So Mains 2021 has begun. Essay Paper is here
1. https://blog.forumias.com/upsc-ias-mains-2021-essay-question-paper/
2. GS Paper 1 : https://blog.forumias.com/download-upsc-ias-mains-2021-gs-1-question-paper
3. GS Paper 2 : https://blog.forumias.com/download-upsc-ias-mains-2021-gs-2-question-paper
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How was your paper? How did you approach the paper?
anyone feeling sleepless can DM me. sleepless too!In the end nd it's not about how much you gave it all for all your attempts but was it really worth it?
Well thats a good way to put it . Motivating too. We believe its worth and proceed.but this is an important question which we have to ask ourselves and be honest to ourselves about it.
@Purplesunbird What lessons did you draw ? What are major and common mistakes ? What are must do things ? All those who wrote mains....share your insights.
They were mostly personal shortcomings so not sure how much they'll help. If you wish, I'll write down those points in few days for sure. Also, I'm not sure about my own assessment as marksheets are yet to be released.
In with PSIR. 4th attempt. 2nd mains. Initially thought I would be a silent lurker in the background. But last year this time, this community was what helped pull me out of the misery of not clearing the mains. A sincere heartfelt thank you to all of you who have braved and weathered the storm alongside me. And a sincere and genuine admiration for those who haven’t been able to clear the mains this time. I know exactly how you must be feeling, not knowing which gods (customise as per your beliefs) to blame, just shock, disbelief, numbness, but most of all, an overwhelming sadness. Be brave my comrades, you have more of that fight left in you. Dig your heels deep and don’t let this exam beat your inner strength.
I would like to quote a few lines by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow which gave me the strength to carry on after last year:
”Nor deem the irrevocable past
As Wholly wasted, wholly vain,
If, rising on its wrecks, at last
To something nobler we attain.”
Your fight isn’t done yet. There are miles to go before you sleep. But my only wish would be that you treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and not let this “failure” colour your perspective about yourself. My DMs are open in case anyone just wants to talk :) wishing all of you luck and good vibes. Let’s get this bread!
Whenever you get time, if possible, do write about what (you think) worked out for you in Mains. I am sure there are many things you have worked out over your attempts.
Congratulations again. :)
@LetsGetThisBread Congratulations!! And all the very best for your interview. Wishing good things for you.
Whenever you get time, if possible, do write about what (you think) worked out for you in Mains. I am sure there are many things you have worked out over your attempts.
Congratulations again. :)
Definitely though I’m not sure I’m the best person here to advise anyone about mains. :)
P.S: I love your username. I have always identified with Jo so very deeply :)
OUT- 5th attempt and 1st mains.
I am utterly confused on what to do next so hoping somebody could guide me. I had been working in a government organisation and resigned in January 2021. The decision for resigning was based on
1. Obviously wanted to give a whole hearted attempt at UPSC before moving on
2. I didn't want to continue working in the same organisation due to not so great promotion opportunities and work profile
I couldn't clear prelims in the first 3 attempts because I jumped into the sea of appearing for the examination without any preparations. By my fourth attempt I realised that I should have planned on appearing only after preparing well. So, I wasted my first 3 attempts because I wasn't prepared well. I started preparing only after getting into the job so I should have planned by attempts maybe 2 years after because what normally people could cover in 1 year, I was able to cover in 2.
Failing to clear in the 4th attempt was heartbreaking but then I knew what shortcomings I had and worked on them. In my 5th attempt, clearing prelims was a great motivator also because I had quit my job and was 2 steps closer to my goal. But I have failed to clear mains and obviously I do realise that there are loopholes in my mains preparation.
Long story short, when I quit my job I planned on giving one fully dedicated attempt and then moving on if I wasn't able to clear. Now, I am at that stage where I should be moving on. But I feel so confused if I should appear once again for my last attempt or go on preparing for CAT.
If all goes rosy, I will only need 1 year to settle. However, if it doesn't I will need 4 year because 2022 goes to waste and I will appear for CAT in 2023 and start college from 2024.
Can anybody guide me rationally. I know the decision is mine to make but all I am looking for is some fresh perspective.
Congratulations and all the best to people who have cleared. Give your best :)
OUT- 5th attempt and 1st mains.
I am utterly confused on what to do next so hoping somebody could guide me. I had been working in a government organisation and resigned in January 2021. The decision for resigning was based on
1. Obviously wanted to give a whole hearted attempt at UPSC before moving on
2. I didn't want to continue working in the same organisation due to not so great promotion opportunities and work profile
I couldn't clear prelims in the first 3 attempts because I jumped into the sea of appearing for the examination without any preparations. By my fourth attempt I realised that I should have planned on appearing only after preparing well. So, I wasted my first 3 attempts because I wasn't prepared well. I started preparing only after getting into the job so I should have planned by attempts maybe 2 years after because what normally people could cover in 1 year, I was able to cover in 2.
Failing to clear in the 4th attempt was heartbreaking but then I knew what shortcomings I had and worked on them. In my 5th attempt, clearing prelims was a great motivator also because I had quit my job and was 2 steps closer to my goal. But I have failed to clear mains and obviously I do realise that there are loopholes in my mains preparation.
Long story short, when I quit my job I planned on giving one fully dedicated attempt and then moving on if I wasn't able to clear. Now, I am at that stage where I should be moving on. But I feel so confused if I should appear once again for my last attempt or go on preparing for CAT.
If all goes rosy, I will only need 1 year to settle. However, if it doesn't I will need 4 year because 2022 goes to waste and I will appear for CAT in 2023 and start college from 2024.
Can anybody guide me rationally. I know the decision is mine to make but all I am looking for is some fresh perspective.
Congratulations and all the best to people who have cleared. Give your best :)
bro is CAT really that attractive? in terms of assurity of job?
only asking as my query
@Capedcrusader1 Dont know about job assurity but it does open gates to corporate sector if you have had long break or in my case my job experience is not of much value in corporate and I want to swtich from a technical to non- technical job
yes
actually i always think of cat is risky because as you said you are giving it 4 years
btw there are exams which are similar to cat, infact easier, of govt.you probably know all those
i have my personal question to ask. If i get a govt job which is lower to cse posts , followed by cse prep, is it a wise idea. im asking this because i do give other exams and reach till the end but deep down i know that i can improve on cse
Out, with history optional. 2nd attempt, 1st mains. Commenting for the first time here, hoping to get some perspective.I have no idea what went wrong, i thought my exam went decently well. Use to get decent marks in tests as well.Don’t have the courage now to even step out of my room. My parents keep calling for me, trying to sympathise. But I haven’t stepped put since this morning, making some or Don’t feel like talking to anyone or get any kind of sympathies. I am out of emotions.The problem is that i thought this would be my last attempt. If i don’t make it then that would be it. But now i am not even sure about that.My plan B was NET and a future in academics or a business venture since luckily i have an opportunity to pursue that, but business has never been my dream. However, carrier in academics is close to my heart.Full disclosure, my fiancée is an IAS and he feels it’s not worth it to spend more time exclusively on something which is very uncertain and subjective. He has been very supportive throughout but now he feels i should give something else a try and do this later if my heart is still in it, since i have both age and attempts in my favour. But i, as my title says, am clueless, numb and simply sad.I don’t even know what i expect to hear from this group. Don’t know if it will help or not. I just wanted to vent. To share what i feel with someone who will empathise, not sympathise, with someone who is going through the same feeling. Maybe saying things anonymously may help.
NET is right around the corner so give it your best if thats where your heart is set. Personally, choose a backup plan that you would actually enjoy doing and if academics interests you go for it. Taking a break or not should depend entirely on you and how you feel. Personally take a week or so to decide how you want to proceed from here. Right now most decisions that you take will be more instinctual rather than weighed out and considered choices. I was in the same boat as you last year, so i know exactly what you must be going through. Stay strong, friend :)