UPSC Prelims Mains and Interview Preparation Strategy of Chaitanya Giri- AIR 75, UPSC CSE 2023

General Details

How do you feel after the results?

I feel very elated. When I started my UPSC preparation journey, all I wanted was to see my name to be in the final PDF and now that it is fulfilled, I am very happy.

After the results came out, I celebrated with my siblings as my parents were out of town.

What is your background?

Family: My father is a businessman and my sister is a doctor.

Graduation: I finished B.tech in  Computer Science from Guru Govind Singh Indraprasta University.

UPSC Journey: This was my second attempt in UPSC. My first attempt was during my final year of my B.tech and I could not clear Prelims but in my second attempted, I aced all the three levels (Prelims, Mains and Interview).

Luck factor plays a big role in UPSC exam.

Overall Preparation Strategy

There is a trend of individuals beginning their preparations while still in college. Do you advocate this approach, or do you believe it’s better to complete a degree first?

I think it depends on how well you have explored because UPSC in itself is commitment. You cannot study for two months and leave it and then again come back and study for two more months and its over.

If you have decided that you want to do UPSC, then you have to consistently devote a minimum of two years and to do this, you have to make up your mind. This can be done only when you have explored all the pros and cons and assessed your capabilities. Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, I could focus consistently for longer hours.

Prelims Strategy

What is the formula for success in prelims that you should follow?

For prelims, you have to read wide and not deep, to do this you have to read many sources.

Newspaper needs to be the source of the topics which one has to study rather than the detailed explanation mentioned in that. Newspaper will guide you and tell you what all is important post which the aspirant needs to do their own research.

There are few coaching institutes which upload videos in Youtube which are really helpful.

Still, one has to give their own hours to understand the core concept which helps in Prelims as it helps in elimination. SO when you read wide, you build an INTUITION.

After intuition building, you need to practice the intuition, and this can be done only when you give mock exams. One should NOT go for easy tests but difficult ones and you should not judge yourself on the basis of the marks.

From the tests, you need to analyze as to how well you have practiced your intuition build-up and also understand the strategy to attempt Prelims.

GIVE AS MANY TESTS AS POSSIBLE.

I gave 20 sectional tests and 7-8 FLTs.

CSAT:

Mathematics was a strong point for me because I had prepared for JEE in my class 11th and 12th so CSAT was not a big issue for me.

I believe that if someone wants to prepare CSAT in a proper way, then they should thoroughly understand and practice Probability and Permutation & Combination from the NCERT book of class 11.

Strategy of CSAT is also very important because there are certain questions which cannot be completed in the given time and you need to identify which questions to attempt and which all to leave. This ability is most important.

Mains Strategy

What is the strategy for notes for all the GS exams? Are you a digital note taker or are you a pen and paper student guy?

There are 9 papers and it is crucial to schedule the completion of each subject along with basic static notes and revision in a timely manner. The syllabus is extensive, so it is easy to forget earlier topics when moving on to new ones. Therefore, regular revision is essential to reinforce learning and ensure retention.

Upon commencing my preparation, I initially made notes in a register. However, I soon came to the realization that constantly adding papers and pasting them with the assistance of tape was quite cumbersome. As a result, I transitioned to using Microsoft OneNote for my digital notes, particularly focusing for current affairs.

GS-wise, which subject is there that you hate?

I did encounter a minor issues with Indian Society as it is vast and wide, with no clear boundaries. I found it challenging to determine where to focus my studies. The questions were opinion-based and required on-the-spot thinking, making the preparation for General Studies 1 a bit difficult.

Do you think that answer writing and tests help you with what to write for an unexpected question?

Certainly, when unexpected questions came during the mock tests, it allowed me to assess my thinking abilities. It is crucial for me to identify areas where I need improvement. If one is satisfied with the ability to handle new questions and think creatively, it will be beneficial.

Additionally, the time limit of 7 minutes for 10 markers and 11 minutes for 15 markers adds significant pressure.However, this pressure can enhance creativity as creativity requires time. It is not possible to be creative within an 11-minute time limit. Therefore, the skill of managing time effectively while being creative needs to be developed through mock test practice.

How creative are you with GS 2?

In GS 2, I believe that using quotes can give an added advantage. Constitution articles and judgements are crucial in this subject, and most people will include them in their answers. However, by adding a touch of uniqueness to your answer, such as incorporating quotes or anecdotal notes, it can make your answer stand out.

Personally, I prefer writing my answers in a point-wise manner, and I always try to include an example for each point. But when I am unable to find an example, I rely on using quotes to add some flavor to my answer. It not only makes me feel satisfied after reading it, but also adds a creative touch.

What was your strategy for GS 3 specifically?

GS 3 is a mixture of Science, Economy, Agriculture, Environment, Disaster Management, Internal Security and it is very vast. All these aspects are interconnected, with disaster management having direct links to the environment.

Additionally, economics is also intertwined with all these elements. In order to fully understand this topic, I used various graphs, pie charts, and flow diagrams to give it a visual representation. The comprehensive approach of Rule of Data and Facts will ensure a thorough analysis, particularly in the context of GS 3.

Space-wise presentation in graphs and diagrams: When considering space management, it is important to take into account the significance of identifying key demands of the questions and then making diagrams and graphs accordingly.

What is your strategy for GS 4? How to write case studies?

I believe that GS 4 offers ample opportunities for creativity, particularly in case studies and questions involving  quotes. When approaching case studies and interpreting quotes, it is important not to confine yourself to a specific structure. Instead, consider a variety of structures to enhance your response.

For ethics, I recommend referring to newspapers for examples of good codes and values. Additionally, there is a wealth of value-added material in the market that can provide quotes, anecdotes, and examples to enrich your understanding.

In my personal strategy for ethics, I would begin with case studies, dedicating around 90-95 minutes to complete them before focusing on 10-mark questions. I prioritized questions that asked for interpretations of quotes, as I believed these allowed for unique and creative responses that could leave a lasting impression on the examiner. Remember, each individual’s interpretation of a quote will be different, showcasing your creativity and saving time for other aspects of the exam.

What is your strategy for the essay?

I did not write any essays before Prelims. However, after the prelims, I diligently started writing essays. I would typically write around 15 to 20 essays, sometimes I would write single essays, and other times I would write essays in a test-wise manner. In total, I must have written 15-20 essays.

One particular issue I faced with the essays was the feedback that there should be a specific structure to follow – starting with an introduction, followed by headings, a pre-conclusion, and then a conclusion. While I agree that structure is important, I believe that it should not be rigid.

It would be beneficial to introduce variety in the essays, such as starting with an anecdote, a poem, a quote, or a historical example. Additionally, I suggest including current affairs in the essays to demonstrate awareness and relevance.

By relating philosophical essays to real-life situations in current affairs, one can showcase a deeper understanding and earn more points. It is essential to maintain both variety and depth in the essays, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic and applying relevant quotes effectively. This approach will lead to a more satisfying and well-rounded essay.

How crucial are tests for implementing this within a structured timeframe, considering that you mentioned it requires significant time?

I believe that it is essential to create a set of basic static notes and ensure that they should be on tips. This is crucial because during the main writing process, having to constantly recall key points can lead to time constraints. Therefore, once the basic notes are prepared, it is advisable to practice regularly.

Coming from CS, I have this important question for you about the explosion that has happened with AI and GPT. Did you use these tools?

I make sure to utilize technologies such as GPT and AI in my work because GPT can assist in providing helpful structures, examples, and keywords. These tools are definitely beneficial in aiding the creative process, but ultimately, the hard work required to produce quality work must come from within.

Interview Preparation Strategy

I have attempted numerous mock interviews, approximately 10 in total. I strongly believe that the key to a successful interview lies in the ability to engage in a comprehensive conversation and effectively communicate one’s thoughts.

The interviewers are more interested in observing your thinking process rather than simply receiving the correct answer to their questions. Therefore, if you possess this conversational ability, I am confident that the interview will go smoothly. However, if you have cleared the main examination, then having a strong knowledge base is crucial.

With the benefit of hindsight, what do you think people should do? 

One aspect that I consider to be of utmost importance is the tendency we sometimes have to limit ourselves. When I failed to pass the prelims despite being well-prepared, I used to worry about how I would retain so much information and remember numerous quotes.

However, after successfully completing the prelims and moving on to the mains, I realized that it is not about memorizing quotes or data, but rather about understanding and internalizing 300-400 quotes and 400-500 data facts.

It is essential to focus on adding value to your answers rather than just recalling information. In my opinion,self-imposed restrictions should not hinder your performance in exams. Strive to do your best without setting unnecessary boundaries for yourself.

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