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- April 2021
Index
Toppers Talk
Polity
- Mullaperiyar Dam Issue explained – Supreme Court issues notice to Kerala and Tamil Nadu
- Phase 3 of eCourt project – Soon India will have 24/7 digital window to file cases from anywhere
- New rules for Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders notified by GoI – Indian Diaspora
- World Press Freedom Index 2021 – India ranks 142nd out of 180 countries
Indian Society
- Status of Working Women in India – Why India is no country for working women?
- Women’s Domestic Work Burden – How Government can reduce it? How to treat unpaid domestic work?
- Globalizations and Gender Inequality – Do we live in an engendered society?
- Issue of Gender Inequality in Indian Political Parties – Indian Polity Current Affairs for UPSC exam
- Casteism in India – Why CASTE names should be hidden during Government job recruitment processes?
Governance & Social Justice
International Relations
- India to ban China’s Huawei over security fears – Impact of ban on Indian Telecom Sector explained
- US Navy operation in Exclusive Economic Zone of India without consent – What is EEZ? India US Ties
- India Seychelles relations – Why is Seychelles important for India?
- Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol – Violence erupts in Northern Ireland – Geopolitics Current Affairs
- Mozambique Insurgency 2021 and impact on India’s interest – International Relations Current Affairs
- Russia Ukraine Conflict escalates – United Kingdom to send WARSHIP to Black Sea
- India Pakistan Kashmir Dispute – Has India accepted 3rd Party Mediation on Kashmir? MEA visit to UAE
Geography
Economy
- India’s gold imports surge 471% in March 2021 – Is it a matter of concern for Reserve Bank of India
- Thermal Power Plant Emission Guidelines – New deadline issued by Union Environment Ministry
- RBI First Bimonthly Monetary Policy 2021-22, Status of Growth and Inflation in Indian Economy
- RBI Printing Money – Rupee becomes Asia’s worst performing currency in 2 weeks
- Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme – Man behind World’s largest Ponzi scheme dies in US prison
Defence & Security
Disaster Management
Science & Technology
- What is a Flex Fuel Vehicle? Merits and Demerits of Flex Fuel Vehicle explained
- Can India become Self Reliant in Crude Oil? Status of India’s oil production
- National Rare Disease Policy 2021 explained – Health Sector Current Affairs – What is Rare Disease?
- Fukushima Nuclear Disaster – Japan’s contaminated water management plan explained
- What is 3D Printed Organ? Can it solve global shortage of organ donation?
- Astronauts to fly reused SpaceX rocket capsule for 1st time – Science and Technology Current Affairs
- Protecting Children in the age of Artificial Intelligence
Environment
- Migratory Birds in Chandigarh – Why fewer birds are migrating to Chandigarh? Bird Census Key Points
- What is Carbon Offsetting? Russia to use forests bigger than India to offset carbon
- Impact of Climate Change on endemic Flora and Fauna – Environment & Ecology
- How Global Warming is creating mass exodus of equatorial marine life?
- Dolphin population doubles in Odisha’s Chilika Lake
Prelims bits
UPSC 2019 Topper Interview, Journey of Navneet Mann who achieved AIR 33 in UPSC in her 2nd attempt
- Interviewer: Welcome to study Iq, please tell us something about yourself and many congratulations from our team for your achievement.
Navneet Mann: Thank you so much.
My hometown is Amritsar, but I received the majority of my education in Delhi. In 2017, I graduated from Indira Gandhi Technical University, Kashmere Gate, with a B.tech in Computer Science. Following that, I took the UPSC test.
- Interviewer: As a computer science graduate, what made you decide to pursue a career in civil service?
Navneet Mann: I’ve always wanted to do something for my country, but I wasn’t completely committed to it when I first started college.
I considered civil service as a viable career choice in my third year of college.
My father works for the Delhi Police Department, which is a difficult task in itself.
My father has been my greatest source of inspiration. I’ve had firsthand experience watching him deal with difficult circumstances. There were times when he only came home once a week and had to deal with protests. He was still willing to share his on-the-ground experiences with me, which inspired me. I wasn’t scared at all. In reality, it made me realize how important public service is.
- Interviewer: Tell us something about your first attempt at civil services?
Navneet Mann: In my first attempt at Civil Services in 2017, I was ranked 501 after finishing college in June 2017. I went ahead and enrolled in the Indian Defence Account Service training program in Pune, but was dissatisfied with my role, so I tried again and was successful.
When I first attempted, I had to balance it with my college studies and during my second attempt, I had to balance it with my training.
- Interviewer: What was your strategy for clearing the IAS Mains Exam?
Navneet Mann: Owing to a lack of time and revision, I lacked in my solution writing practice in my first attempt.
I participated in offline response writing coaching for my second attempt and improved my ranking.
- Interviewer: How did you stay motivated for your second attempt at the Civil Services exam?
Navneet Mann: I was certain of my path to becoming an IAS/IFS, had a straightforward main target in mind, and my parents and family were strong motivators for me.
My parents have been my most steadfast supporters. They helped me stay on track. I was able to return to my familiar surroundings. When I was down or had mood swings because I wasn’t happy with my mock exams, my parents still held my spirits up, and if I’ve done well, it’s all because of them.
- Interviewer: Please elaborate on your interview experience in both the previous and current attempts.
For my first interview, I’d like to think that ignorance was paradise for me, and I was fortunate enough to receive good marks.
For the second time, I had thoroughly prepared and was confident in my responses.
- Interviewer: Were you reliant on the internet for information?
Navneet Mann: In fact, there is a deluge of information; however, my sources were limited, and I chose them carefully.
I used the conventional way of writing items down with a pen and paper.
- Interviewer: What are your last words of advice for UPSC aspirants?
Navneet Mann: Make a concerted effort to achieve your goal. Throughout this trip, be patient.
- Interviewer: Do you have any hopes for this service from yourself?
Navneet Mann: I need to improve my capabilities significantly. Continue to put in the effort.
I need to keep up with the latest trends.
I’d like to work in the government’s IT department and e-governance because I have a computer science background.