C.S.C. : Heartiest congratulations to you from Civil Services Chronicle for your success. How are you feeling about it?

Pradeep Singh : Thank you I am feeling very happy and satisfied.

C.S.C. : What is your inspiration for becoming an IAS officer? Whom do you give credit for your success? What is the role of family and others (teacher, friends) in your preparation and success?

Pradeep Singh : My inspiration for becoming IAS to is to work for the downtrodden sections mainly farmers and daily wage labourers. There has been immense support from family friends and teachers during my preparation. I would like to give them all the credit for my success.

C.S.C. : What strategy one should follow for preparing for General Studies Prelims & Mains? Did you integrate your Prelims and Mains preparation or was it separate?

Pradeep Singh : I think prelims and mains are the two different phases of the single exam and therefore one should prepare for each phase with a different mindset.

However there is some syllabus that is common between prelims and mains and one need to focus on the factual aspects for the prelims and need to focus on building the opinion for mains.

C.S.C. : How much time did you devote for Prelims, Mains, Interview, Optional ? How did you manage your time in both prelims and mains examinations?

Pradeep Singh : I've been giving this exam since 2016 but started preparing seriously for this exam since 2017. I think one need to give focus to the mains and optional upto 6 months before the exam but last 6 months should be totally devoted to the prelims preparation.

C.S.C. : Did you prepare notes? How helpful are the notes? What is your advice on notes-making?

Pradeep Singh : Yes I also prepared the notes. notes are very handy when you have very less time for revision. One should make notes at least for the miscellaneous topics which you will not find normally in the conventional books.

C.S.C. : What was your optional? What was the basis of selecting this optional? What strategy one should follow for optional?

Pradeep Singh : My optional is public administration. I chose this optional because I have done BTech in Computer Science in Engineering which was not an available optional in the UPSC optional list and also I find it interesting and relevant to the service for which you are preparing.

C.S.C. : What was your preparation strategy and books which you referred for Ethics Paper?

Pradeep Singh : I have prepared some handwritten notes for the terms that is being given in the ethics paper 4 syllabus. for case studies I have practiced them enough before going to the exam.

C.S.C. : Tell us something about preparation of Essay paper.

Pradeep Singh : Essay is one paper which gives you the freedom to write freely in the exam. one should feel the freedom to write the essay. for preparing essay one should take cues from the topper’s copies of essay and from videos available on YouTube etc.

C.S.C. : What was your style of writing in the exam? How was it distinct from the general writing style? How did you develop this writing style?

Pradeep Singh : I did not have a single writing style in the exam . Actually one has to write the answer to the question according to the demand of the question. one needs to do enough answer writing practice to develop a style.

C.S.C. : How did you prepare for interview? Which type of questions were asked in interview? Did you answer all? Was there any specific area they emphasised upon?

Pradeep Singh : I prepared for the interview from various sources like internet newspaper magazine etc. interview mainly emphasized upon the government schemes , farmers problems , india china relations etc. there were some of the question whose Answer I wasn't able to give.

C.S.C. : Importance of coaching in the preparation of exam.

Pradeep Singh : The requirement of coaching depends upon various factors like availability of resources, study material , proper guidance. If it is available by any other means then there is no need of coaching. Otherwise you need someone while you start preparation and teach you if you are a fresh candidate.

C.S.C. : Suggested Book list for Prelims, GS & CSAT and Mains Paper 1 to 4 and Essay.

Booklist for prelims

• Spectrum for modern history
• Laxmikant for polity
• NCERTs for geography,
• Ramesh Singh or coaching notes for economics

C.S.C.: Achieving top slot in the Judicial Services Examination is no small feet; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.

Saquia: Thank you!

C.S.C.: Can you recall the exact moment when you realized the importance of Judicial Services?

Saquia: When I was pursuing LL.B, one of my Seniors Cracked Judiciary, at that time I determined my mind towards judiciary.

C.S.C.: Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make career in ‘Judicial Services’?

Saquia: While pursuing my LL.B.

C.S.C.: You must have read Toppers interviews in newspapers/magazines; what inspired you the most? Any particular success story which influenced your journey to this result?

Saquia: Selection of my seniors inspired me the most.

C.S.C.: Was JSE a planned decision or your parents’ wish? Did you keep in mind some time frame, for the examination preparation and number of attempts?

Saquia: Yes! They always wished that I should go for Judicial Services. As my father is an Advocate so he always wished that I should join judiciary.

C.S.C.: Describe the exact moment when you came to know about the importance of Judicial Services?

Saquia: When I visited court with my father and I saw the fame in which the J.M. go through.

C.S.C.: About Interview Boards, many candidates have set impressions. Do you consider such thoughts help or hinder one’s performance in Interview?

Saquia: The only quality which one should keep in mind is self confidence and way of self presentation.

C.S.C.: What was your first step when you were really serious about making a career in Judicial Services?

Saquia: Joining of Ambition Law Institute.

C.S.C.: Were you confident of your success in this examination and how did you react to this news of your success?

Saquia: It was amazing.

C.S.C.: In how many attempts have you achieved this success? How do you visualize your preparation/previous attempts?

Saquia: This was my fourth Interview.

C.S.C.: Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for your ultimate goal i.e. Career in Judicial Services?

Saquia: No, only full time in preparation.

C.S.C.: While the changing economic environment offers immense lucrative career opportunities in various sectors, still what kept you motivated towards Judicial Services?

Saquia: My family support.

C.S.C.: What's important and what's not? Share your thoughts and opinions.

Saquia: Practice is very important.

C.S.C.: 'Time Management’ - is a key factor while making preparations as well as in writing examination papers. Did you come across such a problem during this period? If yes, then how did you manage things?

Saquia: Time Management is very important and regular studies also.

C.S.C.: Was Judicial Services Examinations a planned thing for you? Had you thought of some time frame for this examination?

Saquia: Yes it was the only thing for which I was devoted.

C.S.C.: List some of the Magazines, Newspapers, Books etc. which you read for 'General Studies’ preparation.

Saquia: Civil Service Chronicle Magazine, Ghatna Chakra & Lucent and The Hindu newspapers.

C.S.C.: How did you prepare yourself for Interview? When and which Board did you face? How did your interview go on, how much time it lasted and what were the questions asked during the Interview?

Saquia: Board 1. Ambition interview guidance programme, it was lasted for 15 minutes.

C.S.C.: Does the educational, financial and demographic status of the family of an aspirant have any impact on the preparation?

Saquia: Financial support and support in every aspect is very important.

C.S.C.: According to a recent report published by reputed survey agency, Civil Service Chronicle is the largest read Career & Competition magazine. What is your opinion?

Saquia: Yes, Civil Service Chronicle is very helpful.

C.S.C.: What is the secret of your success?

Saquia: Regular Studies, Time Management.

C.S.C.: To whom would you like to give the credit for your success?

Saquia: My parents, friends and Ambition Law Institute.

C.S.C.: Your favourite person.

Saquia: My parents.

C.S.C.: Your Strong Point

Saquia: My family support.

C.S.C.: Your Hobbies.

Saquia: Reading & Travelling

C.S.C.: Any suggestion/advice you would like to give to the future aspirants.

Saquia: Never loose hope.

Thank You very much and wishing you all the best for your future endeavors.

CSC. : Achieving top slot in the Judicial Services Examination is no small feat; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.

Ans: Thank you so much.

CSC. : Can you recall the exact moment when you realized the importance of Judicial Services?

Ans: When I was in Campus Law Centre during 2nd Semester, many of my classmates were preparing for judicial services. At that time I did a thorough research about judicial services and decided to prepare for this exam.

CSC.. : Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make career in ‘Judicial Services’?

Ans: While doing Law, I realized that Judicial Service is a very noble service one can think of. Immediately after realizing this, I joined Ambition Law Institute where I got guidance of Mr. Alok Kumar Ranjan who guided me well. After that I became more firm w.r.t. judicial services.

CSC.: You must have read topper’s interviews in newspapers/magazines; who inspired you the most? Any particular success story which influenced your journey to this result?

Ans: The never give up attitude of most of the Toppers inspired me the most. Their constant hard work with more focus on making a smart strategy helped me in utilizing the time more efficiently.

CSC.: Was JSE a planned decision or your parent’s wish? Did you keep in mind some time frame, for the examination preparation and number of attempts?

Ans.: JSE was definitely a planned decision complimented with my parent’s wish to make a secure & noble career. I always, tried to prepare with the best strategy to clear the examination in the first attempt itself.

CSC..: Describe the exact moment when you came to know about the importance of Judicial Services?

Ans.: While doing Law, I used to read judgments of Hon’ble Supreme and High Courts. It helped me to realize the impact of judgments on great number of people. The more I read judgments the more it helped me to realize the importance of judicial service. Also in Ambition Law Institute, Mr. Alok Kumar Ranjan used to inculcate the same in class room lectures.

CSC. : About Interview Boards, many candidates have set impressions. Do you consider such thoughts help or hinder one’s performance in Interview?

Ans: One should not fall into any pre-conceived notions about interview Board. Candidates should rely on their hard work only as that will help them to sit confidently in the interview

CSC.: What was your first step when you were really serious about making a career in Judicial Services?

Ans: The first step was to get guidance about judicial services, as I am from non law background. For that I joined Ambition Law Institute which provided me the exact required guidance for the same.

CSC.: Were you confident of your success in this examination? How did you react to this news of your success?

Ans: Yes, I was always confident that sooner or later I will get the result of my hardwork. If at some moment I felt low, my parents and my brother and also my friends stood by me in those low moments. I was elated with the news.

CSC.: In how many attempts have you achieved this success? How do you visualize your preparation/previous attempts?

Ans: For Haryana Judicial Service this was my 1st attempt. Apart from Haryana judiciary, I gave Delhi judicial service exam also.

CSC.: Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for your ultimate goal i.e. career in Judicial Services?

Ans: No, I was fully focused on judiciary exam. The only aim which I kept in my mind was to clear the exam. If for some reasons I could not clear the exam, my next step used to be to analyze my strategy for the exam, rather than switching to some other career option.

CSC.: While the changing economic environment offers immense lucrative career opportunities in various sectors, still what kept you motivated towards Judicial Services?

Ans: For this I will give credit to my parents and my brother. The environment of my home where I always saw my father working for 18 hours a day. My mother who taught me the art of reading and learning things. My brother who constantly motivated me to remain focused towards judicial service. Nothing attracted me more than to be part of judicial service. Many Hon’ble judges are also the reason for this focus.

CSC.: What’s important and what’s not? Share your thoughts and opinions.

Ans: Patience is important while hasty preparation is not. One should never lose his/her patience if they are not able to clear this exam in their initial attempts. Rather one should always have faith in him/her despite many unsuccessful attempts.

CSC.: ‘Time Management’ - is a key factor while making preparations as well as in writing examination papers. Did you come across such a problem during this period? If yes, then how did you manage time?

Ans: Yes,'Time Management' is the key. While I was in Ambition Law Institute, Alok Kumar Sir always told us that the answers should be very specific. One should answer what the question has asked and not unnecessary things.

CSC.: Was Judicial Services Examination a planned thing for you? Had you thought of some time frame for this examination?

Ans.: Yes judicial services examinations was a planned thing. My focus was to give my best in the examination. I always tried to give best and to clear the exam in that very attempt.

CSC.: List some of the Magazines, Newspapers, Books etc. which you read for ‘General Studies’ preparation.

Ans : For Magazines I read Civil Services Chronicle, for News Papers I read Hindu as well as Indian Express.

CSC.: How did you prepare yourself for Interview? When and which Board did you face? How did your interview go on? How much time it lasted and what were the questions asked during the Interview?

Ans: For interview my strategy was to be thorough with the Law Subjects as well as to be aware of the current events and also with the recent judgments of Hon’ble Supreme court as well as of the Hon’ble High Court. Interview board consisted of 9 members including Hon’ble High Court judge and Hon’ble HPSC members.

CSC.: What is the importance of medium of examination for exams like JSE?

Ans: It’s not the form but substance which matters. Medium of examination is the mode of expressing your knowledge only.

CSC.: Does the educational, financial and demographic status of the family of an aspirant have any impact on the preparation?

Ans: In my opinion these factors do not play any impact on the preparation, as candidates having different backgrounds are clearing the same exam. Hard work and smart strategy is the key to success in this exam.

CSC.: According to a recent report published by reputed survey agency, Civil Services Chronicle is the largest read Career & Competition magazine. What is your opinion?

Ans: Civil Services Chronicle is without any doubt the best magazine.

CSC.: What is the secret of your success?

Ans: Constant hardwork and patience with faith in myself, the constant support and motivation of my parents, brother, friends, campus law centre and Ambition Law Institute (particularly of Mr. Alok Kumar Ranjan).

CSC.: Any suggestion/advice you would like to give to the future aspirants?