Forcing paper 2 to be qualifying was biggest mistake. It has only increased the randomness of both papers. Upsc will indeed make paper 2 tough and at par with many management schools paper so that scoring 66 should be not made cup of anyone's tea. I really found it to be at level of banking exams. Unbelievable that upsc asked remainder theorem questions. I am not good in paper 2 but still wanted it to be there. UPSC was reluctant too but buckled in.
With regards to paper 1, sources are exhausted and given paper 2 now to be just qualifying upsc is forced to include these type of questions. In exam, 1-2 questions can ruin your full one year preparation. It really is depressing to see wastage of life. Of course no one has asked us in any way but 'upsc' take years to come out from us. So many bright people have succumbed to it's uncertainty. From my experience, don't leave job if you are planning to. If you don't have, get that first via ssc bank or pcs or pvt. Job will make you financially independent and divert your gloominess. Post attempt, it is not failing to qualify that hurts more but 'what now' is main tragedy. I know iitians and iim people struggling to get good job as per their standard if they sit idle for long. So make your analysis and go for it first.
Wrt current paper, don't fall in too much question analysis or proving your ans right. Battle is over not war. Conc on mains irrespective whether you are qualifying or not. Just don't stand unprepared when you get final chance.
