For all of us who become sick of trying, lose hope and think of switching.

"As I waited at the doctor’s clinic last week, a framed cartoon on the wall caught my attention. It illustrated a patient telling his doctor, angrily: “Don’t talk to me about improving my diet. I ate a carrot last week, and nothing happened!”

And that set me thinking. We are all like that patient, really. In an era of instant noodles and T20 cricket, we are all hungry for quick results. And when that’s not forthcoming, we get bored. We give up. We change tracks. For true success in life, it’s important to remember that we need to develop the habit of perseverance. Consistent behaviour has its rewards. Always.

You can’t stop working hard, just because you didn’t get promoted last year. You can’t stop studying, just because it didn’t help your grades in the last exam. Look around, and you will see several people who had great ideas, and tremendous ability - but somehow lost their way, because they did not stay the course. They stopped trying. They gave up, even before success had a chance to show up! Perseverance pays.

In the Bible there’s a story about a farmer and his seeds. The farmer is ambitious, and he has excellent seeds. Now here’s what happens when the farmer goes out to sow the seeds. As he scatters the seeds, at first some birds come and get them. What does the farmer do then? He doesn’t go chasing the birds. He just continues to sow seeds. Some of the seeds fall on rocky land. They sprout into tiny saplings. But at the first strong wind, they bend over and die. The farmer would be justified in blaming his luck. “Why me? Why do I always get rocky land?” But the farmer would have none of that. He just continues regardless.

Some seeds find themselves trapped between weeds. As they try and grow, the weeds strangle them, and shut them out. Again, most farmers would probably complain about the unfairness of it all. This farmer doesn’t. He just continues to sow the seeds. And of course, finally, some of those seeds fall on fertile soil, and the farmer is rewarded with an excellent crop. What happened to that farmer happens to all of us in our lives, all the time. We are like him - ambitious - and like him, we all have excellent seeds: we have the raw material needed to reap a fortune. But we don’t necessarily behave like the farmer.

When the birds get the seeds - when we find someone else take undue advantage of our efforts or when something is amiss, we get distracted. We shift focus to the birds, and get busy chasing them away, rather than focus on our real task: sowing seeds. Farmers become bird-chasers! It’s good to remember that in life, some seeds will fall on rocky land, or amidst weeds. And at times such as these, it is tempting to blame our fate. Don’t bother. That’s the way it is. Such is life. Our task is to continue to sow. To persevere. If you do that, success is sure to come.

Sometimes, a non-seasonal flood wipes out an entire crop. Farmers are devastated. All their efforts come to naught. What do they do? Do they give up and say they will not sow any more seeds? No, they don’t. They realise that to have any chance of reaping a harvest next year, they need to sow seeds. One more time. And never mind the flood. But in our lives, we are not quite like that. One failure and we look at doing something else. If we don’t get the results, we stop trying. Good lesson to remember: Trying does not guarantee success. But not trying certainly ensures failure."

-Prakash Iyer is MD, Kimberly-Clark, and executive coach.

Getting back to mains preps.

Well..The prelims 2012 is over now. For me, it went better that 2011 but am not going to guess as to what would be the cutoff and all. I know what is done is done and the results would be show whether I get chance to sit for mains or not. I have bothered myself with fear and doubt over the past one month since the exams have been over (given my failure in 2011) and have struggled to maintain the momentum that I had for CSP 2012.

I've started studying somewhat but still the level is not satisfactory at all. Am really unhappy with myself for this. Henceforth am not wasting my time anymore and will try to push the pedal for mains sincerely and honestly.

My subjects for the mains are Law and History. I would be sharing my preparation strategies and the books I am referring in days to come. Wish all of you guys very best. Don't brood on what is bygone. After all it is said "Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst too". Happy studying. 

How to prepare for General Studies - Paper I

History - For Modern India read India's struggle for independence by Bipin Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee. For Ancient and Medieval India go through the NCERT text books (old ones) for class XI and XII. Rather than mugging up the dates and names of places, concentrate more on why a particular event happened, what was the objective behind it and what were its effects. Try linking up events and remember them in a chronological manner.

Geography - Read NCERT books from Classes VI to XII. Also go through Physical Geography by Goh Cheng Leong. While reading geography refer to Atlas and supplement it with map work. This helps in remembering the topic better. Also read extensively on the climate types, soil types, rivers, mountains and geographical features of India. Try to understand how these have impacted India in varied ways.

Environment and Ecology: The best way to prepare for this section is net based research. Before you begin with the same, read the environment portion in India 2012 book. Try understanding the basic concepts like biogeographic zones, difference between wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, biodiversity hotspots, RAMSAR Convention etc. Also go through the chronology of environmental conferences starting from Stockholm Conference in 1972 to UNFCCC Durban Summit of 2011. Read carefully the policy decisions taken. Also ruminate on India's standing at these multi-lateral forums. Go through the basic concepts of global warming, carbon trading, carbon sequestration etc. Also read on sources of energy esp. on new non-conventional forms. For eg: Coal bed methane, Shale gas reserves. Read on fossil fuels and their impact on climate. Also read on major policy initiatives taken by India to address environmental concerns. All these topics and similar ones have to be read on internet.

Polity: Read DD Basu's Shorter Constitution of India. Supplement it with PM Bakshi's book on constitutional provisions. Try to grasp the intent behind a particular body/organization. Read in detail about the new constitutional amendments (from internet and newspapers). Check on basic concepts like secularism, DPSP, seperation of powers, Union, state and concurrent lists and the like.

Economy: Read Uma Kapila's Performance and Policies. Also read NCERT books for Classes XI-XII. While reading the newspapers, make a note of the economic terms you don't understand and research on them. Try to understand the concepts rather than mugging up. Also go though the economic survey and 12th five year plan and Annual budget. Economics is like maths and is fun. :)

Science and Technology: For basic science read NCERT books from Classes VI-X. If you have extra time you can go through physics for higher secondary and human boday and plant kingdom portions from higher secondary biology. For technological developments, read The Hindu's page on this topic every Thursday. Also read about the new innovations and developments in field of medicine like stem cell research, 3V Avataar, Pentavalent Vaccine, Japanese Encephalitis etc. Again check and research on all the technical terms you come across while reading newspapers. Also go through the nobel prizes in different strems. Don't just mug up who has won the prize and for what. Go in more detail. Like if Nobel Prize for Chemistry is awarded for research on quasi crystals, read on what quasi crystals are, what is their importance and what have been the new breakthroughs. Also read the Union budget plan when it comes out and read on new technologies government plans to introduce.

Current affairs: Read a good national daily like The Hindu or Indian Express on a daily note. Flag the articles and make notes. Revise them on a consistent basis. Half of the preparations can be done if one carefully reads and covers all relevant topics in a newspaper. Also read one exam oriented magazine like Wizard, Chronicle or PD. Reading Frontline is important but relevant articles should be identified. Just remember that the idea is not to gobble up any information you come across but assess the information from an exam oriented view and then focus on the same. For topics that are fleetingly mentioned in newspapers, rely again on web.

I hope that this was of help. Wish you all best.

Newspaper Woes

Reading a newspaper (national daily) is the most relevant part of one's preparations. Missing even on a day's news could prove to be costly in the long run. I have seen people pouring over a plethora of newspapers. It appears to me as a waste of time. Reading any one good newspaper is suffice for updating yourself with what all is happening around and what is more to it. I personally follow Hindu. I don't bother reading other newspapers as time is of essence in this exam and each extra newspaper accounts for an added one hour-two hours, depending on one's speed and grasping abilities.

Also reading the papers on a regular note is important. Right now am facing the challenge of completing last 6 days issues as I took a different tangent in my preparation. And the small pile of newspapers on my desk is giving me nightmares. So never ever procrastinate on reading the issue on the very day itself and be warned against the mistake of piling on the issues to read on some convenient later date. Daily reading makes the task enjoyable and learning at the same time. On the contrary, reading collected at one go is tedious, exhausting and an ordeal. The only benefit one gets by such delay is that you get collective opinions in different issues and can cover only what is important. But it is not worth the agony and frustration that entails such an exercise.

Reading newspapers is one thing and retaining what all one has read is entirely a different concern. Many people keep cuttings, properly file them and revise them on a regular note or when exams are around the corner, depending on one's strategy and approach. I personally find maintaining folders confusing and unfruitful. Instead I make folders on my computer and cover the topics under varied heads like business, sports, culture, policy measures, bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements, defence, editorials, science and technology, Information technology and the like. Right now am also pending with updating the files since November 6. The papers read and duly marked are kept in my cupboard. Please do not do this. I intend to finish all my pending updations by Feb. 15 and thereafter I plan to update my notes on the very date of the issue. While making notes I also rely heavily on the internet and check up on points which are not very well covered in the newspapers.

So as of now regarding the newspapers I plan to:-

(1) Finish my pending issues by tomorrow.
(2) Update my notes by Feb.15

I hope I do not err again.

Back to Preparations..

My failure at CSP 2011 was a rude shock. I dont claim that I studied a lot, but I did study in bits and pieces and felt that it was suffice. It was a shock as it made me realize how ill-prepared I was for this exam often seen as one of the toughest in the world. I have realized the mistakes that I made in the course of my preparation and taking steps to address each of them on an individual note.

I admit that I was initially very disappointed as I left a very good job to prepare for the exams but the revelation of the mistakes I made and the areas I need to focus on, support of friends and family, Belief in God and my dream of becoming an IAS officer has immensely helped me in devising ways to keep myself motivated.

Immediately after the Prelims result, I started looking for jobs in a frenzy as I had no hope left. However the support of my friends and family made me reconsider my decision. I started thinking as a 35 year old who is working in some MNC or Law Firm (am a law graduate) and sadly gazing back on the years and thinking why I didn't take another shot at my dream when I was half-prepared. I decided to stop looking for jobs after that and eventually turned down a few good offers. Instead I joined Career Launcher LST team as a faculty and started teaching law to the students who would be appearing for CLAT (Combined Law Admission Test). The experience has done wonders for me as my confidence is boosted, am in touch with one of my optionals (law) and I get to interact with many people who are preparing for Civil services. This keeps me on my toes. I managed my schedule and have started taking my preparations more seriously. Though there is scope for a massive improvement.

Recounting the mistakes made in 2011 and strategy adopted for 2012, I consider the following points as instrumental in preparations:-

(a) Reading and making notes from The Hindu on a daily basis: In 2011, I ignored this aspect. I read newspapers in a broken manner (read it for few days then kept on collecting them to read on weekend which I eventually didn't). So now I make a point to read it on a daily basis and make notes from it. I dont keep cuttings (but of very important articles) as they are cumbersome from a revision point of view. Instead I make notes on my Computer under varied headings like International Affairs, Business and Policies, Science and Technology, Editorials, Sports, Awards and Prizes, IT etc. I make notes on a monthly basis and my endeavor is to revise them 4-5 times before I sit for prelims.

(b) I have also realized that a plain reading of facts and news is of no worth. One needs to go into detail and cover all potential questions. For instance: I come across the term 'Qualitative easing' while reading the newspaper. I have some idea what it is but unaware of the details. So I google up the term, read articles on it and then I have a better idea of the concept. I come across terms like liquidity trap, sterilization and I read up on them. So at the end of it I have a fair idea what Q.E is and how it influences an economy (whether infaltion or deflation etc.).

So when I read newspapers ( Only Hindu) I try to zero in on all terms that though common have something deeper attached to them. Take another instance of NATO bombings. We all know what NATO is but reading an article on the the same only increases our knowledge and makes us prepared for statements like "NATO can wage a war only above Tropic of Cancer". (True or False). This approach helps me prepare in detail for questions where three-four statements are provided and you need to point out which all are correct.

(c) Another vital point that I missed last time was revising current affairs. I read up the newspapers, magazines; marked the points and then didn't revise it thoroughly. It was a big mistake and I came across many questions of which I had read earlier but was not able to answer. So revision is 70% of your preparation. Whatever you read, revise it. Keep the cuttings in a folder, make a word document or write down notes. But do revise them once every fortnight so that you don't forget what you've read. Also making notes is more helpful as newspapers cover an issue over a period of time (say Mullaperiyar Dam) and when you make notes, you can just add on to your existing data. That way you end up with a comprehensive covering of any topic.

(d) Solving Test Papers - It is by far one of the most important aspects of the preparation. It helps you assess your preparation and have an idea if you are on the right track. Solving of papers in real time with a clock in front of you in an examination kind of mood helps in gaining more confidence at the time of exam as you are already mentally ordained with the idea. I have not started solving test papers yet. I plan to entirely focus on them from March 10-March 20. The idea behind is that I want to revise thoroughly what I've read till now and then would attempt them. Even if I fall short of my expectations, I have another month and a half to perfect my preparation.

(e) CSAT - Perhaps my biggest mistake last time was not solving problems for Maths and DI. As a humanities students and a law graduate, I have been out of touch with maths since class X. I was above average at maths till Class X and though I solved a few problems of each section before the exams, I never took care of solving a bunch of questions in limited time. I paid a price for this big time. Practice is a must. I was able to solve all questions after exam but at the time of exams I couldn't manage my time. Hence solving test papers is a vital requirement for both GS and CSAT.

(f) Finally coming to the list of books am referring for Prelims this year. I find it much rewarding to reading a book over and over rather than reading 4-5 books only once.

(1) Geography - NCERT from Class VI-XII. Leong on World geography. Articles on internet.

(2) History - NCERT Modern India, Ancient India and Medieval India (Class XI-XII). Bipin Chandra (both books). Sumit Sarkar (Modern India). Romila Thapar and AL Basham (Ancient India). Rizvi and Satish Mishra (Medieval India). YOU NEED NOT READ ALL OF THESE. HISTORY IS ONE OF MY OPTIONALS AND HENCE I'VE READ ALL THESE BOOKS.

(3) Polity - DD Basu and VN Shukla. AGAIN THERE IS NO NEED TO READ VN SHUKLA. Law is my other optional and that is why I've read VN Shukla. For GS purposes DD Basu is suffice.

(4) Economy - Economics (Class XI-XII), Uma Kapila on Performance and Policies, Economic Survey. Also substantiate it from your reading of economic/business affairs in newspapers and magazines.

(5) Environment - Internet. I make a list of topics and refer them over internet. By reading I come across more topics and I try to cover them too.

(6) Current Affairs - The Hindu, Competition Wizard, Frontline.

(7) CSAT - Quantum CAT by Arihant. Plus I've a few materials on the same.

I wish that you all learn from the mistakes that I made and take due steps in your preparations to counter such.

All the best!!!

Ramblings

Trying to study when your mind is hooked on that novel you've left midway, tht tv show u jst downloaded but couldn't watch and on such other innumerbale things which not long ago seemed a chore. Solitary studying definitely makes one realize a lot about oneself. There are times When I am reading through a page for more than five mins. without the faintest idea of what it is about. The temptation to gorge is ah!!! so tempting.

But the arduous journey I have undertook on my own volition was never a rosebed and this reality check makes me arise from the soporofic existence, hitting me hard on the back and pushing me to delve into the books with a vengeance to conquer. It is a tough task to sustain this euphoric state of mind when targets are achieved, when due portions are covered and when I sleep with a satisfaction that I've done justice to the day. At times I fail miserably like today when I was supposed to read through 100 odd pages of the insanely dull Starke's International Law but couldn't manage even 1/4th of it. But then being judgmental and critical would rob me of another day when i sit brooding on the time missed and hyperventilating over the pages staring. Tomorrow is yet another day and what if the day was not upto the mark, i did enjoy myself reading what i wanted to, writing this post and as i do so thinking about the possibility of covering a little more of the task tonight. It is a journey forward and backgazing would not help me here.

Wishing myself luck and the beatific smile of the satisfaction when I would be done with Starke in a next couple of days.

My take on CSP 2011 Cutoff

I have hesitated somewhat before bringing myself to write this post. The temptation is alluring but the need felt is scarce. After all What is bound to happen will happen. And my pensiveness won't yield much (period). However I write this as I have seen people around perturbed about the expected high range cut-offs and losing hope to endeavor to start preparing for mains. This time is a crucial one and it is this period which will seperate the scorers from the wailers in the mains.

Here is my take on the Cut-off ranges:-

(1) Dismiss all bogus claims and estimations that the cut-off would be in range of 230-240. Don't even hyperventilate on scores around 200-220. Cut off is going to be far lesser than that.

(2) There are many of us who have done well on Paper II (ranging from exceptional to above avg.) but have failed somewhat to strike a chord with Paper I. And this is the genesis of all the sectional cut-off talks. There are people who have scored as high as 170-180 in Paper II but there marks in Paper I linger around 45-50. As per my opinion there is less hope for such candidates as the test here is not to check ur ability to quick solving and reading passages. It is more than that and GS is an instrumental key that unlocks the portal for the mains. So what should be a logical explanation here?

(3) Hypothetically if a person scores 200/200 in Paper II (Don't sweat. There would be no one in that category) and scores 50 in Paper I, his ratio of paper I to paper II would be 1:4. To me thats quite an irrational ratio and defeats the entire idea of bringing forth analytical and rational minds for the top job. As per my estimation this ratio would be 1:3 (max. possible). For instance:- If cut off is 200 (hypothetical) and a person scores 50 in GS and 150 in CSAT he is through. On the other hand a candidate who scores 30 in GS and 180 in CSAT should be held back as his ratio is 1:6. (However I can't commit that this would be the strategy employed by UPSC. To me it sounds rational and logical).

(4) Coming to sectional cut-offs, let us assume that the topper of prelims gets a score of 130 in paper I (65 ques. correct), then the individual cutoffs shoule be around 1/4th to 1/3rd of the topper's marks. So there is no possible need to fret on the issue. Sectional cutoffs are quite low and are only the minimum benchmark criteria. I have heard of people qualifying with 36/150 in GS last year in General category i.e. 24% of the total marks.

(5) On a rough estimation sectional cut-off should be around 40-45 for GS and 70-80 for CSAT. Anyone with marks above that should stop worrying about the sectional stuff.

(6) Coming to cumulative cutoffs, last year it was as low as 33%. Considering paper was easier this time (CSAT) and more time was on hand (GS) but keeping in mind extremely analytical questions in GS the cut-off should hover around 33-37% i.e. 132-150. Anyone with a score above 150 has a very good chance to make it and shall concentrate fully on the mains preps. Also cut-offs for SC, ST and OBC shouldn't be really down as in 10-15 marks below the General category. It would be 2-5 marks lesser than the General Category. (Also the people with reservation category who are worrying if there is reservation is prelims and have seen the Delhi HC judgment in this regard shall be relieved that a stay has been obtained on the same).

Concluding my estimation for cut-off is 132-150. And all people who have a genuine expectation of attaining the same shall stop any more meanderings, quit with checking answer keys and brooding over the missed and silly mistakes. It is time to rise and shine and get on a rollercoaster mode for the mains. Wish you all happy studying.