Shaik Habeebulla, AIR-189 CSE-22 Prelims, CSAT, Mains & Anthropology

Shaik Habeebulla: Journey of a UPSC Topper

Amidst the competitive landscape of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, Shaik Habeebulla emerged as a shining star, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 189 in the 2022 edition of the exam. His journey, marked by determination, resilience, and a strategic approach, serves as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants.

Introduction

Habeebulla's path to success was not without its challenges. After two unsuccessful attempts at the UPSC Prelims, he finally cracked the coveted examination on his third try, securing a commendable score of 30+ in the cut-off. Undaunted by his initial setbacks, Habeebulla was determined to make his final attempt count, focusing on a meticulous preparation strategy that eventually led him to the coveted position of an UPSC topper.

Prelims Preparation

Habeebulla's approach to the Prelims stage underwent a significant transformation. Initially, he relied on a wide range of news sources, multiple websites, and random test series, but soon realized that this strategy was not yielding the desired results. In his third attempt, he made a conscious decision to restrict his preparation to basic books and NCERT resources, emphasizing the importance of thorough analysis of previous year question papers.

"Previous year question analysis: pyqs are very imperative in understanding the pattern of questions, themes repeating every year, logical deductions to make and many other. This should not confused by blind elimination tricks. Blindfold eliminations without intellectual guessing and knowledge will lead to devastation."

Habeebulla's strategy also included a wise use of test series, which he utilized to assess his subject knowledge rather than expecting similar questions in the actual paper. In the final 15 days leading up to the Prelims, he diligently solved previous year question papers from 2009 to 2021, ensuring that his mind was well-prepared for the examination.

CSAT Preparation

Coming from a biology background, Habeebulla found the Comprehension and Aptitude Test (CSAT) paper to be a formidable challenge. However, he developed a strategic approach that helped him excel in this section.

Targeted Attempts

Habeebulla focused on attempting around 38-45 questions, but with exceptional accuracy. In the 2022 examination, he attempted only 38 questions but scored near 80, emphasizing the importance of crossing the 66-mark threshold rather than aiming for a high number of attempted questions.

Passage-based Approach

Recognizing that only 6-7 passages in the CSAT paper are truly challenging and ambiguous, Habeebulla relied on the passage-based questions, which he practiced extensively. The remaining 20 passages, though mixed with tougher ones, were more manageable with proper preparation.

Time Management

Habeebulla emphasized the need to leave questions that were consuming more than 2-3 minutes, and instead move on to the next one. This strategy helped him maintain composure and avoid panic during the exam.

GS1 and GS2 Preparation

Habeebulla's approach to the General Studies (GS) papers was marked by an integrated preparation strategy, where he focused on writing answers specific to the subject asked. In GS1, he ensured that his geography answers were distinct from those related to environment or disaster management, even if the question was the same.

To enhance his GS2 preparation, Habeebulla made use of various resources, including note-making from diverse sources and the "Decode GS2" book by Mudit Jain, which helped him decode the nuances of this crucial paper.

Leveraging Visuals

Habeebulla understood the value of incorporating diagrams, timelines, maps, and other visual aids in his answers to make them more comprehensive and appealing to the evaluators.

Judicial Cases and Data

Compiling short notes on relevant judicial cases, committees, and data proved to be a valuable strategy for Habeebulla, as it allowed him to quickly revise and incorporate these elements into his answers during the examination.

GS4 (Ethics) Preparation

Habeebulla recognized that the Ethics paper required a distinct approach, one that emphasized a humanistic touch rather than a purely mechanical writing style. He relied extensively on the "Decode Ethics" book by Mudit Jain, which provided him with a comprehensive yet concise resource to navigate this challenging paper.

"Ethics paper needs to be understood differently from other gs papers. This paper needs an element of humanistic touch rather than mechanical writing."

Habeebulla's strategy included making short notes, revising them multiple times, and incorporating relevant examples from both newspaper sources and personal experiences to craft impactful answers.

Anthropology Preparation

Habeebulla's dedication to the Anthropology optional subject was evident in his meticulous preparation strategy. He sought to develop a clear understanding of each topic in the syllabus, drawing from various sources, including "Anthropology Simplified" and Mandar Patki's notes.

Thorough Practice

Habeebulla diligently solved previous year question papers from 2013 onwards, recognizing the importance of familiarizing himself with the recurring themes and patterns in the questions.

Comprehensive Approach

In his answers, Habeebulla ensured that he addressed the individual components of the syllabus, such as physical anthropology, archaeology, and tribal and Indian anthropology, using appropriate techniques like diagrams, timelines, and case studies.

Adaptability and Creativity

Habeebulla understood the need to go beyond the confines of his prepared material and explore the broader horizons of the Anthropology discipline. He was willing to incorporate current trends and diverse viewpoints in his answers, demonstrating his adaptability and creative problem-solving abilities.

Final Reflections

Habeebulla's journey to success was marked by a rollercoaster of emotions. Initial failures left him demoralized and self-doubting, but with the unwavering support of his family, friends, and mentors, he regained his confidence and self-belief. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a quality support network and maintaining a healthy daily routine, with gratitude and self-appreciation for even small accomplishments.

"Never compare with others. don't undermine yourself that you are not from a great institution or have a great career record. Finally what matters is how we handle the process of examination and sail through it."

Habeebulla's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic planning, and a positive mindset. His willingness to share his experiences and insights on his Instagram account further underscores his commitment to guiding fellow UPSC aspirants on their own journeys to success.