Surbhi Goyal (AIR-78, CSE-21) GS-3 Strategy

Securing an All India Rank of 78 in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) on her third attempt is a remarkable achievement for Surbhi Goyal. Her dedication, strategic approach, and unwavering determination have earned her a coveted position in the prestigious Indian administrative service.

Surbhi's Journey to Success

Surbhi's journey to the top has been one of perseverance and continuous improvement. Despite facing the challenge of securing a top rank in her first two attempts, she remained undaunted and continued to refine her preparation strategies. Her third attempt proved to be the charm, as she secured an impressive All India Rank of 78 in the CSE-21 examination.

Throughout her preparation, Surbhi demonstrated a keen understanding of the examination's requirements and the ability to adapt her approach accordingly. Her strategic approach, attention to detail, and effective time management allowed her to excel in the various components of the examination, particularly in the General Studies (GS-3) paper, where she scored an impressive 98 marks.

Surbhi's GS-3 Strategy

Surbhi's GS-3 strategy was a well-crafted combination of utilizing diverse resources, leveraging subject-specific expertise, and honing her answer-writing skills.

Economics

For the economics section, Surbhi relied on the comprehensive lectures of Mrunal sir on Unacademy, which covered both the prelims and mains aspects of the subject. She also referred to the Vision value addition material and the Vision monthly magazines to stay up-to-date with current affairs. Whenever there were topics or previous year questions (PYQs) that were not adequately covered by these resources, Surbhi diligently researched and found the answers on various online platforms.

Environment and Security

In the environment and security domains, Surbhi turned to the Shankar book for prelims preparation and the Vision value addition material and Vision current affairs magazine for a comprehensive understanding of the topics.

Science and Technology

For the science and technology section, Surbhi utilized different strategies. For space developments, she referred to the ISRO website, which provided a wealth of information on the achievements and advancements in this field. For topics such as nanotechnology and robotics, she relied on the concise notes available in the Vision S&T Mains365 material. As always, the Vision current affairs magazine helped her stay updated on the latest developments.

Agriculture and Disaster Management

In the agriculture section, Surbhi drew upon the Human Geography NCERT textbook for crop-based questions, the Mrunal sir economic notes for agricultural schemes, and the Vision value addition material to cover any remaining topics. For disaster management, she found the basics covered in the Geography NCERT textbook for Class XI and selectively referred to the NDMA website for specific guidelines and recommendations.

Mastering the Art of Answer Writing

Surbhi's success in the GS-3 paper was not solely dependent on her subject knowledge but also on her well-crafted answer-writing approach. She diligently incorporated the following strategies into her answer-writing:

1. Factual Accuracy: Surbhi ensured that her answers were backed by concrete facts and figures, such as India's GDP target, the percentage of the population affected by naxalism, and the breakdown of air pollution sources.

2. Visualization: Surbhi effectively utilized maps, graphs, and charts to enhance the clarity and impact of her answers, particularly in areas like internal security, disaster management, environment, and agriculture.

3. Balanced Perspective: In her economics answers, Surbhi maintained a balanced approach, presenting both the positive and negative aspects of the trends and developments, supported by relevant data.

4. Leveraging Best Practices: Surbhi incorporated examples of best practices from various states and organizations, such as the Netherlands' water management strategies and Kerala's Suchitwa mission for plastic waste management, to strengthen her answers.

5. Strategic Use of Committees and Reforms: Surbhi strategically incorporated the names of relevant committees and reforms in her answers, demonstrating her understanding of the institutional and policy frameworks.

6. Alignment with Latest Surveys and Budgets: Surbhi ensured that her economics-related answers were in sync with the latest economic surveys and budgets, utilizing the appropriate keywords and concepts.

7. Holistic Approach: Surbhi's answers displayed a holistic understanding of the issues, incorporating elements from various sources, such as Niti Aayog's strategy for India @75 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to provide well-rounded and insightful conclusions.

Surbhi's remarkable performance in the GS-3 paper, coupled with her unwavering determination and strategic approach, has earned her a well-deserved All India Rank of 78 in the CSE-21 examination. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants, showcasing the power of perseverance, meticulous preparation, and the ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the Civil Services Examination.