Questionnaire for IAS/ IFS Selected Candidates

Personality/Profile
• Question 1 Your Name: Karthikeyan S
• Question 2 Place of Birth: Madurai
• Question 3 How old are you? 28 years old
• Question 4: Schooling done from Name and City and score?

Class School / College Score Medium

10th Jeevana 85% Tamil
Matriculation HSC
12th Same as above 94% English
B.Com Vivekananda College, 89% English
Chennai

• Question 5 College from which City and GPA: See Above

• Question 6 PG if Any: NA
• Question 7 Your attempt at the exam: 5th Attempt
• Question 8 Did you write any other exam? I sincerely believe in the saying that if you
have a plan B, you invite the possibility of plan A not working. I never had a plan B.
• Question 9 Who else is there in your family?

Name Relation Profession

Sethuraman A Father Retired Bank Manager in PSB
Vijayalakshmi S Mother Home Maker
Vigneshwaran S Brother Chartered Accountant

• Question 10 Work-experience if any

Currently under training as Indian Railway Traffic Service Officer in IRITM Lucknow
• Question 11 Optionals : Commerce and Accountancy
• Question 12 Contact details for any doubts: karthikeyan0844@gmail.com
• Question 13 Are you a working professional?
I had to prepare for interview during my IRTS training and hence here, I would like to briefly
add something for those aspirants who are currently in training in various services of GOI.
Please do take your training seriously. The reason is, I found many aspirants not focusing on
their training but seriously preparing for interview by bunking classes. Consider the training
itself as the part of interview preparation. Most of the questions will be from your respective
service profiles. In my case, 85% of the interview went only in railways which I was able to
answer pretty confidently with lots of personal touch, which I feel made a lot of difference,
compared to my previous interview.
Preliminary examination
• Question 14 Please mention your strategy and books/notes did you referred to for
General Studies and CSAT.

GS STRATEGY:
1. How much ever one prepares 65 to 75 questions in Preliminary Examination will either
be completely clueless or one shall be confused between 2 choices.
2. So how does one prepare?
3. I believe one should do what is called THOUGHT PROCESS BUILDING (here on referred
to as TBT). This helps one to actually think right and arrive at the answer as a rational
person, which UPSC says in its syllabus to be the quality of the aspirant.
4. How to build this so called “thought process”?
5. By solving as many question papers as possible and analyzing them in detail as to
where it went wrong and how my thought process should have been to arrive at the
answer, rather than mugging up facts.
6. So Limited Books + Frequent Revision + Thought Process Building = Success in
Preliminary Examination.

BOOKLIST:
Topic Resource

History Ancient RS Sharma

History Medieval Random Google Notes

History Modern
Indian Struggle for Independence (Very important for TBT)
(Freedom Struggle)

Culture Nitin Singhania Sirs Book and Introduction to Indian Art I

Polity (static + current Laxmikanth for static

affairs) Any Current Affairs Magazine for CA

Sriram IAS book

Economy (static +
Shankar Ganesh sirs' book for basics
current affairs)
Any Current Affairs Magazine for CA

Science (static + current

Business Insider App (Their Science Page is simply amazing)
affairs)
 I have a lot of passion for environment and I am an widely
Environment (static + read person in this particular topic. So did not do any special
current affairs) study.
I recommend DTE articles for Current Affairs though.

Geography (Physical
NCERTs only
+Indian+World)

Newspaper is a must
One can simply assume that if he\she is not doing
newspaper, then there is no point in being in the
Current affairs preparation.
It provides numerous other benefits like Art of Brevity,
Articulation, TBT, Command over language etc.
Any Current Affairs Magazine for quick revision.

CSAT Only previous year papers

• Question 15 Which test series did you join? How helpful do you things such test series
are?
I joined a lot of test series as I have already underscored their importance. Forum ,
Shankar IAS , Vajiram IAS , Vision IAS test series are some of the quality test series.
• How Many questions did you attempt in GS? How many did you get right?
I had a very comfortable margin in 2019 preliminary examination. I had 130+ as per
various keys. I attempted 92 and got around 80 wrong. The final marks are not out
though.

• Question 16 What do you think is the optimal number of questions to attempt in

prelims? Do you advise accuracy or maximum attempts?
I think both are important in the current scenario. With more and more no of young
aspirants writing the examination there is a tendency to attempt many questions. So, if
we apply Game Theory, the right strategy should be to attempt many questions. Having
said that, accuracy is very important as well. TBT will help in building accuracy.

• Question 17 If you had to prepare again would you change your strategy in any way?
No change in strategy as my strategy has worked every time.

• Question 18 If this wasn’t your first attempt what mistakes you think you made in the
previous attempt in prelims?
1. Not building thought process
2. Not solving question paper
 3. Not reading newspaper properly
4. Not revising but resorting to multiple books and references
5. Building anxiety and not getting enough sleep the week of the examination.

Mains
• Question 19 How did you prepare GS/GK?

For the first 3 attempts I had focused only on the content and not on any presentation. Then
it dawned on me, when I evaluated others answer copy myself that presentation matters a
lot. In my final attempt I focused both on Content and Presentation. I did the following
comprehensive strategy for my Mains.
1. I prepared comprehensively for all the line items in the Mains syllabus.
2. Made very short notes on all the keywords for every line item in the syllabus that I
could revise in the last minute without any hassle.
3. Integrated current affairs with every line item.
4. Prepared comprehensive 2d 3d 4d 5d and multi-dimensional diagram and practiced
them frequently.
5. Practiced Indian and world map so comprehensively that I could draw them in under 2
seconds.
6. In every paper I introduced a diagram or a map or change for format (tabular column)
etc.
7. One diagram or a map in every essay
8. For ethics paper for every value I had prepared in hand a personal experience and a
quote or example from current affairs.
9. Solved many tests, so much that I was able to complete the paper in final mains with 5
to 7 minutes prior to the final bell. Thereafter I gave final touched to enhance the
visual appeal.
10. Almost similar strategy for Optional Paper as well, with the difference in content.
11. There are few diagrams that are given in NITI aayog reports. They provide a lot of
insights and it can be used in various places. I used them in every paper. Sample
diagram

• Question 20 How did you prepare English? Reading Newspaper

 • Question 21 How did you cover Current Affairs for Mains?
1. Newspaper
2. Any current affairs magazine
3. Big Picture – RSTV

• Question 22 What’s your optional subjects and why? Commerce and Accountancy,
Because of my Background.

• Question 23 Please share your strategy and booklist for each of the optional?

Optional 1 STRATEGY: Almost the same strategy as that of GS with a few more
additions.
1. Practice as many problems as possible. This will enhance your score
2. Write many tests. This gives an idea as to how much space is required
for problems and theory. Without practice you might end up taking too
much space for problems, leaving you without space for conclusions.
3. Daily start your day, if possible, by solving 2 3 practicals. We might have
to solve a minimum of around 500 to 600 problems in all chapters
combined in Paper 1. Doing them at a stretch is not possible. Hence
break it down and do them every day. This helps in revision as well
4. Make a separate formula sheet and jot down all the formulas. Helps a
lot in final revision.

BOOKLIST:
1. Financial Accounting: RS Agarwal’s Rankers classes material or JR Monga
2. Cost Accounting: Rankers classes material or Maheshwari & Mittal
3. Auditing: Rankers classes material
4. Taxation: Girish Ahujha or Rankers classes material
5. Financial Management: RP Rustagi or Rankers classes material
6. Financial Institutions: Rankers classes material
7. Accounting standards: Rankers classes material

Optional 2 STRATEGY: Almost the same strategy as that of GS with a few more
additions.
1. Again, for every topic, prepare a set of keywords.
2. Rankers classes comes out with a document named Current Commerce. That’s a
treasure of information based on current affairs. Use them a lot.
3. Any Basic material + Keywords + Presentation + Current affairs = 150+ Guaranteed.

BOOKLIST:
Only Rankers classes materials I followed. Nothing else.
 • Question 24 Did you join any classes for your mains preparation .If yes then how useful
did you find them?

1. I joined Rankers Classes for Commerce and Accountancy

2. KPR IAS ACADEMY, Coimbatore. for the entire preparation. It provides a very good
environment for studying and provides personalized help.

• Question 25 How important is answer writing? What was your style of answer writing?

As I have stated time and again answer writing is the core of my strategy for the following
reasons
1. Helps us finish the paper
2. Fine tune our answer
3. Improve on the presentation
4. Helps us be prepared for the question for which we have very less or no points.

• How many questions did you attempt? What strategy did you follow for mains
examination in the examination hall?
1. Attempted all. Not attempting all is a grievous mistake one should not commit. As in a
single mark, we can jump around 8 to 10 ranks.
2. I had a very detailed to do list before and during the examination based on the test
series review I had got. I used to see them just before the exam so I don’t commit any
of the mistake and do the things pointed out to me.
3. Reach the examination hall at least one hour before
4. Please do not study just before the examination
5. You can see the to do sheet that you have prepared that has the list of dos and donts
6. Talk to friends casually and have a good laughter and light mood before the exam
7. During examination, every minute counts, so do not drink a lot of water that makes
you use washroom very often.
8. Also, during the examination hall, please be open and convey if invigilator talks or
disturbs you standing next to you. You simply can't afford to have your time wasted.
9. Keep sipping water during the exam on very limited quantities.
10. Ask the invigilator to start the exam on time and distribute the papers before 5
minutes at the least.

• Question 26 If you had to prepare again would you change your strategy in any way?

Maybe I would have changed my handwriting a bit to look more legible. Other than that, I
don’t see any changes in the strategy
• Question 27 If this wasn’t your first attempt what mistakes you think you made in the
previous attempt in mains?

1. Not finishing the paper

2. Not focusing on presentation
3. Exceeding the word limit
4. Not following the question directive

#1 Were you part of ForumIAS CGP / PTS / MGP / IGP / Current Affairs? How did they
help you in your preparation? How was it different from other programs?

I was a part of interview guidance programme. The format of IGP is very uniue. My
biggest stumbling block was interview. As always I used to get kess marks in interbiew
only. The IGP was very helpful especially the GD.
The mock interview arranged was really very helpful as after the lockdown we really
lost the touch to speak and articulate. In that way IGP helped me a lot.

#2 Did you use to follow the Blog / Community? What initiatives did you follow ? ( 9PM,
Mains Marathon , Neyawn’s Articles etc )

NO

Interview
• Question 28 How did you prepare for the interview? Did you attend any mocks?
1. Interview preparation needs to be very holistic.
2. Questions are mostly basic and we are checked on the very basic parameters of
honesty, integrity, rationality, flexibility etc.
3. Truly in that half an hour our entire personality is checked.
4. We need to be really strong in our basics.
5. DAF needs to be thoroughed. There should not be any discrepancy in the DAF as most
of the questions will be based on the DAF.
6. Watch a lot of debates and build perspectives. These perspectives will what be
assessed in the interview. On any issue we need to have a PERSPECTIVE, the lines of
which your answer will be based.
7. This perspective can be acquired through RSTV debates, the economist magazine, ORF
blogs etc. It needs to be rational, humble, futuristic, bold and achievable.
8. I used to talk, talk and talk to whomever I find. That really enhanced my articulation
ability
9. I practiced what Is called as JAM-Just a minute. I used to speak for a minute on any
topic for a minute without preparation. This helped me to first organize my thoughts,
use carefully worded words and articulate my thoughts in a right way.
 10. I had asked all my batchmates to ask me questions whenever they see me on random
topics. I was asked questions in mess, loo and in classrooms as well.
11. And indeed, I attended a lot of mocks. But we should not pay take the feedbacks
seriously. Every mock will have its own perspective and opinions. We can't keep
changing our personality. What you need to really test is the way you have articulated
the answer.

• Question 29 Which Interview Board did you face?

Dr. Manoj Soni sirs Board

• Question 30 Please share your entire interview like what was asked and what was your
reply? Were you able to answer all the questions?

I have faced three interviews. First interview was with Alka Sirohi Maam , and she was
gracious enough to award me 146+ for the kind of performance I gave in my interview.
Second was Bhim Sain Bassi sir, and again he was gracious enough to award me 165 for the
kind of DAF I had filled.

Kindly donot fill the DAF like this.

In my 3rd interview I had a completely different experience. I was told that all the boards
were good except Dr.Manoj Soni sirs board, who generally, I was told, does not give marks.
So, I was elated when I saw the Board of PK Joshi sir. I gave my interview very well, despite all
the shields and masks. I was totally elated. It was the next day, in medicals, to my utter
surprise I realized that it was Manoj Soni sir who was in PK joshi sir's room. Had I known
beforehand that it was indeed “THE” manoj soni sir, I would have psychologically been very
affected. I thanked all my stars and left the medicals.

Let me briefly narrate my interview experience. So, after realizing that it was PK Joshi sir. I
happily entered and took the seat. The chairman (who was actually Manoj Soni sir) welcomed
me and made me comfortable and asked me to take off either the mask or the shield. I told
them that safety is of utmost importance and that I would prefer wearing them and cause
myself a little discomfort than compromising the safety of the panelists. The chairman was
quite pleased and interview started off on a light note with enquiries about my childhood life
and college life.
The entire interview was very cordial and it was more of an honest frank, person to person
discussion. After the interview got over, Soni sir asked me to remove the mask to verify my
identity and sent off with a huge smile and GOD BLESS YOU.

I was able to answer almost all the questions except few factual questions.
My transcripts:

Name: KARTHIKEYAN S
IRTS 2017
Home town: Madurai
Hobbies: Travelling and Reading
Board “ Dr.Manoj Soni.
Chairman: Are you comfortable, if not you can remove either one of them (shield
or mask)

1. Where are you right now? Why did you not go back to madurai during
lockdown?
2. How is your IRTS life? what did you learn?
3. If it so happens that you are made to continue in railways will you be happy?
4. Tell me something interesting that happened during your childhood. Anything
that comes to your mind.

Member 1.
1. Other than meenakshi temple, what other temples are there in madurai.
2. Industries of madurai
3. Organ donations myths (DAF)
4. Have you met any recipient of organ donation
5. Technologies of railways
6. Mandate of CRIS

MEMEBER 2
1. Who audits Banks.
2. Who is an external auditor
3. Tell me one sector that has never progressed since independence
4. Labor laws
5. What drove you to civil services
6. ICAI vs NFRA
7. MSME reforms
8. How to revive economy during covid

Member 2
1. Safety in Indian railways
2. Again cutting-edge technology in Indian railways
3. IOT applications
4. Difference between ICF and LHB
5. What are thick web switches (follow up to 4th)
6. Covid and Indian Railways

Member 4.
Made fun of my accent (in a funny way though)
1. Problems in making calendar year as Financial year
2. Where all you've travelled
3. What's the last but one book you've read
4. Jim Corbett
5. Man eaters - Avni episode
6. If you're made chairman of CWC how will you solve KN TN water dispute - tell
me 3 principles
7. I give you 100 crores, where will you invest in railways

Chairman
Please show me your face (for verification)
Thank you, your interview is over - god bless you.

• Question 31 What qualities do you think are being tested in the Interview? Some strict
Do’s and Don’ts for the Interview for aspirants and Interview candidates?

Honesty and Integrity are the most important attribute checked in the interview. Apart
from this general awareness, curiosity, willingness to render service, service orientation is
also checked to an extent. There could be ups and downs in latter attributes but not in
Honesty and Integrity.

Dos and Don'ts.

1. Never ever overdo your DAF. Keep a low profile and build your image from scratch.
2. Never ever try to bluff or try to cheat the board. They are seasoned bureaucrats with
years of service more than our age. Bluffing does not work at all.
3. Be very very courteous. It is okay to be a little friendly, like for example I invited one
of the board members to my home town. It was appreciated. But do not loose the
etiquettes at any point.
4. Do your DAF thoroughly. You can't afford to say do not know to a question asked
about your DAF.
5. Develop perspectives on issues of national and international importance. What is
checked is not knowledge but the perspective.

• Question 32 Do you thing marks in school or college and the job experience can impact
one’s score in the Interview?

Marsk in School and College does not have any impact. But Job, yes. Most of the questions
would be in that area.

• Question 33 How was the interview experience? Was it predictable? How much did your
preparation help?
Over all it was on predictable lines. I developed Perspectives on all most all the events. By
perspectives, I mean the kind of stand that I would take for an issue. So, I was able to manage
all the questions.

• If this wasn’t your first attempt what mistakes you think you made in the previous
interviews?
Listed above as DONTs
Keep it simple, be humble, Develop Perspectives. JOB DONE.

Miscellaneous
• Question 34 How much internet did you use for your preparation? How much value
did it add?

Internet was indeed a backbone of my preparation. Current affairs videos, explained videos,
ted talks, Online courses, reading books, I owe my entire preparation to internet.

• Question 35 How did you balance so much resources and data? What Smart techniques
did you use to manage your preparation in a better manner?

By trusting the resource at hand. When I started preparing, I was told that rather than
reading 10 books, read one book at a time. This is applicable even now. Identify your
resources and stick to them no matter what. One should not get tempted to read other
resources, that are told by word of the mouth and keep changing the strategy.
I identified what works for me and stuck to that.

• Question 36 Did you make notes? Why yes or no? Did you find them any useful (if you
made them)?

I did make notes. Notes making is as important as reading the book itself. I used to do 3
stages of notes making

Stage 1: From Book as and when I read something important

Stage 2: Short notes from the previous notes
Stage 3: Only keywords to revise the day before examination.

• Question 37 What do you think is the most essential quality/qualities needed to clear
this exam?

1. Honesty and Integrity

2. Unrelenting Curiosity
3. Ability to do hard work
4. Ability to rise from failures and start from scratch
 • Question 38 Did you join any offline and/or online coaching? What relevance do you
find of coaching in preparation of this exam?

The purpose of any coaching institute is to show the path. Some institutes do a job good,
while a few institutes do a completely dishonest work. I would prefer aspirants to be very
careful in choosing the coaching academies. No doubt, coaching quickens our preparation and
reduces the no.of attempts, especially for those who are completely new to field like myself.

• Question 39 What is your advice to the young aspirants who look up to you?

UPSC is not a preparation. It’s a lifestyle. The preparation has to be built in your lifestyle. Live
like an officer to become an officer.

• Question 40 What did all hurdles you face while preparing for it? And how did you tackle
them

1. Lack of money: I still remember sleeping in Rajendra place Central park at night,
because my library was in Rajendra place and room was in Shadipur. To and fro would
take two three hours. Hence, I used to bring cloths and sleep the night in the park,
take bath in library washroom and start studying. So, money was the biggest hurdle.
2. Distractions. This includes everything that a person of our age would face. One has to
be stubborn enough to not to give way to these. I was very integral in these aspects
and promised myself to never indulge in cheap distractions until the goal is reached.
3. Failures. They're the biggest hurdles. But we should tune our mind in such a way that
it does not affect us. Success may be delayed but not denies to a hardworking
aspirant.

• Question 41 What role did Forumias play in your preparation?

• Question 42 Attach a picture of mine