IAS Topper’s Interview 2015: Govind Mohan Rank 245

Name Govind Mohan
Rank in CSE 2015 245
Total Attempts in CSE 04
Optional Subject Philosophy
Medium English

Education

Class 10 percentage of marks 95.17
 Class 12Percentage of marks 93.20
Graduation: College and marks IIT Guwahati, CPI – 8.86
Post graduation: College and marks Not Applicable
Any other course Not Applicable

IAS Score: What were the basic mantras of your success?
Govind Mohan: Consistent hard work learning from mistakes and faults. Planning for every general studies and optional paper and executing it well.

IAS Score: What were your strategies for the lengthy syllabus of General Studies for both Prelims and Mains?
Govind Mohan: Regular Study is the key. I completed the basic books very well and related mains syllabus during my prelims preparation itself. For Mains, regular updating of current affairs as per the syllabus proved very helpful.

IAS Score: Did you integrate your Prelims or Mains preparation or was it separate in the changing scenario?
Govind Mohan: No, it was an integrated preparation as much of prelims syllabus is also part of the mains syllabus. So preparation during prelims was also keeping the mains in mind.

GS Preparation for Prelims (Summary)

Study material / Guidance Various websites eg. Insightsonindia, iasscore, etc.
Basic Books M. Laxmikanth, NCERTs, Modern India Spectrum
Current Affairs Regular Newspaper Study, Internet
Any other

GS Mains Preparation (Summary)

Paper Study Material/Guidance Current Issues Source Answer Writing Practice
GS Paper 1 NCERTs, NIOS material Newspaper & Internet Test Series, Previous Years Papers
GS Paper 2 Laxmikant, IYB, IR notes Newspaper & Internet Test Series, Previous Years Papers
GS Paper 3 Economic Survey, Some coaching reference material, Internet Newspaper & Internet Test Series, Previous Years Papers
GS Paper 4 GS Score, Internet Test Series, Previous Years Papers

Optional Subject Preparation  (Summary)

Study material / Guidance Coaching Material
Basic Books Y Masih, C D Sharma
Current Affairs Some articles on related topics from newspapers
Answer Writing Test Series and previous years papers
Any other O P Gauba

IAS Score: How did your prepare for essay.
Govind Mohan: Reading some good essays regularly and writing practice.

IAS Score: Did you adopt any specific strategy for GS Paper 4?
Govind Mohan: Referred GS Score and IGNOU material. Writing practice and case studies discussion with teachers and friends.

IAS Score: What were the sources of information for general reading? How did you come to know that which sources of reading materials are standard?
Govind Mohan: Referred internet sources such as insightsonindia, iasscore, gktoday, Investopedia, etc. Sources which cover any topic comprehensively using standard sources and are easy to understand  are standard. A topic must be covered in detail along with related current happenings.

IAS Score:  What is your advice on notes-making for other aspirants?
Govind Mohan: Study comprehensively and try to make short notes which can be easily revised multiple times before the actual examination. While revising, I tried to write down as much as I could remember which helped a lot in remembering the concepts in the long run.

IAS Score: How did you manage your time during the preparation?
Govind Mohan: I regularly studied  my optional paper and made notes from newspaper.  Regarding general studies, I focused on answer writing and referred internet for related material and understanding. Topics in news was covered in detail as per the syllabus.

IAS Score: What was your style (paragraph or point format) of writing in the exam? How was it distinct from the general writing style? How did you develop this writing style?

Govind Mohan: I preferred a mix of both as per the question. Pros and cons in point format while paragraph for other analysis related answers or both where required. For GS 4, most answers were in paragraphs. Writing practice helped me to develop it.

IAS Score: So much focus is being given to Test Series, both for Prelims and Mains, in your opinion how useful are they, in the course of a preparation process? Which Test Series did you join and how useful did you find it to be?
Govind Mohan: Test series is an important aspect of preparation as it helps to understand one’s weaknesses and the areas to work upon. At the same time, important current affairs are revised during writing the answers. I referred visionias and gsscore test series and some internet sources.

IAS Score: Civil Services Exam process is quite strenuous. It requires long hours of constant study. How did you maintain your tempo and what did you do to break the monotony of preparation?
Govind Mohan: Dedication helps in maintaining the tempo. I tried to take a day out in a week meeting friends, going for a movie. I also followed cricket matches, watched highlights to break the monotony of preparation.

IAS Score: The trend suggests that professionals or working people are more successful in this exam. Does this exam prove difficult for Humanities and Social Science background candidates?
Govind Mohan: No, in my opinion the pattern of the examination is evenly balanced. Whoever works hard with proper planning and strategy is bound to be successful with some luck.

IAS Score: Which sources you referred to prepare for Contemporary Issues.
Govind Mohan: Internet websites, yojana, the indian express, GS Score contemporary issues material

IAS Score: Given the recent boom in online initiatives to support an aspirant, which were the platforms that you find useful enough during your course of preparation. Please list the sites.
Govind Mohan: Iasscore, vision ias, insightsonindia, mrunal, Investopedia, gktoday, Wikipedia, etc.

IAS Score: What is your advice to the candidates who is still in the process of preparing for this examination?
Govind Mohan: Work hard and prepare regularly. Do not be disturbed by mistakes and some unfavorable results. If you work hard regularly and sincerely, you are bound to succeed.

IAS Score: Your word for future aspirants
Govind Mohan: A great opportunity to serve lies here. Regular hard work and self study along with proper guidance from mentors and seniors is the key to succeed. All the best to everyone.

Your Mark sheet

Paper Year 2015 Year 2014 Year 2013
Prelims 303
Essay (Paper 1) 122
GS 1 (Paper 2) 104
GS 2 (Paper 3) 86
GS 3 (Paper 4) 101
GS 4 (Paper 5) 93
Optional 1 (Paper 6) 130
Optional 2 (Paper 7) 96
Written Total 732
Personality Test 171
Total Score 903

AIR – 245

Indian Information Service DANIPS

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