BOOK LIST FOR GENERAL STUDIES: PRELIMS:-
1. THE HINDU: - READ IT THOROUGHLY & EXTENSIVELY.6-8 MONTHS BEFORE PRELIMS i.e. SEPTEMBER TO APRIL 10. READ 2-3 HRS OR IF POSSIBLE 4 HOURS DAILY.JOT DOWN ALL IMPORTANT POINTS IN YOUR NOTE BOOK.LIKE WHAT IS THE CAPITAL OF HAITI? WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF SCO, NATO, AND APEC? WHERE IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF MERCOSUR, OPEC? LIKE THIS YOU HAVE TO JOT DOWN 20000 TO 40000 FACTS FROM THE HINDU.THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO CLEAR PRELIMS AS 50 FACTUAL QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM THE HINDU & IF YOU ARE THOROUGH THEN YOU CAN EASILY SCORE 70-80 NET IN GENERAL STUDIES … SO NEVER NEGLECT THE HINDU.NEVER READ IT CASUALLY.READ IT “LIKE A TEXTBOOK” …
2. A BRIEF HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA :- SPECTRUM.GIVE MORE EMPHASIS ON MODERN INDIA THAN ON MEDIEVAL OR ANCIENT INDIA
3. FOR MEDIEVAL & ANCIENT INDIA READ WIZARD SPECIAL ISSUE 20-30 PAGES SPECIAL.TAKE SHORT-CUT.JUST MUG UP SOME FACTS IN ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL INDIA.SOME 2000-3000 FACTS …
4. D D BASU,HELPFUL FOR THEORETICAL ASPECT.IF YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT,READ CLASS NOTE OF VAJIRAM & RAVI DICTATED BY MR RAVINDRAN.BUT READ “ANY ONE”.EVEN TWO READINGS OF VAJIRAM NOTE WILL HELP A LOT … FOR ARTICLES READ P M BAKSHI.FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS INDIA YEAR BOOK & ALL OTHER LATEST AMENDMENTS FROM NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES.
5. ECONOMICS :- THE ECONOMIC SURVEY ( ALL BOXES,CHAPTER 1,10 & CHAPTER ON FINANCE ARE IMPORTANT),VAJIRAM CLASS NOTE “OR”
INDIAN ECONOMY: PROBLEMS & PROSPECTS BY UMA KAPILA “OR” NCERT 11TH CLASS ECONOMICS BOOK INDIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
READ ANY ONE PLUS THE ECONOMIC SURVEY.
READ THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES & THE BUSINESS LINE STRICTLY FROM ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE DURING FEB 20-MARCH 15.BUDGET PERIOD
6. FOR GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE & GENERAL SCIENCE GO THROUGH TATA MACGRAW HILL GENERAL STUDIES GUIDE.TAKE SHORT-CUT.FOR MENTAL ABILITY YOU CAN ALSO MUG UP SOME FORMULA IN PERMUTATION & COMBINATION, PROBABILITY ETC FROM VAJIRAM & RAVI CLASS NOTE.
7. MANORAMA YEAR BOOK: - READ INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INDIA, WORLD SECTION WHAT HAPPENED IN WHICH MONTH DATE WISE, QUIZ, AWARDS, BOOKS & AUTHORS ETC.BE INQUISITIVE & REMEMBER RELEVANT FACTS FROM PRELIMS POINT OF VIEW.
8. INDIA YEAR BOOK :- IMPORTANT SECTIONS ARE :- DIARY OF EVENTS,FINANCE,AGRICULTURE,INDUSTRY,INDIA & THE WORLD,OUR POLITY,LAND & PEOPLE,BASIC ECONOMIC DATA.LAST 20-30 PAGES WHERE IT IS GIVEN WHO WAS THE FIRST BHARAT RATNA ?WHO WAS THE FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA ? ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ETC.
9. TO SUPPLEMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS PREPARATION YOU CAN READ WIZARD SPECIAL ISSUE FOR CURRENT AFFAIRS “OR” VAJIRAM BOOKLETS FOR CURRENT AFFAIRS. READ “ANY ONE”.
10. FOR GEOGRAPHY READ NCERT BOOKS INDIA LAND & PEOPLE, INDIA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. OXFORD ATLAS.GOH CHENG LEONG CERTIFICATE PHYSICAL & HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ( SELECTED CHAPTERS).WHILE READING THE HINDU LOCATE IN OXFORD OR MACMILLAN ATLAS IMPORTANT RIVERS,NATIONAL PARKS,BORDERS OF COUNTRIES,CAPITALS,LAKES,MOUNTAIN RANGES ETC. YOU MUST EXPLORE THE ATLAS WITH HIGH CURIOSITY SO THAT YOUR VISUAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PHYSICAL & HUMAN ASPECTS OF THE WORLD INCREASES GRADUALLY.
11. ABOVEALL, KEEP YOUR EYES, EARS OPEN TO ANY SOURCE OF INFORMATION COMING FROM ANY SOURCE & FROM ANY DIRECTION.
KEEP THE FLAME BURNING …
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
IN THE HINDU ... May 4th, 2009 : The Most Memorable Day Of My Life ...
Civil Services results out; top three ranks go to women:-
NEW DELHI: Perhaps for the first time in the past 25 years, the top three ranks for the Civil Services main examination – the results of which were declared on Monday -- have been secured by women candidates.
Young Shubhra Saxena has topped the examination, followed by Sharandeep Kaur Brar and Kiran Kaushal, who achieved the second and third positions respectively.
Varinder Kumar Sharma, who secured an all-India fourth rank, is the topper among the male candidates. Varinder, who is a differently abled candidate, has cracked the prestigious exam in his first attempt.
The top 25 candidates include 15 males and 10 females. Of the first ten positions, four have been secured by Delhi-based candidates and all of them have preferred the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) over the other services.
Speaking to The Hindu at her residence on Monday evening, Shubhra Saxena said: “It is God’s grace that everything has worked out perfect for me. You can just pray for such an achievement; you never expect it. It has still not sunk in…..”
With subdued celebrations at her suburban Indirapuram home in Ghaziabad nextdoor to Delhi, Shubhra sought to underplay her huge achievement.
“I am no special. Last year I attempted, but could not make it to the final list. It was very painful. I believe if I can do it, then anyone can. Keep believing in yourself and keep working hard,” she said.
The 30-year-old, who is married, said she decided to join the Civil Services because she realised she wasn’t in a “position to make a substantial contribution to society while working in the IT industry”.
Shubhra has done her schooling from Jharkhand, studied B.Tech. at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee. Her husband is also from the same institute.
“There are a lot of problems that our country is facing. I chose the IAS because it gives you a multitude of options. Rural development is my first choice,” said the topper who was born in Bareilly.
P. S. Ravindran, director of Vajiram and Ravi institute for civil services examination, noted that after 2003 this is the first time that the first rank has been achieved by a candidate in her second attempt. Interestingly, Shubhra and four other candidates to have made it to the top ten ranks have been trained by this institute.
Kiran Kaushal, the third ranker, is the first person to have taken the examination in the Hindi medium and reached this high a rank.
Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, who secured the fifth rank overall in his third attempt, said: “I was expecting something within the first 200 ranks, but the fifth position is really unbelievable! In fact, I had already started preparing for the UPSC preliminary examination for this year as I was desperate to clear it in my last attempt…..”
Vijay has studied Veterinary Science at the Orissa Veterinary College.
An MBBS graduate from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, Yash Garg has achieved the sixth all-India rank. Hailing from Sonepat in Haryana, Yash was clear that he wanted to join the IAS since he dreamt of becoming a good administrator.
“While working as a doctor in the hospital, I realised I was only impacting an individual patient. Through the IAS, I can impact a larger section of people,” said Yash, who is currently working at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jayarakash Narayan Hospital.
Just like Shubhra, Delhi-based Surya Pal Gangwar, who has achieved the eighth position, is also from Bareilly and went on to do his B.Tech. from IIT Roorkee.
“This is my fifth attempt. I was confident it would be something good, but did not imagine it would be this good!” he quipped.
For someone who is married and has a child, Surya said it was “good time management” that helped him achieve his goal.
A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhiite Aditi Singh secured the 12th rank. “My father and husband are IAS officers. I always dreamt of becoming one. Focus and perseverance are the two key things needed while preparing for the Civil Services,” she added.
NEW DELHI: Perhaps for the first time in the past 25 years, the top three ranks for the Civil Services main examination – the results of which were declared on Monday -- have been secured by women candidates.
Young Shubhra Saxena has topped the examination, followed by Sharandeep Kaur Brar and Kiran Kaushal, who achieved the second and third positions respectively.
Varinder Kumar Sharma, who secured an all-India fourth rank, is the topper among the male candidates. Varinder, who is a differently abled candidate, has cracked the prestigious exam in his first attempt.
The top 25 candidates include 15 males and 10 females. Of the first ten positions, four have been secured by Delhi-based candidates and all of them have preferred the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) over the other services.
Speaking to The Hindu at her residence on Monday evening, Shubhra Saxena said: “It is God’s grace that everything has worked out perfect for me. You can just pray for such an achievement; you never expect it. It has still not sunk in…..”
With subdued celebrations at her suburban Indirapuram home in Ghaziabad nextdoor to Delhi, Shubhra sought to underplay her huge achievement.
“I am no special. Last year I attempted, but could not make it to the final list. It was very painful. I believe if I can do it, then anyone can. Keep believing in yourself and keep working hard,” she said.
The 30-year-old, who is married, said she decided to join the Civil Services because she realised she wasn’t in a “position to make a substantial contribution to society while working in the IT industry”.
Shubhra has done her schooling from Jharkhand, studied B.Tech. at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee. Her husband is also from the same institute.
“There are a lot of problems that our country is facing. I chose the IAS because it gives you a multitude of options. Rural development is my first choice,” said the topper who was born in Bareilly.
P. S. Ravindran, director of Vajiram and Ravi institute for civil services examination, noted that after 2003 this is the first time that the first rank has been achieved by a candidate in her second attempt. Interestingly, Shubhra and four other candidates to have made it to the top ten ranks have been trained by this institute.
Kiran Kaushal, the third ranker, is the first person to have taken the examination in the Hindi medium and reached this high a rank.
Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, who secured the fifth rank overall in his third attempt, said: “I was expecting something within the first 200 ranks, but the fifth position is really unbelievable! In fact, I had already started preparing for the UPSC preliminary examination for this year as I was desperate to clear it in my last attempt…..”
Vijay has studied Veterinary Science at the Orissa Veterinary College.
An MBBS graduate from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, Yash Garg has achieved the sixth all-India rank. Hailing from Sonepat in Haryana, Yash was clear that he wanted to join the IAS since he dreamt of becoming a good administrator.
“While working as a doctor in the hospital, I realised I was only impacting an individual patient. Through the IAS, I can impact a larger section of people,” said Yash, who is currently working at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jayarakash Narayan Hospital.
Just like Shubhra, Delhi-based Surya Pal Gangwar, who has achieved the eighth position, is also from Bareilly and went on to do his B.Tech. from IIT Roorkee.
“This is my fifth attempt. I was confident it would be something good, but did not imagine it would be this good!” he quipped.
For someone who is married and has a child, Surya said it was “good time management” that helped him achieve his goal.
A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhiite Aditi Singh secured the 12th rank. “My father and husband are IAS officers. I always dreamt of becoming one. Focus and perseverance are the two key things needed while preparing for the Civil Services,” she added.
MY UPSC MARKS :-
Rank-5 CSE 2008 :-
Roll No. : 006731
Name : BIJAY KETAN UPADHYAYA
Civil Services(Main) Examination 2008
Subject MaximumMarks MarksObtained
Essay(Paper III) 200 140
General Studies (Paper-IV) 300 163
General Studies(Paper-V) 300 152
Optional I,Psychology Paper-VI 300 191
Paper-VII 300 190
Optional II, Public Administration Paper-VIII 300 184
Paper-IX 300 134
Penalty Marks 0
Written Total 2000 1154
Interview Marks 300 183
Final Total 2300 1337
Remarks : Recommended.
Roll No. : 006731
Name : BIJAY KETAN UPADHYAYA
Civil Services(Main) Examination 2008
Subject MaximumMarks MarksObtained
Essay(Paper III) 200 140
General Studies (Paper-IV) 300 163
General Studies(Paper-V) 300 152
Optional I,Psychology Paper-VI 300 191
Paper-VII 300 190
Optional II, Public Administration Paper-VIII 300 184
Paper-IX 300 134
Penalty Marks 0
Written Total 2000 1154
Interview Marks 300 183
Final Total 2300 1337
Remarks : Recommended.
SOME OF THE ARTICLES IN NET ON ME ...
IN THE INDIAN EXPRESS :-
BALASORE: Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya has made the district and State proud by securing fifth rank in the UPSC examination results of which were declared yesterday. He is the only one from Orissa to find a place in the top ten list and tops the list of male general candidates.
Bijay, a veterinary graduate, took the examination with Public Administration and Psychology as optional subjects.
‘‘The result came as a surprise to me. Though I was sure of clearing the test, I never expected such a high rank,’’ an overwhelmed Bijay told from New Delhi where he had been preparing for the examination for last four years.
He, however, tasted success in his third attempt. ‘‘Finally hard work and consistency brought colours to my life. Despite two unsuccessful attempts I never lost patience. Rather my determination became stronger and this is, I feel, is key to my success,’’ he said. He exuded confidence of getting Orissa cadre.
He credited the success to his parents saying without their support, he would not have reached the position. He also gave credit to his senior Satyasai Rath, an Income Tax commissioner, from whom he got the inspiration.
Bijay said he achieved success as he was determined to be an IAS after completing graduation from the Orissa College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in 2005.
‘‘What is Gotipua dance?’’ was the second question put to Bijay during the viva voce followed by three questions on Orissa’s pattachitra, significance of Raghurajpur village and revival of Gotipua and Odissi dances by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. He was taking coaching in two Delhi-based institutions - Vajiram and Ravi IAS Institute and Sriram’s IAS.
His mantra for success is determination, patience, continuous motivation and hard work. Born to Rabinarayan Upadhyaya, reader in English, Oupada College here, and Naliniprava, Bijay’s passed with first class throughout his career.
‘‘We are extremely happy. Our son is a bright student and by securing the fifth position he has brought laurels to the district. He held our name high,’’ said his parents.
BALASORE: Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya has made the district and State proud by securing fifth rank in the UPSC examination results of which were declared yesterday. He is the only one from Orissa to find a place in the top ten list and tops the list of male general candidates.
Bijay, a veterinary graduate, took the examination with Public Administration and Psychology as optional subjects.
‘‘The result came as a surprise to me. Though I was sure of clearing the test, I never expected such a high rank,’’ an overwhelmed Bijay told from New Delhi where he had been preparing for the examination for last four years.
He, however, tasted success in his third attempt. ‘‘Finally hard work and consistency brought colours to my life. Despite two unsuccessful attempts I never lost patience. Rather my determination became stronger and this is, I feel, is key to my success,’’ he said. He exuded confidence of getting Orissa cadre.
He credited the success to his parents saying without their support, he would not have reached the position. He also gave credit to his senior Satyasai Rath, an Income Tax commissioner, from whom he got the inspiration.
Bijay said he achieved success as he was determined to be an IAS after completing graduation from the Orissa College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in 2005.
‘‘What is Gotipua dance?’’ was the second question put to Bijay during the viva voce followed by three questions on Orissa’s pattachitra, significance of Raghurajpur village and revival of Gotipua and Odissi dances by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. He was taking coaching in two Delhi-based institutions - Vajiram and Ravi IAS Institute and Sriram’s IAS.
His mantra for success is determination, patience, continuous motivation and hard work. Born to Rabinarayan Upadhyaya, reader in English, Oupada College here, and Naliniprava, Bijay’s passed with first class throughout his career.
‘‘We are extremely happy. Our son is a bright student and by securing the fifth position he has brought laurels to the district. He held our name high,’’ said his parents.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A tête-à-tête with Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Rank 5 in Civil Services Examination 2008
The Bijay I know
By Ayaskant Das
The mobile phone just does not stop ringing. Eager journalists, relatives and friends call up to congratulate Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, the unassuming simple guy from Soro in Balasore district of Orissa, who secured the fifth rank in the Civil Services Examination of 2008. He takes all calls, responds to every text message and replies to all emails with a patience and diligence that is very much the characteristic of a rational bureaucrat in the making. As he settles down to a sumptuous dinner after three days of hectic activity since the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final results on May 4, 2009, he reflects on his four years of hard work in New Delhi, which catapulted him to the most coveted job in the country, the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), with a rank that most candidates would be proud of.
Bijay came to Delhi in May 2005 and settled in 55/1 of Old Rajinder Nagar, the middle-class locality of New Delhi that is better known for the umpteen institutes offering coaching for civil services. He made his room, his hermitage and shared it with the writer of this piece for the next three years. All around him aspiring candidates crumbled like ninepins but his determination was like the Sphinx. In May 2005 itself, he joined the Vajiram and Ravi coaching institute, for coaching in General Studies and Psychology, while he joined Sriram’s IAS, another nearby coaching institute, for studying Public Administration. For the next three years, he regularly put in more than ten hours of study everyday and mastered those books for his optional papers that many a candidate dare not touch: Ferrel Heady in Public Administration, for example. A student of Veterinary Science from the Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, he was very well read: Edward Said, T. S. Eliot, Noam Chomsky, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Samuel Beckett; he had touched upon a variety of writers on a wide range of subjects. Often, he would make particular mention of English, August, a novel by the bureaucrat-writer Upamanyu Chatterjee and how the protagonist of the novel, Agastya Sen, a District Collector, had fired his imagination to be a District Collector himself.
Among journalists, he is a big fan of Jug Suraiya, the columnist of the Times of India, whose articles he read regularly. Eminent journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta is his other favourite journalist, and he regularly listened to him over the All India Radio, which he claims helped him broaden his knowledge. Entertainment was kept at bay for the struggling years and I remember accompanying him to a nearby multiplex on a maximum of four occasions during four years. But even then he would ensure putting in an hour or two of study, no matter how late at night he returned after the movie. Occasionally, he would watch the cartoon programme Tom and Jerry on television, which he said helped him “destress” and increase his “creativity”.
One has to see him to know how simple and humble he is. In food too, he was not choosy and would occasionally indulge in a brick of ice cream from the neighbourhood Mother Diary. He had no other focus in life than the Civil Services. He stuck to his routine even when we other friends went about partying and revelling.“Ultimately, my confidence in myself, the hard work I put in, the support of my parents and the guidance of my senior Satyasai Rath, an Indian Revenue Service officer, has paid off”, he said on his secret mantra of success.
He had cleared the prelims of the 2007 Orissa Service Public Examination (OPSC) but the submission of the form for the main examinations got delayed. “It was a blessing in disguise. OPSC would have diverted my attention”, he says. “Even my not clearing the prelims in my first attempt of UPSC and my being unable to make it to the final list in my second attempt by 40 odd marks were blessings in disguise. God arranges for the best”, he adds. “I had a good exposure to English literature since my childhood as my father is a reader in English and that has helped me being inspirational in life”.
Bijay was so organised in his daily tasks that he could locate every item in his room even in pitch dark. All his friends were of the strong opinion that he would make it in the Civil Services, but he says: “I never dreamt of getting such a high rank and was expecting a rank somewhere near 200. I was very confident in the interview board, the Chairman of which was Prasanta Kumar Mishra. Lot more confident than what I was in the board of Roy Paul, in my second attempt. Extensive study brought about this confidence in me. ”
On Orissa being a backward state, he says: “The people of Orissa need to develop strong entrepreneurial skills to compete with others. Otherwise they are very talented. I became a civil servant with the inspiration of Satyasai Rath and Roopa Mishra, the topper of IAS 2004. I hope many other students from my state do even better”. His younger brother, Ajay Ketan Upadhyaya, a software engineer with Citibank in Singapore, when contacted over the phone said: “Bijay was very ambitious since very early in life and that is the single most important point that brought him success.”
As Bijay polished his long, much-deserved lazy dinner, I asked him jocularly if success would get to his head and he would taper into mediocrity to which he replied with his characteristic humility: “Just wait and watch. This is just the beginning.” It is a wish that Bijay remains the same guy as ever and guides Orissa on the path of prosperity.(The writer, Ayaskant Das, is an Editor with Macmillan India Limited. He is based in New Delhi and can be contacted at ayaskantdas77@gmail.com)
My e mail id is :- bijay_ias@rediffmail.com
By Ayaskant Das
The mobile phone just does not stop ringing. Eager journalists, relatives and friends call up to congratulate Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, the unassuming simple guy from Soro in Balasore district of Orissa, who secured the fifth rank in the Civil Services Examination of 2008. He takes all calls, responds to every text message and replies to all emails with a patience and diligence that is very much the characteristic of a rational bureaucrat in the making. As he settles down to a sumptuous dinner after three days of hectic activity since the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final results on May 4, 2009, he reflects on his four years of hard work in New Delhi, which catapulted him to the most coveted job in the country, the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), with a rank that most candidates would be proud of.
Bijay came to Delhi in May 2005 and settled in 55/1 of Old Rajinder Nagar, the middle-class locality of New Delhi that is better known for the umpteen institutes offering coaching for civil services. He made his room, his hermitage and shared it with the writer of this piece for the next three years. All around him aspiring candidates crumbled like ninepins but his determination was like the Sphinx. In May 2005 itself, he joined the Vajiram and Ravi coaching institute, for coaching in General Studies and Psychology, while he joined Sriram’s IAS, another nearby coaching institute, for studying Public Administration. For the next three years, he regularly put in more than ten hours of study everyday and mastered those books for his optional papers that many a candidate dare not touch: Ferrel Heady in Public Administration, for example. A student of Veterinary Science from the Orissa University of Agriculture Technology, he was very well read: Edward Said, T. S. Eliot, Noam Chomsky, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Samuel Beckett; he had touched upon a variety of writers on a wide range of subjects. Often, he would make particular mention of English, August, a novel by the bureaucrat-writer Upamanyu Chatterjee and how the protagonist of the novel, Agastya Sen, a District Collector, had fired his imagination to be a District Collector himself.
Among journalists, he is a big fan of Jug Suraiya, the columnist of the Times of India, whose articles he read regularly. Eminent journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta is his other favourite journalist, and he regularly listened to him over the All India Radio, which he claims helped him broaden his knowledge. Entertainment was kept at bay for the struggling years and I remember accompanying him to a nearby multiplex on a maximum of four occasions during four years. But even then he would ensure putting in an hour or two of study, no matter how late at night he returned after the movie. Occasionally, he would watch the cartoon programme Tom and Jerry on television, which he said helped him “destress” and increase his “creativity”.
One has to see him to know how simple and humble he is. In food too, he was not choosy and would occasionally indulge in a brick of ice cream from the neighbourhood Mother Diary. He had no other focus in life than the Civil Services. He stuck to his routine even when we other friends went about partying and revelling.“Ultimately, my confidence in myself, the hard work I put in, the support of my parents and the guidance of my senior Satyasai Rath, an Indian Revenue Service officer, has paid off”, he said on his secret mantra of success.
He had cleared the prelims of the 2007 Orissa Service Public Examination (OPSC) but the submission of the form for the main examinations got delayed. “It was a blessing in disguise. OPSC would have diverted my attention”, he says. “Even my not clearing the prelims in my first attempt of UPSC and my being unable to make it to the final list in my second attempt by 40 odd marks were blessings in disguise. God arranges for the best”, he adds. “I had a good exposure to English literature since my childhood as my father is a reader in English and that has helped me being inspirational in life”.
Bijay was so organised in his daily tasks that he could locate every item in his room even in pitch dark. All his friends were of the strong opinion that he would make it in the Civil Services, but he says: “I never dreamt of getting such a high rank and was expecting a rank somewhere near 200. I was very confident in the interview board, the Chairman of which was Prasanta Kumar Mishra. Lot more confident than what I was in the board of Roy Paul, in my second attempt. Extensive study brought about this confidence in me. ”
On Orissa being a backward state, he says: “The people of Orissa need to develop strong entrepreneurial skills to compete with others. Otherwise they are very talented. I became a civil servant with the inspiration of Satyasai Rath and Roopa Mishra, the topper of IAS 2004. I hope many other students from my state do even better”. His younger brother, Ajay Ketan Upadhyaya, a software engineer with Citibank in Singapore, when contacted over the phone said: “Bijay was very ambitious since very early in life and that is the single most important point that brought him success.”
As Bijay polished his long, much-deserved lazy dinner, I asked him jocularly if success would get to his head and he would taper into mediocrity to which he replied with his characteristic humility: “Just wait and watch. This is just the beginning.” It is a wish that Bijay remains the same guy as ever and guides Orissa on the path of prosperity.(The writer, Ayaskant Das, is an Editor with Macmillan India Limited. He is based in New Delhi and can be contacted at ayaskantdas77@gmail.com)
My e mail id is :- bijay_ias@rediffmail.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
INTERVIEW PREPARATION FOR IAS : KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND ... PART I
FOR INTERVIEW PREPARATION FOR IAS PLEASE KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND:- PART I
1. BE THOROUGH WITH YOUR MAINS FORM. GENERATE MANY QUESTIONS FROM IT AND THINK UNIQUE ANSWERS TO THEM. ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO HAVE A LOOK AT YOUR MAINS FORM & ASK YOU WHATEVER COMES TO THEIR MIND. GIVE LOGICAL, RATIONAL & REALISTIC ANSWER. ASK THEIR VIEWS. GET FEEDBACK ABOUT YOUR EXPRESSION, BODY LANGUAGE ETC.
2. GIVE UTMOST RESPECT TO THE BOARD MEMBERS.BE VERY COURTEOUS TO THE LADY MEMBERS. WISH THEM FIRST WHILE ENTERING & LEAVING.BEHAVE GENTLEMANLY & IN A FORMAL WAY.TREAT THEM AS COLLEAGUES OF YOUR PARENTS WHO ARE LEARNED & EXPERIENCED.YOU MUST RESPECT THEIR EXPERIENCE & ERUDITE WISDOM.
3. LISTEN PATIENTLY TO EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING.TAKE A PAUSE FOR 3-5 SECONDS.THINK OVER IT WELL.ONLY THEN ANSWER.IF IT IS OBJECTIVE TAKE 1-2 SECONDS PAUSE.IF SUBJECTIVE 3-5 SECONDS PAUSE.IF VERY COMPLICATED & LONG QUESTION & YOU THINK YOU MAY NEED TO THINK FOR 6-10 SECONDS,THEN ASK THEIR PERMISSION :- LIKE “MAY I PONDER OVER THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW MOMENTS ? SIR”
4. DO NOT LIE.WHATEVER MAY BE THE SITUATION & HOWSOEVER SMART YOU MAY BE.BE TRUTHFUL TILL THE END.
5. ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE-CONTACT WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS.NEVER LOOK DOWN.WHEN ANSWERING LOOK INTO THEIR EYES.SO THAT THEY CAN READ YOUR MIND.WHEN ONE MEMBER ASKS YOU A QUESTION,LOOK AT HIM MOST OF THE TIME.BUT IN BETWEEN FOR SOME SECONDS LOOK AT OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TOO.BUT DON’T MOVE YOUR HEAD LIKE A FAN.JUST TAKE THEM WITH YOU WHILE PRESENTING YOUR VIEWS.THIS CAN BE DONE BY EYE-CONTACT & FACIAL EXPRESSIONS …
6. ALWAYS SMILE.WHEN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF NEVER FORGET TO SMILE.IT TELLS THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT “THE CANDIDATE HAS HIGH LEVEL OF SELF-CONFIDENCE “.
7. BUT SUPPOSE A MEMBER ASKS YOU A VERY SERIOUS QUESTION THEN DON’T SMILE.GIVE A SERIOUS ANSWER.WHEN THEY SMILE, YOU SMILE.WHEN THEY LAUGH, YOU SMILE.
8. BE POLITE & SOBER. DON’T ARGUE UNNECESSARILY.
9. HOLD POSITIVE VIEWS REGARDING THE EFFORTS OF GOVT OF INDIA & YOUR STATE GOVT.DON’T CRITICIZE GOVT POLICIES TOO MUCH.
10. WHEN YOU PRESENT YOUR VIEWS ON A TOPIC BE BALANCED, DON’T TAKE EXTREME VIEWPOINTS.SEE BOTH SIDES OF A COIN.
11. FOR CURRENT AFFAIRS UPDATE READ : THE HINDU EDITORIALS & OTHER ARTICLES THOROUGHLY,FRONTLINE ARTICLES THOROUGHLY,THE ECONOMIC & POLITICAL WEEKLY(IF POSSIBLE)
12. PREPARE YOUR HOBBY SECTION WELL.SEARCH INTERNET ON YOUR HOBBY & READ RELEVENT ARTICLES & INFORMATION.
13. IF YOU ARE EARLIER IN ANY SERVICE, TRY TO KNOW EVERY DETAIL OF THAT SERVICE & WHY YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE SERVICE TO IAS?
14. WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN IAS? GIVE A VERY ORIGINAL & CONVINCING REPLY TO THIS QUESTION WHICH MUST BE DIFFERENT THAN RUN-OF-THE-MILL ANSWERS …
15. THINK WHAT YOU WILL SAY WHEN ASKED ABOUT YOUR PREFERENCE OF SERVICES … FOR EX. WHY HAVE YOU GIVEN IPS AT 4TH POSITION & INCOME TAX AT 2ND? WHY IFS AT 5TH POSITION? ETC.
1. BE THOROUGH WITH YOUR MAINS FORM. GENERATE MANY QUESTIONS FROM IT AND THINK UNIQUE ANSWERS TO THEM. ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO HAVE A LOOK AT YOUR MAINS FORM & ASK YOU WHATEVER COMES TO THEIR MIND. GIVE LOGICAL, RATIONAL & REALISTIC ANSWER. ASK THEIR VIEWS. GET FEEDBACK ABOUT YOUR EXPRESSION, BODY LANGUAGE ETC.
2. GIVE UTMOST RESPECT TO THE BOARD MEMBERS.BE VERY COURTEOUS TO THE LADY MEMBERS. WISH THEM FIRST WHILE ENTERING & LEAVING.BEHAVE GENTLEMANLY & IN A FORMAL WAY.TREAT THEM AS COLLEAGUES OF YOUR PARENTS WHO ARE LEARNED & EXPERIENCED.YOU MUST RESPECT THEIR EXPERIENCE & ERUDITE WISDOM.
3. LISTEN PATIENTLY TO EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING.TAKE A PAUSE FOR 3-5 SECONDS.THINK OVER IT WELL.ONLY THEN ANSWER.IF IT IS OBJECTIVE TAKE 1-2 SECONDS PAUSE.IF SUBJECTIVE 3-5 SECONDS PAUSE.IF VERY COMPLICATED & LONG QUESTION & YOU THINK YOU MAY NEED TO THINK FOR 6-10 SECONDS,THEN ASK THEIR PERMISSION :- LIKE “MAY I PONDER OVER THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW MOMENTS ? SIR”
4. DO NOT LIE.WHATEVER MAY BE THE SITUATION & HOWSOEVER SMART YOU MAY BE.BE TRUTHFUL TILL THE END.
5. ALWAYS MAINTAIN EYE-CONTACT WITH THE BOARD MEMBERS.NEVER LOOK DOWN.WHEN ANSWERING LOOK INTO THEIR EYES.SO THAT THEY CAN READ YOUR MIND.WHEN ONE MEMBER ASKS YOU A QUESTION,LOOK AT HIM MOST OF THE TIME.BUT IN BETWEEN FOR SOME SECONDS LOOK AT OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TOO.BUT DON’T MOVE YOUR HEAD LIKE A FAN.JUST TAKE THEM WITH YOU WHILE PRESENTING YOUR VIEWS.THIS CAN BE DONE BY EYE-CONTACT & FACIAL EXPRESSIONS …
6. ALWAYS SMILE.WHEN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF NEVER FORGET TO SMILE.IT TELLS THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT “THE CANDIDATE HAS HIGH LEVEL OF SELF-CONFIDENCE “.
7. BUT SUPPOSE A MEMBER ASKS YOU A VERY SERIOUS QUESTION THEN DON’T SMILE.GIVE A SERIOUS ANSWER.WHEN THEY SMILE, YOU SMILE.WHEN THEY LAUGH, YOU SMILE.
8. BE POLITE & SOBER. DON’T ARGUE UNNECESSARILY.
9. HOLD POSITIVE VIEWS REGARDING THE EFFORTS OF GOVT OF INDIA & YOUR STATE GOVT.DON’T CRITICIZE GOVT POLICIES TOO MUCH.
10. WHEN YOU PRESENT YOUR VIEWS ON A TOPIC BE BALANCED, DON’T TAKE EXTREME VIEWPOINTS.SEE BOTH SIDES OF A COIN.
11. FOR CURRENT AFFAIRS UPDATE READ : THE HINDU EDITORIALS & OTHER ARTICLES THOROUGHLY,FRONTLINE ARTICLES THOROUGHLY,THE ECONOMIC & POLITICAL WEEKLY(IF POSSIBLE)
12. PREPARE YOUR HOBBY SECTION WELL.SEARCH INTERNET ON YOUR HOBBY & READ RELEVENT ARTICLES & INFORMATION.
13. IF YOU ARE EARLIER IN ANY SERVICE, TRY TO KNOW EVERY DETAIL OF THAT SERVICE & WHY YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE SERVICE TO IAS?
14. WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN IAS? GIVE A VERY ORIGINAL & CONVINCING REPLY TO THIS QUESTION WHICH MUST BE DIFFERENT THAN RUN-OF-THE-MILL ANSWERS …
15. THINK WHAT YOU WILL SAY WHEN ASKED ABOUT YOUR PREFERENCE OF SERVICES … FOR EX. WHY HAVE YOU GIVEN IPS AT 4TH POSITION & INCOME TAX AT 2ND? WHY IFS AT 5TH POSITION? ETC.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
HOW TO CLEAR PRELIMS IN 75-90 DAYS ?
HOW TO CLEAR PRELIMS IN 75-90 DAYS? :-
The Preliminary Exam (PT) is a rejection process. You must be VERY STRONG in your optional & STRONG in Current Affairs to clear this exam. To be thorough in your optional read 6-10 standard text books word by word & write down in point format the facts which you think are difficult to remember. I had Public Administration as my 1st optional & the book list has been given in my blog.
For General Studies read The Hindu thoroughly. Jot down the factual points in a separate note on Current Affairs & General Knowledge. If you think that you can’t do that at this stage then go for ANY ONE SOURCE for Current Affairs … either Wizard Current Affairs Special for Prelims OR Vajiram & Ravi Booklets for Prelims. Read any one but read it thoroughly & revise it 10 days before the PT test.
For Modern India read Spectrum "A Brief History of Modern India". It is factual & well-suited for PT exam. For Ancient & Medieval India take Short-Cut. As only 2-3 questions come in PT read the Indian History Specials that come in Wizard Monthly.20-25 pages of mugging of "who wrote which book",The Delhi Sultanate,Chronologically arrange Rulers etc of Ancient & Medieval India will do. Don’t read NCERT books for them as Cost-Benefit Ratio will be less.
For Polity read "EITHER" Vajiram & Ravi class note dictated by Mr Ravindran Sir or D D Basu. The later takes time. So Vajiram Note will do. At least read it 2 times.
For General Knowledge, General Science & General Mental Ability you can go through the TMH General Studies Guide. Don’t read other sections in this guide as it will duplicate things. The above mentioned sections have been covered well in this guide & you will have to labour less for it. If you have more time you can read Vajiram Class Note on GMA & try to mug up some formulas in Permutation & Combination & Probability.They will come handy in GMA as UPSC is asking 15-20 GMA questions in PT.
The important point to be kept in mind is that: - FOR EACH SECTION OF GENERAL STUDIES READ “A SINGLE AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE” rather than reading 3-4 sources and confusing yourself in the process.
For Indian Economy the Economic Survey (especially Chapter 1, 10 & the chapter on Finance & all BOX ITEMS) & Indian Economic Development (NCERT 11th standard) should be read. Be attentive to all economic news & facts that appear in Hindu Business page & Business Review.10 days of reading of The Economic Times from Feb 25 to March 10 (Budget Time & Eco Survey Analysis time) will make things easier for you. If you don’t get the meaning of any economic terminology please refer Collins Economic Dictionary. It is very simple & lucid.
For Geography read NCERT 11th & 12th standard text books (important ones being India Physical Geography & India Land & People).Apart from this read casually some chapters from Certificate Physical & Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong & be well conversant with ATLAS & Maps. Frequently see maps & Atlas (Oxford or Macmillan) while reading The Hindu & try to locate the important landmarks (like lakes,mountains,rivers,Tropic of Cancer passing through which countries, the borders of countries touching which other countries & oceans, Capitals,National Parks of India & other countries etc).
DEVOTE 4-5 HOURS EVERYDAY FOR GENERAL STUDIES & 6-7 HOURS FOR OPTIONAL.60-70% EMPHASIS SHOULD BE LAID ON OPTIONAL & REST 30-40% ON GENERAL STUDIES.BUT IF YOU ARE “VERY WEAK” IN GENERAL STUDIES THEN MAKE IT 50 % EMPHASIS ON GS & 50 % EMPHASIS ON OPTIONAL.
In India Year book focus on the following chapters :- Finance, Diary of Events,Agriculture,Industry,Commerce,Basic Economic Data, India & The World, Land & People, Our Polity & Glossary of General Knowledge given in the end etc. Also browse through the IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS given in India Year Book.
In Manorama Year Book focus on The India & World Panorama ( where day to day happenings have been given date-wise & month-wise),International Organizations, Awards, Books & Authors, Quiz etc. Suppose if you get a fact from it just ask your mind if this fact is going to come in Prelims, What is its probability? & if YOU think that it MAY come try to remember the fact by writing it down in your Current Affairs Note.
For this read LAST 5 YEARS UPSC GS PT QUESTIONS well so that you can READ THE EXAMINER'S MIND i.e. WHAT HE IS GOING TO ASK THIS YEAR IN CURRENT AFFAIRS & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ...
If you have taken coaching from any Reputed Institute in Delhi (for ex. Vajiram & Ravi) then just revise their class notes.
Regularly & Attentively listen to Mid-Day News & 9 O Clock News in All India Radio. Coincide them with your lunch & Dinner timings so that you can save time & your Current Affairs & General Knowledge can be built up gradually.
Sometimes UPSC asks factual questions from Hindu Editorials. So if time permits read some editorials on Social Sector Schemes like NREGA,Bharat Nirman,NRHM,JnNURM etc. This is being done to test who are reading the Editorials & who are leaving them & just focusing on factual parts of The Hindu Newspaper. If you are THROUGH with THE HINDU 50 % of General Studies is done.
Suppose you get A NEW FACT on General Knowledge or Current Affairs from your friend or say Times of India just make it a point to write it down in your Current Affairs note after you return to your room. This enhances Memory & makes you confident during the exam. The more confident you are the better your chance to clear PT as NEGATIVE MARKING is there.
MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FAITH ON YOURSELF,NEVER DOUBT YOUR ABILITY & POTENTIAL,DO HARD WORK & HAVE FAITH ON GOD.UNLESS YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF YOUR SELF-DOUBT WILL INCREASE.SO BE CONFIDENT FROM DAY ONE & KEEP MOTIVATION LEVEL & CURIOSITY LEVEL HIGH.
ALL THE BEST FOR THE COMING PRELIMINARY EXAM ON 23RD MAY, 2010.
I will soon put a blog regarding details of PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION preparation for PRELIMS.
Till then, happy reading ….
The Preliminary Exam (PT) is a rejection process. You must be VERY STRONG in your optional & STRONG in Current Affairs to clear this exam. To be thorough in your optional read 6-10 standard text books word by word & write down in point format the facts which you think are difficult to remember. I had Public Administration as my 1st optional & the book list has been given in my blog.
For General Studies read The Hindu thoroughly. Jot down the factual points in a separate note on Current Affairs & General Knowledge. If you think that you can’t do that at this stage then go for ANY ONE SOURCE for Current Affairs … either Wizard Current Affairs Special for Prelims OR Vajiram & Ravi Booklets for Prelims. Read any one but read it thoroughly & revise it 10 days before the PT test.
For Modern India read Spectrum "A Brief History of Modern India". It is factual & well-suited for PT exam. For Ancient & Medieval India take Short-Cut. As only 2-3 questions come in PT read the Indian History Specials that come in Wizard Monthly.20-25 pages of mugging of "who wrote which book",The Delhi Sultanate,Chronologically arrange Rulers etc of Ancient & Medieval India will do. Don’t read NCERT books for them as Cost-Benefit Ratio will be less.
For Polity read "EITHER" Vajiram & Ravi class note dictated by Mr Ravindran Sir or D D Basu. The later takes time. So Vajiram Note will do. At least read it 2 times.
For General Knowledge, General Science & General Mental Ability you can go through the TMH General Studies Guide. Don’t read other sections in this guide as it will duplicate things. The above mentioned sections have been covered well in this guide & you will have to labour less for it. If you have more time you can read Vajiram Class Note on GMA & try to mug up some formulas in Permutation & Combination & Probability.They will come handy in GMA as UPSC is asking 15-20 GMA questions in PT.
The important point to be kept in mind is that: - FOR EACH SECTION OF GENERAL STUDIES READ “A SINGLE AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE” rather than reading 3-4 sources and confusing yourself in the process.
For Indian Economy the Economic Survey (especially Chapter 1, 10 & the chapter on Finance & all BOX ITEMS) & Indian Economic Development (NCERT 11th standard) should be read. Be attentive to all economic news & facts that appear in Hindu Business page & Business Review.10 days of reading of The Economic Times from Feb 25 to March 10 (Budget Time & Eco Survey Analysis time) will make things easier for you. If you don’t get the meaning of any economic terminology please refer Collins Economic Dictionary. It is very simple & lucid.
For Geography read NCERT 11th & 12th standard text books (important ones being India Physical Geography & India Land & People).Apart from this read casually some chapters from Certificate Physical & Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong & be well conversant with ATLAS & Maps. Frequently see maps & Atlas (Oxford or Macmillan) while reading The Hindu & try to locate the important landmarks (like lakes,mountains,rivers,Tropic of Cancer passing through which countries, the borders of countries touching which other countries & oceans, Capitals,National Parks of India & other countries etc).
DEVOTE 4-5 HOURS EVERYDAY FOR GENERAL STUDIES & 6-7 HOURS FOR OPTIONAL.60-70% EMPHASIS SHOULD BE LAID ON OPTIONAL & REST 30-40% ON GENERAL STUDIES.BUT IF YOU ARE “VERY WEAK” IN GENERAL STUDIES THEN MAKE IT 50 % EMPHASIS ON GS & 50 % EMPHASIS ON OPTIONAL.
In India Year book focus on the following chapters :- Finance, Diary of Events,Agriculture,Industry,Commerce,Basic Economic Data, India & The World, Land & People, Our Polity & Glossary of General Knowledge given in the end etc. Also browse through the IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS given in India Year Book.
In Manorama Year Book focus on The India & World Panorama ( where day to day happenings have been given date-wise & month-wise),International Organizations, Awards, Books & Authors, Quiz etc. Suppose if you get a fact from it just ask your mind if this fact is going to come in Prelims, What is its probability? & if YOU think that it MAY come try to remember the fact by writing it down in your Current Affairs Note.
For this read LAST 5 YEARS UPSC GS PT QUESTIONS well so that you can READ THE EXAMINER'S MIND i.e. WHAT HE IS GOING TO ASK THIS YEAR IN CURRENT AFFAIRS & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ...
If you have taken coaching from any Reputed Institute in Delhi (for ex. Vajiram & Ravi) then just revise their class notes.
Regularly & Attentively listen to Mid-Day News & 9 O Clock News in All India Radio. Coincide them with your lunch & Dinner timings so that you can save time & your Current Affairs & General Knowledge can be built up gradually.
Sometimes UPSC asks factual questions from Hindu Editorials. So if time permits read some editorials on Social Sector Schemes like NREGA,Bharat Nirman,NRHM,JnNURM etc. This is being done to test who are reading the Editorials & who are leaving them & just focusing on factual parts of The Hindu Newspaper. If you are THROUGH with THE HINDU 50 % of General Studies is done.
Suppose you get A NEW FACT on General Knowledge or Current Affairs from your friend or say Times of India just make it a point to write it down in your Current Affairs note after you return to your room. This enhances Memory & makes you confident during the exam. The more confident you are the better your chance to clear PT as NEGATIVE MARKING is there.
MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FAITH ON YOURSELF,NEVER DOUBT YOUR ABILITY & POTENTIAL,DO HARD WORK & HAVE FAITH ON GOD.UNLESS YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF YOUR SELF-DOUBT WILL INCREASE.SO BE CONFIDENT FROM DAY ONE & KEEP MOTIVATION LEVEL & CURIOSITY LEVEL HIGH.
ALL THE BEST FOR THE COMING PRELIMINARY EXAM ON 23RD MAY, 2010.
I will soon put a blog regarding details of PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION preparation for PRELIMS.
Till then, happy reading ….
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