Hi, I am Dhananjay Singh Yadav. I got Rank 95 in UPSC CSE 2018. This was my first attempt. My optional was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR). I took the civil services exam to get into Indian Foreign Service.
I graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in 2014. I worked for 3 years with Reckitt Benckiser, a British consumer goods company, in sales and marketing. I worked there till June 2017 and quit to prepare for Civil Services Exam 2018.
I decided to prepare from home, utilising the abundant resources available online. In this journey, blogs and articles of people who took this exam before me were immensely helpful. Advice of people who could clear this exam, or not, both were important in helping me figure out my plan of action. I am putting together the pieces of my 22 months of preparation here, hoping someone somewhere finds this of use.
A word to the wise: There’s no one definite approach to this exam, everyone has to find their own method in this madness. This also means no can “guide” you. Somebody else’s strategy might not work for you. You will have to assess your own strengths and weaknesses, and as heartless as it may sound, figure your way out on your own. You cannot clear by hoping to be spoon fed. There’s significant trial and error involved, and whoever’s strategy you might be reading can only detail their own.
I have cleared this exam but not suddenly gained insights that people who didn’t make it are not privy to. I do not know what worked for me. I would have been as clueless about my strategy being right or wrong if I hadn’t cleared. All I can do is detail out everything I did during this prep.
Ernest Hemingway – “It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.”
Knowing the unpredictability of this journey, I believed that hard work will make me luckier. Beyond that is intricacies of working of the cosmos. Maybe the babaji who accosted my mother many moons ago for Rs. 100, with an unsolicited prophesy that her son will become adhikaari, really set things in motion.
x
The name of this blog – English, Agastya – comes from the novel “English, August” by Upamanyu Chatterjee. Inception of the idea of taking civil services exam took place with my reading of the said novel in 2016.
My mark sheet for both prelims and mains is attached here. I have talked about DAF here.
Comment here or reach out to me on Twitter for any doubt that you might have. I might take weeks to reply but I try my best to reply to relevant questions that I have not covered here already for things other than the exam.
UPDATE 8/Aug/20: Next week I leave for Taiwan for next 2 years to learn Chinese. I will not have the time to respond to comments here (I type this out while taking a break from my inspection of expiry date of an unhealthy number of packets of poha that just got delivered). It’s also the right time to let the more worthy 2020 batch take over and share their experiences.
Someone let me talk on the camera for more than 5 minutes, and this was the result: https://youtu.be/8IcvfKRxqUY
If you have recently heard of the UPSC CSE and are wondering what this exam is all about and Wikipedia hasn’t helped, I have written a short note here.
English, Agastya 
Hello Sir, I just ordered mam’s notes. What should be the approach to read it first and also for subsequent iterations ..?
Thanks for your time.
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I guess the books would be numbered, just follow the default sequence
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Sir, is it advisable to start our prep for 2021 with mains in focus by covering world history, GS 4 and topics which are meant for main and gradually moving towards GS 2 and GS 3 by completing them till Jan/Feb and start exclusive prep for prelims. I am aware that toppers say we should start preparing in an integrated way for pre and mains. Shall we prepare for mains by following a test series for main and attempting those tests as soon as we complete that topic. But I am afraid of clearing prelims if I focus more on mains, coming from a rural are and not being from a great college and being an average student.
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Not advisable, but you do you 🙂 You can’t hope to prepare for mains directly, there’s a reason prelims is the first stage and the path to mains goes via prelims. Prepare for prelims and mains simultaneously.
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Hello Sir, I am a post-graduate in Geography and I’m planning for UPSC-CSE 2021. My optional will be geography only, but I have seen very less arts background students cracking the geography optional (observed in topper videos). As, optional is quite important and game-changer in mains, can this approach work if I take Optional for an eight months period, with taking small targets and revising them rigorously parallel to the General Studies?
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Yeah I’m sure it is the best strategy to manage GS and optional simultaneously
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Hello sir, is there any( studies in abroad) options is available in IFS service ,can u explain this sir..
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Click to access Revised_AIS_Rule_Vol_I_Rule_05.pdf
Click to access ccs_leave_rules_0.pdf
You can study go and study abroad: provided you secure admission, get approval from powers that be, convince government that they should pay for it / get scholarship or aid, etcetera
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Thank you so much sir..
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Hi sir,
What is your recommendation on how to practice daily answer writing.
1. Which are good sites to refer?
2. Where can one check/verify the strength of an answer?
3. How long would it be recommended to practice daily answer writing?
4. With regards to PSIR optional, how many test series should one write before attempting the mains exam?
5. Did choosing the IFS as your first preference affect the nature of questions asked in the personal interview round ?(P.S. it’s my first preference as well)
Good luck with your career and I hope to work with you in the future.
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1. I don’t have a recommendation here. I don’t particularly like the quality of questions put up by websites for daily answer writing. Exhaust past papers question first, if need be try identifying and attempting some quality questions off daily answer writing.
2. If you’re on your own, (a) cross check if you missed any major point (b) flow chart/diagram (if deemed necessary) and intro-body-conclusion are followed (c) time, build on speed as you progress further
3. Depends. Some people can pick it up in one month, some might do it for over a year and still not write a good answer. But remember you only have to be better than others
4. I guess one should be fine. None have also worked for people 😂
5. Yes it did for me. But it’s not a given, they might just not care.
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how were you getting the notes printed from Onenote. it’s hard to guess the page size (hence, some images and diagrams getting split) unlike, say, Word. did you copy it all in word first and readjust accordingly?
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I was not printing notes. I only exported them to PDF to upload here on this blog.
OneNote on Windows/mobile will rescale to page size you want to print. OneNote on Mac has this split issue.
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It’s really helpful for me and very informative
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Can you list few topics that you prepared for mains that have a High probability of coming every year. Like- healthcare, ppp, water sharing etc. I heard Vikram Grewal sir’s talk and he pointed out that it’s good to prepare overarching topics for mains that always come.
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Do not chase any list of high probability topics. If you prepare well for the entire syllabus of the exam (which is what you should be focused on) you will be well placed to answer anything UPSC throws your way.
And yeah VG is right, and these overarching topics you can figure out if you read through last 5-6 years of past papers. Some topics such as e-governance, globalisation, vulnerable groups etc are eternal favourites.
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Sir upsc in prelims and mains asks questions from past 1-1.5 years of current affairs. However, it aslo asks questions from contemporary issues of past 3-5 years like Acts, conflicts, treaties etc. Attempting these questions is especially imp for mains.
Firstly, how can one guess these topics? Do coaching provide material or these contemporary topics or are related to current affairs itself. How to identify them?
Secondly, have your notes covered these past 4/5 years acts and issue related to environmental, security, space etc?
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-Sir from which sources have you prepared your notes for security, space, science and technology and environment?
Also do these notes contain current affairs or are current affairs filed entirely separately ?
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Don’t remember exact sources, but Insights and a lot of googling. Whatever I thought was important was added in notes.
These notes contain current affairs.
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Sir you didn’t use any static source ( book/ coaching notes) for topics like- space, technology, environment, land reforms?
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Whatever I have done, it’s specified under General Studies. Space and technology: current affairs mostly; Environment: Shankar + current affairs; Land reforms: someone else’s notes
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Prepare 1.5 years of current affairs, if anything is outside of it then there’s not much that can/should be done about it. Moreover, following 1.5 years of current affairs would anyway cover many years of acts, bill, etc etc somehow
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Sir, you have mentioned that you used to crop down relevant articles from insight to 30-40% of their actual length. I have been trying to follow this but failed miserably since past few months. Please can you show an example of how this can be done on any article ? I know that taking out the time might be difficult for you but it will help me a lot.
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https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/06/22/garib-kalyan-rojgar-abhiyaan-launched/
Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan
(a) to meet the immediate requirement of workers who have gone back to their districts which cover 2/3 of returning migrants
(b) focused campaign of 125 days across 116 districts in 6 states
(c) 25 types of public works worth 50,000 crore rupees
(d) implemented through common service centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, coordinated by 12 ministries
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Thankyou so much sir
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Hi Sir,
How did you like the Feedback from Insights Mains Test series? Was the one on one mentorship helpful?
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I saw the marks, read the comments, and forgot about it. Don’t think they were offering one-on-one mentorship (or maybe I didn’t subscribe) when I took the mains test series
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How does one ask you out?
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Hello sir ,you missed his ncert 11 in notes . Isn’t is important sir
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It’s mostly world history which is not part of prelims syllabus. Doesn’t require intensive reading hence I didn’t make much notes from class 9-11 ncert history
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Hi Dhananjay,
I am unable to open your notes on my onenote app. i dont have a stable internet connection at home and have to come to library to download the material. If you could make them accessible to other people with onenote application it will be great. At this point i can only access them on the browser and have to stay connected to the internet if I want to move over to the next notebook. Other than that I really like your notes. Well done.
Regards,
D
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https://englishagastya.home.blog/notes/
Read the 31/May/19 update
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Thanks man! You’re the champ
– D
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Thanks for providing such a nice post. I love this article
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Sir, when one should start revision? as I started studying my optional/GS in June 2020, should I revise after completion of one particular topic or after completion of the whole optional/GS syllabus?
(Preparing for UPSC CSE 2021)
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Mini revisions weekly and monthly. Once you finish the syllabus, then 2 months for first full revision and try to squeeze two more in 30-45 days. That’s what I remember doing
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Thank you, sir.
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Thank you, sir.
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Sir ,can you please suggest your way of preparing current affairs because when you said pib and other such tedious indulgments are not necessary, it was kind of relief but how should I prepare ,or how how you prepared for this dynamic thing ..???
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Insights (or any other daily compilation) covers all the important news from PIB etc as well
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Sir, I had a confusion regarding my ancient and medieval history sources. Are Tamil Nadu history books and class 12 ncerts( themes in Indian history) sufficient to nail this section. Even if I don’t do Rs Sharma and Satish Chandra?
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Hahaha nothing would seem sufficient to nail this section. I stand by new 6-12 History NCERTs and TN class 11 & 12.
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Taking the risk of not reading RS Sharma and Satish Chandra even though I’ve read them both once. They seem like a novel which I don’t want to read again. 😂
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Your ncert notes are amazing. Like one can go through them for last minute revisions, great understanding of the concepts and that you seriously took time to read those ncerts and take notes from them, is clearly visible.
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Sir did u followed insight test series timetable or made your own? And as i selected my booklist should i follow mine or insights ?? Also I’m working professional it is difficult to follow 6-12 Ncert ?
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1. I have already mentioned it – I followed their’s to a great extent and then made my own
2. Same as above
3. Breeze through quickly, they help in making great foundation. 6-8 class books are inane mostly but prelims questions can pop up from there
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Hello sir,
I am aiming for upsc cse 2021.I know i have started late, but anyhow, i am also a working professional, and for some reason I cannot quit my current job. But at the same I also want to crack this exam in this 1 year duration. Is it possible?!
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People do clear it while working full time, I’m sure it’s possible
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Hi sir!
I am in this IAS v/s IFS dilemma.
I belong to a middle class family, with my family and relatives hoping that I’ll become an IAS (specifically) one day. I just completed my B. Tech. from one of the IITs. I live in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
However, Diplomacy (specifically, international trade and political aspects) attract me much more than the administrative business of an IAS.
But then, I owe a lot to my family and relatives. They have done a lot for me in my past successes and supported me whenever I failed. And most of them need some sort of help, since we are not ‘filthy’ rich.
Me becoming an IAS will help solve a lot of those problems, as the nuisance value attached to an IAS is great. However, I really don’t know if I could say the same about IFS.
I really do not care about the ‘Mai Baap’ respect an IAS gets. But the only thing that bothers me is that would I be able to help my near-ones when they need me (to get better job opportunities/ better education opportunities/ solving their land disputes etc.)? Because I’d feel really bad in case they ask me to help and I fail to do that, knowing the contributions they’ve made to my life.
Honestly, I am inclined towards IFS, but then I cannot disappoint my best people when they need me the most.
Please help me out to sort out this dilemma.
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I’m trying to write what I’m thinking but the right set of words (and language) is eluding me.
Getting into IAS will not get you magical powers which can then help you help your near and dear ones. Everything in the government happens through rules and regulations so that exercise of authority by an officer is objective and impartial. However, there are discretionary powers as well which are given to serve the interests of the general public (my broad understanding of the posts that an IAS officer holds because honestly I never bothered finding out). You being in the absolutely fortunate time and space to have the said discretionary powers to help the specific people you want to help are, so to speak, not very bright. However, as part of the government you can hope to count on your new professional (and personal) network to ensure fair treatment of people you care for.
I will leave the service preference to your good judgment.
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Sir I am little confused about my future strategy. I gave my max time to PSIR in last yr upto Nov. 2019. And started directly for prelims. As I had already read NCERTs I turned towards basic books like Laxmikant, Spectrum,K. Shankar Ganesh, Geo NCERTs etc and kept revising with news paper reading. From March onwards I took Vision pt material with static revision and topicwise questions solving and skipped newspaper. I have completed current and revising it. Due to extension of exam I have got more time but I am feeling less confident as I have not taken any special Efforts like answer writing. So though I am studying I am afraid of exam and my late solving of comprehensive papers and couldn’t performing well in it adding my apprehensions whether am I going in right direction or not . Please give me some suggestions.
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sir from which month did you start preparing for upsc ? have you done optional and prelims preparation simultaneously . what was the timeline of your strategy
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1. June 2017
2. No, I prepared for optional after prelims
3. Detailed timeline you can gather by reading the blog please
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1. Don’t worry about answer writing. There will be time after prelims. If you want to start anyway, write 1-2 answers a day from UPSC past papers (caveat being that first month of answer writing is very demotivating)
2. Don’t doubt your strategy for now, continue doing whatever you have done till prelims gets over. Revise all that you have read and take prelims mocks to stay sharp.
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Thank u sir . I will continue on my track with Belief. 🙂
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Which current affair is best sir I am confused please help me
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There is no best. Pick one and live with it (I have already written about what I read)
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Namaskaram sir, I want to ask, is it fine if we prepare essay after prelims
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Everything is fine (depending on how good your writing skills have been till date, and whether you can handle the added pressure of preparing Essay after prelims along with GS and optional papers the preparation of which would be in shambles anyway, and you would be panicking beyond reason for one paper which could fetch you valuable marks that could make or break your attempt or keep you in this cycle of preparation, while you are left wondering if you had just started preparing Essay from the day you decided to take this exam)
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Sir, how many topics or chapters should we complete in a day for Laxmikant, so that we retain it too rather than just reading? And how much should be the sufficient time to complete 1st and 2nd reading?
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Depends on your reading and retention ability.
I had picked it up only after 4-5 months of otherwise normal prep so I had things in context by following NCERTs and current affairs. Still I took leisurely six weeks; devoting twenty hours a week. Further reading kept cutting the time into half.
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Sir, I was going through your Geography NCERT notes and found that there aren’t any notes on class 12th geography (India People and economy). Did you skip that book or did not make notes from it?
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Skimmed through it without notes, there’s not much in it tbh
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There are times when you reach your saturation limit and are not able to study any further, you think of taking a break and watching a TV show etc but there is a constant guilt of not studying and you end up overthinking. Later when you get back to study, you felt tired or over burdened with the information overload.
Did you experience such situations and if yes then what did you do to overcome it and regain your concentration on studying??
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All the time. Rarely I’ll guilt trip myself by only watching TV for 3 days so that I come into my senses and get back to studying. Largely I stuck to watching TV only during lunch/dinner or other predetermined schedule.
There’s no magic way of putting yourself back to study with all the concentration. Mostly you force yourself to study and keep at it until you remember why you are studying for this exam in the first place 🙂
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You suggested to have an exit plan before starting. Can you tell your exit plan? Sorry for asking a personal question.
Thank you for your blog.
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Plan A: IFS (thank god it worked)
Plan B: MA + take exam again
Plan C: MBA
Plan D: get old job back
Plan E: live in parents basement and never move out
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Sir thanks a lot for this blog,it’s truly enlightening.Saw your interview with unacademy and that too was really inspiring,it was actually thrilling for me as I too want to join IFS.
I had a few ques:
1)Will choosing an optional in the place of psir be less benefitial for a person wanting to become a diplomat?
2)I currently have 3-4 years in hand(targetting UPSC-2024) ,should I brainstorm(as in,prepare for 2021,2022,2023, seriously and attempt all papers at home or start slowly with basic stuff and wait to start the serious prep from 2023 )
3)Will you update the blog in context of your upcoming journey too?(If possible,please write about that, as it inspires many of us)
4)Also,why did you choose Chineese as your CFL(due to it’s global significance or your interest in the country /language)This is kinda personal so please skip it if you don’t want to answer 🙂
Thanks 😀
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1. No
2. Why would you even? Start in 2023 at best. Develop a good reading habit, become aware about the world, and have some other passions in life other than clearing UPSC exam. You will only demotivate yourself in the long run because you won’t have the knowledge to write the exam until you seriously prepare for it.
3. If it’s worth writing about, sure why not 🙂
4. Global significance, spoken by over a billion people, UN language, difficult language to learn, etc. the list goes on. No prior interest in the country/language dictated the choice.
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Sir now only started my preparation I had doubt on how to study ? Because upsc had a Big syllabus.
Can I memorize the notes or understand the concept ?
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First understand the concept, then memorise what needs to be memorised. You can’t possibly memorise everything so understanding concepts is absolutely essential.
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Thank you so much sir
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Sir, IFS officers are known for their impeccable spoken English, and watching your videos, I must say that you’re not an exception to this.
Would you please advise me on how to improve my English speaking and also vocabulary?
I was in awe watching Vidisha Maitra ma’am speaking so flawlessly in UN, and there I felt a need to be that level good in speaking English.
ps: I apologize for asking a lot of questions 😬.
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For improving speaking, practice. There’s no other way. Find like minded people or take help from people who will help you without putting you down. English language TV/movies can help you a lot with pronunciation and delivery.
For vocabulary, you can take help of numerous apps. Personally recommend apps by Magoosh – Vocabulary Builder and GRE Vocabulary Flashcards – both are pretty useful
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Thank you so much sir.
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Filling the column of achievements and scholarships in DAF is scary especially for one who have not actually achieved anything ( I mean any certifications sort of thing to prove that). Do you think this may impact one’s impression in front of the interview panel??
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I doubt it, honestly. It’d be great if you have had some achievements or scholarships. If not, don’t lie. Interview panel is looking for sincerity. Demonstrate it with your thoughts and words, and you will get those marks.
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Hi You have mentioned that you prepared for 22 months
How ?
You had left your job in 2017 JUNE then how 22 months calculation was arrived at
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First week June 2017 (prep begins) to first week April 2019 (result)
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bro kabse padhne start kia tha 2018 Prelims ke liye
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Started studying in June 2017, current affairs covered from January 2017
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Sir, if our 1st preference is IFS over IAS and we make it into Top 50 (also eligible for IAS) , so is it possible to switch to IAS (2nd preference) ? Or only 1st preference gets considered?
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No change in preference is allowed. If you get into top 50 and get allotted IFS as first preference you cannot switch to IAS.
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My GS Preparation is something I could be a little confident about but when it comes to PSIR Optional. It becomes a nightmare for me.
I even don’t have much time to make my own plan for OPTIONAL
So my question is if I follow your strategy diligently for OPTIONAL will it Suffice? Please Reply ASAP Sir.
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Hahaha only time will tell what turns out to be sufficient 🙂
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Sir. you aced this exam you know it. Please tell Sir.
I stay in Noida Sector 22 Preparing all by myself. No one to guide me I am asking for your help and yet here you making fun of me.
time will tell only after Those trial and error since you know what it actually boils down to.
That is only what I need Please suggest that will help me to clear this exam “Only” I am not here become a Topper.
Please tell what is sufficient. and how much is sufficient you already told it all in your strategy and that is why I am still asking that question will your strategy suffice?
Thank you!
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I am not making fun of you. But for you to believe – that I know for sure – if my strategy will be sufficient for you to clear this exam is indeed hilarious.
I do not know what will work for you. You might have to study less than me or maybe even more than me.
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Hii Sir, would you please advice me on the right way of reading any book, eg. Laxmkanth.
I am finding it tough to be consistent with it.
I read one chapter and get stuck on it and other than proceeding forward, I keep on reading the same chapter again and again.
What would be your advice on starting to read Laxmikanth type books which are indispensable for CSE?
Should 1st reading be like a novel reading for entire book? What should be the take on making notes.
Sir, please reply as I am not getting anyone to clear my queries and you are the only option now.
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You have to read it minimum 5-6 times anyway, so at least make the effort to go through it once thoroughly. Tbh don’t hope that you will remember anything until your third or fourth reading
I didn’t make notes of it because it’s anyway precise to a great extent.
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Hello sir,
I could not find the details of all the national parks, biosphere reserves.
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Some of them don’t have much detail anyway, whatever is on Wikipedia / top google results should be enough
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may I know how many test to be done before prelims and may I know the strategy sir opted for
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I did one test series in entirety and found it to be enough
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Sir, may I know how many test to be done before prelims
And is it sufficient to start answer writing after orelims
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Honestly both worked for me – (a) one prelims test series in entirety (b) answer writing after prelims
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HELLO SIR
SIR PLEASE GUIDE ME HOW TO INITIATE MY PREPARATION FOR ” PSIR OPTIONAL”
WHAT SHOULD BE THE INITIAL PLANS AND ACTIONS THAT I SHOULD KEPT IN MIND SO THAT I CAN SCORE WELL IN THIS OPTIONAL
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I have covered that part under optional, there’s not much to add to that from my side
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sir , any have monthly complication paper 2
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Sorry don’t understand what you’re trying to say
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You mean monthly compilation. Go to insightsonindia or vision ias website.
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If my optional subject is sociology .Then may I eligible for Indian Foreign service ?if I cleared UPSC or International relations subject needed as a optional for Indian Foreign Services. Please give me Answer Sir!
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Optional subject doesn’t mandate service preference.
You can opt for any optional subject and get any of service of your choice based on rank and preference, including Foreign Service, if you clear the exam.
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Hi dhananjay, what is “insights revision” in “prelims” tab in your notes. Is it the revision of your mocks or anything else?
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Revision of all the mock papers from prelims test series
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Sir, I am in my final year of commerce graduation from one of the best colleges in India. I am confused between sitting for placements or not since the placements might provide me a job which can be a backup for upsc if I work for 2-3 years and then start preparing. But then, I have no intention to give CAT or continue to work in corporate sector for long. So, should I sit for placements or just focus on UPSC prep and not apply.
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Make your choice and live with it. There are hundreds of people who solely focused on UPSC prep and nailed it in first attempt out of college, and there are thousands who couldn’t.
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Good Afternoon Sir,
Hope you are doing well during this pandemic.
I graduated from Institute of Hotel Management Pusa last year. Been preparing for UPSC since then.
I too earlier considered selecting Management as my optional, but then somehow I have keen interest in International Relations.
I too am focused for Indian Foreign Service.
Rn, I am in such a dilemma as to How to start studying this subject? I am aware about the syllabus. But I am not able to understand as to how to start studying for this subject. I hope you could guide me with your knowledge and experience.
Looking forward for your reply.
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I have covered it under Optional. Get the notes and start reading.
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Sir, can you explain about your training period
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Sir, I am doing my graduation in Political Science. Right now I am in 2nd year of it. I believe to give my attend soon after it in 2022. So can you plz say when exactly should I start my preparation? And also if starting with the statics.. When exactly should I begin my Current affairs?
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15 months before prelims of 2022 should be adequate. But that’d also be almost 4-5 years since I prepared so please keep up with later years’ trends
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Sir, I am the only child of my parents. For a minute, let’s presume that I have been selected in the I.F.S like you. In the future, God forbid, if my parent’s Health condition becomes such that they have to be kept under my personal care and observation even when I am posted at a foreign country. Then the relevant rules (read in an IFS officer’s Quora answer) state that — “For parents to stay with me at place of posting abroad, their visas will have to be renewed periodically. This is different from spouse and children who will get automatic visa”.
Now, if by any chance, I am posted in a hostile country, say Pakistan, and anyhow they refuse to renew the visa of my ailing parents. Under such circumstances, I have to either get transferred out or resign. There are no other options. Am I correct? Please reply Sir.
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Hostile countries are designated as non-family stations, where you anyway shouldn’t be taking your parents. And these non-family stations are by choice, so you won’t get posted there against your will. So your option will neither be transfer or resign because you won’t be there in the first place.
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Thank you so much Sir. I read the best thing of my life today.
On the day I had posted the comment, due to some technical reasons, it was not displaying. So I messaged you in Quora. I don’t think you know such an option exists, so I took a chance but there was no response. I accepted it with a heavy heart that IFS was out of my dreams. Today, I suddenly came across your reply here, also that you had replied that day itself. I was so stupid.
I promise you I shall try my level best for IFS, this day onwards. Thanks once again Sir and wish you a great life ahead.
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SIR,
1. did u read Economic survey?
2.which year should i read for if i want to give 2021 attempt?
3. Can i read just its compilation by any coaching?
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1. Yes
2. 2018 one, it came out before prelims. Read the latest one that comes before prelims
3. Do a reading of original survey before depending completely on a compilation
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Not possible
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How to prepare
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I think that’s what I have tried covering here 🙂
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Hello Sir. Many congratulation for your achievement. I found your blog and notes extensively useful for my preparation. I’ve started full time preparation from Sep,2019. I’ve started reading Geography NCERTs first. For class 11 physical Geography I’m taking almost 8-9 hours to understand and make notes for a chapter. I’m not getting that where I’m going wrong. But I feel that I’m taking more time than required. Kindly suggest how to go about it?
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Hahaha you’re not going wrong at all, it’s THE most difficult book out of anything you’d read for CSE. Be patient and take your time
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Sir , while referring to DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS on INSIGHTS ON INDIA ,do i need to cover up their points regarding what to study for prelims and mains …Or else i can go up only wid whatsoever is given in DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS…reason being there’s so bulky amnt. of current if i go for “wat to study for prelims and mains feature of insights ”
It would be of tremendous help if u can reply to my query… Thanks in advance .
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Not everything that will be covered in daily current affairs will be important, you will have to apply your own judgment on what you think is important. Going through both prelims and mains past papers will help you get a great idea.
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