Category: UPSC fundamentals

GS 2 (Mains) Strategy –> answer writing and sources

manuj jindal4 Comments

I have got 111 in GS 2. This has made quite a difference in my rank. GS 2 is quite a dicey paper but a certain strategy can yield very high marks as UPSC is probably looking for certain way of answering in this paper. One thing was sure that I prepared thoroughly for the exam. I have made comprehensive notes also about it. You can check some pages here but the notes cannot be uploaded fully here because it is a big file. So you can get them from a bookstore like Kumar book shop and others in ORN also starting on July 3rd or 4th. If still you can’t find them send me an email on manujjindalias@gmail.com

Management Optional

manuj jindal1 Comment

Hello everyone,

Many of you have been asking me to provide some feedback and my strategy for the management optional. Management appears to be a mysterious optional for even many top MBAs. The reason being, relatively low marks, less people in top 100 (I am the first person in the last 3-4 years to crack a top 100 rank from management optional), and lack of guidance.

I will try to break some myths regarding this subject through my posts. The first one is that it is a low scoring optional. This is not entirely true (I have explained this in my video, link below). To reiterate, management is one of the few optionals where a stable, above average (rank making) and predictable performance can be achieved. It is not an optional like Pub Ad or Socio where one year is amazing and the other seeing huge butchering. If you put in the requisite hours, you will get 270-290 for sure. If you get lucky you might even get 310+. On a normal, average year, you will score in the 260-275 range for sure.

I have scored the highest this year (281), second highest last year (251) and highest or second highest in 2014 (243). My consistent performance in management has been due to my simple and balanced approach towards this really good optional. Please watch my video for how I went and prepared about it. I will also post more detailing my notes, my future plans regarding management guidance, my GS strategy (I have also have one of the highest scores in GS this year — 449) and Essay (158).

Management Optional Video

My diary last year, after CSE result 2015

manuj jindal1 Comment

This was my diary entry last year after results. Looking back, it only leaves me happier that I believed in myself. Thanks to my teachers, family and friends for sticking by me. The journey will continue as an IAS. New paths, new friends and new beginnings. 

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The 2015 results have left me disappointed. I was sad and angry not to see my name in the list. Then, the marksheet came out and I made it to the reserve list. In the next couple of months, I found myself allocated to the IPTAFS.

What does it mean for me?

Firstly, I will give another attempt this year, and will hopefully improve my marks.

Secondly, what is IPTAFS? Well, I will only find out once I join at the end of the year.

Thirdly, how do I improve my score and make it to the coveted IAS. It will be difficult, but focus has to be on pushing up my essay score which was a dismal 90 (against an average of 125), and also my interview score to at least 190-195.

Prelims is a few days away now. The preparation is definitely better than last year but the competition is also much higher! My scores in mock test series are not very satisfying, but I am hoping to do my best on the D-day.

I have also promised to write more to help me improve my essay score. The journey continues..