Friday, June 19, 2009

General queries

Please post queries of general nature here.

236 comments:

  1. Hi Shubhra..

    Thanks for your time and effort..

    I would like to know..

    1.How is the answer booklet for mains designed.. Is it with questions with fixed space for answers or separate question paper with answer booklets where a canditate could write how much ever she wants..

    2.Could you please recommend some time management techniques while writing mains and for exam preparation ?

    Thanks in advance

    Jayasree Ravindran

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  3. Hi Shubhra Saxena,

    Can you pls advice on what should be the strategy for GS prelims? Also pls suggest a list of the books that we can go through during the last three months of prelims. My friends say that the wizard year book released just before prelims is a good ENOUGH source to spend time on. Pls advice...

    Appreciate your time..

    Thanks,
    harsha

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  4. Dear Shubhra Mam,

    There is a portion in GS: India and the World.

    India's relations with neighbouring countries.
    Security and defence related matters.
    Nuclear Policy.
    Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and world.

    Can you please suggest some sources for these topics.

    Thankyou,
    Raman

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  6. Hi Shubra

    I really appreciate your effort to assist civil services aspirants because i think our country has a lot of talent but lacks in proper guidance which can give a specific direction to this talent.

    As you have a very bitter experience in case of coaching centers. It reflects a true picture of this self-centered coaching profession.How these people can be money oriented only?

    After going through all this since last two years do you reach any conclusion regarding best one in Delhi?

    I mean are you in a position to recommend any coaching center for upcoming CS aspirants?

    If you are then this is my humble request to mention name of that coaching center so that we can save our precious time and money.

    I respect your feelings towards nation building and hope you will contribute a lot in bringing an ever demanded positive change in system.

    Wish you all the best girl.
    Go ahead.......
    Youth of this country is with you.

    Regards
    Vikas Dhankhar

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  7. Ma'am,
    My queries are,
    1>In the Main exam is it better to write paragraph wise or point wise(using numbers,arrows etc)
    2>Which one is better in your opinion-making notes or just reading from the books?
    3>In one of your earlier articles you suggested checking progress periodically.But how to do that?I mean, for Prelims, we can judge ourselves by taking mock tests but what about the Main exam?
    4>Do you suggest any specific book for science and technology section for the Main exam?
    Thanks and regards,
    Saptarshi Nag

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  8. hello,

    in mains exam english n hindi papers r of qualifying nature but still they hold a gr8 importance.so i want to know how to prepare for them n which books should be used for ref.

    thnxzz

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  9. Ma'am,
    Could you plz suugest a model/tentative time line, component wise, to complete the entire syllabus ( Optnal -1+2 , GS, essay ,every thing)for 2010.

    Thanks

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  10. HELLO MA'AM,
    COULD YOU PLZ SUGEST SOME SPECIFIC INTERNET SITES FOR G.S. AND PUB.AD.,AS YOU EARLIER MENTION THIS.PLEAS MADAM.
    THANK YOU

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  11. 1.How is the answer booklet for mains designed.. 1)Is it with questions with fixed space for answers or separate question paper with answer booklets where a canditate could write how much ever she wants..

    you can write as much as you want...no limit on the answer sheets. But you have to write within word limit for questions that have word limit.

    2.Could you please recommend some time management techniques while writing mains and for exam preparation ?

    log your daily time as to how much you are giving to any area. Also, prepare timetables and try to stick to timetables.

    In the exam try to prepare a framework for answer before answering. and try to follow word limit.

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  12. Can you pls advice on what should be the strategy for GS prelims? Also pls suggest a list of the books that we can go through during the last three months of prelims. My friends say that the wizard year book released just before prelims is a good ENOUGH source to spend time on. Pls advice...

    I will advise abt GS prelims later. Plz wait.
    yes, that book is good. I referred that one for prelims and also a 1000 questions wizard before prelims is very good.

    ReplyDelete
  13. There is a portion in GS: India and the World.

    India's relations with neighbouring countries.
    Security and defence related matters.
    Nuclear Policy.
    Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and world.

    Can you please suggest some sources for these topics.


    please go through newspapers, magazines well
    also buy notes of any good coaching institute for current affairs before mains.
    also you can read "India Focus" for international relations.

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  14. @vikas
    i can't recommend any coaching inst for GS or Pub ad. But for psychology, Mukul Pathak Sir is the best.

    1>In the Main exam is it better to write paragraph wise or point wise(using numbers,arrows etc)

    I have answered this question before.

    2>Which one is better in your opinion-making notes or just reading from the books?
    Answered this. Please go thru the posts and comments to get your answers. But the answer is notes very imp.

    3>In one of your earlier articles you suggested checking progress periodically.But how to do that?I mean, for Prelims, we can judge ourselves by taking mock tests but what about the Main exam?
    Hmmm..if you can find a good test series for your optional go for it.

    4>Do you suggest any specific book for science and technology section for the Main exam?
    Please go thru the posts.

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  15. in mains exam english n hindi papers r of qualifying nature but still they hold a gr8 importance.so i want to know how to prepare for them n which books should be used for ref.

    Buy previous 10 yrs question papers..practice solving them by supplementing a good grammar book.




    Could you plz suugest a model/tentative time line, component wise, to complete the entire syllabus ( Optnal -1+2 , GS, essay ,every thing)for 2010.


    Please look at your question again. It is an impossible task for anyone. I myself did not have a plan for an entire year.

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  16. COULD YOU PLZ SUGEST SOME SPECIFIC INTERNET SITES FOR G.S. AND PUB.AD.,AS YOU EARLIER MENTION THIS

    wikipedia.com is the most imp
    btw, for pub ad, go to google and search whatever you want.

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  17. Hello Shubhra,

    Can you give some tips on how you wrote essay this year and some tips based on that essay actually written in exam which fetched good marks for you.

    Thanks,

    GP

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  18. yes i will give tips on essay separately.

    I wrote on " education for all: will it lead to an egalitarian society"

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  19. THIS BLOG REFLECTS THE AURA OF GREATNESS THAT YOU CLAIM BUT IT IS HARDLY CONCLUSIVE AND THUS MOSTLY NOT AS HELPFUL AS ONE WOULD HAVE LIKED

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  20. Hey TRUTHUPHOLDER,

    Conclusion is up to you,Anyone cannot come and spoonfeed you.This exam is all about our perceptions and our own style of perception.

    Shubhra is making all the efforts to bring in confidence to those who are sensible and serious enough.


    My Kind request to people like truthupholder Stop criticizing about one's efforts.

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  21. Ma'am Even I wrote Essay on same topic as you wrote on....My score ws 105...Plz tell me what stand u took in d end ...will it lead to egalitarian society or not?...
    Just want to know whether my conclusion ws desirable or not...
    Thanx..
    Regards..

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  22. Hi TRUTHUPHOLDER, what you said might be true, healthy criticism should always be welcomed. But before asserting that, you have back it with concrete evidence... i am a very active follower of blogs on UPSC and there are very few i came across with such benevolent ideas and strategies... you have to understand that Ms. Shubra has started this blog just 2 months before and has already come up with massive information ( though in vacation, and generally many will be busy attending felicitations )..
    Many are seeking her advices now I am sure it will become a stop-shop for many future aspirants.

    Like many other followers, i request people not to chuck diffident words into the blog...

    thanks
    sreekanth
    thanks
    sreekanth

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  23. DEAR holder ,
    for people from far flung places Bangalore and not in midst of Civil services hobnob , Shubhraji's blog is a beam of light .

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  24. The conclusion is not that important. Though I argued in favour of the topic, II analysed it on many levels which I would be discussing later.

    Thanks.

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  25. "THIS BLOG REFLECTS THE AURA OF GREATNESS THAT YOU CLAIM BUT IT IS HARDLY CONCLUSIVE AND THUS MOSTLY NOT AS HELPFUL AS ONE WOULD HAVE LIKED"

    ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    Please leave this forum if you don't find it helpful. But do not use this forum for projecting your insecurities. Try to learn civility from other aspirants who are trying to make maximum use of this forum.

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  26. hi shubra madam, can u plz post the answers of pub adm papers of mains-2008 whatever u wrote in the exam in this blog site........or to my mail id manoj_mnit02@yahoo.co.in...although very tough to recall whatever u have written but u can provide answers daily one ques ans of pub adm papers-1 & 2.
    i know that answers should not be copied but i want to evaluate my ans with ur ans & with ur marks( 181 + 151)........
    thnxs....
    i will be waiting ur reply at my mail id : manoj_mnit02@yahoo.co.in ...or on this blog site..

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  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  28. Guys,this is just going ridiclous.Sorry for taking the liberty Shubhra,but dear fellows plz think for yourselves b4 posting ur so-called queries..

    @ Truthupholder No one cares for what you think..

    @ Manoj .. Do you really think she should post all answers out there?? Isnt it too much to ask for?? If you would have asked for some points it wud have made some more sense.. No offence..

    All civil service aspirants out there, plz think and look at ur questions for a while before posting.. If things goes like this,she could stop this blog right now,then you are spoiling chances for every one..

    Be rational..

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  29. Thanks Sreehari.
    It is a great help.


    Guys I am trying my best to help you all. But I need you cooperation in this venture. Thanks for your support.

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  30. Hello,

    ma'am as am not preparing in delhi i dont have assess to many things but ur blog is helping me a lot n i really look forward to it.

    i came across a website publishing last year's mains time table n i have seen that thr was not even a single day gap b/w pol sc. n history papers as both of these r my optionals i wanted to ask u whether its a trend or time table n gaps b/w papers changes every year.

    thnxzz

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  31. Can you please help with the strategy of the presentation of answers in main as well as Essay?

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  32. Hi Shubhra mam ,

    I have gone thru all the posts and i have only one query. Plz help me with it . .

    I am appearing for civil services 2010. My optionals are pub ad and electrical engineering.

    my query is regarding GS praparation. I have gone thru the list of books for gs preparation i.e d d basu , spectrum , leong physical geography, dutt sundaram etc.

    I agree that d d basu and bipan chandra should be read from cover to cover.

    But regarding eceonomics and geography, should we go thru leong and dutt sundaram or gs material from vajiram and ravi is sufficient. can i skip this two books and rely on study material for vajiram or these two books are really very imp ?

    plz help me. .

    Regards,
    Mayuresh

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  33. For all the others who are having electrical engineering or physics as their optional, surpreet's sir (Last year AIR-2) blog is really very helpful. It's available on

    piedhornbill.blogspot.com

    Mam, i am really very thankful to you for this wonderful blog which has cleared almost all me queries regarding pub ad.

    Thanks,
    Mayuresh

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  34. Thank u so much Ma'am.....Em looking fwd to see multidimensional analysis of Essay...
    Regards.....

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  35. @mayuresh
    just vajiram notes won't suffice.
    supplement them with a standard book. else your conceptual clarity won't be there.

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  36. Hello mam,

    First of all hearty congratulations for your success.
    I would like to give thanks and appreciate ur step by creating this blog to help those people like me who still needs right direction.

    -> Mam i would like to ask whether a person should join coaching directly or he/she should first make a strong base and then move to coachings?

    -> Mam i have no strong base, kindly advise me should i do self study first or join coaching to get the direction regarding what to study and what to left?

    My optionals are History and Pub ad

    This exam can be cracked w/o coachings?

    Kindly reply me as soon as possible as batches in mukharjee nagar have alredy been started.

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  37. -> Mam i would like to ask whether a person should join coaching directly or he/she should first make a strong base and then move to coachings?

    -> Mam i have no strong base, kindly advise me should i do self study first or join coaching to get the direction regarding what to study and what to left?

    My optionals are History and Pub ad

    This exam can be cracked w/o coachings?




    This exam specially and any other exam in the world can be cracked w/o coaching.

    If you get a good coaching, it just acts like a catalyst(speeds up the process somewhat). The real input is self study.

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  38. HELLO MAAM
    I AM AN ENGINEERING STUDENT,HAVE PASSED OUT THIS YR ONLY FROM N.I.T,I WANT TO GO FOR CSE 2010,WITH ELEC ENGG AND PUB ADMIN AS OPTIONALS...

    MAAM I WANT TO KNOW THAT,IS IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO QUALIFY THE EXAM,KEEPING TECHNICAL SUBJECT AS AN OPTIONAL,COZ I DONT FIND NYONE TAKING ENGG SUBJECTS AS ONE OF THEIR PAPERS.

    I HAVE GOT A VERY STRONG HOLD IN THIS PAPER,BUT MAAM I LL HAVE TO PREPARE GS RIGHT FROM SCRATCH,SO PLZ SUGGEST ME BOOKS,ROUTINE,EVERYTHIN FOR IMPROVING MY GS.

    LUKING FORWARD TO YOUR ADVICE,SO THAT I CAN START MY PREPARATION WITH ALL MY ENERGY.

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  39. Last year, Mr. Supreet Gulati had engg optional and got 2nd rank.

    for everything else , go thru other posts.

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  40. his blog is http://www.piedhornbill.blogspot.com/

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  42. Hello didi first of all heartiest congratulations!!!!
    I Shanti Bhushan belong to Central Colony, S\O Sri S.B.P. Burnwal SOM Tarmi.I am doing B.Tech from Priyadarshni Coll. of Engg. Nagpur, Trade:Elec & Telecom (1st year).I was even present at the small get together at Chapri Rest House.
    KIndly tell me can an Elec & Telecom graduate apeear in UPSC.Actually my aim is to compete UPSc but my father recommended me to do it after Engg.What should one do to prepare for UPSC.Tell me about subject selection as well. Di what should be the way of preparation??
    So di please answer my questions and oblige...
    Tc...

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  43. Hi Shanti,

    See, you just need to have a graduation certificate. Stream doesn't matter. You can choose any optional that u want. To start with, buy syllabus and see what all you need to study in GS. Select your optionals based on ur interest and aptitude. You can find the sources for these in this blog itself.

    All the best.

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  44. Hi,
    Many successful candidates and even the mentors are telling to use NCERT books for GS as well as building blocks for optionals. i have a small doubt regarding this..the NCERT books which we have read (in our childhood) had changed a lot, from being fact oriented to story oriented. What do you suggest should we go for old version of books or it doesn't matter?
    Hope i make sense.

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  45. @sonal
    I used the new ones only.
    You can't clear this exam with only facts of NCERTs. You have to read much more. So get done with NCERTs w/o analyzing them much.

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  46. This book of vajram has zilch in it. saw few and not all. career magazines- even the pulp- are much better. ma'am please apply the same standards that u have for these mags to vajiram's study material and see if it survives. The history person who is teaching at vajram now is a butt of jokes. one cant be worse. please expose him too. selectivity is bad. makes our reactions colourable.

    regds

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  47. hello mam.in ur opinion how much role does a plan b plays while preparing for civils?i mean to ask thatwhat a student like me who is doing post graduation in political science should pursue along with civil prep?or should it be the only target.thank u

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  48. @WWW
    please go through other posts. You will see that I have mentioned that only some portion of Vajiram material like Polity and economics( kapuria) is good. Rest of it is not good. That's why I stopped attending classes there after a month or so.

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  49. @monu

    Plan B is the most significant aspect of your preparation. If you have a backup with you, you would be able to prepare with more vigour and confidence( not worrying all the time -if i dont get thru then what will i do?)

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  50. Hi Shubhra,

    Please suggest from where i can get the IIPA journals for Pub Ad.Online or from Ber sarai?

    - Amit

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  51. Kapuria sir is so ill that he can not speak a full sentence. There is one third rate woman from hyderabad who is teaching there economics and social areas. Current affairs are not covered in Prelims and are a sham in Mains.I am saying this not to defame any one but to let the students know that the vajiram of ur time has degenerated.People who read ur Chronicle interview that u studied in vajiram are misled.

    All the same, I thank u for the pains u r taking to clarify matters.

    regards once again, Shubra Ma'am.

    July 1, 2009 7:46 PM

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hello mam,
    i am planning to leave for delhi in september ..i have been preparing for this exam from december 08 but decided not to give the exams without thorough preparation..i will be joining for gs and geography.. i was thinking of completing geography first and then joining gs classes after giving prelims... but some suggest to complete both togather and keep time after prelims for self study.. my thinking is if i join 2 classes togather i will be leaving no time for my self study.. what is ur say mam?

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hello Mam,First Of all congratz for your success and Thanx a lot to give us guidance Through this blog.

    Mam your style of giving the answer ( having the copy- pasted Question is very nice....bcoz of it we dont have to waste the time in reading the posts typed by each and every one)

    But it will be Good If you make Either the Question or answer in BOLD letters.(i dont have any idea wether it is possible or not,but if possible and not much time consuming then plz do it)

    Thanx a lot mam

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  54. i have some doubts

    I m preparing for UPSC 2010
    Now a days i m reading The Indian Constitution.... as u know there are so many articles and amendments so i want to know that is it necessary to remember all those articles for UPSC?(To Remember all is almost impossible for me)

    I dont have any idea about UPSC but in GPSC (GUjarat Public Service Commission) they are asking about 10 question related to the Articles(The sentence --> belongs to which article type)

    So Would u plz tell me What to do?

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  55. @vishu
    it is true that if you do 2 classes simultaneously you won't have much time for self study. Please decide what's more imp for you, classes or self study.

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  56. @Roohi
    Now a days i m reading The Indian Constitution.... as u know there are so many articles and amendments so i want to know that is it necessary to remember all those articles for UPSC?(To Remember all is almost impossible for me)
    **********************************************

    See Roohi, you don't have to remember all the articles of Indian Constitution. But then, there are certain articles that you have to know and remember inside out. For eg. Fundamental Rights, Art 74,75, 124, 217, 324, 356, 368....check out these articles. You would know what I am talking about.

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  57. Thanx mam...i understand..

    Btw This one is also a nice way to seperate the question and answer...

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  58. Hi Shubhra,

    I really appreciate your effort to help civil services aspirants. Your reply makes a big difference to a life of any civil services aspirant.
    I have few queries which are as follows:

    1. Is it possible to crack ias even while working and preparing? You too worked for IT for 4.5 years so what was your strategy at that time,how u used to prepare and manage your time for studies and work. Can you please provide tips/strategy for aspirants who are preparing while working and cant quit their job as of now.

    2. I am working for last 2 years and I started my preparation 1 year back. Is it a good idea now to quit job and go to Delhi to join coaching?

    Please guide me regarding the same,i guess you must have gone through the same phase while you were working and what made you ultimately to quit your job and prepare.

    Thanks in advance and Congrats!!..Numero Uno :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. hello M'am
    I'm Naveen Methre,pursuing final year B.Tech(Mechanical)at NIT JAIPUR.i aspire to become an IAS officer since my childhood.my query is..
    1)im good at Geeography n Im preparing for that.
    im in a dilemma to choose another option.so help me
    2)Since coaching institutes charge around 50-60(thousand rupees),i cant afford that much money.n im thinking if i get placed somewhere during placements at college.i can work for 2 years n go for coaching.which coaching insti is good in delhi?

    please please reply me in this regard..
    u can mail me @ nennu009@gmail.com

    thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hello mam,
    Pub Ad is my 2nd optional.
    can u pls tell me that whether we shld subscribe the latest IIPA journals or the old one will work ?

    Thanks n Reagards
    Vipin

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  61. Respected Ma'am,

    Thanks to bear the pain for me and others needfuls. To be a civil servant was my school days dream. My economic condition was not so good. So, first I did strong my economic background. Now I am a computer engineer in Gurgaon. I reside in Ghaziabad. I work for a BPO in Gurgaon. I can't go to reside in Gurgaon as I have my own house in Ghaziabad and it takes approx.4-hours in travelling from both sides from Ghaziabad to Gurgaon and vice-versa. However I'm trying to search a job in Noida which is near to me. It takes approx.13-14 hours job daily for me including 9-hours of working in night. So, I've no time to prepare. I want to leave this job, but I scare, lest it may my biggest mistake . How can I generate study hours ? Should I leave the job I'm in abeyance and hope You'll help me to resolve my dilemma. Many Thanks for creating this blog. Thanks again. Kapil M.

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  62. Can you please provide tips/strategy for aspirants who are preparing while working and cant quit their job as of now.
    *******************************************
    Study for 5-6 hours daily. Study all weekends. Befor exams, take leave as much as you can.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am working for last 2 years and I started my preparation 1 year back. Is it a good idea now to quit job and go to Delhi to join coaching?
    ***********************************************
    This is a decision you need to make on your own. I would like to help you in this. But trust me, you are better off doing it on your own

    ReplyDelete
  64. @nennu
    Plz go thru other posts and comments. You will get your answers.

    ReplyDelete
  65. can u pls tell me that whether we shld subscribe the latest IIPA journals or the old one will work ?
    ****************************************

    There is a compilation of journals that jawahar Book depot at bersarai keeps. Buy that. That will suffice. You can also get this compilation next to vajiram , there is a xerox shop. They keep this.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Dee ...thnx 4 guiding me in right direction..

    I hav Public Ad. as second optional , I'm studying following basic books in these days ... Plz recommend some standard books 4 main exam. in addition with following alone with some notes/ guides etc.

    1. New Horizons of public administration by
    Mohit Bhattacharya
    2. Administrative thinkers by Prasad and Prasad
    (Theories Part)
    3. Public Administration by Sharma and Sadana
    4. Public Administration by Avasthi and
    Maheshwari
    5. Indian Administration by Rajini Goyal and
    Arora
    6. Introduction to the constitution of India by
    D.D.Basu
    7. Sachdeva - Social welfare administration
    8. Public Policy – R.K Sapru
    9. Public Financial Administration –M.J.K
    Thavraj
    10. Local Government in India – S.R Maheshwari

    I don't hav words to appreciate ur gr8ness of showing path to all of us ...but i hav 2 say , " May you make the most of your unique gifts, and may happiness and love surround you always."

    Regards ,

    _anil

    ReplyDelete
  67. Dear mam, great congratulation to you on your success. I am a big fan of u. I want to appear in CS with physics n Psychology as option. Psychology is not my subject.but i love to study it. i want to know which should be better for me as pre exams.

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  68. If you are a student of psychology it can be good for you in prelims. But if not, ppl find it difficult. No idea about physics. For that you can visit Supreet Gulati's blog.

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  69. @quest
    Kindly go through relevant post. You will get your answer.

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  70. Hello Shubhra Ji,

    I hope you are doing great. You have a wonderful blog to help. I am from engineering background.

    I have query about "political science and int relation"


    1. As compared to Pub Admin, Political Sc seems to have larger portion of GS.

    2. I have interest in both of the optionals.

    3. But my dilemma is with some portions of poilitical science about thinkers and theories. I can prepare that portion also but I feel I would need some guidance and corrections from some one.

    4. However, public admin is said to have proper guidance and materials, available.

    Kindly help me on this. Intuitively I have decided for Political Sc.

    It would be helpful if you can suggest any good coaching or anyone whom I can approach for guidance. Also, please guide me to chose one of these optional.


    Thank you
    Yogendra

    ReplyDelete
  71. @yogendra
    It's true that pol sc covers more of GS syllabus. Both Pub ad and pol sc are relevant to this exam. Please go thru the syllabus and questions papers and see which one interests you more.Also see if you can get study material easily, good coaching etc.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hello Shubhra Ji

    Shukriya for replying.

    It would be a great help if you could please suggest a good mentor for Pol Sc, like Mukul Pathak Sir in Psychology.

    Thanks
    Yogendra

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  73. Sorry, I am not aware of any good classes for Pol Sc. You should look for blogs like mine but with a diff set of optionals. That should help you.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hi,Shubra Di
    I'm Arijit(ur fren Shrabani Mukherjee's brother), from West Bengal. I've passed my Grads last year nd since then preparing for CSE(Indian + WB). I've given this yrs CSE Prelims, nd there is a optimistic chance. But can u guide me how to go forward with the mains preparation...as bcoz at tyms i'm getting confused. My optionals are History nd Sociology.
    Regards....
    Arijit...

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hello Shubhra mam.
    I have a query regarding GS mains geography part . Should I do all NCERT books from 6-12 or class 11 and 12 would suffice?And should I study whole book 'Goh Cheng leong- Physical Geography' or some selected topics?

    What about spectrum geography for GS. Is it worth reading?

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  76. Hi Shubhra,

    Thanks a lot for replying.

    Regards,
    Abhijit

    ReplyDelete
  77. Hi Arijit,

    Good to hear from you.
    I can't advise about your optionals as I have no idea about them.But in GS, I hve given the sources that should help you.

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  78. @Alok Singh
    11th and 12th ncerts namely physical and human would suffice. Goh Cheng Leong is imp for physical geog, splly air systems, topographical classifications and so on.

    Do one thing. Take a question bank of GS and see what kind of questions GS geog contains. Even if you don't study whole syllabus and solve just those questions, your job wud be done.

    ReplyDelete
  79. First of all hearty congratulations for your success & many many thanks for your guidance.

    I ve gone through your entire posts which have strategies for optionals & GS.Thanks for that again.

    Plz give some strategies for essay and compulsury papers i.e. how to and from where.

    How to memorize a vast information?For example, data on budget 2009.Generally economics part.Did you make note of all facts from newspaper while reading it?

    How many previous months of event come in current affairs?

    is there any medical check up after clearing cse? i ve colorblindness.am i eligible 4 cse?

    ReplyDelete
  80. Hi Shubhra Di,
    Thnx for replying. Actually i've gone through ur souces for GS. They r really helpful. I'll contact u with further queries. Take care.
    Regards....
    Arijit...

    ReplyDelete
  81. Plz give some strategies for essay and compulsury papers i.e. how to and from where.
    ******************************************
    will do that in near future.



    How to memorize a vast information?For example, data on budget 2009.Generally economics part.Did you make note of all facts from newspaper while reading it?
    **************************************
    Not all facts. But plz memorise the imp ones. eg GDP sector wise breakup, top spending sectors, top exports/imports, to which countries, direct:indirect tax in net revenue, fiscal deficit, current ac deficit....hope u got the picture.

    ReplyDelete
  82. from june/july of current year to march of the exam year.

    ReplyDelete
  83. is there any medical check up after clearing cse? i ve colorblindness.am i eligible 4 cse?

    ***************************************
    yes..after the interview. I dont think they will allow u for IPS and IRTS. I am not sure which other services you can be eligible for.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Thanks for answering my questions.As I said I have colorblindness, for which services I am eligible? Or I should refrain myself from preparaion?

    ReplyDelete
  85. hi ma'am ,

    Kindly advise me of d following quarries :

    1.How can I improve my writing & communication skills even better & How Imp. is speaking good english during an interview ?
    2.Is coaching important 4 sure success ?
    3.Shud I prepare my own notes ?
    4.Can an average student like also compete wid d rest ?
    5.Shud I go 4 postal coaching being a govt. employed aspirant ? Plz also suggest sum notes which can I get through post .
    6.How much does a gud biodata matter ?

    With fondest regards .

    ReplyDelete
  86. @deepak
    kindly go to persmin.gov.in and find that out

    ReplyDelete
  87. 1.How can I improve my writing & communication skills even better & How Imp. is speaking good english during an interview ?

    Answered already
    **********************************************
    2.Is coaching important 4 sure success ?

    Answered already
    *******************************************

    3.Shud I prepare my own notes ?

    Answered already

    ***********************************

    4.Can an average student like also compete wid d rest ?

    Yes
    ********************************************
    5.Shud I go 4 postal coaching being a govt. employed aspirant ? Plz also suggest sum notes which can I get through post .

    You can. I have no idea.
    ********************************************
    6.How much does a gud biodata matter ?

    I am not sure if it counts a lot in the interview. But if it does it's conytribution is 300/2300.
    *******************************************

    ReplyDelete
  88. In non technical services LOW GRADE color vision is requird. what is low grade? I could not pass Ishihara book test.Am I eligible for cse or not?

    I searched about this thoroughly but could not get the clear idea.Only you can help me in this regard. Otherwise my preparation will go in vain.

    ReplyDelete
  89. First of all, heartiest congratulations Mam for your inspiring achievement and again thanks a lot for guiding n encouraging aspirants like us.

    Mam, I hav chosen Geography as my first optional and I need ur help for deciding my second optional. I would like to choose from Pub Admn. or Psychology. What is ur opinion regarding these subject for an engg. background working person? What are the differences in these subjects from point of view of syllabus, approach, treatment, easiness in adaptability, fast n better understanding, availability of good guidance/coaching ........

    waiting for ur kind response.

    Regards,
    Sharad

    ReplyDelete
  90. Deepak,

    I am not competent in this matter to advise you.
    That's why I am not able to answer your question.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  91. @sharad.

    i have already discussed this elsewhere in the forum.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Hi, Shubra Di...
    Is class 9 & 10 textbooks nd a Tata McGraw-Hill book sufficient for the CSE Prelims GS part??
    If not plz give ur suggestions.
    Regards...
    Arijit..

    ReplyDelete
  93. If it were sufficient, don't you think I wud have given TMH book as a source?

    I repeatedly told all my students from refraining to use that book. Its very size saps your motivation and courage and further the material is not good.

    I would not advise anyone to buy TMH GS handbook.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Hi Shubhra Di,
    Thnx for ur valuable suggestion. I've not actually followed that TMH GS handbook. I've preffered the text books for each particular subject and have solved past year Question Papers for the Prelims.
    Can you plz prescribe if any other book i should consult & which magazine would serve my purpose for current affairs as teacher's confuse me with different suggestions.

    Regards...
    Arijit..

    ReplyDelete
  95. hello mam!
    i hav a doubt regarding scheduling:-

    1) before mains 09, by what time should 1 finsh all reading, updation and notes making so that 1 starts pure revision?

    thanks a lot in anticipation
    rajan

    ReplyDelete
  96. @Arijit

    I have given GS sources in a separate post.


    @rajanvir

    1) before mains 09, by what time should 1 finish all reading, updation and notes making so that 1 starts pure revision?

    A. It varies from person to person. When you say finish, what exactly you mean might be different from what anyone else means.

    ReplyDelete
  97. maam as i'm new to this preparation i followed your good advice and went through syllabus and then last 10 years question papers..but in GS especially in paper 2 the variety and difficulty of questions was truly bewildering ..in paper 1 one can go through subject books but is it enough to read just magazines and newspaper for paper 2..it was difficult for me to answer many of those questions..even in paper 1 ..is it enough to read bipin chandra and NCERT because some questions seemed beyond the the area covered by these books

    also please tell that did you answered all the questions of your optionals and GS in mains exam?

    and maam as i see you got such high marks in essay ..can you share with us how did you perfected essay writing ..can you share your 1-2 essays with us..i would like to know what did you wrote to get 140 marks...

    maam pardon me if my questions are inane as i don't know much about the exam ..

    thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  98. There's choice in both GS and optional papers. So the questions that you found difficult you can leave.

    I did not attempt all questions of GS. There are always some questions that you can't answer.

    In optionals there is a larger choice. Kindly go thru the scheme of papers to understand this.

    I have given pointers on how to tackle paper 2 topics in other posts.

    Essay post will follow in Aug.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  99. hi congrats.
    this is ruby
    i have 2 queries
    first plsssss let us know more about essay writing.. u scored 140 (too good)
    can u pls tell us about the content, and did u quote any popular quotes in ur essay? did u underline?


    second pls tell us more abour ur classes in august, i heard that als people r charging 5000rupees. as i come from a middle class family.pls tell me is it important to attend the classes.and pls let me know wud u cover whole pub ad topics in those 10 days
    waitiing for ur reply

    thanx
    ruby

    ReplyDelete
  100. "and pls let me know wud u cover whole pub ad topics in those 10 days"

    How can you ask such a question?
    How can anyone cover the whole of Public administration in 10 days!!! It would be dishonest on my part and ridiculous too if I claimed to cover entire pub ad in 10 days.



    essay post will follow in august.






    Somehow your post, however innocuous it might seem is giving me an impression of someone trying to do the stuff subtly what Mrinalini and Yajnavalakya were doing in a loud manner.

    Nevertheless, let me tell you.

    No, it's not important to attend my classes. I have always maintained that what anyone teaches in a coaching class can be covered on your own by self study.

    It's not at all required to attend my 10 day classes in August. People can do better without attending my classes. Hope this will help you.

    ReplyDelete
  101. I heard it that in interview tricky questions are asked to test the IQ i.e.
    Q.How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
    A.Concrete floors are very hard to crack! (UPSC Topper)
    Q.If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
    A. No time at all it is already built. (UPSC 23 Rank Opted for IFS)
    Q.If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?
    A. Very large hands.(Good one) (UPSC 11 Rank Opted for IPS)
    Q.. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
    A. It is not a problem, since you will never find! an elephant with one hand. (UPSC Rank 14 Opted for IES)
    Q. How can a man go eight days without sleep?
    A. No Probs , He sleeps at night. (UPSC IAS Rank 98)
    Q. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become?
    A. It will Wet or Sink as simple as that. (UPSC IAS Rank 2)
    Q. What looks like half apple ?
    A : The other half. (UPSC - IAS Topper )
    Q. What can you never eat for breakfast ?
    A : Dinner.
    Q. What happened when wheel was invented ?
    A : It caused a revolution.
    Q.. Bay of Bengal is in which state?
    A : Liquid (UPSC 33Rank )
    Q. How many buckets of water does Pacific Ocean contains?
    A : It depends on the size of the bucket. (CA Institute Campus Interview Placement)

    Is it true? Did you face this type of question?

    ReplyDelete
  102. hi shubhra.u r mistaken me. i am one of ur big fan. and pls let me know about classes.because i gained lot from ur blog already(like 20 words 60 marks question etc)i got 181 in psycho paper 2 but pub ad i got less than 150 though i did well. so pls let me know abt pub ad classes(i mean what will be the emphasis).
    thank you.i told this to my parents and they r insisting me to join. but if i get more than ths(from blog)than i want to join. plsss guide me.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Some one plz tell what is the title of the book SPECTRUM MODERN INDIA. .

    Is it SPECTRUM:A BRIEF HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA by Rajiv Aahir ?

    ReplyDelete
  104. Ma'am
    Its been quite some time, and I still am not being able to decide whether to have Civil Services as my aim. Do you know of any good autobiography of Civil Servants?

    ReplyDelete
  105. I was searching the web and came across this. Thought will share it here

    http://www.citehr.com/102529-waiter-who-will-ias-officer.html

    ReplyDelete
  106. hi di ,

    with due reverence, I hv 2 ask as to whether d books /material for Public Admn. (MAIN) already suggested by u in previous posts , are sufficient . Kindly suggest some more books /material ,if necessary .

    regards

    _ani

    ReplyDelete
  107. hell mam
    do u have any idea abt rumours abt age being lowered for civil services exam?

    ReplyDelete
  108. @quest
    see, I could give you 20 more books just like the coaching guys do. But in reality having that many no of books will reduce your motivation and waste ur time. Now, the books I have given are more than sufficient

    ReplyDelete
  109. Rumours are rumours.
    Don't waste your time on the till Min of personnel or UPSC come forward with such a regulation.

    ReplyDelete
  110. @ruby
    Thanks. But make the decision yourself.

    Is it SPECTRUM:A BRIEF HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA by Rajiv Aahir ?

    I think this is the one.

    ReplyDelete
  111. hi shubhra.
    dont u think u happen to gain a lot if ur blog becomes really successful.i mean to say google puts add on blogs that r more often visited.
    i am not saying that u have this aim in ur mind while starting this blog but in the hindsight this may be 1 of the after effects of ur philanthrophist endeavour.
    i know money doesnt matter for an ias officer.u can have a lot of it in service esp after 6th pay commission!!what u say?

    ReplyDelete
  112. maam i should have asked questions relevant to its category ..so i'm sorry for posting them in suggestions' section..maam my questions are same as before -

    1)does it helps to prepare from all previous 10 years questions for mains and prelims?
    2)are some questions repeated in mains and prelims ?did u practiced previous years' papers before the exam(main or prelims)?
    3)should one follow 'those' huge books for GS prelims ?
    4)apart from reading ncert and other books for conceptual understanding for mains in initial stage..how should one prepare especially for prelims 3-4 months before exam....does the thorough reading of those books will get us through ,for eg. for psychology if i read NCERT,Ciccarelli,Baron and pathak sir's notes..will it be enough or one has to read something extra for prelims ? that was for optionals,what in the case of GS for prelims ?

    5)how did you evaluated your answers of pub ad(as no one was there to help you)

    6)how frequently you practiced mock tests in 3-hour time frame and did you revised everyday what you learned a day before or you revised weekly/monthly)

    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  113. dont u think u happen to gain a lot if ur blog becomes really successful.i mean to say google puts add on blogs that r more often visited.

    Yes, but google only puts ads on blogs whose owners wish google to do so. I had this choice and I didn't opt for ads. Hope this clarifies your doubt if my endeavour is philanthropic or otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  114. 1)does it helps to prepare from all previous 10 years questions for mains and prelims?
    A. Yes it helps a lot.

    2)are some questions repeated in mains and prelims ?did u practiced previous years' papers before the exam(main or prelims)?
    A. I didn't practice all questions but I looked up the solutions to all.

    3)should one follow 'those' huge books for GS prelims ?
    A. NO. Definitely not.

    4)apart from reading ncert and other books for conceptual understanding for mains in initial stage..how should one prepare especially for prelims 3-4 months before exam....does the thorough reading of those books will get us through ,for eg. for psychology if i read NCERT,Ciccarelli,Baron and pathak sir's notes..will it be enough or one has to read something extra for prelims ? that was for optionals,what in the case of GS for prelims ?
    A. For GS prelims go for comprehensive study till Jan.From Feb onwards focus on memorising facts, dates, data, current affairs.
    I can't advise about Psychology.

    5)how did you evaluated your answers of pub ad(as no one was there to help you)
    A. Self evaluation and discussed with frnds.


    6)how frequently you practiced mock tests in 3-hour time frame and did you revised everyday what you learned a day before or you revised weekly/monthly)
    A. For prelims, once a week. For mains, not mock tests. But wrote some answers in the time frame required.

    ReplyDelete
  115. thank you very much for answering my queries maam

    ReplyDelete
  116. hello mam
    while practising writhin answer should we write answer all by ourself or should look into books and notes and then answer.
    i mean to ask should our aim be to write the best possible answer that is possible or an answer that we r writing in an exam condition?[means without looking anywhere all with our own like writing in mains]

    ReplyDelete
  117. hi di ,

    The condidate who comes from rural does not have a public school & urban dwelling advantages. In d process of developing his personality , he would indirectly be creating environment for his success in d civil services. Can you suggest some long terms strategiesn to improve personality for such condidates which will enable them to get good marks interview ? Kindly also tell , speaking good english duraqing an Interview -how important ?

    Best always ,

    reagrds

    ReplyDelete
  118. Can you suggest some long terms strategiesn to improve personality for such condidates which will enable them to get good marks interview ? Kindly also tell , speaking good english duraqing an Interview -how important ?


    Personality can not be created in 1 or 2 years. At best, the bad parts of it can be disguised, albeit not so successfully in the interview.

    I would suggest that one should develop an opinion on issues happening around. An opinion that is fair, just and humane. It should be balanced and sane.

    If you are not comfortable with English, I would suggest that you should give interview with your own language. Lucidity of expression is important rather than good english.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Hi Subhra,

    Regarding foreign relations part in GS,we have to concentrate on bordering states only or all.

    In last year exam also the questions all are coming from neighbouring countries.whats u r approach?

    Please also tell us how you prepared nano technology,robotics concepts?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  120. All states, specially important nations like US, Russia, EU etc.

    nano technology, robotics are available in s&t books that I have mentioned

    ReplyDelete
  121. Hello Subhra,

    The S&T tech books specifiedby you are spectrum,M&M.
    I have spectrum.
    For M&M publishers can you please specify the website of publishers(you can get this on cover page) so i can order online,as i am staying away from delhi.This helps me alot.

    Thanks madam.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I don't have it. Maybe someone else can help you here.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Hi Di ,

    Today ,I have written some thing for you .Plz forgive me for any mistake ...

    A Torch for All Seasons
    “You are a torch bearer of knowledge “

    You are like Spring,
    Who nurtures new green sprouts (aspirants),
    Encourages and leads them,
    Whenever they have doubts.

    You are like Summer,
    Whose sunny temperament
    Makes our preparation a pleasure,
    Preventing discontent.

    You are like Fall,
    With methods crisp and clear,
    Lessons of bright colors
    And a happy atmosphere.

    You are like Winter,
    While it’s snowing hard outside,
    Keeping us (aspirants) comfortable,
    As a warm and helpful guide.

    Shubhra Didi, you do all these things,
    With a pleasant attitude;
    You’re a torch for all seasons,
    And you have my gratitude!

    As long as I live, the memories of your services rendered to all of us during this hard time of preparation, will also be lived!

    May you make the most of your unique gifts, and may happiness and love surround you always!

    With due personal regards .

    ANIL (quest4excellence)

    ReplyDelete
  124. @ANIL

    Thank you so much for this lovely gift. I will always cherish it.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Thanks you so much mam for replying . Actually I am not a student of psychology.so I have choosen it for main. Can you guide me abt all books for psychology for main exams. It will be very helpful for me mam.

    ReplyDelete
  126. hi di ,

    As u r aware dat much has been done to remove d elitist character of d civil services in d form of broad range of language papers, & d option to write answers in any of d choice languages ....my question is as to whether an aspirant, who has written d main exam in English,has freedom to converse in hindi or both (english & hindi ) during d interview ? I had read somewhere dat if u write main in hindi or any particular language only den u can give ur interview in dat particular language . I can write well in English, but I’m not well acquainted with its fluency ….kindly give sum tips for repair d same, if u can …

    Regards
    ANIL

    ReplyDelete
  127. I think in the mains form you have the option. You should confirm it from somone who fills their mains form in august. I can't recall it well.

    ReplyDelete
  128. hi shubra ji,
    a real gr88 work is happening from ur side. thanks a lot for such informations.
    i have one doubt similar to above, as let me put it in this way that to write the exam and to face the interview , how much fluency and strong vocabulary matters?
    i am also an IT professional and am just gud in english not very excellent, i can speak average and decent vocabulary (just do not more than that)so how it wud be affecting?
    seeking for ur advice
    satyendra

    ReplyDelete
  129. @satyarafi

    I have said it before and I am saying it again.
    You should be able to express yourself in a clear, crisp,direct and precise manner. Average Vocabulary, average fluency would do. Also plz make sure that you are grammatically correct.

    ReplyDelete
  130. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Hi Mam
    I am Shulabh. Mam when the cadre of All india services is alloted? Did you get your cadre? If yes then which cadre is it?

    ReplyDelete
  132. Hello Subhra,

    For Science&Tech you have specified M&M publishers,is there any full form for this or just M&M.
    Help me on this so that i can ask my friends to get a copy for me.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  133. I am Shubra for my comments..

    @ Mr.quest4excellence 'Anil'

    Kya re Anil?? Koi original poem likho ji.. Why plagiarism?? LOL.. Seeing your 'gloating' I just happened to google it n got almost 2000 results.. The original poem goes like this http://www.poemsource.com/teacher-poems.html ..

    A Teacher for All Seasons

    A teacher is like Spring,
    Who nurtures new green sprouts,
    Encourages and leads them,
    Whenever they have doubts.

    A teacher is like Summer,
    Whose sunny temperament
    Makes studying a pleasure,
    Preventing discontent.

    A teacher is like Fall,
    With methods crisp and clear,
    Lessons of bright colors
    And a happy atmosphere.

    A teacher is like Winter,
    While it’s snowing hard outside,
    Keeping students comfortable,
    As a warm and helpful guide.

    Teacher, you do all these things,
    With a pleasant attitude;
    You’re a teacher for all seasons,
    And you have my gratitude!

    By Joanna Fuchs

    Kabhi Kabhi apna dimag bhi use kar !!!!!!! Phir kuch likho.. Or next time make some significant changes when u copy , paste stuff..

    I apologise to Shubra for my comment once again.. But cudnt resist it..

    With due respect..
    Sreehari R

    ReplyDelete
  134. @sulabh
    will let you know when the cadres are alloted. No idea yet.

    ReplyDelete
  135. @sreehari
    it's the sentiment and not creativity that matters. The fact that he thought of this is more important. So please spare him of your harsh words.

    ReplyDelete
  136. hello mam
    did u not feel intimidated by the fact that ur optionals were completely new to u and u had no backgroumd in them and u were going to compete for such a tough exam?
    so how did u start ur preparation in a positive sense?and did u feel at every point of ur prep that u r going to be selected or did other thoughts come to ur mind?were u never bored by such huge amt of studied that is required to be done?
    pls tell in detail.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  137. @sreehari
    r u here to comment on the copyright of various posts!!u better mind ur own business.
    and for that matter there r huge copyright violations taking place including piracy.do work for that than talking against any1 like this

    ReplyDelete
  138. @ Mr.Sreehari R ,

    I humbly admit that the poem isn’t my creation, but it represents my sentiments for di . I was thinking that day , how can we all so selfish only about our queries . As we can’t give her any GURU DAKSHNA, but we can give her due gratitude. Therefore, I chose this way to show my gratitude. I might be chosen a wrong way of expression, but my intention was pure. Moreover, we are not here to become hero in her eyes ‘coz she sees everyone from one prism. Moreover, nothing is original in this world except nature , everyone do copy someone like a child copies his/her mother , a pupil copies his/her teacher etc. directly or indirectly. It is easy to pulling leg, but please try to look the other side of the coin. Anyways, this is a free country you have full right to expression. I had strong fire to write poetry, but your criticism has given wings to that fire. I would like to quote here the saying of Saint KABIR :

    "Nindak niyare rakhiye, Aangan kuti chhawaye
    Bin sabun pani bina, nirmal karat subhaye"

    Mr.Sreehari R ,I look forward to receive more criticism from your side , I promise , U’ll soon find my own poetry over here in Hindi & English both . Please be regular to follow the blog. At last but not least, I’m looking forward to meet you at LBSNAA Mussoorie for IAS training next year .

    I wish you Godspeed in your upcoming career.


    To
    Shubhra Di ,

    With due reverence,

    I don’t have any word to say except “SORRY”. I hope you will forgive me. Please don’t deny accepting my own poetry, which will follow soon. I strongly believe that it is better to die on feet rather than live on knees. So please do accept my poetry so I cud live on my feet. I would like to submit that the sentiments behind it were pure & true. I know this blog isn’t made for such type of stuff, but I had to respond the man.

    Respectfully,
    _anil

    ReplyDelete
  139. did u not feel intimidated by the fact that ur optionals were completely new to u and u had no backgroumd in them and u were going to compete for such a tough exam?

    A. Yes, initially it was a little intimidating. But as I started studying these subjects, I started enjoying them.
    ******************************************
    so how did u start ur preparation in a positive sense?and did u feel at every point of ur prep that u r going to be selected or did other thoughts come to ur mind?

    A. Well, even before starting the preparation, I believed that I was going to make it. I used to devote 10 mins every night before falling asleep, to positive visualisation. I used to imagine success. When you get up after thinking this way, you feel more charged.
    **********************************************
    were u never bored by such huge amt of studied that is required to be done?
    A. yes, a million times. I used to take regular breaks between study periods. For eg. I would study for 3-4 hours at a stretch keeping my cellphone off. When I got up from that batch of studies, I would talk to friends or family for 10 15 mins...or watch TV for 30 mins.

    Every 10-15 days, I used to watch a movie. You can not sustain motivation for a very long time if you dont reward yourself regularly.

    ReplyDelete
  140. @sreehari/ questforexcellence

    Many people have subscribed to this wonderful blog for a purpose, plaese post relevent posts. Kindly avoid spamming inbox of others.

    Yogendra

    ReplyDelete
  141. HEllo mam,hope u will b fine ..I m again here with a small query regarding India Year Book (Published by Government of India)

    I wan to ask that while reading this book which things i have to keep in my mind, I mean On which topics i should more concentrate...how the questions are asked from this book(It will be good if u can give 1 or 2 sample questions)...Nd this book is more important for Prelims or mains

    Too much numbers and data is given in d book,i dont think They will ever ask the questions in too much depth....What u say?

    Thanx
    Roohi.

    ReplyDelete
  142. Finance, Commerce, Development scemes are the most imp areas which you should focus on.

    I mostly avoided IYB. Look at the question pattern and then decide. I personally never found it very useful.

    ReplyDelete
  143. Roohi, I hope you got my intention when I didn't answer your question in the other post.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Yes mam,dat was my mistake i thought u have made another forum dats why i have askd the question there...

    Mam if possible then put the direct link of 'GENERAL QUERIES' to your home page..

    thanx
    Roohi

    ReplyDelete
  145. maam i've just started my preparation ..at what stage of preparation should one start writing answers ..should it be after every topic or after covering whole syllabus at least once ?

    maam as i was attempting 2008 question paper other day and found that aspirants with some 'specific' optionals especially geography enjoy good advantage over us ,like you had pub ad and psychology or like i've sociology and psychology ..as 25-30 questions were from geography ...so what was your strategy for GS in prelims because if one focus on GK and current affairs then questions like ---[What is agent orange ?(this is from as far as 1971) and who translated the autoboiography of madam curie in hindi ?] ....cannot be found in newspapers and India year book...so what else did you studied for questions like these ..how many questions you think you correctly attempted as against general cut off in GS ? do we need to attempt 75-80 questions correctly for GS prelims ?

    thank you maam

    ReplyDelete
  146. These questions are not answerable by most of us. The idea is to leave the areas such as these and focus on what you can cover... eg. Geog, Polity, History, Economics, CA, GMA etc.

    ReplyDelete
  147. You should start writing answers after reading a unit throughly.

    ReplyDelete
  148. Dear Madam,

    Thankyou for this wonderful blog. Its being very helpful to me.

    You covered almost everything one needs to know for starting preparation. Everyone gives suggestions on this but no body talks about life after passing CSE.

    I want to know about it. Its always been a mystery to newbies. I want to give CSE. But my decision depends on these things.

    1. How many months would be the training?
    2. Do they get paid during the training period?

    Actually, I've financial problems. I'll give CSE only if it doesn't cost me much of time.

    I would also like to know:
    3. What is the (approx) timeline of CSE:
    i. applications during December
    ii. prelims in may & results in ______?
    iii. mains in oct & results in ________?
    iv. interviews in march ?
    v. final results in _____________?
    vi. what next? training? When? for how long? Does these depend on service (IAS,IPS,IFS,grp-1,grp2)?
    vii. do we get paid during training? would that be complete salary or just stipend?
    viii. In what post intially an IAS officer would be appointed? For how long? How much time would it take to become a District Collector?

    Most of us don't know answers to these questions. Can you please post an article on these queries to enlighten us all.

    ReplyDelete
  149. 3. What is the (approx) timeline of CSE:
    i. applications during December
    ii. prelims in may & results in "AUGUST"
    iii. mains in oct & results in "MARCH"
    iv. interviews in march ? "AND APRIL"
    v. final results in "MAY"
    vi. what next? training? When? for how long? Does these depend on service (IAS,IPS,IFS,grp-1,grp2)? STARTS IN AUGUST..DURATION VARIES FROM 2 YEARS TO 3 YEARS DEPENDING ON THE SERVICE.
    vii. do we get paid during training? would that be complete salary or just stipend? YES WE GET PAID DURING TRAINING. NOT COMPLETE SALARY BUT IT'S SUFFICIENT TO GET BY. I AM NOT SURE BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT IT'S AROUND 20000.

    viii. In what post intially an IAS officer would be appointed? For how long? How much time would it take to become a District Collector?

    SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE. AFTER THAT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO BECOME A DISTT COLLECTOR DEPENDS ON A LOT OF FACTORS WHICH I AM NOT IN POSITION TO COMMENT UPON.

    ReplyDelete
  150. Hi Shubhra,

    can you please give some details about the 10 day course at ALS.I will need to take 10 days off from office, so i need some detail to make the decision.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  151. The classes are from 17th aug to 26th aug from 12:00 pm everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  152. Hi Shubra..

    Thanks for your support and help..

    Would you like to suggest us on our appearance and etiquette for the Interview?? Please ignore this if you have already mentioned it..

    Thanks n Regards..

    Jayasree Ravindran

    ReplyDelete
  153. I will talk about it in a new post later.

    ReplyDelete
  154. Hi all,

    For all who got offended by me.I stand corrected. :)

    I have question 4 U Shubra.Which among the ranks do u think demands someone to make it 4 foreign service say among top 50?? My question doesnt concur precisely to the 'preparation-tags',was just being curious! I wud understand if this question is ignored!!!

    Cheerio,

    Sreehari R.

    ReplyDelete
  155. Hi Shubhra Mam,
    Thanks for your blog.It has been wonderful and very useful.

    Iam planning to appear in 2010.So my query is what part of GS i can study now.History,being my first optional(Telugu is second optional) i kept it a side and so i started polity as of now.

    But can you please advise what should i go for after completing polity?In GS Paper II i think India&World,International Affairs,some part of S&T and some part of Economics will be dynamic and have to be prepared from say February/March 2010 onwards or shall we need to study those from now? Anyway iam making notes from Hindu daily.

    My plan is to complete GS mains within December.So can you please advice what to study after completing polity.

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Praslu

    ReplyDelete
  156. First finish the static part of GS for Pre , like polity, geography, history, Gen Sc, Gen Mental Ability, Economics(static part) etc.

    You will need to keep studying newpaper regularly. If you don't study econmics static part now, you won't be able to follow most of the news items on economic front.

    ReplyDelete
  157. Terrific motive to help candidates. Just the medicine for the disease of herd instinct.

    Now to the question.

    Apart from the past papers, can u shed some light on the absolutely current parts( 2009-specific) of s and t? Last year, spintronics was asked.Is it a freak question and ignored or should one be prepared for such subjects as well?

    ReplyDelete
  158. Hmmm...you can look at what's happening on the current front in S&T. Eg. Last year Chandrayaan was imp. You can scan the current aspects in S&T and prepare them better.

    Well, there can be some questions that you wud find difficult to answer even if you study most of the syllabus. Try to finish what you can!! That would suffice.

    ReplyDelete
  159. Hi Shubhra Madam,


    I am working for a software firm. I have a doubt regarding the job experience i.e. if we had past experience, does the UPSC take into account this past exp while selecting the final list. I heard that final marks solely depends on the mains, essay & intw.
    Please clarify me this doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  160. No, no work ex is counted in the final list selection.

    ReplyDelete
  161. hello mam.
    please tell me that whether we have to purchgase 10 yr for prelims and mains seperately?
    as the prelims is of obj. and maine is sub.
    and 1 more thing
    which parts of paper1 & 2 should be strong for GS and optional.

    ReplyDelete
  162. for you mam:
    Harr Qadam Tumhara Manzil Ki Taraf Uthey
    Aakaash Ke Sitaaron Ko Choo Lo Tum
    Khushiyan Harr Dam Tumhari Raah Takein
    Jugnuon Ki Tarha Jhilmilao Tum........

    ReplyDelete
  163. Mam,
    Regarding my above question,you said to read the static part of GS prelims now.Iam in a plan to complete GS mains first before december and then start prelims preparation from January?I fear if iam thinking in the wrong way?Can you please correct me Mam?

    Regards,
    Prasanth

    ReplyDelete
  164. @Prasanth
    when you study for mains, you are invariably studying for prelims also as the sylabus mostly coincides.

    ReplyDelete
  165. please tell me that whether we have to purchgase 10 yr for prelims and mains seperately?

    A. Yes separately. Also buy the one in which there is topic wise segregation of questions, do not buy the consolidated questions papers.

    which parts of paper1 & 2 should be strong for GS and optional.
    A. I would say all.there is nothing like preferential treatment in GS or optionals.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Hi Shubhra.

    The help that you're extending to civil service aspirants via this blog is extremely commendable. I have gone through all the posts as well as responses to queries that you have put up and must say that it is comprehensive enough to cover most subject matter/ exam-process related questions.

    My query however is of a slightly different nature and given your own professional background and seeing how candid you are in your replies i am venturing to put it forth to you. I graduated from the country's premiere law school (NLS, bangalore)in 2007 and got a pre-placement offer with what is arguably the country's biggest corporate law firm (I was working as a capital markets lawyer). The 7 figure salary and headline making transactions were great to begin with but i felt an increasing sense of discontent and wanted to do something bigger/ better (in my value-terminology). I initially wanted to do my masters in law and then work with the UN or other think-tank type institutions. However, after much deliberation i decided to take a shot at the UPSC. My father is an IAS officer and i have always felt that if one wants to do policy/ development work the civil service offers the best platform.

    I quit my corporate law firm job in November 2008 and after that spent about 2 months just evaluating life choices. So i barely has 3.5 months in my hand to take the prelims and hence have failed to qualify in them this year (despite the fact that i thought i did decently enough, 87 questions in my optional law and 52 in GS). This has been rather disheartening and has prompted me into thinking whether i committed a huge mistake in giving up a very lucrative carrer with the law firm.

    I know its a personal call but the reason i ask you this is to figure out whether you were ever tempted to go back to the safe and secure option of IT industry when you did not qualify the first time?

    During the long/ hard months of preparation when you know that there is a chance that all your hard work may be in vain and you may not qualify...what kept you going?

    Did you ever think of the opportunity cost (monetary salary loss for the 2+ years of prep) or the repercussions for your career (in terms of gap in the CV or loss of seniority with respect to your peers in the IT industry) if after taking time out also for some reason you were unable to make the UPSC? These i suppose are natural questions to arise and the answers to these dilemmas are always subjective.

    However, i ask you because it would be an invaluable input for me to know how you kept such negative thoughts at bay? and did you never feel that your colleagues and juniors are getting ahead of you while you're writing an exam that may go either way?

    Any inputs of yours regarding these issues would be much appreciated.

    Many thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  167. Hello Shubhra,

    Can you please explain how the cadre allocation system works? Have you been allotted the cadre yet?? Does it depend upon the rank of the candidate or is it the random allocation?

    Thanks & regards,
    Gurpreet KANG

    ReplyDelete
  168. Hi mam

    I have fully gone through ur blog,i read ur blog almost everyday and Iam very happy ur guiding all the aspirants so well.I have seen in many of ur posts ,you tell us to make the timetable ourselves But I have a request, If you can plz give the time table and format you followed like what subjects you studied how long and when you studied prelims and for mains,when you took tests,breaks,how many subjects per day...all that .the exact timetable you might have followed.I know this differs from person to person .But I feel this will help all aspirants who are doing self study and really find it difficult where to start from and how to cover such huge syllabus.plz help.This would help me to kick start and organise my study after personalising ur timetable,that would boost my confidence .awaiting ur positive reply

    ReplyDelete
  169. @Brandy

    Yes, at times, these kind of thoughts would enter my head. To counter these problems I used motivational self talk and positive visualisation. I tried countering negative thoughts by thinking about the difference I would be able to make as a civil aspirant.

    ReplyDelete
  170. @sri
    I changed my timetable every week. You need to be flexible in the preparation. There is no cut and dried formula.

    ReplyDelete
  171. Can you please explain how the cadre allocation system works?
    A. It works on the same lines as counselling in engg colleges works. It has chnaged thisw year only.

    Have you been allotted the cadre yet??
    A. Not yet.

    Does it depend upon the rank of the candidate or is it the random allocation?
    A. From this year onwards, it is rank based and not lottery based.

    ReplyDelete
  172. thanks to accept this poem from my side to you mam.

    ReplyDelete
  173. hello mam.
    thanks once again.
    mam, if i wud be able to arrange the classroom notes of vajiram of gs and pub ad of 2-3 yrs earlier. will it be helpful to me? or at what extent will it helpful?

    ReplyDelete
  174. GS notes of vajiram will be useful for you. But for Pub ad, there is no single source(coaching notes) that can actually help you thoroughly. They can help you maybe to an extent. But beyond that, you have to work on your own.

    ReplyDelete
  175. Hi Shubhra,

    I have noticed you stressing the word limit a number of times.Is it that necessary to take care of the word limit while writing the answers.cant we exceed the word limit.

    Can you please suggest some good news channel to watch to keep track of current affairs in free time as there are number of channels available.Which channel would be the best in Civils point of view.

    Thanks Shubhra..

    ReplyDelete
  176. NDTV 24X7

    Word limit is very imp, if you exceed the word limit a lot, it will have negative implications wrt to the examiner as well wrt to the avl time

    ReplyDelete
  177. Thanks you very much Shubhra....

    ReplyDelete
  178. Thank You very much Shubhra....

    ReplyDelete
  179. hello mam.
    mam, as i suggested that v hv to purchase 10 yr.. should i purchase for gs as for pub ad.( for pre and mains sep.)?
    mam, in gs 10 yr, will there also a sub. wise seperation of the ques? or will it be of cont. type?

    ReplyDelete
  180. both for pre and mains...for both gs and pub ad

    subject wise paper will be better...even in each subj, there is topic wise break up...buy that one.

    ReplyDelete
  181. Thanks mam for replying to "Brandy" query , as it works for all aspirants of all Diversed field.
    I also come from same IIM pool ( Indina IT Male :P ) and have been wasting time to think too much, But shubhra's mam motivation was exactly that she have been constantly saying that she worked for 4.5 years and wanted something to more extremely important for society and doing the same for all of us helping us understand everything preps, tackling high n lows etc etc.. Let me admit here i have taken her experience for motivation ( which is in front of us), so if she has already done it better i accept atlest that my decisions in past or not at all wrong,its just we take time to analize life and face & accept situations as it comes & most importantly " Prepare" each self to make it our life..which is similar to things we love and do it anything for it to make it your own..All in all i also had asked few questions earlier abut GMAT/certificatin etc etc but didnt got a positive reply to hlep me decide now that i have already taken few decisions, i hope god helps me achive what i aspire now by my own past learnings and also keeping in mind of expericne of all these super duper guys who have created their own stories like mam, supreet sir, abhishek many others..this blog is a source of everything to me which i religiously follow too reading all the QA , so i replied to brandy my views..
    cheers man!!
    Best wishes
    Abhi

    ReplyDelete
  182. Ma'am, please put some light on the preferences & priorities of services in UPSC mains form. also I need ur valuable input regarding state cadre prefernces (which is to be fulfilled in the mains form for IAS & IPS). It would be of great help of mine if you can give ur prioritised list of all. i need ur urgent response since last date is 28th of oct.Should one write a job experience of 3 months..will it lead to -ve impression????

    ReplyDelete
  183. Why do you need my list!!
    You should fill your prefernce according to your choice of services and cadres.

    ReplyDelete
  184. Hi Shubhra,

    I desperately need your help.I am preparing for History for CSE 2010.I know they are not your optionals but please could you somehow interact with your colleagues (for instance Kiran Kaushal) and lead me to their mail ids or contact.I have lot of questions brimming in my mind regarding the history preparation.

    my email - sudhanva.suprakena@gmail.com

    I am extremely sorry if I was sounding non sense in my question

    ReplyDelete
  185. hi Shubhra di,
    How r u ?
    My morale is pushing down in these days....plz tell me how did u come out from such kind of situation ..it is difficult to keep motivated through out the process of preparation . However , I hav full time & all resources with me ...but I some times, I can't stick on my studies & maintain consistency . Please guide me ...
    Every good wish for ur continued success and good health.
    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  186. Ma'am,
    Q1. Kindly tell me the approx. size of the answer sheet so that I can estimate the number of words that I'll be writing on a page.
    Q2. Can we, and should we, use acronyms like BPL for below poverty line, in both optionals and GS(especially the 20 word questions)?
    Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  187. @Shubhra
    first let me tell u Mam, that ur blog has been the first and top most source of guidance for me and as well as many others also.

    i have one query regarding economy portion of the GS, Datta sundaram book contains more than 50 chapters and U had told that only few topics we read from the book.
    PLZZZZ tell me which topics to read from that book? it will save a lot of our time.
    Thanks a lot

    ReplyDelete
  188. hello mam pls tell us about essay. u have told tht u wil write exclusively abt essay wririn. we have been waitin for minths pls help us

    ReplyDelete