UPSC Topper interview AIR 340 Yognik Baghel – Strategy, books, Mistake to avoid, Syllabus, Tips

In conversation with DA-IICT alumni Yognik Baghel who cleared UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2018.

• Interviewer:  What motivated you to prepare for UPSC?

Yognik : I wanted to serve my motherland with sincerity and devotions and I  believe that the civil services exam will directly help me do that.

Interviewer: Earlier you failed twice in prelims exam, how you managed this MOVED TO THE THIRD ATTEMPT.

Yognik : Earlier I could not manage to qualify prelims in first two attempts because there was lack of guidance for me and I did have the art of skipping the questions.

• Interviewer: How did you start preparing for prelims?

Yognik :  Read one complete year of currents prior to your prelims exam (so, 2018–2019 in your case).

Focus on factual stuff like Reports of WEF/WB/IMF/UN, latest satellite of ISRO/NASA/ESA, New rare specie of disease curing plant found, Important bills and judgements, International agreements signed by India etc.

Read any one current affairs magazines like VisionIAS, FOCUS (Raus), PD, Drishti, Dhyeya, Chronicle etc

Supplement with test series (purchase from market).

BOOKS FOR PRELIMS

• NCERTs for History and Geography (esp old ones)
• Laxmikanth for Polity
• Leong for Geography
• Economic survey, budget and any set of basic economy notes (available online)
• Current affairs for environment, IT, Science, Governance etc
• At max a cursory read of India yearbook

Interviewer: Which test series did you choose?

Yognik :  I took VisionIAS and Insights.

Joining the Test series is not “necessary”. If you are regularly doing answer writing through questions posted online like on Insights, IAS Baba or through a peer group of aspirants then you can prepare on your own also.

• Interviewer: What was your strategy for the Mains exam?

Yognik : Coverage of factual stuff should be reduced and thematic issues must be increased from one year respectively.

Thematic issues like OBOR and SCS are repetitive. So focus on them.

Focus on Specific issues like a judgement on right to privacy and try to link it with broader issues like fundamental rights and democratic values.

Do issue based study from newspapers, RSTV, and internet – YouTube, Wikipedia, Arthapedia, Vikaspedia, Google etc.

Also prepare the keywords of the syllabus.

• Interviewer:  What were your scores in different sections?

Yognik :

• Essay -138
• GS 1–106
• GS 2-107
• GS 3-135
• GS 4-84
• Interview–182

Interviewer:  How did you prepare for the interview?

Yognik :

It is called Personality test. The idea is to have a meaningful discussion which brings out your true personality and allows the board to judge if you are fit for public service. Therefore think like a public servant.

• Newspapers! Never forget the front page and editorial page.
• Range must be small, focus is on your alertness and awareness. They usually ask things which have happened recently as they want to see if you were paying attention. In fact they may ask from that day’s newspaper too, so read that day’s newspaper before going.
• Prepare Economic survey and Budget as interviews start around the time these 2 documents are published each year.
• Also prepare questions on fundamental issues like education, health, poverty, internal security, India’s foreign policy etc.

Interviewer: How did you manage stress while preparation?

Yognik : Practice – Perseverance – Patience

Practice

• Revise your notes
• Update your notes
• Write answers and get them reviewed
• Talk to co-aspirants and discuss your strategy
• Give tests and identify your mistakes

Perseverance

• Make a daily routine and repeat it everyday. Do not break it! Stick to the plan!
• Make short term goals and set deadlines to finish subject/area wise syllabus.
• Be mentally ready to study the same book multiple times.
• Identify your mistakes and work to correct them. Do a SWOT analysis to push your strengths and improve your weaknesses

Patience

• Give your best and then be ready to face both success and failure.
• You may have to take multiple attempts before finally making to your dream job, so devise a strategy to spend your time.
• Develop a healthy hobby which adds to your personality. I did cooking and gardening.
• Don’t bother about mistakes but always remember lessons learnt.
• Tell yourself what Buddha told the world, this too shall pass. Yat sat tat kshanikam.

Interviewer: Any message you would like to give to aspirants?

Yognik : Prepare all the nouns from your detailed application form, your optional subject and your graduation subject.

• Do not bluff, stay humble, take time to think and if you don’t know the answer then admit it.
• Prepare situational questions beforehand like
• how will you prepare development plan of your region
• what will be your priorities as an IAS officer
• if given an opportunity how will you reform the education system
• how will you work under political pressure etc
• In the end let me just say, keep faith in yourself and devise your own style and strategy. Discuss less and implement more! You don’t have to do a Ph.D. in this exam so don’t study excessively. Capitalize your strengths and work on your weak areas.

This Journey will give a lot of experience.

All the best to all the aspirants.

Thank you