Neil & You! (UPSC & Beyond)
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Neil, HCS 2021(Rank 93)

Founder UnlockIAS, devised the Art of ‘Sherlocking’.

Coached students successfully in UPSC, UPPCS, RAS, HCS, BPSC, OPSC, TNPSC & other state PCS exams, IFoS, ICAS, LEO, CAPF.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Hn9zu162vXY?si=4yVIO3fHP2
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Also, don't forget to ask for your 20% discount if you're enrolled in Sherlocking GS or GS+Heuristics or GS+Heuristics+CSAT!
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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!
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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.
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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
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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!
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Getting started with Mains, a lot of principles remain the same.

My Video with DKT
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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)?
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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*
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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
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Getting started with Internal Security

This is a template for how I would prepare for each syllabus head for Mains and how I would analyse scripts from successful candidates!
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My take on Prelims 2023, some unpopular opinions, and the way forward!

https://youtu.be/yTLFmaFViaw
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For people looking to watch something light and different, here's my experience of going to Panchkula for HCS Dy SP Medical!

https://youtu.be/MQjH4G6XrGU
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Avoid fixating on results! If you want to take your mind off of the chaos, here's a little gift. Listen to this, could be life changing!

https://youtu.be/vVN-DqUqyS8
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A conversation with my past self!

Ep1.Source of content for Mains!
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How I ‘skim’ through newspapers in under 30mins!?

Here’s the process and then some illustrations!
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We don’t have time to rest! Let’s resume and give ourselves the best shot anyway!

I’ll have a short meet scheduled for students who are appearing in Mains, tomorrow, 13thJune!

For students who unfortunately couldn’t clear would have a meet scheduled for them, a day after tomorrow, 14thJune!

Feel free to ping @helpdeskupsc for a link to the meet!
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