Neil & You! (UPSC & Beyond)
17.5K subscribers
1.07K photos
21 videos
140 files
1.49K links
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
Download Telegram
Unpopular Opinion: Free is not always Free!

https://t.me/UPSCneil/19293
💯41
Best wishes for tomorrow guys! The final gala would be an experience to savour till the end of time. Whatever you do will be, don’t forget that it’s enough. See you on the other side!
18💯4
Course Update

First PYQ mapping video must be available in your dashboards in an hour. Should fill you up with confidence, I have no doubt.

I will release the Syllabus Parsing and PYQ mapping videos for relevant heads in tandem from hereon as I have realised that it'll be much more fruitful.
9💯2👍1
People requesting for IFoS dedicated group:

https://t.me/IFOSneil

Other group links:

https://t.me/Neil_You/668
5💯1
Sherlockers who appeared in Mains 2023, how was your experience!? Feel free to share with @helpdeskupsc and we’ll connect if need be!

Wishes.
7💯2
Sherlocking IFoS Meet:

All students targeting IFoS are invited to attend the meet.

Agenda:

-Getting started
-PYQ analysis-How?
-Begin with the endgame in mind!
-Doubts if any!

Date, Day: 25th Sep, Monday
Time: 4PM

Link: meet.google.com/skd-iqzw-odp
🙏7🫡3
Idk why this reminded me of sherlocking! 😃

https://youtu.be/XdF4y8naDtE?si=y71pYwURpKHefmfC

Good channel to unwind though! xD
6😁1🏆1
Reboot v2.0! Community assignments begin:

https://t.me/UPSCneil/20767
4🙏2👍1
Community Engagement! Songs & Vulnerability, always a good combination!

https://t.me/LIFE_neil/3579
5🙏2
Assignment Submission Deadline:

https://t.me/UPSCneil/20772
👍31🙏1
The Prelims-Mains paradox aka Preliminator or Mains Magic!

पतझड़ के मौसम की समाप्ति के समय, October dawns, and every UPSC aspirant faces a familiar challenge:

The Prelims-Mains paradox aka Preliminator or Mains Magic!

This is a conversation with my past self, embodying that very dilemma:

P: Past Self (A tad naive!)
N: Neil (Seasoned with experience, garnished with mistakes!)

N: It's October, I remember this time of the year, standing at the crossroads, with Prelims lurking close and Mains appearing deceptively distant.

P: Exactly. कुछ लोग integrated जैसा कुछ जुमला बताते हैं, लेकिन exam तो अलग अलग format के होते हैं।

N: Learning has to be integrated but application would differ. Prelims is all about quick recognition, like spotting the right key for a door while Mains is the act of unlocking it, using intellect and strategy.

P: बढ़िया, But why do I often hear that Prelims is more unpredictable?

N: You're right. Prelims is more like a sprint on uneven ground - sometimes it's a smooth path, sometimes there's a hidden pothole. You need agility, quick reflexes, and sharp eyes. Mains, on the other hand, is a marathon - endurance, stamina, and strategy take the lead.

P: But aren’t both also about reading the same sources?

N: Let me give you another analogy. Imagine this exam as a multi-cuisine restaurant. Now, the Prelims is like a buffet – a plethora of dishes to choose from, but you must recognize your favorite dishes amidst all the choices. On the other hand, Mains is like ordering a-la-carte, it's exhaustive, and you need to recall and pen down specifics about your preferred dishes.

P: Aha! So, Prelims is more about quickly recognizing what's on my plate, and Mains is diving deep into my favorite dishes! But how do I navigate through this multi-cuisine setup?

N: Perfecto! For Prelims, it's like a competitive food eating contest. You need to recognize and gobble down facts as fast as possible! Think of it as the "Rapid Fire" round in Koffee with Karan, but without the hamper at the end. 😉

P: Oh, so no hamper. Just the ticket to the Mains?

N: Exactly! And speaking of Mains, it's like being on Masterchef. You need to have a good grasp of your optional subject – it's like your signature dish! And be above average in all the other dishes, which are your GS Papers.

P: So, in this Masterchef, I need to remember the ingredients (facts), but also present it well (answer writing)?

N: Bingo! And also, sprinkle some salt in the form of value add, facts, diagrams and so on. Remember, it's not just about the content but how you serve it on the plate (or in this case, on the answer sheet).

P: Aye aye, chef! But what about those unpredictable dishes, like current affairs?

N: Ah, the trickiest dish on the menu! But remember, UPSC won't ask about every spice in the kitchen. If a topic has been the talk of the town, like the viral Dalgona coffee during the lockdown, then it's worth preparing. Anything less famous is like the side dish you might ignore.

P: So, like if I’m studying about a national park for Prelims, I should think about its environmental, social, and economic implications for Mains?

N: Exactly! You’re catching on quick! That way, you're preparing for both without even realizing it.

P: Got it. Broad understanding for Prelims, deep dive for Mains. But what about the unpredictability of Prelims?

N: That's where your agility comes in. Stay updated, practice often, and always be on the lookout. Prelims is like searching for a hidden gem in a vast desert, while Mains is about polishing that gem to perfection.

P: Oh! And what about those who say Mains is about writing practice?

N: Absolutely! Think of it as mastering the art of storytelling. Your answers should have a captivating introduction, a solid body of content, and a memorable conclusion. The better you narrate your understanding, the more you stand out. Let me give you some links to help you orient better for both Prelims and Mains respectively.

P: जल्दी, please. Youtube का विशेष शौकीन हूं मैं।
30👍231💯1🏆1
P: मज़ा आगया, Binge watch करता हूं! और ये video links के साथ Product placement भी की जा रही हैं? सब समझ रहा हूं! 😁

N: This is not Netflix, young padawan. Don't Binge watch. Slowly internalise the concepts and enjoy thy reward. Also, you're not a consumer and I'm not a service provider. So this is not a 'product' to be 'placed'. I see many reaping the benefits of my work, and it's my duty to spread the message. Let me tell @helpdeskupsc to not engage with you even if you enquire for a module moving forward! 😉

P: मज़ाक कर रहा था सच में, बुरा मानने की तो कोई बात नही थी। But wait, इतना MasterChef MasterChef करने के बाद, are you going to leave me hanging without any dessert?

N: Never! The dessert, my dear Watson, is the sweet reward of success. But to relish it, you have to first navigate through the buffet and the a-la-carte, and for that, you need to strategize, practice, and revise. Also, remember, this dessert is worth the calories and the grind!

P: Any parting advice?

N: Internalise this, whether it's Prelims or Mains, self-belief is the key. Keep your eyes on the prize, trust your preparations, and give it your all. And always remember, elementary, my dear aspirant!

P: Will keep that in mind. And if I ever get stuck, I know where to find my विक्रम for guidance!

N: Always here, my persistent बेताल! 😉

---

I hope this tale cleared the mist around Prelims vs. Mains. Equip yourself, practice relentlessly, and you'll surely crack the code! 🕵️‍♂️🔍

Till next time, keep Sherlocking! 🕵️‍♂️🗒


THE END
37👍9
A conversation with my past self!

Ep3.The Prelims-Mains paradox aka Preliminator or Mains Magic!

3.1. Conversation Begins
3.2. Important Links
3.3. Conclusion

@Neil_You
@UPSCneil
14💯3👍1
Great meeting guys. If any of you documented the minutes, kindly share with @helpdeskupsc.
4💯2
Course Update:

Syllabus Parsing for MIH with PIH is available on your dashboard. It's taking more time than I initially expected because I don't prefer compromising on quality. But to be absolutely honest, making these videos is so stimulating for me, I see it as a work of art.

I'm sure you would make great use of it. Be rest assured that we would finish everything with the same quality standards and enough time to revise and internalise everything!
10👍1💯1
Weekly Essay Writing with Peer Evaluation, and prizes to be won!

https://t.me/answerwritingneil/2079
3🙏1
For people looking for HCS Interview Experience:

https://t.me/Neil_You/179

Though they aren't allowed to ask about whether you're an outsider or insider, they still did in my case. That served as a handicap in the interviews as is usually the case in state PCS but was fortunate to still get 40/75, an above average score.

So stick to basics and even if you're an outsider, find a way to not divulge that.

PS: Planning to make a video on YT to highlight what has happened in the hopes that result is revised. Atleast we can do what is in our control!
4💯2👍1
As discussed in a lot of our past meets, I’m a proponent of frameworks, not only in this exam but also in life!

I’m still personally shook at the erratic result given by HPSC this time. And at the same time, it appears that there are some students who got the interview call and are looking for guidance.

So following the short term-long term framework, while we’re doing everything from our side to make our voices heard to the commission, I’m also extending free O2O session for students appearing in interviews.

It remains my wish anyway that appropriate number of students be added to the list and my gut tells me it’s a matter of ‘when and not if’!

Please ping @helpdeskupsc with the proof of the interview call to arrange the O2O!
6🙏1