Mrunal (Strategy) UPSC Civil Service Exam - Part 4 of 5) - Time Management, Coaching, Optional Subjects Mrunal

4/4/2014 Mrunal [Strategy] UPSC Civil Service Exam (Part 4 of 5): Time Management, Coaching, optional subjects » Mrunal
[Strategy] UPSC Civil Service Exam (Part 4 of 5): Time Management,

Coaching, optional subjects
1. Act IV: Conquering your own brain

2. Doubt: Should I join coaching class or not?
3. Option one: You study back home without Coaching
4. Option two : You go to Delhi to attend coaching.
5. If You join a class
6. #1 don’t take mock tests lightly
7. #2 Classmates are not your enemies
8. #3 clarify your doubts
9. #4 follow up action immediately
10. #5 Never remain absent
11. If you don’t join a class
12. #1: don’t feel guilty
13. #2: Self control
14. #3: Company
15. Doubt: Optional subjects will be removed or not?
16. Doubt Hindi Medium aspirant
17. Doubt Non-Hindi, Non-English Medium aspirant
18. Doubt: Inferiority complex
19. Future Candidates Still in College
20. Doubt: Taking a job / PG
21. Doubt: Working Professionals: Leave the job or not?
22. #A: you leave the job
23. #B: you can’t leave the job
24. #1: Rent a room close to office
25. #2: Burn the midnight lamp
26. #3 Use pendrive
27. #4 Use mobile
28. Time Management
29. Mood swings
30. Technical doubts
Act IV: Conquering your own brain

You already know the mindset of your enemy: Act I
you already know the weapons required to defeat him: Act II
you already know how to effectively utilize the weapons: Act III
http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-ips-ifs-part4-time-management-coaching-optionals.html/print/ 1/16
but before you defeat him, you must conquer your own brain, cleanse it from all the
doubts and weaknesses. Else you cannot concentrate in studies. The first and foremost
doubt, faced by every new player:
Doubt: Should I join coaching class or not?

Answer is: If you’ve the time, money and mood, join them, else don’t feel guilty or
inferior about it.
I’m copy pasting the Cost comparision by Mr.Gokul G R (IAS, AIR 19, CSE-2010)
Option one: You study back home without Coaching

1. General Studies
1. Books : Rs. 3000 – 4000

2. Newspapers : Rs. 250 monthly ( Total : 6000 for 2 years; you will anyway
subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
3. Periodicals : around 1500
4. Internet Net connection : 250 per month ( Total : 6000; you will anyway
subscribe, whether you are preparing or not)
5. Total Cost : Around 17000 ( over 2 years )
6. Total Extra cost : Rs. 6000 maximum (minus newspaper and net )
2. Optionals:
1. Books: 4-5 books for humanities optionals ( Mostly Indian Authors). Total cost
: Not more than Rs. 3000.
2. 7-8 books for science optionals. Total cost: Not more than Rs. 5000 ( If you are
not downloading pirated copies).
3. Total Extra cost : Rs. 14000 ( Highly liberal estimate and spend over 2 years).
Use library, old books and you can bring that down to a few thousand rupess.
Option two : You go to Delhi to attend coaching.

1. Coaching fees :
G.S : Rs, 50,000

Optionals : Rs. 30,000 each
Total : Rs. 1,10,000 (spot payment)
2. Periodicals, newspapers, net for personal use : Rs. 13,000 over 2 years.
3. High rent and cost of living : Around 10k every month.
Total extra Cost : Around 3 Lakhs ( Conservative estimate; multiply with no.of failed
attempts, extra fee for extra coaching etc).
And even after paying such huge, exorbitant costs, the quality of teaching ( as i get to
know from fellow aspirants) may not always be up to the mark.
–End of copy paste.
If You join a class
Types of coaching class sirs

Type of teacher Your action
Keep noting
down whatever
he says- atleast
in ‘summery’
1. He is awesome at teaching. Doesn’t talk anything except
form. Even if it
teaching. From Day 1 to last day, his teaching quality
given in the
remains the same.
books, note
down because
that will help you
in quick revision.
2. Initially he teaches some topics over which he has good

Curse yourself
command (monsoon, fundamental rights etc) so students
that you joined
feel he is good. But once the fees are deposited…He
his class.Make
comes late. During the lecture, He wastes too much time
friends with
citing how awesome he is, how he knows everything about
some serious
UPSC and all other personal side talk. (which is usually a
players in his
sign that he doesn’t have rock solid command over the
class and do
subject, hence trying to brainwash you.) And when time is
group
over but topic is incomplete, he’d say “read it in my printed
study/discussion.
material/books”.
Just note down

any important
3. Some retired Professor. He teaches stuff in way too much fact/fodder
detail like it is a college lecture. Too much details and Ph.D material, else
from academic point of view. Curse yourself
that you joined
his class.
In case you wonder why Type#2 teacher behaves in such bad way, Won’t it hurt his
long term business prospects?
1. No it won’t. He’d simply setup shop in a new city or change his brand name.
Besides, people usually don’t drag him to consumer court, so he never changes
his ways.
2. And he’s good at marketing tricks, so he’d keep getting new sacrificial lambs
every year.
And never join a coaching class only because the ad says XYZ topper was from their
class, such ads are usually false or half-truths!
There are some State Government run coaching classes in various parts of India
For example
Gujarat has SPIPA, Ahmedabad

Maharahstra has SIAC,Mumbai
Tamil Nadu and UP too have it, I can’t remember the name.
Apart from that, many Caste based coaching classes.
While the teaching quality may not be very good in such classes, but fees are
cheap, library and atmosphere, peer-group is good.
So if you’re not a working professional, and not going to Delhi mainly for
financial reasons, then just go ahead get admission in such classes. (PS
sometimes they’ve entrance exam, but they’re usually similar to UPSC Prelims)
Anyways, once you’ve joined a class anywhere, what to do?
#1 don’t take mock tests lightly

If there was a school-test, you’d be worried because your parents or teachers would
scold you for low marks. But in coaching class, there is no such pressure.
So, many people take the mock tests very lightly. For e.g. there is mock test of ancient
History topic, but you’re preparing polity as per your ‘own time table.’ So you appear
in the mock test only for namesake, =you get low marks but you try to placate yourself
and make excuse to yourself “koi nai, I had not prepared so I did not get the marks”
this approach is wrong. Prepare seriously for every test.
#2 Classmates are not your enemies

In the mock tests, If someone is getting more marks than you. He is not your
enemy. Try to learn what are you lacking that he has? And make amendments in
your preparation accordingly.
Make friends with people who’re as serious or more serious than you in studies.
Keep in touch with them even when classes are over.
#3 clarify your doubts

During class, many people have doubt in a topic, but they don’t ask the teacher
thinking “I would look silly, or other people will also know the answer and
they’re my enemies!.”
Usually teachers immediately leave after the class, because they’ve classes
elsewhere (or because they don’t want to be bogged down by all querries after
class hehehe).
So, whenever you’ve doubt, immediately ask it.
#4 follow up action immediately

If your sir taught xyz topic today. Then go home, immediately read the relevant
printed material / books/ internet at home. Prepare or upgrade notes if required.
In this way, you’ll get better command over the topic.
If you postpone this work for 15-20 days, then you’re digging your own grave.
#5 Never remain absent

Some distant relative/friend’s marriage is no excuse to remain absent in the
class. In fact ignore all such marriage ceremonies whether you’ve coaching or
not. Your main aim to clear UPSC exam, everything can and must wait.
Even if the ‘sir’s’ teaching quality is bogus, still attend the class, you’ll come
home learning two three more things (or revising them during his class)
If you don’t join a class

That is- you’re doing self preparation.
#1: don’t feel guilty

First of all, throw away any doubt, guilt or inferiority complex that you have
e.g.“I’m not going to Delhi so my success chances are less.”
Don’t think in that manner. please avoid company of people who’re thinking in
that manner. Because negative vibes are infectious. It creates demotivation and
affects your studies.
And once you’ve decided, then don’t doubt your decision or caliber.
Success is very much possible, without coaching. And Following people cracked
the exam without coaching (list is not exhaustive):
All India Rank (2011) Year

Harshika Singh 8 2011
Om Kasera 17 2011
Gokul G.R. 19 2010
Mohd.Safi 55 2009
#2: Self control

If you goto gym, you see other people are doing more exercise, and got better
body than yours. It automatically motivates you to do exercise further.
But if you’re at home, it is easy to lose track, and become complacent about
preparation e.g. koi nai, thik hai, there are still many months left before the
exam, I’ll ‘manage’
Sorry you can’t manage. Weeks and months will pass like this and just 30 days
before the exam, you’ll realize that you haven’t really prepared much throughout
the year. Then you start looking for shortcuts i.e. readymade current affairs
material etc. = #epicfail.
Don’t let your mood dictate your studies. Spend majority of your day with
books, magazines and newspapers only. (if you’re not a working professional).
#3: Company
Make a few friends from the field, either in real life or on internet. Peer
pressure helps in keeping the ‘tempo’ and motivation for studies.
More time Management tips are given separately in the later part of this article.
I hope the coaching doubt is clear. Now to the second doubt that is bothering every
aspirant:
Doubt: Optional subjects will be removed or not?

Answer.
1. Will UPSC remove Optional subject from mains?=Yes.

2. When exactly will UPSC remove the optional subject from mains? Is it 2013 or
2014? =I don’t know yet.
Few months back I had filled an R.T.I to UPSC regarding this question,
they replied “we’ve appointed Committee headed by Prof. Nigvenkar, to look into the
matter. We cannot tell when optional will be removed”
(click me to see the whole R.T.I reply)
At the moment, The aspirant community is divided into two viewpoints: both based on
the timetable published on official site: http://upsc.gov.in/exams/exams.htm#PageTop
Viewpoint: Change Viewpoint: Status Quo

Optionals will be removed in 2013 Optionals will not be removed in 2013
because because,
Fact: Usually UPSC gave notification in
Dec/January. This time notification is Agreed but, The same page of UPSC
going to come in February.Fact: usually mentions that UPSC Mains starts from
UPSC started Mains exam in October, 08.11.2013 (FRIDAY) and duration 21
this time it has been shifted to DAYS. So how can exam duration be 21
November.All this suggest that UPSC is days if there are no optionals?
planning to remove optionals and change
syllabus.
Last month I filed another R.T.I to seek the status update of this Prof. Nigvenkar
Committee.
I’m yet to receive a reply from UPSC. Although I’m not really sure UPSC will
give clear cut answers, given its history of taking sadistic pleasure by keeping
things in limbo, else UPSC can issue a Press-statement right now to clear the air
on this matter and save aspirants the agony and stress they’re going through.
Anyways for the moment- finish the syllabus of topics that are present in GS
mains but absent in prelims i.e. first aid, statistics etc. and do the Yojana,
Kurukshetra issues from Jan 2012 onwards. There is enough food in your platter,
try to finish most of it.
And once this optional subject controversy is settled (most probably in February 2013
notification), there will be some new conspiracy theory -most probably
regarding separation of IPS exam. So overall how to deal with rumor bombs? Click
ME.
So this doubt of optional subjects =remains unsettled (for now). Moving on to next
doubt
Doubt Hindi Medium aspirant

Booklist and strategy remains the same. Only titles change.
English Hindi
Available in Hindi, both in market as well as official site:
NCERTs
http://www.ncert.nic.in/
NOS (National open Some are available in Hindi, some are
school) not.http://www.nios.ac.in/online-course-material.aspx
General Studies
Samanya Adhyayan
Manual
India Yearbook (India
Bharat 2013
2013)
Indian Polity by
Bharat Ki Rajya Vyavashta by M.Laxmikanth
M.Laxmikanth
Indian Economy by
Bharat ki Artha-vyavastha by Ramesh Singh
Ramesh Singh
Yojana Kurukshetra,
PD,CST Available in Hindi

Spectrum publication
books (History, Available in Hindi
Culture, Statistics)
He has books in Hindi,but Not really sure of about exact
Bipin Chandra
title.
2nd ARC Available in Hindi on their official website
The Hindu No alternative. Must be read in English
Available in Hindi. www.Egyankosh.ac.inSome file are not
IGNOU BA/MA PDF
uploaded. Have to purchase Hindi booklets from university.
files
Instructions given here: click ME
Doubt Non-Hindi, Non-English Medium aspirant

Starting with Gujarati aspirants.
1. For prelims, consult the same books English / Hindi, because you’ve to only tick
the MCQ answer.
2. Gujarati books for IAS exam= useless and waste of time. (Amuk loko ujjad van
maa erando pradhan thayi ne behelaa chhe.) But for mains, to write
descriptive answers In Gujarati….you need the Gujarati Vocabulary for
Geography, Polity etc. buy any ^one of them or any GPSC material.
3. If you think you can rely Gujarati books meant for GPSC and succeed in UPSC =
mistake. Because there are always some senior players who keep reading English
newspapers, magazines, reference books and convert them into their own
handwritten notes in Gujarati so their answer quality will be better than yours.
Therefore Always prefer to maintain your own notes from standard reference
books of Hindi/English.
4. If UPSC keeps optionals – use the Hindi/English standard reference books and
then consult Baba Saheb Amedkar Univ.’s material for Gujarati BA/MA exam
(where applicable) or books from “University Granth Nirmaan Board” to get
the vocabulary and formal answer writing.
5. The Hindu/Indianexpress =must. You may read Gujarati newspaper columns,
only for getting Gujarati vocabulary for Essay. But your essay quality, content
and depth should be higher than them.
Now Marathi,Tamil,Punjabi,Telugu etc. similar advice as above.
1. For prelims use either English /Hindi books as such.

2. For mains, you need to write descriptive answers, so you need the formal
vocabulary for your language. So to get that vocabulary, buy any book or State
PSC material written in your language. Using that vocabulary, maintain your
notes from standard reference books / English newspapers.
3. For more suggestions, consult some senior players in your area/ via internet.
So this Hindi/Gujarati/Marathi/Tamil language and material doubt is partially settled.

Now moving to next problem.
Doubt: Inferiority complex

Some people have this feeling of insecurity, throughout preparation
1. I’m not from a reputed college.

2. I’ve very low score in graduation, I failed in some semester.
3. I don’t have work-experience or extra-curricular certificates.
4. I’m not from English medium…And so on.
^don’t worry. Many People with such profile have cleared the civil service exam.
When an examiner checks your mains answersheet he doesn’t know about all
those things.
Even in interview, they don’t really dwell into those topics (unlike IIM
interviews hehehe), and even if they notice it, your interview score doesn’t
depend on a single variable or single question.
So stop all those negative thoughts. And avoid company of any other person who
is spreading such negative vibes.
Besides you can’t go back in History using a time-machine to fix all those things
in your life. So just keep moving forward.
Having said this, I’m must also precaution the
Future Candidates Still in College

Please donot ignore your college studies. You must strive to get atleast first class
(60%) in college exam.
Why?
Because usually your backup plans will require it. For example
1. A General category candidate cannot apply for CAT, if he has less than 50%.
2. In certain specialized State PSC jobs*, Bank recruitments, they explicitly
mention it that you’ll need minimum xyz score in your graduation or post
graduation.
3. Whenever you go for private company job interview, they look into your
graduation score especially if you’ve zero or low work experiance.
*In State PSC there are two type of recruitment one is general large scale
recruitment e.g. Deputy collector, DySP, Range Forest officer, Sales Tax
inspector etc. in such exams, college marks don’t matter much.
And other type is specialized small scale recruitment e.g. only one or two
vacancies in Food and drug Department. Then they want to reduce number of
applicants to save time. So they device high graduation marks e.g. only
minimum 60% in Graduation or 55% in PG can apply” Same goes for certain
Banks. So don’t ignore college studies.
In some colleges and universities, you can get first class with almost zero preparation.
But it doesn’t mean you should completely ignore studies.
Again why?
Because during interview @UPSC, State PSC, or any private company…

basically at any interview, they usually ask a few questions on your graduation.
And you can’t make an excuse that “sorry I don’t know the answer because I
was preparing for UPSC/CAT during college!”
That answer will ruin rest of your interview because then board will start asking
uncomfortable questions and turn it into a stress interview.
I hope this doubt is settled. Moving on to next doubt
Doubt: Taking a job / PG

Q. I just graduated from college. Should I take job, or pickup Post-Graduation
course or directly start preparing for UPSC?
Ans. Depends on your financial situation and family support.
Job part:
If Civil Service is your ultimate goal, you just want a job for pocketmoney and
preparation, then look for a job that has minimum workload and travel time =
then you can allot max energy for preparation.
For example Computer Lab assistant, receptionist, temporary lecturer etc.
Ofcourse there are no big salaries or quick promotions in such jobs but then you
can’t eat “Laddu” with both the hands.
PG part:
Pros: atleast your backup is secured i.e. if you fail in IAS, you can go back private
company at a decent job (compared to having single bachelor degree)
Cons:
1. Doing PG from some half**** bogus college hardly has any market value.
You’re way better off in bank clerk’s job than the amount of salary one gets
through such overhyped PG courses. (more explained in backup plan, in Act V)
2. To get admission in reputed college, one has to give some sort of entrance exam.
3. In reputed college, You may not be left with sufficient time left for UPSC
preparation due to assignments and semester exams. But still there is more time
and energy than available to working professionals in some fields.
In the end depends on your taste for career backup. Consider all factors and then
decide.
Doubt: Working Professionals: Leave the job or not?

Question: I’m a working professional, find it hard to allot time for studies. Should I
leave job or not?
Answer:
1. There are toppers who cleared civil service exam without leaving job (Om
Kasera, Mohd.Safi to cite a few)
2. On the hand there toppers who left the job for preparation because it had become
impossible to manage studies with job.
So door swings both ways. Whether you should leave the job or not, depends on many
factors
1. Your age
2. Marital status, support of the spouse. (if they ‘superficially’ support but then
they and their relatives indirectly keep nagging you all the time =problem.)
3. Family support and family responsibilities (e.g. father is retired or not, sister’s
wedding etc.)
4. Financial situation, outstanding loans and EMIs (do you have enough bank
balance from your job to survive for next one or two years)
5. Work load, travelling (if it is very low, then no point in leaving job.)
6. Opportunity cost of leaving the job- in terms of promotion and seniority in the
private sector (particularly for 27-35 age group candidates.)
#A: you leave the job

Then proceed according to the suggestions given for coaching/no-coaching case.
#B: you can’t leave the job

Five rules for working professionals, already given CLICK ME.
Here are some more
#1: Rent a room close to office

Travel-fatigue is the main cause of under-preparation. If you’ve to commute for 3-4
hours a day to and from home to office, then it becomes very difficult to wake up till
late night. So ideally try to rent a room very close to office (but usually rooms near
office, have higher rent- life is always cruel to UPSC aspirant.)
#2: Burn the midnight lamp

Irrespective of travel fatigue, try to wake up till 12pm to 1AM. Ya all the fancy
medical talk and arguments of long term negative impacts on health. But 6 hours sleep
Is sufficient.
a. Lot of teenagers and college kids in metro cities, they usually wake up until
midnight doing nothing but facebook, internet surfing and yahoo chat.
b. On the other hand those Corporate barons, IIM grads etc. who mint lakhs of
rupees per month. Yes once in while they can indulge in luxuries and fun but
otherwise they too work until late night. They may not have travel fatigue but
mental stress is even higher.
So on both ends of the spectrum, if people can wake up until late night- why can’t
you?
You don’t want to leave job, you don’t wake up till midnight, ….well once again
can’t eat “laddu” with both the hands. Success requires sacrifice.
Plus late night preparation would be necessary during ‘loading doze’ period. Not
much during “maintenance doze”. So consider this as a temporary problem.
#3 Use pendrive
Prepare some notes/mindmaps on homePC or laptop.
Transfer them to pendrive/mobile phone so that you can revise it in office PC or
on your mobile phone (if it has windows or android system with all those funky
softwares) tablet during free time. Or upload It on google docs for sync between
office vs home PC.
#4 Use mobile
If you’ve a mobile with Windows system, you can install following softwares
a. Caligrapher (it lets you convert handwriting into text…if phone comes with
stylus). There are other programs as well.
b. Evernote or Phatnotes (for arranging notes and data, maintaining diary)
c. Freemind (mobile version)
d. Or export mindmaps made in home/office PC into .jpeg or .png files, transfer it
into your mobile/tablet and review them when free.
e. Record notes in your own voice, listen to them when free (instead of listing to
music)
These are just examples, there are many good softwares, just google (or try
Softpedia.com’s mobile section)
And There will be similar apps for android phone/apple/blackberry/tablets.

In the end use whatever technology or gadget you can afford or use, to help you
in preparation.
Now moving to the doubt/issue that affects everyone irrespective of his language
medium, job and coaching situation.
Time Management
1. Donot try to quantify your study in terms of hours. don’t consciously look at
watch “oh yes, I’ve been studying for 1 hour 34 minutes, so let me watch TV
now to get ‘fresh’.” This is not a board exam.
2. Some people start drinking tea/coffee or cigarette after every 2 hours. They
think it helps them concentrate in studies. (a habit usually picked up during
hostel days). Real men don’t need external stimulants. Drinking tea only takes 5
minute, but they’d spend next 30-40 minutes chatting with their buddies at tea
stall or doing nothing on mobile phone. This is not how your prepare for IAS
exam.
3. Grow up. Stop sending chain emails and chain SMS around.
4. Avoid pseudo-IAS aspirants. They’re “looking at the finger rather than moon”
type. They spend more time in chit-chat, UPSC rumors, politics etc. Can be
found on internet, and in coaching classes and library.
5. Avoid Chipkoo people in life and on phone. All they care is timepass.
6. Always Remain offline in gtalk/facebook messanger/yahoo messenger.
7. Einstein said time is relative. You can easily waste 20 minutes surfing TV-
channels even if there is no good program on TV. Previously there was orkut,
now we’ve facebook. You can easily waste 45 minutes to two hours, doing
nothing but clicking your mouse. There is no need to comment on every photo
you get tagged in, there is no need to give birthday wishes. There is no need to
add more friends to your profile.
8. Fix your email checking time. E.g. only @2PM or 7PM. There is no need to
reply to every mail. Use the Gmail “filters” to get rid of bogus people who send
Chain email, jokes etc.
Mood swings
1. There are somedays when you’re in absolute good mood and read for 7-8-12-15
hours. There are somedays when you’ve no mood and you don’t even touch the
newspaper.
2. Perseverance is necessary for success in any competitive exams. Donot let your
^mood to dictate your studies. (Although it is easier said than done.)
3. The mindset “haa thik hai, ho jaayegaa, abhi bahot der hai” (ok, It’ll be done,
there is still lot of time left). With this attitude, you’ll digup your own grave.
4. Peace of mind is most important. You fight, debate or argue with someone, then
even after the argument is over, you still keep thinking about it, “I should have
said this or that. Saale ko thik kar doongaa (I’ll teach him a lesson)”. No my
friend, your primary target is UPSC, put your time and energy in studies.
Everything else is secondary- don’t waste your time or energy in them. So, Avoid
arguments, debates, fights both online and offline.
5. Therefore Avoid people that ruin your mood: both online and offline (except
your boss or client!).
6. Avoid “Dukhi Aatmaa” (cry-babies). They’re just too worried about everything.
“My friend from Delhi said, UPSC is going to remove optionals and
introduce paper on policy science…what will be do!?” “Xyz sir said UPSC
will reduce age limit!” They spread their negative vibes on you.
7. Girlfriend usually leaves after 2nd failed attempt in UPSC (can’t blame, you can’t
and shouldn’t expect her or her parents to wait for you that long.) Then it creates
more heartburning, depression= not good for studies. Therefore UPSC and love
affairs are usually not compatible. Pick only one at a time.
8. Similarly avoid temptation or persuasion from parents to get married. Don’t get
married until you’re selected in UPSC or you’ve fully executed your career
backup plan.
Life of a UPSC aspirant is very cruel. “Outsiders” cannot understand it and they ruin
mood with their questions and unwanted advices. For example
He is a UPSC Aspirant. Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-
A
chawal @wedding reception.
B Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?)
A Preparing for UPSC.
B Still preparing for that exam? You said the same thing last year!
(In his head) because UPSC is three stage process, takes one year to complete.
A
(on face) some diplomatic answer.
B Acchaa, my uncle’s son got selected. Why don’t you take tips from him?
TM
A (In his head) If UPSC is hellbent in scaling system and Backbreaking , there is
nothing anybody can do.(on face) sure I’ll contact him.
B Leaves
A Resumes Minding his own damn business, busy eating daal-chawal.
C Makes entry. Repeats the question :Kya kar rahe ho? (what are you doing?)
A Same answer.
(He has no interest in knowing what you’re doing. He asked you question
only to start conversation and show off how his son is better.)Acchaa.. My
C Son **** has done MBA from ****. Salary Package is * lakhs and he has **
number of people under his command. So, you Leave this IAS, Bi-AS, join that
college!
(in His head) Why the hell do I care how much he earns or how much staff he
A
got! My definition of success is different. (on face) That is really good.
C Leaves
A Resumes Minding his own damn business.
D D is an old-college batchmate. Same question cycle.
Do you know that our batchmate Mr.X has left company Y and joined company Z
D and now his salary package is 6 lakhs. He also bought a Honda city (car) and
getting married next month.
(in His head) Ya but he was a complete *Gangaajal adjective* so even if he earns
A 60 crores, buys a Ferrari and marries Katrina Kaif, he is not going to earn my
respect or even jealousy. (on face) very good yaar.
Do you remember that girl **** from our college, she and ***** got married/
D
she started affair with *****, recently I spotted her at *****.
(in His head) because of my UPSC (mis)adventures, I’ve grown up: mentally and
A emotionally. I don’t care about those things like I used to, during the college
years hahaha. (on face) some diplomatic answer.
D Ok then best of luck.
EFGHIJKLMNOPQRST…same things.
Throughout your journey, these conversations are going to repeat in one form or
another.
Very few people actually understand the pain and struggle involved, rest of them are
just phony lip service and mood killers. Therefore:
1. Have tough skin of a salesman. Don’t let their talks affect you. When you come
back home, your head should be clear else you cannot concentrate in studies and
will ponder more and more about the ‘past’. Sometimes you might even start
thinking of quitting UPSC game to join their world- don’t.
2. Don’t announce to everyone that you’re preparing for UPSC. Keep it to yourself,
and very few close friends.
3. Avoid social gatherings unless absolutely necessary.
4. Never compare yourself with your batchmates, colleagues, kids of relatives
and neighbors.
Now some other technical doubts
Technical doubts
Question Answer
http://mrunal.org/upsc/faq-age-trialsCentral Service
employees don’t get age relaxation.But CRPF,BSF etc
Age and attempt limit now comes under “Ex-servicemen” category hence get
age relaxation.
Physical requirements /
Medical checkup http://mrunal.org/2012/07/med-gazette-upsc.html
disability related queries
http://mrunal.org/2012/05/q-creamy-layer-obc-gets-4-
OBC Creamy layer
attempts-only.html
Postal Graduation
/Distance Education http://mrunal.org/2010/12/update-my-distant-education-
Degree and its validity degree-is.html
for UPSC exam
Remaining Part of the UPSC Strategy

1. (Part 1 of 5): Exam Trends and Changes
2. (Part 2 of 5): Notes, Newspapers and Books
3. (Part 3 of 5): General Studies for CSAT prelims and Mains
4. (Part 5 of 5): Career Backup Plans: How to prepare for State PSC etc
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-

ips-ifs-part4-time-management-coaching-optionals.html
Posted By On 03/11/2012 @ 15:41 In the category Studyplan

Mrunal (Strategy) UPSC Civil Service Exam - Part 4 of 5) - Time Management, Coaching, Optional Subjects Mrunal

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4/4/2014 Mrunal [Strategy] UPSC Civil Service Exam (Part 4 of 5): Time Management, Coaching, optional subjects » Mrunal

[Strategy] UPSC Civil Service Exam (Part 4 of 5): Time Management,

1. Act IV: Conquering your own brain

Act IV: Conquering your own brain

Doubt: Should I join coaching class or not?

Option one: You study back home without Coaching

1. Books : Rs. 3000 – 4000

Option two : You go to Delhi to attend coaching.

G.S : Rs, 50,000

3. High rent and cost of living : Around 10k every month.

attempts, extra fee for extra coaching etc).

–End of copy paste.

If You join a class

Types of coaching class sirs

2. Initially he teaches some topics over which he has good

Just note down

Gujarat has SPIPA, Ahmedabad

Apart from that, many Caste based coaching classes.

Anyways, once you’ve joined a class anywhere, what to do?

#1 don’t take mock tests lightly

#2 Classmates are not your enemies

#3 clarify your doubts

#4 follow up action immediately

#5 Never remain absent

If you don’t join a class

#1: don’t feel guilty

All India Rank (2011) Year

#2: Self control

Doubt: Optional subjects will be removed or not?

1. Will UPSC remove Optional subject from mains?=Yes.

(click me to see the whole R.T.I reply)

Viewpoint: Change Viewpoint: Status Quo

Doubt Hindi Medium aspirant

PD,CST Available in Hindi

Doubt Non-Hindi, Non-English Medium aspirant

Now Marathi,Tamil,Punjabi,Telugu etc. similar advice as above.

1. For prelims use either English /Hindi books as such.

So this Hindi/Gujarati/Marathi/Tamil language and material doubt is partially settled.

Doubt: Inferiority complex

1. I’m not from a reputed college.

Having said this, I’m must also precaution the

Future Candidates Still in College

Because during interview @UPSC, State PSC, or any private company…

Doubt: Taking a job / PG

Ans. Depends on your financial situation and family support.

and energy than available to working professionals in some fields.

Doubt: Working Professionals: Leave the job or not?

#A: you leave the job

#B: you can’t leave the job

Here are some more

#1: Rent a room close to office

#2: Burn the midnight lamp

Softpedia.com’s mobile section)

And There will be similar apps for android phone/apple/blackberry/tablets.

Now some other technical doubts

Remaining Part of the UPSC Strategy

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2012/11/strategy-upsc-civil-service-exam-ias-

Posted By On 03/11/2012 @ 15:41 In the category Studyplan

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