UPSC Topper Vinay Tiwari Rank 193 - Civil Engineering Optional

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
[Topper’s Interview]
Vinay Tiwari (AIR-
193/CSE-2014) Civil
Engineering Optional,
IIT-BHU, hails from
Lalitpur UP
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5 years Ago
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1. Candidate Pro le
2. Education
3. Introduction
4. Electronic Vs Paper material
5. Tempo and style
6. Prelims (CSAT) General
studies
7. Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
8. Prelim accuracy

9. Mains: Compulsory
language paper
10. Mains: Essay
11. General Studies (Mains)
paper 1
12. General studies (Mains)
paper 2
13. General studies (Mains)
Paper 3
14. General Studies 4: Ethics,
Integrity, aptitude
15. GS4 Ethics case study
answers in Mains 2014
16. Mains answer-writing?
17. Mains Optional Subject
18. Before the interview
19. During the interview
20. CSE-2014 Marksheet
21. Career Backup
22. Views on UPSC reforms
23. Insecurity about pro le
24. Wisdom
25. Credit: Friends/family
26. BOGUS Marketing
Propaganda
Candidate Profile

Q. Details
Name VINAY TIWARI
Rank in CSE-2014 193
Roll No. 250219
Age 24
Total attempts in CSE

2
(including this one)
CIVIL ENGINEERING (CSE 2014)

Optional Subject
MATHEMATICS (IN CSE 2013)
Schooling Medium HINDI
College medium ENGLISH
Medium chosen for Mains

ENGLISH
answers
Medium chosen for

ENGLISH
Interview

LALITPUR (The city of dams J )
Home town/city
UP
Work-experience if any NO
IIT JEE 2008 AIR 4037; ESE

Details of other competitive
(ENGG SERIVICES) 2014 AIR 50;
exams, including
CSE 2013 Could not clear
success/failures
mains;
Joined Vajiram and Ravi for GS

Details of coaching, mock
in 2012 attended selectively;
tests, postal material for
Mains test series at vajiram in
any competitive exam (if
2014; Mock interview at
used)
Samkalp, Vajiram, chanakya.
IAS> IPS> IFS> IRS(IT)> IRS( C &

Service preferences (Top-5)
CE)
IAS -> UP> MP>RAJASTHAN>

state cadre preference (Top- GUJARAT>MAHARASHTRA
5) IPSà
UP>MP>RAJASTHAN>MAHARASHTRA>HARYANA
Education
ll the details here
% in class 10 71.33
% in class 12 76.22
B.TECH (CIVIL ENGG-2012).

Graduation course and %
-7.62/10 DGPA
Name of college, city, IIT-BHU, VARANASI.

passing out year 2012 PASSOUT
Post-graduation —
Any other professional

—
courses
Interacting with people; Yoga

Hobbies & Extracurricular
and meditation; Writes Hindi
achievements
Vyangya; Teaching.
Introduction

Q. Tell us something about
yourself, your family, when
and why did you enter in
this eld of competitive
exams?
Hello everyone! I belong to
Lalitpur district in
Bundelkhand region of UP. I
did my schooling up to class
8th from Saraswati Shishu
Mandir and class 9-10 from
Govt school of Lalitpur and
class 11-12 from Chanderi MP
all in Hindi medium up to
standard 12th. I was an
average student all through
my school days. After
qualifying IIT-JEE, I did my
B.TECH in civil engineering
from IIT-BHU Varanasi (The
city of Ghats). My family
background is agricultural.
During the last year of
graduation I was gravitating
towards civil services. The
underlying reason for this
inclination was the kind of job
satisfaction the services o er.
The amount of stress,
workload for my workaholic
personality and the diversity
of job in addition to the social
recognition all went in favour
of giving a try for civil services.
I was placed in JSPL as an
assistant manager during nal
year of engineering and I

wanted to prepare along with
the job so as not to put
further burden on the
shoulders of my farmer
father.
But I was wrong; a farmer’s
shoulders in India are no less
strong than the soldier’s. All
the credit for him to stand like
a rock behind me and giving
me strength to leave the
lucrative job in JSPL, he also
gave me a free-way in
preparation for all the
available attempts.
Electronic Vs Paper
material
Q. In recent times, there is

spur in electronic material-
blogs, sites, pdfs, RSS-feeds.
Many aspirants feel bogged
down by this information
overload. So, how much do
you rely on electronic
material and how much on
the paper material (Books,
newspapers)? If possible
narrate a typical day in your
studylife. What is your style
of preparation (e.g. I
continue making notes no
matter what I’m reading, I
just read multiple times but
don’t maintain notes, I
make mindmaps on
computer …or xyz style)

I have used the mix of physical
and digital world. At times I
too felt getting bogged down
by digital information
overload. But then I decided
to follow few selected
websites and to stick to them
only.
I did not have a proper plan of
study. I was and I am a much
unorganized person. I never
had a uniform man-hour
study circle. Given a day I did
study as max as 12 hrs or as
min as zero hrs. So I don’t just
think but it is my conviction
that these things do not
matter at all!!!
Regarding style of
preparation- I relied on
reading same book multiple
times for general studies.
Though I did underline
whatever I read. I tried making
daily notes from newspaper
but I was never successful for
more than 10-15 days. So I
relied on notes from
newspaper made by some of
my friends. For the vast
optional like civil engineering I
did prepare small notes
having conceptual crux and all
formulas. Also I tried to make
notes of whatever material I
read online and through PDFs.

Tempo and style
p y
Q. People know what books

and syllabus points are to
be prepared. But most of
them lack consistency in
their preparation. So, how
do you keep study
momentum going on? How
do you ght against the
mood swings and
distractions?
This is the cruelest question
that I kept on ghting during
my whole preparation years. I
was much inconsistent and
unorganized in preparation.
Mood swings and distractions
are natural phenomenon but
the cause varies from person
to person. If I wasted few
hours in distractions then I
multiplied it and wasted few
more hours. But the day when
I studied few good hours then
I did study for entire day. It
was/is the scenario for me.
I never had any option to lose
momentum for more than few
days. For motivation I kept on
thinking about the e ort of
my father and my burning
desire to serve the nation.
Prelims (CSAT) General

studies
Topic strategy/booklist/comment
History Ancient Vajiram class notes only 

History Medieval Left
OLD NCERT AND INDIA’S

History Modern STRUGGLE FOR
(Freedom Struggle) INDEPENDENCE BY BIPAN
CHANDRA
Selective reading of CCRT

notes, Nitin singhania
Culture and society
complete, Architecture from
Spectrum.
Vajiram class notes +

Polity (theory +
Laxmikant. PRS for current
current)
bills
Vajiram class notes,

Economy (theory +
Macroeconomy NCERT, The
current)
hindu updates
Revised basics of general

science from class 9th-10th
Science (theory +
NCERT. I would advise not to
current)
attend vajiram science classes.
It was a waste of time for me
The hindu survey of

Environment (theory +
environment of 2012, Google
current)
search, shankar IAS,
G C leong and NCERT + vaji

geography physical
notes
geography India Vajiram notes and NCERT
geography world Oxford Atlas
other PRS……Mrunal….did not focus

national/international much on current a air for
current a airs prelims
Schemes, Policy & Filler

Government websites
Stu
Q. Any observation /
comments / tips about GS
prelim 2014 paper?
I was busy in ESE 2014. I could

not prepare exhaustively for
GS. But there was a sailor in
those times known as CSATL.
Q. in GS-Prelims 2014, there
was unusual questions from
environment and
agriculture portion. If you
were to give the attempt
again in 2015, what new
strategy / books / sources
would you focus?
For environment it is very
uncertain. Still I would have
gone for multiple sources like
mrunal.org current articles on
environment, search for news
items related to ecology,
revising Shankar IAS one more
time and also reading class
12th bio NCERT selectively for
environment (last 4 chapters).
No idea for such questions
like Neem tree and vegetative
propagation in agriculture.
Q. Now that Aptitude paper
has become qualifying,
obvious more attention
needs to be paid on the GS
paper so apart from the
books that you already have
gone through, what else
would you have tried for
CSE-2015 (if you were going
to appear)?
Prepare current a air
exhaustively as lots of
schemes n all came since last

year.
I would not have skipped
ancient history NCERT by R S
Sharma; revised Shankar IAS
environment selectively few
more times.
Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude
Topic strategy / booklist
Maths Practice 2-3 papers
Reasoning Practice 2-3 papers
comprehension Read editorials in general
Practice previous year

Decision Making
questions
Q. Any observation /
comments / tips about GS
Aptitude 2014 paper.
I think most of the students
su er in comprehensions
because mathematics and
reasoning portions are quite
easy. For comprehensions
reading di erent writers and
developing connect with
di erent writing styles are
very important.
Prelim accuracy
Q1. Did you attend any

‘mock tests’? do you think
they’re necessary for
success?
NO….Not at all..
Q2. Approximate no. of

attempted answers vs.
correct answers. in CSAT-
2014
attempted Q. correct (Expected)
GS 81 54
aptitude 66 57
Q3. Your score in prelim

(when UPSC uploads it
please mail me your score)
UPSC has uploaded it.
GS-83
CSAT- 133
TOTAL – 216
Mains: Compulsory
language paper
Compulsory language Your preparation strategy /

paper booklist?
English paper Nothing
Hindi. I was a Hindi medium

student till class 12th and I
your regional write vyangya in Hindi so no
language problem at all.
Still we should attempt the
entire paper.
Q2.other observations / tips

/ comments on the length /
di culty level of
compulsory language
papers in CSE-2014
Try to write Hindi or regional
language uently whenever
you get leisure time.
For Hindi students listening 
PRIME TIME on NDTV with
Ravish Kumar can be useful as
he covers current issues while
speaking good Hindi.
Mains: Essay
Q1. How did you prepare for

the essay paper?
For essay we can read some
good books having idea
oriented content. I went
through the world is at and
Imagining India. I also
regularly read articles and
editorials from mint; frontline
and rstpost.com and noted
down any important idea,
concept and good expression.
I also wrote 4-5 essays before
mains examination and got
them evaluated by seniors
and friends.
Q2. Which two essays did

you write and what key
points did you include in it?
I wrote on Tourism and
Competition.
In tourism- started with PM’s 5
T concepts then outlined
di erent kind of tourism like
environmental tourism,
cultural tourism and their
relevancy for resource
crunched county like ours in
development. Then talked
about various challenges like 
law n order, infrastructure and
ended with a conclusion which
highlighted ways n means to
overcome such challenges
and how to harness full and
still unexploited potential of
tourism sector.
In competition- I did not write
a good essay in this. I wrote
mostly socially harmful
aspects of competition on
youth. I regret I could have
given wider perspective in this
essay.
General Studies (Mains)

paper 1
Topic How did you prepare?
Spectrum for Architecture,

complete Nitin singhania
photocopy on art and culture,
CCRT for literature.
Culture
I did not do class 11th NCERT
on art. I regret after seeing it. I
recommend class 11th NCERT
on ne arts.
Bipan Chandra- India’s

struggle for freedom.
Spectrum for revising the
same. And NCERT 12th
Indian history
modern history. First 6-7
chapters of NCERT are very
good. Vajiram and Ravi class
notes

Last 2 chapter of Class 9th
NCERT on world history, class
10th NCERT. Also read Arjun
world history Dev’s History of the modern
world. Used internet for
industrial revolution and few
other topics randomly.
Ram Chandra Guha’s India

After Gandhi. Bipan chandra’s
India since independence.
Videos of Pradhan Mantri on
YouTube. Used Wikipedia for
all important wars and
post-
famous events.
independence
I read India After Gandhi out
India
of curiosity. It can be avoided
but I think the social
connection and social analysis
of post independence India is
helpful for essay and
elsewhere.
Articles from newspaper on

Indian society
contemporary social issues.
Just search on Google the

role of women, syllabus points with dot pdf.
poverty etc. Read those few pdf and made
notes

syllabus points with dot pdf.
globalization on
Read those few pdf and made
Indian society
notes. Sometimes also made
notes from

communalism,
syllabus points with dot pdf.
regionalism,
Read those few pdf and made
secularism
notes
world geo G C Leong, And old physical

physical NCERT.
resource Old NCERT of resource

distribution distribution

factors for
industrial Google for this.
location
earthquake Vajiram and ravi class notes.

tsunami etc And G C LEONG
impact on ora-
Google
fauna
General studies (Mains)

paper 2
Topic How Did You Prepare?
Indian Laxmikant for Indian polity.

Constitution, The Hindu and Indian express
devolution, editorials relating to
dispute redressal contemporary constitutional
etc. issues.
comparing
ALS photocopy for this via a
Constitution with
friend.
world
parliament, state
Laxmikant and editorials.
Legislatures
executive-judiciary LAXMIKANT
ministries
——
departments
All this is current a air related

which can be covered in
newspaper editorials. Though
pressure group,
in my previous attempt I read
informal asso.
Vajiram’s volume 2 or 3 for
mains and that was a big
mistake.
Representation of
Google.
people’s act
various bodies:
Constitutional, Laxmikant and editorials
statutory..

Current a air related, The
NGO, SHG etc
Hindu
Schemes can be covered

welfare schemes, through Govt. websites and
bodies PIB and their analysis in
newspapers.
social sector, The Hindu or Indian express.

health, edu, HRD Google
The Hindu or Indian express.

governance,
Vajiram material part 2 or 3
transparency,
and it was again a waste of
accountability
time.

e-governance
Google
role of civil service The Hindu or Indian express
Vajiram class notes. Vajiram’s

IR material that comes just
before mains is a fantastic
booklet for IR. I thoroughly
India & neighbors
read PAX INDICA by Shashi
Tharoor. And I give it 5 stars. It
is just an awesome book both
for IR and essay content.

bilateral/global Pax Indica and vajiram IR
grouping printed material that comes
just before mains.

e ect of foreign
Pax Indica and vajiram IR
country policies
printed material that comes
on Indian interest
just before mains.
Diaspora ———————-

international
Pax Indica and vajiram IR
bodies- structure
printed material that comes
mandate
just before mains.
General studies (Mains)

Paper 3 
Uma kapila for Indian

economy. Vajiram class notes.
The Hindu. Economic survey’s
selective reading
One of my friends has been
Indian economy,
making notes from business
resource mobilization
standard. I took his help and
biz standard notes at the end
of month to prepare current
issues relating to economy
part.
Current a air + vision IAS

inclusive growth
print out on inclusive growth.
Budgeting Vision IAS material + Google
major crops, irrigation Vajiram class notes.
agro produce – Vajiram class notes+ few pdf

storage, marketing are there on google
Vajiram class notes+ few pdf

e-technology for
are there on google+
famers
Newspaper notes.
Uma kapila covers this topic +

farm subsidies, MSP notes from the hindu and
business standard
Uma kapila covers this topic +

PDS, bu er, food
notes from the hindu and
security
business standard
Vajiram class notes+ few pdf

technology mission
are there on google+
animal rearing
————–
economics
notes from the hindu and

food processing business standard + vision IAS
material on food processing
Bipan chandra’s india since

independence few chapters
land reforms
on land reform + economic
survey points on land reform 
Pdf from internet + economic
Liberalization
survey + Uma kapila
Pdf from internet + economic

Infra
survey + Uma kapila
investment models ———————-
Could not cover this topic. I

did not like reading the
science-tech day to day
Hindu’s sci tech page. So in
life
the end read vision IAS
science and tech material.

Indian achievements in
sci-tech

awareness in IT, space,
biotech, nano, IPR
Core of civil engg. I thoroughly

environmental impact
covered it in my optional
assessment
preparation
ARC report on disaster

Disaster Management
management.
Book on internal security by

non state actors, Ashok Kumar. Vajiram’s
internal security printed material on security +
the hindu notes

internal security – role
Ashok Kumar. Vajiram’s
of media, social
printed material on security +
networking site
the hindu notes

cyber security
the hindu notes

money laundering
the hindu notes

border Management
the hindu notes

organized crime, Ashok Kumar. Vajiram’s
terrorism printed material on security +
the hindu notes

security agencies- Ashok Kumar. Vajiram’s
structure mandate printed material on security +
the hindu notes
General Studies 4:
Ethics, Integrity,
aptitude
Ethics class notes of Mohanti

ethics and interface, family,
sir available in Delhi book
society and all the hathodaa
shops. Read Ethics book for
topics
UPSC by Subba Rao.

attitude, moral in uence etc.
UPSC by Subba Rao.

civil service: integrity,
impartiality, tolerance to weak
etc
UPSC by Subba Rao.

emotional intelligence, its use sir available in Delhi book
in governance shops. Read Ethics book for
UPSC by Subba Rao.
moral thinkers of India and Total 10-12 thinkers of both

world India and world

ethics in pub.ad, sir available in Delhi book
accountability, laws, rules etc. shops. Read Ethics book for
UPSC by Subba Rao.

corporate governance
UPSC by Subba Rao.

probity in governance, work sir available in Delhi book
culture shops. Read Ethics book for
UPSC by Subba Rao.

citizen charter, ethics code, sir available in Delhi book
work culture etc. shops. Read Ethics book for
UPSC by Subba Rao.

challenges of corruption
UPSC by Subba Rao.
Extensive discussion with my

friends on various case
case studies on above topics
studies from di erent test
series.
GS4 Ethics case study

answers in Mains 2014
Q. in GS4 ethics papers,

please give a sketchy
overview of your case study
answers:
Case your approach/ keypoints
It is di cult to recall same key

case1: your friend preparing
points that have been used in
UPSC
the exam!!!
case2: Rameshwar the uptight

—————–
UPSC topper.

case3: no bribe no contract. ——————-
case4: corrupt subordinates

le bogus rape complaint —————-
against you.
in the remaining bol-

bachchan type questions (e.g.
—————
why ethics important, why
probity di cult etc).
Mains answer-writing?
Please tell us how many

marks worth attempt did you
give? along with comments if
any, in the following cells:
Paper Best attempted Average quality namesake answer Total attempt
GS1 120 100 30 250
GS2 100 100 50 250
GS3 140 70 40 250
GS4 150 70 10 240
Opt-P1 160 50 — 210
Opt-P2 140 40 20 200
Q. What was your approach

in the exam (I wrote all, I
only focused on the
questions where I could
answer perfectly, I just not
to high quality points to
reach the word limit etc.)
Because the UPSC aspirant
Community is divided over
what counts as a ‘good’
paper. Some experts claim
you should attempt all- 
even if it involves “making
up” an answer with ller
lines, some claim attempt
only those questions you
know perfectly. Where do
you stand on this? [Based on
your experience and of your
seniors/buddies]
In my last attempt of CSE 2013
I could not attempt even more
than half of the
paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So this
time I decided to attempt
nearly the whole paper with a
view to write half of the
answers as best quality ones
and rest with whatever
knowledge, idea, related
concepts that I had. Though I
do not agree with the ller
lines concept but I would say
general observations and
analytical points can be
written even if one has a little
idea about the asked theme.
I also did not give due
importance to the “word limit
“prescribed in the paper. I
utterly breached it in some
questions and did not even
reach 75% of the limit in some
other questions.
Q. How was your experience
with the ‘ xed space’
answer sheet?
It will never be a constraint
even if you breach the word

limit.
Q. Did you write answers in
bullet points or in
paragraphs? Some players
(who cleared mains and got
interview call letter) were
claiming that they wrote
entire paper in bullet
points, so it doesn’t
matter….whether examiner
is asking ‘examine,
comment, discuss or
xyz’….simply write in bullets
and points.
I wrote in bullet points for
technically oriented part such
as geography, science & tech
while for history, society
related questions I went with
paragraph format.
Q. Did you follow the
“introduction-body-
conclusion” format?
because some mains-
quali ed candidates claim
they simply wrote the
points they could recall
within the time, instead of
bothering with proper
introduction and
conclusion.
I did not have time to muster
over any format. I just wrote
whatever was coming to my
mind though due to little
practice of answer writing not
many random or scattered

thoughts were coming to my
mind. Answer writing practice
is very important to this.
Answer writing not only
improves speed but also
improves the quality of
relevant material we can recall
or analysis that our mind can
do in those few 6-7 mins.
Q5. Did you use highlighters

/ sketchpens in your
answers?
I tried to do so but just
couldn’t do in all the papers. If
you do it well and good!!
Q6. Did you draw any

diagram in any paper? (e.g.
in GS1 Geography)
No.
Q7. If yes, Did you draw
diagrams with pencil or
pen?
Not Applicable
Q8. Did you use ruler to
draw the lines in diagram?
Or did you just make it by
hand?
Not Applicable
Q9. You wrote the answer in
blue pen or black pen?
Blue Pen. (Racer Gel and writo
meter)
(Mrunal – since readers keep
mailing such queries,

therefore I’m asking the
topper to clear all the air
haha.)
Mains Optional Subject
Q. What’s your optional

subject and why did you
chose it and not something
else?
This is a point where I did a
mistake earlier and realized
later. In CSE 2013 I had
mathematics as my optional
subject. I took it based on the
thought that I had a very good
score and command on
mathematics during IIT-JEE
preparation. But the syllabus,
approach and concepts for
mathematics optional was
quite di erent for CSE. In my
opinion, it is more inclined
towards abstract form of
concepts which I was not
comfortable with. And also I
didn’t give su cient time and
attention for mathematics in
my rst attempt. I could not
revise and practice whatever I
read and I literally broke down
a night before the optional
paper. I got 160 marks in
mathematics in CSE 2013.
Realizing my mistake and to
give my career a safe road I
took civil engineering after
CSE 2013 result came out. 
So I would suggest all to
choose optional subject based
only and only on their interest.
As, in my view, through
optional UPSC looks your
depth of knowledge in your
chosen eld and to have such
a depth you must have a great
level of interest in your
subject.
Concepts like scoring and
scaling seems to be too
abstract with respect to UPSC.
No one really knows what and
how they do it. Though you
may not nd many
recommended candidates
with optional like civil
engineering but I can assure
you that many candidates
have scored very good marks
in civil engineering. It is
scoring but the problem is the
width of the syllabus. To be
honest the way UPSC has
de ned the syllabus it is
equivalent to all the four GS
paper on one side and civil
engineering on the other. As
very few good scorers are
there so I would like to share
their marks with you. In 2013
Ashish Vasishtha (AIR 15) got
around 297 marks in civil
engineering optional. Earlier
my respected senior Trilok
Bansal sir had scored 374 and

360 out of 600 in CSE 2007-
2008. I, myself, have actually
bene tted a lot from Trilok
sir’s guidance and due to him
only I got 291 marks in
optional subject. In a nutshell I
am trying to break the myth
which has developed
regarding getting a good score
in civil engineering optional
subject.
Q. If a new player wants to

pick this subject, would you
advice for it or against it?
(e.g. every senior player in
Public Administration seems
to be advising against
pub.ad)
I would never advise against
the Civil Engg as the optional
subject. But you must have to
bear in your mind the
implications of vast syllabus of
civil engg on your GS and
essay preparation. In my point
of view considerable time line
of your preparation would be
taken up by civil engg so be
ready for it!!!!!!!
One major problem is there
regarding non availability of
any book or material having
solved questions asked
previously in civil services.
Because questions asked in
civil services are quite

di erent from ESE or forest,
so during preparation one
tends to get frustrate as he is
having no support and
authenticated answers. I am
trying to consolidate and
write solutions of all solved
questions asked in CSE in
last 10-15 years in a
structured book format
which would be useful for
candidates opting civil
engineering.
Another thing is that many
aspirants take this optional
the same way as their
preparation for ESE (Engg
services). The syllabus,
content, important topics,
approach all are drastically
di erent for Engg services,
forest services and civil
services. So before picking it
up go through the syllabus,
previously asked questions
and then only take the nal
call!!!!!!
Q. First the essential
book/resource list. (Also
mention which one is the
“Base book” for covering the
theory? + Whatever
comments you’ve for a
particular book e.g. “my
seniors said read xyz book
but I found that ABC book
was better”. “xyz topic not

given properly in this book,
so prepare from xyz website
or book…” OR and so on.)
Strategy to cover civil engg
optional subject for civil
services:
General Tips:
1: Syllabus is too wide. There
are some niche areas from
where questions are being
asked. Try to nd those grey
areas.
2: Fringe elements- I have
observed that UPSC asks
questions from the fringes of
such a vast ocean. Suppose
you are reading arches
chapter in structural analysis.
Till you reach the e ect of
settlement of support on the
stresses within the structure
you would have lost all of your
energy. They ask questions
from these fringes. So be
ready for it!!!!!
3- You need not cover all the
topics. We can’t actually cover
whole of all the topics. We
can’t also just leave any topic
entirely.
4- So I divided all the topics in
three classes – Class A- To
cover few topics completely!!!
Mean it literally completely!!! I
must have good conceptual
command as well as ngertips
formulae and intensive

practice for these topics.
5- Class B- In these topics I
would not go for intensive
practice rather I will just try to
make sure that No easy
question, concept, topic,
formulae should be left
untouched. I will leave and do
not touch those chapters
which I am not comfortable
with. For example In Soil
Mechanics I never ever
understood the shear stress
chapter so I left it at all!!!
6- Class C- In these topics, my
strategy were to solve
only and do not cover topics
reading whole book. In some
topics you would be having a
fair idea that not much new
questions can be generated so
even if we solve previous
questions it is well and good.
For example I was not that
good in RCC so I just make
sure that all the kinds of
questions asked in RCC from
beam and retaining wall are
being handled and also I tried
to cover code-based basic
questions in RCC.
7- Element of unpredictability
is there even in the way of
setting the paper. So never
make yourself rigid that I
wouldn’t attempt question of

this or that topic. Given a
situation you need to befriend
any topic.
8- Selecting 5 out of 8
questions in the exam is also a
great art. Don’t choose all
objective or all theoretical
ones. A judicious mix of both
works better.
9- Formulae fear- The number
and the complexity of
formulae are also a big
headache. For this, a month
before the exam, I tried to
recall and write on paper
di erent formulae of di erent
topics on daily basis for
continuously 30 days.
10- Short handy revision
notes- We must have our own
hand made short notes of
formulae and important
concepts to revise in last 10
days. The amount of stress
during last 15 days is very
much. There is all probability
of buckling under that
pressure as the syllabus is
really huge…huge!!!!
11- Syllabus should also be on
your ngertips. Keep in mind
whatever topic they are
touching it is mentioned in the
syllabus. So make sure no
such topic is left out of your
visibility!!!
12- Make a repository of

and categorize them topic
wise- chapter wise- even sub
heading or sub topic wise. It is
really important. I have my
repository that I will soon
share with you all. But the
thing is even before starting a
chapter, go through all of the
questions asked it will
smoothen your approach and
will be less time consuming.
13- Do not; do not run for
number of books for any
topic. Even if you do make
sure you are reading one topic
from a single book only.
14- Practice not only
numerical from the previously
asked questions but also
theoretical questions. For
chapters like building
construction and material
they really have asked some
of the good theoretical ones.
Try to answer them in limited
words and directly.
15- This is a subjective paper.
Bear in your mind that your
optional paper evaluation is
relative. So be better than
others.
16- Use gures, elaborate as
optimally as you can. Try to
have applicative approach in
general.
17- Some favourite topics of

UPSC are to be found out. For
example UPSC loves to ask
from Retaining wall, secant
formulae, and septic tank. Do
practice them exhaustively.
18- One last yet very
important point – always
remember while studying that
you are utilizing your scarce
time resource. So make sure
that the topic which you are
preparing you would be able
to attempt it in given time
during the exam time. Even if
a hint is there that how so
much you study it is di cult
or not prudent to attempt this
topic in the exam, just DO
NOT READ THAT TOPIC. LEAVE
IT FOR GOD SAKE.
Book and resource list:

Paper 1- This paper will take
less of your time and e orts
and will give you good output
provided you are very strong
with your concepts. And you
have covered many lesser
known formulas or concepts
(For ex: This year they asked
Immediate Settlement of
footings using in uence
factor)
1. Engineering Mechanics- If you

are opting for civil engineering
you must have no problem in
this part. No need for

referring to any book. Just
solve all 10-15 years asked
questions and discuss with
your friends. Still for
refreshing old concepts refer
selected chapters of Irvin
Shames engineering
mechanics.
1. Strength of Materials- This
topic is really very scoring.
Timoshenko for conceptual
part and Ramamurtham to
practice. Focus on fringe
topics of bending and shear
stress.
1. Structural Analysis- C. K. Wang
intermediate structural
analysis for concepts and
Ramamurtham to practice.
1. Structural Steel Design: UPSC
is making fun of us by asking
both limit state (new code)
and working stress (old code)
method. That’s why this topic
has become one of the
lengthiest. Books are N.
Subramanian, Duggal and IS
Code.
1. Design of concrete and
masonry structures: I left
masonry design. Covered RCC
from S N Sinha and Prestress
concrete from N. Raju.
1. Fluid Mechanics: It can be
covered from Modi And Seth.
It is just an awesome book.
Remember to cover

derivations of eulers, navier-
strokes etc. As this is relatively
easy so fringe topics becomes
important. Boundary layer
and Turbulent ows are also
dear to UPSC.
1. Open Channel: It is one of
the easiest and scoring one. K.
Subramanya is a good book to
cover this topic.
1. Hydraulic Machines and
Hydropower: I found it to be a
class B type. Modi and Seth
covers the topic. But still many
times UPSC asks questions
way tough than what have
been given in modi and seth.
So those who want to
complete it try to study it
through mechanical engineer
friends of yours. Remember to
cover water power it is
relatively easy!!
1. Geotechnical Engineering :
Shear strength, foundation,
and Earth pressure are
frequently asked. Gopal
Ranjan should be referred for
tough topics for conceptual
purposes and S K GARG for
practicing UPSC type
questions!!!
PAPER 2- This paper is

relatively easy to understand
but di cult to cover. It is also
very scoring. Devote

considerable time and energy
it will give you more than
expected outcome.
2.1- Construction
Technology, Equipment,
Planning and management:
For general materials refer
Rangwala building material.
For materials like ferro
cement and speci c use
materials use internet and
make your own notes.
For Building construction

parts refer Sushil Kumar. For
machinery and equipment
portion refer U K Shrivastava’s
book on construction planning
and management.
For construction planning and

management and CPM/PERT
also I found U K Shirvastava to
be a best one!!!
2.2- Surveying and

Transportation engineering:
Surveying was class C topic for
me. Photogrammetric
surveying is frequently asked
area which is also easy to
cover. Refer B C Punmia’s all
three volumes for rest of the
topics.
For Railway Engineering also I

read only previously asked
questions. It is time 
consuming to go through
entire book as the range of
questions are limited so just
read previous questions and
answers.
For Highway Engineering

Khanna and Justo should be
done completely. Special
attention is required for
Tra c studies and Design
formulae.
2.3- Hydrology, Water

resources and engineering:
Refer K Subramanya’s book on
hydrology.
UPSC loves ground water ow
and ask diverse question form
this topic. For ground and
surface water resources,
Reservoir engineering and
Irrigation Engineering refer B
C PUNMIA’s book on irrigation
and water power engineering.
Do cover all the theoretical
questions of irrigation though
some of them may require
little search on internet. Do it.
It is easy and scoring. Do not
fall for questions like design of
Sharda fall etc. They are
questions which are not to be
attempted.
2.4- Environmental
Engineering: S K GARG’s both
volumes on environment 
engineering are best of all. In
this the component of civil
services is there like focus on
quality parameter of drinking
water, disease related items,
intake of water structures etc.
Focus on solid waste
management is required. EIA
and waste disposal also gets
due attention.
Q. How much of internet-

research / current a airs is
necessary for this optional?
OR can one simply rely on
the books and be done with
this subject
It is bizarre that internet-
research is required even for
civil engg optional. Because
the way they have de ned
syllabus and non-availability
of books targeting syllabus
speci cally to civil services
make it important to do
internet research.
Q. How many months did it
take to nish the core
optional syllabus?
YES. IT IS TIME CONSUMING. It
may eat up your time meant
for GS and essay. If you have
not done ESE syllabus then 6-8
months are required to cover
it from zero. And if you have
already quali ed engineering

services than 4 months are
enough!!
Q. How many days/ weeks
before the exam, you
started answer writing
practice?
You have to be in answer
writing or solving the question
right from the rst day!!
Q. Do you maintain self-
notes for revision of
optional? In which format-
electronic or paper?
Self-Notes
Q. Your observation about
the di cultly level of 2014
mains vs previous papers.
And what precautions /
recti cations are necessary
in the future strategy for
given optional subject?
Both 2013 and 2014 civil
engineering papers were
unique. They were di erent
from the trend in their
structure. So caution is
structure will keep on
changing but the core will be
the same forever!!!!
Before the interview
Q1. How did you prepare for

the interview? – for college
grad, hobbies, place of
origin, current a airs at
national and international
level? 
I had a study group. All of
them were either my college
mates or seniors.
We all prepared together for
interview. We INTERVIEWED
each other. Asking questions
and forming opinions.
For me college graduation was
important as I have not been
working anywhere since
graduation. But I had my
engineering background as
my optional subject so no
problem at all. But I would
advice all to prepare
graduation background as it
carries considerable weight
and image.
Being related to farmer
background from
bundelkhand I had to prepare
this exhaustively. As farmer
suicide issue was in news at
that time. I met the DM of my
district, understood
agricultural pro le and
reasons of distress particularly
in Lalitpur and other
Bundelkhand areas.
Regarding hobbies, I
interacted with seniors and
friends and tried to answer
their questions. Then search it
on internet. Try to get as many
as possible questions relating
to your hobbies.
Newspapers were best to

cover current a airs. I would
recommend reading 3-4
newspapers on the D-Day.
Q2. Did you attend any
mock interviews by
coaching classes? How were
they similar / di erent than
o cial interview? Do you
believe it is necessary to
attend such mock
interviews?
I also attended few mock
interviews in institutes like
samkalp, vajiram and
chanakya.
Not necessary but they are
shock absorber. Also it is not
wise to give too many mocks.
Only 2-3 are required to
overcome fear factor.
Q3. Describe the formal-

dress worn by you in
interview.
Shirt, trouser and black shoes.
Q4. Where did you stay for
the interview? (Hotel /
friend’s home …) and what
books/material did you
bring for the ‘revision before
interview’?
Friend’s Room.
During the interview
Q1. Who was the chairman

of you interview board?
Alka Sirohi ma’am 
Q2. How long was the
interview?
20-25 minutes
Q3. Why do you want to join
civil service? Why don’t you
continue in your graduation
eld? Social service can be
done from private sector
too. [Since I don’t know
whether they ask you this
question or not. But if they
had asked- what will be
your reply?]
No they did not ask me this
question.
Q4. Please narrate your

entire interview- what
questions did they ask and
what did you reply and
other pleasant or
uncomfortable experiences
during the interview.
(Earlier some toppers only
tell me their question but
not their answer. I would
appreciate if you give both
Question + your original
answers)
It was my rst interview for
civil services.
My interview experience as it
went on 8th June 2015 from
2:05 pm to 2:30 pm.
I reached UPSC just at 1:00
pm. Got entry and document
veri cation completed till

1:45pm.
I was just relaxing there
suddenly the clerk came with
the list and my name was on
top. I was getting more and
more nervous as he also did
not tell me the name of the
panel.
He called me at 2 pm and got
me seated near the alka
sirohi’s room.
For next 5 minutes to
overcome nervousness I was
murmuring my favourite “
Aarambh hai prachand” and
“Aashaayen from IQBAL
movie” song to get some
con dence. Till now I have lost
myself since I have heard a lot
about alka ma’am and her
marking pattern. Two of my
close friends have also got the
same board. So dreams
started shattering.
Then he opened the door and
called me.
I wished Alka ma’am rst and
then all other members.
Me: good afternoon ma’am.
Good afternoon sirs.
CP: Good afternoon Vinay.
Please take your seat.
CP: So you practice yoga and
meditation. Tell me what is
meditation?
Me: (despite preparing and
knowing it well. I could not

answer in a structured
manner coz of nervousness)
yes ma’am. Meditation is
about concentrating our
energy and freeing mind from
multiple scattered thoughts to
one.
CP: How it helps you?
Me: yes ma’am. It makes my
mind calm, focused and free
from unnecessary thoughts.
It also helps to synergize body
and mind.
CP: what is transcendental
meditation?
Me: yes ma’am. The
transcendental meditation
involves use of mantras. For
example meditating with the
“om” sound.
CP: Which yoga or aasanas
you practice?
Me: yes ma’am. I practice
surya namaskar.
CP: How many aasanas are
there in surya namaskar?
Me: 12.
CP: Can you name them?
Me : yes ma’am. It starts from
pranamasan which is a prayer
pose.
Then there is hastauttanasana
i.e. the raised arm pose.
Then hastapadasana,
ashwasanchalasana,
dandasana, ashtanga
namaskar.

CP interrupted..okay…..
CP: Tell me what you have
been doing since your
graduation?
Me : yes ma’am. I graduated in
2012 and I have been
preparing for services since
then and also teaching
students to manage
expenditure.
CP: okay, and directed
towards member 1.
M1: you said through yoga

you control your body and
mind both. How you do it?
Me: (though I have said
something he has interpreted
something else) yes sir. Then I
don’t remember exactly what I
answered but said something
like it increases both mental
stamina and physical stamina
etc…
(He was not satis ed at all)
M1: Are you comfortable for a
talk on international trade?
Me: (no option) I have to reply
in a rmative.
M1: Tell me the kind of shift
that you can observe in the
pattern of international trade
over a decade or two?
Me: (there started the
disaster) yes sir. Since last 2
decades the international
trade has shifted towards

asia-paci c region and has
challenged the western
domination of trade
M1 interrupted no no…its not
that
Me: sorry sir, there is also a
problem. Not all trade
partners have equal say on
international platform like
WTO ……..he again
interrupted…No no..you are
wrong.
(Having answered wrong two
times. I was just lost.
Recollected myself and tried
again)
Me: ohh sorry sir, it’s not that.
Countries have equal say in
WTO and that’s what stalling
global trade, for example the
stalemate in Doha round
regarding AOA. So to avoid
this all now the new pattern in
trade can be seen like signing
of agreements like ITA, TTIP,
RCEP and TPP.
M1: Yes….now you are on the
track.
M1: so what would you call it?
Me: sir it’s kind of regional
arrangement for trade. It is
not possible to take all
countries on board to have
multilateral trade.
M1: In which one India is
interested and why?
Me: yes sir, India is interested

in RCEP and currently is part
of ongoing negotiations with
countries onboard RCEP. Sir
India looks at RCEP to boost
its service exports and to
facilitate investment from
ASEAN countries. India can
also avail RCEP as a platform
to improve its economic and
strategic status in Asia-Paci c.
M1: what is the issue with
TPP?
Me: Sir, it is US led
arrangement. India, not on
par with the developed
countries on the issues of
environmental, Labour and
IPR aspects, do not nd itself
in a position to match the
regulatory standards of TPP.
M1: Why has china been
interested in joining these
trading arrangements?
Me: Sir in recent times china’s
growth has slowed down. It is
looking at these arrangements
to boost its economy. It also
wants to increase its weight in
international geopolitics.
M1: What about silk route?
Me: Yes sir. Silk route both
land and maritime are also
china’s e ort to promote its
export and investment in the
region by developing
infrastructure and
connectivity.

M1 wanted to ask further but
CP directed towards M2.
M2: how did you come from
your home to Delhi?
Me: By train sir.
M2: which train?
Me: (I was surprised, I couldn’t
understand what he is exactly
asking) 22181, JBP-NZM sir.
M2: What did you see in your
journey?
Me: Sir, I was thinking about
my interview and nervous
about it. So I slept early and
woke up at destination.
M2: No….No….you must have
observed something about
railways?
Me: Yes sir. There was no
water in the taps at the
platforms in my district. Safety
was also not up to the mark.
Narrated the recent incident
of loot in the same train. And
then the speed issue, to cover
a distance of 480 km it took 9
hrs for a superfast train.
(I recalled that I did not give
even a single positive point
about railways.L. so now
moderated my answers
accordingly to imbibe positive
points)
M2: So you want high speed
trains?
Me: Yes sir, though there are
trains like bpl-ndls shatabdi

which runs at good speed. Still
we require speed
improvements via existing
track improvements on many
routes.
M2: what is the speed of
Shatabdi?
Me: sir its highest speed is
160km/hr though the average
speed is around 90km/hr.
M2: what are the speeds of
high speed bullet trains?
Me: sir, they run at around
350km/hr.
M2: In which countries it is?
Me: sir, it is there in Japan
Maglev Trains, in China, in
France……..he interrupted
M2: Have you heard about
dedicated corridors?
Me: Yes sir. Presently there
are two dedicated corridors,
eastern and western, to be
used as freight corridor. Their
aim is to segregate freight
tra c from passenger and to
facilitate faster movements of
goods.
M2: Suppose you have two
options either to improve
speed for freight trains or for
passenger trains which one
you do rst if the resources
are limited?
Me: Yes sir, rstly I would
prefer improving speed on
freight tra c using limited

resources. The faster
movement of goods will then
result into faster economic
growth. Increased resources
can then be used for
improving speed on
passenger routes.
M2 nodded towards CP and
CP directed to M3
M3 asked 2 questions back to
back. I requested him to
repeat it but even after
repetition could not even
understand the question let
alone answering it!!!!
This was the most nervous
scene of the story. I was
feeling like coming out of a
crushing mill. All of them were
staring at me. I unconsciously
asked CP “ma’am may I take
some water”
CP: yes….yes…. you take it. It’s
very hot outside.
M3: Ok. Are you alright?
Me: yes sir.
M3: what are the issues in
primary education?
Me: sir, though we have
achieved a higher level of
enrollment but the learning
outcomes are very poor.
Infrastructure is also not
adequate. We need functional
infrastructure. In many
schools there are toilets but
not water!!

M3: can you quote any report
regarding learning outcomes?
Me: yes sir. ASER report is
there.
M3: what about inclusive
studies in primary schools?
Me: yes sir. This is also serious
issue. If the teacher is caste or
gender biased with respect to
students then it is di cult to
enhance learning levels of
students belonging to
marginalized sections like
SC/ST, OBC, Women, and
Minority etc.
CP directed to M4
M4: Discussed a long case
study regarding expenditure
incurred in wedding,
celebrations etc. Long cross
questioning followed.
Me: In crux I replied
“Ma’am if the expenditure
incurred stimulates economic
activity in the economy then in
my point of view it is ethical.
For example expenditure in a
wedding if done prudently can
create employment for others.
But the irrational wastage of
money is not only unethical
but can also be in ationary!!”
CP: How much of civil
engineering do you
remember? I will ask basics.
Me: yes ma’am.
CP: Have you ever been to

Kolkata?
Me: no ma’am.
CP: Howrah Bridge is which
kind of bridge?
Me: ma’am it is truss
suspended Cantilever bridge.
CP: okay. And the Vidyasagar
Setu?
Me: Ma’am it is cable stayed
bridge with use of steel
pylons.
CP: what is setting of cement
and its initial setting time?
Me: 30 mins.
CP: and nal setting time?
ME: 10 hrs ma’am.
CP: When we should use raft
foundation?
Me: to avoid di erential
settlement we use raft
foundation.
CP: any other reason?
Me: When the spacing
between isolated footings is
too less then mat foundation
proves to be economical.
CP: Your interview is over.
Me: Thank you ma’am. Thank
you sirs.
Q5. Was your interview on
the expected lines of what
you had prepared or did
they ask you totally
unexpected questions? Was
it a stress interview, did
they ask any uncomfortable
questions? If yes, how did

you handle it?
Interview was quite
predictable like questions
from hobbies and graduation
subject. Stress is natural in
UPSC interview. They did not
ask any uncomfortable
questions.
Q6. Any side details about
technicalities like “make
sure you bring xyz
document or do xyz thing,
or you’ll face problem”?
Just carry 10th certi cate and
educational quali cation
certi cate along with your
photos.
Q7. Any word of wisdom /
observations about medical
checkup?
Do not mess up with the
health personnel in
government hospitals.
CSE-2014 Marksheet
Q1. Please attach both

prelim and nal marksheet.
(when it comes)
Prelims GS 83 CSAT 133
TOTAL= 216
Mains
Subjects Marks
Essay (Paper-I) 117
General Studies -I (Paper-Ii) 95
General Studies -Ii (Paper-Iii) 73 

General Studies -Iii (Paper-Iv) 78
General Studies -Iv (Paper-V) 98
Optional-I (Civil Engg.) (Paper-

159
Vi)
Optional-II (Civil Engg.) (Paper-

132
Vii)
Written Total 752
Personality Test 184
Final Total 936
Q2. After looking at the

marksheet, suppose you
had to prepare again next
time, what changes will you
make in your studies?
I would have worked to
improve my score particularly
in Essay and GS 2 AND 3.
Career Backup
Q1. If you were not selected,

what was your career
backup plan?
I have attempted engineering
services examination (UPSC)
2014. It was only to give my
career a safe road.
Views on UPSC reforms
Insecurity about profile
Q. Many candidates prepare

sincerely but constantly live
under fear about ‘pro le
insecurity’. I’m not from a 
big college, I’m not from
English medium, and I don’t
have work-experience. What
if they ask some stressful
questions in the interview
about this? Did you su er
from such insecurities?
What is your message to
these candidates?
These things do not matter at
all. Yes at psychological level it
really matters. Break these
bondages. Many people from
diverse background such as
Hindi Medium, Low Pro le
College and with zero work
experiences have already
established their feat!!!!
I have also studied in Hindi
Medium in government school
till class 12th and had zero
work experience. UPSC is
really the sacrosanct
institution.
Wisdom
Q. Through this struggle and

success, what have your
learned? What is the
wisdom of life and
competition? What is your
message to the new
aspirants?
I have learnt the 3 S formulas.
Sangharsh, Soch aur
Sakaratmakta.
(Struggle, Vision and 
Positivity). Out of these
positivity is utmost important
wisdom for competition.
For new aspirants, 1- develop
right perspective, 2- Be
con dent, 3- This exam in my
view is more about your
re ection, analysis and
thoughts. Keep developing
these.
Q. Many hardworking
candidates have failed in
Mains/Interview of CSE-
2014. They’re feeling cynical,
hopeless and depressed-
what is your message to
them?
Don’t be so. It is just an exam.
Success and failure in it
doesn’t say anything about
you, your personality or
capabilities. The journey is
more interesting and
enriching than the
destination. Enjoy the phase,
enjoy the study, then you will
feel lighter during
preparation. Stress study
should be avoided. I have
written two lines to keep
myself motivated.
“जीवन अपार है संभावनाओ का सार है।
तू खोजते चल ऐ राही बस इतना समझ
रा ता जीत और मं जल हार है।
Credit: Friends/family

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many people who stood by
during those uncertain
times when he/she was
merely an ‘aspirant’. Would
you like to tell the world,
who was those people in
your case? Any speci c
incidence that you would
like to share with the
readers?
I thank my father (Papa) for
giving me best opportunity of
education. He has been the
bedrock support. Thank you
maa, bhaiya, didi for having
faith in my e orts. Thank you
all the friends, teachers,
seniors, juniors, IITBHU mates
who have helped me a lot in
the preparation.
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I referred mrunal.org for few
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
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115 Comments on
“[Topper’s
Interview] Vinay
Tiwari (AIR-193/CSE-
2014) Civil
Engineering
Optional, IIT-BHU,
hails from Lalitpur
UP”
RANJEET REPLY
CHOUDHARY
CONGRATULATION
VINAY SIR
SIR I HAVE PURCHESED
CIVIL ENGINEERING
QUESTION BANK
published by
SATISH&BROTHERS
PUBLISHER.my
problem is that i am
not getting solution of
this book,so please
help me to get solution
of same.
i have cleared pt of civil 
services 2016
sir i am need of
solution please help me
thank you
Aishwarya REPLY
Sir
Could you please mail
me the repository of
previously asked
questions?
Email ID:
dollychopra50@gmail.com
(mailto:dollychopra50@gmail.com)
sumanth REPLY
congratulations sir
I would like to civil

engineering as an
optional
please send me answer

for the previous
question papers
sumanth.9666@gmail.com (mailto:sumanth.9666@gmail.com)
TUKU TANDI REPLY

Sir , I’m preparing for
CSE 2017 , Please send
me 15 years of Civil
Engg sloved question
papers. I’ll be grateful
to you.
srimanikandan REPLY
Please share the solved

questions or send the
links to download it sir
My mail id is
srimani.ias@gmail.com
(mailto:srimani.ias@gmail.com)
VRUSHALI REPLY
Vrushali , sir please

send me the last 10
Years qp For preparing
CSE – civil engineering
as optional
Ajay kumar keshri REPLY
I am from iitbhu I am
facing problem in
solving previous year
paper is need the

solution my I’d is
ajayandkeshri@@Gmail.
Com
Sakshi REPLY
Congrats Sir, I too

belong to Bundelkhand
and doing civil
engineering. I m
preparing for IAS and
want to choose civil
engineering as my
optional subject.As
there is a di culty of
solved previous
years.So kindly mail it
to me at
parmar.sakshi02@gmail.com
(mailto:parmar.sakshi02@gmail.com).
I ‘ll be grateful.
Manohar Patrey REPLY
Congrates sir ,I would

like to a civil
engineering as my
optional subject ,pls
give me previous year
questions paper and if
possibility that give me
notes sir….thank you

sonu panwar REPLY
Hello Sir,
Will you please provide
me the last 15 years
solution of civil services
paper of civil
engineering.
Thank you so much,
Your this gesture will
more motivate us
towards the target.
My email id:
sonupanwar24@gmail.com
(mailto:sonupanwar24@gmail.com)
Madhurima REPLY
Did any of you get a

reply from Sir?
SUBHANJAN REPLY
GHATAK
Congratulations sir..It
would be a warm
gesture if you would
share the solutions of
the previous years
questions asked in upsc
civil services civil
engineering optionals .
- 
johnghatak@gmail.com
(mailto:-
johnghatak@gmail.com)
Azmat REPLY
Sir plz help me out

whether civil engg is
best optional subject or
not i m so confused i m
gud at it but not better
SatyA REPLY
Congratulations Sir, I
am new aspirant and
want to take civil
engineering as my
optional, can you
provide me with the
previous year question
paper with solutions
and other reference
material.
Thanks
Satya Priya Rishabh
satyapriyarishabh@gmail.com
(mailto:satyapriyarishabh@gmail.com)
Ijaz REPLY

Congratulations sir,
I am preparing for CSE
with Civil as optional.
It would be very
helpful, if u mail me the
solutions of previous
year papers
ijaz.00@gmail.com
(mailto:ijaz.00@gmail.com)
Thank you.
Kanhaiya pandey REPLY
Sir ,can u Plz suggest

me the coaching name
for civil engineering as
an optional paper… ???
ram REPLY
bhayya give me the full

name of civil engg
books u re ered please
! there are many books
for same subject by
same author!
Gangadhar REPLY

Sir I’m complete civil
engineering…u should
tell the how prepare for
IAS 2017 AND which is
optional syllabus
ronaq REPLY
can anyone share

contact of vinay tiwari
sir ,
Ashwin Ande REPLY
Sir , this blog has now

made me 100%
con dent of cracking
CSE with civil
engineering as optional
. No more ‘what if’s ‘
from now on. As you
have mentioned i
would de nitely try to
develop the 3 S mantra
during this course .
I’m also looking
forward for the CSE 10-
15 years solved
question paper
material which you are
preparing . Hope it
gives a boosting for the

burning aspirants to
refer 30 days of the
exam
Aditya REPLY
THANK YOU SIR
Need solutions for

pratice.
My E-mail ID :-
365aditya.ad@gmail.com
(mailto:365aditya.ad@gmail.com)
jasmine REPLY
thank you sir for your

guidance related to civil
engineering optional,
sir I have started
preparing for same you
talked about facilitating
notes and books of
previous year
questions so if you
could make it soon I’ll
appear for ias 2019.
any kind of help would
be highly appreciated.
ANSHU SINGH REPLY 

Thanks sir, your
experience really
solved lots of queries of
mine. Sir, please do
one more favour , sir
plzz share previous
question papers with
answers.
Kailas Bhakand REPLY
Sir,for paper-1 of civil

engineering required
calculator for solving
numericals but
nowhere mentioned
about its permission
please help me in this
regard.
Thank you
Akash REPLY
Sir, please share solved

question papers.
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UPSC Topper Vinay Tiwari Rank 193 - Civil Engineering Optional

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Name VINAY TIWARI

Rank in CSE-2014 193

Roll No. 250219

Total attempts in CSE

CIVIL ENGINEERING (CSE 2014)

Schooling Medium HINDI

College medium ENGLISH

Medium chosen for Mains

Medium chosen for

IIT JEE 2008 AIR 4037; ESE

Joined Vajiram and Ravi for GS

IAS> IPS> IFS> IRS(IT)> IRS( C &

IAS -> UP> MP>RAJASTHAN>

ll the details here

B.TECH (CIVIL ENGG-2012).

Name of college, city, IIT-BHU, VARANASI.

Any other professional

Interacting with people; Yoga

Q. In recent times, there is

Q. People know what books

Prelims (CSAT) General

History Ancient Vajiram class notes only 

OLD NCERT AND INDIA’S

Selective reading of CCRT

Vajiram class notes +

Vajiram class notes,

Revised basics of general

The hindu survey of

G C leong and NCERT + vaji

geography India Vajiram notes and NCERT

geography world Oxford Atlas

other PRS……Mrunal….did not focus

Schemes, Policy & Filler

Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude

Topic strategy / booklist

Maths Practice 2-3 papers

Reasoning Practice 2-3 papers

comprehension Read editorials in general

Practice previous year

Q1. Did you attend any

attempted Q. correct (Expected)

Q3. Your score in prelim

Compulsory language Your preparation strategy /

English paper Nothing

Hindi. I was a Hindi medium

Q2.other observations / tips

Q1. How did you prepare for

Q2. Which two essays did

General Studies (Mains)

Topic How did you prepare?

Spectrum for Architecture,

Bipan Chandra- India’s

Ram Chandra Guha’s India

Articles from newspaper on

Just search on Google the

Just search on Google the

Just search on Google the

world geo G C Leong, And old physical

resource Old NCERT of resource

earthquake Vajiram and ravi class notes.

General studies (Mains)

Topic How Did You Prepare?