Aspiration, Ability and Application

Click on the link for Video:

My speech about UPSC CSE Preparation and Life as an Administrator.

Excerpts from Guidance session at Dnyandeep Academy’s Felicitation programme.

• Today is the day we remember Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. All the successful candidates should follow his ideals while working in social sector.
• I begin with congratulating Director of the Academy Mahesh Shinde for this wonderful programme. He has been like an elder brother to me since my preparation days.
• I have seen the struggle and growth of this Academy over last five years. This academy is more than a class as it provides the much needed moral and emotional support to aspirants apart from the academics.
• Ex Divisional Commissioner Pune Hon. Dalavi Sir has been a guiding light for me. I remember when I was preparing for UPSC CSE, Sir visited the locality where I used to stay during the Swine Flu outbreak of 2010-11. That was the first time I saw an IAS officer on field. It was a great booster for me.
• Sir is the brain behind Nirmal Gram Abhiyan, Tanta Mukti Abhiyan and more recently Zero Pendency and Daily Disposal. Even after his retirement he is actively working on Community led Rural Development. I find myself lucky to get an opportunity to work under his guidance in my tenure as CEO ZP.
• Aspirants for UPSC or MPSC should have clarity before entering this arena. Last decade has seen a boom in the field of competitive exams. But limited number of opportunities, aggressive glamour based marketing of Civil Services and rising number of unsuccessful candidates over the years has brought negativity in this field. I am afraid eligible candidates from Maharashtra might shy away from Competitive exams due to this negativity.
• Let us ask about three qualities or attributes to each of the aspirant: Aspiration, Ability and Application. These are three critical parameters for any aspirant.
• The aspirant should have self driven aspiration. The focus should not be on the glamour of Civil services but on the opportunities and organized structure it provides to work for the betterment of society.
• Everyone has a different sets of abilities. It is sad to see someone who has immense talent in other field wasting his/her career trying for Civil services.
• Application is third important factor. Your efforts should translate into outcome. This needs dedication and practice. Merely potential or talent is not sufficient but its application is required. Temperament is another important factor which determines the capacity to face stress and challenges. This ‘Jigara’ is needed to tackle the exam as well as to perform well in Civil Services.
• The hype around UPSC needs to be reduced. UPSC exam has become generalist now. Depth and details are not expected. It is not necessary to dedicate 3-4 years for the exam now. You can get successful even while working.
• Plan B is must for every aspirant. It gives you the most required stability of mind. It also helps to buffer the pressure coming from family, peers or society. 1 or 2 years of dedicated study is enough. After this you can lookout for a parallel job. Also set a time-frame for yourself. You must know when to stop.
• Study for competitive examinations must be to the point. Stick to syllabus and past question papers. Avoid unnecessary reading.
• Study does not mean reading. You must read, think or discuss the content and practice for the exam. This is an exam of questions and answers. You cannot crack it by mere reading. Answer writing and solving practice is must.
• Newspapers are must read for Current affairs. No readymade material can replace them. 2018 prelims had many questions based on newspapers. Watch out for small bits in news. Don’t panic even if it takes 3-4 hours daily.
• Revisions should not be re-reading. Try to revise on a weekly basis by marking 1 or 2 days for revision only.
• Use the ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. Divide workload, divide study hours, divide questions, divide answers.
• Conceptual clarity is very important. Don’t limit only to factual information. Basic concepts are must for writing good answers.
• Your concentration throughout your attempts must be on exam. You need to remove focus from other things.
• Group discussions are helpful but the time and efforts put into it should not be more than the output gained.
• In a generalist exam pattern, it is necessary to improve coverage. You need to cover all parts of the syllabus and relevant current affairs.
• You must be ready to face any sort of challenge. Exam pattern, exam hardness levels change very often. This is one skill you need to carry in your career too.
• Self-consciousness, self-awareness is the most important factor for success. Work as per your needs. Don’t copy anyone else. Be original.
• Finally, I congratulate Team Dnyandeep for arranging this programme. They have put in a lot of efforts and made this interaction with you possible.