Gaitonde's Den

DancingMastersaid

Ofcourse you would have a list prepared for the quantum entanglement terms that you just introduced. Are you planning to share them with us?

what about Essays? People often focus on gs and optional neglecting essays, which is an essay return on investment. I don’t have any big collection of poetry/ annecdotes that @/rashmirathi or @/tedmosby has, neither is my flow that natural. Ofcourse I’m confident w my abilities and Ik that I’ll score avg marks in essay. But I wanna know if there’s a quantum entanglement like feature that you decided for essay? Or it’s just  about having a thesis statement and creating flow w it?

for Best prac/ case studies, give few examples of quantum entanglement? Cause we use case studies either to substantiate our arguement or to highlight a new prac from which we learn. 

Was going through answer of copy of air 2 of 2023, and he filled his answers with committees( in body + conclusion). There were few answers where he quoted at least 3-4 committees in a single answer. Since you were an evaluator earlier, do you think this will become a trend? If yes. Do you have any committee doc prepared w you? Can you give quantum entanglement examples?  What I figured from going through air 2’s copy is :

challenges in electoral system:

1. Criminalisation of politics( ADR report)

2. Exessive money power ( Indrajit Sinha committee)

3. Policy paralysis due to multiple election cycle( Dinesh Goswami committee)

Etc etc.

is this what you mean by quantum entanglement when using committees?

This years GS papers required a comprehensive understanding over what’s going around the country and the world. Especially the ethics ka paper, what was your approach while solving case studies? Especially the one that resembled Manipur crises wala, where women were marching to protect the perpetrators? >>If possible share gyan on ethics case study approach given the thodasa changing pattern of case studies+ rising level of preparedness from the crowd.

How Far is it okay to bullshit in mains examination? I wrote capf and did some bullshiting there in its essay. I cleared capf, though Idk what my marks are yet. It’s just that I’m not confident in bs, and did bs where i vaguely remembered the stats. 

I’m writing mgp’25, and I’m value adding from mgp 22-24 solutions, however when I go through toppers copy( 2019-23, top 20), fat jati hai. Most of their answers are better than model mgp answers.Bhai, Kahan se improve karu?And tbh I’m done w focusing on value addition, mgp++ kar lia, gsap kar lia, went through VAM of vision, basna. What’s this endless cycle?? Maybe I should keep certain things on luck, but then after topper ke copies im like wtf can’t leave this on luck, I have to grind. :3

also how’s Air1 of ‘22 doing?  Any in training insights from her that you would like to share? I have heard they have cracked down on using electronics within the campus. 

DancingMastersaid

GaneshGaitondesaid

DancingMastersaid

Ofcourse you would have a list prepared for the quantum entanglement terms that you just introduced. Are you planning to share them with us?

what about Essays? People often focus on gs and optional neglecting essays, which is an essay return on investment. I don’t have any big collection of poetry/ annecdotes that @/rashmirathi or @/tedmosby has, neither is my flow that natural. Ofcourse I’m confident w my abilities and Ik that I’ll score avg marks in essay. But I wanna know if there’s a quantum entanglement like feature that you decided for essay? Or it’s just  about having a thesis statement and creating flow w it?

for Best prac/ case studies, give few examples of quantum entanglement? Cause we use case studies either to substantiate our arguement or to highlight a new prac from which we learn. 

Was going through answer of copy of air 2 of 2023, and he filled his answers with committees( in body + conclusion). There were few answers where he quoted at least 3-4 committees in a single answer. Since you were an evaluator earlier, do you think this will become a trend? If yes. Do you have any committee doc prepared w you? Can you give quantum entanglement examples?  What I figured from going through air 2’s copy is :

challenges in electoral system:

1. Criminalisation of politics( ADR report)

2. Exessive money power ( Indrajit Sinha committee)

3. Policy paralysis due to multiple election cycle( Dinesh Goswami committee)

Etc etc.

is this what you mean by quantum entanglement when using committees?

This years GS papers required a comprehensive understanding over what’s going around the country and the world. Especially the ethics ka paper, what was your approach while solving case studies? Especially the one that resembled Manipur crises wala, where women were marching to protect the perpetrators? >>If possible share gyan on ethics case study approach given the thodasa changing pattern of case studies+ rising level of preparedness from the crowd.

How Far is it okay to bullshit in mains examination? I wrote capf and did some bullshiting there in its essay. I cleared capf, though Idk what my marks are yet. It’s just that I’m not confident in bs, and did bs where i vaguely remembered the stats. 

I’m writing mgp’25, and I’m value adding from mgp 22-24 solutions, however when I go through toppers copy( 2019-23, top 20), fat jati hai. Most of their answers are better than model mgp answers.Bhai, Kahan se improve karu?And tbh I’m done w focusing on value addition, mgp++ kar lia, gsap kar lia, went through VAM of vision, basna. What’s this endless cycle?? Maybe I should keep certain things on luck, but then after topper ke copies im like wtf can’t leave this on luck, I have to grind. :3

also how’s Air1 of ‘22 doing?  Any in training insights from her that you would like to share? I have heard they have cracked down on using electronics within the campus. 

Hahaha, I don't know about the training. AIR 1's whereabouts won't add any value to anyone's preparation in my opinion:P

But anyway, I do have a list prepared but I don't think such content bombardment will help anyone. The focus should be on CAPACITY BUILDING of self. You are not a beginner but rather someone who has already prepared content. You just need help to develop that insight. 

Wrt, Essay, you need to let go of the ready made market based Hook, Thesis Scoping Anti Thesis. You need to develop organic writing skill. This is where mentorship and support comes into play. Please write the same essays as Rank 10 (Rahul Shrivastava 2022). Then compare and you'll get the best insights. You can write the same essay and then share with me. I will be happy to help you if it's troubling you too much . (May be a Google meet) 

If you don't have a flow, you NEED to develop it. If you don't have anecdotes and poems, prepare it. But you can't wait for some day where you'll have all content ready to write a perfect essay. The process is: 

Write an essay from topper copy ->Get Insights - >Then add learning & value addition if needed ->Re-Write and repeat. 

Writing a VERY POOR essay on your own and then reading topper essay will help you develop great insights as to What is exactly needed.Writing a POOR ANSWER OR POOR ESSAY IS A VICTORY.Unless most beginners realise this, things won't improve. 

I will recommend people to write Topper answers only and NOT go for test series especially till December & January. I am not downplaying the role of test series but that doesn't mean ignoring the topper copies. If you can do both, Wonderful! 

Next, The thing about value addition is not to keep adding more but developing the CAPACITY to brainstorm with each syllabus point. 

Has anyone asked you to brainstorm each of your value addition point with syllabus in front of you and see where all you can put it? This is an absolute necessity. Don't think it as a luxury. 

Mindless answer writing doesn't help. You have to brainstorm too. A good answer is a mix of presentation, content, expression and brainstorming. 

Please look at topper copy of one or two toppers you relate with and don't just copy them. Your Value addition is different from theirs. You need to put YOUR content into the paper. Don't keep hopping from one topper to another in search of more value addition. 

lol thanks to your bold highlighting of the term capacity building I realise, this is more or less mba dude bro talks.  jokes apart.

Ofcourse I'll send you my essays! looking forward to having g-meet with you. ig its been more than one year since our interaction is due xD.

As you said I'm not new, toh yes  I do brainstorm  what I pick up from newspapers and try to fit it in the syllabus. Ofcourse one can improve their quality and efficiency of brainstorming, and I can see my  growth. And hmm thanks for reminding me, I'll consolidate my content and try to put it in different areas of syllabus. I do have one pagers prepared, abhi uski refiningchal rahi hai. 

 As of answer writing, I dont think I'm doing mindless answer writing. I was fortunateenough to have interacted with mentors like Navya and Payal ma'am during my early prep phase. I would take my copies to them and ask how I could have improved w the limited knowledge I have. Now idk I don't refer to mentors much, eval toh lol hi, its more about being in touch w writing answers and improving presentation for me rn. If you dont mind I'll send  this years mgp copies?

I liked that  hopping part. Even while doing the exercise I quickly realised it was giving no fruits and causing me anxiety toh I deleted the remaining answer copies. Also if Toppers ka answer copy likhna hi hai, toh I'll do that from mid- dec. 

 About the content bombardment helping anyone or not, let us be the one to judge that na bhai? If you are willing to, then do share. If not 100 %, but even if it helps 30% then I'm sure, it'll be a good investment of time. Ofcourse we'll have to work and absorb that content and it's okay. Kar lenge voh. We'll even map where all we can use it.

tedmosbysaid

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GaneshGaitondesaid

CHEAT AND WRITE: ANSWER WRITING FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS 

For Absolute beginners who intend to write answers but don't have enough content. The best way for you is to CHEAT and WRITE.

Here's the process that might help you create a feedback loop for your content. 

1. Go and chose a topper with high score & one that you find relatable. 

2. Go and chose the question theme you want to write (Cheat the topic and not the Q) 

3. Go and read your topic 

4. Write in 7-10 or 11-14 minutes and compare ! Observe how topper writes (Keywords, short sentences, diagram & Intro/ conclusion).

Copy their content and you can add lot of value from their styles 

I am sure beginners face this conundrum. Go and try this once, you'll feel immense improvement in your notes rather than mindlessly writing test series before even completing the syllabus nicely and being forced to face random questions even when you are just getting the hang of syllabus. 

Most importantly, this will END YOUR INERTIA OF ANSWER WRITING. This can be beneficial even for some higher attempt people. It's a magical INERTIA SLAYER. 

I had adopted this technique in this attempt and it did help me in GS (according to my self analysis baaki marks ka pata nahi). 

Great initiative btw@GaneshGaitonde. I would like to have a gmeet session too. Kuch planned ho toh batana.   

Gimssssaid

Hey! Thanks for the initiative. I would really appreciate community advice on few things. Firstly, I have just written mains and I have realised that I need to make better and concise notes for a lot of things, especially subjects like WH, PIC which can take a lot of time near the mains. But at the same time I think I need more practice in answer writing. I have some MGP tests left so I will be using them. Now should I focus first completely on making notes and then move to revision and answer writing. If that should be the case, what should be the time limit for me to complete the notes making. Or should I make notes, revise, practice simultaneously? Also what is that point where you can start believing that your mains preparation is good and you should wholly shift to prelims? Finally please suggest a good source for economics mains. Is PW Prahaar series good for it? Thanks!!

Swapssaid

@GaneshGaitonde  I would like to thank you for the guidance I received during my mains preparation 

We get a very few people who actually go into the depth of the subject to guide an aspirant

It really helped me to study in a specific manner for each GS subject be it the necessary material or topper copies or test series and even the schedule itself which can be overwhelming during such an intense period. Moreover great session on the quantum entanglement theory today on G meet...looking forward to many more sessions :)

tedmosbysaid

@Gimsss Welcome. :)

For rest of the aspirants, they can also personally DM me on my telegram: tedmosby98 and@GaneshGaitonde for prep related stuff. Abhi free time hai and we are utilizing that time to help out aspirants for their prep taaki five year plan naa banne aapki prep ka jesa hummara bann gaya hai :P (Filhaal mera toh NITI Aayog ka Medium Term Strategy bann gaya hai 7 yrs ka xD). 

@GaneshGaitonde 's insights are very helpful. I remember he had written a paragraph on a "Karmayogi" aspirant after CSE 2023 results and I had taken a printout of that. Kaafi helpful tha. I used to read it from time to time. 

tedmosbysaid

GaneshGaitondesaid

tedmosbysaid

@Gimsss Welcome. :)

For rest of the aspirants, they can also personally DM me on my telegram: tedmosby98 and@GaneshGaitonde for prep related stuff. Abhi free time hai and we are utilizing that time to help out aspirants for their prep taaki five year plan naa banne aapki prep ka jesa hummara bann gaya hai :P (Filhaal mera toh NITI Aayog ka Medium Term Strategy bann gaya hai 7 yrs ka xD). 

@GaneshGaitonde 's insights are very helpful. I remember he had written a paragraph on a "Karmayogi" aspirant after CSE 2023 results and I had taken a printout of that. Kaafi helpful tha. I used to read it from time to time. 

You don't know how glad I am to hear this bhai:) 

I had forgotten about that post. I think it should remain a potent reminder of the need to be a Nishkama KarmaYogi in life. 

Keeping it here for all of us (including me) : 

Hello@tedmosby,it gives me immense joy that I could be of any help to you.But please don't call me sir. I don't deserve that at all. 

I just want to say one thing to you and all the DILIGENT ONES. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's good that you can see your own mistakes and thus now can improve upon them. 

I know, you're gracefully celebrating your ex getting the rank. But let's be honest, we all feel the pain when we see we couldn't make it despite making similar efforts. If you're feeling the same, it's fine! 

Finally, I would take this opportunity to write something that I wanted for all of us 

For a solid mental state, focusing on duty is the right way to go. Our goals should never be like : I will get a top rank next year. 

The goal should always be that I'll write 20 tests, I'll do this class for content improvement etc. That's it, that's all we as humans can do. 

It gets really problematic when people proclaim such goals as "I'll get top 10 Rank this year" . I am not against such manifestations. But, I strongly believe such manifestations can have a very very negative impact on our mental health if things don't work out. Also, let's please accept that some things are beyond us. 

Hence, let's just focus on the process and not the end goal of getting a top rank. Why? Because preserving our mental health is the most sacred duty. Happiness is the goal and not becoming an IAS. 

This can only happen if we become KarmaYogis. We should always chart out goals like following 

1. I will be performing the best on the prelims day irrespective of the shocks that UPSC gives 

2. Even if I fail, I will not let emotional turbulence be the reason for my prelims failure 

3. I will solve all 100 Questions mechanically. I will not celebrate when I look at an easy question and I will not be dejected at a tough one. Solve the paper mechanically like a machine 

4. I will apply all tricks/logics in those 2 hours. 

5. I will fight till the clock rings 4:30

If we check all the boxes above and still fail, we're free to blame the luck. A KarmaYogi will be proud of the effort irrespective of what the result is. 

Let us come to mains. In my opinion, here also the goals should be set keeping in mind the process

1. I will write 25 tests. I will write the same copies as topper copies 

2. I will brainstorm extensively in the three months 

3. I will revise 3 times 

4. I will improve my expression in Essay. I will prepare wonderful conclusions, Intros and sub headings 

Now, If a person focuses on above goals and still fails, Its FINE. 

The problem with setting a goal like "Main agle saal LBSNAA jaa raha hu" is that even if you don't fulfil your day's targets, You're STILL GOING TO LBSNAA in your head. There is no failure here. Your mind becomes relaxed because Main to Manifest kar chuka hu that LBSNAA jaa raha hu

But if you set a target of Revising ancient history today and that's it. Then you're bound to complete it. You've failed if you don't and you'll work to ensure you don't fail again. 

In my humble opinion, Success is anaccidental outcomeof some habits & processes. Success or failure should not stop us from focusing on the right thing: The process. 

Such a person is unlikely to collapse even at the face of failure for he knows he perfected the process and yet failed. He won't blame himself for he did everything right. 

Such a person is also likely to correct himself as he's totally focussed on the process and the outcome won't cloud his thinking. He will be able to find faults in the process. 

I know it's difficult but this is the only way in my opinion to become ANTI FRAGILE and become stronger with each failure. 

Even in a relationship, if you set your duties (Making sure to wish good day to your loved ones, Kissing them before you leave your home, being utmost loyal etc.) , and even then, if they decide to cheat or leave you, YOU'RE NOT TO BE BLAMED. You did the right thing! And that's what matters 

This is the crux behind Atal Bihari Vajpayee's immortal lines :

"Kya haar me, kya jeet me

Kinchit nahi bhaybhit main

Kartavya path par jo mila

Ye bhi sahi, wo bhi sahi"

For me a KarmaYogi is a far successful person than even an anxious or end focussed Prime Minister or President.We need to get our definitions of success right. 

Also, I strongly believe that a person who didn't make in to the list this time can make an IAS, a Bollywood superstar or even the president of US JEALOUS if 10 years later, he has better family life, work life balance and mental peace. 

You must have felt this. Even though, most of us are unemployed, the passion and spark with which we speak about social & moral issues makes us a subject of envy among our corporate friends. The monetary superiority simply fades away due to the spark in our eyes. 

In short,mental peace, happiness and passion are those prized possessions that can make even the strongest, richest and the most powerful people feel inferior and jealous of you. Let us focus on acquiring virtues through process oriented approach. 

A KarmaYogi always grows: in success and more in failure ! 

P.S : Like always, feel free to ignore if it doesn't align with your value system. 

A small anecdote from my side- 

It was Prelims 2024 and I had just reached my hotel room. I saw the paper again and I thought to myself "Itna bhi burra nahi gaya hai". My hotel room was 900 metres away from my exam centre in Delhi. It was 45 degrees outside and the first paper was just over. I had attempted 82 questions in the exam and I felt that I had screwed up. When I get out of the exam hall, I told myself "Gaya ye attempt". I texted my friend, "I screwed up bhai". Ofcourse this was in the context of the fact that I thought the paper was extremely easy and I had committed a blunder by attempting less number of questions. The past 6 months flashed before me. The Mains 2023 result had hit me hard because after 5 yrs of rigorous prep I had failed to qualify Mains yet again. But still I started preparing just one week after the results. I used to cry a lot about the failure but still somehow I used to attempt mocks and in the final days before Pre, I had zeroed in on the strategy of attempting exactly 82 questions. And with Prelims, I was simultaneously preparing for Maths opt. I was studying and solving everyday.

Finally, I snapped out of the flashback and took a cold shower. I reminded myself of these lines "Kya haar mai kya Jeet mai. Kinchit nahi bhaybhit mai. Kartvyapath par jo bhi mile ye bhi sahi vo bhi sahi". I told myself- "I won't give up, the result is immaterial. I will solve CSAT questions to the best of my abilities". As always, I attempted 42 questions out of 80. The bell rang and finally, Pre 2024 was over. 

I took a train back to my home and the speculations about the cutoff started. Every coaching institute started to predict a 100+ cutoff. I was shaken from the inside. As a 19 year old 'kid', I used to think that I would clear this exam in the 1st attempt but as a 26 year old, I was looking at my 6th and the last attempt. "ANOTHER YEAR".

But the results came and I had qualified. I told myself I would give atleast 2 mocks per paper. I would put in 14+ hrs. So when I look back to my Mains prep time, I achieved each one of them and I am happy about my efforts. Though I am still unhappy about Maths optional but what to do. I had performed to the best of my abilities and I had worked extremely hard for this attempt. Selection/rejection is not in my hands and it never will be. 

So even if the results are not in my favour, I would cry a little but beyond that I would be proud about how I handled my shortcomings and how I accepted my mistakes. I just hope aspirants get a sense of what the exam is all about and how the philosophy of a Karmayogi aspirant works. 

Incomingsaid

Was going through some old threads on the community page where people had shared their mains marksheets and so many of them seemed discontent with their marks not because they lacked preparation rather, they felt they've gotten much less than what they deserve (especially in GS papers), Ik coaching papers mein aur actual marking mein thodi disparity hoti hai but itni significant, there has to be some explanation for this?@GaneshGaitonde @tedmosby @Neyawn and anyone who has appeared for mains in the past and shares a similar feeling, your thoughts? 

Magnetozsaid

GaneshGaitondesaid

I wanted to share the above. Now see, how the Honourable teacher is glorifying not taking break. 

However, anyone in their higher attempts knows the utility of taking a break after mains. This person is likely to face burnout in November if he fails to rejuvenate his mind and his body. 

Instead of giving him sane advice, the teacher is glorifying the NOT TAKING BREAK attitude. Why? Because he himself went to a good vacation (he shared on telegram) and now is rejuvenated enough to launch a new answer writing batch. 

How do you expect bona-fide advice? Maybe he doesn't have that intention. But an aspirant needs to keep his interest and his wellbeing at the top. Don't take any advices without applying your own mind and as per your own situation. 

Taking Break is most underrated aspect in this preparation. No one emphasized us on taking guilt free  breaks , because you earned it..you deserved it..

Because At the end of the day, We all are just Biological machines with neurological computation and emotional caches.

Hence break is also the part and parcel of this preparation.

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." - Ovid

sondersaid

I want to thank @GaneshGaitonde  for the 3-hour-long marathon session to guide me for my next attempt. It was primarily about psir but as the session went on he selflessly expanded on GS and essay as well.

In Psir for the majority of the time, I was collecting content and trying to “recall” it for answer writing instead of thinking. This way of preparation was affecting my answers also as instead of understanding the demand of the question as I was just ‘recalling’. Over the messages, he had already shown me what’s the way to think about the questions and how to go about answer building, which he further expanded upon in the session. 

He emphasised the importance of keyword-based notes by showing his notes and giving specific e.g.s like “double reading” and how to use it across the various sections. He provided actionable methods to improve the expressions in answers by using topper copies, and articles and how to combine them to even make new and unique expressions. He showed how to interlink across the sections like Hannah Arendt with Panchayati Raj.

As he has highlighted in the post, he showed how topper copies are the gold standard by discussing the copies of Ishita Kishore, showed her thinking process, and how she is able to write good answers even where content is limited. He did this for GS4 copies of Aditya Srivastava also. 

He also suggested how GS4 can be prepared in a limited time by focusing on PYQs and identifying 10-15 themes which often keep repeating and come in essay also. Two of these came in this year's essay also. Again he guided how to go about preparing notes on these themes by taking me through his notes.

Now I understand what he means by “capacity building” and how to do it according to my level of preparation and my time availability. After discussion with him, I realised some major blunders I was making which were eating up a lot of my time. Now, I think with practice I would be able to make better notes and utilise topper copies much more efficiently and build better answers with limited time and content.

He also expanded upon newspaper reading, essay, building unique content, and answered many more of my doubts. The best thing is he doesn’t just say do this or that. He shows how he has done it himself through his notes, his topper copies analysis, and how you can adapt it according to your needs. He goes into very micro details which toppers generally miss out on in their talks due to various reasons but often create bottlenecks in one’s preparation.

If anyone is looking for ways to improve I would highly recommend you to have a talk with him or with any other good mentor. After talking with him I realised how much a good mentor can help. You would gain some new perspectives.

Once again, I thank @GaneshGaitonde  for this doing this tireless session with such enthusiasm and dedication.

tedmosbysaid

GaneshGaitondesaid

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”

• The current culture of learning is because of our outdated education system. There a lot of elements which restricts free thinking and emphasizes on rote learning. 
• During our school days, we are told that we have to read from one book and that will be the only source for questions in the exam. Now coming to UPSC, we use the same logic. We start running after the source of the questions asked and try reading from that place instead of logically applying our limited knowledge. This is problematic because if you analyse Pre 2023, many questions do not have a definite source. Some of them cite research papers as their source. So should an aspirant start reading random research papers? This approach restricts independent thinking and emphasizes on rote learning the exact facts from the source. Surely one must focus on the basics but the practice of reading "everything" is problematic. 
• The trend of awarding high marks to people who have written answers as it is from books: In our school, we used to have this habit of writing Q&A. We used to read them and only those questions would be asked in the paper. And high marks are awarded to those who get every word right (which is written in the book). So even students do not focus on using their brain instead they would use their energy in memorizing texts. So the perception that there's only a single way to answer a question has its origin from that habit. In reality, there are multiple ways to answer a single question in GS but still some aspirants tend to focus on "exact" repetition of questions. Surely it helps when you find questions similar to the ones you have encountered but those questions need to answered in a different manner even if the content is same. That would require some skill which is developed by answer writing. 
• Rote learning/memorizing should only be limited to certain areas and certain concepts. Obviously, it helps in speeding up our writing speed but we have to be open to the possibility of changes if the question demands so. 
• The Hindsight bias: It's very easy to claim that this particular question was asked from this particular source once you know the questions. But can you really predict it? Maybe to an extent but can you predict and correctly answer 20/20 questions? No. You need logical and critical thinking for that.
• Why are The Hindu and Indian Express so good? Why are they recommended? Because of the way they present news (and ofcourse the kind of news being covered). The explained page of IE is a literal goldmine. You can "understand" a topic better. The Hindu has brilliant editorials on current issues which helps you to get a "feel" of the issue. They cover news which is of national importance. But everything essentially boils down to understanding a topic holistically. So no matter where you read news from, your focus should be on understanding and not rote memorizing facts. So some toppers prefer current affair magazines and some prefer reading newspapers. 
• There are no elite institutes, there are elite students/candidates: There's this perception that people coming from elite institutes are able to clear this exam easily. False. People who focus on holistically understanding the limited concepts asked by UPSC and those who focus on strategizing better (given luck is on their side) eventually clear this exam. So a person coming from a top college will not necessarily clear this exam. I know this sounds trivial but some people do have this enlightened sense of self which is wrong. Everyone has to learn, understand and write in this process, marks won't be magically awarded to you just because you belong to a top institute. 

Again there's an element of uncertainty which is always there and will be there. You can't eliminate it. In my humble opinion, one must always focus on learning and developing an independent thought process. This is an extremely difficult process and not everyone is capable of it so many do not do it. 

Tatasaid

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. 

AdiTeasaid

GaneshGaitondesaid

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?

DMsaid

Mujhae vhi tips & tricks chaiyae@Ganesh_Gaitonde sir sai.