Monday, May 17, 2010

Just Another Gyan

Approach towards Civils Exam

Before the syllabus of UPSC becomes alien to me & the jargons of psychology & geography start to baffle, I decided to pen down my preparation strategy. Hope future aspirants find it useful. Overall I feel that many unsuccessful aspirants are more competent than the selected ones but the strategy & approach makes the difference. I had my own share of pitfalls but I tried to tweak my strategy in every successive attempt & finally secured AIR-25 in my 3rd attempt in 2009 (Had secured AIR-277 earlier in 2008 attempt & did not clear mains (score was 930) in first attempt taken in 2006). I did not take any coaching for Prelims or Mains examination. Not that I was opposed to it but I was working with Kotak Life Insurance from 2006 to 2009 & resigned from it only after getting IRS (IT) in 2008 attempt. But I joined test series & mock interviews at various places. As I didn’t join any classroom coaching, I got Xeroxed the following material

  • Vajiram’s Class Notes for General Studies (All Subjects).
  • Mukul Pathak’s Notes for Psychology
  • Direction’s (Neetu Singh) material & Alok Ranjan’s Material for Geography.

Someone once said “If I am given twenty hours to chop down a tree, I’ll spend first eighteen hours sharpening the axe”. Personally I feel that to a large extent this is very much true for civil services examination. Not clearing civils is not a failure of memory or intellectual competence but probably the efforts don’t get channelized in the right direction (This is purely a personal opinion).

General Studies for Prelims (The Do’s)

  • Focus should be on current affairs as it is the area which gives you the highest return per minute spent.
  • Try making your own notes especially for information that can be categorized (E.g. Awards, Committees, PM/President, Persons in news etc can easily be tabulated). Those who have cleared prelims in their previous attempts can avoid this & rely directly on source material (mentioned below).
  • Source Material which I referred for GS prelims was News & Events Magazine, Civil Services Chronicle Magazine (Used to make personal notes from these two sources & it does not take more than 2 weeks to cover them all, provided you give 8-10 hrs daily). Also I used to go through magazines brought out by Vajiram & Ravi (but only after brushing up my personal notes; in fact once it was done there was only 10-20 % extra to be found in Vajiram magazines. Moreover the organization of information in Vajiram magazines leaves a lot to be desired).
  • History for Prelims: Focus should be on modern India as it is in trend (though sometimes medieval India & ancient India are also asked). Spectrum’s publishers “A brief history of Modern India” is a good source. I referred it both for prelims as well as mains exam (& spectrum was the only source I referred for covering history for Mains examination apart from two markers).
  • Geography for Prelims: I didn’t focus on it as geography was my first optional. But NCERT XI & XII textbooks are a good source. Focus should be on Geography of India. Also refer a good atlas – Oxford, TTK, Orient Black swan. I largely relied on Oxford.
  • Polity for Prelims: Used to skim through Vajiram Class notes on Polity. The same source was used for Mains examination.
  • Economy for Prelims: No special preparation. Just went through Vajiram Class notes. Mostly questions in prelims related to economy are current affairs oriented & covered under current affairs.
  • Science for Prelims: This section troubles many. Focus should be on Biology & especially selected areas like Genetics, Blood groups, Hormones, Vitamins etc. Just go through previous year question papers (esp. the one categorized by subject) & figure out trends. Good source for it is Lucent’s General Knowledge (cheap & good book for ready reference).

General Studies for Prelims (The Don’ts)

  • Don’t study from too many sources. I’ve seen a lot of aspirants getting in love with all sorts of books. They will study NCERT books from 6th to 12th standard, Bipin Chandra, Mishra & Puri for economics, Savindra Singh for geography (that too for GS!!!!), DD Basu & Subhash Kashyap for Polity…..n the list is endless. There is no problem in reading all this provided one is able to remember which usually not the case is. I’ve seen many aspirants taking up extensive studies (good enough to do PhD on that subject), but when prelims is one month away, they panic & get bogged down by the information that is to be remembered. I just referred NCERT of XI & XII (More specifically for Modern India in History & Geography of India only). Please study less but study effective.
  • Many aspirants cover India Year Book from cover to cover. I never did it. Infact I never read it for Prelims but selectively referred it for Mains exam only. Selective for me meant I finished it in one day, skimming some possible two markers.
  • Economic Survey should also be skimmed. Don’t get into minor details. Just get a feel. That too for Mains exam. I never referred Eco Survey for Prelims.

General Studies for Mains Examination

  • I would recommend aspirants to join atleast one test series. Joining test series in optionals is not that important but in case of General Studies it is pretty useful (again a personal opinion). The contribution of test series in improving performance is less because of improvement in knowledge & more because of better time management. Many & yes many (including myself in my first attempt) are not able to complete GS paper because they mismanage time. Joining test series will help one time his/her performance & also help one to write the answers around the word limit range.
  • I took test series at Shriram’s IAS in 2008 attempt & at Expert Brains (Ajit Sinha) in 2009 attempt. Both are good. The model answers of Shriram are better as they are crisp. The downside of Shriram’s test series was that it covers usually only one subject at a time & full length mocks in the end, so one might loose touch with the subject. Ajit Sinha on the other hand, covers multiple subjects (history, polity, social issues etc) in a single mock. But I liked the model answers of Shriram’s IAS more. Take your call but would recommend you join one. It’s almost a must for those writing Mains examination for the first time.
  • Focus on Two markers because usually you know or don’t know them. Write 3-4 points in two markers (offcourse if you know it). You can separate the information bits by semicolons to pack information.
  • Write answers pointwise. One can provide more information by writing the answers pointwise with an introduction & conclusion of 1-2 lines. Not all answers can be attempted pointwise though (For e.g. in 2009 attempt G.S. paper I, the questions from history were based on quotations & one has to answer them paragraph wise).
  • Reading Newspaper regularly has become a must with the changing trend (In 2009 attempt I could answer questions like “Whereabouts” clause of WADA, Extra Vehicular Activity, Plural Society etc just because I remembered information from Newspaper). Hindu Newspaper is your best bet followed by Times of India. I read both.
  • Try to give multi-dimensional perspective.
  • History for Mains Exam: Spectrum Publisher’s “A brief history of modern India”. Referred Bipin Chandra for 2-3 topics (the rise of the left wing, Indian capitalists & the national movement, long term strategy of the national movement…chapters which I couldn’t find in Spectrum). Even if you don’t read Bipin Chandra it will do. Spectrum is a good source.
  • Polity for Mains Exam: Vajiram’s Class notes
  • Geography for Mains Exam: It was my optional so I didn’t focus. NCERT of XI, XII should suffice. Don’t know whether Vajiram’s Class notes are good in this area or not. Please check yourself.
  • National & Social Issues: Vajiram’s Class Notes
  • Science & Technology: Vajiram’s Class Notes. Focus on “Emerging Technologies” like Graphene etc. Also make sure you cover areas which got Nobel Prize (E.g. Spintronics & question on Green Fluorescent Proteins in the last two years were asked as Nobel was awarded in that field). Track technology in News (E.g. Hubble Telescope was asked as 5th mission went for it in 2009).
  • Economy for Mains Exam: Vajiram’s Class Notes. Try tracking some major indices like Global competitive Index etc as sometime direct question is asked.
  • Current & International Issues: Current Affairs Classroom notes of Vajiram (conducted in September every year).
  • Statistics: Spectrum’s Book on Statistics. If you have Vajiram’s Yellow book on Statistics (That will also do). But practice a lot as time management is very important.

Some More Pointers for General Studies in Mains Examination:

  • Don’t Bluff. If you don’t have any clue to any two markers or long question, just leave it. If you answer it, you are just satisfying yourself. The examiner will most probably give you a zero & it also spoils impression. Moreover you might not have time for later questions which you could have answered properly.
  • In Paper II especially don’t bluff at all. Last year I left two 10 markers completely & saved time for Stats. I actually saved 45 minutes for stats & managed to attempt for 31 out of 35 marks. Moreover if you complete stats & still have time, you can always revisit the question you left in the first go.
  • In statistics, attempt the numerical question first & the graphical questions later as it saves time (Provided you are equally comfortable with both).
  • Events that have completed silver, golden, platinum jubilee are important (E.g. Television completed fifty years & was asked in 2009 attempt. In 2010 mains possible questions could be on RBI as it celebrates Platinum Jubilee etc & many more). While studying for prelims mark out such topics for studying later during mains.
  • Yojana Magazine is a must. Last year I could answer the question on “Integrated Energy Policy” as it was as it is mentioned in Yojana.
  • Refer Important National & International Award winners (E.g. Deep Joshi & Satya Vrat Shastri were asked in 2009 attempt).
  • I covered two markers from many different sources. Will post my personally typed two markers soon.

Will be posting details on Geography & Psychology soon…….Will also post some two markers later. If I am not able to post the link of two markers & other materials then I'll email it to you. Please drop your email id in the comments section. I’ll mail the material to you. Thanks for bearing me till this point. Godspeed.



386 comments:

  1. my id is .......rahulldhar@gmail.com

    thanks and regards-rahul dhar
    TISS-mumbai

    ReplyDelete
  2. very useful information
    almost every facts are true about proper strategy
    Many Thanx
    waiting for some more basics

    ReplyDelete
  3. very much informative. thanks a lot. please explain the strategy for geography and psychology....I am in a dilemma of taking sociology and psychology...please guide me in this aspect....

    my mail id is peddamallusuresh@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for providing help to begginers,i am quite excited to find topper to help us,hope more people get info about ur kindness.If u got any time please also guide us about the fundamental things to be remeber during preparation.
    my id is-mangalpratapsingh333@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. it would be of gr8help if u could also provide the strategy for geography and psychology....

    gauravbhatia222@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. thnx..nice n inspirational one..
    my id
    dr.prasenjit86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. this info s very useful i am going to take upsc 2011 as 1st attempt.. so give some guidance on taking notes nd also best coaching center in delhi .. my optionals r pub ad nd psyche.......nd my mail id s manieee007@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for ur efforts.
    My mail id is: srikanth579@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. hey, thats indeed a great help.....

    please share with me as well;

    kumararya247356@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. first of all congratulation on your grand success...........thanx for sharing yor experience......

    wid best wishes....
    Abhimanyu Rajpurohit
    [ abhimanyu.jaipur@gmail.com ]

    ReplyDelete
  11. awesome sir,eagerly awaiting your guidance
    cretceous1@gmail.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats and Thanks for the tips..my id is praslu@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats and Thanks for the tips..my id is krishna.chaitanya2071@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. congrats and nice work . . rajchander87@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. congrats & nice work mailme akumar386@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratz!!!
    itsajithkumar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. hi
    congrats for your great sucess ur path show us a diff direction for sucess,n goodness is that even after getting at top u r giving sugesstion to aspirants bhatihemant@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congrats and Thanks for the tips.....waiting 4 further help

    prerakengg@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congrats Mr. Ghanshyam, Really u have proved once again that Winners dont do different things but, they do things differently and Complacency has no role to play in success. Please assist me too as I am planning for a successful attempt after 3 years from now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. mine is janwa.ashu@gmail.com.Your strategy was really good n wil helpful 4 me for my 2011 attempt. i m opting psychology please.... guide.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks sir for your kind initiative
    yashaor@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Really useful blog thanx for ur efforts :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. your doing a good job
    thank u for ur information
    raju2k12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. congrats sir...plz sends it
    thanks.....

    ReplyDelete
  26. hello sir,,i must say ur blog is really helpful ,,u are an inspiration to all of us ..
    my optionals are psychology and pub admin .,i'll be joining mukul pathak for psycho coming june ...
    saras2tech@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. hey mail me at vijitgupta@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello Sir,My MailId-dhananjay05414@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. sir please mail me too.my id is
    adhikary_anirban@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks everyone...I am halfway through with writing preparation details for geography n psychology.....Will post them soon. Also will post the link of two markers & sample notes for prelims. Thanks once again.

    ReplyDelete
  31. is it Vajiram and ravi or vajiram and reddy?

    ReplyDelete
  32. first of all congratulations for ur splendid success sir and lots of thanks for ur guidance.....
    please guide us how to prepare for public administration.........
    my e mail id is shekharchandan@gmail.com....

    ReplyDelete
  33. congratulation sir,

    please send me that materials sir

    mkarthikips@gmail.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  35. hearty congratulations........
    can u plz help me select my optionals......m a engg. bak ground student...i have zeroed on...public ad,,psychology,,and geography.....i m quite comfortable wid geography but feel d sylllabus is quite wide..
    and kindly mail me the 2 markrs and alll othr relevant material----yeeshu.gupta@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. congrats sir , n thanks for giving vital information for preparing civils, it is very useful information for the candidates within a nob

    ReplyDelete
  37. congr8 sir..
    pls send dat mateirials to pradeep_online4u@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks a lot sir for spending your valuable time for the betterment of ourselves. best wishes for your future success

    My e mail id is soumyaranjanismishra9@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. very helpful blog.
    ankityadav8585@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. ROLAND_DCRUZ@REDIFF.COM..

    ..THANKS IN ADVANCE

    ReplyDelete
  41. excellent tips. got some more queries. when can i mail u?
    my id is aswint.iima@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. jgdreddy@iitk.ac.in

    ReplyDelete
  43. congrants....
    abhishekpurkayastha@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Dear Sir,

    Congratulations on the success! Thanks a lot for the gr8 initiative. Please send me the material on: rupinbrar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Dear Sir,
    Congratulations.
    kindly send me the materials on vikraman88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. ghanshyam bhai badhaiyaan.....sandeep071@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Congrates Sir :)
    It was Excellent Read and suggestions:)

    omprakashsaonitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congratulations sir

    rahul.goyal06@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. congrats sir..............
    Rohit Bansal
    mail id:- teethonus@gmail.com
    thank you..

    ReplyDelete
  50. Congratulations on your success Ghanshyam Thori. veeraragavan.n@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Congratulations,

    manishverma2007@rediffmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. sameertheindian@gmail.com ..
    congrats .. !

    ReplyDelete
  53. faiyaz.com@gmail.com

    congratulations !

    ReplyDelete
  54. That helped a lot man....
    deepakgardade@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. plz send material at
    nitish119.05@bitmesra.ac.in
    thnx

    ReplyDelete
  56. You are awesome man!!! Continue the great work...you deserve to be in the esoteric company u are now!!!Though I could not clear the interview in my first attempt..with job(2009)...I totally agree with your strategy on GS and Geography(Psycho not being my optinal)... Kindly mail it at vaibhav2324@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. kudos to ur efforts brother.pls mail to me ramprasadib@gmail.com--thanx.

    ReplyDelete
  58. its nice to see our ias topper sir helping in our preparation.

    I have several questione to ask,thanks for guiding newcommers,hope they will also guide their juniors in the same way.

    I believe in the saying the topper r those who differ from majority in many ways,that i looked in ur post.
    my id-smritisharma67@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. congratulations bro

    i would say that your blog is really helpful
    my optional s are psychology and public administration. I'd like to apply for 2011. could u help me with the material

    Email ID: siddhsai@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. shilpakarthik.rk87@gmail.com
    pls mail me collector sahib

    ReplyDelete
  61. Please accept the heartiest congratulations for your grand success. It is only the sign of a great personality the even after getting such a lightening success you are here to guide we people. It is surely a great work to show the path to the IAS aspirants.

    please send your constructive work at

    inderjeet.panwar@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. congrats brother
    plz mail me mdestination91@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hi Gyan,
    I read your posts on orkut and followed you here. Since you are a reliable person, I want to know your opinion on the coaching institutes i can join for Political Science. You had a 'not sure' verdict on Vajiram & Ravi. If you can, kindly mail me your opinion at abhi.aiesec@gmail.com.
    Much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  64. thanks for posting ur strategy, it is really helpful.. my id
    devendra.l.a@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Insightful, indeed!!! kiranmohaan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Congrats Brother..!!
    Kindly send to: navi9866@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. thanx a lot sir.wish i follow your footsteps and i
    mprove my rank. my optionals are same as yours. kindly send to thiyagarajansm84@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. thanks a lot, please mail the material at v.negi82@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thanks Sir,
    Sir can you tell that how you have managed all the things in your very busy scedule.

    For your very precious suggestions my E-Mail ID is here.
    Ghanshyam Meena
    E-Mail ID: ghanshyam08@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. congrats sir... pls mail me advice regarding psuchology as it is one of my optionals...
    dr.praveenyadav@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Congrats!!!
    Please mail me any suggestions to the id yeshwanth.n2485@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. A very helpful blog and good initiative by a bureaucrat!
    Hats off!!
    indrakumarhb@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. thanks sir for helping aspirants
    vineetaneja85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Thanks for helping others .
    My optional s for CSE 2011 are Pub Adm & Psychology.
    If you can send me your notes it will help me a lot.
    biswamitrarath@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. congratulations sir,its a very noble task being carried by you.i have geography and pub administration as optional ,please guide me.
    toputok20@yahoo.com..thanks a lot for ur information!

    ReplyDelete
  76. "Nothing is Impossible as it seems before Hand impossible gets POSSIBLE if u have courage to OVERCOME"
    Congrats...GHANSHYAM "IAS"
    Sir Will U guide me to Accomplish IAS
    It's my Dads Dream...who never talks to me
    my love also challenged me regarding my AIM
    so will you be my guru and lead me
    im a simple guy who want to be a change in making difference and EMPOWER INDIA
    please post your reply and also material for GS Eassy and interview Sir,sorry for wasting your valuable Time
    email: ravitheja_kanchuboina@yahoo.com
    JAIHIND

    ReplyDelete
  77. thnks.........
    karanshah28@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. hi sir

    this is sumanth

    thanks for ur valuable info n guidance..

    i m from distant place in karnataka. please i further need guidance regarding psychology n gs as its difficult here to get n also difficult for me to go to delhi. so please reply..my email id is kammar.sumanth@gmail.com. thanks

    ReplyDelete
  79. thanks.........
    vishalkumarsaini@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. thanks for your valuable support
    my mail id kamlendra.tripathi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. Sir pls guide me for geography i opted geography and public admin

    ReplyDelete
  82. Congrats for being selected to IAS sir!
    Please mail the material to k.rajashekar007@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Thanks for your valuable guidance sir

    himanshu.sharma.129@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Thanks for guidance
    bny.iet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. thanks a lot for the guidance...
    my email id ... som1017@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. 29.vikram@gmail.com

    Congrats on selection pls do mail ..

    Thanks & regards

    Vikram singh rathore

    ReplyDelete
  87. hi!sir congrats & thanks.................
    dr_smrnjt29@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thanks a ton...
    Dhawal...

    dhawal86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. thanks a lot 4 ur guidance sir...ur blog is really very helpful...!!
    kimmy9433@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. a very helpful write up.... thanks
    my mail i.d. is pushpmadhuvan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. pushpendrameena@gmail.com
    i got very poor marks in last attmt in geog. so give me some smart tips.
    thnx

    ReplyDelete
  92. Dear Sir ,
    My Optionals are PUB AD and PSYCHOLOGY.

    Please put some light on prep of PSYCHOLOGY ( approach, Strategy and Material).

    Sir , I have heard about MP Sirs Notes(that they are good) but can you please specify - which notes should be referred - The Class Notes or The printed one.(I am confused as i am outstation candidate.Please clarify sir)

    Sir, I would be grateful to you if you can kindly share some Blogs on PUB AD like yours so that we can have some insight on its prep.(Or can please share your thoughts on the same just like PSYCHOLOGY prep)

    The Tips on GS were very good.

    Congrats Once again. Your like an Inspiration.

    Mail ID -SENDaMAIL2amit@gmail.com
    MISSION.crack.IAS@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. congratsss.... and thank u so much for sharing your experience..

    I have a question,

    Can you please tell, What does it mean by Class notes of Vazirams? as an outsider of Delhi, if I contact directly to Vazirams, Am I able to get Classnotes from them?? or, Should I try to reach Delhi and search for Class notes xerox copy near jnu/IIT?? Please, help me to find those GS class notes of Vazirams... thank u so much.. and my email id is saikat1101@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Thanks Sir for this initiative.
    My email id is:
    pagalpanthi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Thanks for your valuable info..
    My e-mail id is
    bharathbangalore7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  96. could u tell us best coaching class for pub. adm . and geography . at delhi?
    or some personal teacher for these subjects ? .aapko shubhkamnayain .. shukla
    mahima shukla 123@gmail.com .

    ReplyDelete
  97. Hello mr Ghanshyam.wish u a successful career ahead.plz send material related to gs and psychology .my email id santosh_brhm@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  98. Congrats to you first Thori sir. I want to correct you in one aspect: the Vajiram notes you are refering to must have been of 2007/8 vintage. If you see the 2009 and later, it is thoroughly deficient.There is hardly any economics . Ravindran sir's stress on judgements in Polity makes the class notes so legalistic that it can become counter productive. Current affairs is equally bad. Only stats is ok.

    Dont you think that the boxed-in aproach of vajiram limits the candidate?

    I have found the vajiram institute- class and notes- very disappointing.

    shubhkamnayain, once again.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Thanks a lot for this blog.

    I took test series for Pub admn and GS last year. GS, like you i did the year before too.

    Pub admn was lifeless. did two tests and quit.

    For GS, i felt sriram's was excellent because they gave me 10 days to prepare for each subject. i measn, ten each for polity, current affairs, technology and so on.

    it would be impossible for any one to take a comprehensive test every ten days. the entire faculty shud be present- all 8-9 members- to explain each examination. shaddi.com!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Congrats and Thanks Dude for sharing the valuable info...please send me details about 2 markers to my mail id:nsrinivas08@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  101. thanks sir for ur valuable guidance...
    plz send my id- hitechem@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  102. Congratulation Ghanshyam Thori. I am a teacher and both my children are Civil Services enthusiasts. I have been advised to keep off vajiram for General Studies as its senior faculty has left- Shukla sir for History; Kapuria sir for Economics; its science and technology sir has left for the USA; and Ravindran sir is hardly renewing himself.

    I am sharing this with u, Mr.Ghanshyam because no one should feel that he has been given outdated advice.

    I sincerely hope you do not mind being told facts.

    Thanks for the noble motiv of helping others.

    ReplyDelete
  103. congrats pal...my id is neverluvmanish@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  104. thank you...n i liked d Godspeed dat u wrte at d end...its n d muvi 'Armageddon'....my id amit.khandekar999@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. thanx a lot...a very valuable information.A gud guide for beginners.
    My ID : vedamshnyshadam@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. Sir,
    Could you please tell us, how the writing style should be. Could you please 2 or 3 sample long answers in GS, So that we get an idea

    ReplyDelete
  107. hello ..............well congrats
    I'm planning to go 4 civil services in 2011,I m B.Tech in ECE ,n dont know too much,still havent thought 4 1 sub,4 1 i m planning to go 4 psychology,
    During prep i'll be working in lnt as software engineer so i need amnage with some different strategy,can u suggest me something how should i strart,n proceed further.
    will coaching centers will serve some purpose.

    My Id is
    sunil.bit69@gmail.com

    itsmesunilsharma@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. ThankU very much sir..my id is--

    aniketjha44@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  109. congrats and nice work sir...
    my id is krishnamk23@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  110. CONGRATULATIONS.... and my good wishes for your future endeavors as an Indian Civil Servant... Kindly mail me the material :
    akanshug@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  111. congrats brother.........be a role model with ur service too.....and built a dream INDIA...........Jai Hindddddddd

    yesterday only i gave my first attempt....i will be join with u in future to built adeveloped India(not developing India)......
    from prasad
    vprasad421@gmail.com......

    ReplyDelete
  112. hi sir....my id is namicheriyan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  113. i appeared for mains in 2009,and i made the same mistakes which u have mentioned above ...as i was 1st timer..........my id:

    san777tiwary@yahoo.co.in

    ReplyDelete
  114. many congratulations sir,,
    thnx for sharing ur strategy...
    plz post mains strategy for geography and psychology.
    along wid do's n donts.also guide regarding coaching or material for both subjects..

    wid regards
    dr.chetana
    chetana.sawai@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  115. Congratz!!!
    risab20basu@gmail.com

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  116. many congrats sir.
    my id poojabhat13@gmail.com

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  117. Congrats and Thanks for the tips..my id is:-devkinandanmina@gmail.com

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  118. a very smart and sensible strategy..
    kudos to u.

    my id :
    er.rajeev.garg@gmail.com

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  119. dear sir,
    Congrats & thanks for u r extended co operation
    my id is
    itsdjade@gmail.com

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  120. Thank You Ghanshyam.This will be my first attempt in 2011.Hope this tips will help me in long term.My ID Sunita.s.bodke@gmail.com

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  121. Jai Jawan Jai Kissan Jat Balwan.......

    Bhai Congrts.

    Umesh Chowdhary

    Umesh.Chowdhary@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  122. i applaud your efforts of jotting down the strategy. Thanks!

    Minal
    luckygal.minal@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. Sir, please mail me to
    ishwinder_united@yahoo.co.in

    and congrats

    ReplyDelete
  124. Thanks a lot 4 sharing ur expereinces Ghanshyam..
    Siddhartha
    information.siddhartha@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  125. Thank You Very much sir..


    govind_extras@yahoo.com

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  126. thanks for information sir.

    can I start with new ncert books??

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  127. Congratulations sir,and thanks a lot for sharing about ur strategy of preparation..

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  128. Congrtas Sir!! Great Achievement!

    murlee.murali@gmail.com

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  129. Thak u for such an informative blog, I would like to get more from u. My email id is
    triambaktiwari@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  130. congrs sir,
    thx 4 da useful tricks.....
    leena.wisdom@gmail.com

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  131. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  132. sir....my id is competitionsuccess100@gmail.com

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  133. i m from mechanical background.so i want to take it as a subject .is it a good subject scoring wise or it is to broad ti handele.my second option be pub add.
    can u giv me marerail of gs so that i can start .. i m in 4th year...
    mmy id is
    piyush_medicaps2007@yaoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  134. yaar shyam, class notes mein kuch naheen yaar- yeh vajiram ki. joh prilims 23rd may ko huwaa, koyee bhi question clas notes of vajiram se naheen tha. thodasa check karke bataana yaar.yeh 2009 october-2010 march ka notes tha. regards.dost ka tha notes.

    ReplyDelete
  135. thank you,my email id is drshreyans1986@gmail.com

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  136. Wonderful article! Thanks for composing this one Sir.

    My email ID happens to be nithinkrishnashenoy@gmail.com

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  137. very useful information
    almost every facts are true about proper strategy
    Many Thanx
    waiting for some more basics

    laxmikant40@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  138. very nice elaboration
    thanks for the information
    plz send me other details also

    my email id is
    vaibhavvaibhav10@gmail.com

    TC

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  139. it was very informative....

    shubh4all@gmail.com

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  140. Thanks everyone. I've updated details on approach to be followed for Geography & Psychology optionals.

    @WWW
    Sir your concern is genuine. The Vajiram material I had was of 2006 batch when most of the good teachers where teaching there. Don't know about the status now. By no means I want to promote Vajiram for GS....I just mentioned the material I read....Shriram could be an equally good or even better source....Since I've not taken classroom coaching myself so can't pinpoint other source.

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  141. congratz sir...nd plz mail 2markers at arun.dce@gmail.com

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  142. First of all Hearty congrats.
    The blog is really helpful.
    My ID:manjunath4047@gmail.com

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  143. congrats ghanshyam..ur strategy seems to be perfect...and its true that in civils strategy has vry imp role 2 play...kindly mail me 2 markers as well as any map material if u hv as i hv i hv performed very poorly in map pointings in my last attempts...255 in 1st and 225 in 2nd in geog...thnx

    ReplyDelete
  144. oops sorry 4got to give u my e mail...sumitsharma01149@yahoo.com

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  145. the information is very useful....u have mentioned that u have used Vajiram's notes for various sections of GS mains...can u tell us from where and when we can get photocopies of these notes..

    Pls send me the materials at pramk540@gmail.com

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  146. Sir, Thanks for the tips. My id is aditya5x@gmail.com

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  147. Sir, congrate.. Pls send the material at funnyraj911@gmail.com

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  148. Please send it at:mr.arunmalik@gmail.com.
    Thanks a lot...........

    ReplyDelete
  149. congratz.....
    my email id is rabhay1987@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  150. Thanks a lot.
    nirmalsbattoo@gmail.com

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  151. hi sir congratulations!!!
    my email id : pratapvarma21@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  152. hi sir first of all congratulations! and many many good wishes for you.
    my id is bikram_0002@yahoo.co.in

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  153. my id- mirmuzaffar51@gmail.com

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  154. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  155. Congratulations Sir!
    Sir, I am hopefully going to write my first mains examination this year. In this connection I have some queries if you don't mond to answer them although these all seem childish in nature.
    a. In statistics, are we provided graph paper where we have to draw diagrams out of the tables given?
    b. In statistics, there are questions like "in which year growth tate was higher compared to last year?" ,should we directly write the answer or show it in step by step answers?
    c. Diagrams in Geogrpahy should be made by pencil or pen? which is better?
    d. sources for preparation of science portion for mains.

    My id is : hvishnoi.sail@gmail.com

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  156. thanks sir for your support.
    its.chandanlucky@gmail.com

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  157. dear sir
    i am working with canara bank...so cannot take classroom coaching ..i will appear in 2011...with pub adm and geography......can you mail me the markers and some advice on self study
    my id is
    u2prashant@gmail.com

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  158. Why is that many people do not choose Maths as their option? What's wrong with that?

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  159. Please accept the heartiest congratulations for your grand success. It is only the sign of a great personality the even after getting such a lightening success you are here to guide we people. It is surely a great work to show the path to the IAS aspirants.
    My optional subjects are pub ad and sociology please gve me the some tips regarding that
    my Email id is.
    ekta2k6diya@gmail.com

    Thanks a lot Sir

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  160. icapriaks@gmail.com
    thank you sir for your help
    i need help in psychology
    .

    ReplyDelete
  161. Congratulations sir and best wishes for you..

    Thanks a lot for sharing your strategy of preparation with us. Kindly send me the two markers and GS material at shupna@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  162. thanks for your pain staking efforts..
    please mail me if there is any additional information to the id sravya.480@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  163. hi,

    Thanks for the info. Pls do send me the material @ harshasaripalli@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  164. please send the material to: chetan8975@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  165. Congratulations Sir...My email: keyshore@gmail.com

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  166. excellent tips...God bless

    samiya.om@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  167. Dear Sir,

    Congratulations on the grand success. kindly send me the material @ chatterjee.siddharth.1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  168. My Heartiest Congratulations...!!!

    Email id: nice.shruti@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  169. congrats buddy.....

    my id is..
    hridyesh03mech@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  170. congratz sir.ur grand success is highly motivational to people like us becoz we r working and not have time to take a coaching class.
    sir myself Dr. Rahul Dev doing MD preparing for civil services exam.i think ur stratzy become very useful to me.thanx
    my id is
    rahuldev.sachan@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  171. thanks sir

    my id is
    prejithapjayakumar@gmail.com

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  172. sir congrats first of all
    u r doing very well u have proven that if u have passion then u will come wid flying colors...
    my email Id
    kuldeep.yadav3@sbi.co.in

    thanks for building the next generation of civil services......

    ReplyDelete
  173. thankx sir
    was a good post
    congrats 4 ur success

    my ID : kykrish1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  174. nomolos619@gmail.com
    thanks in advance!!!

    ReplyDelete
  175. ersukhdevchd@gmail.com
    thanx in advance

    ReplyDelete