CSC: What were the basic mantras of your success?

Nasir: Good guidance, Patience, Smart work and Consistency paved the way for my success.

CSC: When did you start preparation for the IAS Examination? When should one ideally begin thinking about preparing for this exam?

Nasir: I started my preparation in June 2013. I think one should start preparing for civil services examination in the last year of graduation.

CSC: How did you start preparation for the IAS Examination?

Nasir: I joined coaching classes to prepare. I followed the guidance provided by my teachers honestly with full commitment.

CSC: What were your strategies for the lengthy syllabus of General Studies for both Prelims and Main examinations?

Nasir: I divided the syllabus in simple and achievable targets so that the entire syllabus of General Studies can be covered for both Prelims and Main examinations.

CSC: What was your optional subject? What was the basis of selecting this particular optional subject?

Nasir: I took ‘History’ as my optional subject. ‘History’ is the most relevant subject from General Studies, ‘Essay’ as well as interview point of view. I analysed that more than 25% of questions in IAS Prelims examination come from History. In Main exam also History covers more than 400 Marks. ‘History’ optional provides background for all the four papers of General Studies and the Essay paper in Mains examination.

CSC: How did you come to know that which sources of reading materials are standard? Please give a list of books, magazines and papers.

Nasir: Guidance of my teachers and the advice of seniors helped me in identifying the right study material and books.

I read NCERTs for basic preparation and then I relied on the class notes provided by INSIGHT IAS ACADEMY, Delhi during my coaching classes. I followed ‘The Hindu’ newspaper regularly.

CSC: Tell us something about preparation of essay paper.

Nasir: It goes hand in hand with the preparation of General Studies because topics and issues are common to both.

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

Nasir: For some topics I made notes. I mostly relied on the class notes of my coaching classes. Notes are important because they help in quick revision at the last moment.

CSC: Did you attend any coaching institute? How helpful are the coaching institutes? What is your overall opinion about the coaching institutes?

Nasir: Yes. I took coaching for ‘History’ optional and General Studies. I joined INSIGHT IAS ACADEMY of S. BALIYAN Sir in Delhi. The classes and regular tests helped me a lot in ensuring direction-oriented study. The continuous guidance and support provided by S. Baliyan Sir made my preparation easy and I could crack Civil Services examination.

CSC: What are your suggestions for freshers who want to join coaching institutes for preparation?

Nasir: Coaching classes are necessary but rather than going by publicity, one should cross – check the performance of institute through close friends and seniors. I myself joined coaching after discussing with friends and I found INSIGHT IAS ACADEMY immensely helpful.

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

Nasir: I focused more and more on what was being actually asked by paying attention to key words, prefixes and suffixes of questions.

CSC: The trend suggests that professionals are more successful in civil services examination. Does this exam prove difficult for Humanities and Social Science background candidates?

Nasir:No, not necessarily. Whoever is hard worker, will clear this exam.

CSC: What should be the best strategy to tackle negative marking in Prelims exam?

Nasir: One should attempt only those questions which are known. Guess work should be avoided.

CSC: How helpful is one’s academic background in his/her success?

Nasir: Academic background does not help necessarily, but sometimes humanities background may help.

CSC: How did you prepare for interview?

Nasir: I prepared my bio-data related questions elaborately. Mock interviews also helped me a lot in preparation for interview.

CSC: What types of questions were asked in interview? Did you answer all?

Nasir:The questions were mostly from my DAF (Detailed Application Form). I did not answer all the questions.

CSC: Was there any specific area they emphasized upon?

Nasir: No, most of the questions were general in nature.

CSC: Before getting down to actual preparation, what kind of reading one should do to improve one’s suitability for this exam? What is the outside reading one should do?

Nasir: One should read Newspaper regularly. General understanding of what is happening around plays an important role in civil services examination.

CSC: To whom would you give credit of your success?

Nasir: Parents, my teachers, myself and well wishes of my friends.

CSC: What is your advice to the freshers who are going to appear in this exam?

Nasir: Follow your dream and commit yourself fully to civil services preparation.

CSC: What is your advice to the candidates who have failed in this exam?

Nasir: Failure is the stepping stone towards success. Never stop, keep striving hard and you will definitely succeed.

CSC: Since when have you begun reading Civil Services Chronicle magazine? What are your suggestions to make it more useful for civil service aspirants?

Nasir: I read Civil Services Chronicle magazine occasionally. It is very good magazine as it covers issues very well. Every aspirant should read it.

CSC: Mr. Nasir, thanks a lot for giving your valuable time and sharing your insight on civil services examination.