Civil Services Examination – Uncovering The Myths Around India’S Most Coveted Examination

"What matters, is cracking it! Nothing else. "Familiar, isn't it?
"Crack the prelims, just swim through it after all at the end of the day it’s just a qualifying paper anyway only mains and interview count."

For a person with an average intelligence like any one of us, Civil services in India always remains inaccessible and its approach incomprehensible. A well-known saying is, "one needs to study everything on this planet to crack it". But is it true?

What matters, is not yours or mine knowledge, analysis or perspective on it but what the experts have to offer.

Analysis reveals, the conceptual understanding of the subject and the insightful and opinionated answers counts. In interviews, it is necesssary to keep things simple, minimalistic and real. The examiners and the interviewers on the other side surely carry the experience and knowledge to access and filter what is real and wanted.

In the words of toppers, the examination checks general awareness and analytical skills of the candidate. The advice offered - know the syllabus, stick to few books, revise well and build an overall understanding along with the remembrance of fundamental facts and figures that act as a basis for building a perspective on the subject. Also, offering a key insight against a common myth is one needs to be a topper throughout its career to crack it is held void as what is necessary is general awareness, logical reasoning and good writing skills. Even if one's grades in the past aren't that high, one can get through the interview with a valid reason for it^[1].

An interesting aspect noted by experts and toppers is the value of practice of papers that enhances one's writing skills and gives a practice of time management, very important in civil services examination. Also, the preference of various shortcuts, hacks and study hours is a personal choice. It is not necessary one needs to adhere to them i.e. 16 hours of study, attempt more than ninety questions in order to crack prelims etc^[2].

Civil services examination covers over a year in three different stages having aspirants and applicants in lakhs.

The role, responsibilities, power, access and perks associated with civil servants certainly justify why CSE still upholds the title of being the most coveted examination of India. Indeed, it certainly is. In a nutshell, if one wants to be a civil servant one has to swim through the selection by its consistency, perseverance and hard work.

Annotated webliography
1. https://youtu.be/qw0VJziPbiE, https://youtu.be/KOAGWjsrUt0, https://youtu.be/c8R2uB-eRFQ
2. https://www.thehindu.com/education/Busting-some-UPSC-exam-myths/article17073671.ece

Webliography

1. https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/Civil%20Services%20%28Preliminary%29%20Examination%2C%202019

2. https://www.clearias.com/civil-services-exam/

3. https://www.clearias.com/upsc-exam-guidance/

4. https://www.clearias.com/tina-dabi-ias-first-rank-first-attempt/

5. https://indianexpress.com/article/jobs/upsc-results-how-kanishak-kataria-topped-upsc-exam-in-first-attempt-preparation-strategy-interview-questions-books-5670489/