Careers360 - Think higher education! IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra!

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Her advice to civils aspirants is to be frank during the board interview. More tips.
by Vachaspati Upadhyaya

IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra!

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View(s): 5568 | Comment(s): 57 IN her first attempt, this 24-year old law graduate from the School of Excellence in Law, Chennai couldn't clear the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary but in her second attempt, she emerged the first ranker! Daughter of V Shanmugam, a customs consultant and homemaker S. Padmavathy, Divyadharshini was working at SBI for the past six months. She shares her journey. Name: Divyadharshini Shanmugam Rank: 1 Exam: Civil Service Exam 2010 Q.How did you hear the good news? A.I was in office when the results were declared, and a friend informed me of the results. It came as a shock! At first I did not believe but it but confirmed it through my brother. It took a while to realise that it was not a dream. Q.Who is the inspiration behind your success? A. My mentor Prabhakaran sir (Director of Prabhas IAS Academy) and my parents. All have given me ample confidence, motivation and have placed belief in me. Q.How different was it in the second attempt? What made you crack it? A.I think one years consistent preparation made the difference between the two attempts. Q.What were your optional subjects and why did you choose them? A.Prelims I chose Public Administration due to easy availability of books and study materials, availability of guidance and above all my interest. Mains - I chose Public Administration and law, as law was my graduation subject and I felt comfortable with the syllabus. Study Materials Public administration Books by Lakshmikanth and Maheshwari Solved previous years question papers Journals by Indian Institute of Public Administration on current topics like RTI and Civil Society Law Constitution by Jai Narayan Pandey and M P Jain Contracts by Avatar Singh Torts by Atchudhan Pillai International Law by Kapoor and Agarwal Indian Economy Dutt & Sundaram, Economic & Politically Weekly, Yojna Indian Polity DDBasu, NCERT Science & Technology Spectrum, NCERT Indian History NCERT, Bipan Chandra There are many money sucking institutes and we need to be careful not to get into their hands and waste our money and time Q.Do you have any priority areas where you would like to see you making a difference in the administrative services? A.IAS gives a wider scope to serve the society and make a difference. I think bridging the rural urban developmental divide would help in the longer run. Q.Your message to future CSE aspirants A.I would like to wish them all the very best for the exam. Its a way to go forward with confidence and belief in yourself. Its not too easy but neither too hard. Right amount of effort would pay good results Q.What was your strategy for optionals, GS and Essay? Q.How was the interview? Can you recall any questions from the board members? A.The interview board was cordial. I answered to my satisfaction. There were one or two questions for which I didnt know the answer but I was frank with the board and told them the truth that I did not know. The questions were based on my profile and were based on the RTI Act, Lokpal Bill etc. Q.How good are coaching institutes and what to be cautious of if you choose one? A.Coaching centres are a guiding light but it all ultimately comes down to your individual effort. Attending mock tests would help a lot to ascertain where we stand. Choosing the right centre would have to be made cautiously.

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http://www.careers360.com/news/6005-Nletter-IAS-topper-2010-Divyadharshini-Shanmugam[6/7/2011 2:20:35 PM]

Careers360 - Think higher education! IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra! A.Optional - I covered the entire syllabus and prepared concrete points for each topic and always revised before exams. Notes are really helpful especially during exam times. GS - In addition to prelims preparation, adding personal view and analysis of the questions

Geography NCERT, Atlas Current Affairs The Hindu, Frontline, India Year Book

Essay - I think there is no need to special preparation for essay. Preparation for general studies help in writing the essay paper. Newspaper reading builds ideas which helps in essay. Published on: May 14, 2011

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57 Comments
Sai Kiran | Jun 07, 2011

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Congratulations madam!! India needs you.

durga | Jun 06, 2011

how to be good in essay beceuse u told no peparation required.please write

Sachin dhapola | Jun 06, 2011

Congrates sister for this achivement.

Randeep | Jun 06, 2011

Congratulation sister for this achivmnt give me suggstion like yur brthr my no. is- 09050613059 & 09034702512 cal me sister
Randeep | Jun 06, 2011

Congratulation sister for this achivmnt give me suggstion like yur brthr my no. is- 09050613059 & 09034702512 cal me sister
Randeep | Jun 06, 2011

Congratulation sister for this achivmnt give me suggstion like yur brthr my no. is- 09050613059 & 09034702512 cal me sister
Randeep | Jun 06, 2011

Congratulation sister for this achivmnt give me suggstion like yur brthr my no. is- 09050613059 & 09034702512 cal me sister
akthar | Jun 05, 2011

i heartfully congratulate u for a great success in IAS........once again congrats mam...........

ananya | Jun 04, 2011

congrats , u r best inspiration for me since my ambition is also the same

vijay | Jun 04, 2011

first best weshes mam,i"m vijay from Agra.i prepring (pre )i.a.s by selfstudy,but i can"t understand what i chose for mains subject.
kailas | Jun 03, 2011

congratulation
Kotresh Bnkr | Jun 02, 2011

Congrats....Dvyya. We r all Guiders for me. Cal me to 08147686146 give more special informatio to me. Plz
Kotresh Bnkr | Jun 02, 2011

Congrats....Dvyya. We r all Guiders for me.

khan | Jun 02, 2011

Congrts for never losing spirit of winning... all the best for the future
Jayaprakash | Jun 01, 2011

My hearty congrgulation to u..May God showers his blessings through out your life.
rajesh kumar | Jun 01, 2011

congrats mam iam rajesh kumar iwant to be an ias officer iam just in final year in graduation
vishal kumar | Jun 01, 2011

this is the power of indian women who done it many many cong mam jai bharat.
Hemant | Jun 01, 2011

Cong to all selected person... I am s/w eng but i want to prepare for CST exam how to prepare for this exam inform me...
kartthick | Jun 01, 2011

congratulation for your success mam....god best wishes for u future life in sereve our great india.

http://www.careers360.com/news/6005-Nletter-IAS-topper-2010-Divyadharshini-Shanmugam[6/7/2011 2:20:35 PM]

Careers360 - Think higher education! IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra!

aijaz khan | May 31, 2011

congratulation.,,,,....,...madam...
hemanth | May 31, 2011

congrats on your success mam.

Madhukumar | May 31, 2011

Great achivement keep india free of poverty

raja irfan | May 31, 2011

congrats madam,we all have proud on you.call me to give suggestions from you in my life to me to improve bit .My nob 09419311968 please dial this nob.
raja irfan | May 31, 2011

congrats madam,we all have proud on you.call me to give suggestions from you in my life to me to improve bit .My nob 09419311968 please dial this nob.
raja irfan | May 31, 2011

congrats madam,we all have proud on you.call me to give suggestions from you in my life to me to improve bit .My nob 09419311968 please dial this nob.
s.dhanalakshmi | May 31, 2011

hearty congrats very very happy dat u r frm law background

K-C-SAHU | May 30, 2011

very very congratulation mam

r.subramaniam | May 30, 2011

congratulation madam.
kumar himanshu | May 29, 2011

Mam congrates for your brilliant performance u fulfill your own dreams as well as your parents . God bless you on your successful administrative journey
Machindra Talaskar | May 29, 2011

My "HEARTLY" Congratulation! Madam for acheiving goal in very small time.Avoid the corruption & take very strict action agaist corrupted people. BEST WISHESH & ENJOY FUTURE LIFE.........
deepna | May 29, 2011

congrats and hats of 2 u divya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

baljeet bisla | May 28, 2011

hearty congrats mam and hats off to the brilliant success you have achieved in your first attempt.i too is an aspirant for cracking this prestigious exam kindly guide in paving my way
deepika mishra | May 28, 2011

Congrats mam...!!!!!!
durgarao palada | May 28, 2011

CONRATULATIONS MADAM...
P KANNAIAH | May 28, 2011

Congrats....... & avoid the CURRUPTION and try to develop the society also poor peoples... Takie seviour actions against the currupted officials.
manoar | May 28, 2011

congratulation medam please help poor people and try to fulfil rural people basic needs.
mukesh bugaliya | May 28, 2011

wishing you very very congratulations........n bright future..

shobha | May 27, 2011

congratulations mam.. God Bless you

Abhishek yadav | May 27, 2011

My hearty hearty ..... congratulations to u mam for acheiving the goal as a winner help me as recently i have passed my 12th boards in science whats sujects should i choose frm now only to make it strong and give me some ideas about my preparation since there is nw time to achieve my goal thankyou.
M,RAJA | May 27, 2011

ALL THE BEST Miss.DIVYADARSINI.MY HUMBLE REQUEST TO YOU IS HELP THE RURAL PEOPLE PLZ GIVE ME SOME

http://www.careers360.com/news/6005-Nletter-IAS-topper-2010-Divyadharshini-Shanmugam[6/7/2011 2:20:35 PM]

Careers360 - Think higher education! IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra! GUIDANCE REGARDING CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION
vasanthavalli vijayakumar | May 27, 2011

First of all i havent age to congrats u madm but still consider dis small kid's wish from ur sister. den thanks to almighty coze he ly shows dis kind of sisters to become as my great inspirations
vasanthavalli vijayakumar | May 27, 2011

First of all i havent age to congrats u madm but still consider dis small kid's wish from ur sister. den thanks to almighty coze he ly shows dis kind of sisters to become as my great inspirations
Goutham | May 27, 2011

my respectful congratulations to u for achieving this at a small age.....

FAROOQ ALI PANWAR | May 27, 2011

I HEARTLY CONGRATUS MAM.ALL INDIAN ARE PROUD OF U .PLZ HEALP ME I ALSO PREPARING OF CST EXAM.PLZ HELP ME CHOOSE MY SUBJECT .THANKS ONCE AGAIN CONGRATUS.
BARKATH | May 27, 2011

mam, congrats for your success and HATS OFF to the untiring effort you had put in for cracking the prestigious civil service exam :)
BARKATH | May 27, 2011

mam, congrats for your success and HATS OFF to the untiring effort you had put in for cracking the prestigious civil service exam :)
ravi | May 27, 2011

hi, congratulation i am preparing for ukpsc and hpsc can u give some tips pls it will be help ful
Amarpreet Singh | May 26, 2011

Congrats Advocate Ms. S.Divyadharshini... .. .

Amarpreet Singh | May 26, 2011

Congrats Advocate Ms. S.Divyadharshini... .. .

raviteja | May 26, 2011

congrats
PRAGATI | May 26, 2011

Heartly congratulation for your success ma'm i want more guaidence on a pub ad optional as only one year remaining for my first attempt i want to crack this exam in first attempt
Akanksha Sharma | May 23, 2011

A heartly congratulation mam.....:-)

abhishek tiwari | May 22, 2011

congratulation...
mayur mishra | May 19, 2011

congrats mam....
Shubham yadav | May 19, 2011

Very very congratulation to u.

nirbhay | May 18, 2011

first congrate you i m in b.sc 2nd year,age is 18 yr. and just want to prepare for civil services what should i do.............and what subject should be choose
atul | May 15, 2011

congratulations madam. Post a comment Name * Email address * Comments *

http://www.careers360.com/news/6005-Nletter-IAS-topper-2010-Divyadharshini-Shanmugam[6/7/2011 2:20:35 PM]

Careers360 - Think higher education! IAS first ranker Divyadharshini shares her success mantra!

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