Pratik Mantri (AIR-252, CSE-21) Sociology Strategy
Hi All, Pratik Mantri cleared CSE-21 with AIR-252 in his 3rd Attempt. His optional is Sociology and he improved his score in Sociology from 195 in CSE-20 to 280 in CSE-21. Following is Pratik’s Sociology Strategy in his own words: Hello everyone, I am Pratik Mantri and I secured rank 252 in CSE 2021. To
Pratik Mantri's Journey to Success in UPSC CSE 2021
Introduction
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and coveted examinations in India. It requires immense dedication, perseverance, and strategic planning to crack this competitive exam. Pratik Mantri, a Polymer Engineering graduate from ICT Mumbai, is one such aspirant who has demonstrated exemplary determination and resilience in his journey to success in the UPSC CSE 2021.
Pratik's Background and Preparation Journey
Pratik Mantri had attempted the UPSC CSE a total of three times, with Sociology as his chosen optional subject. Despite facing challenges in his previous attempts, Pratik remained undeterred and continued to refine his preparation strategy, ultimately securing an impressive All India Rank of 252 in the UPSC CSE 2021.
Pratik's Performance in Previous Attempts
In his first attempt, Pratik's Sociology score was relatively poor, but he attributed this to the overall scaling down of optional scores that year. In his second attempt, his performance in the General Studies (GS) paper was above average, with a score of 400. However, his Sociology score declined from 233 to 195, which became a major reason for his non-selection.
Lessons Learned and Strategies Adopted
Undeterred by his previous setbacks, Pratik adopted a comprehensive approach to his preparation for the UPSC CSE 2021. He recognized the importance of a well-structured preparation plan and made several key changes to his strategy.
Pratik's Preparation Strategy
Coaching and Test Series
Pratik joined the Mahapatra Sir's batch at Vajiram and Ravi for his coaching needs. He also utilized the test series provided by Triumph IAS, Vision IAS, and Shankar IAS Academy to hone his answer-writing skills and get valuable feedback.
Booklist and Note-Making
Pratik relied on a well-curated set of books, including Haralambos (both blue and orange editions), Essential Sociology, and Vajiram class notes for Paper 1, and Essential Sociology, Tusharanshu sir's notes, and class notes for Paper 2. He also supplemented his preparation with online resources such as Sleepy Classes, Crash Course (YouTube channel), Thoughtco.com, and Yourarticlelibrary.
Pratik's note-making strategy involved organizing his notes according to the syllabus points and using Evernote to facilitate easy editing and revision.
Answer Writing and Time Management
Pratik placed a strong emphasis on improving his answer-writing skills. He started working on ethics, essay, and optional subjects even before the announcement of the UPSC CSE 2020 results, as he anticipated a negative outcome. This proactive approach allowed him to revise and condense his notes before the Prelims 2021 examination.
Pratik also focused on completing the Mains examination paper within the stipulated time. Initially, he was taking 20-25 minutes extra to complete the paper, but by the final attempt, he was able to finish the paper in 3 hours, including question selection and managing the time allocation.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and Sociological Keywords
Pratik extensively practiced the PYQs, especially those from 2013 onwards, by either writing the answers or creating mental structures. He also sought guidance from his friend, Adarsh Kant Shukla, who helped him refine and cross-link his answers.
Additionally, Pratik compiled a list of important sociological keywords and used them liberally in his answers to enhance the sociological touch.
Content Revision and Last-Minute Preparation
Pratik adopted a focused approach to content revision, striking out unnecessary information and consolidating his knowledge. He did not add any new sources between the Prelims and Mains examinations, relying solely on his own notes and the core books he had read earlier.
In the final weeks before the Mains examination, Pratik prepared concise revision notes, focusing on the most important and volatile topics to ensure he did not forget crucial information during the exam.
Answer Structure and Presentation
Pratik paid close attention to the structure and presentation of his answers. He reduced the length of introductions, ensuring they were relevant and included at least one relevant thinker or definition. In the body of the answers, he preferred writing in points with 3-4 lines, aiming for substantiation rather than just listing more points.
Pratik also made conscious efforts to cross-link concepts from Paper 1 and Paper 2, and to incorporate current affairs and case studies to strengthen his answers.
Conclusion
Pratik Mantri's journey to success in the UPSC CSE 2021 is a testament to his unwavering determination, strategic planning, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. By learning from his past experiences, adopting a comprehensive preparation approach, and focusing on the fundamentals of answer writing, Pratik was able to achieve a remarkable improvement in his Sociology score, from 195 in the previous attempt to 280 in the UPSC CSE 2021.
Pratik's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants, highlighting the importance of persistent effort, effective time management, and a willingness to continuously refine one's preparation strategy. His success is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset and a well-executed plan, even the most challenging goals can be achieved.