Hiren Barot (AIR-332, CSE-21) GS & Sociology Strategy

Hiren Barot's Journey to Success: A Comprehensive Approach to the UPSC Civil Services Examination

Hiren Barot, a young and ambitious individual, has already carved out a remarkable career path for himself. With a substantial work experience in diverse fields, including serving as an RBI Assistant, a Gujarat Administrative Service Officer Class 1, and currently as an Indian Corporate Law Service officer, Barot has demonstrated his versatility and dedication to public service.

Born and raised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Barot completed his graduation in commerce and accountancy from the prestigious H L College of Commerce Ahmedabad in 2015. His academic achievements and professional experiences have laid the foundation for his journey towards the coveted UPSC Civil Services Examination.

General Studies (GS) Preparation

Barot's approach to the General Studies (GS) section of the UPSC Civil Services Examination is characterized by a strategic and efficient use of limited resources. He believes in the power of multiple readings, emphasizing the importance of relying on previous year papers and conducting thorough analyses to understand the patterns and trends in the questions asked.

GS Booklist

Barot's GS booklist reflects his selective and focused approach. He has curated a set of essential resources that he believes will provide him with the necessary knowledge and understanding to excel in the examination. By concentrating on key topics and themes, Barot aims to consolidate his knowledge base before delving into note-making and test-taking.

GS Strategy

Barot's GS strategy revolves around a few key principles:

• Limited Resources, Multiple Readings: Recognizing the vast expanse of the GS syllabus, Barot prioritizes multiple readings over extensive note-making or testing before fully comprehending the subject matter.
• Mocks and Previous Year Papers: Barot emphasizes the importance of taking mocks, especially for the Mains examination, and thoroughly analyzing previous year papers to understand the examination patterns and trends.
• Strategic Reading: Barot's approach to reading is tailored to the examination requirements. For instance, in Polity, he focuses on the ideology of the Constitution and Union-related provisions, as these are often the subject of Prelims questions.
• Continuous Revision: Barot understands the importance of consistent revision to consolidate his knowledge and keep up with the dynamic nature of the examination.

Sociology Preparation

Barot's approach to the Sociology optional subject is marked by a nuanced understanding of the subject and a strategic utilization of resources.

Sociology Booklist

Barot's Sociology booklist reflects his selective and targeted approach. For the Paper 1 syllabus, he believes that 3-4 well-chosen books will be sufficient to cover the entire syllabus. However, for Paper 2, Barot acknowledges the need to explore a wider range of sources, given the breadth and depth of the syllabus.

Sociology Strategy

Barot's Sociology strategy emphasizes the following key elements:

• Selective Reading: Barot avoids the approach of reading books cover-to-cover, instead focusing on strategically selected topics and perspectives that are directly relevant to the examination.
• Current Affairs Integration: Recognizing the unpredictable nature of the Paper 2 syllabus, Barot emphasizes the importance of integrating current affairs into his preparation, using sociological perspectives to analyze contemporary issues.
• Sociological Terminology and Perspectives: Barot emphasizes the need to develop a strong command of sociological terminology and perspectives, which can be leveraged to answer questions on diverse topics.
• Revision and Answer Writing: Barot considers revision and answer writing to be the cornerstones of his Sociology preparation, as they help solidify his understanding and enhance his examination performance.

Hiren Barot's comprehensive approach to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, encompassing both the General Studies and Sociology optional, reflects his dedication, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the examination process. By leveraging his prior experiences, curating targeted resources, and developing robust preparation strategies, Barot has positioned himself as a formidable contender in the highly competitive UPSC landscape.

Other CSE 2021 Topper Strategies

Barot's insights and strategies are complemented by the experiences of other successful UPSC Civil Services Examination toppers from the 2021 batch. The blog features a diverse range of strategies, covering topics such as Prelims, Mains, Maths, and subject-specific approaches, shared by toppers like Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak, Arpit Gupta, Anjali Shrotriya, Shubham Satyam, Roja S Rajan, Shubham Bhaisare, Sparsh Verma, Nivedita R, Anna Sinha, Pankaj Gujar, Antriksh Jain, Keshav Gupta, and Dilip K Kainikkara.

By drawing inspiration from the experiences and strategies of these top performers, aspiring UPSC Civil Services Examination candidates can gain valuable insights and develop a comprehensive approach to their own preparation.