Hello COACHING INDUSTRY, It is my right to have any profile id or name which I likes the most? On what basis you said that my profile is fake??? What you people are doing???

In the name coaching you people are misguiding innocent students and making them “BLIND” about UPSC,Ultimately make them relying on you for everything that too after charging hefty amount. My aim is just to prevent students from wasting their money and time and tell what I found good & bad about COACHING INDUSTRIES. I have many friends in Chennai-Anna nagar-Shanthi colony.They are former students of your coaching industry.Based on their inputs your institute is utter waste of time and money. YOU PROFILE ITSELF INDICATES YOU MARKETING.

YOU BETTER PROMOTE YOUR COACHING INDUSTRY SOMEWHERE. “INSIGHT IS LIKE A TEMPLE FOR IAS ASPIRANTS.THEY ARE DOING SELFLESS JOB.WE WON’T ALLOW THE COACHING MAFIA TO ENTER INTO OUR TEMPLE. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM INSIGHT THAT IS WHAT WE WANT NOW. I appeared in this prelims exam. I was prepared with conventional source. I did give less emphasis on current affairs.

I didn’t revise them seriously. I am getting 55 correct and 26 incorrect. I hadn’t joined Insight test series or any test series. I hadn’t joined any Mains test series? Can you please help me, What should I do now? Join Insight Prelims Test series with Mains self study and study according to this timetable with all other initiative on this site. Vision 2017 Mains test series and study according to their time table and follow Insigths test series?

IASbaba’s ILP 2017 Program and follow just paper of Insight test series. I would be obliged, if you could give some insight into it. Actually I am very confused? Your valuable suggestion will be of immense help for me. I really don’t know about Baba and Vision test series; So I can’t comment about their plan.

One-Write Plus is the easy-to-learn, easy-to-use a. OWP version 4 download by whalpern (7/12/2010 9:51:49 AM), by whalpern. Jul 12 2010 9:51AM, 2859, 0. One Write Plus 8.0 by rhondathigpen (6/2/2010 5:19:30 PM), by INFO Nov 11 2010 10:10AM, 4634, 2. Welcome to Insights UPSC IAS Exam Preparation Guide! We strive to make your IAS Exam Preparation as simple as possible by providing you with a single strategy that.

If you join Insights and follow their plan and study accordingly – Meaning completing the syllabus before each test; Giving the test punctually; Seeing whats lacking; Aiming for continuous improvement – Then it will work; Right now you are already doing good – you will do much better after an year. You can also look at Vision’s tests – They are top class too. A little tougher – so if you score a little less – don’t be disheartened. Paper being difficult or easy is a relative affair. But it is a fact that there is considerable deviation in pattern of question asked compared to last 5 years, not by margin of 5 or even 10 question but over 30. And that is what makes this paper so ridiculous, tough is a wrong word, ridiculous is what it was. My first attempt, spent 8 months 8 hour average, books after books on geography polity economic (Static/theory) portion based on what the paper used to be like only to end up with a paper that probably had 15 current affair question from 2015 (largely handled 2016 current aff.

)and not poodle puff easy either as current affair questions normally used to be. The feeling of utter dejection and regret I am feeling right now is difficult to explain after the effort put. Getting 108 as per Sankar IAS key, and I stepped into the hall a confident chap after getting average 125 in 2011, 2013 and 2015 paper that I had solved at home. Why even bother prescribing a syllabus. I thought I was well buffered to bypass the unexpected, it is just that I never expected 50 current affair and 3 or 4 polity question and I think zero physical geography (as in cyclones, monsoon etc and they were all in news!!!

I was grossly over prepared as far as basic subjects are concerned and having started in jan 2015, had no idea about abstract information from 2015’s. Like I knew Mangalayaan but not the navy ship. Any chance with 108 though? I am to be on safe side further deducting 3 marks and counting it as 105.

That redd+ question, poverty reduction option was correct or wrong? Hey @sushmitadigon:disqus Sushmita! I appeared in this prelims exam. I was prepared with conventional source.

I did give less emphasis on current affairs. I didn’t revise them seriously.

I am getting 55 correct and 26 incorrect. I hadn’t joined Insight test series or any test series. I hadn’t joined any Mains test series? Can you please help me, What should I do now? Join Insight Prelims Test series with Mains self study and study according to this timetable with all other initiative on this site. Vision 2017 Mains test series and study according to their time table and follow Insigths test series?

IASbaba’s ILP 2017 Program and follow just paper of Insight test series. I would be obliged, if you could give some insight into it. Actually I am very confused.

Your valuable suggestion will be of immense help for me. Dudemost peoples (as per my last yr analysis) boast their score on forumiaslast year everybody talking of 120 as cutoff for sure & those who talking of 105-110 on that forum, they got trolled.but when result came they themselves got trolled.so don’t take gossips on forumias so seriously.My sincere advice to anyone will remain the same till result-Those scoring >105 have Fair chances of clearing this so they can start for mains”Fair”- I’m talking because I had interacted with several fellow those who are not on any of forum6-7 members who are currently in FC @lbsnaa serving ips,irs,etc. Have scored 94,98,107,104,111& with their experience they told (considering past yr que toughness) they concluded that cutoff will be more or less similar to previous case. Last yr distribution of questions is quite good across all subject.this yr polity & geography reduced from avg 12-13 que to mere 3-4 questions & Current affairs drastically increased to 30+.so its setback for those who are not updated with current affairs.Mostly it will happen with senior players.So considering all these headwinds, my analysis concludes, cutoff at max will touch ~109 for open & ~107 for obcSo its better for those scoring 105+ to go ahead for mains.thanx •. Yes u r right. The term is used to refer to rupee-denominated borrowings by Indian entities in overseas markets. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, last November, issued a ₹1,000 crore bond to fund infrastructure projects in India.

These bonds were listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). IFC then named them Masala bonds to give a local flavour by calling to mind Indian culture and cuisine. With talks of a full rupee convertibility back home, Masala bonds can help the rupee go global. Its helps corporate sector/ companies expand their business as well as prop up the value of rupee in overall Worldwhith respective countries those are interested for investment in masala bond Hope this help uThanks bro.😄👍 •.

Getting 129.26 as per diff keys (ForumIAS, Officers IAS Academy Chennai, Shankar IAS Chennai). Should be able to clear. My guess for cut off is slightly higher than last year. Waiting for Insights key. It was the closest to my actual score last year 🙂 Last year cut off was 107.34 for GEN and I scored 114, though some keys were giving me 105 which made me upset.

Some users in online forums were predicting cutoff ranging from 110-130:(. This year my guess for cutoff is 110 (105-110 actually). So, if you are scoring 100+ in any key, you have a high chance of clearing. 105+ means you should not waste any time and start preparing for Mains. I must say thank you to Insights for the wonderful test series. I have solved 12 tests (21-32:)) and gone through solutions of other 20 tests (1-20).

Definitely, a lot of questions, especially S&T and Environment came from this wonderful test series. Last year also, I enrolled for Insights test series but was extremely irregular in taking tests, costed me many questions. Starting with Mains preparation without delay, Ethics and Essay writing practice and Optional revision are priority now. Wish you all good luck. Hello friends, I am not a regular commentator of this forum but I am definitely a regular viewer here. This years prelims was my 3rd attempt, I have scored really low in my 1st two attempts and none of them are worth mentioning.

This year according to Shankar IAS academy my score is 114.66 (65 C 23 W). I have been a subscriber of Insights test series for the past two years. My scores: Lowest: 79, average 100 – 105, Highest 128 (approx). My prediction this year is that I will clear cut off by a very slant margin. My 2 cents about this exam: i. Never underestimate the power of a good revision.

This is most probably my 3rd year of being cocky about myself and right about this moment I want to hit myself for the mistakes I did. I have made mistakes in about 15 questions of which I have read in Insights’ collaborations. I just didn’t read carefully/thoroughly enough. Believe me, if you make a mistake on a known topic in Prelims it’s a hurt which won’t scald quickly enough.

Insights is brilliant. I will start my mains preparation ASAP. Even if I don’t clear my prelims this time I don’t care. I am here for this exam till I cross 32 (I am in my 29s now). I have a feeling that by the grace of destiny I have been given a faint view of mains this time and I am definitely not going to procrastinate the way I did for prelims. My request to future upcoming online prelims aspirants will be to finish off their papers within 1hour and forty minutes because you will need the other 20 minutes in an offline scenario to shade the options, shift through questions, conceding to regular demands of an actual offline exam scenario.

If you do not have prep for aptitude, do not ignore CSAT prep. It may prove costly. The English/Hindi Comprehension portion this time was punchy. To Insights regular commentators.

You guys are a fresh breath of air in my otherwise sordid existence. Your comments keep me going. I have never seen such infectious positivism in a group. I truly and deeply love you all. -Just another aspirant. Folks!!!None of the papers were easy or difficultthose who know answers and marked it correct (even by guess) papers were easy for them otherwise a nightmare.every serious candidate have some clue or hints of 80-90 questions.choosing a correct option changes the game.upsc is nt unpredictable in terms of framing questions, we only make issue of it.come out of this psychoanalysis part and focus on ur preprtn.if it works this year it’s good otherwise next chance is always thrr in life to succeed •.

Regarding the CS, Governor question. Lets get one thing right. What UPSC decides is final. The UPSC has already decided in IES 2006 paper that the answer to this question is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Yes, this question is a straight forward repeat from IES 2006 General Studies Paper.

This is the link: [0]=field_question_year%3A2006. Remember the President vs Supreme Court controversy regarding the custodian of constitution last year in prelims?? In that one also there was a question in 2005 or so in one of the UPSC conducted exams in which a few statements were given and the option containing the correct set of statements was to be marked. The correct answer in that did not contain that statement in the question which says “The President is the custodian of the Constitution”.

UPSC’s views and interpretations matter. They have already been expressed before.

Regarding the CS, Governor question. Lets get one thing right. What UPSC decides is final.

The UPSC has already decided in IES 2006 paper that the answer to this question is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Yes, this question is a straight forward repeat from IES 2006 General Studies Paper. This is the link:. Remember the President vs Supreme Court controversy regarding the custodian of constitution last year in prelims?? In that one also there was a question in 2005 or so in one of the UPSC conducted exams in which a few statements were given and the option containing the correct set of statements was to be marked.

The correct answer in that did not contain that statement in the question which says “The President is the custodian of the Constitution”. UPSC’s views and interpretations matter. They have already been expressed before. But in my opinion, if you compare last year’s and this year’s GS1 papers, Last year’s was little more easy comparing yesterday’s. Did you feel that? Last year, little more direct questions had asked.

Geography got little more questions. But this year, it was more relying around current affairs.

That too from last June I think. That state butterfly question was the news of June 2015. In 2013 and 2014, if you compare, 2013’s was an easy examination.

So the cut off was 242. In 2014, the exam was tough. So the cut off got reduced to 205.

Now in my case, expecting for a second type situation. Regarding the CS, Governor question. Lets get one thing right. What UPSC decides is final. The UPSC has already decided in IES 2006 paper that the answer to this question is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Yes, this question is a straight forward repeat from IES 2006 General Studies Paper. This is the link: [0]=field_question_year%3A2006.

Remember the President vs Supreme Court controversy regarding the custodian of constitution last year in prelims?? In that one also there was a question in 2005 or so in one of the UPSC conducted exams in which a few statements were given and the option containing the correct set of statements was to be marked. The correct answer in that did not contain that statement in the question which says “The President is the custodian of the Constitution”. UPSC’s views and interpretations matter.

They have already been expressed before. I hope Insights will take this input while preparing the key. Hello sir I am ur online test series student. I m working for the past 3 years but still follow ur schedule like 80%.Last year due to less preparation got 80. This year even after following your tests and schedule religiously I m getting 108 or max 112(Due to some errors in some keys).

I never got less than 106 in your tests and have been continuously scoring above 125(Average). My strength is conceptual understanding and not factual based. May be that’s the reason of scoring less. I want to start preparing for mains immediately but for that I have to apply for holidays from office. Its just one humble request (though its quite unprofessional to ask) to plz provide a tentative cut off based on your analysis. I know your analysis will be very very close to UPSC. I am thankful, is thankful and will always be thankful to you for providing direction, confidence and motivation to thousand of serious aspirants.

Brothere are possibly large variations w.r.t cutoff analysis on diff forums.but in general reading between the lines for all forums suggests anyone 105+ should start preparing for mains.This paper had large no of current affairs & schemes related questions,upsc shifted from static portion as far as geo,Polity & history to some extent. Those who had skipped current have to pay heavy price this timeIn my analysis,discussions with some old players, serving ips,irs officers & other mentors, the cutoff will not cross (108-110) range for generalSo you had fair chances for clearing the pre.go aheadInsight will surely help you successively All the Best!!! Hi Insights Current Affairs Monthly Compilation (Available in “Downloads”) & Insights Test Series with 2 times Revision of both is more than enough Reasons that you should choose Insights Test Series: 1. I have attended some of the tests of another coaching institute (mainly for having off-line practice with OMR), but I found purposefully they are asking tough questions and some questions which UPSC will never even think of asking But, Insights 3200 questions are the best w.r.t. UPSC preparation If you solve the 32 Insights Series and revise it, you may be attending Insights Test-33 on UPSC day Be it Current Affairs/static subjects, my personal view is “Insights is Best” 2. Their detailed explanation for each question 3. Thanks you Insights!

I was initially very skeptical about your test series (Yes some convoluted options, Typing errors). But in the end I realized most questions are covered by the test series in some way or other! Even I wrote only some 20 tests of yours I had a feeling in the exam hall that I should have followed and revised the tests even more religiously. At the end all is well was scoring 140: 74 Correct and 12 Wrong according to Shankar Key.

About secure I never had any doubt it is the best available. I hope you have some initiative planned for first timers like me with respect to optionals. Even a google group for similar optional group can also help a lot. I wish this reaches you 🙂 •.

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• – Very Important! • • • • • •, 2013) • • • • •. Hi friend, it is a link available on the website 1)2)3)4)5)6)These are links where you can get a detail strategy of all papers. Anubhav, Good to know that you are planning early for this exam.

Because you have plenty of time, you can focus on building a strong foundation needed for this exam. Cultivate the habit of reading two newspapers every day (The Hindu and Business Standard). Start writing about current events. Widen your knowledge about India and the world by reading extensively from standard books – you can go through this post for Must Read books – () This exam is more about your aptitude, attitude, integrity, understanding of the society, awareness about the national and international events and critical perspective on them, finally it more about your concern and empathy for the society too. So cultivate these important traits for three years.

Then the exam will be cake walk for you. Use every day productively with an eye on Indian Foreign Service (I hope you meant it, not forest service) For any specific guidance you can always visit this site.

A) I have made a ‘word document’ of the suggestion given by toppers for the preparation of GS. There, they suggest to look into the map to mark the places, which are in news. May I know, is the suggestion to look into map for the places in news, tuned in, with the post 2010 era of UPSC exam pattern? B) In the same word document,the toppers suggest to make the notes as well as keep the “newspaper cuttings” for the revisions. How to identify the newspaper articles to make the notes for, and to cut, for further reference? (I do make notes from the newspaper!!! ) How to prepare for CSE(in the right direction), is itself a matter “research”!!!

-a CSE-14 aspirant. Abhishek, a) Places and People are now out of the UPSC’s scheme of things for Prelims and Mains. If your optional is Geography, for Paper-II this might help, but not much. Now the focus is on checking one’s ability to give their critical perspective on wide range of issues. The era of checking factual rote knowledge is history now. Your basic understanding of the topics in the syllabus and opinion on related issues is all that matters now.

B) This ‘Note Making from Newspaper’ is an eternal dilemma/confusion/headache for many aspirants. In Prelims, current events are out now – again, concepts matter more here. In mains, you get lot of magazines, current event compendiums to get a quick glance of ‘current events’. So, read paper for understanding wide range of issues. To cultivate Opinion. To get the gist of national and international events. To develop critical perspective on important socio-economic issues.

If an article stimulates your thought, cut it and save it. If a report is related to the syllabus – save it. I personally think that making notes from newspapers is not needed.

It is time consuming. Instead, devote more time on finishing the whole syllabus. If one is comfortable, no objection to it though.

But making notes from standard texts/books is a must. Finally, How To Prepare is all about FINISHING the WHOLE syllabus FIRST. Syllabus is the ultimate guide. Most aspirants, even after giving the mains and interview, can’t recall contents of the syllabus. This is a fact. What would you suggest a guy who is willing to join any test series for mains? Some of the probable points that I expect in your reply are (firstly try to decide the ‘direction of preparation’ by the comprehensive analysis of the ‘recent’ previous year question papers) a) complete the static portion and have unassailable command on the dynamic portion(by making notes from newspapers/magazines/website ).

B) try to solve the questions of the previous your GS papers(the questions which are like current era of GS questions). Referring to the previous year optional question paper for the corresponding parts of GS would do no harm! C) try to write comments on the several popular “news website”, showing your own opinion. Once, you are ‘comfortable and confident’ with the above three points, then only think of joining a ‘mains test series’ -a CSE-2014 aspirant •. Well, if the question has a directive ‘Critically Examine’, then you need to know important provisions of the bill, how different it is from the old land acquisition act, any objections, It’s positive and negative impact on the stakeholders (farmers, government and industries) and your take on it.

Examine is nothing but deep inspection. When asked to do it critically, your answer should be balanced. Your answer should not be biased for or against one party. On deep probe, you will find points in favour or against all the stakeholders. Pack all of them effectively and objectively within word limit. You will be awarded good marks. Sir I arranged all the book u mentioned in Insight and I want to appear and clear it in my very first attempt ie 2014 prelims and I want to prepare both prelims and mains together Sir please give me a proper Time table or the details when should I complete which topic/paper also I am taking anthropology as my optional subject and everything without coachingI can give around 10 hours for the preparation and I have engineering background Sir I need your helponly u r the one who made me believe that IAS can be cracked in 1st attempt and with one year,’s preparation •.

Sir, I am this year engineering graduate and is now working in a company. I want to appear for UPSC-2014 an have been preparing for it since last year but I still feel that a good amount of labour required to be put for Mains as the syllabus has been widened the last year.

In Prelims I find myself comfortable.The basic doubt that I am having is whether to leave the job now and prepare whole heartedly for UPSC or have a 1 year or something work-experience and then jump into it just to ensure I have something as backup in case I require to return to my original field(seeing the success rate of UPSC, though it may be termed NONSENSE). Sir please helpThanks for the counselling. Sir, I have taken coaching last year in Hyd.

Sir with deep appreciation & thankfulness to ur masterpiece efforts.i request u to suggest how to revise the huge pile of current affairs & news,specially for working aspirants like me.since there are so many news,events articles,editorials in/& so many newspapers,mags,other sources and sites accumulating vast source every day(even if chosen selectively & carefully). Even monthly revision takes so much time.notes making daily consumes more time which is already to manage.after putting much efforts daily going through them retaining them till exam is what i am unable to devise any solution for.kindly help,sir •. Dear Sir, on Oct 8 you mentioned that in a week you would write an article on integrated approach to Prelims+Mains-2014, which would solve most of your doubts for preparations. Sir Oct month has reached to its end, can you please write that article and guide us allI have to clear this exam in my first attempt only & with your guidance and support of entire team InsightI am dam sure that I will clear it. PS: If you have already written the article on integrated approach to Prelims+Mains-2014, then can you please give me the link.

Kindly Help Sir Have A Great Day •. Hello sir, First of all i would like to congratulate you on the fantastic job you have been doing, which is of immense help to aspirants like me. However, i have a question. The study material for the static part of gs is abundant.

It would be much helpful if you could provide a strategy regarding the dynamic part that is India year book and current affairs. Given the size of India year book and the amount of data within, it requires a separate strategy of its own. Also, i would like to ask, how important is remembering the figures such as xyz crores or xyz km or xyz year is important while writing an answer. I would be extremely thankful if you could take some time out to answer these questions. Thanks & regards •. Hey Vinay, So mains of CSE 2013 is approaching, I have this idea. People needs to revise on the previous day of the exam.

So can you open for chat on the previous day of exam, so that people can interactively post things that are important. This will help immensely and people can read what they have missed. Insights team can predict some questions along with the participants. This would be supplement our own revision notes. This should run only for 4 GS papers strictly on these days. 1>Dec 1 and 2 for first 2 GS papers.

2>Dec 3 and 4 for last 2 GS papers. Can you think on these lines? I know you can come up with a gem of an idea.

Folks what do you think? We don’t think it’s a good idea. We actively discourage any chat/discussion/debate other than subject related matter. Also it’s not possible for anyone to read/revise new things just before exam. One should actually take good rest.

🙂 And it is fact that no one can complete 100% syllabus and go to exam hall. There is no need to predict questions. Already more than 300 questions are available at Daily Answer Writing Challenge (UPSC is smart and we are not under any illusion that our questions would figure in Mains papers) Anyway thanks a lot for suggestion. I would like to thanks whole Insight team for these extremely helpful materials and guidance.

Actually i came from a rural area with a hope of cracking upsc exam which is the most prestigious and responsible job our country don’t know how to prepare and what to prepare and where from to prepare. And suddenly i came across this website. Atleast now i have a direction and online guidancehope it will help me to achieve my dreams. THANKS A LOT AGAIN.ADMIN!!! Admin i couldn’t find buisness standerd in my localitycould you please help me?? From where to study economic situations??

Subhradeep, If this website is helping you in your preparation we are more than happy:) There is no separate book for ‘economic situations’ as such. You need to keep yourself updated with daily newspaper and you can also refer to either ‘Economic Times’ newspaper or any ‘business magazine- say business standard/economist’ if you are very keep in knowing more about the economics part. For ‘business standard’ refer- For ‘economist’ refer – But don’t refer all the sources. Just keep any one as your reference. Since there are other things to cover too 🙂 •. Hello Vinay, I am a great admirer of open source. Nothing should be totally free in this world.

I believe user/buyer should be able to pay the cost for the product that the product is worth of. In this process the market would decide the exact cost of the product. A good product sustains and a bad one perishes. I am using this website and want to use this monthly magazine as well. Using this website without paying anything does not make your effort sustainable.

So can you please device a method through which i can pay/fund the initiative as much as i can. It can be Rs10, 20, 50 or 100. Quantity is not important right now as it would grow over period of time.

I dont intend to evaluate your effort through money but it would act as motivation to improve further. Please consider the suggestion. “Using this website without paying anything does not make your effort sustainable.”. Totally disagree with the statement and I very sure it won’t sustain if it will start charging. I guess Insights, If I am true, would never thought of such kind of idea before starting initiative. Money can’t be motivation for improvements.

You can join coaching at Delhi who are charging lakhs of Rs for their effort. Yes if user wants to give donation then there should be a provision, but will donation sustainable I am doubtful. How long you are eager to give donation? If you want to give something then I will suggest give some food to poor for that money.

Insight is providing notes and analysis through initiative “Secure-2014” along with “current events” (only from The Hindu). Go through it regularly and you will find that it is covering those articles which is relevant to UPSC syllabus. This is the way of reading newspaper.

If you are able to revise these articles again and again then it is good, no need to bother about Frontline as it is fortnight magazine of The Hindu itself. (Please someone correct me if frontline is necessary) AIR discussion, yes you can go ahead with it and it is really relevant. Sir, My thanks for your initiative regarding conducting test series. I m sure most will join and make use of your service. Amount wont be a big deal as the benefit going to be very valuable.

My kind request.kindly start by december and finish before august 1st week. As Rohit said, kindly include mains too in test as we will be having short time only for preparing mains after the prelims result. It would be great help for us if we take tests for prelims and mains simultaneously. Thank you INSIGHT •. Regarding The Hindu link sharing issue(19th Nov). If they don’t allow you to post links then you just mention(along with date) that read so and so section and so and so news from the hindu or some other news paper but don’t stop this initiative. This is really helping us specially SECURE 2014.

We don’t follow each and every newspaper but you provide some important links. India joins deep sea mining race from THE GUARDIAN. We don’t follow such newspapers because of the lack of time but because of you i came to know about that news related to india. So please continue with your work. Please please •. To Whomsoever I am a Mangalorian, Karnataka.

Right now i’m studying in Madras Christian College, Chennai, pursuing my Post Graduation in Public Administration. I never trusted any website so far in my life, but i am completely carried away by your effort. As regards i am even propagating InsightsonIndia in my college. It is only your credibility that made you successful today. Actually i’m following from July 2013 & your progress is commendable. And i would like to join your institute if you come up with reasonable fee and “no mercy just churning attitude”.

Don’t spare us, just screw us. Its really amazing that InsightsonIndia is going to start offline coaching too in Bangalore.Its really a great idea, because Bangalore is the city which has every thing but dedicated & credible Civil Services Coaching facility. Those institutions which are there now are just minting money.

I have experienced it myself it as i took coaching in one of the money minded institution in 2011. It was inevitable for me to join that institution as i had no other reasonable choices& even today. Karnataka has produced several stalwarts in all the fields, but when it comes to the Civil Services the state is doing nothing. Even other states like Tamil Nadu & Kerala in South India have government institutes, that they are actually performing quite well.I must tell you that it is not the question of brains but the exposure. And i honestly feel that if you can give the result which involves many Karnataka born candidates even along with other brothers & sisters of my country, definitely Bangalore will turn to be the IAS hub in South India because in South India Bangalore is the real metropolitan city as i have personally observing it right now being in Chennai. I want to make one request that please do not keep exorbitant fee. And do have regular classes, unlike others who target innocent IT professionals to mint money by conducting classes during only weekends.

If you can provide hostel facility to all your candidates, that will really do well, because in Bangalore living cost is too high. And even students will have a feeling of a formal education and that will keep them highly competitive as they do observe each other under one roof. Sir, i am Rahman 26 year old, from a remote village of malappuaram district,Kerala.

Currently am working with my father.he is a hill produce dealer. Frankly telling i don’t have any academic background.

I did my graduation in BA English from calicut university as distance. I couldn’t fetch good marks but passed with 42%.

And never read more books i want to secure cse 2014.i heard about insight through my friend when i shared my wish. I just went through the upsc syllabus topic by topic.its quiet interesting. So pls guide me sir from where to start???

How to start??/. Hi Aditya i too have doubt regarding 2 point mentioned by Harsha Katara. I started prepration around 2 months back. My plan was secure 2014.= 3-4 hrs (bcz most of the questions demands for analys i will search for the material) around 1 hr for news paper, and 2-3 for rest of my general subjects with aptitude practice.

Please Aditya clear my doubt whether i am on right path, bcz of general studies. But when i see this year main question paper all they want is analysing capability Vast reading of news paper. If wrong please tell me How to Cope up with both mains and Prelims thanks in advance vinod •. Hi insights im back.

Been 10 days since i read a newspaper n already i feel like a dinosaur out of touch wit our nation. I’m kickstarting interview prep today with my DAF. I’l be reading a few books about naxalism, terrorism, RAW and policing in the next couple of months.Got them during mains prep n raring to start off.

I’l also try n write reviews about them n highlight important sections so my readings can be of some use to fellow aspirants. Eagerly waiting for your interview platform. Any advice on interview would b much appreciated. @ Insights Sir, I am a regular viewer of this site.

Presently I just write answers daily in my register only and do not post that in comments. There is significant improvement in my writing skills after I started writing daily. I extend my sincere gratitude for your noble efforts benefiting UPSC aspirants in a great way. Thank you very much for this commendable job.

Subject: TO SIR WITH LOVE, RESPECT AND GRATITUDE Respected Sir, First of all Thank You so much for your wonderful efforts. Your efforts and insights have mandated to regard you as “CHANKAYA of Civil Services”, like in case of Chankya’s writings everyone wondered how a single human being can have so much knowledge, I too wonder with respect to you that how a single person can have so much insight about the exam and on top of that a zeal and unfettered commitment to help others. Hats of to you Sir!!! I am following this site religiously since first week of August, when I landed here accidentally while searching for some pointers to good study material for GS papers, since then it has been a ‘joy of learning’ treasured beyond the confines of the heart.

I am working as Examiner of Patents and Designs(Group A, Gazetted),The Patent Office, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. Of India, and like a lot of Indians want to become an IAS officer.

But more than a desire to become an IAS officer, I wanted to prepare for Civil Services to gain knowledge and experience the ‘joy of learning’. Due to job commitments, lack of time and more so because of apprehension of lack of knowledge, I was more of a silent spectator than an active participant. Further, I was unable to follow everyday’s Answer Writing Challenge and at last I took printout of good answers and then prepared through them. Now, since I have taken the exam and feel more confident about the level of my knowledge, I intend to become an active participant and would like to help you in this noble endeavor in whatever capacity I can. I would like to request you for sharing some link or your account details where if someone wants to contribute monetarily then he/she can do. I, personally, feel indebted for your invaluable contribution to my learning and knowledge and irrespective of the outcome of the exam result, want to contribute as GURU DAKSHINA.

I very well know that any of such effort takes immense time, will power and resources, so I offer to do a little bit of my part in whatever way I can. So, please share a link or your account details for voluntary contribution. At last but not the least, I would take this opportunity to thank and convey my deep gratitude towards Mr. Aditya Jha, Mr.

Tauseef Ahmed, Ms. Asha Gaud, Ms. Akand Sitara, Mr. Abhishek Pandey, Mr. Nikku, IAS Aspirant, Ms. Raghu Sharma g and all others. You all have been an epitome of ‘spirit of knowledge and sharing’ – It has been a privilege to share the same platform with you all.

One more thing Sir, I wanted to write this letter to you personally, but I couldn’t get the email-id to send it, so I am posting it here. Irrespective of the result of CSE Mains, I am happy with the learning this preparatory phase has endowed me with. Now looking forward to a further ‘enrichment of knowledge’ and an active participation from my own side.

Thanks and Warm Regards, •. Shagufta, You should adopt two pronged strategy: 1. Every day study basic materials too – try to understand basic things from basic books 2. Try to answer secure-2014 questions based on references, your own research (don’t spend more than 15 minutes on a question) and your residual knowledge. Initially you will write worst answers. Don’t compare them and feel dejected. Keep writing.

After ten days you would be surprised to see the change in you. We have seen many here getting better and better. You can’t remember everything. You don’t have to.

UPSC tests your Basic Understanding. If you practice consistently, you will get clear understanding of all topics as our questions are designed to think you in a multidimensional way.

The key is to stay in the race at any cost. 🙂 All the best. Your preparation would contain four threads broadly. Read them daily. You may or may not start optionals right now. Current affairs – Newspapers, Magazine(Yojana, Kurukshetra), PIB Static GS – NCERT, Advanced books(e.g.

Laxmikanth), Internet Optional paper Practicing questions- Secure 2014, Daily Answer writing challenge For the first thread, you may not read the magazines now. Start reading them when you finish the basics of GS. Now, you know how to prepare 1,3 and 4. For 2 start from NCERT books – 6th to 12th for every part of the syllabus. They would help you build a basic understanding.

Once you have basic understanding move on to advanced books such as Laxmikanth, Ramesh Singh etc. Prepare long-term plan and then divide it into several short-term goals. Then further divide them into daily and weekly targets. If you plan iin the long-term to finish economy in 2 months. Then divide the total number of pages in the book with the total number of days that you have.

This then becomes your short-term goal. Planning your preparation is absolutely important. For, in lack of it you would be lost in this vast ocean.

It would help you to keep track of your time and coverage both. Stick to this plan religiously and you find your preparation more organized and easy. Thank you Insights for providing this November 2013 magazine. After downloading it i have taken view of its table of content, the way of presentation of all current events.it is the magazine which i was finding till now. Pattern of magazine is according with new syllabus of UPSC, containing topics of India’s relation with other countries,its foreign policy, CBI issues, supreme court judgements, Health issues, ecology, climate change, running economics etc.

It has made every aspirants task easier for preparing current events notes. And thanks a lot for this, it helps all the aspirants who are at remotest corners of our country not having access to any classes. Efforts you are putting in are mind boggling. I just want to say thanks and I recognize hard work and regimen that Insight team is putting in. I am open to an Idea where any monthly contribution towards this forum as per readers and your discretion if possible can be initiated.

As I have worked in one of the leading Job portal I understand the efforts and money required in whole process. I would also suggest readers to buy book from the link as this help earning revenue. One of avid reader of Insight. Hello, Its been quite a while i studied something now I am starting preperation for 2014 exam this will be my last attempt(age wise).Could not even clear pre in previous two attempts. The first attempt was only with a month of preperation.

The second with around 2-3 hours a day.This time i thought i would clear pre. Now, I am in a fix. Whether to join coachin or leave my job and go on sick I dont even have much money saved to pay for coachin. Done with my education loan this month. Have to save for a few more month to leave job.

Or ask my dad for funds who retired this year. I am from one of the new IITs and currently working in a PSU.

And currently in the remotest place possible near WB the net connectivity is miserable. Still have access to net connection. Do you think I can join IAS/IFS if i start preparing from now?? Should I leave job?

Is coaching necessary? I am not able to decide what course of action should i take. Please help •. Coaching is not needed if you have strong motivation and a good place to study for yourself. You can clear 2014 attempt. It is possible. You have to adopt a focused approach to the preparation.

You should spend many hours in first clearing your basics and then for practicing – prelims+mains questions. Every one ‘reads’ for this exam, but the ones who ‘practice’ often get through. First asses how many hours you would be able to dedicate per day for your preparation. Based on that find a nice place to study. Internet is needed. As questions are based on dynamic content, you will have to refer some online sources (standard) for more information.

As you are left with only one attempt, it is prudent that you do whatever it takes to clear both prelims and mains. If you are confident about getting back job after one year, you should resign and start preparation.

Next December after Mains you can go back to your job. Hello sir, It has been a pleasure following you. I like this blog, and I read it every day. Thanks a lot for your Endeavour. The essay writing topics are particularly awesome. You have dispelled most of my doubts regarding it and I am indebted to you for that.

 Still I have some doubts and that’s why I am here. As a guy who wants to be a diplomat, I would like to take International relations as my optional.

I have been reading books related to Indian Foreign policy, mostly by Shashi Tharoor, Rajiv Sikri and other diplomats. Are they enough? Thanks a lot sir. Keep us motivated  •. Respected sir, as i m ur regular active follower n hv got ur guidence & motivation whenever needed.just given mains 2013 & i always feel that these are the rumours or misguidence which create a negative feelings for aspirants & i appriciate ur initiative in this direction of removing these. Sir in past few years there is a saying/feeling that those with age of more than 28 or given maximum attempts or those who r preparing while sitting (without doing job) are not getting cosideration or preference for selection by upsc,so u must be young under-25/26 0r doing a job to become an IAS!!is it true or is just a false market perceptio??

Sir as u always removed these misconceptions so plz this time also clear not only for me bt many of those who are confused n seeking a true suggestion,thank u. Atharv, I understand your concern. Last year there were 4-5 candidates aged 30+ in the top 25 list. Average age of IAS+IPS officers who are trained at LBSNAA is 28 yrs (male), so majority who topped lie in the age group of 27+, hence the logic that less marks is awarded in interview to aged candidates is baseless.

Also, your experience doesn’t matter much if you can satisfy them with your honesty and personality. Don’t go there with preconceptions. Go there to have a lovely discussion with good old people.

With friends don’t discuss about board members, their previous records, their character, their appearance, their background etc etc – it is useless and makes you prejudiced. They will have certain parameters and they will award marks accordingly. Keep occupied with next prelims preparation, or reading good books etc.

But never worry about what happens inside the interview hall – it will be cordial and a pleasant experience provided you go there with open mind. See age profiles in the following documents. Absolutely there is nothing to worry about age. Sir, I am a student from Engineering Background with mathematics as my optional subject. I have appeared in the mains 2012 but couldn’t qualify it because of my inadequate grasp on General Studies. For the same reason I didn’t appear for this year’s competition.

I am following this website since November and it really has been a boon for me and other students who suffer from the lack of quality preparation material. I am really interested in your offline classes but can’t leave my job as I am the main income source of my family. I have read some comments from others on your website about linking your planned offline classes to your online material. I couldn’t help but agree with it’s potential and it is just the right thing for me and other students with the similar limitations.

I know it will add more tasks to your already busy schedule but it will help a big number of students. From economical point of view it can be feasible if you ask for proper subscription from the students interested in the Video Lectures. I request you to consider it and dedicate a separate post/thread for it so that you can check the number of interested students and whether or not it is worth the trouble it will take to implement it. Namaskar Sir, i m ur student nw following u n ur sight for my UPSC exam-2014. I m From Belgaum but working in Chandigarh nw, i m in confusion abt my opt sub sociology. I m not getting correctly from whr to start n hw to start, i hv cmpltd by graduation frm IGNOU in Sociology n i also hv study materials like Harlambos and Holborn book on sociology for papaer-I, n yogendr singh, Ram Ahuja, M.N.Srinivas n Veena Das books for Paper-II with my IGNOU notes.

Plz tell me hw abt coaching centre stdy materials should I go for institute materials?? If so plz suggest me frm where i will get them.

SIRI GANNADAM GELGE, SIRI GANNADAM BALGE. Your FellowSANTOSH •. History is quite lengthy, but its very easy to learn and grasp Philosophy is having a short syllabus, but requires deep thinking kind of brain ( unless you have the power of cramming, because through cramming, you can get the excellence in any subject).Another thing is, in History although it is very easy to learn, but in mains exam, question comes in the statement form, which are quite lengthy to comprehend.Whereas in philosophy,most of the time question comes straight forwardSo the decision is up to you •.

Hello sir, I have a doubt about the interview process. As I have done journalism in my pg, I did my intern at a famous news paper last year. Then after that I didn’t do much, as I had to concentrate on studying. Last year I had given my prelims and this year also I am going to give it.

I will be 27 by then, and I had a job in the past, (only for a short time). So will this matter in the interview like I haven’t been in stable job ever in my life, and I have an above-average educational background. I know it is still early to think about these types of things, and I must concentrate on my target, still out of curiosity If I get through I will be facing the board at the age of 28, and will my past experiences in any way matter there? Hope you understand my anxiety Thank you and god bless you sir •. Hi Santosh, As Insights sir had said earlier, they are not experts when it comes to Paper-II.

So, they want to do only what they are the best at – Paper I. If you want to score good marks in Paper-II, you can refer to the following.

Cover TMH CSAT manual quite selectively- General Ability, Maths, Decision-making etc. Good Comprehension questions from the internet (Pagalguy.com)- it is not up to the mark in the TMH manual. You must try to solve high level comprehension so that handle the easy ones comfortably in the examination.

Practice some free tests from Testfunda.com and other websites that offer free mock test for CSAT. You do not require a separate test series for it.

If you practice regularly, there is no reason why you would not score well in this paper. Had quit my job at an MNC and started prepration in full swing from May.

But then by Aug my batteries were fully running out. For the past two months,havent even read The Hindu regularly. I mean every time i take out a book, i feel like im not going to get through and feel dejected.

Now i feel like i should get back to work, But civ services is a dream that i cherished from childhood. Frankly im in a mess right now, dunno where to start my preps from and whether studying from now on will be of any help in cracking civ service. Hi Nikita, This is a phase of low “Confidence” in your journey.

Trust me, not only you but many aspirants face similar situations where they feel they will not be able to make it to the Civil Services, want to quit and move on. But, actually they can not – just like you. What you require is not guidance, but light. The light which would clear all misconceptions in your mind. The fact is that as Insights says: Few prepare for this examination systematically, rigorously and continously. And, they number in a few thousands. If you can give the same amount of systematic effort, there is no reason( a topper said) why you will not crack this examination.

More than the effort, you need to understand ‘why’ do you want to get into the services? If it is a childhood dream, then what exactly is it in the Services that attracts you towards it. With some difficult sessions of introspection, you would get the answer. Once you are clear with the “Why” part, the “How” would automatically come out.

In fact, this whole website is about the “How” part of the Civil Services examination. But, if you are not clear with the “Why”, the internal drive required to persist in the preparation would not come easily. And, you would sway in one direction or another. The “Will” is hidden in the “Why”. Get the will and 50% of the journey is covered. You have a whole year ahead of you.

Given that you have been preparing for some time, despite the breaks, you can finish the syllabus comfortably. But, you must start and there is no better time to start than NOW. @Aditya Jha your replies/responses/suggestions/advises are always WOW. I always look out for your replies (besides of-course INSIGHTS)!!

In pagalguy.com, when i used to follow it, there used to be a system to check the posts of a specific person by clicking on that person’s profile. Wish it would have been here as well:P. Just kidding.

Already we are getting so much from INSIGHTS!! I am sure this team of INSIGHTS would be progressing in their life by leaps and bounds. They are collecting so much good karma and blessings and wishes of others that no obstacle can come in their way. Ganesh, Let me deal orderly with your questions. First about newspaper. It is always desirable to read The Hindu.

The content and quality, relevant to for Civil Services Examination, one gets in The Hindu is incomparable to other newspapers – especially the editorial section. Second about note-making. When you find that an article has many important points to jot down, it is more convenient to cut and paste the article in your notebook. However, if the volume of the important content is manageable, writing it on the notebook has its own advantages. In this way, you will remember the news for long. Moreover, the words that you write on the notebook will become a part of your written vocabulary. And, this would give you a decent amount of writing practice daily.

It has done wonders for me at least. Third about time. Reading the newspaper, analyzing it and writing notes naturally takes a lot of time for everyone. But, with regular practice and matured understanding this time would gradually reduce to manageable levels.

However, you must not spend more than an hour on note-making in any case. And, please avoid making notes of NCERTs and other static books. Do this only when information is coming from diverse sources which you would find difficult to revise at a later stage of your preparation. You would realize the true value of note-making at the last stage of your preparation when examination nears. Giving time to note-making is like laying foundations for your preparation and knowledge.

The stronger the foundation is, the higher and resilient the building would be. Finally about writing answers here. As Insights says and i have experienced it myself, writing and then typing is of immense help. It is perhaps the best writing exercise. You remember things for long. And, more importantly when you write things slowly using the keyboard, you get to analyse your own writing style and the quality of your answer.

Besides, you get a chance to edit your answer accordingly if you are not satisfied with your writing quality. If you repeat this exercise a number of times, you would find your answers getting better and better every time. Hope this helps you. Sir, plz help meI want to appear in cse 2014 and I decided this a week ago though I had taken coaching for this in Delhi but it was before the changes in mains exam (so that is of no use for me now) but due to some personal problem I gave up civils.but now I realise this is want I want to do and this year if possible.though I am taking NET exam as a career backupSir plz tell can this be donehow should I start because ideal time in may/june (my optional is a professional subject so I have good command on it though I have not finished it like it should be for civils mains )? Ansul, tons of laugh against your comment, the site will never close and the case of money, if you read in one of the sections, you will find that Vinay sir refuted one of the above money help, so donot throw blank remarks defaming the site, its our readers suggestion to stop surfing it and pour down ur frustration to your ownself. Insights have really helped allmost all the aspirants and will do so in the near future too.

Besides the new sections are dramatically very helpful to conjure all the knowledge that were hidden deep inside.A noble work of Insights should not be not be diminished with your bogus and lewd comments. Sir first thing is that we should smart work insteD of hard work, if we can get everything from the hindu through that current event, there is no need to read it again. And by distributing work among 30 people, we can save our lots of time.

Sir no need to worry about legal action, u r not involved in all this directly. By ur little efforts, we people can save our lots of time. What u need is to just choose 30 of uz, Assign them a day, each day we will prapare curent event as u did and send it to u. At the end of the month, u make a pdf(dont add your watermark) and just upload it somewhere ananymoysly or mail all of us. This way u will not involved in all these, u r working just as a medium by which we can connect. Respected Insights, Its been a month when I first landed this site and found it very helpful and eye opener Thanks for the Incredible work Earlier I was planning to stick to the daily routine stuff i.e. Secure 2014 and current event analysis but due to the busy schedule at work place I cant keep my pace wih the daily updates as of now I have left the job from tenth of jan 14 and now I want to devote my full time for the preparation of 2014 exam Iam very nervous now that how to cover earlier posts of secure 2014, current events & daily answer writing challenge as it is very important for the upcoming mains also suggest me a way to complete these important articles.

I am thorough with the basic stuff i.e. Ncerts and some slight concepts of mains as I have appeared for the prils in 2013 but failed to qualify for mains. Kindly suggest me what to start with and by what time the syllabus should be covered (finished) keeping in view the time required for prils preparation and revision as hardly 11 months are left for the upcoming mains. Iam thorough with my optional paper (Commerce &Accountancy) and will manage it effectively doing/ revising side by side Today onwards I will regularly update my knowledge from secure 14 and current event analysis without a break.

Kindly provide the time schedule (in days/ months) by which I should be prepared for mains and revision thereafter PLEASE respond to this Regards NITIN •. Hello Sir, I’m pursuing Masters in Mathematics from Gauhati University and I’m into my final semester at the moment. I’m a UPSC aspirant, like most other visitors of this website (UPSC 2014 would be my first attempt). Needless to mention, your online magazines are simply tailor-made for UPSC aspirants. I know UPSC is one exam that requires exclusive attention and preparation.

Being a mediocre student, entertaining thoughts of me, cracking UPSC in the first attempt, while pursuing M.Sc, might sound over-optimistic. But I want to put my best foot forward.

I just had an inquisitiveness to know if INSIGHTS issues online magazines for the UPSC prelims too •. Hi Panditji, I, at least, would have loved to do it. But, there were several issues running in my mind that i dropped this plan. I think one can write much better answers than what we wrote in Mains or otherwise. It ultimate boils down to one’s capability, practice and knowledge. And, i sincerely believe that there is no ‘end’ to all of these. Besides, one must understand that the nature of the paper is “Subjective”.

There is no one best answer and different authors may subscribe to different views. Even the structure of the flow or introduction may vary greatly amongst aspirants. It would thus not be right to brand one answer or the other as a benchmark.

If, however, you wish to understand the broad framework of the answers – I am sure the Daily Answer Writing Archives would be quite useful. Thank you so much for appreciating our efforts on this blog and i am very glad that it is helping you in your preparation. I hv compiled all 2013 interviews of candidate, analysing them & preparing basic of situational & current issues. Lynda Indesign Cs6 Essential Training Download there.

Being on isolated place( 🙂 from upsc point of view) i often relies on my laptop for interview(self). I hv covered basic related to profile in my last attempt itself. But really absent thing is real situation & as my job is allowing me to move delhi so i requested for student in delhi as it will be win win situation. As per my knowledge vinay sir is from K’tka so it will be difficult for him in such situation. Regarding coaching its ur discretion however if u want that compilation or even insight sir want that compilation then surely i will mail to both of u 🙂 •. Hello sir, Due to some reasons the Hindu wasn’t available to me last month. As I am from a remote place I didn’t have any other option to read it.

But I am subscribed to Pratiyogita darpan. Now when I look back I feel like I am one month behind in G.K. What should I do? Shall I read the Hindu online editions from now including the last months? But I think it will take more time, jeopardizing my progress in covering the syllabus.

What can I do when I couldn’t read news paper for a month or more than a month? Sir, I know it is too late for thinking about this, but somehow it makes me worried every time.

I did my Post graduation, and have all of my certificates with me too, except my course completion certificate. But I have the mark lists of all of my 4 semesters and when I went to collect them they told me it was not available. This doubt grows every time whenever I read about the mains exam, as what should I do?

Will I have to attach my PG completion certificate for mains DAF? Will I get rejected without it ever? In the interview? Please understand my concern •.