Mains 2021: Doubt and strategy discussion thread

| 4 year(s) ago

I don't know what to say, really. Prelims is over. The discussion as regards the authenticity of answer keys is the most futile discussion. So, I am creating this thread as a necessary and much-needed diversion. Three months to the biggest battle of our professional lives begins now. All comes down to how we heal and grow from now on, and either, we heal or we're gonna crumble. Day by day.

We're in a toxic environment right now, fellas. Believe me. And, we can stay here, get the s**t kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. Mains is the road ahead for everyone of us notwithstanding our current predicament. So, let's continue to fight and not let our guard down.

Yours faithfully

AzadHindFauz

Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2020 is to be conducted on 8,9,10,16,17 January, 2021.

Thread for GS 1by @upsc2020- https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mission-Mains-2020-GS-1-1593004000

Thread for GS 2 & 3by @goldberry - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mission-Mains-2020-GS-Paper-2-3-Do-or-Die-1589614273

Thread for GS 4by @upsc2020 - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Official-GS-4-Ethics-Discussion-1591106284

Thread for Essayby @whatonly - https://forumias.com/post/detail/Essay-for-Mains-2020-tips-thoughts-and-interesting-things-1602501086

Resources-

1.Topic wise questions compilation from PYQs- https://forumias.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/community/comments/PYQ4951601966911.pdf

2.Previous years' question papers collection- Essay, GS I, GS II, GS III, GS IV, PSIR

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A4COH_r4pYXZHfVH0MFNWT0q_NJB1TF1

3.New emerging technologies fodder- https://intelligence.weforum.org/topics

4. Important data: https://www.csewiki.org/Important_data

5. This is awebsite by CSE 2019 selected candidates. Contains a lot of info ontest series/answer writingand alsohasGS notes.Must go through! => http://demystifycse.in/

6. World history notes of Shreyans Kumat Rank 4, UPSC CSE 2018: https://drive.google.com/file/d/153rNAe4nHkTVolSnM7ZCwIrVfCNr-652/view

7. Download Anudeep Sir's hand made notes from here. From GS 1 to GS 4, everything: https://anudeepdurishetty.in/how-to-conquer-gs-in-upsc-mains-explained/

8.Ethics keywords' definition table:https://forumias.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/community/comments/EthicsDefinitionTable33715989392954061602608482.pdf

This will keep you going-

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mains-2020-Doubt-and-strategy-discussion-thread-1601963441?useful=1#main_comment

jack_Sparrow,Deepak802and112 otherslike this

872 comments

Tempo_High_Hain .

commented 4 year(s) ago

Guys a bit of advice needed, Cleared prelims with around 90+ in SC category. Started prep in April. Haven't started Mains yet. Would start from today from scratch. Can you kindly tell a doable strategy for the next 70 days that can actually make me get through? Haven't started optional(PSIR) also.

P.S. For prelims I just solved/analysed/prepared based on last 10 yrs PYQ. Can that strategy work for mains too?

Thanks.

aknash20151351 .

commented 4 year(s) ago

Tempo_High_Hainsaid
Guys a bit of advice needed, Cleared prelims with around 90+ in SC category. Started prep in April. Haven't started Mains yet. Would start from today from scratch. Can you kindly tell a doable strategy for the next 70 days that can actually make me get through? Haven't started optional(PSIR) also.
P.S. For prelims I just solved/analysed/prepared based on last 10 yrs PYQ. Can that strategy work for mains too?
Thanks.

Similar boat as you with haphazard study for mains as of now.

utkarshk,

commented 4 year(s) ago

I guess the DAF isn't out yet, but I've heard so much about it being used as an instrument of oppression in the Interview stage. Could someone give pointers, and let me know the things to keep an eye out for?

discoFighter,thepolicydreamer

commented 4 year(s) ago

@Patootie @AzadHindFauz How you guys have done modern history. Question seems to me too broad and book may not solve the full purpose. What are your take on this?

Joeyisthebest .

commented 4 year(s) ago

@Patootie let the DAF come. Last year they asked very little information in this DAF. Another DAF was made available for one's who cleared mains and it was the important one - the one that can be used as a means of oppression.

But if they decide to ask things like hobbies and all right now be careful with it. Usually it is used in interview by panel to grill. Every word you write you should be thorough with.

Patootie,

commented 4 year(s) ago

DAF is out! No hobbies, preferences etc., just basic info.

GaryVee,Zlatan07and4 otherslike this

commented 4 year(s) ago

whatonlysaid
DAF is out! No hobbies, preferences etc., just basic info.

time saver

Botanopu,whatonly

commented 4 year(s) ago

Okay, what is the password? :p

user_47255

commented 4 year(s) ago

Deleted

Filling DAF for first time, please help.

"Have you ever been employed?"- Since I have been preparing full time after graduating so haven't taken any job, but I have done a couple of internships during college with handsome stipends, should/can i write about them in this field?

GaryVee,whatonlyand1 otherslike this

commented 4 year(s) ago

Patootiesaid
Okay, what is the password? :p

Had to create the account first. Technically handicapped. I eventually got there.

whatonly,

user_47262

commented 4 year(s) ago

Deleted

Patootiesaid
I guess the DAF isn't out yet, but I've heard so much about it being used as an instrument of oppression in the Interview stage. Could someone give pointers, and let me know the things to keep an eye out for?

Gave the interview in 2019. Hardly any questions from DAF. So that can happen as well. Just be confident about what you have written in it.

commented 4 year(s) ago

Patootiesaid
Patootiesaid
Okay, what is the password? :p
Had to create the account first. Technically handicapped. I eventually got there.

Hahaha. I thought we set it earlier and panicked cause I forgot 😂

Chuatur_ Prani .

commented 4 year(s) ago

How useful will be insights secure for mains??

Chuatur_ Prani .

commented 4 year(s) ago

Insights secure how useful are these have done some please if anyone have any advice.???

commented 4 year(s) ago

Which document is acceptable as age proof in DAF - 1

thepolicydreamer,

commented 4 year(s) ago

@skadoOsh class 10th or 12th passing certificate

skadoOsh,

commented 4 year(s) ago

whatonlysaid
DAF is out! No hobbies, preferences etc., just basic info.

It wasn't there last year too. There will be a DAF-II post mains for interview-qualified people.

whatonly,

commented 4 year(s) ago

musksaid
@Patootie @AzadHindFauz How you guys have done modern history. Question seems to me too broad and book may not solve the full purpose. What are your take on this?

I prepare a set of themes around the 'Why' associated with all the events only! Say for example, "Why" the revolutionary movement in the 1900s? Why not before?

Such questionnaire-based approach help me cover the syllabus and interlink different dimensions.

GaryVee,muskand1 otherslike this

commented 4 year(s) ago

@AJ_ It's working.

commented 4 year(s) ago

Nope.

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