#Interview, #mains Governance, #Pegasus

30 Days to #Mains Free Gyan for Mains aspirants

“I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year. It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.” Lionel Andrés Messi!

Of the 13000+ aspirants who are eligible to write Mains, a good number must have given up by now, or started believing their own lies and excuses, will read better next time and make it. It’s the same cycle every time. 250 aspirants are really above the cut [Top 10 types], 1500 are really serious, the real competition is these 1500-2000 aspirants who are working hard in the right direction, they are the ones who will make it to the final list.

Believe in that hard work, the last 30 days can do miracles.

In no particular order ! [#1 Rule Write what is asked not what you know]

Writing FLT vs reading I will suggest writing FLT.

Try to emulate real mains time table [at least twice] before Mains. [Essay followed by 4 GS papers Back-to-back then few days later optional FLT]

Writing for 6 hours a day will do miracles to your understanding of the exam, and will humbly remind of how much you remember and how not to study or how to study.

Get feedback from known people/mentors, [ there is an unlimited evaluation batch evaluating without even writing a single main], Yes. Knowledge can come from any side, but experiencing it first hand gives insights.

Your accumulated knowledge will get you more marks when presented in simple language, and by addressing the core demand of the question. Then new knowledge and new sources. Don’t chase new, polish existing knowledge and expression.

There is no one way to write an answer, UPSC have no blueprint/ Model answers, you will be rewarded for originality and relevancy. Emulate a topper copy when it suits your style.

Don’t over emphasize only few papers, like optional and ethics, balance writing of all papers equally.

Do Smart work, so many toppers shared so much notes, etc. Use them effectively.

Don’t write for sake of writing, have some objective targets [Deliberate practice] eg: I will use keywords, articles, maps. After writing tests check if you have crossed all the items, if you missed any, if so, why?

Above all past failures are not the benchmark for this year, don’t push yourself too much into stress and all to prove something to someone, don’t carry the baggage of failures and expectations, write with a calm mind, calm mind produces the best results.

The more you chase the result the harder it gets, focus on journey and be the best version of you. Respect the efforts of everyone adjust accordingly and cruise a head. The last 30 can be the beginning of a wonderful life a head.

Push yourself and believe in yourself, focus on the real goal, writing the best answer possible in real mains hall, that is all you can do.

Lastly, use model answers and PYQ efficiently, don’t just write tests and say I got 80/90 focus on every single mistake, learn, notice, observe and adapt.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." [ not talking about a CM of a certain state recently in the news]

30 days is more than enough to make an impact on your mains journey.

I wish you more than luck !
Credit @kalyanzz sir

#mains
How to Attempt (GS1-3)

General Instructions:

While reading question paper (before start of examination, papers are distributed 2-5 minutes before)- try to link questions with your short notes of value addition. If you are able to remember committee name/articles/case studies- try to mark it on question paper itself.

It is better to start answering the questions as soon as exam starts (9am/2pm) and not to waste time in complete the reading of question paper

1) Writing Intro and conclusion are must (conclusion gives a sense of completion and it is here after which marks are given)

2) No need to complete sentences while in writing points- if it conveys the meaning

3) Use of Sub Headings from question itself.

4) Paper completion and good time management is highly rewarding

5) Value addition where ever possible with examples/facts/committees/Case studies/graphs/diagrams etc

6) Presentation- Underline and make Boxes. Use of diagrams (to fill space also) and flow charts (help in conveying more in less words)


Specific institutions:

GS1

1) History/World History/Art and Culture- enough scope to make maps, diagrams like Ashokan pillar, Stupa, Temples

2) Geography- make diagrams compulsorily. Small diagrams also

3) Society- important to define key terms (like poverty, caste), mention Policy, life cycle approach (eg women- child, adolescent, old age)

GS2

1) Analytical- use of small small paragraphs in some questions. Properly explaining the statements becomes important with examples and analysis

2) Show ethical dimension if possible in governance

3) International Relations- political diagram must, historical dimension, use of key words (like track 2 diplomacy)

4) Use of ARC2/Articles/SC Judgments/Budget, NCRWC, LCI, Commission (Sarkaria/Punchhi)

5) Linking Static with Current Affairs (for GS3 also)

GS3

1) Use of Graphs/pie charts(which I had prepared beforehand)

2) Disaster Management- Use of diagrams and maps, best practices

3)Security- use of bodies/Acts/Institutions

4a) Value addition- Budget/Economic Survey/NITI Aayog/ SDGs

4b) Env and Security: Summits and agreements

5) Time management is utmost important- generally you will be knowing all questions. At the same time you have to be accurate in answering and not beating around the bush as far possible

Best Wishes for tomorrow !!

P.S- No matter how well you have prepared and managed time, for maximum people including me there used to be few questions where I had to rush to finish it !!

PPS- The goal is to give your best and deliver your best performance in the exam. Many people face difficulty in replicating well in exam- so making short notes, last minute revision and reminding oneself on how to attempt the paper helps !!

—Views are personal, you can follow any strategy which suits you well

Credit Shubham Kumar(AIR-1, UPSC 2020)