7/24/13

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

HOME

MOTIVATION

MAY 28TH, 2012

9 COMMENTS

[Toppers Interview] Rohit Shukla (AIR 238/CSE 2011) shares Psychology booklist and his successful journey
We are pleased to have Rohit Shukla here sharing with us, his journey, studyplan for General studies, Psychology and Public Administration.

Introduction

Name Roll number Rank (CSE 2011) Optional Subjects Medium for Mains Exam Mains Examination Centre Number of Attempts Schooling (Medium) Extracurricular activities, hobbies, achievements etc. Are you a working professional? If yes, then did you leave your job or prepared while on the job? Did you take Coaching? Did you buy any postal courses? Did you join any Mock test series?

Rohit Shukla 034405 238 Public Administration, Psychology English Lucknow 2 English Writing articles, Meditation Yes I left my job and prepared Prelims: No Mains : Yes Interview: Yes Yes No

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

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 all disappeared. It was during my stint in a private IT company that I realised about my lifes priorities and would ultimately make me a happy 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 your optional?
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html 1/9

7/24/13

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

I did not have any idea initially about optionals etc. I had resigned from my job in a hurry and had to appear that year only.I came across Mrunals blog and after going through it chose public administration as the pre optional(it was useful in all stages of the exam).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 sustain the 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 I wanted to change my life quickly.Hence, boredom even if it came was not allowed to rule.Family support is of prime importance in this exam.In my case , i was insulated from even my closest friends and relatives.I hardly ever talked about my preparation with anybody in my family( except my mother).I found that switching subjects after 2 hours is a good way to reduce monotonicity .Run in between,play with 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 in hand,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 and optional subjects? My average study hours- around 8. For core syllabus of GS it took 3 months initially.In case of optionals, public administration finished 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 any topic.Also , one can quicky check about the background of any topic before studying using internet. But caution must be taken to ensure 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 my knowledge base which helped in the essay.Essay should be interesting , in simple language ( yet appealing) and should have a natural flow 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 rose from the ashes again? What had gone wrong in your previous attempts? How did you fix those issues in your 2011s attempt? I was shattered after not clearing mains written in my first attempt . After 10 days , with the help of my mothers support and words of wisdom 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,proper examples,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
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html 2/9

7/24/13

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

Ive low marks in SSC/HSC/College, I dont have any extra-curricular certificates, I dont have work experience, I graduated from some unknown college, Im from non-English medium and so on So, How important or relevant is the profile of a candidate during interview? Candidates profile is for the candidate , not the interview board. If one feels satisfied and can justify himself, there is no problem.Studying from an unknown college is not a problem.Work experience if there can help if one is prepared and can handle questions on it.It is only ones confidence and the attitude on the day that matters.Plus interview is so much subjective that anxiety is of no 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 your inner 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 the readers? 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 my liking and satisfaction there. She forced me into quick introspection based on my attitude,life aim,past experiences and what I was doing 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 Current Affairs

Source of your preparation The Hindu, Indian Express, Wikipedia, Govt Reports
3/9

mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html

7/24/13

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

Old NCERT books Indias Struggle for Independence Bipin Chandra (Penguin Publication) CrackIas Notes General Studies Manual Tata Macgrawhill Publication History Ancient/Medieval/Modern

Physical Geography Geography of India Geography of World

NCERT only NCERT crackias notes NCERT school atlas

Polity and Governance

Indian Polity by M.Laxmikant (TMH Publication) crackias notes Pratiyogita Darpan special edition Public Policy Rights issue Environment and Biodiversity Economic and social Development Science TMH Guide Hindu (Science background helps) NCERT economics xi,xii Hindus Monday economy analysis Mrunals articles on economy Pratiyogita Darpan special edition Govt reports on Environment ICSE environment studies books Internet India Year Book(selective only) Internet

Economy

About the CSAT aptitude

Syllabus Topic Quantitative Aptitude Data interpretation Logical reasoning Reading comprehension Decision Making and Problem solving

Source of your preparation Uniques Book Uniques Book Uniques Book Did not prepare Did not prepare

Mains Examination
Compulsory Language papers Source of your preparation
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html 4/9

7/24/13

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

English Indian language paper

Solved 2 year papers Solved 5 year papers practice 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 language paper (Click Me)] General Studies paper I

Syllabus Topic

Source of your preparation 1. India's Struggle For Independence by Bipin Chandra (Penguin Publication) 2. Spectrum book on Modern India (selective) 3. Crackias notes Spectrum book on Indian Culture (very selective) CrackIas notes Internet Indian Polity by M.Laxmikanth (TMH Publication) Newspapers TV debates Yojana Economic Survey Crackias notes Planning Commission website Internet Polity material Punchi commission report Internet(use Wiki) Govt reports News class 11,12 Env science books Internet

History

Culture Geography of India Polity Issues of social relevance Indian economy and planning Public health Law and order Good governance Environment

General Studies paper 2

Syllabus Topic India and the World* Indian diaspora* Indias Economic interaction with world International affairs and institutions Statistics

Source of your preparation

Remarks, if Any make note of famous Indians in past one year abroad(in diverse fields)

current affairs+Internet only

World Focus Magazine(yearly issue,april,may issue) Internet Civil Services Times magazine Spectrum papers

V N Khanna book for basics

mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html

5/9

7/24/13

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

Science & Tech.

TMH book on science and Tech The Hindu CrackIas notes Internet

Optional Subject #1 and #2

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Paper 1 1. Fadia and Fadia

2. Nicholas Henry 3. class coaching notes +Internet 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Newspapers( most important) Report of 2nd ARC Commission. Punchi commission report Govt statistics PIB releases Arora Goyal Avasthi and Avasthi. (selective) Paper2

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
6/9

mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html

7/24/13

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

researches , helped me in making my answers different) 4. NCERT, 5. Mukul Pathak Sirs notes 6. (writing to the point and with recent developments in core areas will help,can use diagrams also)

Paper2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Social psychology by Baron Applied Psychology by Smarak Swain(IRS), Class notes of Goldi Sir Internet 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 unexpected questions? I was in KK Paul Sirs 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 will you 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 political leadership that change is possible I have posted the interview on Indianofficer.com

Marksheet
SUBJECTS ESSAY (PAPER-III) GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-IV) GENRAL STUDIES (PAPER-V) OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VI) MARKS 108 107 101 167

OPTIONAL-I(PUBLIC ADMIN.) (PAPER-VII) 162 OPTIONAL-II(PSYCHOLOGY) (PAPER-VIII) 188 OPTIONAL-II(PSYCHOLOGY) (PAPER-IX) WRITTEN TOTAL PERSONALITY TEST FINAL TOTAL 139 972 171 1143

Remarks :-RECOMMENDED

Finally the most important question!

Magazines related to competitive exams, have established the most sacred unwritten rule of conducting Toppers interview: the last question 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.
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html 7/9

7/24/13

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

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 itll 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 are provided 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 Mrunal for 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 on Indianofficer.com Previous Posts
[Topper's Interview] Frank Noble (AIR-157 /CSE-2012) Working Professional (TCS): Public Administration, Geography [Topper's Interview] Tripti Bhatt (AIR-165/CSE-2012) Working Professional (NTPC) First Attempt, Public Administration, Sociology [Topper's Interview] Manikandan Soundararajan (AIR-759 /CSE-2012) First attempt, Public Administration, Geography [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

Print || PDF Subscribe (Need Chrome)! (free!)

Pankaj sharma
Reply 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..

PARTHO
Reply to this comment Can you tell me how useful where crack ias notes??

Dharamvirsinh
Reply 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 Psychology subject 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.

Dhruv
Reply to this comment
mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html 8/9

7/24/13

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

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 an all 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 villages too (like IAS and IPS)? Thanks!

Akash Satyam
Reply 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 be posted 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 is the 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 circle then he can get posted to only bhopal, indore, raipur, jabalpur, bilaspur and might be a few more similar cities).

Dhruv
Reply 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 to me than Glamour! Good luck for your prep, cheers!

baradkaushik
Reply to this comment how to prepare thew gpsc& upsc examination for ias

kartikey
Reply 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 to start prepn for civil services n how to do it???

Yogita Singh
Reply 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 while quoting 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.

mrunal.org/2012/05/toppers-interview-rohit-shukla-air-238cse-2011-shares-psychology-booklist-and-his-successful-journey.html

9/9