Vaibhav Rathore (CSE-23 AIR-717) Economics & Comprehensive Strategy

Introduction

Vaibhav Rathore: A Journey of Success

Vaibhav Rathore, a dedicated and hardworking individual, has achieved remarkable success in the realm of engineering and civil services. With a strong foundation in Mechanical Engineering from Bits Pilani Hyderabad Campus and a Master's in Economics from IIT Delhi, Vaibhav has demonstrated an exceptional ability to balance academic rigor with professional preparation. His journey in the civil services started with a focus on preparation for the CSE exam, where he achieved notable results in both his first and second attempts.

Key Achievements

• CSE-23 with AIR-717: Vaibhav cleared the CSE exam with a commendable All India Rank of 717 in his second attempt, with Economics as an optional subject.
• IES-23 with AIR-10: He also cleared the IES exam with an All India Rank of 10 in the same attempt, showcasing his versatility and dedication.

Preparation Timeline and Strategy

Commencement of Preparation

Vaibhav began his CSE preparation during his first year of MSc. This marked his second attempt and his first Mains and Interview. Unlike many aspirants, he did not opt for coaching for the General Studies (GS) section. Instead, he focused on Economics as an optional subject with the guidance of NextIAS under Vibhas Jha.

Challenges and Solutions

The process of balancing his MSc degree with CSE preparation was challenging due to time management constraints. However, Vaibhav's strategic approach ensured that he made the most of his time without compromising on the quality of his studies.

When to Start Preparation?

Importance of a Strong Backup Plan

Starting preparation early can be beneficial, but it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Some individuals prefer to gain work experience before diving into full-time preparation. Vaibhav suggests having a strong backup plan. For him, pursuing a Master's degree in Economics was a strategic backup plan that allowed him to prepare effectively for the CSE exam.

Timetable and Book List

Flexibility in Timetable

A flexible timetable is essential for an effective study routine. Vaibhav emphasizes the importance of qualitative completion of the syllabus over the quantity of study hours.

Recommended Books

Vaibhav's study material list includes essential texts for various subjects:

• Polity: Laxmikant
• Geography: NCERTs
• Economics: Vivek Singh
• Environment: PMF IAS
• Modern History: Spectrum
• Ancient History: Old NCERT
• Current Affairs: Vision PT 365 and Mains 365
• CSAT Strategy: Analyzed PYQs from 2021 and took a few full-length mock tests, no additional preparation was required.

Optional Strategy

Notes and Revision

For his economics optional, Vaibhav referred to class notes and crafted short notes, incorporating concepts from mocks and PYQs. He focused on revision and answer writing to enhance his performance in the optional section.

Paper-1: Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Vaibhav emphasized the importance of conceptual clarity in Paper-1. He practiced creating graphs and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of relevant economic models, including assumptions, criticisms, and empirical evidence. He also worked on numerical problems, particularly those related to IS-LM and market structures.

Paper-2: Connecting Theories and Factual Data

For Paper-2, Vaibhav connected theories from Paper-1 and enriched his answers with factual data, quotes from economists, and research findings. He prepared thoroughly for predictable topics and approached trend-related questions with caution. Keeping a fact sheet and short notes handy was crucial for his preparation.

Note Making

Importance of Self-Made Notes

Note making is an essential part of Vaibhav's study strategy. Self-made notes help significantly in the Mains examination as it is a written paper. They provide a quick reference and aid in retaining information more effectively.

PYQs and Answer Writing

Analyzing PYQs

PyQs analysis is crucial for understanding the trends and nature of questions asked by UPSC. Vaibhav found this particularly helpful for both Prelims and Mains. Some tricks gained from PYQs can still be relevant for Prelims, although their effectiveness has diminished over time.

Platforms for Answer Writing

Vaibhav used platforms like ConvertIAS for evaluating his answer writing skills, which provided valuable feedback and helped him improve his performance.

General Advice

Core Strengthening and Mocks

Vaibhav advises focusing on strengthening the core and strategic portions first rather than spending excessive time on CA. Solving mocks and analyzing mistakes is more beneficial than worrying about marks.

CSE-23 Topper Strategies

Top Performers and Their Strategies

Vaibhav shares insights into the strategies used by top performers in the CSE-23 exam:

1. Medha Anand: AIR-13, focused on a comprehensive approach.
2. Romel Bijalwan: AIR-353, with a strategic approach to Anthropology.
3. Samiksha Mhetre: AIR-302, a comprehensive strategy.
4. Aditya Hriday Upadhyay: AIR-416, mathematics and comprehensive strategy.
5. Prerna Singh: AIR-271, journey, learnings, and a comprehensive approach.
6. Abhinav Jain: AIR-35, journey and comprehensive strategy.
7. KN Chandana Jahnavi: AIR-50, selections and comprehensive strategy.
8. Rohit Sattawan: AIR-997, Prelims and Mains book list and FAQs.
9. Dr. Subhadharshini: AIR-83, motivational journey and FAQs.
10. Megha Dinesh: AIR-268, sociology and comprehensive strategy.
11. Anushka Karnwal: AIR-435, economics and comprehensive strategy.
12. Rajat Tripathi: AIR-515, FAQs.
13. Dr. Ritika Aima: AIR-33, journey and learnings.
14. Romit Bhatt: AIR-390, journey, FAQs, and history optional.
15. Anjali Thakur: AIR-43, sociology and comprehensive strategy.
16. Bidipto Sarkar: AIR-987, comprehensive strategy.
17. Apoorv Balpande: AIR-546, philosophy and comprehensive strategy.

Conclusion

Vaibhav Rathore's journey serves as a testament to dedication, strategic planning, and the importance of balancing academic pursuits with civil services preparation. His success story highlights the value of having a strong backup plan, a thoughtful study strategy, and consistent effort in achieving goals.