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Cracking the UPSC Code : Kumar Abhinav

  • IRS, Deputy Secretary Government of India

Mr. Kumar Abhinav is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur of the 2009 batch. Some of his achievements include J C Ghosh Gold Medal (Best All-round performer in the passing out dual degree class of 2009) ,Institute Silver Medal (Best academic performance, outgoing class of the Department of Industrial Engineering & Management) ,Best Project Award (for the M Tech thesis). Recently, he also completed his Master of Science - Data, Economics and Developmental Policy from MIT.
We at Public Policy and Governance Society, IIT Kharagpur bring you a wonderful Interview that outlines crucial phases of his preparation, helpful strategies for aspiring students and his experience at IIT Kharagpur.


Q. First insight on Essay:

1. Read and Analyze: Study well-crafted essays and articles to understand essay essentials.
2. Gather Quotes: Note relevant lines and quotes from books and newspapers to enhance your content.
3. Craft Openings and Closures: Develop engaging essay opening and closing lines.
4. Build Knowledge: Create material on critical topics with quotes, case studies, and examples, tailored to the essay prompt.
5. Prioritize Real-life Examples: Focus on real-world examples, aligning with current events and relevance.
6. Stay Relevant: Even philosophical topics should relate to contemporary realities.
7. Explore Multiple Perspectives: Approach topics from various angles — political, social, historical, environmental, ethical, etc.
8. Practice Writing: Hone your skills and seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or seniors.
9. Structure Matters: Organize essays into introduction, body, and conclusion for clarity
. 10. Balanced Arguments: Avoid one-sided arguments and maintain a balanced perspective.

Q. Managing UPSC Exam Preparation in Changing Syllabus:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly check the official UPSC website for updates on syllabus changes and notifications. Subscribe to reliable news sources and coaching institutes’ updates.;
2. Analyze Previous Papers: Examine previous years’ question papers to identify recurring themes and areas of emphasis. This can guide your preparation.
3. Foundation First: Focus on building a strong foundation in core subjects like history, geography, polity, economics, and current affairs, as these topics are less likely to change significantly.
4. Current Affairs: Dedicate ample time to current affairs, as this is a dynamic area where questions frequently arise. Use daily newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay updated.
5. Flexible Study Plan: Create a flexible study plan that accommodates changes. Allocate time for regular revisions and updates based on syllabus modifications.
6. Adaptability: Develop a mindset of adaptability. Be ready to pivot your study strategy when new topics are introduced or existing ones are modified.
7. Resource Selection: Choose reliable, up-to-date study materials, textbooks, and coaching materials. Be cautious when relying on older resources.
8. Online Forums and Communities: Engage in online forums and communities where aspirants discuss syllabus changes and share study strategies. This can provide valuable insights.
9. Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests and practice papers incorporating syllabus changes to assess your preparedness.
10. Guidance: Seek guidance from experienced mentors or coaching institutes with a track record of adapting to syllabus changes effectively.
11. Time Management: Efficiently manage your time by focusing on areas with higher weightage in the new syllabus.

Q. Mistakes to Avoid in UPSC Preparation:

1. Not Understanding the UPSC Syllabus: Ignoring the syllabus leads to unnecessary reading & Treat the syllabus as your roadmap for efficient study.
2. Referring to Many Books: Using too many sources creates confusion & Stick to a maximum of two sources per topic.
3. Relying on Past Results: Overconfidence based on past achievements is a mistake & UPSC has a unique syllabus; focus on it.
4. Focusing on Multiple Exams: Preparing for multiple exams simultaneously divides your focus & Prioritize your UPSC preparation with dedication.
5. Not Covering Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers and magazines & Current affairs are crucial; don’t neglect them.
6. Not Properly Reading NCERTs: Start with NCERTs for strong foundational knowledge & Understand concepts thoroughly; they’re reliable.
7. Ignoring Previous Year Papers: Solving past papers helps understand UPSC’s pattern & Improve time management and prioritize this practice.
8. Less Answer Writing Practice: Main exams have significant weightage; practice writing & Develop fluency and factual accuracy.
9. Not Practicing MOCK Tests: Mock tests reveal strengths and weaknesses & Helps strategize for the actual exam; practice wisely.
10. Not Giving Equal Importance to All Topics: Avoid favoring specific subjects; follow the complete syllabus & UPSC can ask questions from any topic.
11. No Time for Revision: Revision is as crucial as initial learning & Ensure you recall information effectively in the exam.
Avoid these common mistakes to increase your chances of success in the UPSC exam. Diligent preparation, adherence to the syllabus, and regular revision are keys to cracking this challenging examination.

Q. Choosing the Best Optional Subject for UPSC is a critical decision, and several key factors should guide your choice:

1. No Universal Easiest Subject: No UPSC optional subject is universally easy; suitability depends on your skills and interests.
2. Weightage Matters: The optional subject carries 500 out of 2025 total marks, impacting your final rank & Opt for a subject where you can perform well.
3. Key Parameters: Consider your knowledge and the availability of study materials when selecting an optional subject.
4. Graduation vs. Non-Graduation: Many candidates choose subjects from their graduation, but it’s not mandatory. Success is possible with any subject, irrespective of your academic background.
5. Syllabus Complexity: Assess the complexity and breadth of the subject’s syllabus. Choose a subject aligning with your ability for comprehensive coverage.
6. Preparation Time: Evaluate the time available for preparation; some subjects require more extensive study.
7. Academic Background: Familiarity with the subject from your academic history can be advantageous but is not obligatory.
8. GS Syllabus Overlap: Examine if the optional subject’s syllabus overlaps with GS in Prelims and Mains. Overlapping topics can save preparation time.
9. Availability of Study Materials: Ensure sufficient study materials, books, and resources are accessible for your chosen subject.
In conclusion, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the best optional subject for UPSC. Your choice should align with your strengths, interests, and the above practical considerations. Regardless of your academic background, thorough preparation and dedication can lead to success in the UPSC examination.

Q. Synthesizing Effective UPSC Exam Preparation:

1. Comprehensive Syllabus Understanding: Begin with a thorough grasp of the UPSC syllabus, ensuring no topic is overlooked.
2. Resource Management: Identify reliable study materials, textbooks, and online resources for each subject.
3. Regular Revision: Establish a consistent revision schedule to reinforce knowledge retention.
4. Mock Tests and Practice: Embrace mock tests and previous year’s papers for time management and pattern familiarity.
5. Essay and Answer Writing Practice: Hone your essay and answer writing skills to communicate effectively in the exams.
6. Current Affairs Integration: Stay updated on current affairs, connecting them to relevant UPSC topics.
7. Interdisciplinary Approach: Analyze topics from multiple angles: political, social, economic, historical, environmental, and ethical.
8. Feedback and Adaptation: Seek guidance from mentors or teachers, and adapt your strategy based on feedback.
9. Balanced Perspective: Avoid one-sided arguments; maintain balanced viewpoints in your answers.
10. Stress Management: Manage exam stress through relaxation techniques and a healthy lifestyle.
11. Time Management: Allocate time wisely during the exam, ensuring equal focus on each section.
12. Confidence Building: Build self-confidence through continuous preparation and positive affirmations.
13. Exam Day Strategy: Plan your approach for the exam day, including time allocation for each section.
14. Final Revision: Conduct a final revision of key concepts and notes before the exam.
By synthesizing these elements, you can apply your UPSC exam preparation effectively, increasing your chances of success and achieving your desired results.