Gaitonde's Den
Anyone who is struggling and needs a direction wrt preparation. If you need me, I'll be available from tomorrow.
Since I have faced deficit of guidance in my earlier days, I am always keen on helping the Diligent ones out. (Always subject to the Limited bandwidth)
I would request serious minds to put their foot forward, if you think I can be of any help. I am sure I'll be able to add value. In the next few days of Post Mains freedom, I am looking to help some people (only because I like it)
How to start preparation questions should be avoided
Also, I am planning to share whatever learnings I have had in the past years with my fellow mates here in Gaitonde's Den.
Here is a sample of what I am looking to share here:
The most recent learning is what I have termed as "Quantum entanglement" for Mains.
Is Mains an examination of content? Yes, but how does the examiner know that you have the in depth knowledge, it's only possible if you mention some keywords. Here's where this technique comes to play:
1. A simple example, Suppose you have to mention Right to Privacy, wouldn't it be better if you mention KS Puttaswamy along with it? Definitely yes
2. Suppose you have to mention BRI of China, won't it be better if you mention China’s Marshall plan in the bracket.
Even for rise of China, you can use multiple keywords like Pax Sinica, Predatory Hegemon etc.
3. Let's talk about Ethics. If you have to mention Red Tapism. Don't just end it there, you can talk about Accountability institutes study of how a National Health mission file passes 26 desks & 900 sanctions (Credit : Peeyush Sir's classes)
Whenever you mention Distance Maintaining bureaucracy, mention the Hakim culture or the Mai baap culture
For Means based actions, I prepared multiple keywords of Nishkama Karma Yogi, Marcus Aurelius' Stoicism, Kantian deontology or Favoring instrumental values over terminal.
4. For PSIR people, mention the Democratic Peace theory whenever you talk about bilateral relations between two democracies.
You can also use the word Coca Colonisation for how the MNCs breed Americanisation
Whenever you mention trend towards De globalisation, use the word Gated Globalisation
Note: Quantum entanglement can be done with judgments, examples, facts & even case studies.
I think this is ONE of the BIGGEST learning one can get for Mains. This is where Magic happens and makes you stand out in terms of content and even expression.
However, such practices do require some assistance as well as practice. Try doing this in your test series.
I am tired after the hectic mains experience and thus am limiting myself to above. However I was too eager to give it back as I end my UPSC Mains journey (Won't give the exam again). Thus, I am beginning this thread.
This is going to be the thread to share my learnings with the community (Reciprocity principle){used Quantum entanglement here too:P}
The core idea is to leave the space (either a victor or a learner) but only with my footprints on the sands of time for others to follow or not follow.
P. P. S: You can drop me personal messages too
To the Forum Community,
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire forum community. The collective wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support I have found here have been pivotal in my journey. Thank you for creating an environment of learning, mutual support, growth and camaraderie.
After interacting with@Mango_Person &@Tata , I am convinced that potential of intelligent candidates is stifled by engineering background mentors who are suggesting rote learning & mechanical writing approaches for a humanities exam.
Rattafication and recall of notes that is preached in this industry will take away your youth and your chances of clearing the exam despite being a wonderful and smart candidate. Do not lose your originality. Do not forget that your favourite movie Interstellar had a quote: Do not go gentle into that goodnight.Rage, Rage, Rage… whichcan be used in your preparation for essay. Do not forget that your curiosity of watching IR videos is a boon and can be used in your prep. Do not forget that your poetic flair will get your 140+ in essay. Do not forget that preparation has to be interesting and filled with curiosity and learning. Do not forget WHO YOU ARE. Avoid the One size fits all approach !
Do not become a cog in the wheel. Stay the thinking and dynamic mind you are. Ratta & recall should be replaced by a thinking brainstorming dynamic mind (Which i call as Dynamic rattafication).
I was elated to see the sparkle in@sonder’s eyes when I connected things for him.It was an absolute joy when@Mango_Person said that the three hours that I gave were fruitful than any guidance she received in the past 4 years. This is not to boast but to criticise the poor mentorship that the industry is offering. The loss that is being imposed on the young and smart candidates is HUGE !
Me and other friends like@tedmosby will make sure that in the next one month, we do whatever we can in OUR LIMITED CAPACITY to bridge that deficit through videos or content here before we shift to the interview prep. I hope we make some difference in the lives of a Diligent aspirant who is working hard but is being led by an unenthusiastic mentor or guide !
Let me also name some teachers who promote a thinking approach to subjects:
1. Peeyush Sir (Ethics)
2. Nikhil Gowra Sir (Insights) for PSIR (However, as he doesn’t provide much content, his crash course & TS not be a suitable choice for a beginner [No idea about foundation course]. His crash course is available FREE on YouTube for PSIR candidates to watch. He will show you how limited content away from the Content terrorism of the PSIR Monopoly teacher is a smooth and smart way to approach the subject)
3. Anika Mam for Essay (Forum IAS)
Also for people who don’t have a natural flow of writing. Let me just say one sentence which might ring a bell for 80% of you:STOP MUGGING UP SENTENCES AS THEY ARE IN YOUR NOTES ! Avoid recall and develop the CAPACITY to frame sentences and expressions. Read and write or your Mains score especially in Essay, optional (like PSIR) & ethics may take a hard hit.
Looking at the poor state, I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s quote: “Students must be taught how to think and not what to think”
hello (i have no idea how to address seniors here), but i have raised a query to Neywan's response on CSE 2025 thread about being robust in preparationin the foundational year (with a few of senior players tagged) please respond if you find time any time soon. (related to prioritising right things)
tedmosby,SiebzehnWonderful explained bhai :)
This independent thought process, writing skills and the ability to absorb content without mugging up is a sin qua non
Obviously mugging up certain committee, facts etc is needed but in other aspects, I see students struggling with simple reading, comprehension of editorials and producing content in their own words effectively.
It's a difficult process and a lot of Non elite students are failing to do so. Even the elite students (like abovementioned) have been reduced to mechanical Cog in the wheel by the coaching system.
Emphasis is on content and not on brainstorming, linking and thinking.
I think I made a small explanation error there. By "elite", I just meant that an institute is known by the work of the people belonging to it. It's the karma of those people which makes the institute elite and not the other way around. My emphasis is that you might be from a top tier engineering college or a top tier Arts/Commerce college or from AIIMS/MAMC but that doesn't matter in UPSC. What matters is how you approach this exam and how "you" act. That makes you "elite". Aspirants have fallen into the trap that "since I am from a good institute, I will easily clear it in the first attempt".
{Those who belong to IIT/NIT would agree that many courses in IIT/NIT are not that good. Most professors don't take interest in teaching their subjects. Scoring even 50-60% in a subject is considered an achievement. Many facilities in IIT/NIT are not that good as compared to foreign universities. But without the competition and the peer group, progress wouldn't have taken place. You learnt a lot of things by being in clubs and societies. You learnt more by organizing events and interacting with others. Continuous tests in engineering made me learn time management. This is something which is missing in other engineering colleges (majorly). This, in my opinion, helps a student grow and learn. This is why people from these so-called elite institutes are considered elite. Again, not everyone goes through this but the ragda/grind is the same. People going through ragda (not exclusive to these institutes) eventually do things which are worthy of being called "great"}
{Strictly speaking, I don't believe in the elite-non-elite classification OR the top-lower service classification which the aspirant community follows but ab yehi term zyada use hota hai toh uss term ka application thoda sahi karne ki koshish hai}
In UPSC, jinki "hawa" bohot zyada hoti hai unko UPSC 'behti "hawa" sa' kar deta hai. The process will humble you. And even if it doesn't then life will. Life is a great leveler. What's in your hand is to be a lifelong learner.
Also@GaneshGaitonde bhai kabhi kabhi bohot profound baatein likh dete hai toh andar ka ted mosby bahar aa jaata hai :P
For CSE Maths 2024 analysis: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mathematics-Optional-2024-Paper-Analysis-1727851791
After interacting with@Mango_Person &@Tata , I am convinced that potential of intelligent candidates is stifled by engineering background mentors who are suggesting rote learning & mechanical writing approaches for a humanities exam.
Rattafication and recall of notes that is preached in this industry will take away your youth and your chances of clearing the exam despite being a wonderful and smart candidate. Do not lose your originality. Do not forget that your favourite movie Interstellar had a quote: Do not go gentle into that goodnight.Rage, Rage, Rage… whichcan be used in your preparation for essay. Do not forget that your curiosity of watching IR videos is a boon and can be used in your prep. Do not forget that your poetic flair will get your 140+ in essay. Do not forget that preparation has to be interesting and filled with curiosity and learning. Do not forget WHO YOU ARE. Avoid the One size fits all approach !
Do not become a cog in the wheel. Stay the thinking and dynamic mind you are. Ratta & recall should be replaced by a thinking brainstorming dynamic mind (Which i call as Dynamic rattafication).
I was elated to see the sparkle in@sonder’s eyes when I connected things for him.It was an absolute joy when@Mango_Person said that the three hours that I gave were fruitful than any guidance she received in the past 4 years. This is not to boast but to criticise the poor mentorship that the industry is offering. The loss that is being imposed on the young and smart candidates is HUGE !
Me and other friends like@tedmosby will make sure that in the next one month, we do whatever we can in OUR LIMITED CAPACITY to bridge that deficit through videos or content here before we shift to the interview prep. I hope we make some difference in the lives of a Diligent aspirant who is working hard but is being led by an unenthusiastic mentor or guide !
Let me also name some teachers who promote a thinking approach to subjects:
1. Peeyush Sir (Ethics)
2. Nikhil Gowra Sir (Insights) for PSIR (However, as he doesn’t provide much content, his crash course & TS not be a suitable choice for a beginner [No idea about foundation course]. His crash course is available FREE on YouTube for PSIR candidates to watch. He will show you how limited content away from the Content terrorism of the PSIR Monopoly teacher is a smooth and smart way to approach the subject)
3. Anika Mam for Essay (Forum IAS)
Also for people who don’t have a natural flow of writing. Let me just say one sentence which might ring a bell for 80% of you:STOP MUGGING UP SENTENCES AS THEY ARE IN YOUR NOTES ! Avoid recall and develop the CAPACITY to frame sentences and expressions. Read and write or your Mains score especially in Essay, optional (like PSIR) & ethics may take a hard hit.
Looking at the poor state, I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s quote: “Students must be taught how to think and not what to think”
could you please elaborate on this 'dynamic rattafication' and how do you use it for pre?
UPSC is only one small dimension where you guided me (which obviously has helped me A LOT). Cheers to the late night rants, Gaitondian philosophy (sprinkled with Tataism), random Gmeet discussing life goals and many more.
Haha bhai. Lots of love to you ❤️
Lucky to have found a gem like you :)
Gaitonde’s Den: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Gaitondes-Den-1727638216
Tata,After interacting with@Mango_Person &@Tata , I am convinced that potential of intelligent candidates is stifled by engineering background mentors who are suggesting rote learning & mechanical writing approaches for a humanities exam.
Rattafication and recall of notes that is preached in this industry will take away your youth and your chances of clearing the exam despite being a wonderful and smart candidate. Do not lose your originality. Do not forget that your favourite movie Interstellar had a quote: Do not go gentle into that goodnight.Rage, Rage, Rage… whichcan be used in your preparation for essay. Do not forget that your curiosity of watching IR videos is a boon and can be used in your prep. Do not forget that your poetic flair will get your 140+ in essay. Do not forget that preparation has to be interesting and filled with curiosity and learning. Do not forget WHO YOU ARE. Avoid the One size fits all approach !
Do not become a cog in the wheel. Stay the thinking and dynamic mind you are. Ratta & recall should be replaced by a thinking brainstorming dynamic mind (Which i call as Dynamic rattafication).
I was elated to see the sparkle in@sonder’s eyes when I connected things for him.It was an absolute joy when@Mango_Person said that the three hours that I gave were fruitful than any guidance she received in the past 4 years. This is not to boast but to criticise the poor mentorship that the industry is offering. The loss that is being imposed on the young and smart candidates is HUGE !
Me and other friends like@tedmosby will make sure that in the next one month, we do whatever we can in OUR LIMITED CAPACITY to bridge that deficit through videos or content here before we shift to the interview prep. I hope we make some difference in the lives of a Diligent aspirant who is working hard but is being led by an unenthusiastic mentor or guide !
Let me also name some teachers who promote a thinking approach to subjects:
1. Peeyush Sir (Ethics)
2. Nikhil Gowra Sir (Insights) for PSIR (However, as he doesn’t provide much content, his crash course & TS not be a suitable choice for a beginner [No idea about foundation course]. His crash course is available FREE on YouTube for PSIR candidates to watch. He will show you how limited content away from the Content terrorism of the PSIR Monopoly teacher is a smooth and smart way to approach the subject)
3. Anika Mam for Essay (Forum IAS)
Also for people who don’t have a natural flow of writing. Let me just say one sentence which might ring a bell for 80% of you:STOP MUGGING UP SENTENCES AS THEY ARE IN YOUR NOTES ! Avoid recall and develop the CAPACITY to frame sentences and expressions. Read and write or your Mains score especially in Essay, optional (like PSIR) & ethics may take a hard hit.
Looking at the poor state, I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s quote: “Students must be taught how to think and not what to think”
could you please elaborate on this 'dynamic rattafication' and how do you use it for pre?
Hi, It would take more than a simple text to explain this
Gaitonde’s Den: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Gaitondes-Den-1727638216
tedmosby,AdiTeaAfter interacting with@Mango_Person &@Tata , I am convinced that potential of intelligent candidates is stifled by engineering background mentors who are suggesting rote learning & mechanical writing approaches for a humanities exam.
Rattafication and recall of notes that is preached in this industry will take away your youth and your chances of clearing the exam despite being a wonderful and smart candidate. Do not lose your originality. Do not forget that your favourite movie Interstellar had a quote: Do not go gentle into that goodnight.Rage, Rage, Rage… whichcan be used in your preparation for essay. Do not forget that your curiosity of watching IR videos is a boon and can be used in your prep. Do not forget that your poetic flair will get your 140+ in essay. Do not forget that preparation has to be interesting and filled with curiosity and learning. Do not forget WHO YOU ARE. Avoid the One size fits all approach !
Do not become a cog in the wheel. Stay the thinking and dynamic mind you are. Ratta & recall should be replaced by a thinking brainstorming dynamic mind (Which i call as Dynamic rattafication).
I was elated to see the sparkle in@sonder’s eyes when I connected things for him.It was an absolute joy when@Mango_Person said that the three hours that I gave were fruitful than any guidance she received in the past 4 years. This is not to boast but to criticise the poor mentorship that the industry is offering. The loss that is being imposed on the young and smart candidates is HUGE !
Me and other friends like@tedmosby will make sure that in the next one month, we do whatever we can in OUR LIMITED CAPACITY to bridge that deficit through videos or content here before we shift to the interview prep. I hope we make some difference in the lives of a Diligent aspirant who is working hard but is being led by an unenthusiastic mentor or guide !
Let me also name some teachers who promote a thinking approach to subjects:
1. Peeyush Sir (Ethics)
2. Nikhil Gowra Sir (Insights) for PSIR (However, as he doesn’t provide much content, his crash course & TS not be a suitable choice for a beginner [No idea about foundation course]. His crash course is available FREE on YouTube for PSIR candidates to watch. He will show you how limited content away from the Content terrorism of the PSIR Monopoly teacher is a smooth and smart way to approach the subject)
3. Anika Mam for Essay (Forum IAS)
Also for people who don’t have a natural flow of writing. Let me just say one sentence which might ring a bell for 80% of you:STOP MUGGING UP SENTENCES AS THEY ARE IN YOUR NOTES ! Avoid recall and develop the CAPACITY to frame sentences and expressions. Read and write or your Mains score especially in Essay, optional (like PSIR) & ethics may take a hard hit.
Looking at the poor state, I am reminded of Margaret Mead’s quote: “Students must be taught how to think and not what to think”
could you please elaborate on this 'dynamic rattafication' and how do you use it for pre?
Hi, It would take more than a simple text to explain this
okay, btw your posts are a must read for me, quite helpful.
GaneshGaitonde,GaneshGaitonde,Mujhae vhi tips & tricks chaiyae@Ganesh_Gaitonde sir sai.
Sure bhai :)
Also Please, sir mat bolo aap :(
"Bhai" hi theek hu aap sabka :)
Gaitonde’s Den: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Gaitondes-Den-1727638216
DM,Mujhae vhi tips & tricks chaiyae@Ganesh_Gaitonde sir sai.
Sure bhai :)
Also Please, sir mat bolo aap :(
"Bhai" hi theek hu aap sabka :)
❤️
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