Asrar Ahmad Kichloo (AIR-287, CSE-21) Prelims, Mains, Interview, Medical Science Strategy
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Hi All,
Asrar Ahmad Kichloo cleared UPSC CSE-21 with AIR-287. This was his 5th attempt and 2nd selection.
In his first 2 attempts, he could not clear prelims while in latest 3 attempts he cleared even Forest cut-off and also got selected twice!
This is as COMPREHENSIVE strategy as you will ever get, covering all stages and sub-stages of exam in depth and dimensions:
Introduction
Brief intro about myself. I am Asrar Ahmad Kichloo. I come from Jammu & Kashmir. I am a medical graduate & I completed my MBBS in 2016 from GMCH Jammu. I have cleared UPSC CSE twice with AIR 248 in CSE 2019 & AIR 287 in CSE 2021 with Medical Science as my optional subject & I am currently in IRS (C&IT).
This was my 5th attempt. I gave my first attempt in 2017. I struggled with prelims initially & couldn’t clear it in 2017 & 2018. Then I changed my strategy & was able to clear prelims thrice (scoring above IFoS cutoff in all 3 prelims). I have given 3 mains, 3 interviews & have got selected twice. My scores in Medical science were 252 (2019), 274 (2020) & 267 (2021).
In this writeup, I will try to share my learnings & strategy regarding prelims, mains(GS & optional), personality test & note making. I will also try to address some of the common queries of a lot of UPSC aspirants.
My Scorecard
BOOKLIST for GS
1) You can start with NCERTS of 11th and 12th standard. I read few of the 6th to 10th standard NCERTs which in my opinion can be skipped.
You can make notes during 2nd or subsequent readings, not during the 1st reading itself.
I used to read relevant articles(constitutional provisions) 1st from Indian Constitution (Bare Act) and then read the chapter from Laxmikanth.
Also, for mains (including miscellaneous topics eg Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries)-> I read Vision IAS value addition material + read sectional polity questions of Vision IAS test series or questions given at the end of their value addition material.
3) IR- Mostly newspaper and monthly C/A booklets. Covered few organisations & groups online eg. SAARC, BRICS, BIMSTEC, G20 etc.
I tried to cover Ancient History and Art & Culture together eg I read Indus Valley Civilisation from ancient history & related A&C simultaneously.
I used to google images related to dances, art etc for better clarity.
8) Post independence- 12th std polity NCERT and Vision IAS value addition material.
9) Geography- 4 NCERT books of 11th and 12th std and GC Leong + Orient Black swan atlas. If possible- you can do agriculture, climatology & similar topics from some online videos or notes of any institute.
Mr Shiv Arpit’s notes (Vajiram & Ravi) were of immense help to me.
Practised Maps eg for tiger reserves, important minerals, crops, Indian monsoon etc.
10) Environment- 12th class bio NCERT (Last unit of Ecology only) and Shankar IAS book.
◦ These links only have the names, not the details about them. You can go through the details of important Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar sites, Tiger reserves & critically endangered animals from some coaching institute’s material.
11) Economy- 11th std NCERT (Indian Economic Development) & Macroeconomics NCERT of 12th std. I read Vajiram notes.
You can read a book- eg Shankar Ganesh or you can watch Mrunal sir’s videos online.
I read PIB Summary/key highlights of budget & economic survey.
For mains(economy, agriculture, Food processing etc)- I covered from current affairs, Mains 365, Vision IAS value addition material + random online sources. It is important to focus on Economy and environment related current affairs. Most of the questions related to these subjects come from current affairs.
12) Current affairs- Discussed later (Daily newspaper notes + Vision IAS monthly booklet + Flagship schemes from PIB or official websites and major Acts from PRS).
13) For Society (didn’t read NCERT, there is no need imo), Governance & social justice (GS2), Disaster management, S&T, Security and World History- I read Vision IAS value addition material only (+current affairs). No NCERT is required in my opinion.
14) Ethics-
I read Mukul Pathak sir’s notes for basic understanding.
It is better to make short notes on each and every keyword of the GS4 syllabus. This should include the definition, an example from your life, an example from the life of a famous personality (eg Mahatma Gandhi) and an example of a bureaucrat (try to search for it online).
Definitions are available online.
I took ideas from Miss Vishakha Yadav’s (Rank 6) GS 4 answer copy. I also took ideas from Mr Manzar Anjum’s (AIR 125 CSE 2020) GS4 answer copy.
15) Essay- I followed Anudeep Durishetty sir’s strategy. Link.
16) Unnecessary books shouldn’t be read. You can skip 6th to 10th class NCERT (or you can read them once superficially without making detailed notes) and can skip Yojana, Kurukshetra etc. Limit your booklist and revise those books again and again.
Prelims Strategy ->
In CSE 2018 prelims- I scored 90 (obviously didn’t qualify). Was distraught to see my score even after trying so hard. So, I decided to make a comprehensive strategy. It worked for me & my Prelims scores in CSE 2019, 2020 & 2021 were 118, 123 & 103 (above forest cut off in all 3 prelims).
-> STRATEGY-
(1) PRIORITY BASED-
a) Main focus was on core subjects- Mainly modern history, polity & environment (especially current affairs). These subjects usually cover >40% of your prelims questions.
b) Next in order was ancient history (+ art & culture) & current affairs (especially related to environment, economy and Sci & Tech).
c) Then factual topics- eg important indices & reports like Hunger Index etc.
This included my attempt to remember all tiger reserves, all national parks & some important wild life sanctuaries. Links-
d) Then geography (mainly map based + agriculture).
e) Less focus was on Medieval history & static economy (as I was kind of comfortable with economy).
(2) BOOK LIST & subject wise strategy- Shared above
(3) HOW TO STUDY?
a) I went through previous year question papers & UPSC syllabus again & again to find the important areas eg in Polity- Parliament, Federalism are very important topics. But UPSC/CVC etc aren’t very important. It’s better to cover the most important topics 1st & to give less time to not so important topics. Thus, focus more on UPSC PYQ papers for this.
(4) MOCK TESTS?
I liked Vision IAS complete test series(sectional + full) & Forum IAS full length tests. Forum IAS full length tests were also helpful to me.
2 ways to take tests- Either cover a topic & attempt the test related to it or prepare as per the test series. i.e. Prepare for Test 1, attempt the test, analyse, prepare for Test 2 & so on.
Don’t exhaust yourself. 1 test every 10 days/2 weeks is sufficient to begin with. Increase the frequency during last 3 months (prior to prelims).
Try to take the tests in an environment simulating exam hall.
Last 1 week prior to prelims. Focus mainly on UPSC PYQ papers & attempt only a couple of full length mock tests.
f) How to analyse?
Try to identify your weak areas & subjects so that you can work on them.
Try to understand concepts & remember some of the important facts.
Don’t prepare exhaustive notes on test solutions. Note down only the important facts in brief.
Don’t waste your day on 1 mock test only. 2 hrs to attempt + max 3 hrs to analyse a test are sufficient. Remaining hours of the day can be utilised for other topics.
Build your elimination technique. Analyse your accuracy & number of questions that you would like to attempt during the actual exam.
(5) How to analyse UPSC prelims previous year prelims question papers?
Try to find out important areas from where questions are asked again & again eg Parliament, Buddhism etc.
Identify how UPSC frames the question
eg “not/only” in the question should not be missed.
eg mostly map based questions asked in geography.
eg Polity- sometimes asked if the statement/office is mentioned in constitution (going through Bare Act helps here).
Try to attempt the papers to learn time management.
Last minute analysis (Jugaad)-
I got about 28-29 days to prepare for CSE 2020 prelims & about 15 days to prepare for CSE 2021 prelims (had spared 3 months for CSE 2019 prelims). Still managed to get decent scores(120+ & 100+).
I tried to analyse UPSC PYQ papers & accordingly decided to attempt questions in a certain manner. Eg I found out that UPSC very seldom gives “all of the above” answer in Economy questions.
DISCLAIMER: This worked for me, especially for CSE 2020. Might not work for all & at all times.
(6) Attempting the UPSC Prelims Exam-
BE CONFIDENT. Don’t judge yourself while attempting the paper. If it is difficult for you, it is difficult for everybody else too.
How many questions should I attempt?- Depends on your cut off. In my opinion 70+ questions should be attempted. Anything below 70 is a mistake in my opinion. I attempted 95+ question in CSE 2019, 2020 & 2021. Try to analyse your mock tests well to know this number. Eg after giving 15-20 mocks before CSE 2019, I found out that my score actually increased by 2 to 26 marks if I increased my attempt from 70 to 90+ questions. But make your own strategy here on the basis of your usual accuracy.
How many readings? Depends- I used to complete the paper in 1 reading. Many people do it in 2-3 readings.
Try to attempt 55+ questions(without any blind guesses). Target should be 55+, but anything above 45+ is good enough.
Don’t focus on only passages or only quant. Focus mainly on low hanging fruits i.e. easy questions from both of these sections.
Don’t waste your time on difficult questions. Leave & move on to next easier question.
Cover the easiest questions during 1st reading. Don’t leave any easy question.
Passages-
Attempt shorter passages.
Assumptions are usually quite difficult. Can avoid if you have attempted sufficient number of questions. Attempt if you find them easy.
Quant- Try to find your weaker areas & work on them. Eg I found myself to be struggling in permutation & clock based questions. So, I tried to work on these areas.
Mock tests-
Usually candidates ignore CSAT & try to practice it during last couple of weeks only. Don’t do this. Take CSAT mocks regularly, find your weak areas & work on them.
1 test every 15 days should be sufficient.
HOW TO START YOUR PREPARATION?
1) Start with static portion(core subjects mentioned above). Don’t worry about pre or mains. Try to understand the concept 1st.
2) NCERTS-
During 1st reading- Don’t make notes. Just understand.
Then see UPSC syllabus & UPSC PYQ Papers to identify important areas in those NCERTS.
During 2nd reading- You can prepare your brief notes.
3) You can start reading Indian Express simultaneously. Don’t prepare notes on newspaper initially. Just read for initial couple of months. Then you can start making notes.
4) 1 month into regular newspaper reading, you can go through the VisionIAS monthly current affairs booklet.
5) You can start attempting mocks 2-3 months after beginning your preparation.
6) Start preparing your optional at the earliest.
7) Start reading standard books like Spectrum/Laxmikanth etc once you are done with NCERTS.
PRELIMS vs MAINS?
Dedicate last 2-3 months (prior to prelims) to prelims only. Rest of the time needs an integrated approach i.e. read a topic from both prelims & mains point of view.
Coaching?
I took coaching but I strongly believe that coaching isn’t required for GS. Few topics like Geography & Economy need some guidance which can be availed online free of cost eg search for the explanatory videos related to difficult topics on youtube.
For optional- Coaching may be required (not required for Med Science).
CURRENT AFFAIRS (C/A)
(1) Newspaper reading-
a) You can read Indian Express or The Hindu. Read 1 of these initially. Can add 1 more(but not required). I have tried both but I preferred Indian Express over The Hindu.
b) Which newspaper pages to read?
Read 1st page & its continuation on the 2nd page to get an overview of what all is happening in the country/globally.
Avoid ‘The city” pages unless the topics is very important.
Rest of the pages- Go through the headlines & read only those news items relevant to syllabus.
Read The Editorial & The Ideas pages.
Explained page is very important.
‘The World’ page- Cover only most significant global issues or issues concerning India’s interest.
Economy- Cover topics relevant to syllabus eg fluctuation in sensex isn’t important. But changes & decisions related Repo rate/GDP growth/taxes are very important.
Sports? 😅 Read only if you are interested in sports. • Note making should be- Topic wise & not Date wise.
c) Reading newspaper will take time initially but try to reduce the reading time to 1 to 1.5 hrs along with one page of notes per day. Reminder- Make Notes TOPIC WISE. Eg GS2 (subtopic = NGOs)
(2) Monthly current affairs booklets-
I have tried Vision IAS & Insights IAS.
Insights one is too lengthy(180+ pages)- can avoid.
Vision IAS- shorter & better.
Go through these booklets regularly.
I used to note down the facts relevant to prelims.
I used to pick up important mains related points from these booklets & write down in my own current affairs notes.
(3) Online Current Affairs?
Don’t go through PIB daily. Use it only to get info on selected topics eg new govt initiatives.
Go through summaries/key highlights of budget & economic survey- available on PIB.
PRS India – for important Acts & Bills.
Insights IAS daily current affairs- I didn’t follow it but many of my selected friends did & found it to be useful.
You can watch short videos by institutes on important topics eg by PathFinder (By Mahipal sir) or Study IQ.
I used to watch ‘Big Picture’ for my mains & interview preparation.
(4) PT/Mains 365?
If you have read newspaper & monthly booklets thoroughly, then there is no need to go through PT/ Mains 365.
If not- then PT365 & Mains 365 can be quite useful for quick revision.
Can read few extra topics present in Mains 365, if time permits.
(5) C/A of 1 year or 2 years-
For prelims- At least 1 year of current affairs (prior to the prelims exam) is required in my opinion. UPSC has been asking older C/As too. Should be easier for veterans but for 1st attempters, at least 1 year is required. If possible, superficially go through most important C/As of previous year too.
For Mains- 1 Year is sufficient.
NOTE MAKING (especially current affairs)
Note making has helped me immensely. I used to make GS wise notes. Eg GS3 -> Agriculture -> MSP & PDS or GS2 -> Polity -> Parliament
My format (of notes on a particular topic)-
At the top- Important facts & figures. Important points relevant for prelims or introduction in a mains answer eg India’s rank in Hunger Index.
Next- Current situation.
Next- Issues/Problems/Causes.
Next- Steps taken to resolve the problems eg govt initiatives or case studies.
Next- Solutions required.
Next- Any innovative solution.
Lastly- Way ahead. You can pick up such lines from newspapers / institute’s value addition material etc. Eg on urbanisation- I used to write- “Cities are the engines of growth & vehicles of social mobility. So……..”
Sources?
Newspapers, online, monthly current affairs.
Eg On Water crisis/security. I picked up “near 100% feeder separation initiative of Gujarat” from an online article; details of “composite water management index” from newspaper & few solutions from monthly current affairs booklets. i.e. In my note on “Water crisis”- I used to add points from different sources.
Mains strategy (GS)
1) Booklist? Already shared above.
2) How much time to be given to GS & optional subject after prelims?
At least 1 week per one GS paper(including mock tests) is needed. You can give 7-12 days to 1 GS paper depending upon your schedule.
Syllabus of GS 3 paper is too lengthy and factual. Give more time to GS 3 paper.
Syllabus of GS 4 paper is limited but it needs a lot of practice. Practice one ethics 10 marker question or Case study daily or every alternate day.
Optional subject- I gave 65-75% of my mains time to the optional subject (medical science, which is too lengthy). I wouldn’t suggest you to spare so much time on optional subject (but it depends upon your optional and your level of preparation).
Essay- 3-4 days are sufficient to prepare notes on how to structure your essays, learning quotes, brainstorming intro and conclusion etc. But essays need continuous practice. Try to finish one essay mock test series and brainstorm the structure of philosophical as well as non philosophical essays at least once or twice a week.
3) Mock test series?
I liked Vision IAS and Forum IAS GS test series. You can attempt any of these. Instead of sectional tests, go for a test series having 8 full length tests.
Start attempting GS tests asap. I used to prepare one GS paper for 6-7 days followed by a mock test related to it.
I didn’t join any mock test series for my optional (hardly any series is available). But do join it if it is readily available. Practicing (writing tests) optional is as important as trying to learn it.
4) Group practice- If possible, form a study group of people appearing in the mains, write 3-4 answers in a day and evaluate each other’s answers. This helps is learning answer structure and new ideas from others & also helps in preparing topics holistically.
5) Finally plan from the very beginning. Make a schedule (day wise / weekly and not hourly) and try to stick to it as much as possible.
6) Mains answer writing-
Start answer writing as soon as you have covered some portion of the syllabus. Don’t wait for the time when you would have covered the syllabus completely. That time never comes.
Introduction & conclusion- Try to prepare introductions & conclusions on important topics. This enriches your answers & saves a lot of time in the exam hall eg Link your poverty related answer to SDG 1 in the conclusion or Disaster related answer to Sendai framework or Paris agreement.
Answer writing session- I followed Mr Ravi Anand’s (AIR 79, CSE 2017) strategy. Link – https:// youtu.be/35Butv-G9fk
7) GS2- specifically mentioning it as I have been able to score 100+ in GS2 in all 3 mains. Few suggestions from my side-
Polity-
While studying polity- read it from mains & prelims point of view.
Remember important judicial decisions & use them in your answers.
Try to remember constitutional provisions & sprinkle them in your answers.
Read Bare Act first & them Laxmikanth.
Lot of topics are covered in newspapers & monthly cuyrrent affairs.
Governance & social justice-
Learn important definitions eg of Civil society.
Diversify answers & remember conclusions.
Decode GS-2: Governance & Social Justice Sample & Format Explainer:
Newspapers cover most of the IR related current affairs. Cover important topics extensively.
Draw maps in all IR related questions.
Diversify answers- eg India-West Asia relations- Don’t forget to mention Indian diaspora, cultural connect, people to people relations, security aspect (ISIS), medical tourism etc.
Medical Science (Optional Subject)
Booklist for Medical Science Optional Subject-
1) Study from the books that you have already covered during your graduation. No need to buy new books. I am sharing the sources that I had referred to.
2) Paper 1 Sources-
Anatomy- BD Chaurasia + Dr Parikshit Zade’s notes.
Embryology by Inderbir Singh
Physiology- Guyton & Hall + Dr Parikshit Zade’s notes
Biochemistry- Satyanarayana + Dr Parikshit Zade’s notes
Psychiatry (Medicine)- Mathews & Separate notes prepared by few seniors.
Ortho (Surgery)- Maheshwari. It made a comeback in CSE 2021.
Should you go for Medical Science Optional?
I am trying to be as honest as I can. My intention is just to guide fellow medicos who intend to sit for UPSC CSE exam. After giving 3 mains with Medical Science subject, I felt the need to share my thoughts & experiences(& experiences of many of my colleagues) as very little info is available online regarding this subject.
1) Is Medical Science a good optional subject?
My answer would be- It is not a very good optional subject. You can click on this link & watch the video by Dr. Suyash Chavan to know why – https://youtu.be/qNRo5oePleI
It may be a decent optional for those MBBS graduates who decide to prepare the exam during their graduation especially during 2nd prof. They can keep the mains syllabus in mind & prepare the notes accordingly right from the college days. They don’t need to do any extra work. Just need to focus little more on topics mentioned in the syllabus.
For those who decide to go for CSE during internship or after MBBS or even after their PG- Taking a smaller optional subject with some overlap with GS might be a wiser decision as it may save time, may be equally scoring (if not more) & may help in in GS too.
Scoring pattern is very uncertain in Med Sci. Since last 3 years(CSE 2019, 2020 & 2021) no-one has managed to score 300+ in this subject.
We get a feeling that since we have studied this subject during your graduation, we can write something in our answers even if we aren’t able to revise it well. But in that case, we will score only something in this subject.
2) Is it lengthy?
Very lengthy. Don’t take the syllabus at face value. The topics mentioned in it seem easy but when you have to cover all of the topics together (both papers are held on the same day), it becomes hell of a task.
I gave 3 mains with this optional scoring 252, 274 & 267. I had to compromise my GS (managed to score 400+ both times when I got recommended, but needed more to get a double digit rank) as this optional subject took 65-75% of my time between prelims & mains. It is better to take a smaller optional & try to score 430+ in GS. You either need 430+ in GS or 280+ in optional subject to get a rank in top 70.
3) Now, what are the advantages of taking this optional?
You would have covered most of the topics during your graduation.
You don’t need to search for new books.
Coaching is not required.
Paper 1 doesn’t need a dedicated test series as topics are mostly factual (paper 2 needs practice as mostly clinical cases are given).
4) So, should I take Med Science as my optional subject?
I would recommend not to take it unless you are very confident about it & preferably if you decide to prepare for CSE during MBBS days.
5) Who should take Med Sci as his/her optional?
Only MBBS graduates. BDS, BAMS etc should not take it as a major portion of the syllabus isn’t covered during their graduation & even MBBS graduates find it too difficult to manage.
6) Alternatives for MBBS candidates? If I could go back, I would take Anthropology or PSIR.
7) How to attempt Med science optional paper?
I followed Dr Anand Kr Sharma’s strategy of writing Med Science answers during my CSE 2020 & 2021 attempts which helped me a lot. Sharing the links here-
Write DDx even if not asked(try to cover DDX of common ailments like headache, breathlessness, chest pain, abdominal pain, hematuria etc)
Treatment- Again diversify-General measures, Specific(Non surgical including non pharma & pharmacological; surgical including pre op, op & post op), Treatment of complications.
Mention about followup in the end. In case of Pediatrics, mention about advice to be given to the parents in the end. In Obs- mention about contraception advice.
Cover short but important subjects first eg Biochemistry, Microbiology, Derma, Psychiatry & Pediatrics.
8) Few important tips for Med Sci-
I had gone through Med Science previous years question papers & accordingly tried to find the most important areas from where questions are asked again & again and which need to be covered first of all eg PCR in Biochem, Facial Nerve in Anatomy etc
Also I found out from the PYQ papers that there are some topics which aren’t mentioned in the syllabus but from where questions have been asked repeatedly. Eg Bronchopulmonary segments- 3 times UPSC has asked question on this topic although it isn’t mentioned in the syllabus.
Personality Test
I scored 187 in CSE 2019 & 182 in CSE 2021 in my personality tests. I think personality test (interview) tests mainly your personality which can be refined to some extent during the limited time that we get.
1) How to fill your DAF?
Fill your particulars very carefully. Spelling mistakes etc should be avoided.
Don’t fill it towards the end of deadline. DAF should be well thought out.
Most important area- “Please give Particulars at the University/State/National Level in respect of:- Prizes, Scholarships, Sports, Other extracurricular activities and interests (Such as hobbies) etc”.
Try to fill it very carefully.
No need to boast about your achievements here. Keep it crisp & simple.
1-3 things against each point should suffice. You can even leave a point empty but don’t artificially manufacture hobbies, prizes etc.
2) How to prepare?
Start with your DAF. Start with reading about your home state/UT, your graduation, your optional subject & your past job profile.
Try to cover most important current affairs. IR in particular cannot be ignored.
Practice as much as you can :-
If you have a study group, take each other’s interview & don’t be too critical in your feedback; try to encourage others.
Practice in front of a mirror everyday.
Try to find transcripts of people with similar background & practice answering those questions in front of the mirror.
Questions like your strengths/weaknesses, introducing yourself, why civil service should be well thought out.
You can see toppers’ mock interviews online. Find questions that are of interest to you, pause the video, practice your answer in front of the mirror, resume the video & compare your answers to those of toppers.
3) Things you should keep in mind during your interview?
Try to stay calm in the waiting hall. No need to read the newspaper thoroughly. You can skip it or read only the headlines (or read the topic superficially if it seems very important).
I used to wish the chairperson 1st, then the lady member (s) & then rest of the male members.
No need to control your hand movements too much unless it is actually very distracting. Try to stay natural.
Don’t judge yourself while giving the interview. Even you aren’t able to give a good answer to a question, forget about it & focus on the next question.
No harm at all in accepting that you don’t know the answer. But instead of saying “I Don’t know” use better words like “I will have to look into it” or “I will go back & read about it”. This shows your curiosity to learn.
Use subtle/polite words- eg instead of saying that a particular scheme was unsuccessful or was a failure, say that it has been less than successful.
Don’t be too defensive. Be on the front foot. Don’t hesitate to speak. Sometimes we think that bringing a new topic might make things difficult for us, so we limit out answers. Don’t do it.
Answering pattern can be opposite to the mains answers (as advised by Mr Anurag Singh, IRS 2020 who had scored 201 in CSE 2019 personality test). In mains we give arguments & then summarise. During interview, you can summarise your opinion in the beginning & then try to justify it.
Most importantly- BE CONFIDENT & KEEP SMILING.
———
I have tried to summarise my journey, strategy & experiences of 5 attempts in this writeup. I would be grateful if this writeup is of some help to the fellow aspirants who often have so many questions in their minds regarding this exam.
In the end, my advice to all aspirants would be to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Having confidence in yourself is extremely important to clear this exam.
Keep working hard & success will surely come your way.
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