[Topper's Interview] Rajarshi Raj Varma (UPSC-2013 _ Rank-351)_ First Attempt, Public Administration, Ranchi, XIM-Bhubaneswar - Mrunal

6/7/2014 [Topper's Interview] Rajarshi Raj Varma (UPSC-2013 / Rank-351): First Attempt, Public Administration, Ranchi, XIM-Bhubaneswar - Mrunal

http://mrunal.org/2014/06/toppers-interview-rajarshi-raj-varma-upsc-2013-rank-351-first-attempt-public-administration-ranchi-xim.html 1/41

Mrunal

motivation | 44 6 days ago[Topper's Interview]

Rajarshi Raj Varma

(UPSC-2013 / Rank-351): First Attempt,

Public Administration, Ranchi, XIM-

Bhubaneswar

1. UPSC toppers profile

2. Education

3. Introduction

4. Electronic Vs Paper material

5. Tempo and style

SEARCH B4 ASKING!

Search

RYAN IBRAHIM { He

is giving correct info..ppl

are receiving call letters

thru speed post..they got it

a few days ago. } [ACIO]

Result for ACIO 2013

exam declared,...

VRUSHALI { Sorry it is

for lokpal... Ther is 120

constitution amendment

bill regardimg JUDICIARY

APPOINTMENT

COMMISSION refer it in

detail ruchi }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Economy

Current

Articles

Studyplans

Download

Toppers

Forum



6. Prelims (CSAT) General studies

7. Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude

8. Prelim accuracy

9. Mains: Compulsory language paper

10. Mains: Essay

11. General Studies (Mains) paper 1

12. General studies (Mains) paper 2

13. General studies (Mains) Paper 3

14. General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity,

aptitude

15. GS4 Ethics case study answers in

Mains 2013

16. Mains answer-writing?

17. Public Administration optional subject

18. Before the interview

19. During the interview

20. UPSC Topper Marksheet

21. Career Backup

22. Views on UPSC reforms

23. Insecurity about profile

24. Wisdom

25. Credit: Friends/family

26. BOGUS Marketing Propaganda

UPSC toppers profile

Name Rajarshi Raj Varma

Rank in CSE-2013 351

Roll No. 154924

Age 25

Judgement,...

RISHABH { Mrunal sir

there is some technical

problem in opening

Environment articles,

kindly help.... }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

RISHABH { Which class?

Geography? }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

VRUSHALI { Will tell me

differences between

millitary nd paramillitry

forces }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

VRUSHALI { Only read

ncert }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

VRUSHALI { Searching

nd selection committe nt

collegium }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati



Total attempts in

CSE1

Optional Subject Public Administration

Medium chosen for

Mains answersEnglish

Schooling medium English

College medium English

Home town/city Ranchi

Work-experience if

any

1 year experience in a development

consultancy

Details of other

competitive exams,

including

success/failures

CAT, XAT; qualified for Xavier

Institute of Management,

Bhubaneswar (Rural Management)

through XAT in 2009

Details of coaching,

mock tests, postal

material (if used)

1. Sriram IAS for GS

2. Pavan Sir for Pub Admn.

service preference

#1, 2 and 3IAS, IFS, IPS

state cadre

preference (top3)Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab

Education

% in class 10 92.8

% in class 12 87

Schooling

Judgement,...

VRUSHALI { Hi ruchi ,

ther is collegium consist of

searching committe nd

collegium committe . U go

to previos articles of

mrunal sir around of

march... }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

DR SHASHANK

TIWARI { Sir I did not

get...what do u mean by

just 4 evm can be

attached..attached to

what..and if its with

cu,,then paper ballot

usage.???? And... }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

MONA { in latest 2013

topper without coaching

??? } [Topper's

Interview] Rajarshi Raj

Varma (UPSC-2013 / ...

KIRANMOY BISWAS

{ Mr kaushik sarkar This

discussion is not right for

here but you question is

not wrong. You are right in

questioning the

applicability of Dr... }



(Medium) English

Graduation

course and %Economics (H); 66.6%

CollegeKirorimal College, Delhi University,

2008 batch

Post-

graduation

Xavier Institute of Management,

Bhubaneswar (Rural Management);

2009-11

Any other

professional

courses

NA

Hobbies &

Extra

curricular

Yoga, playing Cricket and Table Tennis

Introduction

Q. Tell us something about yourself, your

family, when and why did you enter in this

field of competitive exams?

[Topper's Interview] Dr.

Roman Saini (CSE-

2013/AIR-18): First...

SATYENDRA { what is

compulsive litigant? }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

RISHAV { "congressi

karyakarta may even break

his expensive sunglasses"

dat was hilarious!! Thanks

Mrunal bhai for writing

articles in such informal

and interesting way!! This

is... }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

STRUGGLER { Same

here. No results. From chd.

} [SSC-CGL-2013] Re-

exam on 20th July,

Download all...

ALMEIDA { Bhai You

are eligible. Don't panic.

study hard. } [SSC-CGL-

2013] Re-exam on 20th

July, Download all...

B { Mrunal, I am searching

for some practice papers

for CSAT but not able to

find proper reviews. Can

you please provide pointer



After having spent my formative years in Patna and

Ranchi, I joined Economics (H) in Kirorimal College

of Delhi University. Thereafter, I took admission in

Rural Management programme of XIM,

Bhubaneswar and worked in the development

sector for a year before leaving the job for full time

CSE preparation in 2012. During the course of my

Rural Management degree and subsequently when I

worked in rural development sector after my MBA, I

travelled extensively in rural areas and realized the

profound impact that administration has on the

lives of the people and thus decided to prepare for

this exam.

Electronic Vs Paper material

Q. In recent times, there is spur in electronic

material- blogs, sites, pdfs, RSS-feeds. Many

aspirants feel bogged down by this

information overload. So, how much do you

rely on electronic material and how much on

the paper material (Books, newspapers)? If

to some good... }

[Current]MayW2/P2:

Polity- Form20, EVM

Totalizer, Pramati

Judgement,...

B a n k i n g S ec t o r

09-Jul: IBPS RRB 2014

21-Jul: RBI asst .(only

SPORTS quota)

11-Jul: Jharkhand Gramin

(Sep13 RRB Score)

11-Jul: Puducherry Gramin

(Sep13 RRB Score)

Co m m / H R / CA/ M B A

30-Aug: Accountant NIFFT

Ranchi

11-Jul: HR officers,NBBC

I T / Co m p u t er

30-Aug: IITD Delhi system

admin(3)

25-Jul: programmer

Lucknow Med.Uni.

25-Jul: programmer

Lucknow Med.Uni.

17-Jul: IT jobs NIHFW

15-Jul: System Op.Raebareli

10-Jul: Karnataka PC

operators

08-Jul: Ludhiana PC operator

06-Jul: IT engg. in CRIS (need

GATE2014)

03-Jul: I IT-GNR Software

E n g i n eer s

23-Jul: MNIT Jaipur



possible narrate a typical day in your studylife.

It has to be an optimal mix of both. For optional,

books and paper material are more important and

for GS, internet has to be used extensively. For GS, I

maintained e-notes under different headings (social

issues, economy, S&T, foreign policy and IR etc)

which I tried to revise before the exam. I could not

make notes for my optional due to lack of time and

relied on 2-3 readings instead.

Tempo and sty le

Q. People know what books and syllabus

points are to be prepared. But most of them

lack consistency in their preparation. So, how

do you keep study momentum going on? How

do you fight against the mood swings and

distractions?

Given the long drawn and tedious nature of the

exam, mood swings are inevitable. There would be

days when you wont feel like studying and there

would be days when you would be excited and

energetic. I guess the important thing is to know

oneself and master the art of unwinding. When you

are feeling low, take a break and do something that

you enjoy (I used to watch movies). At the same

time, the break should not be too long. The only way

to ensure consistency is through internal

motivation. Nobody can force you to study if the

heart is not willing.

Prelims (CSAT) General studies

Tech.asst .

15-Jul: ONGC Western

Tech.asst .

11-Jul: Powergrid Sr.Engg

11-Jul: NBBC Engineers

09-Jul: OIL Drilling Engg.12

03-Jul: I IT-GNR

03-Jul: AFCAT Airforce

01-Jul: WAPCOS Engg.

(GATE2014)

30-Jun: CPRI Engg. Banglore

P o l i c e/ D ef en c e/ I n t e l .

21-Jul: NDS(I I ) 2014

14-Jul: BSF Para-

Medic,Pharma

14-Jul: BSF Motor

transport

07-Jul: BSF ASI/H.Constables

06-Jul: Doctors in BSF

03-Jul: AFCAT Airforce

S p ec i a l i s t

B Co m / H R / M B A

15-Jul: ONGC

accountants(2)

09-Jul: HR Officers BEL

M ed i c a l / A l l i ed

18-Jul: Doctors in HAL

14-Jul: BSF Para-

Medic,Pharma

07-Jul: Haryana Doctors

06-Jul: Doctors in BSF

03-Jul: Doctors in various

central org.

30-Jun: Delhi Doctors

30-Jun: Medical Officer

Chandigarh(10)



Topic strategy/booklist/comment

History Ancient 11th NCERT

History Medieval 11th NCERT

History Modern

(Freedom Struggle)12th NCERT, Spectrum

Culture society Did not prepare

Polity (theory +

current)

D.D Basu, Sriram notes,

newspapers

Economy (theory +

current)Sriram notes, newspapers

Science (theory +

current)NCERT books (6th to 10th)

Environment (theory

+ current)

Newspapers, Mrunal.org,

googled relevant topics

geography physical

NCERT (6th to 12th) and internetgeography India

geography world

other

national/international

current affairs

Newspapers, television debates

(Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha tv,

CNN-IBN and NDTV)

Schemes, Policy &

Filler StuffNewspapers, TV, internet

Q. Any observation / comments / tips about GS

prelim 2013 paper?

The key is to focus on fundamentals and reading

30-Jun: AIIMS Jodhpur

L eg a l

07-Jul: Haryana Attorney

S c i en c e/ Ag r i . G r a d s .

30-Aug: Lab Attendent NIFFT

Ranchi

25-Jul: Himachal

Tech.Assistants

14-Jul: IHBT Himachal

10-Jul: Karnataka lab

assistant

10-Jul: Karnataka Horti.Field

Asst.

10-Jul: Scientist MP

05-Jul: DRDO scientists

05-Jul: SAIL technician

03-Jul: NIFTEM technician

04-Jul: Scientist Tamilnadu

003Jul: Dehradun

Scientist/Asst.

04-Jul: Assistants Tamilnadu

S p ec . O t h er s

07-Jul: Haryana Town planner

M i s c . D es k j o b s

30-Aug: clerks NIFFT Ranchi

31-Jul: NGT

Secretary,Steno,Translators

21-Jul: NIT Warangal asst .

10-Jul: NIT Patna Asst .

15-Jul: NIFT,Gandhinagar

15-Jul: Raebareli Deskjobs

07-Jul: Drivers AMU

03-Jul: I IT Gandhinagar

Deskjobs

L ec t u r e/ P r o f .

07-Jul: AMU



basic books

Prelims (CSAT) Aptitude

Topic strategy / booklist

Maths R.S Aggarwal

Reasoning Same

comprehension TMH manual

Decision Making Just previous year question papers

Q.Any observation / comments / tips about GS

Aptitude 2013 paper.

Emphasis should be on developing speed through

practice

Prelim accuracy

Q1. Did you attend any mock tests? do you

think theyre necessary for success?

No. I dont think they are necessary. One can

practice on ones own by practicing mock papers.

Q2. Your score in preliminary exam

GS: 108.66

Aptitude: 169.18

Total: 278

Mains: Compulsory language paper

Compulsory language Your preparation strategy /

02-Jul: Baroda Univ .

W a r n i n g

DONOT wait til l last

date. Online Form Part1

stops working 2-3 days

b4 deadline.

DONOT forget/misplace

registration/roll

number/hall ticket after

exam is over.



paper booklist?

English paperJust previous year question

papers

your regional language Hindi

Q2.other observations / tips / comments on

the length / difficulty level of compulsory

language papers in CSE-2013

The compulsory papers this year were quite difficult

and lengthy and hence should not be taken lightly.

Mains: Essay

Q1. How did you prepare for the essay paper?

No specific preparation. GS preparation took care of

Essay. I wanted to write few mock essays but could

not due to paucity of time.

Q2. Which among the following essay did you

write? What key points did you include in it?

1. Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)

2. Is the Colonial mentality hindering Indias

Success?

3. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH

(Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right

indices for judging the wellbeing of a country

4. Science and technology is the panacea for the

growth and security of the nation.

I wrote on the topic GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would



be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a

country. My Key points were as following:

Started with Amartya Sens recent quote: GDP is

not an end in itself but a means to achieve a

higher end

Took a lot of points from the recent debate

between Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati on

growth v/s redistribution (growth as a

representative of GDP and redistribution

required for equity/happiness not captured by

GDP)

Definition of GDP, use of GDP as a measure of

development and pros and cons of the same

Evolution of alternative indices of development

such as PQLI, HDI, inequality adjusted HDI etc.

The concept of GNH and its components

The way forward (need to balance GDP and

growth related parochial indicators with a more

holistic concept entailing indicators pertaining to

quality of life, equity, justice, environment etc.)

General Studies (Mains) paper 1

Topic How did you prepare?

Culture Did not prepare

Indian history

12th NCERT and Spectrum; started

reading Bipin Chandra after the exam;

lots of overlapping between NCERT,

Spectrum and Bipin Chandra

world history Old NCERT (9th and 10th); Sriram notes



post-

independence

India

Bipin Chandras India after

independence

Indian society NCERT sociology books

role of

women,

poverty etc.

Newspapers, internet, TV debates

globalization

on Indian

society

Same

communalism,

regionalism,

secularism

Same

world geo

physicalSriram notes

resource

distributionNCERT and Mrunal.org

factors for

industrial

location

Mrunal.org/geography

earthquake

tsunami etcNCERT book on disaster management

impact on

flora-faunaNothing specific

General studies (Mains) paper 2

Topic How Did You Prepare?



Indian Constitution,

devolution, dispute

redressal etc.

D.D Basu; Sriram notes

comparing Constitution

with worldDid not do

parliament, state

LegislaturesD.D Basu

executive-judiciary D.D Basu

ministries departments 2nd ARC report

pressure group, informal

asso.Internet, newspapers

Representation of peoples

act

Just went through those

sections that were in news

various bodies:

Constitutional, statutory..

D.D Basu, internet, Sriram

notes

NGO, SHG etc Internet, newspapers

welfare schemes, bodies Draft 12th plan

social sector, health, edu,

HRDDraft 12th plan

governance, transparency,

accountability2nd ARC reports

e-governance 2nd ARC report

role of civil service 2nd ARC report

India& neighbors Newspapers

bilateral/global grouping Newspapers



effect of foreign country

policies on Indian interestNewspapers

diaspora Nothing specific

international bodies-

structure mandate

Internet; websites of

different bodies

General studies (Mains) Paper 3


Indian economy, resource

mobilizationNewspapers, 12th plan

inclusive growth 12th plan, Economic Survey

budgeting

Union budget and

newspaper reports;

internet

major crops, irrigation NCERT geography

agro produce storage,

marketing

Mrunal.org; newspaper

items related to APMC act

etc.

e-technology for famers Sriram material

farm subsidies, MSP Sriram material

PDS, buffer, food securityNewspapers, Sriram

material

technology mission Internet

animal rearing economics Did not do

food processing Mrunal.org/economy



land reforms Mrunal.org/polity

liberalizationIGNOU material on

economic reforms

infra 12th plan

investment models 12th plan

science-tech day to day life Nothing specific

Indian achievements in sci-

techNewspapers

awareness in IT, space,

biotech, nano, IPR

Sriram material, internet,

newspapers

environmental impact

assessmentDid not do

Disaster ManagementNCERT book on disaster

management

non state actors, internal

security

Annual report, Ministry of

Home

internal security role of

media, social networking

site

Newspapers and TV

debates

cyber security Newspapers and internet

money laundering Sriram material

border Management Sriram material

organized crime, terrorism Newspapers and internet

security agencies-

structure mandateSriram material



General Studies 4: Ethics, Integrity , aptitude


ethics and interface,

family, society and

all the hathodaa

topics

IGNOU material

attitude, moral

influence etc.Sriram material

civil service:

integrity,

impartiality,

tolerance to weak

etc

2nd ARC report

emotional

intelligence, its use

in governance

Sriram material

moral thinkers of

India and world

How many thinkers did you

prepare?I did 4-5 thinkers such as

Buddha, Vivekananda, Gandhi,

Nehru etc.

ethics in pub.ad,

accountability, laws,

rules etc.

2nd ARC reports

corporate

governanceInternet

probity in

governance, work 2nd ARC report



culture

citizen charter,

ethics code, work

culture etc.

2nd ARC report

challenges of

corruption2nd ARC report

case studies on

above topics

I had joined a facebook group and

used to contribute to case studies

posted in the group

Any other comments, word of wisdom after going

through the mains-2013.

Instead of reading too much, rely on your gut feeling

and try to give a balanced answer

GS4 Ethics case study answers in Mains 2013

Q. in GS4 ethics papers, please give a sketchy

overview of your case study answers:

caseyour

approach/keypoints

1: RTI: To hide or not to hide

Will upload the

answer-sheet once I

get it through RTI

2: Engineer: Bogus flyover vs

deadline

3: Child Labourers in Sivakasi

4: Nepotism in Job recruitment

5: Leaking information



6: Narrate one incident in your life

when you were faced with such

crisis of conscience and how you

resolved the same.

Mains answer-writing?

Q. How was your experience with the fixed

space answer sheet?

I think there is enough space. Given the time

constraint, anyway one wont be able to write more

than that.

Q. Did you write answers in bullet points or in

paragraphs? Some players (who cleared mains

and got interview call letter) were claiming that

they wrote entire paper in bullet points, so it

doesnt matter.whether examiner is asking

examine, comment, discuss or xyz.simply

write in bullets and points.

Mix of para and bullet points depending on the

nature of questions. I believe we should not focus

too much on words like examine, comment etc and

try to write a multi-dimensional answer irrespective

of the word used.

Q. Did you follow the introduction-body-

conclusion format? because some mains-

qualified candidates claim they simply wrote

the points they could recall within the time,

instead of bothering with proper introduction

and conclusion.



Given the word constraint, a proper introduction and

conclusion is not possible. I wrote 1 sentence of

introduction, main body and 1 concluding remark.

Q. In GS papers, Since UPSC came with those

100 and 200 words questions. What was your

approach in the exam (I wrote all, I only

focused on the questions where I could answer

perfectly, I just not to high quality points to

reach the word limit etc.)

Although I tried attempting as many questions as

possible, however there were a number of questions

where I did not know anything and therefore did not

want to antagonize the examiner by guessing too

much

Q. How many marks worth questions did you

skip/couldnt finish in the GS papers?

GS (Mains

paper)Couldnt finish __ mark.

GS1 70-80 marks (it was a total disaster!)

GS230-40 marks (this went good but has been

low scoring for everyone)

GS3 50-60 marks

GS4Nil (only paper where I could attempt every

thing)

Q5. Did you use highlighters / sketchpens in

your answers?



No

Q6. Did you draw any diagram in any paper?

(e.g. in GS1 Geography)

No

Q7. If yes, Did you draw diagrams with pencil

or pen?

NA

Q8. Did you use ruler to draw the lines in

diagram? Or did you just make it by hand?

NA

Q9. You wrote the answer in blue pen or black

pen?

Blue pen

(Mrunal since readers keep mailing such queries,

therefore Im asking the topper to clear all the air

haha.)

Public Administration optional subject

Q1. First the essential books, resource and

strategy

In Public Admn, I believe we should read as less

books as possible.

Paper 1:

Fadia and Fadia (for most topics)

Sharma and Sadana



Prasad and Prasad for thinkers

Paper 2:

Fadia and Fadia

Arora and Goyal

2nd ARC reports

Newspapers

Although, I wanted to go through Punchi

Commission reports but could not due to paucity of

time.

Q2. How much of internet-research / current

affairs is necessary for Public Administration?

OR can one simply rely on the books and be

done with this subject?

For paper 2, current affairs is very important;

internet should be used for topics where enough

material is not available in books

Q3. How many months did it take to finish the

core optional syllabus?

3-4 months

Q4. How many days/ weeks before the exam,

you started answer writing practice?

I practiced answer writing 1 month before the exam

Q5. Do you maintain self-notes for revision of

optional? In which format- electronic or paper?

I could not make notes for optional due to lack of

time. I relied on 2-3 readings of books and ARC



reports.

Q6. Your observation about the difficultly level

of 2013 mains vs previous papers. And what

precautions / rectifications are necessary in

the future strategy for given optional subject?

The paper was quite tricky. It is no longer possible to

predict questions in Pub Admn. I guess one should

be thorough with fundamentals (especially first 3

units of paper 1) and try to answer, using whatever

he/she has read, as per the needs of the question.

Q7.How much did you skip OR couldnt answer

properly, in the optional paper?

optional

paper

Couldnt finish __ mark. + comments on any

weird questions

Paper I 20 marks

paper II 10-15 marks

Q8. would you advice any interested party (new

player) to pick this optional? Nowadays wind

seems to be flowing towards sociology and

political science. Some senior players advice

new players not to pick Public Administration

given the scaling and odd questions. Whats

your take on this?

Going by this years results, all optional seem to be

in the same boat. I guess if you are able to score

around 200 marks, you have done well and many

people with Pub Admn have scored around or above



that. I believe there is nothing wrong with Pub Admn

as an optional. I took it in spite of its poor

performance last year. I sincerely believe that if you

are genuinely interested in a subject, every optional

is good.

Before the interv iew

Q1. How did you prepare for the interview?

Particularly college graduation subjects related

questions?

Just went through the basics of graduation subjects

and current affairs related stuff related to Indian

economy.

Q2. Did you attend any mock interviews by

coaching classes? How were they similar /

different than official interview? Do you

believe it is necessary to attend such mock

interviews?

Yes. I attended 1 interview at Samkalp and 1 at ALS.

While they were quite different from actual

interview, the feedback does help in preparation.

Q3. What did you wear? Some experts say coat

is must, some say tie is must, and some say

black shoes must. What attire did you pick up?

I wore a light blue shirt with black paint, blue tie and

black shoes. But there were many people without a

tie. Very few people wore coat. So, I guess if you are

neat and your dress is ironed, coat or tie is not a

must.



Q4. Where did you stay for the interview?

(Hotel / friends home ) and what

books/material did you bring for the revision

before interview?

My sisters home. I just brought few ARC reports and

some notes related to my profile along with my

laptop.

During the interv iew

Q1. Who was the chairman of you interview

board?

Alka Sirohi

Q2. How long was the interview?

30-35 minutes

Q3. Why do you want to join civil service? Why

dont you continue in your graduation field?

Social service can be done from private sector

too. [Since I dont know whether they ask you

this question or not. But if they had asked-

what will be your reply?]

I was already working in the development sector.

Although they did not ask why I wanted to join civil

services, I did convey (in one of my answers) my

experience of working in the rural areas and my

understanding of ground level issues as the main

reason for making me take this exam.

Q4. Please narrate your entire interview- what

Top



questions did they ask and what did you reply

and other pleasant or uncomfortable

experiences during the interview.

Questions which I could answer:

What is the difference between public sensitivity

and public conscience?

NSEL scam

Reasons for under-development in Orissa and

how to tackle naxalism

Few questions related to biodiversity in Orissa

(Olive Ridley Turtles)

Questions on Yoga

Recent incidents of DMs being kidnapped in

Orissa and Chattisgarh. What do you feel? What

should be done?

Reasons for single party getting a clear majority

for the first time since last 30 years.

Question which I could not answer:

Can you name a hermit king from ancient

Greece? (since the chairperson interpreted the

meaning of my name as a hermit king)

Issue between Bihar Cricket Association and

BCCI

Few questions on White Tigers (where did they

originate, what will be the colour of the offspring

if a White Tiger and a regular Tiger mate?)

I will try to upload detailed transcript of my

interview in few days.

Q5. Was your interview on the expected lines



of what you had prepared or did they ask you

totally unexpected questions? Was it a stress

interview, did they ask any uncomfortable

questions? If yes, how did you handle it?

Few unexpected questions were asked but I was

ready for them. If I did not know an answer, I just

said I do not know Sir/Madam. The board was very

cordial.

Q6. Any side details about technicalities like

make sure you bring xyz document or do xyz

thing, or youll face problem?

Just carry the original documents along with

photocopy as instructed in the call letter. The people

there will take care of everything.

Q7. Any word of wisdom / observations about

medical checkup?

nothing to worry.

UPSC Topper Marksheet

Q. When UPSC uploads the Marksheets, please

mail it to me so I can include it in your

interview article.

ESSAY (PAPER-I) 135

GENRAL STUDIES -I (PAPER-II) 061

GENRAL STUDIES -II (PAPER-III) 062

GENRAL STUDIES -III (PAPER-IV) 073



GENRAL STUDIES -IV (PAPER-V) 096

OPTIONAL-I (PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VI) 095

OPTIONAL-II (PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VII) 092

WRITTEN TOTAL 614

PERSONALITY TEST 187

FINAL TOTAL 801

Career Backup

Q1. If you were not selected, what was your

career backup plan?

It was my first attempt. So, had I not qualified, I

would have joined my previous job and would have

continued with the preparation.

Views on UPSC reforms

What are your views on following issues?

Q. Optional subjects should be removed

altogether. The present stalemate is helping

no-one, except coaching-owners, book

publishers and the candidate whose optional

subject gets favorable treatment under given

years scaling formula.

Yes I sincerely believe that optional should be

scrapped to ensure a level playing field for

everyone.

Q. Despite what UPSC has done in recent



years, it has failed to curb the nuisance of

Delhis coaching factories. In fact its increased

under the new syllabus in 2013. Lets face it,

most toppers who gave Mains-2013 have relied

on (authentic OR Xeroxed) coaching notes

because there was hardly any time left to

prepare so many topics in such short time.

This system work against an individual

preparing from far-away area, without any

financial resources or contacts in Delhi.

Yes. I do agree. Having said this, today, there is no

dearth of information. Books and notes can be

bought and strategy etc. is available on the internet

(assuming you have access to internet). Websites

like mrunal, blogs of toppers and forums such as

iasforum.com are really helpful for those who

cannot go to Delhi.

Q. Half-merger of IFoS with CSE is a bad move

because it has raised the cutoffs for players

whore solely dedicated to IFoS only (and not

to IAS/IPS).Adding salt to the wounds, many

who had applied for both jobs, cleared the

prelims- they did not even bother to appear in

all the papers of Mains-IFoS. (RTI revealed

this).

Yes. This is true. I think UPSC should de-merge the

two.

Q. UPSC should disclose official prelim answer

key and cutoffs, immediately after prelim is

over, instead of postponing it til l interview



phase is over.

Yes, I agree. It will bring more certainty.

Q. UPSC should be conducted online like IBPS

and CAT exam to shorten the duration of exam.

I guess this eventually would be done. However,

logistics need to be worked out given the scale of

the exam.

Q. If you are made the UPSC chairman, what

other reforms would you initiate for the civil

service exam?

Shortening the entire process of the exam (say

within 6 months-from prelims to final results)

Allocation of service should be done during or

after the training (on the basis of merit list only

but after proper counseling regarding the skill

sets required for various services)

Insecurity about profile

Q. Many candidates prepare sincerely but

constantly live under fear about profile

insecurity. Im not from a big college, Im not

from English medium, and I dont have work-

experience. What if they ask some stressful

questions in the interview about this? What is

your message to these candidates?

I had a decent profile. So, I was not worried about

that.



I believe, in the interview, your profile does not

matter. Its how you perform there that determines

everything. On the contrary, if you have a humble

profile and you perform well, the board members

might get more impressed.

Wisdom

Q. Through this struggle and success, what

have your learned? What is the wisdom of life

and competition? What is Your message to the

new aspirants?

My only message is that candidates should use this

preparation phase as a learning experience. Do not

think too much about the results. If you are sincere,

results will come automatically. Even in the worst

case, in case you do not qualify (god forbid), your

knowledge base gets so enhanced that you will do

well in whichever field you work.

Q. Many hardworking candidates have failed in

Mains/Interview of CSE-2013. Theyre feeling

dejected- what is your message to them?

This exam is really a gamble. Just take few days off,

introspect what went wrong and start your

preparation with full vigour again. Just think that you

have got the opportunity to study for some more

months, learn and further expand your knowledge

base. Even, I could not get the rank I wanted and

would take the exam again.

Credit: Friends/family



Q. Behind every topper are many people who

stood by during those uncertain times when

he/she was merely an aspirant. Would you

like to tell the world, who were those people in

your case? Any specific incidence that you

would like to share with the readers?

My parents were really supportive after I left my job

to prepare for this unpredictable exam. I would also

like to thank my friends and the almighty.

BOGUS Marketing Propaganda

Q. You are well aware of the sacred rule the

last question must be about self-marketing. So,

Did you use Mrunal.org for your preparation

and if yes, how did it help you? And you can

even reply No. Il l still publish your answer

without tempering, unlike those competitive

magazines.

Yes, I did use mrunal.org for my preparation. It was

really helpful especially on issues related to

economy and environment. I hope you keep up the

good work and help umpteen number of candidates

in unraveling this mother of all exams. Let me know

if I could be of any help.

Mrunal comments: Thank you Rajarshi for sharing

your journey and experience with us. Best wishes

for the service allotment. Keep in touch.

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[Topper's Interview] VP Gautham

(UPSC-2013/Rank-138): First attempt,

309 in prelims, Geography optional,

IFOS Rank-3, Tamilnadu,

[Topper's Interview] Praveen

Chaudhary (UPSC-2013 /Rank 222) First



Subscribe by Email || / Print || PDF This

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Tags: Optional-Public Administration Topper-CSE-2013

44

Attempt, IIT Madras, Public

Administration, Didwana

[Topper's Interview] Sakshi Sawhney

(IAS-2013/ Rank-6): BA LLB, Second

among girl toppers, Law optional

[Topper's Interview] Neha Jain (IAS-

2013/Rank-12): 4 years in IT sector, 400

marks in GS Mains, First Attempt,

Sociology optional, Kanpur

[Topper's Interview] Akash (CSE-

2013/AIR-63) First Attempt, 297 in

prelims, IFoS ranker, maths optional,

IIT Madras from Kerala

Yash 29/06/2014 at 18:49

Reply

Congrats.!!!!

Aman 29/06/2014 at 18:58

Reply

bhaiya yaha to bina coaching ke koi nahi hai.seems like

coaching is inevitable

Akash Chavhan 29/06/2014 at 19:25



Reply

Respected Sir,

Congrats on your Achievement Would u plz mention the

FACEBOOK group that u used for preparing case studies

on GS-4 Ethics

Rajiv 30/06/2014 at 17:00

Reply

@ Akash.. Are you preparing for Maharashtra PSC

along with UPSC ??

Anand 29/06/2014 at 20:02

Reply

I wish to know what u did for answer writing and which

news papers u followed?

Thanks

gajakesari 29/06/2014 at 21:12

Reply

congrats raj..!!

vikram 29/06/2014 at 21:16

Reply

Congrats on ur success !! will u please guide me how to

write ans. in public admin. What books shd i read now to

fetch gud marks in 2014 mains ?? will u suggest me any

test series ??

suhaib 29/06/2014 at 21:31

Reply

Hmm nice.keep it up.sir where to start my prepration

for ias exams as an early bird??

BHARAT 29/06/2014 at 22:04

Reply

CONGRATS SIRJI

sanu 29/06/2014 at 23:09

Reply

first time hearing no one self preparing successful

candidate ..is self preparing era gone ???



Vaibhav 29/06/2014 at 23:11

Reply

Congrats Sir ! Being a 12th pass student what steps should

be taken by me to crack the CSE in very First attempt, just

like you. Please help me sir ..

Apoorv Anand 30/06/2014 at 21:03

Reply

1. Try to decide your optional at this very stage and

if it is also linked with GS paper (subjects like

Geography, History, Polity especially) would

provide you dual benefits.

2. If you prefer such subject for graduation, it will

automatically help you out both in Pre+Mains.

3. Since, it is an early stage, try to focus on good

writing. Keep writing articles about current issues.

From 2nd year onwards start preparing for GS

section wise. And keep yourself up to date about

any change in examination Pattern.

4. Decide your study materials consciously and

avoid following 8-10 books for single topic. Rather

follow any 2 good books+Internet if possible.

5. Dont get stressed. Enjoy your years of

preparation. Do not take it as WAR.. take ample

rest, recreation and then stay focused.

Udit Rawat 30/06/2014 at 21:27

Reply

I agree

Vaibhav 01/07/2014 at 07:35

Reply

This will surely help me !!

kingbruce 29/06/2014 at 23:22

Sir,

Request you to kindly ask the topper to also specify which

NCERTs they studied, weather old/new.

That would remove a major ambiguity.

As in my case I live in Delhi but still bought new NCERTS (i



Reply

am blind could not even read the writing on the wall) for

geo and started with them. But later when i checked out

the old ones I discovered what I was missing.

It was heart breaking to find my prep start on wrong foot.

ashlay 30/06/2014 at 06:22

Reply

Agreed!! Same happens in my case. Still struggling

for proper guidance. NEW OR OLD. plz mrunal sir,

help me out.

Mrunal 30/06/2014 at 17:14

Reply

kingbruce,

old NCERTs are not useful beyond history and

geography. and there too, alternatives available:

for history: refer to Tamilnadu class11, 12 history

uploaded under Mrunal.org/download and for

world history Mrunal.org/history

for geography truckload of alternatives available in

market.

pupa 30/06/2014 at 17:38

Reply

sabke hausale buland ho gaye hai including

MRUNAL .MRUNAL is probably trying civil

services this tym32 kar diya age uska

bhi asar hai..if im not wrong mrunal got

20 in essay of upsc ias..

kingbruce 01/07/2014 at 13:43

Reply

Sir,

I have bought new NCERTs, all four of 11th

and 12th. Done one reading of Fundas of

Phy. Geo and India Physical environment

both. Should I proceed with making notes

of the said two books or switch over to Old

NCERTs?

Thank you sir.



kingbruce 01/07/2014 at 13:45

Reply

By all four I meant of geography.

NR 29/06/2014 at 23:51

Reply

Dear Mrunal,

So far no Topper in this series of interviews has Political

Sc. & IR as his/her optional. I request you to please share

with aspirants a comprehensive strategy for this optional.

Thanks.

Ronnie 30/06/2014 at 17:59

Reply

same request

mnu!! 29/06/2014 at 23:59

Reply

i hve one query sir and dear aspirants. does the

interviewer knws written marks of mains when they

conduct interview? and why i am seeing all rank holders

having more than 80 percntge marks in 10th and 12th. is

nt there any average student frm stateboards having 70 or

60 pertange who got slectd?


Reply

No the interviewer isnt aware of anything about

your mains marks. And for your concernYou can

take 60% of state board (specially Bihar &

Jharkhand, i dont know about any other state) well

about 80% in CBSE.

mnu!! 30/06/2014 at 23:40

Reply

thnks aporva

Sachin 30/06/2014 at 00:20

Sir are u in future planning to post articles on upsc mains

2013 analysis of other topics(post ind,world history,ind

society,gs 2 & gs 3)



Reply

vishal kumar 30/06/2014 at 06:38

Reply

thnax sir and congrtas raj sir:)

Rishabh 30/06/2014 at 08:55

Reply

Anybody from Hindi medium.

vijendra 30/06/2014 at 09:30

Reply

Hindi medium walo ki to bhai is baar upsc

baat lga di..saare angrej select hue h

kumar mahesh 30/06/2014 at 15:44

Reply

!

upsc ?

IAS aspirant 30/06/2014 at 16:33

It is not fault of UPSC..

from past 2 years all private

sector people are shifting

towards govt sector jobs.

now why english medium

selections are high??? most

of the private sector job

holders are enginnering +

mba

wit good command over

english. further more there

is truckload of materials

available in english medium.

i dont think UPSC can do

something regarding that

except of keeping some sort

of reservation for hindi

medium :(



Ravi 05/07/2014 at 10:47

http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/i-

wanted-to-be-ias-and-this-

was-my-goal-vandana-1-

732132.html

mona 30/06/2014 at 07:49

Reply

mrunal sir ,plz provide those topper who did not take

coaching


Previous Batch Vandana secured 8th rank by only

self-study and it was her first attempt. And that too

in Hindi medium.

This is how Haryana girl Vandana Chauhan got

through IAS!

Ambala: A resident of Nasrullagarh in Haryana,

Vandana Chauhan, amazed everyone by her

exceptional performance at the civil services

examination 2012. She secured 8th rank in the

exam and top rank among the students with Hindi

medium.

Vandana was born on April 4, 1989 in a family that

does not have a history of getting their girls

educated. But Vandana made an exception by

continuously pushing her father to send her out

for studies. She was then sent to Gurukul in

Bhiwani. Daughter of Mithilesh and MS Chauhan,

Vandana has done graduation in Sanskrit

(Honours) from Kanya Gurukul and LL.B. from BR

Ambedkar University, Agra.

Vandana had always dreamt of becoming an IAS.

She did her initial studies in the village but insisted

on sending her out of the village for better

education.

Vandana used to stay in her room only and used to

study 20 hours in a day. The mantra that worked

for her success was dedication and focus. She did



Reply

her all her studies without any coaching.

It is extraordinary to find a Hindi medium

candidate with single-digit rank.

mona 05/07/2014 at 07:12

Reply

in latest 2013 topper without coaching ???

Ravi 05/07/2014 at 10:45

Reply

http://aajtak.intoday.in/story/i-wanted-to-be-ias-

and-this-was-my-goal-vandana-1-732132.html

Priyesh 30/06/2014 at 12:35

Reply

can anyone post a link for older ncerts?

Praveen 30/06/2014 at 20:19

Reply

mrunal can you please get the interview of political science

and IR candidate making it to the top?

Sahil 30/06/2014 at 22:08

Reply

Coaching is important ya not..

bony 30/06/2014 at 22:36

Reply

i will complete graduation in 2016 , what are initial steps ,

how can i start gs , i already read the hindu etc

sunita 02/07/2014 at 15:01

Reply

THNKS mrunal these interviews really inspire us keep

the gud work buddy.ur awsum

Nikhil Akhouri 03/07/2014 at 20:45

Reply

Congrats Partner.

Sunil Gandewar 03/07/2014 at 23:48



Reply

Congrats Rishi Sir. Wish You very best luck.

PUNEET RAI 04/07/2014 at 13:06

Reply

Congrats Bhaiya !!!!!!!!!!

!

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[Topper's Interview] Rajarshi Raj Varma (UPSC-2013 _ Rank-351)_ First Attempt, Public Administration, Ranchi, XIM-Bhubaneswar - Mrunal