6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

Ashirwad,Rank

TIMETABLEInsightsOfflineGuidance

35CSE2015 Program2018

BYINSIGHTSJUNE7,2016 Introductionto2018InsightsOffline
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Program2018

MOTIVATION:Strategyfor
UPSCMainsandTipsfor Tosearchtypeandhitenter

AnswerWriting

KumarAshirwad

Rank35,CSE2015 RECENTPOSTS

TOPPERSSSTRATEGY:SaravananV,Rank
Hellofriends,
27CSE2016
June23,2017
Thisismythirdarticle(First
Article&SecondArticle)regarding InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,23June
strategyforCivilservices 2017
preparation.Asmentioned June23,2017
earlier(perhapsanannoying
[InsightsSecure2017]UPSCMains
numberoftimes),thisisabroad
QuestionsonCurrentAffairs:23June2017
framework.Feelfreetotweakas
June23,2017
youdeemfit.
7)Canasportsboycottserveasa
Welldividethearticleintotwo
legitimatetooltohighlighttotheworld
parts.Inthefirstpartwelldwell Pakistansuseofterrorasastatepolicy?And
onthecontentandstrategy cansuchaboycottbeaneffectivecoercive
neededtoensureagood instrumentinchangingthebehaviourofthe

preparationfortheMainsexam. Pakistanistate?Criticallycomment.
June23,2017
Inthesecondpartwellfocus
exclusivelyonAnswerwriting. 6)DifferentiatebetweenOutsourcing,in
Howeverboththesepartsare sourcingandoffshoring.IndianITindustryis
interlinked.Youwillunderstand goingthroughdifficulttimes.Inyouropinion,
thereasonsoonenough. howshoulditmakeitselffutureprooffrom
uncertainties?Examine.

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

Letsbegin. June23,2017

1).CONTENT 5)Internethasbecomearecruitment

ANDSTRATEGYFORMAINS: groundforterror.Whatkindofactionis
neededtocrackdownonlineterror
a).GSPAPER1History, propagandaandrecruitment?Examine.
June23,2017
Geography,Economics,
Environment,Artandcultureand 4)ExternalthreatstoIndiassecurity
PolityForallthesetopicsinGS persistbutmoreworrisomearevulnerabilities
paper1,theprelimsmaterial onnewfronts.Whatarethese
mentionedinthesecondarticle vulnerabilities?HowisIndiareactingtothese
shouldbeenough.Foradditional vulnerabilities?Criticallycomment.
June23,2017
minortopicssuchasimpactof
meltingicecapsonfloraand 3)DoyouthinktheF16dealbetween
faunaetc,readverybrieflyfrom IndiaandtheUSwouldbeagamechanger
thenet.Forworldhistory,Synergy forIndia?Criticallycomment.
notesaregreattillWorldWar2. June23,2017

PostWWII,NormanBaugisthe
2)..farmloanwaiverunderminesan
best.Butreadselectivetopics
honestcreditculture,itimpactscredit
only.Andduringrevisionfocuson
discipline,itbluntsincentivesforfuture
subheadingsratherthanreading borrowerstorepay,inotherwords,waivers
theentirechapteragain. engendermoralhazard.Doyouagree
criticallycomment.
b).GSPAPER2andPAPER3 June23,2017
HereIwillnotgointoeachtopic
1)Whatdoyouunderstandbyglobalism
individuallybecausethatwillbe
andnationalism?Itissaidthattodaythe
neitherfeasiblenordesirable.But
dominantdichotomyhasbecomeglobalism
afewthingsareVERY
versusnationalism.Discuss.
IMPORTANT.Firstly,themonthly June23,2017
newscompilationsofVisionIas
(primarysource)fromMarch/
April/MaytillNovemberend. CATEGORIES

Followthisupwithmonthlynews Categories
andsecurecompilationsof SelectCategory
insightsonindia,butonlyfor
thosetopicswhicharenotgiven
ARCHIVES
inVisionIasmaterial.Donotread
thesamethingfromboththe
http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 3/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

places.MOSTIMPORTANTLY,DO Archives

NOTTRYTOREVISENEWS SelectMonth
CLIPPINGSFROMTHE
HINDU/INDIANEXPRESSetcfor
June2016
reasonsmentionedearlier
(scatteredknowledge+time M T W T F S S

taking).Ihadfollowedthelatter 1 2 3 4 5
approachinmy2ndand3rd 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
attemptandhadpaiddearlyforit. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Thiswilltakecareofthecurrent 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
affairspartverythoroughlyand
27 28 29 30
alsoensurecoherentinoneplace
May Jul
memorycurrentaffairs,which
willmakewritinganswersallthe
moreeasierinmainsexam. UPDATES

Secondlygothroughthesolutions TOPPERSSSTRATEGY:SaravananV,
giveninthemainstestseriesof Rank27CSE2016
23JUN,2017
VisionIasforallpapersexceptGS
4.ThereisnoneedtojoinVision ECONOMICSOPTIONALStrategy:
Iastestseries.Insightsonindia TejasviRanaRank12(Marks325,
mainstestseriesissuperior. CSE2016),DownloadHerEconomics
ButthesolutionsofvisionIas OptionalNotesandRelated
areingreaterdetailand Documents
23JUN,2017
containmorematter.Sosimply
readthesolutionsofVisionIas
UPDATE:OnlineandOfflineMains
testseriesquestionpapers.Itwill TestSeries(GeneralStudiesPapers
bearound20questionpapersand +Essay)2017
hencearound400questions.But 22JUN,2017

thequestionsareverybroadand
TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Dr
hencealotofitwillbe
NandhinideviK,Rank54,Medical
directly/indirectlyrelatedtoUPSC
ScienceOptional
questions.Thiswilltakecareof
22JUN,2017
thestaticpartofGSpapers2&3
quitewellaswellasGSpaper1. TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Aishwarya
Revisethemonthlynews Dongre,Rank196,Age22,First
compilationsandthesolutionsof Attempt,PoliticalScienceOptional
(327/500)
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

thetestseriesatleast34times. 22JUN,2017

ReviseSecurecompilationstoo.
UPSCCivilServicesPrelims2017
Trytomemorizekeyfacts.Also
QuestionsDontbeJudgemental,
gothroughquestions TakeaLooktilltheEndofthisPost
mentionedoninsightsonondia 22JUN,2017
Securedaily.Thiswilltakecare
ofthemoredynamicpartinGS TOPPERsSTRATEGY:AyushiSudan,
Papers2and3. Rank65,CSE2016,MScPhysics
21JUN,2017

c).GSPAPER4(ETHICS)Since
TOPPERSSTRATEGY:MirantParikh,
pasttwoattempts,I,alongwith
Rank67,AGe24,FirstAttempt,
mostofmyfriendswho
OptionalPoliticalScience
attendedMohantySirs 20JUN,2017
(Synergy)classgotbetween
80to84.LastyearIcameacross TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Rohit
abeautifularticleonethics Sissoniya,Rank93,CSE2016
20JUN,2017
paperbyMr.D.K.Balaji(
Rank36lastyearand
ONLINEAPPLICATION:Insights
Insightsstudent)postedon OfflineGuidanceProgram2018
insightsonindiaonhowto 19JUN,2017
approachEthics.Ifollowedhis
approachalongwithinputsfrom
VinaySirssuggestionsand MOTIVATIONALPOSTS

managedadecent102thistime MOTIVATION:ThreeFailedPrelims,
around.Gothroughhisarticle34 Rank287TipsforPrelims
times.Incorporatehistipsineach 17JUN,2017
ofyourtests.
MOTIVATION:Preliminary
Themostimportantandunique ExaminationHowtoConquerYour
aspectofEthicspaperisthatit Fear?
15JUN,2017
checksETHICAL
COMPETENCE,NOTETHICAL
MOTIVATION:SuruchiChaudhary,
KNOWLEDGE.Itscriteriafor Rank152,ProudMotherofTwo
evaluationisradicallydifferent YoungBoys,QuitCorporateJobof7
fromGSPapers1,2,3.Supposea Years,HadOnly2Attemptsand
questionisaskedonwhatdoyou RankinLastAttempt,Commerce&
understandbyvalues?Hereif AccountancyOptional
12JUN,2017
yougivethetextbook/coaching
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

classnotesdefinitionofvalues,
TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Bilal
youaredemonstratingethical MohiuddinBhat,Rank10,J&K,
knowledgeratherthanETHICAL VeterinaryScience,Failedin3
COMPETENCE.Youranswer Prelims,10thRankinFourthAttempt
becomesARTIFICIAL.Readabout 11JUN,2017

themeaningofvaluesfromany
MOTIVATION:KiranS,Rank310,
place.Butwriteitinyourown
LastAttempt,3Interviews,Storyof
words.Donotworryaboutusing
DeterminationandHope
sophisticatedlanguage,highend 9JUN,2017
jargonandaestheticsofyour
answer.SIMPLEANDFROMTHE MOTIVATION:MITTALISETHIAIR
HEART.UsePERSONAL 56,TheJourneyofaMarried,
WorkingWomanintoCivilServices
examplesorexamplesof
TrulyInspiring!
greatpeopleandSIMPLE
8JUN,2017
analogiestoconveywhatyou
understandbyvalues.
RECENTCURRENTEVENTSPOSTS
AgainforPartAaswellasPartB
(casestudies)gothroughD.K. InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,23
Balajisarticle.Idonothavemuch June2017
23JUN,2017
toadd.Themostimportantpoint
inethicsisthatyourHONESTY
InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,22
andSINCERITYshouldbe June2017
reflectedinthepaper. 22JUN,2017

Another
InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,21
importantissueinEthicspaperis June2017
itsLENGTH.WhilegivingEthics 21JUN,2017

paperintestseries,tryto
InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,20
completethepaperaroundten
June2017
minutesbeforethestipulatedtime 20JUN,2017
sothatyoudonotfacetrouble
completingthepaperinthemains InsightsDailyCurrentAffairs,19
exam. June2017
19JUN,2017
Here
tooSTUDYINTELLIGENTLY.For
instancemanypeoplethinkthey RECENTSECURE2016POSTS

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shouldreadtheautobiographies [InsightsSecure2017]UPSCMains
offamouspeopleforEthicspaper. QuestionsonCurrentAffairs:23June
ThisisPersonAsapproach. 2017
23JUN,2017
Uselessandtimeconsuming(from
exampointofview)!Instead [InsightsSecure2017]UPSCMains
simplytypeinspiringeventsin QuestionsonCurrentAffairs:22June
livesofgreatpersonalitieson 2017
quora.Youwillcomeacrossmany 22JUN,2017

suchexamples.Thiswilltakean
[InsightsSecure2017]UPSCMains
hourorso(asopposedtodaysor
QuestionsonCurrentAffairs:21June
weeksspentreadingbiographies)
2017
andyouwillbeabletoREMEMBER 21JUN,2017
thoseexamplesintheexamhall.
REMEMBER,LESSISMORE. [InsightsSecure2017]UPSCMains
QuestionsonCurrentAffairs:20June
Feel
2017
freetouseflowchartsinPart 20JUN,2017

B(casestudies).Incasestudies
youshouldhaveasolvingthe
CURRENTEVENTSQUIZ
problemapproach.Forinstance
theoptionthatyouchooseor QUIZ2017:InsightsCurrentAffairs
constructwillalsohave Quiz,22June2017
flaws/drawbacks.Elaborateon
howyouwilltrytoremovethose QUIZ2017:InsightsCurrentAffairs
Quiz,20June2017
flaws.Firststatetheoptionyou
havechosen/constructed.Thenin
QUIZ2017:InsightsCurrentAffairs
onelineadmitthatcertainissues Quiz,21June2017
arestillleftunaddressed.Write
yourfirstsuggestionto QUIZ2017:InsightsCurrentAffairs
rectify/improvethesituation.Draw Quiz,19June2017
anarrowandbesidethearrow
writeifthisdoesnotwork.Then
belowthearrowgiveyournext MINDMAPS

suggestionandsoon.Trytogive InsightsMINDMAPS:Dealingwith
fourtofivesuchsuggestions.With StressedAssetsandIndiaratifiesILO
practiceyouwillfindthisquite pactsonChildLabour
easytodo.Youdonotneedto

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

giveoutofthebox,extraordinary InsightsMINDMAPS:FarmLoan
ormindblowingsuggestions.Just WaiversandWomenEntrepreneurs
simpleandelegantoneswillwork.
InsightsMINDMAPS:AsiaAfrica
GothroughD.Balajisarticleon
GrowthCorridar(AAGC)
ethicsformoreclarification.

InsightsMINDMAPS:FilmCensorship
d).REVISIONANDRE
inIndia
REVISION:Theimportanceof
repeatedrevisioninUPSCcannot
beoverstated.Ifyoucannot RAJYASABHATVNEWSDEBATES
rememberduringthedayofthe
examwhatyouhavestudied TheBigPicture:GMMustardPros
throughouttheyear,thenitisa andcons
22JUN,2017
hugewasteoftimeandeffort.
HenceREADLESS,REVISEMORE. TheBigPicture:BumperCrops
Forexamplesimplygoingthrough ExpectedthisYearIsitaGood
theVisionIasmainstestseriesGS News?
paperssolutionsisnotenough.Go 21JUN,2017

throughit34timessothatyou
rememberrelevantfactsthatyou
INSIGHTSINTOEDITORIAL
canuseinyouranswerinMains
exam.
InsightsintoEditorial:BringingGMto
thetable
ANSWERWRITING

Thisisperhapsthemost InsightsintoEditorial:Qatars
neglectedbutmostimportantpart isolation
inUPSCpreparation.Inmyfirst
twoattempts,Icompletely InsightsintoEditorial:Abolishing
ignoredanswerwriting,thinking FIPB:Redtapeherring?
thatgoodknowledgewould
automaticallytranslateintogood InsightsintoEditorial:Themega
answers.Obviouslythisdidnot challengeofjobcreation
happen.InmythirdattemptI
joinedatestseries(Synergys)but
gaveallmytestsinaperfunctory, TOPPERSSTRATEGIES

nonanalyticalmanner.Mynumber
TOPPERSSSTRATEGY:SaravananV,
ofattemptsincreasedfrom Rank27CSE2016
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

fourteentoaroundsixteen
questions(outof20questions), ECONOMICSOPTIONALStrategy:
TejasviRanaRank12(Marks325,
buttherewashardlyany
CSE2016),DownloadHerEconomics
improvementinquality.Moreover
OptionalNotesandRelated
someanswerswereverylong, Documents
whereasthelastanswerswere
veryshort.ThisiswhyIhave TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Dr
warnedinmyfirstarticleagainst NandhinideviK,Rank54,Medical
assumingthatsimplyjoiningatest ScienceOptional
serieswilldo.ITWONT.
TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Aishwarya
Dongre,Rank196,Age22,First

wasonlyinthisattemptthatI Attempt,PoliticalScienceOptional
(327/500)
improvedmyanswerwriting
undertheexpertguidanceof
TOPPERsSTRATEGY:AyushiSudan,
VinaySirofinsightsonindia.I Rank65,CSE2016,MScPhysics
willlistthesalientpointsthat
youneedtofollowforanswer TOPPERSSTRATEGY:MirantParikh,
writing: Rank67,AGe24,FirstAttempt,
OptionalPoliticalScience
1).COMPLETINGTHEPAPER:
TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Rohit
YouMUSTattempttheentire Sissoniya,Rank93,CSE2016
paper.ThisisABSOLUETLYNON
NEGOTIABLE.Forthelast2 CivilServicesandaJobChasing
questions,youmusthaveatleast yourdreamswhileworking:Mittali
910minutesleft.Buthow?First, SethiAIR56,UPSCCSE2016
checkyourwritingspeedinatest.
MOTIVATION:ThreeFailedPrelims,
Countthetotalnumberofwords
Rank287TipsforPrelims
writteninfivequestionsandnote
downthetimetakenforthosefive TOPPERSSTRATEGY:Yash
questions.Arriveattheexact Chaudhary,RANK258,ThirdAttempt
numberofwordsyouwriteper
minute.Supposeitis20
words/minute.In20questions, RECENTESSAYCHALLENGES
youhave9minsperquestion.
InsightsWeeklyEssayChallenges
Remove1minuteforreading
2017Week21:RoleofTechnology
question.Soinremaining8
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

minutes,youcanwritearound inDevelopmentIsTechnology
160words.YOURANSWERS HelpingorHinderingDevelopment?
SHOULDNOTEXCEEDTHISLIMIT
InsightsWeeklyEssayChallenges
THEN,EXCEPTFORTHOSE
2017Week20:PovertyisaState
ANSWERSYOUKNOWVERY
ofMind
WELL.Atthesametimealsotryto
improveyourspeedbygivinglots InsightsWeeklyEssayChallenges
oftests.Alsogiveupthehabitof 2017Week19:DoesIndiaNeed
writingverylonganswersatthe SuperpowerStatus?
startandveryshortanswersat
theendofthetest.Thelengthof InsightsWeeklyEssayChallenges
2017Week18:IndiasAchillesHeel
youranswersshouldbeuniform.
LackofAmbitionorLackof
Slightlylonganswersforthose
LeadershipinAchievingGreatness?
questionsyouknowverywellare
okay. InsightsWeeklyEssayChallenges
2017Week15:Toconquerfearis
2).QUALITYOFANSWERS:
thebeginningofwisdom
Thisisanotherveryimportant
andliberatingpoint.YOUDONOT
MUSTREADBOOKS
HAVETOWRITEBRILLIANT
ANSWERS.YOUHAVETOWRITE 1)IntroductiontotheConstitutionofIndia
20Edition
REASONABLYGOODANSWERS.IF
AROUND80PERCENTOFYOUR 2)IndiaSinceIndependenceBipanChandra
ANSWERSAREABOVEAVERAGE
3)India'sStruggleForIndependenceBipan
ANDYOUHAVECOMPLETEDTHE
Chandra
PAPER(witharound910minutes
forthelast2questions),YOUCAN 4)IndianEconomy:ForCivilServices
Examinations6thEdition(2014)Ramesh
EASILYEXPECT375MARKSIN
Singh
GS.PERIOD.Sodonotwasteyour
timetryingtowriteextraordinary, 5)IndianPolityforCivilServices
Examinations4thEditionLaxmikanth
outoftheboxanswers.Focuson
writingdecentanswersand 6)GeographyofIndiaMajidHussain5th
completingthepaper. Edition

7)EthicsInGovernance
The
abovetwopointsalsocorroborate 8)IndiaAfterGandhi:TheHistoryOfThe
whatIhavebeensayingallalong. World'sLargestDemocracy

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

LEESISMORE.STUDYLESS. 9)MasteringModernWorldHistory5th

Why?Letmedemonstrate.You Edition,NormanLowe

havearound160wordsper 10)SelectConstitutions:16thEditionS
question.Remove15wordsfor Chand
introductionand15wordsfor
11)ChallengeAndStrategy:Rethinking
conclusion.Soyouhave130 India'sForeignPolicyRajivSikri
wordsleft.UPSCquestionsare
12)India'sForeignPolicyMuchkundDubey
quitebroad.Itwillbeveryrare
thatyoudonothave130words 13)HistoryoftheWorldfromtheLate
onanissue/question.Moreover NineteenthtotheEarlyTwentyFirstCentury

youanswerhastotouchona ArjunDev

WIDEvarietyofissuessoasto 14)SocialProblemsinIndia2EditionRam
makeyouranswerHOLISTIC.So Ahuja
youdonotneedtoknowabout
15)PoliticsandEthicsoftheIndian
anyissueindepth.THISISWHYI Constitution
HADSAIDINMYFRSTARTICLE
16)PublicInstitutionsinIndia:Performance
THATYOUNEEDABROAD
andDesignPRATAPBHANUMEHTA
RATHERTHANADEEP
UNDERSTANDINGOFISSUES.You 17)CertificatePhysicalandHuman

simplydonothavethe GeographyGohChengLeong

time/numberofwordstogointo 18)IndiasNationalSecurityAReader
anyissueindepth.Ifyoudo,you
19)IndianSocialSystemRamAhuja
missoutonmanyothervital
dimensionsofthatquestionorend
upnotcompletingthepaper.
HENCESTUDYLESS.

3).READEACHQUESTION
VERYCAREFULLY.

Reserve1minuteforreadingthe
question3times.Readthe
questiontwicebeforestartingto
writetheanswer.Inthesecond
reading,circlethekeywordsofthe
question.Decidewhetheryoucan
splitupthekeywordsinto
subparts.Ifnotdecidewhich
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subparts(economic/political/legal
etcGIVENBELOW)arebestsuited
forthatquestion.[THISPOINT
WILLBECLEARWHENYOUREAD
SUBPOINT(b)OFPOINT
4(STRUCTUREOFANSWER)
GIVENBELOW].Onlythenstart
answeringthequestion.Midway
betweentheanswer,againread
thequestionandkeywordsto
makesurethatyouarenot
deviatingfromthequestion.Itisa
verycommonmistaketofeelthat
readingthequestionisawasteof
time.WRONG!Donotcompromise
onthe1minutereservedsolelyfor
readingthequestion.

4).STRUCTUREOFANSWER:

a).Ashortintroduction(around
1520words)isgoodforGS
papers2,3and4.Itdoesnothave
tobemindblowing.Howevertry
tostartwithrecentcurrentaffairs
orarelevantpieceofdataora
quote.Orsimplygivethecontext
ofthatquestion,itsimportancein
todaystimesetc.Youcanalso
stateinyouintroductionasto
whichdimensionsofthe
issue/questionyouwilladdressin
youranswer.Conclusionisnot
mustforGSpaper1,butshould
begivenforGSpapers2,3and
4(around15words).Inconclusion
youcanposeaquestionorgivea
suggestionorstatethe
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

importanceoftheissueathand.
Donotwastetoomuchtimein
tryingtocomeupwithamind
blowingintroductionor
conclusion.

b).DIVIDEYOURANSWERINTO
PARTS.WHY?Becauseitbecomes
morediversifiedandholisticand
looksmoreorganized.Moreover
whenyoudividetheanswerinto
parts,youdonotleaveoutany
importantdimension.Nowthe
importantquestion.HOW?I
broadlyfollowedtwoways.Either
Idivided/splittheKEYWORDSof
thequestionintodifferent
subpartsordividedmyanswer
intodimensionssuchas
economic,political,legal,
constitutional,international,social
(health,educationetc)security,
cultural,administrativeetc.THIS
DOESNOTMEANTHATAN
ANSWERHADALLTHESE
DIMENSIONS.Itmeansthatout
ofthesesubheadings,Iusedto
choosearound4DIMENSIONS
THATWERERELEVANTTOTHAT
QUESTIONANDMADETHOSE
DIMENSIONSASSUBPARTSIN
THATQUESTION.

Thisapproachisveryusefulfor
generic,broadbasedquestions
whilethefirstapproach(splitting
thekeywords)workswellfor
specific,tothepointquestions.
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Youranswershouldhave34
subheadingsandtryto
incorporatethe
positive/argumentsand
negatives/counterargumentsin
eachsubpart(subheading)sothat
answerbecomesBALANCED.Itis
veryimportanttowritebalanced
answers.Alsotry,ifpossible,to
makeyourSUBHEADINGS
INTERESTING.Forinstance,do
notwritepoliticalaspectsasa
subheading.Itisboring.Instead
youcanwritethepoliticsof
reformsorwillpoliticsallow
reforms?orsomethingonthose
lines.

c).LOGICALFLOW:Thenext
partofyouranswershouldflow
frompreviouspart.Therefore
writeaconnector
sentence/words/phraseaftereach
subpart.Forexample,afterwriting
ontheeconomicdimensionofa
questiononeaseofdoing
business,addasentence
howeverapoliticalconsensusis
musttopassbillsrelatedtoease
ofdoingbusiness.Thenmoveon
tothepoliticalsubpartofyour
question.Thislendsalogicalflow
anorganicunitytoyouranswer.

d).RELEVANCE:Eachsubpartof
thequestionshouldBERELEVANT
TOTHEQUESTIONASKED.Ifyou
feelyouknowonly120words
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

relevanttothequestion,write
only120words.Ifyoucanthink
ofonlytworelevantsubparts,
writeonlythosetwosubparts.In
aquesttowriteadiversified,
broadanswerdonotwrite
irrelevantstuff.Writingonly
relevantpointswillalsoensure
thatyouranswerisshortandyou
coverallthemajorpoints.

e).POINTSORPARAGRAPH:Do
NOTworryaboutwhethertowrite
inpointorparagraphformat.I
andmanyotherswhohave
securedgoodranksfreelyused
both.ManytimesIusedboth
pointsandparagraphformatin
thesameanswer.Sodonotsweat
overthisissue.HoweverI
personallyfeelthatwritingin
pointssavestimeandyoualso
remembermorepoints.Feelfree
toignoreifyouaremore
comfortablewritingparagraphs.

f).VALUEADDITION:Youneed
tomakeyouranswerslightly
differentfromothers.UsingDATA
isagreatwaytodothis.Ithad
beenadvisedtomebyNeha
Dubey(lastyearRankin26)
anditpaidoffreallywellforme.
Generallyineveryanswer,most
peoplewritesimilarthings.Butif
cansubstantiateyouranswerwith
apieceofMEANINGFULDATA,it
makesyouranswerconcrete,and
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theexaminerknowsthatyouhave
areasonforwhateveryourstand
onanyissue.Sokeepnoting
downimportantdatarelatedto
health,education,tribals,women
etc.andalsoIndiasrankingin
importantindices.Forinstancein
thismainstherewasaquestion
onArbitrationandConciliationAct.
Ihadnotheardaboutit.SofirstI
decidednottowritemorethan
120wordsforthatquestion.
SecondlyIknewthatIndias
rankingwasinthe180sonthe
parameterofbusinessdispute
settlementineaseofdoing
businessrankings.Iopenedthe
questionwiththispieceofdata.
SoIcouldexpectaverageoreven
higherthanaveragemarks
becauseofthisdata.Butbe
selectiveinchoosingwhichdatato
notedownandmemorize.It
shouldbeimportant.Secondly
thereisnoneedtorememberthe
exactnumberinthedata.
Approximateranking/percentages
areabsolutelyfine.Butwritethe
wordapproximatelywhendoing
this.Alsorevisethenoteddown
datafromtimetotime.Using
CURRENTAFFAIRSinyouranswer
hassimilaradvantages.AVERY
VALUABLEadditionisusing
DIAGRAMS,MAPSAND
FLOWCHARTS.Moreoverthese
diagrams,mapsetcdoNOThave
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

tobeverysophisticated.Simple,
crudediagramsetcwilldofine.
Myownmapsanddiagramsare
uglyatbest.Moreoverthereare
manymorepossibilitiestouse
diagrams,mapsetcthanwe
normallyrealize.Letme
demonstrate.Supposethereisa
questiononStringofpearls.Here
youcansimplydrawaSIMPLE
mapofthelowerhalfof
India(quiteeasy)andthen
ROUGHLYshowbycirclesthe
locationoftheports(thepearls)
whichcomprisethestringof
pearlsandconnectthesecircles
byaline(thestring).Similarlyina
fewquestions,youcanusea
SIMPLEflowchartinsteadof
dividingtheanswerintosubparts.
Atotalof7/8diagrams/mapsetc
inonepapershouldbequite
enough.

5).HANDWRITING:Itdoesnot
havetobebeautiful.JUSTNEAT
ANDEASYTOREAD!Ifyouhave
poorhandwriting(asIusedto
have),trytowriteverticalletters
itlooksneater.Improveuponthe
individualletterswhichcomesout
asthemostillegible.Alsospacing
outyourwordslookstidier.Ifyou
havepoorhandwritingtryblue
colourPilotpen(the40rsone,not
the60rsone).Itsinklooksreally
beautifulwhenitdriesup.

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

HoweverintheexamdoNOTuse
aNEWPilotpen,elseitwillslow
youdownbecauseofthe
roughnessofNEWPilotpens.Use
apenthathasalreadybeenused
andwhosenibhasbecome
smooth.Iknowthisseemsa
trivialpointbutneathandwriting
goesalongway.

6).DIRECTIVES:Thereisalotof
confusionastowhatvarious
directives(discuss,evaluate,
commentetc)meanandhowdo
youchangeyouranswer
accordingly.Inmyopinion,these
directivesdonotmattermuch.
Howevertherearecertainbroad
guidelines.Forevaluateand
commentgiveyourpersonal
opinionintheconclusion.In
criticallydiscuss/comment,your
answershouldhavemorepart
devotedtothe
problems/disadvantagesinvolved.
Indiscusstrytogiveabroad
holisticanswercoveringthe
problemsassociated,the
advantages,disadvantages,
importanceoftheissueinvolved.
Anormaltendencyistogive
solutionsineachquestion.Tryto
limitthistendency.Again,donot
trytofrettoomuchover
directives.Focusinsteadona
holistic,balanced,relevantand

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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

structuredanswer,completewith
data,currentaffairsetc.

THELASTWORD:

This
coversmostofwhatIhavetosay.
Ishallbeuploadinganother
articleonAnthropologyaswell
assomeofmyanswersheetsof
insightsonindiatestseries(as
manyasIcanfind).Gothrough
theanswersheetstogetabetter
senseofwhatIhavebeentrying
toconveyinmyarticles.IfIfeel
thatIhavemissedsomething
importantIshallputitaseparate
article.Howeveruploadingthe
answersheetsandAnthropology
articlewillbepossibleonlyafter
20thJune.Pleasepardonmefor
thedelay.

couldendthisseriesof
articleswithsayingthatifyou
followthesepointsandwork
hard,youwillsurelyclearthe
exam.Unfortunatelythisis
nottrue.UPSCisastrange
exam.Intelligenceandhardwork
donotnecessarilytranslateinto
success.Thereisahugeamount
ofrandomness/luck/ActsofGod
involvedinthisexam,asitisin
life.SoIshallrefrainfrom
indulginginfalsemotivation.
HoweverIcansaywith
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

guaranteethatifyoufollow
thesepointssincerely,with
MODIFICATIONSwherever
youfeelso,youwill
INCREASEYOUR
PROBABILITYOFSUCCESSin
thisexam.

During
yourpreparation,therewillcome
anumberofinstanceswhenyou
willbedejectedandhopeless.It
isinevitable.Itisexactlyin
timessuchasthesethatyou
needtorememberwhyyou
arehere.Youareheretoserve
theweakestandthepoorest.If
yougiveupbecauseofthemental
painassociatedwithfailurethen
youarethinkingonlyabout
yourself.Alwaysremindyourself
thatitisnotonlyforyourown
sakethatyouaretoleratingso
muchcrapduringyour
preparation.Youareonlyone
individual.Yourdecisiontoquit
willaffectmanymorepeople,
especiallytheweakestandthe
poorest,whowillbedeprivedofa
worthyIAS/IPSofficer.

Another
irritantispeskyrelatives,family
friendsblahblahwhomakeita
pointtoremindyouhowyouhave
beenleftbehindinlifeduetoyour
preparationorsubtlyhintthatyou
areafailure.Rememberthat
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

thesearepeoplewhohaveneither
thecouragenorthespiritofsocial
servicetoevenattemptUPSC.
Youarebetterandbraver
thanthematavery
fundamentallevel.Toquote
JoeyofFriends, theiropinionis
likeacowsopinion.Itsamoo
(t)point.Itsimplydoesnot
matter.ItsMOO.
Moreoverevenifintheendyou
fail,youwillhavelearntsomuch
andbecomesostrongmentally
thatitisimpossiblethatyouwill
failinlife,whichisamuchbigger
testthanUPSC.HereIfeel
compelledtoquoteafewlinesby
PresidentRooseveltthatIfind
veryinspiringandaptatthis
point:

Itisnotthecriticwhocounts
notthemanwhopointsouthow
thestrongmanstumbles,or
wherethedoerofdeedscould
havedonethembetter.Thecredit
belongstothemanwhoisactually
inthearena,whosefaceismarred
bydustandsweatandbloodwho
strivesvaliantlywhoerrs,who
comesshortagainandagain,
becausethereisnoeffortwithout
errorandshortcomingbutwho
doesactuallystrivetodothe
deedswhoknowsgreat
enthusiasms,thegreatdevotions
whospendshimselfinaworthy
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6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

causewhoatthebestknowsin
theendthetriumphofhigh
achievement,andwhoatthe
worst,ifhefails,atleastfails
whiledaringgreatly,sothathis
placeshallneverbewiththose
coldandtimidsoulswhoneither
knowvictorynordefeat.
TheodoreRoosevelt.

I
willendthisarticlewithtwoofmy
favouritequotes.Successis
nothingbutamasterful
consistencyofafew
fundamentals.Itisreallysimple.
Noteasy.Butsimple.And
secondly,Lifeis10percent
whathappenstoyou,and90
percenthowyoureacttoit.

Solongfolks!Cheers!

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UPSCIAS Topper'sTips MOTIVATIO

CIvilServices forUPSC Mythsand
PRELIMS Mains Mistakesto
STRATEGY: Answer Avoid,by
Kumar Writing: Kumar
Ashirwad, KirthiC, Ashirwad,
Rank35, Rank14 Rank35,
PrelimsGS1 Third Insights
Marks140 Attempt, Offline
(2015) General Student
June6,2016 June6,2016
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In"PRELIMS Studies In
2016" Score417! "TOPPERS"
May23,
2016
In
"INSIGHTS
TOPPERS
2015"

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LOGINWITH

ORSIGNUPWITHDISQUS ?

Name
http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 23/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

PahariLafandarayearago
Readingyourarticleisa
EUREKAmoment.Thisarticleis
apieceofbrillianceandis
hollistic.
ThankyouandGratitude.
MAYTHEFORCEBEWITH
YOU.
9 Reply Share

akki_enigmatic
14daysago
whereicouldfindashirwad'ssir
insighttestseriesbookletordid
hepostedyet?
2 Reply Share

Arduous10monthsago
Yourwritingshowshow,much
youhavefacedtocleartheexam
ateverylevel....really..thanksfor
openingtheshacklesof
UPSC.....andhopefullywewill
openitmore...thanks....
2 Reply Share

M13ayearago
sirplsshareanthropology
strategy
2 Reply Share

rashmiayearago
Noonehaseverexplainedmains
partsowell..Thnkusomuch
sir..
2 Reply Share

Mr.Er>rashmi
8monthsago
ucleared?
Reply Share

harthikc7monthsago
Sirplzuploadanthropology
strategy..
1 Reply Share

blufl0ayearago
http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 24/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS
blufl0ayearago
sir,onecanprepareoptionalwell
afterprelims??
pleasereply
1 Reply Share

Jai#Krishayearago
Muchdeservedarticlethankyou
ashirwadji
1 Reply Share

RamakrishnaGundla
amonthago
Iamnothappywiththisarticle
becauseyousaidLESSSTUDY
andSCORE375inGS
maximumSCOREinGSis450
Reply Share

SatishJagtap3monthsago
Pleaseshareanthropology
strategyandyouranswersheets
Reply Share

Pradh4monthsago
Sirplzguideaboutessay
strategy.
Reply Share

shami4monthsago
brilliantarticle...icoudntclear
mainsthistimebutihavemy
chinup,readytofacelife
Reply Share

Pradh4monthsago
Veryhelpfularticle.Plzwritein
detailsaboutessaystrategy.
Reply Share

poonamagrawal
5monthsago
thanksforyourefforts.Sir,
requestyoutopleaseupload
detailedstrategyonAnthropology
alongwiththesources.Thanksin
advance!!
Reply Share

SatishJagtap6monthsago
http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 25/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS
SatishJagtap6monthsago
highlyinspiringarticle
Reply Share

changeisinevitable
9monthsago
Thankyousir..keepinspiringus..
Reply Share

Priyanka9monthsago
ThankyouSir..itsadetailedand
reallyhelpfularticleforbeginners
likeme.
Reply Share

san>Priyanka
9monthsago
hipriyanka.areto
attempted2016prelims
#narayanahrudayalaya4gmail.com
Reply Share

Priyanka>
san
9months
ago
HiSan,
Yeah.Idid.But
thatwaswithout
fullpreparation.
Reply
Share

san
>
Priyanka
9
months
ago
whatis
your
optional
.areu
takingany
coach.what
isur
qualification?
andtext
methrough
mailplz.

Reply
Share

http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 26/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

Strongking10monthsago
Ohmygod!!Itsreallyfantastic
article!Itappearedtomelikeit
wasreallytalkingarticle!Its
lookslikeawrittenspeech to
boostmorale!!ThanksKumar
Aashirwad!Atb
Reply Share

Jon10monthsago
Bestone!Enlightened!
Reply Share

Ajit10monthsago
sirthisarticleisextremelyhepful
,pleasesharetheanthropology
aswell.
Reply Share

Optimusayearago
ThankYouSirforthesegood
points!!
Reply Share

yashasviSutharayearago
Thanksalotforsuchacrystal
cleardiscussion.
Reply Share

Shwetaayearago
Sirplzuploadanthropology
strategy..
Reply Share

Aryanayearago
Onewordsalute
Reply Share

Manishayearago
Sir,waitingforyouradviceon
Anthropology.
KindlyguideusonAnthropology
preparation.
Reply Share

AFSARBITIYAayearago
Sirpleaseshareanthropology
strategy...
http://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/06/07/motivationstrategyupscmainstipsanswerwritingkumarashirwadrank35cse2015/ 27/28
6/24/2017 MOTIVATION:StrategyforUPSCMainsandTipsforAnswerWritingKumarAshirwad,Rank35CSE2015INSIGHTS

Reply Share

Atulayearago
Dearsir,Imtotallyconfusedhow
tostartahead,Impreparingfrom
lastaugust,myoptionalsub.Isin
way...plzsuggesthwshouldI
proceedfurther(hwtorevise
,whichtestseriesshouldIjoin
etc.)
Reply Share

Juanna_neroayearago
Havingfailedintwoattempts
myselfwithavgmarksings,i
cudrelatewithsomuchinthis
article.Icompletelyagreewithur
emphasisonreadingless.Not
justitdoesntdoanygood,itdoes
harmalot.Thankusooooo
much!!!
Reply Share

JPayearago
Absolutelysplendidwriteup!I
wouldliketothankyoudeeplyfor
this.Congratulationsandallthe
verybestforyourfuture.

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