Civil Services Mains 2020 Results: In or Out ? Way ahead, gratitude and Pain
The Civils Mains result has been declared. This thread is for sharing your grief , joy , mixed feelings - absolutely anything and everything.
@Curious_souls these were my sources for GS2:
1. Laxmikanth (didn't revise the whole book again, but according to whatever is in syllabus)
2. Vision value added material for topics not in Laxmikanth (made shorter notes from some of them)
3. Social Issues mains 365
4. Polity mains 365
5. IR mains 365
The questions in GS2 are getting more and more analytical every year, so it seems like a proper understanding of the concepts and a wide knowledge of examples/applications is more important than memory.
I divided the source material into things that needed memory and things that needed analysis. I tried to minimise the former and maximise the latter.
Memory: There will be a few questions that need some ratta, both from static (like RPA corrupt practices question this year) and current affairs (NEP-SDG4 question, RTI amendments question).The static parts are usually pretty directly picked up from the syllabus - RPA provisions, for example, have been asked before. I focused on memorizing anything that was directly given under the syllabus topics, such as main parts of Laxmikanth, recommendations of various committees on governance topics to sprinkle in answers, structure of international institutions etc. Also while doing mains 365, with some analysis of PYQs I tried to estimate what topic might be asked directly and needs to be remembered. Memorizing SDGs, DPSPs and statistics is very useful. You can just insert these in the intro or conclusion to almost any answer to give it some weight.
Analysis:the growing number of such questions can actually be an advantage if you get the hang of answering them. While studying, whether it was static or current affairs, I used to focus on minimizing what I needed to memorise from it. For example, for any legislation, only the most distinct features were to be memorised. For the advantages, disadvantages, impacts, way forward parts, I used to analyze the patterns among them across different topics while studying. After a while I was able to come up with points for these topics while writing the exam even if I hadn't encountered the subject of the question before. I also made a generic list of such things that could be used anywhere in case I couldn't think of anything in the exam.
My approach to every question was to just pick up the phrases mentioned and use them directly as subtopics. You can develop a basic set of frameworks, one of which can be used for any given question. This sounds more complicated than it is - I just used the 5Ws, or intro-features-advantages-disadvantages-way forward-conclusion. If you can identify 3-4 salient points, write them as pillars.
This may be because of PSIR optional, but I found GS2 easiest to study for because the sources list was shortest for it. Thinking well about the topics beforehand will certainly help in the exam. This is what I think worked for me, but can't say for certain until marks are out.
Sometimes I think we dont thank you people enough. 😅 Infact not just you, but kudos to the whole community.
@peterparkerwell if you analyse pyq.. u ll find that most questions come from current part eg mangroves, urban floods, water harvesting etc.. have covered core geographical questions like pacific ring of fire, physical geography questions jo jo last 20 years mein puche hai .. i have done from ncert, with copy pasting extra points from internet topper notes.. its like a document of 150 pages.. location of industries did from mrunal.. made notes out it.. i will say refrain from doing pmfias.. its too bulky less cost benefit ratio..
Okay.. My willpower and strength vanishes on seeing the bulky pmfias pdfs.. like this
Will start this strategy of yours today. Thanks mate. 🙂
Aurora,whatonly
@Curious_souls these were my sources for GS2:
1. Laxmikanth (didn't revise the whole book again, but according to whatever is in syllabus)
2. Vision value added material for topics not in Laxmikanth (made shorter notes from some of them)
3. Social Issues mains 365
4. Polity mains 365
5. IR mains 365
The questions in GS2 are getting more and more analytical every year, so it seems like a proper understanding of the concepts and a wide knowledge of examples/applications is more important than memory.
I divided the source material into things that needed memory and things that needed analysis. I tried to minimise the former and maximise the latter.
Memory: There will be a few questions that need some ratta, both from static (like RPA corrupt practices question this year) and current affairs (NEP-SDG4 question, RTI amendments question).The static parts are usually pretty directly picked up from the syllabus - RPA provisions, for example, have been asked before. I focused on memorizing anything that was directly given under the syllabus topics, such as main parts of Laxmikanth, recommendations of various committees on governance topics to sprinkle in answers, structure of international institutions etc. Also while doing mains 365, with some analysis of PYQs I tried to estimate what topic might be asked directly and needs to be remembered. Memorizing SDGs, DPSPs and statistics is very useful. You can just insert these in the intro or conclusion to almost any answer to give it some weight.
Analysis:the growing number of such questions can actually be an advantage if you get the hang of answering them. While studying, whether it was static or current affairs, I used to focus on minimizing what I needed to memorise from it. For example, for any legislation, only the most distinct features were to be memorised. For the advantages, disadvantages, impacts, way forward parts, I used to analyze the patterns among them across different topics while studying. After a while I was able to come up with points for these topics while writing the exam even if I hadn't encountered the subject of the question before. I also made a generic list of such things that could be used anywhere in case I couldn't think of anything in the exam.
My approach to every question was to just pick up the phrases mentioned and use them directly as subtopics. You can develop a basic set of frameworks, one of which can be used for any given question. This sounds more complicated than it is - I just used the 5Ws, or intro-features-advantages-disadvantages-way forward-conclusion. If you can identify 3-4 salient points, write them as pillars.
This may be because of PSIR optional, but I found GS2 easiest to study for because the sources list was shortest for it. Thinking well about the topics beforehand will certainly help in the exam. This is what I think worked for me, but can't say for certain until marks are out.
Sometimes I think we dont thank you people enough. 😅 Infact not just you, but kudos to the whole community.
Every community member be like
Some points I noted down that kept coming up in different topics. The plan was to use them wherever I needed a point or two more as a last resort.
1. Encourage people’s engagement - CBOs, SHGs, PRI
2. Strengthen legislative and regulatory framework
3. Use technology: AI, ML
4. For legislation, refer to Law Commission
5. UDHR, SDG, DPSP
6. Portal has been launched (true for most things)
7. Urban-rural angle
8. Any tech ->digital divide
9. Any tech ->privacy, security, data sovereignty
10. Build skills
11. Grievance redressal mechanisms
12. Challenge - Lack of research
13. Projects ->Land acquisition problems
14. Economy ->investor confidence will be affected
15. Develop standard operating procedures
16. Agriculture, infra ->land records digitisation
17. Social issues ->collect detailed data
18. Local language for communications
19. Reduce GST for sector
20. Challenge - weak regulation
21. Problem with program: cost overruns
I started doing this only towards the end, so the list can be much longer!
Seeing the way you study and the sources you mention,I wonder how I even managed to clear pre let alone mains.
I have been anti thesis of what neywan here on any coaching or an odeal aspirant would suggest.
0 tests,0 answers written(a.k.a no answer writing.Just got guidance from mother),0 pre tests,left ancient and medievel history,left world history,left post independence.Did only ncerts for geography(Heard pmfias for the 1st time today).Don't know what is vision vam.0 diagram,0 hub and spoke.
Have'nt seen any mrunal lecture
Have'nt seen The Hindu since end of 2019.
2 test written for optional,nothing else.0 essays written.
Have'nt seen any coaching material for optional.
I wonder Should I leave interview prep and start prep from scratch again .
Strange things happen.
Dekho kya hota hai.
No offence mate. But why are you so unsure of yourselves most of the times? U did clear mains. People with more intensive strategies couldnt. Have some faith in yourself.
How will you attempt interview with this attitude? Please bring some positivity. 🙂
Okay.. My willpower and strength vanishes on seeing the bulky pmfias pdfs.. like this
Will start this strategy of yours today. Thanks mate. 🙂
Reading PMFias is not essential. Just make notes of a few pages of stuff in news like coral bleaching, polar vortex, heat waves, volcano, tsunami, cyclone and so on for mains.
For economic geography, refer to Vision value added notes. Baki, just revise the NCERTs which you did for pre. Hojayega isse mains ka, as far as geog goes.
Some points I noted down that kept coming up in different topics. The plan was to use them wherever I needed a point or two more as a last resort.
1. Encourage people’s engagement - CBOs, SHGs, PRI
2. Strengthen legislative and regulatory framework
3. Use technology: AI, ML
4. For legislation, refer to Law Commission
5. UDHR, SDG, DPSP
6. Portal has been launched (true for most things)
7. Urban-rural angle
8. Any tech ->digital divide
9. Any tech ->privacy, security, data sovereignty
10. Build skills
11. Grievance redressal mechanisms
12. Challenge - Lack of research
13. Projects ->Land acquisition problems
14. Economy ->investor confidence will be affected
15. Develop standard operating procedures
16. Agriculture, infra ->land records digitisation
17. Social issues ->collect detailed data
18. Local language for communications
19. Reduce GST for sector
20. Challenge - weak regulation
21. Problem with program: cost overruns
I started doing this only towards the end, so the list can be much longer!
Seeing the way you study and the sources you mention,I wonder how I even managed to clear pre let alone mains.
I have been anti thesis of what neywan here on any coaching or an odeal aspirant would suggest.
0 tests,0 answers written(a.k.a no answer writing.Just got guidance from mother),0 pre tests,left ancient and medievel history,left world history,left post independence.Did only ncerts for geography(Heard pmfias for the 1st time today).Don't know what is vision vam.0 diagram,0 hub and spoke.
Have'nt seen any mrunal lecture
Have'nt seen The Hindu since end of 2019.
2 test written for optional,nothing else.0 essays written.
Have'nt seen any coaching material for optional.
I wonder Should I leave interview prep and start prep from scratch again .
Strange things happen.
Dekho kya hota hai.
No offence mate. But why are you so unsure of yourselves most of the times? U did clear mains. People with more intensive strategies couldnt. Have some faith in yourself.
How will you attempt interview with this attitude? Please bring some positivity. 🙂
Thanks bhai.
Par dar isliye lagta hai kyunki agar 1000 lpg ek cheez kar rahe hon par aap nahi kar rahe ho to hamesha doubt hota hai,am I wrong.
Yes,you are right.Maybe I should be more positive.
Aspirants series ke abhilash se link lagta hai kabhi kabhi.Hamesha self doubt rehta hai.Should be more positive as you suggest
peterparker,Seeing the way you study and the sources you mention,I wonder how I even managed to clear pre let alone mains.
I have been anti thesis of what neywan here on any coaching or an odeal aspirant would suggest.
0 tests,0 answers written(a.k.a no answer writing.Just got guidance from mother),0 pre tests,left ancient and medievel history,left world history,left post independence.Did only ncerts for geography(Heard pmfias for the 1st time today).Don't know what is vision vam.0 diagram,0 hub and spoke.
Have'nt seen any mrunal lecture
Have'nt seen The Hindu since end of 2019.
2 test written for optional,nothing else.0 essays written.
Have'nt seen any coaching material for optional.
I wonder Should I leave interview prep and start prep from scratch again .
Strange things happen.
Dekho kya hota hai.
If you've managed to come so far without doing any of these standard things, you must have something really original and effective in your arsenal. I can't even imagine how you managed to pass prelims without giving mocks. If you were confident enough to do it your own way, and your confidence was rewarded in the results, there's no reason to stop now. All the best for the interview :) whatever worked until now should work there too if you let it. Please don't lose any hope now after having come so far. You've earned your achievement. And I forgot to mention I did not end up using any of those points in the actual exam 😛
@Curious_souls these were my sources for GS2:
1. Laxmikanth (didn't revise the whole book again, but according to whatever is in syllabus)
2. Vision value added material for topics not in Laxmikanth (made shorter notes from some of them)
3. Social Issues mains 365
4. Polity mains 365
5. IR mains 365
The questions in GS2 are getting more and more analytical every year, so it seems like a proper understanding of the concepts and a wide knowledge of examples/applications is more important than memory.
I divided the source material into things that needed memory and things that needed analysis. I tried to minimise the former and maximise the latter.
Memory: There will be a few questions that need some ratta, both from static (like RPA corrupt practices question this year) and current affairs (NEP-SDG4 question, RTI amendments question).The static parts are usually pretty directly picked up from the syllabus - RPA provisions, for example, have been asked before. I focused on memorizing anything that was directly given under the syllabus topics, such as main parts of Laxmikanth, recommendations of various committees on governance topics to sprinkle in answers, structure of international institutions etc. Also while doing mains 365, with some analysis of PYQs I tried to estimate what topic might be asked directly and needs to be remembered. Memorizing SDGs, DPSPs and statistics is very useful. You can just insert these in the intro or conclusion to almost any answer to give it some weight.
Analysis:the growing number of such questions can actually be an advantage if you get the hang of answering them. While studying, whether it was static or current affairs, I used to focus on minimizing what I needed to memorise from it. For example, for any legislation, only the most distinct features were to be memorised. For the advantages, disadvantages, impacts, way forward parts, I used to analyze the patterns among them across different topics while studying. After a while I was able to come up with points for these topics while writing the exam even if I hadn't encountered the subject of the question before. I also made a generic list of such things that could be used anywhere in case I couldn't think of anything in the exam.
My approach to every question was to just pick up the phrases mentioned and use them directly as subtopics. You can develop a basic set of frameworks, one of which can be used for any given question. This sounds more complicated than it is - I just used the 5Ws, or intro-features-advantages-disadvantages-way forward-conclusion. If you can identify 3-4 salient points, write them as pillars.
This may be because of PSIR optional, but I found GS2 easiest to study for because the sources list was shortest for it. Thinking well about the topics beforehand will certainly help in the exam. This is what I think worked for me, but can't say for certain until marks are out.
Sometimes I think we dont thank you people enough. 😅 Infact not just you, but kudos to the whole community.
No thanks necessary 😅 I have myself benefited from reading what so many people have said here... so indeed kudos and jaadu ki jhappis for everyone :D
If you've managed to come so far without doing any of these standard things, you must have something really original and effective in your arsenal. I can't even imagine how you managed to pass prelims without giving mocks. If you were confident enough to do it your own way, and your confidence was rewarded in the results, there's no reason to stop now. All the best for the interview :) whatever worked until now should work there too if you let it. Please don't lose any hope now after having come so far. You've earned your achievement. And I forgot to mention I did not end up using any of those points in the actual exam 😛
That is very assuring.Thank you.
Standing alone in the crowd doing everything different than everyone else can be very intimidating.So is for me.
Your words are very reassuring.
Thank you again. THANKS.
By the way,what is vision vam which everyone is talking about?
Thanks in advance.
That is very assuring.Thank you.
Standing alone in the crowd doing everything different than everyone else can be very intimidating.So is for me.
Your words are very reassuring.
Thank you again. THANKS.
By the way,what is vision vam which everyone is talking about?
Thanks in advance.
Understandable. Interviews are anyway some time away, I’m sure you will do very well and that your future is very bright... andsunny.(Sorry, I just had to 😬 even though I sound like an old uncle saying it)
I’m just pointing out what may not be obvious to you... no need for thanks. :)
Vision has published some value added material, updated it in 2020. It’s PDFs of material on different syllabus topics and sub topics. Available on their student portal and on telegram.
thepolicydreamer,
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