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CSE 2021: Plan / Strategy / Daily Routine

Hello 2021 aspirants. I thought it would be nice if we can share what we are doing and intend to do with one another here.

This could be a thread for discussing everything prep for 2021. 

No one method fits all but to see the plans and progress made by fellow aspirants might help with the finer details of preparation and also keep one on track. 

Moderator Update: This thread has crossed 1 million views and has thousands of comments slowing down the website. We are closing this and moving to the next thread

https://forumias.com/post/detail/Official-How-was-Mains-2021-Paper-Essay-and-GS-Discussion-1641542963#main_comment


jack_Sparrow,rootand121 otherslike this
1.8m views

6.6k comments

I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

DID YOU MAKE ANKI FLASHCARDS FOR URSELF ON YOUR OWN OR ARE U RELYING ON THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE ? I COULDN'T FIND SOME GOOD FLASHCARDS FOR POLITY. ITS ALL JUST MEDICINE STUFF THAT I FIND.  KINDLY HELP!!

P.S: Sorry for the intentional Caps On . Didn't write in capital intentionally

AJ_,
3.9k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

This file is GOLD. Thanks for sharing : )

3.4k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

Thank you so much for this.. 

Respect fr OP of this docx 😁

2.8k views

Abstract algebra 15 pgs done.

Ethics lecture 12 completed.

Newspaper done.

kal se normal schedule shuru.

Targets -

AG unit 4 

GS3 2 booklets

CA + Awr

Ethics lecture 13

Rashmirathi,Voyagerand1 otherslike this
3.3k views

Successfully completed the targets for the day after a gap will try to bring more consistency 

Finished of “The Thousand splendid suns “ and it reminded me of this poem by Raghubir Sahay ji-

रोयाहूँमैंभीकिताबपढ़करके

परअबयादनहींकिकौन-सी

शायदवहकोईवृत्तांतथा

पात्रजिसकेअनेक

बनतेथेचारोंतरफ़सेमँडरातेहुएआतेथे

पढ़ताजाताऔररोताजाताथामैं

क्षण-भरमेंसहसापहचाना

यहपढ़ताकुछऔरहूँ

रोताकुछऔरहूँ

दोनोंजुड़गएहैंपढ़नाकिताबका

औररोनामेरेव्यक्तिका

लेकिनमैंनेजोपढ़ाथा

उसेनहींरोयाथा

पढ़नेनेतोमुझमेंरोनेकाबलदिया

दु:खमैंनेपायाथाबाहरकिताबकेजीवनसे

पढ़ताजाताऔररोताजाताथामैं

जोपढ़ताहूँउसपरमैंनहींरोताहूँ

बाहरकिताबकेजीवनसेपाताहूँ

रोनेकाकारणमैं

परकिताबरोनासंभवबनातीहै।

That’s all for the day -Good Night Comrades

ssver2,Hersheyand2 otherslike this
2.8k views

Hello everyone! Targets for 26/06:

1. News

2. Ankification 

3. 8 VAM booklets

4. Wind up by 11.30 (with a 30 minute grace period)

5. Opening forum only twice a day

1. Done

2. Done

3. I found the booklets super annoying today, so did S&T instead. Not enough though. 

4. Done

5. Sort of. Opened it 5-6 times which is not too bad considering I at least brought it down from a manic open-once-every-15-minutes when I didn't feel like doing my assigned work.

I'm checking out for today. Good night folks. Finally starting with Ethics tomorrow. 

Rashmirathi,sjerngaland1 otherslike this
2.6k views

Good morning folks. Back after a long sleep, probably the longest I’ve had since being vaccinated.

Targets for 26.6.21:

PSIR- finish notes

Ethics- VAM (1/3)

AWP

CSAT

Daily C/A

Write with right hand.

That’s all folks. Let’s get this bread!!


Finished all targets, except some parts of PSIR note making. My CSAT ate into my next session. In other news, I hate syllogisms. They are quite a ‘pain’ to solve. (I really hope someone gets that joke). Goodnight guys!

Rashmirathi,THE_MECHANICand2 otherslike this
3.4k views

Good morning folks. Back after a long sleep, probably the longest I’ve had since being vaccinated.

Targets for 26.6.21:

PSIR- finish notes

Ethics- VAM (1/3)

AWP

CSAT

Daily C/A

Write with right hand.

That’s all folks. Let’s get this bread!!


Finished all targets, except some parts of PSIR note making. My CSAT ate into my next session. In other news, I hate syllogisms. They are quite a ‘pain’ to solve. (I really hope someone gets that joke). Goodnight guys!

Hahaha good one :D good night! It's quitelait!

Rashmirathi,sjerngaland2 otherslike this
3.6k views

Good morning folks. Back after a long sleep, probably the longest I’ve had since being vaccinated.

Targets for 26.6.21:

PSIR- finish notes

Ethics- VAM (1/3)

AWP

CSAT

Daily C/A

Write with right hand.

That’s all folks. Let’s get this bread!!


Finished all targets, except some parts of PSIR note making. My CSAT ate into my next session. In other news, I hate syllogisms. They are quite a ‘pain’ to solve. (I really hope someone gets that joke). Goodnight guys!

Hahaha good one :D good night! It's quitelait!

Hahaha… I see you have brought the creme de la creme of wit along with you.

ssver2,Rashmirathiand2 otherslike this
3.3k views

Good morning forks and eggs yolks of forum! Targets for 27.6.21

Ethics- VAM (2/3)

Editorial- IE+ Hindu 

Daily C/A

CSAT

Keeping it light because it’s a Sunday, also I’ve been quite distracted off late, so keeping achievable targets. Let’s get this bread!

ssver2,Rashmirathiand4 otherslike this
3.2k views

Good morning all , haven't posted my targets since few days . 

27 June 2021

  1.  Ethics - revise 2 topics and practice two case studies
  2. Physics - Revise Optics course
  3. March CA 






Rashmirathi,whatonlyand2 otherslike this
3k views

Good morning Folks 

27/06/21-Targets for the day

Newspaper

GS-2 revision

Optional


whatonly,THE_MECHANICand1 otherslike this
2.6k views

Setting up accountability for few days here. Any suggestions regarding prep are always welcome. Godspeed

T100

CA Sept 5/6 + notes

Optional 2,3/18 subsections

Editorials

CSAT

Ethics 2 lectures


Ethics 1 lecture only. Level up. 

T99

CA Sept 6/6 + notes

Optional 4,5/18 subsections

Editorials + vids

CSAT

Ethics 2,3,4 lectures

Ethics lec 2 only. Might need to change work envi for ethics specifically.

T98

CA: Sept completed, revision today

Optional: 1-5/18 subsections revision

Editorials + vids

CSAT

Ethics revise notes + try lec 3

 4,5 optional revision left. More hours on weekend, lets do this. 

T97

CA: Oct 1/6

Optional: 4,5/18 subsections revision 

Editorials + vids

CSAT

Ethics lec 4,5

Rashmirathi,whatonlyand1 otherslike this
2.8k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

DID YOU MAKE ANKI FLASHCARDS FOR URSELF ON YOUR OWN OR ARE U RELYING ON THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE ? I COULDN'T FIND SOME GOOD FLASHCARDS FOR POLITY. ITS ALL JUST MEDICINE STUFF THAT I FIND.  KINDLY HELP!!

P.S: Sorry for the intentional Caps On . Didn't write in capital intentionally

Made my own. See if it suits you else simple paper-pen questions can always be done. 

2.8k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

DID YOU MAKE ANKI FLASHCARDS FOR URSELF ON YOUR OWN OR ARE U RELYING ON THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE ? I COULDN'T FIND SOME GOOD FLASHCARDS FOR POLITY. ITS ALL JUST MEDICINE STUFF THAT I FIND.  KINDLY HELP!!

P.S: Sorry for the intentional Caps On . Didn't write in capital intentionally

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think you need to go into knowing every line of a Laxmikant for prelims. In fact, I think it sometimes causes you to have a limited understanding. If you’d get above 130 on any polity foundational mock test, just keep revising the ones you got wrong. Do like 10 mocks for Polity, learn what you get wrong. That should easily fill the gaps as far as prelims is concerned. Learning every line of Laxmikant is overkill. Questions for CSP are usually the ones that test your understanding of the Constitution. Mostly, preamble, Article 12, 13, Fundamental rights chapter, DPSP, fundamental duties, President’s and Governor’s powers and position, Parliament (and subtle differences for State level), Supreme Court and high courts (Questions on jurisdiction in recent years- Check Articles 131-145, 226, contempt powers, supervisory v. Appellate jurisdiction, types of jurisdiction), Important amendments, A. 368, Recent judgements (questions based on Shefin Jahan, Puttaswamy, Rajbala in recent years- this falls under FR jurisprudence), Emergency provisions, federal scheme (legislative, administrative, financial), doctrine of separation of powers, Fifth and Sixth Schedule, 73rd and 74th Amendments- scope and significance. 

I feel the above are the most significant questions. Of course you might get a question on constitutional functionaries, but those are the things that will get covered easily in your mocks. The topics I listed above, one needs to understand along with their true spirit. I genuinely believe investing in DD Basu’s shorter constitution of India is worthwhile for the above. Laxmikant tells you what is written in the constitution, Basu tells you why it is so. This background will always always help you. If you look at recent PYQs, you’d see that someone who understands the spirit of the Constitution and is abreast with recent developments, they could answer any question from Polity in their sleep. And Polity is high scoring, and losing marks there is something one can ill afford.

To substantiate my point, I’ll give examples of a few PYQs. In 2017, there was a question on whether Right to Vote is a FR or a legal right. This doubt wouldn’t have arisen for someone who had read about the Rajbala judgement. In 2019, there was a question on Article 142 of the Constitution. (This shows remembering few important articles is important- People ignore this part from Laxmikant). I forget the year, but there was a question on “the key to open the mind of the makers of the Constitution” which many people didn’t know. This was the first thing I heard in a Consti law lecture and one of the first things you’ll read in DD Basu. Same with question on preamble which was subject to a lot of debate last year. 

I’m not discounting the utility of Laxmikant for someone not having a background in law or political science. I’m simply saying that for the topics mentioned above, be sure to truly understand it. Not just know it.  Polity is usually the easiest 30-40 marks you can get.


chamomile,Villanelleand13 otherslike this
2.6k views

Good morning friends! Targets for 27/06:

1. News

2. Ankification 

3. Ethics reading

4. Open forum only twice a day

whatonly,THE_MECHANIC
2.2k views


ssver2,Joeyisthebestand4 otherslike this
3.2k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

DID YOU MAKE ANKI FLASHCARDS FOR URSELF ON YOUR OWN OR ARE U RELYING ON THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE ? I COULDN'T FIND SOME GOOD FLASHCARDS FOR POLITY. ITS ALL JUST MEDICINE STUFF THAT I FIND.  KINDLY HELP!!

P.S: Sorry for the intentional Caps On . Didn't write in capital intentionally

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think you need to go into knowing every line of a Laxmikant for prelims. In fact, I think it sometimes causes you to have a limited understanding. If you’d get above 130 on any polity foundational mock test, just keep revising the ones you got wrong. Do like 10 mocks for Polity, learn what you get wrong. That should easily fill the gaps as far as prelims is concerned. Learning every line of Laxmikant is overkill. Questions for CSP are usually the ones that test your understanding of the Constitution. Mostly, preamble, Article 12, 13, Fundamental rights chapter, DPSP, fundamental duties, President’s and Governor’s powers and position, Parliament (and subtle differences for State level), Supreme Court and high courts (Questions on jurisdiction in recent years- Check Articles 131-145, 226, contempt powers, supervisory v. Appellate jurisdiction, types of jurisdiction), Important amendments, A. 368, Recent judgements (questions based on Shefin Jahan, Puttaswamy, Rajbala in recent years- this falls under FR jurisprudence), Emergency provisions, federal scheme (legislative, administrative, financial), doctrine of separation of powers, Fifth and Sixth Schedule, 73rd and 74th Amendments- scope and significance. 

I feel the above are the most significant questions. Of course you might get a question on constitutional functionaries, but those are the things that will get covered easily in your mocks. The topics I listed above, one needs to understand along with their true spirit. I genuinely believe investing in DD Basu’s shorter constitution of India is worthwhile for the above. Laxmikant tells you what is written in the constitution, Basu tells you why it is so. This background will always always help you. If you look at recent PYQs, you’d see that someone who understands the spirit of the Constitution and is abreast with recent developments, they could answer any question from Polity in their sleep. And Polity is high scoring, and losing marks there is something one can ill afford.

To substantiate my point, I’ll give examples of a few PYQs. In 2017, there was a question on whether Right to Vote is a FR or a legal right. This doubt wouldn’t have arisen for someone who had read about the Rajbala judgement. In 2019, there was a question on Article 142 of the Constitution. (This shows remembering few important articles is important- People ignore this part from Laxmikant). I forget the year, but there was a question on “the key to open the mind of the makers of the Constitution” which many people didn’t know. This was the first thing I heard in a Consti law lecture and one of the first things you’ll read in DD Basu. Same with question on preamble which was subject to a lot of debate last year. 

I’m not discounting the utility of Laxmikant for someone not having a background in law or political science. I’m simply saying that for the topics mentioned above, be sure to truly understand it. Not just know it.  Polity is usually the easiest 30-40 marks you can get.


Thank you for writing this.

Just dropping the pdf link (DD Basu) for easy access- https://1lib.in/book/2926588/d8b52a


EiChan,chamomileand7 otherslike this
3.3k views
I don't know if it's too early or too silly to ask this, but how are you guys planning to revise the whole of Laxmikanth just before prelims? 

Depends on which cycle of revision you are. PYQs+ self-made ANKI cards works for me. Someone here on forum shared this wonderful list of questions from laxmikant last year. attaching it here. Polity-Revision1051600018789.docx 

Can also head to ANKI thread to find some more resources, but be careful about the resource overkill. Good day. 

DID YOU MAKE ANKI FLASHCARDS FOR URSELF ON YOUR OWN OR ARE U RELYING ON THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE ? I COULDN'T FIND SOME GOOD FLASHCARDS FOR POLITY. ITS ALL JUST MEDICINE STUFF THAT I FIND.  KINDLY HELP!!

P.S: Sorry for the intentional Caps On . Didn't write in capital intentionally

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think you need to go into knowing every line of a Laxmikant for prelims. In fact, I think it sometimes causes you to have a limited understanding. If you’d get above 130 on any polity foundational mock test, just keep revising the ones you got wrong. Do like 10 mocks for Polity, learn what you get wrong. That should easily fill the gaps as far as prelims is concerned. Learning every line of Laxmikant is overkill. Questions for CSP are usually the ones that test your understanding of the Constitution. Mostly, preamble, Article 12, 13, Fundamental rights chapter, DPSP, fundamental duties, President’s and Governor’s powers and position, Parliament (and subtle differences for State level), Supreme Court and high courts (Questions on jurisdiction in recent years- Check Articles 131-145, 226, contempt powers, supervisory v. Appellate jurisdiction, types of jurisdiction), Important amendments, A. 368, Recent judgements (questions based on Shefin Jahan, Puttaswamy, Rajbala in recent years- this falls under FR jurisprudence), Emergency provisions, federal scheme (legislative, administrative, financial), doctrine of separation of powers, Fifth and Sixth Schedule, 73rd and 74th Amendments- scope and significance. 

I feel the above are the most significant questions. Of course you might get a question on constitutional functionaries, but those are the things that will get covered easily in your mocks. The topics I listed above, one needs to understand along with their true spirit. I genuinely believe investing in DD Basu’s shorter constitution of India is worthwhile for the above. Laxmikant tells you what is written in the constitution, Basu tells you why it is so. This background will always always help you. If you look at recent PYQs, you’d see that someone who understands the spirit of the Constitution and is abreast with recent developments, they could answer any question from Polity in their sleep. And Polity is high scoring, and losing marks there is something one can ill afford.

To substantiate my point, I’ll give examples of a few PYQs. In 2017, there was a question on whether Right to Vote is a FR or a legal right. This doubt wouldn’t have arisen for someone who had read about the Rajbala judgement. In 2019, there was a question on Article 142 of the Constitution. (This shows remembering few important articles is important- People ignore this part from Laxmikant). I forget the year, but there was a question on “the key to open the mind of the makers of the Constitution” which many people didn’t know. This was the first thing I heard in a Consti law lecture and one of the first things you’ll read in DD Basu. Same with question on preamble which was subject to a lot of debate last year. 

I’m not discounting the utility of Laxmikant for someone not having a background in law or political science. I’m simply saying that for the topics mentioned above, be sure to truly understand it. Not just know it.  Polity is usually the easiest 30-40 marks you can get.


I completely second your opinion. Infact I stopped reading Laxmikant in 2020 mid year and switched to Subash KAshyap instead. The point is I personally find that UPSC does not want us to have factual info , it wants you to understand the why and how and the evolution of any particular thing for example the current issue of 50% upper limit of reservation. What Laxmikant does is that it will tell you when it happened and which articles are involved and which judgement and all. But it will never mention about the several judgements that preceeded and succeded it. These are the ones that I actually came to know about from Subash KAshyap and I am pretty sure it would be there in DD Basu too. 

Luckily for me I had already made questions for myself from Lakshmikant before switching to SK and now I just focus on answering the questions and noting down questions that I got wrong in mocks. This is how my prelims strategy is gonna be and as far as mains is concerned SK has done wonders for me. 

Having said so, I would really like to give a disclaimer that this is a personal opinion. 90% people read laxmikant and eventually end up becoming toppers. It is purely based on one's interest and what works for them. So take this comment with a pinch of salt :)

EiChan,12432TrivendrumRajdhaniand4 otherslike this
3.9k views

26th:
revised eco CA notes on: budget, FRBM, taxation reforms, logistics etc.

wrote 1 essay; hindu/factly

27th-30th:

write 2 mocks/day (min 1)

Patootie,Rashmirathiand2 otherslike this
3.1k views
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