Mehak Jain, AIR 17 : Notes and Strategy

https://www.instagram.com/stories/mehakjain_ias/3533968236419027990?igsh=aGh0c2hic3E5ZTk0

Most beautiful lion sighting ever! 🦁

FAQ : PYQs

PYQs are like a window to the priorities of UPSC. They help you understand the broad themes from which UPSC tends to ask questions repetitively and also gives you the most authentic mock test possible. So here are my two cents on dealing with PYQs :

1. Last 10 year's PYQs are an absolute must. For static subjects like history, geography etc., go as far back as possible. I did it from around 1995 for all the subjects using Arihant compilation.

2. There are two broad approaches for practicing PYQs :
a. Subjectwise - Read a particular subject, say Polity and then attempt all the PYQs of polity. This can only be done after you have completed reading a subject as I don't think topicwise questions are available in the market.
b. Yearwise - In this case, you have to solve PYQs as a full length test with mix of questions from all the subjects.
Now there is no right or wrong approach in this. You can cover them whichever way you like. For people with their first attempt, subject wise approach is more feasible. In subsequent attempts, you can solve them yearwise.

3. For people who have already solved UPSC CSE prelims questions very many times, you can also cover PYQs of other exams like CDS (not advisable until you have thoroughly and sufficiently covered UPSC CSE)

4. From where to practice? Compilations (for subjectwise), UPSC website (yearwise). Some institutes also offer PYQs as mocks and can also try solving them on various telegram channels for the same purpose.

5. How to utilize PYQs?
a. To find out repetitive themes and prepare short notes on them.
b. To work out your own elimination strategy. Can checkout this playlist for the same. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHMQXK8QZSo&list=PLFrAJkEb21Aw-F1VhLk9b1LstQh4zeU_R)
c. If there is any topic that has featured in PYQs but you had not read it in course of your preparation, do a quick Google search. If it's a technical subject/process, watch 2-3 short videos on it (3-5mins Wali, not necessarily by coaching institutes). Else, just readfirst 2 paragraphs on wiki. If it's about a govt programme, go to it's official page and read the 'About Us' section.
Remember, the idea is not to know everything about that topic but just to have a functional knowledge so that you're able to eliminate and arrive at the answer based on your limited awareness on the topic.

One last thing, PYQs are non negotiable part of the preparation. There are no shortcuts to it, you have to sit and solve them on your own. Take all the help you need in this process - from YouTube, coachings, mentors or do it yourself, but DO IT. Unfailingly.

Best wishes!🫶🏻

New hobby alert🧶

Ethics FAQs

1. From where to start?
Discussed here - https://t.me/mehak_jainAIR17/10

2. Quote based Questions
Take them as Mini essays. A quick introduction which comprised of what I understood from the quote (for complex/long quotes which needed some decoding) or its present relevance (if it’s a simple, commonly known quote).

Then you can open up some dimensions as to what the quote means in different contexts, it’s importance, what are some of the challenges in bringing it to life and lastly, how it contributes to some larger goal (can relate it to some ethical philosophy or some practical, tangible goal for individual/society/ country. Towards the end, you can decide the flip side of the quote.

A few samples (apart from my test series answers) - https://t.me/mehak_jainAIR17/288

3. Time management
Considering Ethics is a lengthy paper, you should devise your own way of attempting the paper so that you’re able to complete it.

What I did was - https://t.me/mehak_jainAIR17/11

4. Not able to write answers?
Read some basic sources (any exam oriented material available in the market). Develop an understanding of the subject. Refer to topper copies. Now you’re good to go. In your subsequent readings, you can make your own short notes (if you so wish) and update/upgrade these notes on the go.

If you’re not able to write even after doing all this, it’s just fear of answer writing at best. Don’t be afraid to write a ‘bad answer’. Everybody starts that way. And others have already written their first bad answer, so hurry up!

5. How many points/dimensions in answers?
A 10 marker warrants at least 5-6 points. Consider each ‘element’ of your answer to be of 1 mark. So introduction, conclusion, 6 points, 1 value add element gives you a total of 10. Plan your answer accordingly.

However, there can never be just one way to go about writing subjective answers, more so in ethics. So some questions would demand you to write 10 points, while in others 3-4 points will suffice. Be smart enough to judge this. (Comes with practice of reading and writing multiple answers).

https://www.instagram.com/stories/mehakjain_ias/3523653983925826329?igsh=Y2I2ajVsaGVoZDB3

The frequency of my artwork is directly proportional to the number of free weekends I get❤️😅

Dream big, because dreams do come true! ✨

Historic!

“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”

The best doc I found and recommend to Sherlocking Students for Art & Culture revision!

Make good use of it!

PS: Nothing exam worthy in today’s newspaper.

For any other followup query, can sync at 4PM
https://t.me/Neil_You/2233

@UPSCneil

GS fodder

Extremely unfortunate. May his soul rest in peace🙏🏻

https://theprint.in/opinion/narayana-murthy-upsc-lbsnaa-dont-need-corporates/2373864/


Another viewpoint ☕️

Celebrating 75 years of our democratic foundation.

As aspiring & future officers, all of you have a special responsibility to not only cram, but also understand the spirit. While most of our neighbours crumbled socially, economically & politically post independence, it was this edifice that provided stability and prosperity.

Hopefully state and the citizenry, aka “We the People”, will continue to uphold the document for years to come realise the dreams of the visionary constitution makers.

@UPSCneil

And gaze at the stars and do crocheting and have my own organic garden and watch all the documentaries and paint and love and dance and

The ultimate goal fr🎈

Happy diwali everyone ❤️✨🪔

As you grow up, you realize the most beautiful part of festivals isn’t the food, the dress-ups, or the gifts and greetings —it’s the feeling of coming home. 🎈✨

🪔 ✨🧨🙏🏻

https://youtu.be/or5P0yDLFss?si=Zlm7KGwcwzqWZtGB

Snippet from IFoS History but highly relevant for UPSC and PCS Mains too!

🌊

https://www.instagram.com/stories/mehakjain_ias/3471630769757296986?igsh=MW5nb3RhbzJzZnNl


नवरात्रि की शुभकामनाएँ❤️🙏🏻

May the spirit of truth and non-violence stay with all of us🙏🏻

सबसे क्षमा, सबको क्षमा। 🙏🏻

Good luck! ✨

GS1 Mains 2024 Analysis:

https://youtu.be/fNLTXoXPI30?si=QqXHGK7E2BK0LL8b

Interesting paper!

LAST MINUTE ESSAY TIPS

1. Expect a few surprises and don’t let it perturb you. The only focus should be on doing your best in those changed circumstances.
Calmness = Marks!
If you are able to calm your nerves when others might be feeling jittery, you’re halfway there.

2. While choosing the topic, familiarity trumps perceived importance. If you know and understand a topic well, choose it over the ‘popular’ ones.

3. Begin with a captivating introduction and conclude with an a strong, emotive ending!

4. Throughout your body, keep circling back to your core theme. Tackle the subject from diverse perspectives, but stay on track.

5. A balanced approach shows your mature thought process. You have to be mindful of all the stakeholders and all the constraints, so don’t be too idealistic in your way forward. The conclusion however, can be visionary.

6. Simple language can convey deep insights. Avoid too many jargons, clarity is the real beauty.

7. If time permits, proofread your essay. Spelling and grammatical errors can dampen the sheen of your essay, so either avoid or correct towards the end.

Best of luck to all! Let your pen weave magic tomorrow✨

Meanwhile 🥲

Hello people!

I know exactly where you are right now - staring at the calendar, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety as the Mains exam is fast approaching.

First, take a deep breath. You've worked incredibly hard to get here. Trust that preparation. At this point, your mindset is everything.

Here's what I want you to focus on:

1. Believe in yourself. You know more than you think you do. Confidence isn't just about knowing everything; it's about trusting your ability to handle whatever comes your way.

2. In these last hours, don't try to cram new information. Instead, revisit your strengths. Skim through topics you're comfortable with. This will boost your confidence.

3. Prioritize rest over last-minute studying. A clear, rested mind will serve you far better than a few extra hours of frantic revision.

4. When you're writing, focus on clarity and structure rather than word count. A well-organized answer always stands out.

5. If you encounter a difficult question, don't panic. Move on and come back to it later if time allows. Your energy is better spent on questions you can answer confidently.

Lastly, know that this exam doesn't define you. It's an important step, yes, but it's just one part of your journey. Give it your best, but don't let it overwhelm you.

Rooting for you, always!

Don’t let the need to win drain you of your power!

#Mains24

Sherlocking Mains GS3 CA Doc.

It’s very crisp, to the point and readily usable even if referred 3-4days before the exam.

I’m sure you’ll make great use of this. Wishes.

@UPSCneil

The much anticipated Sherlocking Mains CA Doc is available now.

This has been created to ensure that you can readily use this in your answers.

I’m sure you’ll make great use of this. GS1 and GS3 to be out soon.

Wishes

@UPSCneil

🎭