Surbhi Goyal (AIR-78, CSE-21) GS-2 Strategy

Surbhi Goyal's Journey to Secure AIR-78 in CSE-21 on Her 3rd Attempt

Surbhi Goyal, a dedicated and hardworking individual, secured the impressive rank of AIR-78 in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021 on her third attempt. Her journey to this remarkable achievement showcases the power of perseverance, strategic planning, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Surbhi's Impressive Performance in GS-2

One of the highlights of Surbhi's success was her stellar performance in the GS-2 paper, where she scored an impressive 125 marks. This accomplishment is a testament to her meticulous preparation and strategic approach to the examination. In this section, Surbhi shares her GS-2 strategy, which can serve as a valuable guide for aspiring civil servants.

Booklist and Resources

Surbhi's preparation for the GS-2 paper was guided by a comprehensive booklist and a range of resources. She relied on the following sources:

1. Polity: M. Laxmikant's book (also for Prelims) and the 2nd ARC report number 6.
2. Governance: 2nd ARC Reports (4, 9, 10, 11, 12) and Vision IAS value addition material.
3. Social Justice: Vision IAS value addition material and NITI Aayog's 3-year action agenda (selectively as per the syllabus).
4. International Relations: Vision IAS Mains 365.
5. Shubra Ranjan Booklets: An excellent source to develop analytical capacity and critical discussion in answers.
6. Current Affairs: Vision IAS monthly magazines and The Hindu editorials.

These resources, combined with Surbhi's diligent study and analytical approach, helped her excel in the GS-2 paper.

Strategies for Writing Answers

Surbhi's GS-2 strategy emphasizes the importance of a structured and analytical approach to answering questions. Here are some of the key elements of her strategy:

• Begin Polity Answers with Constitutional Articles: For example, if the question is on Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), Surbhi would start by mentioning Articles 38-51 in Part IV of the Constitution.
• Incorporate Relevant Judgments and Committees: Surbhi made it a point to include important judgments, such as the Prakash Singh judgment on police reforms, and relevant committees, like the Dinesh Goswami Committee for election reforms, to enrich her answers.
• Utilize Facts, Figures, and Visualizations: Surbhi incorporated relevant facts, figures, and visual representations (e.g., graphs, maps) to support her arguments and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues.
• Balanced and Analytical Approach: In her polity answers, Surbhi maintained a balanced perspective, discussing both the positive and negative aspects of the topic at hand. She also aimed to provide analytical rather than purely theoretical answers.
• Historical Context in IR Answers: When answering questions on international relations, Surbhi tried to provide historical context to help the examiner better understand the evolving dynamics between nations.
• Multidimensional Approach to IR: Surbhi ensured that her IR answers covered various dimensions, such as defense, technology, economics, politics, and strategy, as suggested in the Vision Mains 365 resource.
• Incorporation of Quotes and Case Studies: Surbhi occasionally used relevant quotes, such as the one by Justice Indu Malhotra on gender diversity in the judiciary, to strengthen her answers. She also included case studies and examples, particularly in the Governance section, to illustrate key points.

By employing these strategies, Surbhi was able to craft comprehensive and analytical answers that impressed the examiners and contributed to her impressive performance in the GS-2 paper.

Leveraging Additional Resources

To further enhance her preparation, Surbhi also utilized a range of additional resources, including valuable notes and material from Mudit Jain, a Civil Services Examination (CSE) expert. These resources, which are available through Mudit Jain's Decode Civils Telegram Group and various online platforms, provide in-depth insights and guidance on various aspects of the UPSC examination.

Surbhi's success in the UPSC CSE 2021 examination is a testament to her unwavering commitment, strategic planning, and effective utilization of a diverse range of resources. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants, demonstrating that with dedication, a well-crafted approach, and the right guidance, success in this highly competitive examination is within reach.