Mrunal

sak malini shri, sir the tips given by u reallyhelps me in my preparation.thank u sir.

b maurya
Reply to this comment please suggest a coaching institute for postal guidance course for UPPCS geography and essay papers

mrutyunjayya
Reply to this comment sir i dicided to become a ias officer from your story

santhosha
Reply to this comment Really good Any one can reach the destiny, With proper plan and hard work.

gourav
Reply to this comment Sir the message you are given is awesome and i will try to apply these message lines in my life

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