Mains 2019 Preparation and Discussion Thread

@foxmuldersaid inMains 2019 Preparation and Discussion Thread:

@CaesarIt's needed that we have domain expertise and knowledge because it is no longer level 1 problems of roti kapda and makan that we need to solve only. Complexity is new normal and hence retrograde bureaucracy needs a fillip. That said, lateral entry is very much welcomed but surely not enough. Already available existing cadre at hand can be moulded too. But I have a doubt. Do you all think the bureaucracy is too much in adherence to the ways of past that they have given up soft ways to reform and are focusing on lateral entry? The recent firing of officers from IRS and all due to non performance does indicate they do not have confidence in their own soft nudging power anymore. Stubborn bureaucrats? Passive governance? I really don't understand this completely.

Well in some cases I dont think nudging would be of any help(like an accused of extortion). But do we not run the risk of turning bureaucracy elitist? Cannot undermine a decade spent in villages/towns.

@dr-ahmednaaz8567i said tough and strict checking me paper kharab jana bhot nuksan deta hai, aur libetal checking wala paper acha ho to lottery lagti hai

@Biryanimafia_ dhanyavaad bhaisaab

@ManchesterUnitedobc cutoff is 40-50 marks lower than general. EWS ka koi impact nhi hoga as per current stand of gvt. SC is unlikely to give any decision considering the apathy they shown to the question of legality of this act.

just a question in general. I have now given 2 mains with PSIR optional. In my first attempt(2018) managed to score very well(309), this year's result awaited. The score may increase or decrease. But it's a fact that they don't give more than 325 in PSIR. But in 2018 the highest in antro was 362 (highest among all optionals)! And the candidate scoring it had studied it just for about 5 months. Also, the exalted focus on overlap of PSIR with gs is also unwarranted I believe as the variation of marks in gs is not much, moreover so much depends on the whims of the evaluator. Yes it does save time, but I think now I have already learnt enough PSIR that could be used in gs and hence on that aspect it holds very little utility for me.

So, should I switch over to anthro? I am good at memorizing things and have fair amount of biology knowledge.

Would also like to mention that I have to join railway academy (Vadodara) in December. I was planning to undergo training while simultaneously prepare for 2020 attempt, if I don't get desired rank this time. I was quite comfortable with the idea because 3-4 hours of free time would be enough I believed. But should I change optional, I think it would get difficult to manage. Also taking EOL from service would mean no salary for a year (6 months if I get desired rank in 2019 itself), which I direly need. Asked an institute after 2019 mains if they would be able to give me some work, they replied they are looking for more permanent commitment.

What should I do? Please recommend. Please forgive asking such questions on this forum but I could not think of anything better.

@ranyo_asokaTum tg pe Akku ke fan lag rahe

@CaesarYeah that's one of my considerations as well. Generalists ko Gaali dena is a fashion in present times.

@pmishra997125309 is good enough score. Even if you score average marks in gs, you can get a good rank. You should dedicate time to gs preparation instead of changing optional I think.

@vvvikas0078212haan score toh accha tha but no guarantee that I would be able repeat it. Improvement ka scope toh bahut hi kam hai. Subject ki subjectivity also does not allow it to be trustworthy. GS ke jaise papers aa rhe hai samajh nhi aa rha kaha focus karoo. Mujhe lagta hai har saal aise hi ulte-seedhe surprises ka amount bas badega hi ab.

Ab rank improve karke iss khel ko khatam karna hai bas. Mai bas yeh nhi chahta baad mei indecison ka regret reh jaaye.

@pmishra997125Don't change it, if you get 300+ again this time.

@Ragsiss baar ka score pta chalne se pehle toh forms bhar jaayenge

@pmishra997125Correct, but I can't suggest you to change it as you are scoring around 300.

@pmishra997125Switching optional after scoring 309 is a ridiculous idea. Just because rank 45 had 362 does not mean such scores would be replicated in future, I'm willing to bet that anthro average score will only go down in future.

Also rank 45 had socio as her previous optional, which would have provided massive help in paper 2.I've seen her mock test copies and she had pretty solid mugging up capacity with a deep repository of thinkers.

@pmishra997125excellent score bro, can you tell about how you wrote answers in previous attempt with marks break up.and how was this years paper compared to last year

@pmishra997125no other person croseed 340 and hardly 3 people above 325, so it does not mean anthro me scoring asan hai, fat jati hai bhai 300 cross karne me,
bhot ghatiya level ka yad karna padta mujhe to anthro me,
plus no such help for any gs paper as such, even socio question we write like other people, psir has advantage for whole gs paper 2 and essay too,
362 is not highest mathes me usse bhi jyada hai,
if 3 people score moee than 325 out of 800 plus it does not mean it becomes easy in anthro to score,

@pmishra997125bhot mahan log anthro me aakar 298 hi la paye hai, dono barthat mahan person is me,
second thing, consider anthro me apke 290 aa jaye acha paper likhne ke bad jitna psir me aa raha ho how ridiculout this decision will be
agar apke do bar psir me 240 250 cross nahi ho rahe hote to change karna banta tha,
changing after 309 in 2018 which is great score by all standards goes against evidence based policy making,
there are around 20 to 30 people in top 100 who got ias less than ur marks in optional,
so you see you have to increase score in othe papers,
300 plus se bhot jyada ek kisi bhi optional me consistently lena is tough,
anthro ne teen sal acha kiya hai lagatar, is sal se kya hoga only god knows.
aap service me hai thoda vichar kare in bato par.
i was shocked to see such thought tbh.
all the best man

Result date n interview start date kitna gap hota hai Generally?
2018, 2017?

Of the over 1000 people in 90th FC(few other than IAS and IFS actually attended the FC though), most were idealists bubbling with enrgy and ideas when they joined. 4 years down the line, I don't know a single soul(including yours truly) who hasn't seen a considerable transformation. We all have raected in different ways. Some have given in to the system. Some, who chose to resist, live in constant conflict taking down their health with them. Some have chosen to resign. Some have chosen to stay on the fringes in insignificant postings and never took a plunge in the actual chaos.

@DijkstraWhere did you find her sociology answer copies?

@bevancomCan you name?