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[Toppers Interview] Neha Nautiyal (AIR 185/CSE 2011) working professional cracks UPSC and shares History Booklist and study tips
Neha Nautiyal cracks UPSC without leaving job. Here she shares the journey, the time Management tips for working professionals, strategy and booklist for General studies, History, Public Administration and more. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. History Marksheet Introduction Your Study plan CSAT (Paper I) General studies About the CSAT aptitude Mains Examination Compulsory Language papers General Studies paper I General Studies paper 2 Optional Subject #1 and #2 Public Administration

Introduction
Name Roll number Rank (CSE 2011) Optional Subjects Medium for Mains Exam Mains Examination Centre Number of Attempts Details of Graduation and Post-Grad. 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? Did you appear in any other competitive exams? If yes, provide the details: NEHA NAUTIYAL 235262 185 1. History 2. Public Administration English Chandigarh 2 1.B.Sc. B.Ed 4 yr integrated course 2.M.Sc. (Zoology) Kendriya Vidhyalaya (English) Listening songs, Internet Surfing, Cooking, Playing Badminton Yes No I prepared while on job. Prelims: Yes (From Dehradun) Mains : Yes (From Dehradun) Interview: Yes (From Delhi) Yes from Cracking IAS Yes for Interview only Yes IBPS PO, SBI PO (qualified written of both but didnt gave Interview), CASE( The present job I am holding was by this exam)

Inception
Q. When and how did the inspiration and idea of joining civil service come in your mind? Ans: It was when I was doing my post graduation (during 2009) that I started thinking seriously about Civil Services. I was interested in teaching but slowly I realized about the Impact of various other factors on education. This was a major driving force which inspired me for joining the services. Besides there were many other factors like good career profile, varied opportunities etc. etc.

The Choice of Optional Subjects

The Choice of Optional Subjects

Q7 . 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? Ans: Definitely the choice of optional is the first major obstacle. My basis of selection of optional was based on many factors: 1. My interest and aptitude towards the optional. 2. Relative popularity of the optional. 3. Availability of good books related to that optional in Dehradun (Since Doon being a small city there is always a lack of good books related to many subjects particularly the science one). 4. Subjectivity and objectivity of the subject (For example, I took History due to its objectivity apart from my interest in it).

Momentum
Q. People initially prepare with much enthusiasm but then a boredom phase comes they dont even find the motivation to read the daily newspapers, let alone studying the books. Sometimes they get diverted because of external factors e.g. heavy workload in office, family responsibilities and so on. How did you sustain the study-momentum throughout the year? Ans: Whenever I got bored during preparation I took a break of 1 or 2 days. During the break I watched movies, read novel (which I love much), went for an outing. So it all depends upon you and your interest. If at any point of time I became de-motivated I thought about why I am preparing it? The inner motivation coupled with the motivation and support of family and friends kept me sail through the difficult phase of examination.

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? Ans: I never gave much importance to hours. I believed that one should be honest to himself/herself while studying. If you dont feel like studying dont do it. It will not be much productive. Rather take interest while studying even if it is for a short duration of 15-20 min. Believe me it will give good results. If I calculate on an average it will come around 2-4 hours. As I was a working professional I was not having much time on weekdays so I stretched it during weekends. I started the preparation approx. 1 year before appearing in the prelims of 2010 so I took nearly 6-7 months in completing the core syllabus of G.S.

Internet
Ho w did you use computer and internet for your exam-preparation? Ans: The IT boom is really very helpful. Besides entertainment I used it to add up study-material. I used many forums like IO, Orkut to clear my doubts. Lok sabha channel for listening discussions . Many other sites to clear my doubt. Mrunals blog for economy and any other site which was helpful for preparation. One can arrange study material from net like IGNOU notes, ARC report, Economic survey, NCERTs etc.

Essay
How did you prepare yourself for the essay?
Ans: Specifically I didnt prepare much for essay. During preparation I wrote some essays on common topics like Corruption, Women empowerment, Judicial System, sustainable management etc. I purchased a book related to some common essays so as to get some points related to essay writing. Saw essays on net.

Which Essay did you write in Mains-2011?

Ans: Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication.

How many marks did you get in that essay?

Ans: 94

Phoenix
Q. What had gone wrong in your previous attempts? How did you fix those issues in your 2011s attempt? Ans: I would say that yes failure is really depressing but its important to rise again with full vigor. Analyze your mistakes, areas which need more focus, work out for a new strategy. The mistake which I committed during 2010 was that I didnt have much writing practice for mains. As a result the quality of my answers was not good at all. Besides I resorted to reading many books. But this time I did continuous revision, tried to memorize and relate different topics as much as I can. Apart from that mainly in Public Administration I focused more on theoretical part related to thinkers and used it in many other questions also.

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

Ans: I dont feel like the profile plays much importance. It can only give a plus point during the interview to a very limited extent. Even if you dont have any such advantage you have to prove to the interviewer that you possess skills to do the job. You just have to impress the interviewer with your attitude.

How do you rate your own profile?

Ans: I myself rate my profile to be average or less than that. Neither I am a student of any reputed institute nor have any extra stars attached to my profile. The only positive point was that I am a working person.

How much portion of your interview centered on your profile?

Ans: There were few questions related to my PG subject, Job related, Hobbies and some were general.

Did they ask any uncomfortable questions from your profile?

Ans: No

Backup
Q. In case you had not cleared the UPSC exam, what was your career/future backup plan? Ans: I would have continued with the job I am currently doing.

Working professional
What is your advice and tips to working professionals particularly on time Management? Ans: For time management I resorted to the tips given by Mrunal somewhere in the IO Forum. I didnt indulge in office gossiping, used free time of office for preparation. Did proper utilization of internet facility given by the office. Read newspaper during office hours. Besides I resorted to studying daily even if it was only for an hour. I stretched during weekend upto 7-8 hrs.

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? Ans: In my case my parents, brother and friends were the constant motivating factors.

Your Study plan CSAT (Paper I) General studies

Topic Current Affairs Source of your preparation From Chronicle (monthly edition) and from net. During the peak time any book covering the entire period (I used Wizard special edition for pre preparation) Prepared it alongwith optional preparation From Khullar, Wizard special edition for geography From Khullar, Wizard special edition for geography, Atlas is must From Wizard special edition for geography, atlas D D Basu, P M Bakshi, Polity special edition Monthly magazine Monthly magazine Chronicle special edition From India Year Book and monthly magazine NCERTs, Internet, Special edition of magazines. Mainly relied on net for this. Many of the topics from internet. Some topics from internet for clarity. remark, if any Internet

History Ancient/Medieval/Modern Physical Geography Geography of India Geography of World Polity and Governance Public Policy Rights issue Environment and Biodiversity Economic and social Development Science Economy

About the CSAT aptitude

I had study material of TIME given by one of my friend so all the topics related to paper II were prepared from that only.

Mains Examination Compulsory Language papers

Source of your preparation English Indian language paper No preparation at all. No preparation at all.

There are some instances of candidates failing in Compulsory Indian language (Hindi / Bengali etc.) so please do provide your source of preparation for it. Ans: If one is not confident in a language paper it is imperative for him to prepare it well as it is important for clearing mains. For that one can resort to very basic books of the subject concerned. For English one can use Wren and Martin whereas for any other language any basic grammer book will suffice.

General Studies paper I

Syllabus Topic History Culture Geography of India Polity Issues of social relevance Indian economy and planning Public health Law and order Good governance Environment Source of your preparation Being optional subject same books From spectrum for art and culture Khullar, P M Bakshi, D D Basu, Some topics from Special polity edition From Chronicle magazine and news paper From internet (I have mentioned the sites which I used), rest some issues from Economic survey, Budget and the monthly magazine. Any book related to special addition of economics. From magazines From Chronicle magazine From magazine Special edition by Chronicle Didnt study it much due to my bio background. Latest issues from Chronicle monthly magazine Remarks, if Any

I also read some of the topics from India Yearbook mainly the topics related to Welfare, Environment, Art and culture.

General Studies paper 2

Syllabus Topic India and the World Indian diaspora Indias Economic interaction with world International affairs and institutions Statistics Science & Tech. Source of your preparation From newspaper and magazine From the study material of Cracking IAS Mainly From Internet Internet From the study material of BT tutorial From the monthly magazine and study material of cracking IAS. Study material of Cracking IAS Study material of Cracking IAS Prepared self notes for these topics and added latest issues related to it in them. Remarks, if Any

Optional Subject #1 and #2

Instead of reading many books I mainly relied on reading single book many times .

Public Administration
Paper I
Sharma and Sadana Some topics from Mohit Bhattacharya Thinkers from Prasad and Prasad Notes of R.V. Varun Kumar (which I got from IO forum)

Paper II
Indian Administration from Arora And Goyal Report of 2nd ARC Selected topics from IIPA journals Some topics from internet also. Some of the topics for both papers from IGNOU notes.

History
Paper I
Ancient India: D. N. Jha Romila Thapar Medieval India: By Satish Chandra (Both Parts) An atlas (Spectrum) IGNOU notes mainly for the pre historic period.

Paper II
For Modern India 1. Indias struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra 2. Modern India by Grover and Grover For World History 1. From Jain and Mathur IGNOU notes for selected topics The major focus of History preparation was on society, Art and architecture, culture. This helped me in writing quality answers. Interview

How did you prepare for the interview?

Ans: For interview preparation I focused mainly on bio-data. I did a scrutiny of my DAF and identified the areas of preparation. Try to formulate questions related to that. Read two newspapers during the month of March so that I didnt miss any important news. I did a mistake as I didnt prepared my PG subject (Zoology) much and so was not able to answer some of the questions related to zoology.

Who was the chairman of you interview board?

Ans: Dr K.K. Paul

Was your interview on the expected lines of what you had prepared or
Did they ask you totally unexpected questions? Ans: Some of the questions asked were related to the Biodata, Mainly related to Zoology, Uttarakhand. Besides some were general like Land acquisition, Privatization, difference between regulatory adm and development adm, your area of priority, mountain peaks of Uttarakhand etc. etc.

Marksheet
2011 ESSAY(PAPER-III) GENRALSTUDIES(PAPER-IV) GENRALSTUDIES(PAPER-V) OPTIONAL-I(HISTORY)(PAPER-VI) OPTIONAL-I(HISTORY)(PAPER-VII) OPTIONAL-II(PUBLICADMIN.)(PAPER-VIII) OPTIONAL-II(PUBLICADMIN.)(PAPER-IX) WRITTENTOTAL PERSONALITY TEST FINAL TOTAL 94 143 114 177 172 174 153 1027 129 1156 2010 97 102 101 161 137 103 147 848 (not qualified in Mains)

Message

Q. What is your message to the aspirants? Ans: Be honest to yourself and always believe that yes you can do it. Its not easy to think about preparation of Civil Services but you have thought about it which means you have the caliber. Work smartly and think about what the exam demands? Perseverance, Self-confidence and positive attitude is the key to success.

Finally two questions

When youll give interview in the famous competitive magazines, the last question is generally a loaded question how did your magazine help us in preparing for IAS Exam!? In the era of blatant marketing campaigns, I too have to ask two similar but unloaded questions. Although you can answer No, yet itll be published without distortion. 1. Did you use indianofficer.com for your preparation? If yes, How did it help you? Ans: Yes I used IO very much during the preparation. I was the passive follower of the forum. The dignity maintained by the candidates on this forum is what I like most about it. It helped me in covering many important topics, to have another opinion related to many topics, in relieving tension during the result time, for optional preparation. 2. Did you use mrunal.org for your preparation? If yes, how did it help you? Ans: Yes I used your website quite often. I love your website very much. Believe me I was very poor in economics. And one of my friends gave me the link to your website and yes it helped me very much in understanding the core principles of economy. The explanation given by you was so easy that the economics which gave me nightmare earlier was now being interested by me much. Even till day I use your website. The Diclophenac and vulture, graphene etc. quest in pre was solved bcoz of your website. I love the economy part of your website most.

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M ay 29th, 2012 | Category: motivation

6 comments to [Toppers Interview] Neha Nautiyal (AIR 185/CSE 2011) working professional cracks UPSC and shares History Booklist and study tips

CA. Amit lath

May 30, 2012 at 4:41 AM Reply Thanks for guiding us .I am little bit confused about public administration paper -II .With regard to report of 2nd ARC please let me know which portions to refer? please share with me the relevant portion of IIPA journal

rajender
May 30, 2012 at 9:17 AM Reply mam i have read(though once only) al basham for ancient india. do i need to read it again or dn jha(vealso read it ) + romila thaper will do?

RAHUL DIXIT
May 30, 2012 at 1:01 PM Reply CONGRATULATIONS MAAM

junivelli
May 30, 2012 at 3:56 PM Reply hiii Neha, First of all a big big congratulations!!! you are such an aspiration. i am also a working professional and also from the remotest part of north east india, i always did well in my optionals, but when it comes to g.s, i fare poorly. i m wondering if you would tell me how good is cracking ias notes? are they dependable? here in my place, newpapers , magazines cant reach in time and thus i lost interest in reading them..hope you can enlighten me. Thanking you with anticipation.

Neha Nautiyal
May 31, 2012 at 6:15 AM Reply @ CA. Amit lath Read the topics related to the PRI, Urban local governments, Citizen centric adm,Public order. You can also go with the summary of all the 15 reports and include their suggestion while answer writing. As for IIPA journal there are many topics like NPM, liberlisation etc. Whatever is relevant with the sylaabus you can read it depending upon time. @ rajender I have only read one topic from Basham so i cant comment on that. I just read Romila Thapar (that too some topics only like feudalism,period between 8th century and 12 cen etc.)and D N Jha. See u just cover ur syllabus as much as u can. For that seek for different topics from the books u have already read. If u have time than only read a new book otherwise just revise topics from the books u have read. @ junivelli I just read their notes related to current affairs.The problem with their current affair portion is that they deliver it late (mainly the summary part) which is quite relevant. So at that time is becomes useless. Their core books are fine for some topics but not much coverance. So you cannot blindly rely on them. I think magazine and newspapers are the best option. You can subscribe them online also.

pramod
August 8, 2012 at 2:21 AM Reply hai Mam, first of all to congrats to u for this great success. iwant to know what was your strategy to solve the paragraph questions in csat. Is TIME material enough for csat or we need some other books. what was your probable score in the csat paper. please provide me the answers of these questions. thanks!!!!

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