The mantra to crack civil services exam

With the number of vacancies on the increase, this would be the best time to aim for a place in the list of selected candidates.







The right strategy would be to answer all the questions in the examination without an inch of over confidence.






The examination system devised for selection to the higher civil services is one of the most exhaustive and comprehensive. The examination system follows a sequential pattern based on the time honored principle that the ‘average quality would get richer as the stream proceeds from one stage to the next’. Sequences would improve the efficiency of the selection process and make it more ‘homogenous’.






The sequential selection begins with the Preliminary examination, followed by the Main examination and concludes with the Personality Test. About 1.9 lakh candidates had appeared at the Preliminary in May this year and about 12,000 were declared as qualified for the second stage i.e., the Main examination. The Main examination is scheduled to commence in the last week of October, 2009.






The Main examination comprises 9 papers, all of them of a descriptive type conducted within a span of 20 days. It is designed to test not only the academic talent of the aspirant but also his ability to coordinate and present his knowledge in a clear and cogent manner. Hence the examination by its very structuring is multi-dimensional in approach. To begin with, the basic skills of an aspirant in a Modern Indian Language and English are tested. This is followed by two papers in General Studies, a General Essay Paper and two papers each in the two optionals chosen by the aspirant.






Qualifying papers


There are two qualifying papers i.e., a Modern Indian Language and General English. Marks scored in these papers are not counted for ranking.






However, scoring a minimum of 35 per cent would be necessary. The paper would consist of an Essay, Translation, Precis writing, Sentence formation, idioms/ proverbs and their meaning etc. Candidates who have lost touch with writing Telugu / Hindi should devote time for writing practice.






The right strategy would be to answer all the questions in the examination without an inch of over confidence.






General Essay


Ever since this paper was reintroduced in the scheme of examination in 1993, it has played a crucial role in determining the rank of the student. Most of the top rankers have scored above 55 per cent in this paper. Some candidates have also scored around 60 per cent which has helped them secure a position in the top ten ranks.






How does one score high in the Essay paper? A two pronged strategy involving the correct choice of topic and the appropriate method of writing can be adopted. It is advisable to choose the factual topics which are non-controversial in nature.






Method of writing


It is advisable to devote the first five to ten minutes in ‘zeroing in’ on two topics. The next five minutes can be spent thinking about both the topics and arriving at the one which is in your ‘comfort zone’.






Having decided on the topic, start brain storming - write down all the ideas that you have about the topic. At this stage, do not classify or systematise your points. Put them on paper randomly as they flow in. Later, arrange these ideas in a logical and sequential manner.






Having arrived at the sequence, start writing, giving due care to the introduction, the nody and finally the conclusion.






Ensure that you have time for revision. Remember it is a General Essay paper and you should not be highly technical.






Likely topics


The topics that can be expected this year are :






Globalisation and the Human empire; Reservations are only a part of Affirmative Action; Public Libraries as a Foundation of Knowledge Economy; India and the emerging Non-Proliferation Order; 50 Years of Indian Television; Women in Indian Politics.






General Studies


In General Studies, we have two papers i.e., Paper-I and Paper-II. Paper-I comprises History of Modern India and Indian Culture, Geography of India, Indian Polity, Current Issues and topics of social relevance.






Paper-II comprises India and the World, Indian economy, International affairs and institutions, Developments in science and technology, communications and space, statistical analysis and graphs and diagrams.






Scoring high in these papers requires a business approach i.e., the time allocated by you should be commensurate to the marks that will accrue from the question. Assuming that the foundations are in place, it is better to focus on the most important areas. The list of important areas is given below:






a) History: The ‘Swadeshi Movement’, Peasant Movements in the 1930’s and 1940’s Agrarian Reforms.






b) Economic Geography of India: State of power generation in India and power reforms; Inter-State Trading Regulations 2003; Entrepreneurship in India; Progress of special programmes for raising agricultural production; Infrastructure and its multiplier effects; Constraints in public-private partnerships in the process of development; Gangavaram Port; Project Snow Leopard; Ganga River Basin Authority; the Bombay-Worli sea link.






c) Current Issues and Topics of Social Relevance: Law Commissions recommendations on ‘Narco – Analysis’; World Health Organisations and swine flu; Ethical issues involved in stem cell research; Sixth Pay Commission and Armed Forces; Central strategy to deal with Naxalism; Government’s plans to strengthen maritime and costal security; Reasons for poor performance of India at the Olympics; ragging; National Knowledge Commission and Indian systems of medicine; recent measures for social protection; racial attacks; social networking; social audit; exclusion of women from productive employment.






d) Indian Polity: State politics Vs national politics of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations, Unorganised Workers Social Security Bill 2000; Supreme Court’s Observation in T.N. Seshan Vs Union of India. The steps in the process of the removal of a judge; the RTI Act, Right to Education; National Security Guards; Law Commission Report on appointment of judges; India Development Foundation; Independence and removal of Election Commissioners; Delimitation Commission.






After having identified the important areas in the compulsory papers, it is advisable to repeat the same exercise in the optionals. Such an effort will ensure a rich harvest at the examination.






With the number of vacancies on the increase this would be the best time to aim for being included in the list of selected candidates. Ensure, you do so by adopting the winning edge.






Gopala Krishna,


Director, Brain Tree






( The Courtesy:http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/edu/2009/09/14/stories/2009091450520500.htm )

STRATEGY FOR G.S

Strategy for Prelims

Looking at the pattern in which questions have been framed in General Studies (GS) from 1985 onwards, one is tempted to say that possibly the principle design of the examiners is to eliminate candidates rather than test their mental calibre. Moreover, examiners have not correctly followed in all the years the pattern of allotting specific number of marks for specified for each syllabus expect for the area on Mental Ability.

Such being the current trend of setting the GS paper in the Preliminary Exam, candidates have no option but to bank upon chosen optional subjects while making reasonable amount of preparation for all areas of GS. Besides, it is wise to prepare these areas from the view-point of the Main Examination. The areas to be taken care of are Modern India, Polity, Indian Economy, Geography, Current Events and General Science.
Considering the general nature of the examination the tactics must be to focus on greater rather than intensive coverage. One is expected to know history, science, polity, geography, economy and other such disciplines, all at the same time. However, only basics of each of the disciplines is needed. Hence one must concentrate on basics and acquire as much facts about basics as possible but avoiding the element of over-kill in preparations.
While preparation for the Prelims large coverage is the key word. By going through large source of information it is expected that an image is built in the mind which will reflect the details. Do remember that human memory skills work better when there are less emotional in-puts or anxiety about inability to recall on account of exam-related stress.

Here is a brief dos and don'ts:
1Final preparation must start by testing self with the revision-type Model Test Papers.
2.Do not get discouraged by initial low score.
3.Emphasis on your weak-spots.
4.Keep testing yourself at a regular interval.
5.Make a mental note of areas you have covered and what remains to be covered.
6.Be analytical in response.
7.Do not overstretch yourself area of coverage-wise.
8.Revise your stuff a number of times.
9.A calm mental state is most important.
10.Since there is no negative marking in the exam, it is suggested not to leave any questions unanswered.
11.An intelligent guess can be made wherever necessary.
12.Do not get stuck at any question. Move on from question to question and attempt the difficult ones at the end.
13.In the first round, attempt only the answers which you are sure of.
14.In the next round, try to eliminate as many options as you can and darken the ovals which are the only one left out after elimination.
15.If you are confused between just two options, it is advisable to make an intelligent guess.
18.If you are left with about five to 10 minutes, select one option out of A,B,C or D and go on dealing with the left out questions.


Strategy for Mains


Paper I


History of Modern India and Indian Culture: The subject is like a story and there could be linkages between two questions. Students thus need to ensure that the entire syllabus is covered in detail while revising history.They can, however, do without preparing portions which appeared last year in the main stage of the examination. The general trend is that there are no repetitions from last year's papers, but once in a while students could be in for a surprise. The part relating to Indian culture will cover all aspects from ancient to modern times.
Geography of India: Students should concentrate on human and economic geography. Human section includes issues related to population. There will be questions based on the Human Development Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme. The World Development Report of World Bank deals in different aspects of economic geography like safe drinking water. Students should emphasise less on classical geography like types of soil and rocks. The stress should be on preparing cultural and economic geography and issues related to it.
Indian Polity: Different aspects of the Constitution like Supreme Court judgment during the past one year are important. At macro level, students need to know in detail issues like imposition of President's Rule in Bihar, why it was imposed and under what circumstances, significance of Bommai Judgment while implementing the same are important.
Current National issues and topics of social relevance: Students should go through major happenings at the national level during the last one calendar year. National newspapers, news magazines, journals and periodicals are good source of information to prepare topics related to national issues. Issues of social relevance which affect the lives of people should always be dealt in detail.


Paper-II
India and the World: Indian's relations with major world powers like US, China, Russia, France, UK and European Union should be covered in detail. The recent positive developments in Indo-US relations particularly in areas like civilian nuclear energy deal, space cooperation and education will be important in this year's examination.
Immediate neighbours like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar too play an important role in India's foreign policy. Disputes with Pakistan and China on the one hand and Bangladesh and Nepal on the other have come to play an important role in India's tryst to create a space in world politics. There should be focus on India's role in her neighbour's internal politics like maoist insurgency and return of democracy in Nepal. Issues related to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh too are important in this year's paper.
Indian Economy: The change of guard at the Centre has brought an ideological shift in how we manage our economy and issues related to taxation and spending pattern. There is more emphasis on the social sector, winding up of Ministry of Disinvestment, issues related to privatisation or profit earning and loss-making PSU entities. Queries related to disinvestment of government entities in a transparent manner too have come to play an important role during the past one year.
The role of government in our public life like running utility services too has become a matter of debate during the last few years. Areas like atomic energy, manufacturing of military goods should continue to remain in the public sector but the government should not own enterprises. The role of the government should be limited to budgetary support and providing direction on different policy matters like social work.
International Affairs and Institutions: Reforms in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and formation of G-4 to bid for permanent seats in the Security Council and US' role during the entire process will be important this year.
Developments in the fields of S&T,communications and space: Scientific development during the last one year, focus on development of AIDS vaccine, stem cell research, focus on non-renewable sources of energy and manned space are must during the revision. Geological disasters like earthquakes are still not being predicted inspite of technological advancements. Is it then justified to spend heavily on space research?
Statistical analysis, graphs and diagrammes: This section tests the candidates' ability to draw conclusions from information presented in statistical, graphical or diagrammatical form and to point out deficiencies therein.

Writing the paper: Students should be focussed in terms of language, and they should ensure that the answers are as close as possible. The examiner is usually in a hurry and if provided with facts and coherent replies,his job becomes easier. The answers should not be lengthy and written in a precise manner. Word limit should be adhered to, wherever mentioned. Students should focus on providing their side of justification in a jiffy. Repetitive and elaborate replies should be strictly avoided.

Strategy for Mains - India and the world


Paper two of General Studies in the Main Examination starts with the segment - India and the world. It accounts for around 50 marks out of 300 in this paper. Earlier this was part of a wider segment called issues of national and international importance. But in recent years, realising the significance of India's foreign policy, it has been segmented as a separate area and with focus on India's interaction with rest of the world.
Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India is regarded as the architect of our foreign policy. He used foreign policy as an instrument to defend and strengthen India's newly-won independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. His principles of 'Panchsheel' and non-alignment remained the guiding principles for successive prime ministers. During the time of Indira Gandhi, a growing assertiveness was quite evident in the Indian Foreign Policy, be it victory in the Bangladesh war of 1971 or merger of Sikkim in 1975 inspite of the Chinese protest. Her son Rajiv Gandhi believed in 'travel diplomacy'. As he had no ideological baggage to carry when he entered politics, he could interact with both superpowers - USA and USSR, with equal ease during the Cold war.
The end of Cold War heralded a new era for India too. With the beginning of economic reform, India started giving emphasis to 'economic diplomacy'. Consequently, India's relationship with major economies of the world like USA, E U, ASEAN improved considerably.
India and Pakistan continue to have a relationship that can be summed up as that of 'blow hot - blow cold'. Kashmir remains the most contentious issue, but the two countries finally seem to agree on a 'composite dialogue' within the sphere of bilateral ties. India's relationship with other smaller neighbouring countries of South Asia improved considerably in the mid 1990s largely because of the 'Gujral Doctrine'. This doctrine, which became as famous as its propounder enjoined upon India to give unilateral concessions to the smaller neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh without expecting any gains in reciprocity. A significant change seen in the recent times is the thrust given to normalising the relationship with China. Though we have outstanding border disputes but they have been kept on the backburner for the time being. At the same time, there has been more emphasis on enhancing the bilateral economic ties.
Our relationship with the USA is the hallmark of Indian foreign policy after the Cold War. The two countries have found 'natural allies' in each other mainly because of their common economic interests, common threats from international terrorism and common views on international security. On the other hand, India continues to have cordial ties with her time-tested friend Russia. It remains our biggest defence partner followed by Israel. Post-Cold War period has witnessed a change in India's foreign policy on West Asia. In 1993, India established diplomatic ties with the state of Israel keeping in view our security concerns. At the same time, India has not abandoned the cause of Palestinian Arabs. Finally, India's nuclear policy is an integrated part of our foreign policy. For India, its nuclear weapons are more as a deterrent or an insurance against extreme threats than weapons usable during war.
The General Studies (Main) Paper II includes international organisations too. The United Nations is the world's largest and most-vital organisation. It is formed of six main organs, which are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ELDSOC); Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Secretariat, alongwith specialised agencies like WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNHRC and others. Then, there are various other international organisations like G-8 or a group of world's most industrialised nations, G-77 or a group of world's developing countries and G-15 or a more compact version of G-77. There are organisations too which focus on certain other subjects like OPEC, OIC, NATO, NAM, among others. One must know the outcome of their latest summits or meets, among others. SAARC is an exclusive organisation of seven South Asia Countries. One can see that it has become a victim of political rivalry between India and Pakistan, its two biggest members. Still efforts are being made to save it and the latest 'Islamabad Summit' has ignited that process. The European Union is perhaps the world's most successful regional bloc alongwith ASEAN and NAFTA. Finally, one can expect questions on leading international non-governmental agencies like Amnesty International, Red Cross, World Wide Fund for Nature and Greenpeace. Needless to say, India's involvement in these organisations should be emphasised while preparing this segment for General Studies Paper II of Main Exam.

KRISHNA GOPAL TIWARI ....LIGHT TO US........... INSPIRATIONAL

WHEN HE was in school and early college days, little did he know he would lose his eyesight one day. However, it unfortunately happened… Krishna Gopal Tiwari, 27, lost his 75 per cent visibility due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, a non-treatable disease at the age of 20 but that could not demoralise him. Instead, Krishna decided to proceed with his life according to plan and became India’s first IAS officer with 75 per cent visual deformity. He is also amongst the first visually and physically challenged person as a UPSC aspirant in the history of Civil Services, to have made his record registering rank under 250 ie over all 142 that he cracked at the age of 26, interestingly, without any formal coaching.








Son of a marginal farmer, Swami Nath Tiwari of nondescript Dasvanpur village in Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, Krishna recently completed training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Dehradun, is currently finishing his last round of training programme, as Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS, at the state’s RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration in Bhopal. Against all odds, the usual monetary adversities of a person hailing from a relatively poor background, Krishna too had to battle his deformity as he had to answer his papers with the help of two scribes provided by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), as it is given in the case of any writing deformity to the concerned candidate.






Says Krishna, “Though I didn’t have any problem in writing my civil services’ papers, as I used to do self studies during my school and college days with ease, difficulties started growing up during the last rung of my college days at Purvanchal University, Jaunpur. Notwithstanding, I completed my post graduation in Economics from CSJM University, Kanpur writing self. It was during those days I realised I was crippled with the deterioration of my retinas, which eventually left me legally blind.”






Reminiscing about his preparatory days for the civil services examinations, Krishna says, “As spectacles were of no use to me, I used magnifying glasses to study in my early days but gradually got fed up of them. My life was going all dark and I had nearly lost my hope to proceed further. But soon arrived four godsent angel like friends, Pushpendra Kumar Sengar, Vikas Kumar Gupta, Amul Kumar and Ram Prakash Sahu, with whom I befriended in Delhi, the Mecca of UPSC preparations, who came to my rescue and brought a fresh ray of hope into my life.






Besides aiming themselves for the civil services, they helped me in every possible way without any ego to accomplish my mission, of which I was very sure. Pushpendra, in particular, used to record his voice whatever he studied in my audio tape recorder, which I would listen to again and again while memorising. In the meanwhile, a major jolt struck me when Ram Prakash died of electrocution at his native village. I’ll never forget him, as he monetarily helped me as well. Whatever, I am today, its credit goes to all of them and of course, my family.”






What makes his battle-to-achieve more interesting is that he never took any coaching for the preliminary test (PT) and Mains round, however, for interview he got guidance from Santosh Taneja and Charanji Roy of ‘Samkalp’- a paying guest accommodation initiative of the RSS affiliated student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). “Being a general category student, I had just one thing in mind to crack the UPSC in our limited four attempts. Fortunately, it went accordingly and I wrote Mains (subjective exam) twice. Finally in my third attempt, my childhood dream translated into reality with 142nd rank, which was a bit unexpected for me,” says Krishna on phone from Bhopal, where he is undergoing the last leg of training.






Besides friends, he also attributes his knowledge-based success to the All India Radio (AIR) and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). “I have been an avid listener to the news bulletins and talk-shows of the AIR and BBC since my childhood, which in return not only enhanced my general studies (GS) but also aroused in me, a curiosity to do something extraordinary so that I could do whatever possible for the society as well as the nation,” the IAS briefs.






So, despite being an average student apart from handicapped status, how could he sustain the idea of becoming an IAS? “It is one of the few job-oriented examinations where percentage doesn’t matter. The best part is, despite being one of the toughest examinations of the world, the UPSC invites applicants of every stream to test the waters. Being an average, a poor or a bright student is not a big issue here,” Krishna retorts. On sailing against the tide, he says, “Though no one influenced me, I took it as a challenge when my teachers and parents used to say that I would become an IAS someday. My interest gained momentum after my ‘masters degree’ when I qualified National Eligibility Test (NET), missing the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Besides, there was a healthy agreement at family front, between me and my elder brother, who too was a NET holder and just started teaching in a local college. As per the enthusiasm-provoking accord, my brother afforded me financial support to move to Delhi for further course of action.”






Meanwhile, Krishna’s greatest challenge during the written examinations was writing answers in Economics (his main subject) that had visual content – diagrams. He says, “It was difficult to explain to the scribes. So, I used wires to make the diagrams, which the scribes copied onto the answer sheet.” Following his troublesome encounter with the diagrams, he appealed to the UPSC to prepare a special question paper for the visually challenged.






Interestingly, in August that year (2008), after he secured the 142nd rank in the ‘Civil Services Examination 2007’, the highest rank ever for a person with a physical disability, the Department of Personnel and Training told him that he was ineligible to join the Indian Administrative Services on three counts: He would be unable to perform his duties as he could not see, he could not read or write and could not walk without help. Following this, Krishna protested, saying he was adept at handling computers and could walk in a secure area without help. Subsequently, the matter was referred to the medical board and the objections were waived. In November last year, Tiwari was finally inducted into the IAS.






Now that he is an IAS, he has many things on his mind to do for the welfare and upliftment of visually challenged. “As blind people get problem in identifying currency notes I would facilitate (if can) to make these notes user-friendly for them, also written on it in ‘Braille manuscript’. Moreover, only 1/4th of the blind children in India are accessed to this manuscript. So, I’ll try my best in getting them know about its technicality. A particular professional training to them will be on top in my agendas so that a proper employment could be given to our type of candidates in government and private sectors,” Krishna sums up.






Going by the 5Ds – Dream, Desire, Determination, Dedication and Discipline shown by this highest ranking visually challenged IAS, who knows our country will soon have more and more talent like him!

REALLY INSPIRATIONAL!!!!!

Muthyala Raju Revu, a farmer’s son who topped the civil services examination, says his sole desire is to serve people in rural areas that lack even basic transportation and medical facilities which led to the death of his sister and others.

Hailing from a remote island village in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal district of Krishna, the 27-year-old made the state proud by emerging all India topper among 474 candidates found eligible in Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) examination, the results of which were declared Monday.

Actual Word-to-Word Interview Of Muthyala Raju. Click to read.

Death of his sister and six friends in his remote Chinnagollapalem village that lacked basic transportation and medical facilities motivated him to take up the civil services examination so as to be able to do something for his people.

‘My sister and others died because they could not get medical attention in time as my village has no transportation facility and is cut off by Godavari and Krishna rivers. The only way of reaching the village is by small boats,’ said Revu.

‘I am from a coastal village which lacks basic facilities like transport, education and health services. There are some more villages in our country like our village. I wanted to be a part in developing these villages as an IAS officer.’

Revu wants to take up Indian Administrative Service (IAS) job as an Andhra Pradesh cadre officer as he feels that he could better serve the villages like Chinnagollapalem by being a civil servant.

‘There are hundreds of villagers which lack transportation and other basic amenities and I want to serve them,’ said Revu.

The desire to top forced him to appear for the examination for the third time. He had secured 223rd rank in the second attempt in year 2006 and joined as IPS probationer from Rajasthan cadre.

Revu’s father Narasimha Murthy is a farmer and his two elder brothers are also into agriculture. They belong to a caste among Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

A bright student right from his school days, he passed 10th standard from the government school close to his village. Despite all odds, Revu joined a polytechnic college in the same region.

He secured first rank in ECET-1998, did B. Tech from National Institute of Technology, Warangal. Revu secured third place in GATE-2002 and did Masters in Engineering (ME) in Signal Processing from Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore. He secured first rank in the Indian Engineering Services-2003 and took up a job as a railway engineer.

‘There is nothing which a man can’t achieve. You have to believe in yourself, be positive and prepare to achieve the goal,’ Revu said sharing the secret of his success.

Interview given by IAS 2007 1st ranker MUTHYALA RAJU…word by word
Interview took place on 17th april in New Delhi for 35 mins

Raju: May I come in Sir?

Chairman: Yes, please.

Raju: Good morning, Sir. Good morning, Madam. Good morning, Sirs.

Chairman: You are Mr…

Raju: (Still in standing position), Matyalaraju Revu Sir.
(Chairman is writing something. Other members are keenly watching the candidate.)

Member 2: Please take your seat.

Raju: Thank you, sir.

Chairman: Mr. Revu, You did B.Tech from REC Warangal, ME from IISc, Bangalore. But why did you do diploma?

Raju: Sir, After completion of my 10th class, based on my financial background, my father joined me in polytechnic. After completion of polytechnic, we do get jobs. Also, since I will get scholarship, the amount of money spent on me is less.

Chairman: That means you will get job after diploma.

Raju: Yes Sir, I got a private job. Company is Cain energy limited.

Chairman: Then, why did you join B.Tech?

Raju: Sir, After completion of my diploma, I wrote ECET and I got state 1st rank. So I convinced my father that I will join REC which is a premier Engineering institute in our state.

Chairman: Then, you joined ME because your father insisted on that?

Raju: No Sir, It is based on my project guide suggestion. Sir, infact there are two streams to enter into B.Tech. One through EAMCET after Intermediate and other is through ECET. After ECET…

Chairman: What question I have asked?

Raju: Sorry Sir, you have asked me why I joined ME after B.Tech.

Chairman: OK. Then stick on to the question.

Raju: Sir, I am explaining it.

Chairman: Be specific.

Raju: OK sir, during my final year I got all India rank 3 in Gate. My guide on knowing this result suggested me to join IISc. He further told that this is the golden opportunity for me. ԉf you miss it you will not get it again! ՠ he told sir. Then, I informed about my career option as civil services. He then convinced me by saying that I can write civil services after M.E. also.

Chairman: That means you are preparing for civil services while you are in IISc?

Raju: I beg to differ with you sir. I started my preparation only after completion of M.E.

Chairman: You have written that you joined Railways in September 2004. That is of which exam?

Raju: Sir, This is based on IES-2003.

Chairman: That means you are in IISc.

Raju: Sir, I completed my second semester at that time.

Chairman: That means you have prepared for IES in IISc.

Raju: Sir, I have given IES in my own background i.e., Electrical Engineering. Hence I need not prepare much for this exam. I just gave the exam.

Chairman: For how many years you are in Railways?

Raju: Sir, I joined Railways on September 2004. Then I took leave for 1 year, i.e., leave on loss of pay.

Chairman: What did you do in that year?

Raju: Sir, I have prepared for this exam.

Chairman: How many months you are in Railways?

Raju: Sir, roughly 5 months.

Chairman: That means you are in Railways till February.

Raju: Sir, I am in Railways till the result of civil services exam 2005 was out. I was given leave for interview preparation in March.

Chairman: Then what did you do after the declaration of the result?

Raju: Sir, Once the result of out, I came to know that I will get IPS. So, I convinced my director for leave to appear civil services again. My director gave me leave.

Chairman: When did you join IPS?

Raju: Sir, I joined IPS on December 18, 2006.

Chairman: Which part of training you missed?

Raju: Sir, I missed foundation training in Mussorie. At SVPNPA, training started on December 18, 2006. So, I haven մ missed any training at Hyderabad.

Chairman: How many days you have taken leave for interview?

Raju: Sir, 4 days.

Member 2: How was your IPS training?

Raju: Sir, training is good and we are enjoying every aspect of training.

Member 2: What are you learning in training?

Raju: Sir, our training is divided into two parts. Indoor and outdoor. In indoor, we have subjects like police in modern India, criminology and law subjects like IE Act, CrPC, IPC and other subjects.

Member 2: You are in IPS for 4 months. So I can ask some questions.

Raju: Yes, sir.

Member 2: Do you aware that the confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Why?

Raju: Yes sir. Confession admitted to police is not allowed as witness. Since there is always a possibility of getting the confession in the way the police like, law doesn մ allow it.

Member 2: What is Res gestae?

Raju: Sir, All the circumstances leading to the same transaction are allowable as evidence.

Member 2: You are on the line. Could you explain more?

Raju: (after 2-3 seconds), If some people wanted to commit dacoity and in the process if they theft a vehicle, eventhough theft of vehicle is not connected with dacoity but it is admissible as it forms the circumstance leading to dacoity.

Member 2: Could you tell me the section which deals with Res gestae?

Raju: Sorry sir, I could not remember the exact section.

Member 2: Then how sections you were taught in IE Act?

Raju: Sir, In our academy our sirs are not teaching according to sections. They are teaching the sections which are more useful for the police at first.

Member 2: Do you aware of RTI?

Raju: Yes. Sir. It is Right to Information Act.

Member 2: What are the provisions in RTI?

Raju: Sir, According to provisions of RTI, every government department has to nominate one officer as information commissioner to give information about duties, responsibilities and functions of various officers working in those departments…

Member 2: Then what is the benefit to common man?

Raju: Sir, Common man can know the functions, duties & responsibilities of various officers. They can know the status of their applications. This also increases transparency and accountability of officers. Hence reduces corruption.

Member 2: How can you say that people will get required information?

Raju: Sir, There is a provision in RTI that any one who refuses to give information or delays 30 days for giving information, they are liable for cut in salary.

Member 2: How much salary cut?

Raju: Sir, I think it is 250 Rs./ day.

Member 2: It is not cut from salary. It is separately cut.

Raju: Thank you Sir.

Member 2: Can you tell me what is the maximum limit?

Raju: Sorry sir, I don’t know.

Chairman: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. Don մ you think that all are inward looking?

Raju: Sir, Whenever possible I play cricket in addition my hobbies, which is a team game.

Member 2: Tell me which countries will reach final in the present world cup?

Raju: Sir, I think Australia and Srilanka.

Member 2: Already two countries reached semifinals i.e., Sri Lanka & Newzealand. What do you think about other two?

Raju: Sir, I beg to differ with you. Actually three countries i.e., Srilanka, New Zealand and Australia reached semifinals. 4th team depends on the outcome of the today ճ match between England & South Africa.

Member 2: Do you know about fly ash?

Raju: Sir, Thermal power stations produce fly ash while generating electrical power.

Member 2: Which state is using it more? Definitely it is not Haryana, My own state.

Raju: Sorry Sir, I don մ know.

Member 3 : (X-A) (X-B) has highest X power of 2. Do you agree?

Raju: Yes, Sir.

Member 3: (X-A) (X-B) (X-C) has highest X power…

Raju: 3, Sir.

Member 3: Then, tell me. What is the answer for (X-A) (X-B)…. (X-Z).

Raju: (after 3-4 seconds), It must be Zero. Sir, because of the presence of the term (X-X).

Member 3: Whom do you think a greatest mathematician of all times?

Raju: Sir, Srinivasa Ramanujan, because even though he lived for only 33 years, he contributed more to mathematics in the areas like Numerical methods, Solution of algebraic equations, number theory like prime numbers etc.

Member 3: Can you tell me the formula for prime numbers?

Raju: Sir, exactly I don մ know but recently IIT, Kanpur professor along with his students wrote a software program which gives whether a number is prime or not within less time.

Member 3: You are an electrical engineer. Tell me where prime numbers are used?

Raju: Sir, they are used in coding.

Member 3: I am asking a question in your engineering only. Tell me how prime numbers are used in coding?

Raju: Sir, exactly I don մ know. But to the best of my knowledge, if the code length is prime, decoding and encoding are easy.

Member 3: You are on the line, but not exact answer.

Member 1: Your hobbies are meditation, motivating others and Indian Mythology. What you do in motivation?

Raju: Madam, many of classmates and Juniors came to me for clearing their doubts in subjects as I am the toper of my class. I usually listen to their problems regarding their understanding of concepts as many have problems either in one or many subjects. I tell them that every subject is easy if knew the concepts clear and we should like the subject what we are studying…

Madam: Do your response same for all?

Raju: Madam, I usually spend more time with those who are very much lagging. I take classes to clear their doubts.

Madam: Then do you call it motivation or strategic learning?

Raju: Madam, strategic learning may be the correct term.

Madam: What is the difference between these two?

Raju: Madam, motivation is a general term which includes not only academic motivation but also others like psychological, etc., Madam, I don մ know exactly the meaning of strategic learning.

Madam: Which books you read in Indian Mythology?

Raju: Madam, I read Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Madam: Since your hobbies are motivating others and Indian Mythology, tell me how Krishna motivated Arjuna?

Raju: Madam, When Arjuna refused to fight with friends, teachers, Krishna told him that it is the duty of the king to protect Dharma and fight wars for protecting it. We should not move away from our duty. Since soul is immortal and of which is born, death is certain, of which death happened, birth is certain. Hence you should not think that you are committing crime. Also he motivated him by saying that we should do our work only. We should not think about the results of our actions. Otherwise, attachment to the results will occur which is a major reason for unhappiness.

Madam: Do you practise it?

Raju: Madam, It is very difficult to practise.

Madam: Why?

Raju: Madam, for example, if we are about to play a cricket match, we will think about the winning of the match which is actually the result of the playing that match.

Madam: One last question. What kind of training our team got during our last year world cup?

Raju: Madam, exactly I am not able to recollect it. But it is like ҷe can do it this time Ӽ /span>

Madam: Sorry, It is not last year world cup but it is 2003 world cup. The team was given psychological training.

Raju: Yes, Madam

Member 4: You studied your B.Tech. from REC Warangal and M.E. from IISc Bangalore. Do you proud of your institutions like IISc?

Raju: Sir, I am proud that I have studied in a great institution like IISc, which according UNESCO survey conducted in 1997 was in 18th place among world universities. Recently a Chinese university conducted a survey in which IISc was placed at around 250th position.

Member 4: Do you think that 250th position is a good position?

Raju: Sir, even though it is not a good position, the position depended on the parameters they have taken into consideration like no. of nobel laureates present, no. of research papers presented, etc.

Member 4: Who are nobel laureate present in IISc?

Raju: Sir, now there is no nobel laureate in IISc. Earlier Sir C.V.Raman worked in IISc. Now, there are two internationally reputed professors working there.

Member 4: Last year government proposed to stop B.Tech entry into IITs. Do you support that?

Raju: Sir, I support it. Sir, due to hectic schedule, the professors of IITs are not able to concentrate much on research. Once the B.Tech entry is stopped, they will get more time for research and quality of research will increase.

Member 4: Don մ you think the quality of B.Tech students will reduce as IITs are known for better professors?

Raju: Sir, those students who are earlier eligible for entry into IITs, they will join NITs. Since they are the core students I don մ think the quality will reduce. But the professors in other institutes should get sufficient training to reach the level of IIT professors.

Member 4: You agree to that proposal. But the government has withdrawn the proposal due to very good argument against it. Can you tell me?

Raju: Sorry sir, I don մ know.

Member 4: What do you think is responsible for reduction in research?

Raju: Sir, IISc is not able to retain those students who completed M.E. and other courses there. One reason is brain drain, Sir. Second one is that research is not attractive in India, Sir. For example, in our batch out of 230 students who completed M.E. only 2 joined for Ph.D. in IISc. At the end of our M.E. we got campus placements. The minimum salary is around 6 lakhs/ annum. It is attracting most of us. Those who are really interested in research, they are going abroad as they will get more money and research is attractive there. Here, a Ph.D. student gets 12,000 - 15,000 Rs per month. Also material considerations have risen these days, sir. We have to include some compulsory courses in morale & ethics to stop this.

Member 4: Instead of choosing job or research, why did you choose services as career option?

Raju: Sir, The incident that took place in my village in November 2000, when I am in 3rd year of B.Tech, has changed my career options. Nearby Engineering college students came to our village for picnic as our village has excellent beach. 7 of them drowned in the Bay of Bengal and all of them has taken sand into their lungs in addition to water. Since our village is an island, there are no transportation, medical & meagre educational facilities, it took 2 hours to reach nearest town which is 16 Km away from my village. By that time, 6 out 7 were died, Sir.

Chairman: You are telling about an incident in your village. In that case who will respond first?

Raju: (3-4 seconds silence)

Chairman: Whether it is Block development officer, Doctor, or Police.

Raju: Sir, It is the police to respond first.

Chairman: Then, you are in IPS. Why did you come?

Raju: Sir, even for police it took 2 hours to reach that place as there is not enough transportation facilities.

Chairman: Thank you.

Raju: Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Sirs.

MATHS EVERITHING

 STRATEGY

The beauty of mathematics as a subject in the main examination is that you can be very selective, yet completely safe. Your efforts should be aimed at developing quality of approach rather than a broad coverage of the course. The following sections are especially important for the aspirants taking IAS Main 2005 with mathematics as an optional subject. The candidates must practise a lot on the indicated sections and they should take care to give derivation in all the cases if the result is a subsidiary one. In case of standard results, there is no need to give derivation of an equation, until specifically asked to.

Paper I
Section A

Linear Algebra: Vector, space, linear dependance and independance, subspaces, bases, dimensions. Finite dimensional vector spaces. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, eqivalence, congruences and similarity, reduction to canonical form, rank, orthogonal, symmetrical, skew symmetrical, unitary, hermitian, skew-hermitian formstheir eigenvalues.

Calculus: Lagrange's method of multipliers, Jacobian. Riemann's definition of definite integrals, indefinite integrals, infinite and improper integrals, beta and gamma functions. Double and triple integrals (evaluation techniques only). Areas, surface and volumes and centre of gravity.

Analytic Geometry: Sphere, cone, cylinder, paraboloid, ellipsoid, hyperboloid of one and two sheets and their properties.

Section B

Ordinary Differential Equations: Clariaut's equation, singular solution. Higher order linear equations, with constant coefficients, complementary function and particular integral, general solution, Euler-Cauchy equation. Second order linear equations with variable coefficients, determination of complete solution when one solution is known, method of variation of parameters.

Dynamics, Statics and Hydrostatics: You can skip this entire section, if you have prepared other sections well.

Vector Analysis: Triple products, vector identities and vector equations. Application to Geometry: Curves in space, curvature and torision. Serret-Frenet's formulae, Gauss and Stokes' theorems, Green's identities.

Paper II
Section A

Algebra: Normal subgroups, homomorphism of groups quotient groups basic isomorophism theorems, Sylow's group, principal ideal domains, unique factorisation domains and Euclidean domains. Field extensions, finite fields.

Real Analysis: Riemann integral, improper integrals, absolute and conditional convergence of series of real and complex terms, rearrangement of series. Uniform convergence, continuity, differentiability and integrability for sequences and series of functions. Differentiation of functions of several variables, change in the order of partial derivatives, implicit function theorem, maxima and minima. Multiple integrals.

Complex Analysis: You can skip this entire section, if you have prepared other sections well.

Linear Programming: Basic solution, basic feasible solution and optimal solution, Simplex method of solutions. Duality. Transportation and assignment problems. Travelling salesman problems.

Section B

Partial differential equations: Solutions of equations of type dx/p=dy/q=dz/r; orthogonal trajectories, pfaffian differential equations; partial differential equations of the first order, solution by Cauchy's method of characteristics; Char-pit's method of solutions, linear partial differential equations of the second order with constant coefficients, equations of vibrating string, heat equation, laplace equation.

Numerical Analysis and Computer programming: Numerical methods, Regula-Falsi and Newton-Raphson methods Numerical integration: Simpson's one-third rule, tranpesodial rule, Gaussian quardrature formula. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations: Euler and Runge Kutta-methods.

Computer Programming: Binary system. Arithmetic and logical operations on numbers. Bitwise operations. Octal and Hexadecimal Systems. Convers-ion to and from decimal Systems.

Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics: D'Alembert's principle and Lagrange' equations, Hamilton equations, moment of intertia, motion of rigid bodies in two dimensions.

 Mathematics - Optional
of Part A - Preliminary Examination of Civil Services Exam

1. Algebra : Elements of Set Theory; Algebra of Real and Complex numbers including Demovire's theorem; Polynomials and Polynomial equations, relation between Coefficients and Roots, symmetric functions of roots; Elements of Group Theory; Sub-Group, Cyclic groups, Permutation, Groups and their elementary properties.

Rings, Integral Domains and Fields and their elementary properties.

2. Vector Spaces and Matrices : Vector Space, Linear Dependence and Independence. Sub-spaces. Basis and Dimensions, Finite Dimensional Vector Spaces. Linear Transformation of a Finite Dimensional Vector Space, Matrix Representation. Singular and Nonsingular Transformations. Rank and Nullity.

Matrices : Addition, Multiplication, Determinants of a Matrix, Properties of Determinants of order, Inverse of a Matrix, Cramer's rule.

3. Geometry and Vectors : Analytic Geometry of straight lines and conics in Cartesian and Polar coordinates; Three Dimensional geometry for planes, straight lines, sphere, cone and cylinder. Addition, Subtraction and Products of Vectors and Simple applications to Geometry.

4. Calculus : Functions, Sequences, Series, Limits, Continuity, Derivatives.

Application of Derivatives : Rates of change, Tangents, Normals, Maxima, Minima, Rolle's Theorem, Mean Value Theorems of Lagrange and Cauchy, Asymptotes, Curvature. Methods of finding indefinite integrals, Definite Integrals, Fundamental Theorem of integrals Calculus. Application of definite integrals to area, Length of a plane curve, Volume and Surfaces of revolution.

5. Ordinary Differential Equations : Order and Degree of a Differential Equation, First order differential Equations, Singular solution, Geometrical interpretation, Second order equations with constant coefficients.

6. Mechanics : Concepts of particles-Lamina; Rigid Body; Displacements; force; Mass; weight; Motion; Velocity; Speed; Acceleration; Parallelogram of forces; Parallelogram of velocity, acceleration; resultant; equilibrium of coplanar forces; Moments; Couples; Friction; Centre of mass, Gravity; Laws of motion; Motion of a particle in a straight line; simple Harmonic Motion; Motion under conservative forces; Motion under gravity; Projectile; Escape velocity; Motion of artificial satellites.

7. Elements of Computer Programming : Binary system, Octal and Hexadecimal systems. Conversion to and from Decimal systems. Codes, Bits, Bytes and Words. Memory of a computer, Arithmetic and Logical operations on numbers. Precisions. AND, OR, XOR, NOT and Shit/Rotate operators, Algorithms and Flow Charts

PAPER - I

(1)       Linear Algebra:

Vector spaces over R and C, linear dependence and independence, subspaces, bases, dimension; Linear transformations, rank and nullity, matrix of a linear transformation.

Algebra of Matrices; Row and column reduction, Echelon form, congruence’s and similarity; Rank of a matrix; Inverse of a matrix; Solution of system of linear equations; Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, characteristic polynomial, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, Symmetric, skew-symmetric, Hermitian, skew-Hermitian, orthogonal and unitary matrices and their eigenvalues.

(2)       Calculus:

Real numbers, functions of a real variable, limits, continuity, differentiability, mean-value theorem, Taylor's theorem with remainders, indeterminate forms, maxima and minima, asymptotes; Curve tracing; Functions of two or three variables: limits, continuity, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, Lagrange's method of multipliers, Jacobian.

Riemann's definition of definite integrals; Indefinite integrals; Infinite and improper integrals; Double and triple integrals (evaluation techniques only); Areas, surface and volumes.

(3)       Analytic Geometry:

Cartesian and polar coordinates in three dimensions, second degree equations in three variables, reduction to canonical forms, straight lines, shortest distance between two skew lines; Plane, sphere, cone, cylinder, paraboloid, ellipsoid, hyperboloid of one and two sheets and their properties.

(4)       Ordinary Differential Equations:

Formulation of differential equations; Equations of first order and first degree, integrating factor; Orthogonal trajectory; Equations of first order but not of first degree, Clairaut's equation, singular solution.

Second and higher order linear equations with constant coefficients, complementary function, particular integral and general solution.

Second order linear equations with variable coefficients, Euler-Cauchy equation; Determination of complete solution when one solution is known using method of variation of parameters.

Laplace and Inverse Laplace transforms and their properties; Laplace transforms of elementary functions. Application to initial value problems for 2^nd order linear equations with constant coefficients.

(5)       Dynamics & Statics:

Rectilinear motion, simple harmonic motion, motion in a plane, projectiles; constrained motion; Work and energy, conservation of energy; Kepler's laws, orbits under central forces.

Equilibrium of a system of particles; Work and potential energy, friction; common catenary; Principle of virtual work; Stability of equilibrium, equilibrium of forces in three dimensions.

(6)       Vector Analysis:

Scalar and vector fields, differentiation of vector field of a scalar variable; Gradient, divergence and curl in cartesian and cylindrical coordinates; Higher order derivatives; Vector identities and vector equations.

Application to geometry: Curves in space, Curvature and torsion; Serret-Frenet’s formulae.

Gauss and Stokes’ theorems, Green’s identities.

PAPER - II

(1)       Algebra:

Groups, subgroups, cyclic groups, cosets, Lagrange’s Theorem, normal subgroups, quotient groups, homomorphism of groups, basic isomorphism theorems, permutation groups, Cayley’s theorem.

Rings, subrings and ideals, homomorphisms of rings; Integral domains, principal ideal domains, Euclidean domains and unique factorization domains; Fields, quotient fields.

(2)       Real Analysis:

Real number system as an ordered field with least upper bound property; Sequences, limit of a sequence, Cauchy sequence, completeness of real line;  Series and its convergence,  absolute and conditional convergence of series of real and complex terms, rearrangement of series.

Continuity and uniform continuity of functions, properties of continuous functions on compact sets.

Riemann integral, improper integrals; Fundamental theorems of integral calculus.

Uniform convergence, continuity, differentiability and integrability for sequences and series of functions;  Partial derivatives of functions of several (two or three) variables, maxima and minima.  

(3)       Complex Analysis:

Analytic functions, Cauchy-Riemann equations, Cauchy's theorem, Cauchy's integral formula, power series representation of an analytic function, Taylor’s series; Singularities; Laurent's series; Cauchy's residue theorem; Contour integration.

(4)       Linear Programming:

Linear programming problems, basic solution, basic feasible solution and optimal solution; Graphical method and simplex method of solutions; Duality.

Transportation and assignment problems.

(5)       Partial differential equations:

Family of surfaces in three dimensions and formulation of partial differential equations;  Solution of quasilinear  partial differential equations of the first order, Cauchy's method of characteristics; Linear partial differential equations of the second order with constant coefficients, canonical form; Equation of a vibrating string, heat equation, Laplace equation and their solutions.

(6)       Numerical Analysis and Computer programming:

Numerical methods: Solution of algebraic and transcendental equations of one variable by bisection, Regula-Falsi and Newton-Raphson methods; solution of system of linear equations by Gaussian elimination and Gauss-Jordan (direct), Gauss-Seidel(iterative) methods. Newton's (forward and backward) interpolation, Lagrange's interpolation.

Numerical integration: Trapezoidal rule, Simpson's rules, Gaussian quadrature formula.

Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations: Euler and Runga Kutta-methods.

Computer Programming: Binary system; Arithmetic and logical operations on numbers; Octal and Hexadecimal systems; Conversion to and from decimal systems; Algebra of binary numbers.

Elements of computer systems and concept of memory; Basic logic gates and truth tables, Boolean algebra, normal forms.

 Representation of unsigned integers, signed integers and reals, double precision reals and long integers.

Algorithms and flow charts for solving numerical analysis problems.

(7)       Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics:

Generalized coordinates; D' Alembert's principle and Lagrange's equations; Hamilton equations; Moment of inertia; Motion of rigid bodies in two dimensions.

Equation of continuity; Euler's equation of motion for inviscid flow; Stream-lines, path of a particle; Potential flow; Two-dimensional and axisymmetric motion; Sources and sinks, vortex motion; Navier-Stokes equation for a viscous fluid.