UPSC Exam-Civil Services exam 2013-14 –IAS Topper Interview –Mr. R.Aadhithya -197th Rank

Civil Services exam 2013-14 – IAS Topper Interview –

Mr. R.Aadhithya - 197^th   Rank

(An Exclusive Interview)

 Name: Aadhithya R

 All India Rank- 197

       Degree- B.E(Computer Science) Easwari Engineering College 

     
       School- Padma Seshadri bala bhavan School,Chennai

       Work Experience- 2 years in HCL Technologies

         

2.      Your interest in Civil Services Examination

          I had this interest for Civil Services for a long time. It was during my work period that i decided to quit and prepare on a full time basis.

3.      Subject Selection

          Geography is my optional subject for Mains.

4.      Coaching

         Undertook Coaching for Prelims and Mains at Shankar IAS Academy, Chennai. Attended Mock Interview in Manidaneyam Academy.

5.      Preparation Strategy

         Worked backwards. First prepared for my optional subject, then mains preparation for all the papers. Prepared for prelims 5 months before the exam. Reading Hindu, Yojana and Kurukshetra regularly and taking short notes out of them. Regular reading of idsa.in and newsonair discussions helped a lot in keeping track of current affairs.

6.      Book List

         Indian Polity by Laxmikanth
         Ncerts for geography, world history
         Spectrum - Modern India,Culture
         IGNOU- international relations
         Environment- Wikipedia
         Magazines- Yojana and Kurukshetra
         

7.      Examination Experience

The experience was very taxing but worth the struggle. We were the first batch to the new pattern. Continuous exams for one week needed a lot of mental strength. The General studies papers were something which were as usual not on predicted lines. But now the content aspect has been given a greater importance which helps in saving time. The Work book pattern is a boon as it saves time and space and helps to address the question to the point. Geography paper 1 was thoroughly a nightmare as questions were from topics which I had not heard off. But at the end could manage the questions with the little knowledge I had. 

8.      Interview (strategy, questions, and atmosphere) – UPSC Board

Board Chairman- Alka Sirohi

The interview was a bit stressful. Questions asked were:

Why did u take a break from work?

Why do we have to give national awards for dance and music?

What are education sector problems?

Why many students want to go abroad?

Give me 5 top problems that you will address if u were given the ultimate power to control India?

Why is your native place (Tirunelveli) predominantly dry?

Where is Mariana trench?

Do you know the islets of Langerhans?

Finally the chairman drew a puzzle and asked me to solve it. This was the last and most difficult question to answer.

9.      Total Marks scored

Total Marks scored – 821

10. Any other tips you wish to share.

Never pile up extra materials.

A lot of writing practice for Mains and especially essay helps. While using the internet, never get lost in the ocean of information. Limiting ourselves to what is required will help in saving time and energy.

Thanking you.