Interviewer: Hello Aparajita, you are a doctor by profession, how you thought from shifting your career from a doctor to an IAS officer.

Aparajita: It was my childhood dream to become an IAS officer, and I also come from the family of doctors so I did MBBS, but I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream.

• My family members told me to give one try. I could not clear it in my first attempt.
• This was my second attempt.

Interviewer: How did you start preparing for prelims?

Aparajita: There was no specific preparation for prelims and mains separately. I started preparing for prelims from 1^st April.

I look a lot of time in the reading newspaper so I watched ONLY IAS  and STUDY IQ videos to save my time.

• From Rajya sabha tv I watched- vishesh, headlines.
• Pib cabinet meetings news
• Prelims specific -vision PT365.

Prelims’ current scope is going from 2,3 years back so I focused on certain bookllets of reports and indices. Make Mnemonics of  UN Organisations, Summits.

• Did Daily MCQ compilation from Insights.
• Economics from Mrunal.
• For Prelims, I also did NCERTS of history and geography.
• For Environment selected topics from Shankar IAS.
• For Polity, I referred Laxmikanth.

Interviewer: Share your mains answer writing with us.

Aparajita: For the answer writing one doesn’t need to be a perfectionist. Write the answer within the time limit and writing should be readable.

• Don’t write paragraphs.
• Write in points/ bullet points. Spacing should be there within lines.
• I used 1 simple pilot pens.
• I made a proper colored diagram.
• Used maps.
• I used to diversify my answers.
• Use general examples from which examiner can connect.
• Priority should be on completing the paper.

Just focus on yourself. Keep your mind fresh before the exam. Don’t be exhausted. Else you will not get good examples. It is my suggestion please don’t leave any questions, If you know anything related to any Word, try to write one page on it.

Do Exercise, take breaks in between, be positive and have a good company of people with you.

Interviewer: What was your strategy for reading the newspaper?

Aparajita: I am a slow reader, it took me five hours to read the newspaper initially. So, I diversified my strategy.

• Covered Rajya Sabha TV.
• Covered monthly current affairs compilations of various institutes.
• At the time of the interview, I read Indian Express, The Hindu and The Times of India.

Interviewer: What was your strategy for Ethics?

Aparajita: I  Prepared Ethics in 1 week only.

• Got the Photostat of Lukemann IAS notes.
• I attempted Case studies first because they are of higher marks.
• Used flow charts.
• Venn diagram are very important in ethics.
• Used Real-life examples
• Idealistic examples are also good.
• Quote famous personalities like Gandhi, Aristotle, and many others.

Interviewer: What was your strategy for Medical science optional?

Aparajita: I  practiced at home, gave  2 -3 mocks.

• Brush of the facts that you have read for 5 and a half years.
• Practice the diagram available there.
• Draw Flowcharts and diagrams as many as possible.

 Interviewer:  How did you prepare for interview?

Aparajita: I joined the mains test series from forum IAS and from there  I look interview guidance.

• Covered all the points which were written in my DAF.
• I used to Select a topic which were written in my DAF and made  potential questions out of  it .
• A newspaper is a must. Every paper has a different type of opinion, I made balance from all the newspaper opinions I read.
• I used to speak very fast, my teachers corrected it.
• I got 201 marks in the interview , due to my hard work.

Interviewer: How to be balanced for certain topics?

Aparajita: I was rigid with the following topics.

• Patriarchy
• Dowry
• Owner killing
• Terrorism

For the following topics, certain reforms are required.

• Reservation
• Universal civil code
• Triple talaq.

At every stage of the exam, discussion with friends is very important for every topic.

Interviewer: Would you like to give any message to the aspirants.

Aparajita: The struggle is with everyone but you have to be strong, be iron will, stay positive and study well.

Make positive use of technology.

Thank you.