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[Toppers Interview] Rohit Shukla (AIR 238/CSE 2011) shares Psychology booklist and his successfuljourney

We are pleased to have Rohit Shukla here sharing with us, his journey, studyplanfor General studies, Psychology and Public Administration.

Introduction

Name Rohit Shukla

Roll number 034405

Rank (CSE 2011) 238

Optional SubjectsPublic Administration,Psychology

Medium for Mains Exam English

Mains Examination Centre Lucknow

Number of Attempts 2

Details of Graduation and Post-Grad. BTECH from AKGEC Ghaziabad

Schooling (Medium) English

Extracurricular activities,hobbies, achievements etc.

Writing articles,Meditation

Are you a working professional? Yes

If yes, then did you leave your jobor prepared while on the job?

I left my job and prepared

Did you take Coaching?Prelims: NoMains: YesInterview: Yes

Did you buy any postal courses? Yes

Did you join any Mock test series? No

Questions

Inception

Q. When and how did the inspiration and idea of joining civil service come in your mind? I was good in quizzing as a student and was aware of national issues since chilhood.However during/after graduation (BTECH) it alldisappeared. It was during my stint in a private IT company that I realised about my life’s priorities and would ultimately make me ahappy individual.Hence,I resigned and started preparing.

The Choice of Optional Subjects

Q. After a person decides to appear in civil service exam, the first big obstacle is“Choice of optional subjects”. What factors did you consider before selecting youroptional?

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I did not have any idea initially about optionals etc. I had resigned from my job in a hurryand had to appear that year only.I came across Mrunal’s blog and after going through itchose public administration as the pre optional(it was useful in all stages of theexam).Later on based on personal interest I chose Psychology as the second optional.

Momentum

Q. People initially prepare with much enthusiasm but then they become slack after some time for various reasons. How did you sustainthe momentum throughout the journey? The biggest force in life comes from within,when you really want something.I was so frustrated (at the same time energetic) that Iwanted to change my life quickly.Hence, boredom even if it came was not allowed to rule.Family support is of prime importance in thisexam.In my case , i was insulated from even my closest friends and relatives.I hardly ever talked about my preparation with anybody inmy family( except my mother).I found that switching subjects after 2 hours is a good way to reduce monotonicity .Run in between,playwith pets , watch some news( for half an hour) and be back to study.Whenever you feel you are wasting time-just think about the job inhand,your objective.

Hours

On an average, How many hours did you study per day? How many months did it take you to complete the core syllabus of GS andoptional subjects? My average study hours- around 8. For core syllabus of GS it took 3 months initially.In case of optionals, public administrationfinished quickly but psychology took 3.5 months.

Internet

How did you use computer and internet for your exam-preparation? Internet is indispensable for civil service preparation and I feel UPSC wants us to use it .Wikipedia is the best source for anytopic.Also , one can quicky check about the background of any topic before studying using internet. But caution must be taken toensure that useless stuff is not browsed during study time.

Essay

How did you prepare yourself for the essay?Which Essay did you write in Mains-2011?How many marks did you get in that essay? I did not do any special preparation for the essay. I wrote one full essay before the exam and got it evaluated . I also increased myknowledge base which helped in the essay.Essay should be interesting , in simple language ( yet appealing) and should have a naturalflow as per the topic with a balanced conclusion. I wrote the essay on “ creation of smaller states” in mains 2011. I got 108 marks.

Phoenix

Q. Serious players get mentally shattered and depressed after failure in competitive exams. How did you cope up with failures and rosefrom the ashes again? What had gone wrong in your previous attempts? How did you fix those issues in your 2011’s attempt? I was shattered after not clearing mains written in my first attempt . After 10 days , with the help of my mother’s support and words ofwisdom I started preparing again.I was told that since I am so disappointed it only means I am very close to my target. CSAT was introduced which was a welcome step .In my previous attempt, I had not met some criteria like to the point answers,properexamples,analysis,introduction and conclusion of answers etc. I took guidance from my teachers and corrected those mistakes.

Profile

Many aspirants fear the interview, thinking that “my profile is not good because

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I’ve low marks in SSC/HSC/College,I don’t have any extra-curricular certificates,I don’t have work experience,I graduated from some unknown college,I’m from non-English medium and so on…”

So, How important or relevant is the profile of a candidate during interview? Candidate’s profile is for the candidate , not the interview board. If one feels satisfied and can justify himself, there is noproblem.Studying from an unknown college is not a problem.Work experience if there can help if one is prepared and can handlequestions on it.It is only one’s confidence and the attitude on the day that matters.Plus interview is so much subjective that anxiety is ofno use.

How do you rate your own profile?

I have a decent profile :)

How much portion of your interview centered on your profile?

Questions were mostly on my job experience,hobbies,graduation (apart from some on optionals and others were situational).

Did they ask any uncomfortable questions from your profile?

No

Backup

Q. In case you had not cleared the UPSC exam, what was your career/future backup plan? In any case I would not have returned to my previous work. I would have tried for administrative jobs in state services, Bank PO etc.But frankly I didnt have any solid back up plan.

Working professional

What is your advice and tips to working professionals – particularly on time Management?I cant suggest much since I studied after resigning only.

The Message

What is your message to the aspirants?"we have limited time,but unlimited energies to accomplish what we need.Hence,instead of following what others do,just follow yourinner voice and that will guide you throughout your life(keep listening to it)."

Family and Friends

Q. Behind one topper are many people who stood by him/her 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 thereaders? Only one person-My Mother. On a December day in 2009, I called my mother from my office and told her that things were not to myliking and satisfaction there. She forced me into quick introspection based on my attitude,life aim,past experiences and what I wasdoing when I felt good last time. Civil service preparation emerged as the solution.After deliberation for 4 days,the decision was made.

Your Study plan

CSAT (Paper I) General studies

Topic Source of your preparation

Current Affairs

The Hindu,Indian Express,Wikipedia,Govt Reports

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HistoryAncient/Medieval/Modern

Old NCERT booksIndia’s Struggle for Independence Bipin Chandra (Penguin Publication)

CrackIas NotesGeneral Studies Manual Tata Macgrawhill Publication

Physical Geography NCERT only

Geography of IndiaNCERTcrackias notes

Geography of WorldNCERTschool atlas

Polity and Governance

Indian Polity by M.Laxmikant (TMH Publication)crackias notesPratiyogita Darpan special edition

Public Policy Internet

Rights issue

Environment and Biodiversity

Govt reports on EnvironmentICSE environment studies booksInternetIndia Year Book(selective only)

Economic and socialDevelopment

ScienceTMH GuideHindu (Science background helps)

Economy

NCERT economics xi,xiiHindu’s Monday economy analysisMrunal’s articles on economyPratiyogita Darpan special edition

About the CSAT aptitude

Syllabus Topic Source of your preparation

Quantitative Aptitude Unique’s Book

Data interpretation Unique’s Book

Logical reasoning Unique’s Book

Reading comprehension Did not prepare

Decision Making and Problem solving Did not prepare

Mains Examination

Compulsory Language papers

Source of your preparation

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English Solved 2 year papers

Indian language paperSolved 5 year paperspractice it properly,questions are repeated also in grammar portion,attempt full paper,Do not relax thinking the marks are not counted.*

[*Mrunal Comment: Mr.Rohit is absolutely right, see this RTI reply of UPSC- so many candidates fail in the compulsory languagepaper (Click Me)]

General Studies paper I

Syllabus Topic Source of your preparation

History

1. India's Struggle For Independence by Bipin Chandra (PenguinPublication)

2. Spectrum book on Modern India (selective)3. Crackias notes

Culture Spectrum book on Indian Culture (very selective)

Geography of IndiaCrackIas notesInternet

Polity Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (TMH Publication)

Issues of social relevanceNewspapersTV debates

Indian economy andplanning

YojanaEconomic SurveyCrackias notesPlanning Commission website

Public health Internet

Law and orderPolity materialPunchi commission report

Good governance Internet(use Wiki)

Environment

Govt reportsNewsclass 11,12 Env science booksInternet

General Studies paper 2

Syllabus Topic Source of your preparation Remarks, if Any

India and the World*

Indian diaspora* current affairs+Internet onlymake note of famous Indians in past one year abroad(indiverse fields)

India’s Economic interactionwith world

International affairs andinstitutions

World Focus Magazine(yearlyissue,april,may issue)InternetCivil Services Times magazine

V N Khanna book for basics

Statistics Spectrum papers

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Science & Tech.

TMH book on science and Tech

The HinduCrackIas notesInternet

Optional Subject #1 and #2

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Paper 1

1. Fadia and Fadia

2.

Nicholas Henry (selective)3. class coaching notes +Internet

Paper2

1. Newspapers( most important)

2. Report of 2nd ARC Commission.3. Punchi commission report4. Govt statistics5. PIB releases6. Arora Goyal7. Avasthi and Avasthi.

Public Administration Preparation Tips

Most important approach is to interlink the two papers, using relevant examples from current events,analysing through facts ,answers should be new and not bookish at all.Syllabus completion here is important but more important is understanding of relevance of all topics in day to day administration.

PSYCHOLOGY

Paper 1

1. Psychology by Baron (Pearson publication)

2. Introductionn to psychology by Clifford Morgan, Richard King and John Schopler

3. Psychology an Introduction(Atkinson and Hilguard) by Cengage Learning ( this is very good for latest

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researches , helped me in making my answers different)4. NCERT,5. Mukul Pathak Sir’s notes6. (writing to the point and with recent developments in core areas will help,can use diagrams also)

Paper2

1. Social psychology by Baron 2. Applied Psychology by Smarak Swain(IRS),3. Class notes of Goldi Sir4. Internet5. Newspapers( thinking from psychological angle of current issues will help)

Interview

How did you prepare for the interview?

I prepared my biodata for a set of probabale questions and took mock tests.

Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or Did they ask you totally unexpectedquestions?

I was in KK Paul Sir’s Board. It was on expected lines ( mostly profile based) but I felt I did not get much opportunity to open up.

Toughest Question in Interview

What was the toughest question you faced during the interview and how did you answer it?

“how will you convince the political leadership if it is unwilling to accept that development is possible.Dont say I will convince,how willyou actually do it” I replied , “Sir, I will initiate a pilot project in my area and based on the result of that I will use the facts to convince the politicalleadership that change is possible” I have posted the interview on Indianofficer.com

Marksheet

SUBJECTS MARKS

ESSAY (PAPER-III) 108

GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-IV) 107

GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-V) 101

OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VI) 167

OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VII) 162

OPTIONAL-II(PSYCHOLOGY) (PAPER-VIII) 188

OPTIONAL-II(PSYCHOLOGY) (PAPER-IX) 139

WRITTEN TOTAL 972

PERSONALITY TEST 171

FINAL TOTAL 1143

Remarks :-RECOMMENDED

Finally the most important question!

Magazines related to competitive exams, have established the most sacred unwritten rule of conducting Topper’s interview: the lastquestion has to be a loaded question :“how did our XYZ magazine help you in preparation?”In the era of blatant marketing propaganda, I also have two similar but unloaded questions.

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Subscribe (free!)

Print || PDF (Need Chrome)!

1. Did you use indianofficer.com for your preparation? If yes, How did it help you?2. Did you use mrunal.org for your preparation? If yes, how did it help you?

And You can reply “No”, yet it’ll be published without distortion.

Did you use indianofficer.com for your preparation? If yes, How did it help you?

It has mostly serious aspirants so one adds value to his preparation through sharing of info,discussions here.Plus great inputs areprovided for study material also.It is a no nonsense type of forum and different from others .

Did you use mrunal.org for your preparation? If yes, how did it help you?

The first page that I visited in search of optional subjects was that of Mrunal.I am indebted and use this opportunity to thank Mrunalfor his help to all the aspirants since the information,topics,explanations are such in nature that one does not need a second read.

End of the Interview

Want to Congratulate, compliment, say hello or ask any questions to Mr.Rohit Shukla, then post it in this discussion thread onIndianofficer.com

Previous Posts

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[Topper's Interview] Manikandan Soundararajan (AIR-759 /CSE-2012) First attempt,

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[Topper's Interview] Gayathri PG (AIR 449 /CSE 2012) Public Administration, Law

[Topper's Interview] Ramdhan Dagar (AIR 500 /CSE-2012) No Coaching, Public

Administration, Commerce and Accountancy

[Topper's Interview] Pankaj Kumawat (AIR 371 /CSE-2012) First attempt, Public Administration, Sociology

[Topper's Interview] Mayank Agrawal (AIR 67 /CSE-2012) : Electrical Engineering, Chemistry

[Topper's Interview] Raj Kamal Yadav (AIR-21/CSE-2012): First attempt, No coaching, Veterinary Science & Zoology

[Topper's Interview] Chandrashekhar AIR-470/CSE-2012: Public Administration & Sociology

[Topper's Interview] Shefali Singh (AIR 336/CSE-2012) Geography and Sociology

9 comments to [Toppers Interview] Rohit Shukla (AIR 238/CSE 2011) shares Psychology booklist and

his successful journey

Pankaj sharmaReply to this comment

Awesome to see one of our alumni making it right through..I will be hopeful of joining the Ivy league this time..

PARTHOReply to this comment

Can you tell me how useful where crack ias notes??

DharamvirsinhReply to this comment

Thank you very much for this immensely helpful article. I have a small request to you sir that if you can separately explain about Psychologysubject as I am totally confused about this subject from where should I start and how to prepare it as I am unable to get coaching classes.

DhruvReply to this comment

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Hey Mrunal! I would like to ask you something….I would like to know in what all locations can an IRS OFFICER BE POSTED? As it in not anall india service, like ias in which you stay within your cadre, so does an IRS officer get posted only in tier 1 cities or in towns and villagestoo (like IAS and IPS)? Thanks!

Akash SatyamReply to this comment

An IRS officer can be posted only in Tier 1 or 2 cities. Its not a state govt. job and rather a central govt. job therefore one can beposted to anywhere in India i.e. inter state transfers also take place.If u want a cool family life and a civil services job too then this isthe best job one can have. 5 days working (being a central govt. job, postings only in cities( for eg. if one is posted in bhopal circlethen he can get posted to only bhopal, indore, raipur, jabalpur, bilaspur and might be a few more similar cities).

DhruvReply to this comment

Thanks a lot Akash for the inputs! I am sorry for the late reply! A stable family life without political interference is more lucrative tome than Glamour! Good luck for your prep, cheers!

baradkaushikReply to this comment

how to prepare thew gpsc& upsc examination for ias

kartikeyReply to this comment

sir, firstly heartiest congratulation on ur success…..i am 3rd yr btech student accn to u what should be my first step at this point of tym tostart prepn for civil services n how to do it???

Yogita SinghReply to this comment

Sir,I seriously need your advice on whether it is required to remember the name of the psychologist who conducted the experiment whilequoting examples in psychology??? I mean except the ones like freud, Maslow etc when I am just quoting an example to explain an answer?

Sir please do reply I really need it!!!

Thanks & regrads.