Bidipto Sarkar (CSE-23 AIR 987) Comprehensive Strategy

Born in Berhampore, in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, Bidipto Sarkar's life has been a journey marked by constant change and adaptation. His father's job at the Border Roads Organization led to frequent shifts in their residence, resulting in a diverse and challenging upbringing. Despite these changes, Bidipto managed to graduate from Kalyani Government Engineering College in 2020 with a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering.

Living in Remote Regions

Living in remote border regions has had a significant impact on Bidipto's life. Facing extremist threats and experiencing the harsh realities of these areas has instilled in him a certain bravery and resilience. This experience has been crucial in motivating him to pursue the UPSC CSE, a path that requires immense dedication and perseverance.

The Journey to UPSC CSE

Bidipto's journey into the UPSC CSE began in 2011 when he was in class 8. He began his full-fledged preparation in the 2019-20 period, initially planning to appear in the 2020 UPSC CSE exam. However, the COVID pandemic forced him to adapt and change his plans.

First Attempt

In his first attempt in 2020, Bidipto cleared the Prelims but did not qualify for the Mains. The fault was primarily due to his incomplete understanding of the syllabus. He learned from this experience and prepared more thoroughly for his second attempt in 2021.

Second Attempt

In 2021, Bidipto cleared the Prelims again but failed to qualify for the Interview. This time, the issue was more about his presentation than his knowledge. Bidipto took the feedback from the previous attempts and continued to improve his preparation strategies.

Third and Fourth Attempts

The COVID situation improved in 2022, allowing Bidipto to shift to Delhi for better preparation. He gave his third attempt in 2022, qualifying for the GS but failing CSAT by just 2 marks. This experience made him realize that CSAT question selection was becoming increasingly crucial. Finally, in his fourth attempt in 2023, Bidipto cleared all stages and secured a rank of 987.

How and When to Start Preparation

Preparation for the UPSC CSE should ideally start with basic foundational material. NCERT textbooks are particularly useful for understanding the core concepts of various subjects. It is also beneficial to begin preparation during college but ensure that it does not interfere with academic studies.

Timetable and Routine

Bidipto did not adhere to a daily routine but rather set weekly targets. His preparation varied in intensity, with some days being lighter and others being more demanding. This flexible approach allowed him to adapt to the changing circumstances and requirements of his preparation.

Note Making and Revision Strategy

Since Bidipto did not prepare from a single source, note-making became an indispensable part of his preparation. He collected relevant points into a single source that he could refer to and revise through practice and tests. His revision strategy involved practicing and taking tests, and referring to the relevant sources whenever he encountered difficulties.

Role of PYQs

PYQs play a crucial role in UPSC preparation, especially for Prelims. Studying these helps in understanding the language and types of questions asked by UPSC. It is particularly important to thoroughly research each option as similar themes often appear in later Prelims exams.

How to Attempt Prelims

GS Paper

In the current situation, the GS Paper is becoming increasingly lengthy, and it is advisable to attempt it in a maximum of 2-3 rounds to cover every question.

CSAT Paper

CSAT question selection is crucial as not all questions can and need not be attempted. Each question should be given a specific time limit. If the method to solve a question cannot be understood within this time, it is better to move on. This strategy helps in identifying easier questions and devoting time to them accordingly.

Practicing Tests

There are two primary ways to practice tests: as a question bank and as an analyzer. As a question bank, you can pick a few questions and solve them in a time-bound manner. As an analyzer, you can evaluate whether your exam attempting strategies are working in real time. It is essential to remember that test scores should not be seen as reflections of your preparation or knowledge level but rather as tools for improvement.

Answer Writing Strategy

Bidipto developed a final answer writing format by the time of his third Mains in 2023. His strategy involves:

• Introduction: Providing a definition and current context information, underlining key terms and data.
• Body 1: Boxing up the heading, writing points in numbering, grouping points with capital letters, and using keywords and examples to support arguments.
• Body 2: Connecting with the first body, writing points in the same manner as the first body.
• Conclusion: Finding a connection with a governance challenge, suggesting measures, and underlining initiatives and the overall vision of India.

Conclusion

Bidipto's journey through the UPSC CSE is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and dedication. His preparation strategies, including note-making, revision through practice, and effective time management, have proven to be instrumental in his success. His experiences and insights can serve as valuable guidance for aspiring UPSC candidates.