Sunil George (CSE 2015 Rank 587) UPSC Topper’s Interview: The power of Self-belief and Self-Reliance

ClearIAS had published the inspirational story of Sunil George, the son of a farmer from Kerala, who cleared Civil Services Exam 2015. It was the power of self-belief  which helped Sunil to clear the toughest exam in the country in-spite of his family background and financial constraints.

There were many requests from our readers to bring Sunil George for a toppers interview at clearias.com. Sunil – as promised – has shared a detailed write-up regarding his preparation strategies and UPSC interview experience. We hope this interview to be highly motivational and useful for thousands of UPSC aspirants. Let’s welcome Sunil George to the “UPSC Toppers Interview” at www.clearias.com.

Brief Bio- data:

• Name: Sunil George
• Age: 29
• Name of the Exam and Year: UPSC Civil Services Exam, 2015
• Rank: 587
• Roll number: 0043901
• Category (General/OBC/SC/ST): General
• Graduation Background and College: English Literature, Kannur University
• Post Graduation Background and College (if any): Business Management, XISS, Ranchi
• Work Experience: Organization and Duration (if any): HDFC Bank, asst. Professor at St. Peters Engineering college, Programme Manager at additional Skill acquisition Programme, Govt of Kerala
• UPSC Optional Subject: Sociology
• UPSC Mains Medium: English
• UPSC Interview Medium: English
• Number of attempts taken to achieve this feat: 4
• Performance in previous attempts (if any): –
• State and Place of Residence (Permanent): Kerala
• Percentage of Marks in 10th and Board: Kerala state board: 78%
• Percentage of Marks in 12th and Board: Karnataka Board: 58%
• Percentage of Marks in Graduation and Board/University: Kannur university (63%)
• Percentage of Marks in Post Graduation and Board/University (if any): XISS Ranchi (70%)
• Extra qualifications or achievements (if any): –
• What’s unique about your profile: I mentioned five hobbies and varied languages which I speak, Unfortunately I had questions from none of them.
• Service Preference (Top 5): IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IRS (IT)
• Cadre Preference (Top 5): Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu

Background + Inspirational Journey So Far:

ClearIAS.com: Hearty congratulations from ClearIAS.com for this exceptional achievement!  We are happy that your efforts are finally rewarded, that too in grand style! Let’s start from the beginning. How did you come across the idea of writing UPSC Civil Services Examination? Was it your childhood dream?

Hailing from rather interior part of Kerala and coming from a village where not many were interested in government jobs, I never had a chance to know about the civil services. It was during my post graduation I started getting knowledge about the Civil Services and that it is not a tough task and any person with a desire to be a civil servant and has belief in hard work can do it. There were a number of people who have been behind me to inspire me. Parents stood support for me even when they had little knowledge of the exams. Friends have been an important part of my preparation.  People I met during my post graduation such as my professors and friends also have been of great inspiration. On this occasion it will be a pleasure to acknowledge the support given by my dearest friend who later on became a part my life.

ClearIAS.com: How did you feel when you came to know that your name is in the toppers list? Can you share the moments of happiness with our readers?

I knew I was going to be in the list. I hoped that the results would have been better since my mains and my interview (according to me) had gone on well. Later I felt lucky to be in the list. For my father and mother it was a matter of great pride also for my brothers and all relatives who celebrated my success. Appreciation I received from the people in my area has be phenomenal.

ClearIAS.com: Can you share a little bit about your background? (Family, School, College, Work etc.)

I hail from a non-descript village in the district of Kannur, Kerala. We are a family of five with my parents in to agriculture. I come from a Malayalam medium back ground. I had my graduation from Kannur University and then my post graduation from XISS Ranchi. It was not not easy for me to get in to the full fledged preparation as there were many constraints regarding money,  proper guidance and coaching. Since my desire to become a civil servant was ardent I did not stay on with the campus placement at HDFC bank. Later on I worked as an Assistant Professor of management subjects in Hyderabad. The last job was with the government of Kerala under higher education department.

ClearIAS.com: How can you correlate you graduation background, work experience (if any) and entry into civil services? Can you brief us your thoughts, views, and ambitions when you climbed each position in the ladder of your life?

I always felt that I was really late when I got on to the preparation for civil services. Lack of proper guidance and misguided knowledge have delayed my preparation and made me take many misdirected attempts. I had always thought of taking an active part in the different aspects in the development of the country. I only was confused, how? But when I understood it, I embarked on it without a second thought.

ClearIAS.com: Do you feel that the competition level of UPSC Civil Services Exam is on a rise? It seems that there is an increasing trend of candidates from IITs, IIMs and AIIMS attempting and clearing this exam. Is Civil Service the final destination /ambition of Indian youth, in this age of lucrative private sector jobs?

The status and power along with a very good pay and other benefits have attracted more people in to civil services. The previous few years have seen a steep increase in the number of people attempting it and along with it the cut off marks rising due to the competition. I also think that the decreasing number of better jobs in different fields have made people from these elite institutions towards civil services. It will be always better for the country to have such people in the service.

Study Plan

ClearIAS.com: What is the secret of your success? How did you approach this exam? What was your strategy in general (Prelims, Mains, and Interview)?

I had opted for the hard way of work. I spent enough time before prelims to go through the static part of my preparation such as the polity, economics, history and geography. I followed the newspaper especially, ‘The Hindu’ properly. I also had attended number of mock tests from different institutes. The online mock tests from ClearIAS were of great help. I did it completely due the way it was presented for self evaluation of our performance. And I think that along with the preparation it also matters how one is conducting himself during the two hours of the examination.

Since I got in to the job, my preparation for the mains delayed by at least one and a half months. As soon as the results were out, I concentrated on the mains optional subject as I felt that the GS parts of mine were okay since I was following the papers well. I gave more importance  to completing the optional  which in my  case was sociology. I had given time for intensive study of the subject as I started and completed it with a little guidance and then wholly finishing it myself. This was the point of time I remembered that optional must not be kept for later.

I also gave ample time for writing practices. I mainly followed mains mock tests from Civil Service Institute Pala, Trivandrum Campus under guidance of Mr. Arun Kumar and Mrs. Remya Roshni. They continued to guide me for the interview too. I updated myself with all the recent important events for the interview. I attended few mock interviews in the same institute. I also spend some time going through the interviews of the toppers.

ClearIAS.com: How long (Years/Months) have you been preparing before you gave this attempt? Also, on an average how many hours did you put on a daily basis? How did you manage time?

I got into serious preparation from the end of 2013. It was not well guided or well directed. In the beginning I used to spend about 5 to 6 hours a day for the studies. By the time I got close to the prelims 2015 I started spending above 10 hrs a day. For the mains too between 10-15 hrs per day. As I got leave from my job I could spend whole time for preparation.

ClearIAS.com: Were you a person who studied alone? Or a person who favored the combined study approach?

I am more comfortable studying alone. It allowed me to have continuous hours without any kind of disturbances. I think that if someone can have good friends to have combined studies it is always better. More information can be shared and they can correct mutually.

ClearIAS.com: Did you attend any coaching institute or subscribe to mock tests for prelims or mains? If yes, can you provide the details for each stage (Prelims/Mains/Interview)? How helpful were the coaching institutes?

• Prelims –  Online prelims mock tests from ClearIAS.com.
• Mains: Mains Mock tests from Civil Service Institute Pala (CSIP) Trivandrum.
• Sociology: Mock test by Jeevan sir.
• Interview: At Civil Service Institute Pala (CSIP) Trivandrum, under guidance of Arun Kumar Sir and Remya Roshni madam.

Prelims mock tests can actually help one to avoid mistakes and adopt accurate strategy to attend questions. Mains mock tests can help improve the writing skills and handwriting along with preparing one to write this 3 hr long exam.

ClearIAS.com: What websites (online preparation websites or government websites) will you recommend for future aspirants for UPSC preparation?

Government sites: PIB, PRS, MEA, MORD, MOEFC      

ClearIAS.com: What is your opinion/feedback about the ClearIAS website, ClearIAS app, and ClearIAS online mock test series platform for UPSC Prelims ? Did you come revised the archives of the 50-day ClearIAS free mains mock answer writing series for aspirants depending on self-sdy to clear this exam?

I follow ClearIAS.com for the materials and notes available. It helped me to fill the gaps in my preparation. As I didn’t have a smart phone then, I was not able to use ClearIAS app, but followed the clearias.com website directly.

The prelims online mock tests by ClearIAS were of great help to me as I was able to evaluate my performance after every test. It allowed me to understand my weak areas and work more on them and improve upon them. The rework on the previous year papers can make a beginner understand the pattern of the UPSC questions and prepare targeting the specific areas which otherwise we forget to do.

For the mains too I have gone through the questions to see if I have missed any important topics and points.

ClearIAS.com: Did you use Social Media like Facebook, Twitter or other forums for UPSC Preparation? Or did you say good-bye to the social media during preparation days? Any technology-tips (Eg: Mobile apps, Note making software etc.)?

I didn’t use any of the social networking sites as I left them as soon as I got on to preparation. But I believe that positive use of social media can provide advantage.

ClearIAS.com: What were the Newspapers and Magazines (Eg: Yojana, Kurukshetra etc.) you followed? How many hours did you devote for newspapers? Any tips on newspaper-reading?

I used to spend ample time to read Kurkshetra and Yojana. News papers such as The Hindu, Business line and ToI were followed regularly. Magazines like Frontline, EPW, Down To Earth helped me well.

ClearIAS.com: What was your preference: Reading online (Laptop/Tablet/Mobile) or reading the traditional way (Books)? Or a mix of both?

I preferred a mix of both. I think it was rather based on the availability of materials. Whichever books were available were read as hardcopy and additional materials were read on laptop.

ClearIAS.com: Can you elaborate your daily timetable (When will you wake up, study, sleep etc. )

I get up at 4.30 am and study continuously till 10 am. I suppose that this is the most productive time of the day for me. Then one hour before lunch. I would spend time on video classes and atlas after lunch till 5 PM. Then after dinner, from 8 PM to 12 PM.

ClearIAS.com: How did you keep yourself motivated for this one-year-long exam?

My motivation was the dream of the position that I will gain once I successfully complete my preparation. Friends, parents and various faculties have helped me to keep the fire burning. I have seen that it’s always tough to cheer one up by oneself throughout the period of preparation as it takes long time and sometimes many attempts. So it’s important for everyone to have some source of continuous motivation.

UPSC Prelims

ClearIAS.com: Can you elaborate on your preparation strategies/approach and study materials and books used for Prelims Paper 1 and Paper 2? (Please mention books/materials used for each subject)

• Books/Study materials for History: Bipan Chandra, Sekhar Bandhopadhyay, Krishna Reddy, NCERT materials
• Books/Study materials for Geography: NCERT, ICSE 8^th, 9^th and Goh cheng Leong
• Books/Study materials for Polity: Laxmikanth
• Books/Study materials for Economics: Ramesh Singh
• Books/Study materials for Science and Technology: Newspaper
• Books/Study materials for Environment: NCERT, NIOS
• Books/Study materials for Current Affairs: Newspaper, websites
• Books/Study materials for General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT): None

ClearIAS.com: Any tips/pieces of advice especially for UPSC Civil Services Prelims?

Along with knowledge it’s about the way one approaches the prelims examination. Keep composed. Do not allow any thoughts to overtake you. Look at each question intensely and take the fight to it rather than allowing it to attack you.

UPSC Mains

ClearIAS.com: Can you elaborate on your study materials and books used for each topic of Mains Papers? (Please give a detailed view, especially for sub-topics in all the general studies papers like books/materials used for each subtopic like Disaster Management, Internal security, Indian Society, Biodiversity etc.)

• Books/Study materials used for Essay Paper: Not any materials specifically followed. I attended mock papers for the Essay. I went through the corrections suggested and rectified them.

• Books/Study materials used for General Studies 1 (Indian History, World History, Indian Society, Indian Geography, and World Geography): Bipan Chandra for Indian history, Norman Lowe for World history, and no specific book on Indian society as my optional was sociology. NCERT and ICSE books for world geography.

• Books/Study materials used for General Studies 2 (Constitution, Polity, Governance, Social Justice, Foreign relations, and International affairs): Laxmikanth for polity and also for governance, newspaper notes, VN Khanna and Palmer and Perkins for India and international relations.

• Books/Study materials used for General Studies 3 (Indian Economy, Biodiversity, Science and Technology, Internal Security and Disaster Management): NCERT for economics, and biodiversity newspapers and websites such as IDSA for internal security and also available literature on them. Random materials for disaster management.

• Books/Study materials used for General Studies 4 (Ethics + Case Studies): Only mock tests

• Books/Study materials used for Optional Subject Paper 1: IGNOU materials, NCERTS materials, Haralamboss, and materials by Jeevan Sir

• Books/Study materials used for Optional Subject Paper: IGNOU materials, NCERT notes, Ram Ahuja, newspapers, EPW, notes by Jeevan Sir.

• Books/Study materials used for Regional Language (Compulsory): None
• Books/Study materials used for English Language (Compulsory): None

ClearIAS.com: Did you prepare hand notes or participated in mock answer writing before mains? What was the strategy for preparing current affairs topics in general?

I had made notes of the newspaper and also had tried to spend time to write answers. I used to self evaluate the answers. The best way to prepare the current affairs topics was to go through the newspaper and then try to spend some time with filler materials to see if you have missed any important recent events. For this you can make use of the preparation websites and other magazines. Make notes of then and try to find if a question can be asked about it.

ClearIAS.com: What are the government reports that aspirants should go through, before giving Mains Exam?

ARC reports is a must especially if one is having Pubad as the optional. Other reports by different committees from time to time also must be studied. It’s important to study the economic survey report or at least the highlights of it. Along with it one may also go through the budget of the particular year.

ClearIAS.com: What was the color of the pen you used for writing mains (Blue Ink/ Black Ink)? Also, the company and brand name of the pen used:

I used blue color Cello. I had practiced my mock mains with the same kind of pen.

ClearIAS.com: What were your writing style in GS and optional subject? Bullet Points/ Essay style or a mix of both styles?

I used both style of answering the question. But mostly I wrote in essay type. In between the answer I also used bullet points to write the answers.

ClearIAS.com: What are your suggestions to aspirants for improving the score in essay paper? What were the essays you choose to write? Did you use sub-heading/points/graphs in your essay paper?

Essay 1: giving a helping hand is more important than giving dole. Essay 2: the dreams that must not let India sleep.

I just wrote the essay in paragraphs without having any subheadings. Essay paper needs good writing practice. Analyzing the question and understanding the hidden meaning in it is the most important thing. Take enough time to note down the points and put them in the order of writing it.you may take time to reorder them as you feel them before start writing it. Simple language simple way of writing will take you to good marks.

ClearIAS.com: What are your suggestions to aspirants for improving the score in GS1 paper (History, Geography, Society etc?

GS1 is a scorable paper. Basics have been asked and its important to manage your time as it is the first paper of the day. Many find it tough to manage time. Go through the ncert notes of the subjects well as most of the time its seen that the questions have been simple and asked directly from the NCERT. Its good if you can divide the time for the questions .

ClearIAS.com: What are you suggestions to aspirants for improving the score in GS2 paper (Polity, Constitution, Social Justice, International relations etc?

GS 2 is not seen to be scorable in the past years. Average score is lower than the other papers. Still its important to get the highest possible that you can score in this too. More stress needed to be given to the recent government programs, schemes, acts etc.analyse them and study it critically

International arena need to be well studied, especially the relation of India with the neighbouring and foreign countries.

ClearIAS.com: What are you suggestions to aspirants for improving the score in GS3 paper (Economy, Environment, Science and Tech, Internal Security, Disaster Management etc?

GS3 is a scorable paper. It can fetch you very good marks. See to it that you don’t miss any questions with keeping an average quality of writing and literature. Questions were factual last time and it was like that for the past three mains. Recent science and technology news, security related issues must be studied well.

ClearIAS.com: What are you suggestions to aspirants for improving the score in GS4 paper (Ethics paper)? Can you brief on how you attempted the Ethics paper? Please explain the strategies and writing the style for Ethics case studies.

First of all its important to attend all the questions. The first questions may require you to quote the ethics of different important personalities in your answer. When it comes to the case study its mostly about what you do in the particular situation. Don’t spend too much time thinking, because the case studies may take lot of time even just for reading it.

ClearIAS.com: What was your optional subject? Please give our readers detailed insights on your selection and strategies regarding your optional subject. We are sure that there will be many who take the same optional subject as yours in future.

My optional subject is sociology. I selected it because I felt after going through the previous year question papers that I could study it well . I started with the NCERT sociology notes and made own notes of them for the further revision. I spent time with IGNOU materials to get a touch of the subject from the basic idea of it. Once I got it I started to build on it by going through few important texts like Harlamboss, Ram Ahuja etc.

I tried to get information on different topics from the first sources which are the texts later on I used materials especially materials by Jeevan Sir. It is very important to know that the first paper is fully factual and ample time must be spent to be thorough with the texts and notes available.

For the second paper its all about the application of sociological theories in the present Indian context. Newspaper points with relevance to sociology must be noted and can be written as the examples when writing the answers.

ClearIAS.com: What was your exam hall strategy for mains: attempting all questions even at the cost of compromising quality or writing only quality answers compromising on the number of questions attempted?

I had planned that what ever happens I would finish all answers within the time period. At some point of time I felt that I was compromising the quality of the answers.

UPSC Interview

ClearIAS.com: Can you elaborate on your approach and preparation for Interview? Did you attend any mock interviews?

I spent more time updating myself with current issues. I tried to go through the available toppers mock interview videos. I attended very  limited number of mock interviews at Civil Service Institute Pala under the guidance of Arun Sir and Ramya madam.

ClearIAS.com: Can you elaborate a a bit on the things mentioned in your DAF (Detailed Application Form) like your hobbies, extracurricular activities or prizes won:

Hobbies: singing, learning languages, gardening, cooking and writing poems.

Prizes won in events like debates, quiz competition, basket ball.

ClearIAS.com: What was your interview dress?

Light Blue shirt maroon tie, navy blue pants and navy blue coat.

ClearIAS.com: Who was the Chairman of the board you faced? How long was the interview?

Chairman: Mr. Vinay Mittal, it was for about 35-40 minutes

ClearIAS.com: Can you share with our readers your UPSC Interview experience? Our readers would be really happy to hear those questions and replies in the UPSC Topper’s Interview.

Questions and my answers:

(1) why is Kerala known as the God’s own country: I said about the natural beauty of Kerala rather than the artificial attractions in other places also the history of Parasuram creating Kerala.

(2) regarding political violence in my district Kannur: Politically wrongly educated population as the main reason.

(3) gulf oil crisis and impact on Kerala: I stressed on The remittances that becomes an important part of Kerala GDP.

(4) why do the Keralites flock to gulf region payment given: The matrimonial prospects of gulf employed and the higher.

(5) what is happening in Turkey now: The kurds issue, open zone etc

(6) what is happening in Myanmar: The coming into power of Aang San Su kyi

(7) issues in Maldives: Md Nasheeds arrest and aftermath

(8) drug issues in India: About increasing addiction cases in Punjab, golden crescent, golden triangle etc.

(9) NPA

(10) NPA classification ( stages)

(11) will defaulter means

(12) FRBM act

(13)SARFAESI act

(14) liquor prohibition in Kerala: I stressed on the moral benefits and later on economic benfites of liquor prohibition.

(15) LP and impacts on Kerala tourism: I argued about the minimal impact of liquor prohibition on Kerala tourism.

(16) LP impact on tourism in India: Some places like Mahe, Goa may be affected a little due to reduction in the domestic tourists

(17) difference between ICAI and ICWA

(18) dowry issues in Kerala: Now there is largely a reduction in the dowry demands as the grooms get well educated and well earning brides. Still there is notion in Kerala about getting higher dowry.

(19) political problems and literacy in Kerala: I said that even when there is higher primary enrollment ratio in Kerala still has large dropouts when it come to the higher and higher secondary education. So there is chance for misguidance.

(20) capital budgeting.

ClearIAS.com: Were you happy after the interview? Did you expect good marks?

I felt that my interview had gone well. It was mainly because I could answer all questions well. I felt that I could impress the board. I also expected marks ranging between 190-195 but I scored 157.

ClearIAS.com: Any tips for aspirants going for UPSC Interview?

Keep yourself alert. You may sometimes feel that the interview is going tough, but it may be giving you good marks. Don’t allow your emotions to take over intelligence at any kind of question asked to you. Keep yourself calm and composed.

ClearIAS.com: Do you think that there is a relation between the profile of the candidate (age or education background) and interview marks? At a time when lot many candidates from top institutes like IIT, IIM or AIIMs appearing this exam, is there any matter of worry for other candidates from state colleges or those without work experience?te

I think that the interview marks depend on the impression that one can create before the board at the time of interview. Profile of the candidate has minimal impact on the interview marks. People with even very good profile have scored less marks since they could not perform well at the time of interview.

Previous Attempts/ Backups/ Others Jobs Qualified (if any)

ClearIAS.com: Comment on your previous attempts on UPSC Civil Services Exam, if any? What have you learned from the mistakes/failures?

My previous  attempts have been disasters just because I couldn’t prepare for them wholeheartedly. The prelim stage had been tough mostly because of the CSAT part. The changed pattern did give me an advantage.

ClearIAS.com: What was your backup plan in case you didn’t qualify?

I was employed with the state government which made me confident.

ClearIAS.com: Did you write/clear any other exams (like Bank exams/State PSCs/ Private Jobs) during the preparation period or before:

Additional Skill acquisition Programme: Under higher education department government of Kerala.

More on Work Experience (if any)

ClearIAS.com: Details of your organization, name of post and the duration of experience:

• HDFC bank: 6 months
• St. Peters ( Dept of MBa) : 9 months
• Higher education department: 7 months

ClearIAS.com: Did you leave the job to prepare?

I left the previous jobs other than the last during my preparation. I got leave from the higher education department after the prelims results were out.

ClearIAS.com: What is your advice to working professionals who’re preparing for IAS exam simultaneously?

When preparing for prelims if you can spend enough time after the job, it is still possible. It would be great if one can spend quality time between 5-7 hours every day. You can devote more time during the holidays. But if you are into hectic jobs like the bank POs, it may be difficult to find time regularly.

Marks – Prelims, Mains, and Interview

Preliminary Exam (Just for Qualification)

• General Studies Paper 1: (Out of 200) – 110
• General Studies Paper 2: (Out of 200) – 127

Mains:

• PS: Please also indicate the approximate number of attempts in each General studies paper and the optional paper. For how many marks did you attempt in each paper?

• Essay (Out of 250): 132
• GS1 (Out of 250): 98 (all)
• GS2 (Out of 250): 74 (all)
• GS3 (Out of 250): 104 (all)
• GS4 (Out of 250): 91 (all)
• Optional Paper 1 (Out of 250): 109 (all)
• Optional Paper 2 (Out of 250): 112 (all)
• Written Total (Out of 1750): 720

Interview (Out of 275)

• Marks for Personality Test: 157

Final Marks (Out of 2025): 877

ClearIAS.com: After looking at the mark sheet, suppose if you are going to write prelims and mains this year, what changes will you make in your preparation, answer writing, and interview?

I will have to concentrate on the handwriting part well. I need to work on the paper 2 and paper 4 which I can improve at least by 10 marks. My interview was not a disaster; still I did not score a very good mark. I will have to concentrate on the expressions part.

Success

ClearIAS.com: What do you think of as the main reason for your success? (Feel free to name any special help from friends, teachers, family, coaching institutes, websites, or other sources)

I dedicate my success to a number of people and institutions. Parents were always there but their limited knowledge in this area limited their scope of helping me. Friends have been an important part. I started with the guidance I received from Kerala State Civil Service academy Trivandrum. I built on the support and the guidance I received from Civil Service Institute Pala (CSIP) throughout my preparation. Notes and mock tests from different sites have helped me. The Online Mock Tests of ClearIAS is something that I have religiously done which I believe has helped me to evaluate my skills and clear the Preliminary Examination.

ClearIAS.com: What preference in services have you opted for? Is there any particular reason for that priority? What are the novel ideas you have for the country, to be implemented once you get into civil services?

Any service you get in this exam provides you with ample opportunity to be of service to the nation. Still IAS stands to be my first option due to the wide area of service it provides me. Now that I have got 587^th Rank I stand chances to get service like IRTS. In this position too I believe that there are many things that I can do. I am sure that hoping of doing great things after getting any service may be just a futile promise. But I am sure that I will be able to do things that my position permits in the efficient and effective way.

ClearIAS.com: Did your life change after success/attempt in UPSC Civil Services Exam? If yes, how?

The impression of the people in my area, parents and many who doubted if I could do this has changed. My confidence has gone up in such a way that I am ready to go at it again. Appreciation given to me in my area has raised the status of my family. People came to know about our village. People recognizing me in buses and outside has enthused me.

ClearIAS.com: Does the educational or financial status of the family of the aspirant impact the UPSC preparation and result?

I think that in the present scenario financial status plays an important part. Lack of financial support could affect in various ways such as uncomfortable accommodation, lack of ability to purchase materials, inability to attend important sessions or classes etc. It may force the aspirant to look for ways to find finance which delays his chances to be successful.

ClearIAS.com: Any tips on Civil Services exam preparation and other priorities in life (Financial security, Higher Studies, Marriage, Family life etc.)

It’s always good to have your life secured at one point of time during your preparation. The insecurity feeling during preparation or later during the exams can affect the aspirant very badly. Even after good preparation the aspirant may not be able to perform well. In the same way the feeling of security can help the student perform well.

ClearIAS.com: What is your advice to the freshers who are going to appear in this exam?

Identify if the desire in you is true. Understand what you can give up for the preparation, such as time, money, enjoyment , time with your family etc. Be ready to look for both the smartest and the hardest ways to success and keep your mind ready to be active all through the pursuit.

ClearIAS.com: What is your advice to all those candidates who didn’t succeed in this exam yet?

Keep the desire burning in you. Understand the mistakes repeatedly committed, rectify them at the earliest.  Keep positive attitude. Success will not be far.

ClearIAS.com: Any extra note in general (if any):

It is said that there are two important days in a person’s life. One is the day on which you are born and the other you learn ‘why?’. When you get the answer put all your heart to achieve it, and you will.

ClearIAS.com: We like to express our heartiest congratulations once again for this grand success. We are happy that you chose ClearIAS.com to share your happiness on this special occasion. ClearIAS.com sincerely thank you, on behalf our readers and ourselves, for the spirit and benevolence to find time to write answers to our detailed questionnaire. Wishing you, all the very best in career and life.