Best wishes + Paper Discussion Mains 2024

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@siddharthdwivedi9418851 Yuval Noah Harari's new book "Nexus" talks about Information networks over the years and AI (I know opt is not just about reading books but still :P) plus AI has been a dominant theme in the past year. In GS4, we had Ethics of AI too. So I think the topic was predictable to a reasonable extent for you Anthro guys? Did any TS cover it beforehand? 

Post-test analysis of my mains:

Essay - wrote the one on Empires in first part. But i feel my interpretation was a bit offbeat than what most coaching classes suggest. I clearly wrote the thesis and scope to clarify my interpretation and tried to defend it well too. If my interpretation is rewarded, i would score good. Else, that may prove to be a blunder. 

GS1: Wrote all answers, except twister - as there was no point bluffing in that question

GS2: Wrote all answers - except last question - could write ~2 pages (last 1 page left blank)

GS3: Wrote all answers - except life products question

GS4: Section A was good (didn't write dimensions of ethics - as i forgot what to write!). Section B case studies (not upto the mark, but wrote all - last case study - wrote in big handwriting - still reached 3 pages only)

Optional: (PSIR): Had studied keeping in mind that i will choose more questions from section A in both papers. Ended up choosing more questions in Section B in both papers, as there was at least 1 question in question sets of Section A which i was not so sure about - so, had to make that choice. But I think, i did justice to the papers.

Overall assessment: Wrote decent answers. Since this is my first mains, i don't know how much UPSC's marking differs from coaching mocks where i scored above 100 with similar type of answers. However, i improved too - as in mocks i missed out on conclusion many times, while in real exam - i made it a point to write good conclusions in all questions. Further, i wrote adequate number of points, drew maps wherever i could - as per demand of the question. Also, could complete the papers on time with slightly above average content (but again in mocks, I always felt i wrote average content, but after seeing the same paper again - i felt it was good enough. Hope this happens for the real mains too).

However, there is a feeling that i could have done much much better, with more revisions (but many would feel the same). But can't do anything now - as the deed is done. Hope, the results are in favour. Confused what to do in the interim period, till the results come.

How did you interpret the empire topic?
I did it based on innovation

For people having Maths Optional, I have analyzed both the papers question by question here: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Mathematics-Optional-2024-Paper-Analysis-1727851791

You can comment your views down below there. 

I also wrote the same essay. I made two interpretations and explained both with pro and counter arguments.
my interpretations-
1- Those who controls the mind will control the world ( it was having the sense of ideologies, religions etc as tool to control people)
2- It will be mind that will rule the world in future (Brain Computer Interfaces, AI etc , basically technological aspect) Something related to Social Media, Data 
In introduction I started with a quote of '1984' by George Orwell
''War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength'' and talked about how Ministry of Truth was used to control people ...
used example of Jonathan Haidt 'The Anxious Generation' and Cambridge Analytica, fahrenheit 451 etc..
I dont even remember most of my essay  now 

@Neyawn I am facing many confusions related to short notes.

1) is it necessary for every subject 

2) should I make separate short notes for both mains and prelims or a comprehensive one.

3) how much time and space should they take 

4) Is this the right time to complete them or should I wait for completing revision, tests and pyqs.

Sir please help.

Quick answer.

1) Make short notes for topics for which there are no standard sources. For example there is no need to make short notes of laxmikant ( unless you are the i-can-only-revise-if-i-make-short-notes )

2) Prioritise note making for mains specific subjects like ethics, internal security etc

3) make short notes for subjects which may have some standard source bit are a pain in the gain to revise - such as art n culture.

4) short notes should be like notes. Only have important points. Don't dump the whole book in notes. Then sell the notes under KBC nano series.

Ayushi

One more thing.

Whenever faced with a huge task, break it into small tasks and finish it. When you frame a question like "do I have to do it for every subject", I fear you have made the problem size so huge, you will collapse under the task burden.

Make it small and doable. Like today is for naxalism - internal security.

In a dilemma between IFoS and CAT 2024. Both on the same day.

Would appreciate clarity on:

1. How is the IFoS as a service?

3. Any inputs on CAT vs IFoS?

3. Pros and cons of going for CAT after a 2 year break. I'm an engineer (GEM) from a tier 1 college.

Thanks in advance.

Need help.

I am planning to change my room in orn. I want to shift in with people who have previously appeared for mains and are serious for future attempts.[This was my 3rd attempt and 2nd mains].

I feel a strongly knit sincere group can do wonders in this prep which i always felt lacking in my prep.

Do drop a msg if anyone is willing to go ahead with this. I will return to orn by 15th of oct.

Preferably 3/4 people in 1 flat.

Hii all,

Need some suggestions from the community....I have written mains this year it was my 2nd attempt and first mains , after every paper in mains I felt I have not done enough justice to it and I know there are many loopholes in my answer writing....so what shall I do next? Join mgp again or focus on pyq brainstorming and enriching my notes ...just muddled up in confusion where to start from again for mains prep. Any advice from Seniors who have gone through this phase would be a huge help🙏🙏

@Neyawn @Steph_Curry @Ganesh_Gaitonde @tedmosby @Rashmirathi 

I would say- do PYQ brainstorming properly and give forum mocks for "practice" and "analysis". Do not take the marks given as an indicator of how you would perform in Mains. Every year I have seen people complaining about how well they "scored" in MGP but not in the real exam. You can establish a direct correlation for objective subjects. Ex: Getting 2xx score in JEE mocks translating to good rank in JEE-A. This is not true for UPSC as it is subjective. Once you get this idea right, just follow this space: https://forumias.com/post/detail/Gaitondes-Den-1727638216?page=1

We've discussed this as pointed by Ted above here: 

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Gaitondes-Den-1727638216?page=1

Also since it was your first mains, you must fill the content deficit.