Condensed PT doc including latest updates, could be revised within 15 mins!

This is the document I created from S&T PT last time.

A document like this is all you need.

If you notice carefully, it is not bloated with facts that are anyway logical and it strictly contains trivia that is in line with PYQ Analysis.

I was able to create this doc from the PT in 4-5hrs. Truth be told, that’s all the time you need for those magazines.

Use this for your reference, hopefully I’ll create a similar doc after PT for this year comes out!

@UPSCneil
@Neil_You

When it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be:

Missed the cutoff by 13 marks.

128 in Essay, 121 in Ethics(atleast we have that figured out now hopefully) and 258 in Optional(Physics) in an year when it was butchered. Plus 182 in Interview, can't be disappointed with that either.

Hopefully will try to turn it around one last time with your love and support!

My sister got 972 total, Great marks in Essay (132), GS (420+) but optional (Mathematics) slightly pulled down(235, down from 260 last year). Getting 184 in Chaubey sir's board is no easy feat either.

If only we knew about the science subject jumlebaazi before. Anyway, the community will get all the tools post Prelims from our experience.

If time permits, I'll try to come up with a similar handholding Sherlocking Mains Module too!

Overview> In-depth knowledge in Prelims.

Instead of having detailed know how of dynasties(which is unfortunately not possible given the constraints of memory), an overarching location and chronology is more effective.

Here's the best video I came across. Watch this everyday twice and this will give you good enough peripheral knowledge!

TF was that!

Are we going to see the Gen Cat cutoff hover in 70s for the first time! Can’t be ruled out. Idk what apart from Sherlocking could have helped someone.

But this is always a game of odds. Can’t be sure of anything.

Unpopular Opinion: Will Elimination ever be Dead!?(Clickable link)

Also, don't forget to ask for your 20% discount if you're enrolled in Sherlocking GS or GS+Heuristics or GS+Heuristics+CSAT!

Course Update:

Earlier, the validity that was being provided to the students was time bound.

After a lot of requests and further introspection, we’ve decided to extend the validity of all the courses indefinitely!

This simply means that once you enroll in a course, the videos are yours to watch till the end of time.

The only expectation I would have of you is to respect the hard earned IP and the work that has gone in the background. I’m sure the Parshurama-Karna story would show us the way!

Hopefully moving forward, we’ll continue to design similar modules which focus on processes that would optimise your chance in this Russian Roulette of an examination!

Life could change in a week!

IFoS Interview concluded but it was as if I was a passenger in my own vehicle with no driver.

From missing the cutoff in CSE narrowly, to the massacre that was Prelims and now this, fate is sometimes brutal!

Hopefully Almighty always figures out a way whenever one hits a cul-de-sac!

Anyway, we'll resume what we left really shortly.

Index posts consolidated. I'm certain this ardous task of organising this information will pay significant dividends for all of you.

1.https://t.me/Neil_You/172
2.https://t.me/Neil_You/173
3.https://t.me/Neil_You/174

Go through rest of the texts too on the channel as most of the FAQs have been addressed here.

Essay Course:

The lecture series has 6 lectures covering the basics plus discussion of 17 of my essays written over the past 5 attempts showing the improvement and execution of principles on the ground!

Just like all of our modules, this one also has a weekly/biweekly meet up component!

Speak with @helpdeskupsc for onboarding details!

PS: Also, don't forget to ask for your 20% discount if you're enrolled in Sherlocking GS or GS+Heuristics or GS+Heuristics+CSAT!

Getting started with Mains, a lot of principles remain the same.

My Video with DKT

Disclaimer:

This is an elaborate version of my transcript for the Indian Forest Services Interview conducted by UPSC. It's my belief that the devil lies in the detail. Transcript should not merely be used as a question bank but to gain a bird's eye view on the overall interview process. Information is the real currency in any field, thus it's my endeavour to provide as detailed info as possible which can put the nerves of future candidates at ease.

Day Begins:

While you enter the premises of UPSC, an attendance sheet is signed. One can know their 'order' in their panel based on that list. I knew I was the 'first' candidate in my board for a 'second' time in 'three' months. Entry at around 9AM, then biometric and a photograph taken after submission of electronic devices inside the Interview building. Document Verification done and documents returned by 9.45AM. I was called to the room at around 9:55AM and was told to remove the mask by the assisting staff before leaving the waiting room. I travel nearly 30m to arrive at the destination, sat down and waited outside. Tried to deep breathe and train my voice but no respite due to nervousness. A lady member walks in the room, and I try to place her identity inside my head because I could vaguely recollect her face. I'm called in within the next 3 mins!

Setup:

I put my game face ON, entered, greeted all 5 members, and sat down after the permission. Probably I didn't look comfortable while sitting so Hon Chair insisted that I sit comfortably at ease taking my own sweet time. I thanked her and the Interview formally began.

Probably what you want to know the most:

Chair:

-Why did you quit QualComm?
-But this is IFoS, not CSE which as would know is a different profile altogether.
-So tell me 3 things you would want to resolve as an IFoS.
-But 'HOW' will you practically ensure increased participation of indigenous communities?
-We have indigenous communities working already with the department but at menial levels. Do you think we have ensured their 'participation' and well being?
-Your take on development vs conservation debate.
-Situations where we face that dilemma.
-Do you remember any recent instance?
-Have you heard of what is happening in A&N islands?
-Solution to the dilemma as forest dept.

M1:

-Tell me about your work experience?
-Why don't we have chip designing in India?
-Have you heard of MediaTek . Don't you think it's defying the 'first movers advantage'?
-Do we have chip manufacturing in India?
-Why not? Are we planning?
-But water scarce regions like Taiwan, Singapore have chip foundries. What else?
-Any Indian company you remember working on Chip Design?
-Role of tech in forest?

M2:

-"You have great knowledge of the subject based on your explanation so far"(Probably he was just encouraging me or maybe we were experiencing two different realities because inside my head, I was tanking throughout).
-How much forest area do we have in India?
-You spoke about increasing Carbon sink by 2.5-3bT and also about our goal of 33% net forest area. Do you think we can achieve both?
-How?
-Let's say we have an exotic tree species which has very high Carbon sequestration capacity, how should we introduce?
-Let's say we want to increase Carbon sequestration of an existing forested area, how can we do it?
-How do we increase the rate of photosynthesis?
-What sequesters more Carbon, the upper canopy or the soil?
-Why?
-Which area sequesters more Carbon?(I politely told him that I'm unable to understand the context)
-Which area, terrestrial or water based?
-Ponds are also aquatic, so pond or river or ocean?
-Why?
-Have you heard of tiered/stratified canopy?
-How can we create such a canopy?
-Apart from time sequencing?
-Any other approach?
-Have you heard of allelopathy?

(I'm close to hyperventilating at this point in time but still trying to project a semblance of a strong voice and putting up a brave smile. Inside my head, my dream has said "Au Revoir" to me once and for all)

M3:

-You live in South Delhi, so tell me how will you measure the forested volume of Sanjay Van?
-Have you heard of Volume Table?
-Birds in Aravalli?( I left A LOT OF QUESTIONS until now, thus I didn't want to leave this one entirely either. I respond with 'Common Sparrow' because that's the ONLY bird I could remember and nigh possibility that it would be found in the area)
-I don't want common sparrow, and neither crow, pigeon etc. What else?(I was tempted to say Parrot or Peacock, but I was not looking forward to the LOWEST MARKS OF ALL TIME, so preferred to skip)(While reading, this response from the member might seem confrontational but he was polite and smiling while framing it)
-Why South Delhi Ground Water more brackish?
-Geologically, how is Andaman islands diff from Lakshwadweep?
-Coral or Coral deposits?
-Have you heard of Debt Ceiling crisis?
-Explain!
-Why did they need a debt ceiling?
-Do we have something similar in India?
-How are those two diff(debt ceiling and the India version)?

The Revelation!

Baton passes to the Honorable Chair. She tells me that my interview is over, with a smile. I was confused as to why the lady member didn't ask any questions. She was also observing me closely and there was continuous discussion going on between the Honorable Chair and the Honorable Lady member throughout the interview .

(It was later when I came back home and like a jolt of lightning, this idea of googling 'Latest UPSC member' comes to me. I'm finally able to confirm the identity of the Honorable member. I add two and two together and come to the conclusion that probably the new member was getting instructions on how the assessment goes on in real time, while I was the 'Specimen'. )

(Board was cordial but I felt as if they were not at all satisfied with my answers, based on their non verbal feedback and incessant cross questioning. Idk if it was their deliberate approach for stress testing, or my elevated senses were just making me overtly self critical or maybe my responses just left a lot to desire. I will never be sure.)

I get up, smile and thank all the honorable members. With my head held high and without completely disintegrating my sense of self, I come out, passed on my best wishes to the next candidate waiting outside, and made an exit.


*THE END*

IFoS Transcript!

neilcantbirdwahtch
Board: Honorable Member of the Commission Smita Nagraj Madam

1. Disclaimer

2. Day Begins

3. Setup

4. Probably what you want to know the most

5. The Revelation