Nivedita R (AIR-572, CSE-21) Strategy

Nivedita R, a young civil services aspirant from Chennai, has recently cracked the coveted Civil Services Examination 2021 with an impressive All India Rank of 572. Her journey to this remarkable achievement has been a long and arduous one, marked by determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The Long and Winding Road

Nivedita's journey with the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) has been a true test of her perseverance and adaptability. Over the course of five attempts, she has learned valuable lessons that have shaped her approach and strategy. From her initial preparations for the Preliminary examinations to the rigorous Mains and the final Personality Test, Nivedita's story is a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of continuous learning.

Preliminary Lessons

Nivedita's experiences in the Preliminary examinations have taught her several valuable lessons. She has found that practicing previous year question papers (PYQs) extensively has helped her to familiarize herself with the UPSC's unique style of questioning and language. Additionally, Nivedita has recognized the importance of taking mock tests, as they have allowed her to identify her strengths and weaknesses, enabling her to fine-tune her preparation accordingly. Finally, she has emphasized the benefits of having a like-minded peer group, as their support and camaraderie have been invaluable throughout her journey.

Mains Strategies

As Nivedita progressed to the Mains examinations, she developed a multi-faceted approach to tackle the various components of the exam. She understood the importance of balancing her time and attention between the shorter 10-mark questions and the lengthier 15-mark ones, ensuring that she addressed both with equal rigor. In the General Studies (GS) papers, Nivedita found that a combination of case studies and theoretical questions required a delicate balance, which she mastered through practice and refinement. Importantly, Nivedita realized that focusing on the quality of her writing, rather than mere reading, was a key factor in her success.

Nivedita's strategies for the Mains examinations included:

• Meticulous note-making and micro-listing of concepts based on previous year question papers
• Regularly writing mock tests under exam-like conditions
• Identifying and memorizing keywords and best practices to make a lasting impression on the examiners
• Engaging in daily brainstorming sessions to structure her answers effectively
• Reverse-engineering questions from editorials to align with the syllabus

These strategies, coupled with the valuable feedback and guidance from her coaching institute, have enabled Nivedita to excel in the Mains examinations.

Optional Subject: Geography

Nivedita's choice of Geography as her optional subject has been a strategic move, as she recognized its potential to be a game-changer in her final selection. She has diligently focused on incorporating technical aspects, such as subject-specific terminologies, diagrams, facts, and charts, into her answers, understanding that this is a distinct departure from the General Studies papers.

Nivedita's approach to her optional subject has been multifaceted. She has meticulously curated Mudit Sir's handwritten notes along with her own notes, drawn from standard books and open-source resources. Her strategy has involved creating concise yet comprehensive notes on every single word in the syllabus, complemented by illustrations to cement her understanding. Additionally, she has engaged in a rigorous test series to fine-tune her approach and refine her answer-writing skills.

The Final Hurdle: Personality Test

The Personality Test (PT), or the interview stage, has been the final challenge for Nivedita. She has learned that being open-minded and maintaining a polite yet confident demeanor during the PT is crucial. Nivedita has understood that the panel does not seek a "yes-person," but rather someone who can engage in constructive discussions and articulate their views.

Nivedita's strategies for the Personality Test have included:

• Thorough preparation focusing on her Detailed Application Form (DAF) and issue-based discussions
• Engaging in one-on-one sessions and mock interviews to identify and address knowledge gaps
• Honing her communication skills and formal body language to create a positive impression

Importantly, Nivedita has emphasized the value of arriving in New Delhi a few days prior to the interview, allowing her to acclimatize to the local environment and be at her best during the final stage of the examination.

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

Throughout her journey, Nivedita has been grateful for the guidance and support provided by Mudit Jain, a Civil Services Examination expert. She has found his books, Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-A, Decode Ethics 4.0 Part-B, and Decode History 1.0, to be invaluable resources in her preparation for the General Studies papers, particularly GS1 and GS4.

Additionally, Nivedita has deeply appreciated Mudit Sir's comprehensive strategy posts on various stages of the examination, shared through his YouTube channel and Telegram channel. These resources have helped her identify focus areas in her Detailed Application Form (DAF) and prepare thoroughly for the Personality Test.

Nivedita's success story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from experiences. Her journey has been a true inspiration, and she hopes that her lessons and strategies will continue to guide and motivate future civil services aspirants on their own journeys to success.