(Getting Started) What Not to Do - Advice by AIR 148 Sunny Gupta

(Getting Started) What Not to Do - Advice by AIR 148 Sunny Gupta

Like many other Indians, Sunny Gupta has always had the zeal for public service. However, he lacked the proper information and guidance. While working for HCL technologies, he was gradually introduced to the world of UPSC Civil Services. That’s when he found out that this was the path to realizing his dream. His determination was fanned by him successfully clearing the prelims examinations in his very first attempt. He refused to give up and having exhausted all six attempts, he stands tall with AIR 148 in UPSC CSE 2019. 

Struggles

Sunny has also cleared Kashmir Administration Services. In fact, it served as a source of confidence when despite attending interviews he was still being unable to crack the exam. In his 5th attempt, he secured IRTS services where he is currently undergoing training. He now awaits his new service call. Working under an IAS officer over the past 2-3 years, Sunny found himself even more motivated to land this service.

Sunny appeared for his preliminary and mains examinations while still working as a Tehsildar in Kashmir Administrative Services. There were challenges to holding a full-time gazetted position while appearing for an exam that is as demanding as UPSC Civil Services, but he managed it. It was less difficult while attending his interviews while undertaking training for his IRTS service as the interview preparation according to him take roughly 3 to 4 hours of one’s day.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do Not Treat Prelims and Mains Separately

Sunny says given the pattern of the preliminary examination these days, do not make the mistake of thinking you can prepare separately for prelims and mains. UPSC Preliminary questions are no longer just factual or direct; they are in fact very analytical in nature and require as in-depth an understanding as it would take to answer a mains question. Stick to the standard textbooks and study current affairs thoroughly. Connecting each current news article to the related static information is required if one is to clear UPSC CSE prelims today.

Do Not Leave Answer Writing To The End

Writing answers is key to clearing the mains examination. It has to be a year-long process and cannot be achieved in a few months. Writing every day, having the right structure and pace is crucial to finishing the paper in time and writing quality answers that fetch good marks. Do not leave writing answers until you are done with your revisions. Work simultaneously on both; that is the only way to succeed.

16 Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir cleared UPSC CSE, 2019

Do Not Make Detailed Notes

Notes making is essential. Knowing how to make crisp and concise notes is equally important. The last one month before either prelims or mains exams should be about revising the whole upsc syllabus without missing out on a single topic. How does one revise a syllabus that took years to complete in just 4 weeks? Not from textbooks, not from a compilation, and definitely not from bulk and detailed notes. Do not try to reread, that is not what revising is all about. Instead, think of your notes as cue cards meant to guide you towards information your mind has already stored. Make crisp and short notes, keep revising them as many times as you can.

Do Not Try to Act Differently in Interviews

Interviews are a test of your personality. Do not try to fake aspects of your personality or present qualities that you don’t originally possess. Dishonesty is not ethical and thus not appreciated by interview boards. Instead, revise all that you have studies to make it through to the interviews. Learn more about the aspects you have mentioned in your upsc DAF. And try to be humble and answer best to your abilities, while remaining completely professional and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. You should come off with flying colors.

Do Not Try to Study Everything

Don’t study everything. Its not a doctorate program. Study limited sources and keep revising so much that when you write, you do not need to think hard to recall the information. Revising and retaining the little you study is more important than studying a vast amount of information. Keep revising and writing answers. That is the only way to succeed in UPSC Civil Services.

Message to Aspirants

Sunny Gupta’s Interview

Do not give up. Instead, analyze your shortcomings and reform them. There is no failure in UPSC, it is just a part of your whole journey. Do not let the pressure get to you. With a cool head, keep trying till you can. Failure is not the end.

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