Manav Jain (CSE-23 AIR-634) Comprehensive Strategy

Manav Jain, a young aspiring civil servant, has secured the impressive rank of AIR 634 in the UPSC CSE 2023 examination, which he achieved in his second attempt. Hailing from the small city of Guna in Madhya Pradesh, Manav's journey to this success has been one marked by determination, resilience, and a strong conviction to serve the society.

Manav's Journey

Manav's desire to become a civil servant can be traced back to his childhood, when his late grandfather had instilled this dream in him. Despite initially pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi, Manav remained steadfast in his commitment to the civil services. He recalls that even though he took the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) stream in 11th grade with the intention of preparing for the JEE, by the end of the year, he had become clear about his desire to pursue a career in civil services.

Manav's preparation for the UPSC CSE began in 2021, and he was determined to approach it with a concrete vision of what he wanted to achieve. He acknowledges that the journey was not without its challenges, which he had to navigate with resilience and adaptability.

Challenges Faced

One of the major challenges Manav encountered was the lack of guidance during his preparation. Before he began his serious preparation in 2021, he had only a vague understanding of the UPSC CSE and the resources required. He had to rely on the experiences of seasoned aspirants, his peers, and various online resources to navigate the intricacies of the examination.

Another challenge Manav faced was the abundance of resources available in the market. He emphasizes the importance of deciding on the resources once and sticking to them, whether they are class notes or other study materials. Manav found it crucial to use new sources as value additions to his primary sources, rather than constantly switching between them.

Manav's optional subject, Sociology, was also a significant challenge during his first attempt, where he missed the interview by just one mark. He learned the importance of multiple revisions, creating concise notes with relevant thinkers and examples, and regular answer writing practice to excel in the optional subject.

Manav also highlights the importance of mental and physical health during the preparation process. He acknowledges that he experienced a poor mental state during this attempt due to various personal circumstances, and emphasizes the need to share problems with family, friends, and loved ones to maintain a healthy mindset. He also advocates the importance of stress relief activities and hobbies to maintain a balanced approach.

When to Start Preparation?

Manav believes that one should start preparation when they find the will and driving force to dive into the UPSC CSE journey. He suggests that aspirants can start their preparation during college, but cautions against missing the opportunities for personal growth that college life offers.

Timetable and Strategy

Manav emphasizes the importance of flexibility in one's timetable, as he believes that strict monotony can be detrimental. He encourages aspirants to set achievable goals and work towards them, while being adaptable to changing circumstances.

Regarding his strategy, Manav's approach was multifaceted:

Prelims GS

• Manav emphasizes the need for multiple revisions of all the Prelims GS subjects, accompanied by regular testing and analysis to understand one's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
• He stresses the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor during the Prelims examination and aiming to attempt around 90 (±5) questions, based on his experience.

CSAT

• For the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) paper, Manav recommends constant practice, especially for those who lack confidence in mathematics and reasoning.
• He suggests that it is not necessary to attempt all the questions, and that aiming for 50-55 questions with certainty is a more prudent approach than taking unnecessary risks.

Mains GS

• Manav emphasizes the criticality of answer writing practice for the Mains GS papers, along with studying topper's answers to understand the structure and demand of the questions.
• He suggests creating concise notes on data points, committee recommendations, and examples to enrich the answers.
• Regular newspaper reading during the three months leading up to the Mains examination is also highlighted as a crucial aspect of preparation.
• Manav stresses the importance of practicing ethics and essay writing, as they have emerged as game-changers in recent years.

Optional Subject

• In addition to the strategies mentioned earlier, Manav recommends referring to topper's copies to practice answer writing and incorporate value additions.
• He also suggests extensively using Google, AI, and other online resources to enhance one's understanding and performance in the optional subject.

Resources

Manav has compiled a comprehensive list of resources that he found valuable during his preparation:

• Current Affairs: Newspaper and Vision 365 (for both Prelims and Mains)
• Prelims:
  • Polity: Laxmikant
  • Geography: NCERTs, GC Leong, PMF IAS online resources, and YouTube videos
  • Economy: Mrunal sir's notes
  • Environment: Shankar IAS book
  • Modern History: Spectrum
  • Ancient and Medieval History: Old NCERTs
  • Art and Culture: Nitin Singhania and NCERTs
  • CSAT: PYQs, tests, and explanations from the internet
• Mains GS:
  • Along with the above Prelims resources, Manav used Sunya IAS Mains books for certain parts of GS, Anirudh Durishetty sir's essay notes, and Mudit Jain's Decode Ethics.
• Optional - Sociology:
  • Essential Sociology by Nitin Sangwan as the base
  • Vajiram class notes as value addition
  • Newspaper for current examples

Manav emphasizes the importance of peer support and family backing during his UPSC CSE journey. He acknowledges the invaluable contributions of his friends, who provided notes, checked his answers, and helped him maintain his sanity during the challenging times.

Manav's success in the UPSC CSE 2023 examination is a testament to his unwavering determination, strategic planning, and adaptability in the face of challenges. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants, highlighting the significance of a concrete vision, effective resource utilization, and a holistic approach to mental and physical well-being.