Megha Dinesh (CSE-23 AIR-268) Sociology & Comprehensive Strategy

Megha Dinesh, hailing from Kozhikode, Kerala, and brought up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, secured the AIR 268 rank in the UPSC CSE 2023, with Sociology as her optional subject. This post details her strategic approach to the examination, drawing from her personal experiences and the insights she gained from various resources. Megha aims to share her strategies, hoping to guide others who may benefit from her journey.

Background and Journey

Megha Dinesh, an engineering graduate from Bhopal, tackled the UPSC CSE exam thrice. Her first attempt was just three months into preparation, which she didn’t anticipate clearing. Her second attempt in 2021 was more rigorous but didn’t clear the prelims. However, she was determined to give it one more go.

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Megha prioritized self-study and online resources over coaching and peer groups. She found an anonymous competitor’s example as motivation, pushing her daily to improve. Despite relying on self-study, she acknowledged the role of mentors who provided guidance and coaching materials.

General Strategy

Megha compiled a detailed strategy after studying various toppers’ approaches. She focused on the syllabus, PYQs, NCERTs, and a curated booklist, supplementing these with coaching notes and current affairs.

The Syllabus

Understanding the syllabus thoroughly was key for Megha. This helped her identify what to prepare and avoid being overwhelmed by the vast content available from coaching institutes.

PYQs

Practicing PYQs consistently was crucial for Megha. She analyzed each question and its options to ensure she could answer any related question. This not only helped in prelims but also in mains.

NCERTs

NCERTs laid the foundation for her preparation. They were revisited multiple times to reinforce her understanding of fundamental concepts.

Booklist

Megha relied on basic books like Laxmikanth, Spectrum, Sankarganesh, and Decode Ethics. She supplemented these with her coaching notes, online resources, and current affairs.

Prelims

Prelims were the most challenging part for Megha. She dedicated extensive time to this section, aiming to tackle her fears from previous attempts.

PYQs and Basic Books

Megha performed multiple iterations of PYQs and revised her basic books extensively. This approach helped her avoid losing marks in static questions.

Mock Tests

Regular mock tests were a vital part of her strategy. After each mock, she analyzed her performance, identified weak areas, and revised those topics. She also ensured to revise all mocks twice before the prelims.

Time Management

Devoting 2–2.5 months exclusively to prelims preparation allowed her to get into the right rhythm. Simulated mock tests during the same timings helped in maintaining consistency.

CSAT

Megha didn’t take CSAT lightly. She prepared topic-wise and mastered the art of answering different types of questions. She was confident but found the paper challenging, nonetheless.

Mains

Mains preparation involved extensive practice in writing comprehensive answers. Megha read toppers’ answer copies, noted key points, and practiced extensively.

Note Making

Preparing concise notes for each topic was essential. She ensured her notes were brief yet comprehensive for multiple revisions.

PYQs and Mocks

Practicing PYQs and full-length mocks in a simulated environment were crucial. Megha took feedback from mentors to improve her answers.

Keywords and Structure

She prepared keywords, short notes, introductions, conclusions, and value additions for each topic. This ensured her answers were well-structured and covered all necessary points.

Sociology

Initially, Megha found sociology challenging due to her engineering background. However, her dedication to online resources and later collaboration with SwarajIAS helped her improve her answer writing skills.

First Reading

The first reading was dedicated to understanding each topic thoroughly.

Notes and PYQs

In the next reading phase, she made notes and analyzed PYQs from 2013 to 2022. This helped her identify repeated questions and their patterns.

Paper 1 and 2 Together

Preparing similar topics for Paper 1 and 2 together gave her a comprehensive understanding. For instance, topics like Kinship and Religion were covered together.

Quoting Thinkers and Examples

Including relevant thinkers, examples, and theories in her answers enhanced the quality of her responses.

Personality Test

The personality test phase was an interesting aspect of Megha’s preparation. She was guided by several mentors who helped her refine her DAF and interview skills.

DAF Preparation

Preparing her DAF thoroughly and seeking mentors’ help was crucial. She also did a 360-degree analysis of her DAF and prepared extensive notes.

News and Mocks

Reading multiple newspapers and watching news and debates helped her stay informed and confident. Mock interviews further bolstered her preparation and reduced her fear of the interview.

Mentorship and Support

Megha was guided by several civil servants during her interview preparation. Her family also played a significant role, providing her with a conducive environment and constant support.

Conclusion

UPSC preparation is a marathon of dedication, hard work, and patience. Megha’s success story is a testament to the power of consistent effort and strategic planning. Despite facing setbacks, she remained determined and eventually secured a commendable rank.