OPTIONAL STRATEGY
Hello there! Myself Anushka Karnwal and I have secured AIR 435 in CSE 2023 examinations. This was my first attempt. My optional was Economics and through this blogpost I will be sharing my strategy for the same.
Economics as an optional is generally perceived to be a risk for this subject can be equally rewarding as well as risk taking. The subject involves so much dynamism and interpretations that it gets hard to understand the subject. More than the understanding, it's harder to express what one understands. And there arises the problem. Apart from that the limitation of guidance, lack of adequate test series and absence of pyq solutions adds up to make it even more tough. But since I had already made one shift from Science to Economics after school, I wasn't very much impressed by the idea of making yet another shift for optional. So I decided to keep it as my optional. And to be honest I wasn't expecting the marks that I actually scored i.e. 270 (141+129) which is a pretty good score given it was my first attempt. So, with this score and with a lot of work with Economics, I think I am in a position to share what I did.
Paper 1 strategy:-
For paper 1, I started from the very basic books because I didn't know the 'abcd' of economics when I decided it as my optional (a COVID batch student who relied on open book examinations). So we have it as follows:
1) Micro- HL Ahuja (you have to do it selectively which you can find on the blogs written by various toppers like Abhishek sir)
2) Macro- Froyen (many people prefer HL Ahuja for macro as well but I think Froyen is relatively better)
3) International trade- Salvatore, the Bible I would say of this subject.
4) Money, Banking and Finance - Topper notes + Internet + coaching notes.
5) Development Economics - I did it selectively from my college readings. You can also refer to YouTube for different models.
Paper 1 requires a lot of revision and when I say a lot, I really mean it. I don't even remember how many times I revised this paper. And to make a point, revise this paper every time on a notebook. We generally think that we remember a particular graph or diagram but when it comes to paper 1, lack of practice actually messes up the paper.
Paper 2 strategy:-
For paper 2, I had less time so I didn't refer to any book. Though there are good books which you can find on toppers' blogs. I will not try to recommend any book since I haven't read any. So for this paper I completely relied on Internet and Topper notes especially those by Abhishek Dudhal Sir. Plus I had my notes from Vibhas Jha sir (available in the market). These notes were helpful as they provided a direction. However due to paucity of time I couldn't complete the entire paper for mains. Some people refer to Uma Kapila for this paper, I have read this book. The book is good if you have to get an understanding of the background and trends. But trust me paper 2 has gone way beyond any book. After giving mains I realised where I went wrong in this paper. I will just mention it here. SIT DOWN and try to EXPLORE as many dimensions as you can for this paper. It's a great mantra for this paper.
Some general pointers:-
1) Revise both the papers vvvvv well. You have to mug up a lot of facts in paper 2. But trust me, revision eases the process. At first it seems difficult but gradually everything falls at the right place.
2) Make your own notes of this subject.
This paper is rewarding if you give enough importance to it.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Hello there! Myself Anushka Karnwal and I have secured AIR 435 in CSE 2023 examinations. This was my first attempt. My optional was Economics and through this blogpost I will be sharing my strategy for the same.
Economics as an optional is generally perceived to be a risk for this subject can be equally rewarding as well as risk taking. The subject involves so much dynamism and interpretations that it gets hard to understand the subject. More than the understanding, it's harder to express what one understands. And there arises the problem. Apart from that the limitation of guidance, lack of adequate test series and absence of pyq solutions adds up to make it even more tough. But since I had already made one shift from Science to Economics after school, I wasn't very much impressed by the idea of making yet another shift for optional. So I decided to keep it as my optional. And to be honest I wasn't expecting the marks that I actually scored i.e. 270 (141+129) which is a pretty good score given it was my first attempt. So, with this score and with a lot of work with Economics, I think I am in a position to share what I did.
Paper 1 strategy:-
For paper 1, I started from the very basic books because I didn't know the 'abcd' of economics when I decided it as my optional (a COVID batch student who relied on open book examinations). So we have it as follows:
1) Micro- HL Ahuja (you have to do it selectively which you can find on the blogs written by various toppers like Abhishek sir)
2) Macro- Froyen (many people prefer HL Ahuja for macro as well but I think Froyen is relatively better)
3) International trade- Salvatore, the Bible I would say of this subject.
4) Money, Banking and Finance - Topper notes + Internet + coaching notes.
5) Development Economics - I did it selectively from my college readings. You can also refer to YouTube for different models.
Paper 1 requires a lot of revision and when I say a lot, I really mean it. I don't even remember how many times I revised this paper. And to make a point, revise this paper every time on a notebook. We generally think that we remember a particular graph or diagram but when it comes to paper 1, lack of practice actually messes up the paper.
Paper 2 strategy:-
For paper 2, I had less time so I didn't refer to any book. Though there are good books which you can find on toppers' blogs. I will not try to recommend any book since I haven't read any. So for this paper I completely relied on Internet and Topper notes especially those by Abhishek Dudhal Sir. Plus I had my notes from Vibhas Jha sir (available in the market). These notes were helpful as they provided a direction. However due to paucity of time I couldn't complete the entire paper for mains. Some people refer to Uma Kapila for this paper, I have read this book. The book is good if you have to get an understanding of the background and trends. But trust me paper 2 has gone way beyond any book. After giving mains I realised where I went wrong in this paper. I will just mention it here. SIT DOWN and try to EXPLORE as many dimensions as you can for this paper. It's a great mantra for this paper.
Some general pointers:-
1) Revise both the papers vvvvv well. You have to mug up a lot of facts in paper 2. But trust me, revision eases the process. At first it seems difficult but gradually everything falls at the right place.
2) Make your own notes of this subject.
This paper is rewarding if you give enough importance to it.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Anushka Karnwal, IAS pinned «OPTIONAL STRATEGY Hello there! Myself Anushka Karnwal and I have secured AIR 435 in CSE 2023 examinations. This was my first attempt. My optional was Economics and through this blogpost I will be sharing my strategy for the same. Economics as an optional…»
Hello
Good Morning all.
I hope your studies are going well.
I know I haven't been active lately, it is just the post results hustle with which I am occupied with.
I have something to share. I had a toppers' talk session with Vibhas Sir (The Economics Genius). He has been my mentor all throughout, not just for optional but for GS as well.
I am sharing the link here.
I hope you gain something out of it.
https://youtu.be/ODSDY4Fb-zw?si=v7Vh6ZCu3h6hBj9f
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Good Morning all.
I hope your studies are going well.
I know I haven't been active lately, it is just the post results hustle with which I am occupied with.
I have something to share. I had a toppers' talk session with Vibhas Sir (The Economics Genius). He has been my mentor all throughout, not just for optional but for GS as well.
I am sharing the link here.
I hope you gain something out of it.
https://youtu.be/ODSDY4Fb-zw?si=v7Vh6ZCu3h6hBj9f
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
YouTube
Anushka Karnwal Rank 435 Toppers' Talk | Success Stories | UPSC 2023 | NEXT IAS
"Believe in yourself. Stick to your strategy. Do continuous practice. That's it."
Anushka Karnwal secured an impressive Rank 435th in UPSC CSE 2023 that too in his first attempt.
She was the NEXT IAS student. Under the able guidance of the faculty of NEXT…
Anushka Karnwal secured an impressive Rank 435th in UPSC CSE 2023 that too in his first attempt.
She was the NEXT IAS student. Under the able guidance of the faculty of NEXT…
Anushka Karnwal, IAS
https://www.instagram.com/stories/upsctimeindia/3357095979453955891?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=OHM1YjVydjc5ZTVr
Join in for all your prelims specific queries.
Hello
Good evening
This is in regard to the YouTube live session scheduled at 9 pm today. The session will be live on UPSC INDIA TIME YT channel.
I will be first taking up the doubts related to this year's prelims preparation and paper attempting strategy. Later on I will move towards those planning their attempts next year or so..
Due to bad health I have not been active on my own YouTube channel so I thought to clarify all the prelims related doubts at once through this session.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Good evening
This is in regard to the YouTube live session scheduled at 9 pm today. The session will be live on UPSC INDIA TIME YT channel.
I will be first taking up the doubts related to this year's prelims preparation and paper attempting strategy. Later on I will move towards those planning their attempts next year or so..
Due to bad health I have not been active on my own YouTube channel so I thought to clarify all the prelims related doubts at once through this session.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Hello
I am sorry for the inconvenience caused. Due to a bad throat, I couldn't continue with the session.
Will update about the rescheduling.
Apologies.
I am sorry for the inconvenience caused. Due to a bad throat, I couldn't continue with the session.
Will update about the rescheduling.
Apologies.
To compress what I was talking about in my session for this year's prelims
Here are the pointers:-
1) Revise, revise and revise:- you should be able to do at least 5-6 revisions of the entire syllabus until 15th June.
2) 1-2 new topics here and there are normal like doing the very factual things later.. example tribal uprisings. But do not move to new books or completely new concepts.
3) shift to FLTs now if you haven't done it yet. Generally a shift to FLTs reduces marks as compared to sectional tests. The later you do it, the more it will be harmful. It will take 2-3 FLTs for your score to get back to normal.
4) do not over emphasise on current affairs. Static will always take over.
I will keep adding new points to it.
For people appearing in this year's prelims:- Every minute is precious.
Keep studying
With love,
Anushka
Here are the pointers:-
1) Revise, revise and revise:- you should be able to do at least 5-6 revisions of the entire syllabus until 15th June.
2) 1-2 new topics here and there are normal like doing the very factual things later.. example tribal uprisings. But do not move to new books or completely new concepts.
3) shift to FLTs now if you haven't done it yet. Generally a shift to FLTs reduces marks as compared to sectional tests. The later you do it, the more it will be harmful. It will take 2-3 FLTs for your score to get back to normal.
4) do not over emphasise on current affairs. Static will always take over.
I will keep adding new points to it.
For people appearing in this year's prelims:- Every minute is precious.
Keep studying
With love,
Anushka
Hello
I hope your studies are going well.
One very common question that we as aspirants have while giving the mocks is what should we look at while analysing any mock test.
Here are a few things which I used to look at :-
1) Nature of wrong attempts : Factual or Conceptual
If it's Factual, then is it because I haven't read/revised that topic well or the question is solely based on some current affairs or the question is the extension of something which I read but the particular information wasn't present in the book. In all these cases, there is nothing to worry about because such cases present scope to learn more. You just have to add that additional information and keep revising it.
If it's conceptual, then you need to revise your concepts well.
2) Topic asked indirectly : sometimes what we have read/learnt doesn't appear exactly on paper. The concept or fact is asked very indirectly. In such cases it is important that you give more time to solve these questions. Ultimately you have the required knowledge in your mind, you just need to work upon it.
3) Static or current based questions:- try to minimise your wrong attempts from the static portion.
These are the points I used to keep in mind. However, it is always possible to see out of the blue kind of questions in mocks. Nothing to worry about. You are always going to see them in the final paper. The ultimate aim of giving mocks should be to STABILIZE YOUR SCORE..
Thanks
Keep studying!
With love,
Anushka
I hope your studies are going well.
One very common question that we as aspirants have while giving the mocks is what should we look at while analysing any mock test.
Here are a few things which I used to look at :-
1) Nature of wrong attempts : Factual or Conceptual
If it's Factual, then is it because I haven't read/revised that topic well or the question is solely based on some current affairs or the question is the extension of something which I read but the particular information wasn't present in the book. In all these cases, there is nothing to worry about because such cases present scope to learn more. You just have to add that additional information and keep revising it.
If it's conceptual, then you need to revise your concepts well.
2) Topic asked indirectly : sometimes what we have read/learnt doesn't appear exactly on paper. The concept or fact is asked very indirectly. In such cases it is important that you give more time to solve these questions. Ultimately you have the required knowledge in your mind, you just need to work upon it.
3) Static or current based questions:- try to minimise your wrong attempts from the static portion.
These are the points I used to keep in mind. However, it is always possible to see out of the blue kind of questions in mocks. Nothing to worry about. You are always going to see them in the final paper. The ultimate aim of giving mocks should be to STABILIZE YOUR SCORE..
Thanks
Keep studying!
With love,
Anushka
Hello
Good evening
Planning to conduct a live session (YouTube/zoom/gmeet) tomorrow evening.
Please do provide your suggestions for the preferred time and platform.
Topic of the meet:- Prelims related doubts.
Will circulate a form tomorrow morning for collection of common questions.
Thanks.
With love,
Anushka
Good evening
Planning to conduct a live session (YouTube/zoom/gmeet) tomorrow evening.
Please do provide your suggestions for the preferred time and platform.
Topic of the meet:- Prelims related doubts.
Will circulate a form tomorrow morning for collection of common questions.
Thanks.
With love,
Anushka
Hello
Good Morning.
I am sharing the form link below. Please feel free to ask your questions..
The session will be on gmeet most probably.
To make a note, this is more of a doubt taking session rather than a strategy session. All the strategy related sessions will be done on YouTube so that they can be available for later references as well.
https://surveyheart.com/form/663865757e8771687258b243
Thankyou
With love,
Anushka
Good Morning.
I am sharing the form link below. Please feel free to ask your questions..
The session will be on gmeet most probably.
To make a note, this is more of a doubt taking session rather than a strategy session. All the strategy related sessions will be done on YouTube so that they can be available for later references as well.
https://surveyheart.com/form/663865757e8771687258b243
Thankyou
With love,
Anushka
Hello
The session will be at 9:15 pm on Google meet.
Will share the link 15 minutes prior to the session.
I will try to keep it as short as possible keeping in mind the paucity of time for upcoming prelims.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
The session will be at 9:15 pm on Google meet.
Will share the link 15 minutes prior to the session.
I will try to keep it as short as possible keeping in mind the paucity of time for upcoming prelims.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Hello
meet.google.com/ujp-wips-hnb
This is the meet link.
I request only those people to join who genuinely have doubts regarding prelims in June.
Thanks!
meet.google.com/ujp-wips-hnb
This is the meet link.
I request only those people to join who genuinely have doubts regarding prelims in June.
Thanks!
Google
Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.
Hello
Please share the recording.
And please do let me know how was the session so that I can improve it for the next time.
Thanks.
With love,
Anushka
Please share the recording.
And please do let me know how was the session so that I can improve it for the next time.
Thanks.
With love,
Anushka
Hello
I hope your studies are going well.
This is to share that from today till prelims, all of you are free to ask as many doubts as possible regarding the exam in June. Any doubt, big or small!
I will be more than happy to help you in any way possible. I will try to reply asap to your doubts (only the ones concerning prelims).
I understand that during this time, we have 'n' number of questions crossing our mind daily.
So you are free to ask.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
I hope your studies are going well.
This is to share that from today till prelims, all of you are free to ask as many doubts as possible regarding the exam in June. Any doubt, big or small!
I will be more than happy to help you in any way possible. I will try to reply asap to your doubts (only the ones concerning prelims).
I understand that during this time, we have 'n' number of questions crossing our mind daily.
So you are free to ask.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Hello All
It's finally the day before the D-DAY.. Today you will probably look back at your years of preparation, quite possible that it might make you anxious as well. Some of you might have gone through this feeling before as well and for some it might be completely new. But trust me if there is anxiety of performing your best, then you have prepared well. For those who don't prepare, tomorrow is just another day.
No matter how the paper is, no matter what happens tomorrow, if you have prepared well, success will come to you.
Some tips from my end:
1) Do not overstress yourself.
2) Take proper sleep tonight
3) Today's study isn't going to add anything to or subtract anything from your preparation. So just stay calm and relax.
4) Go with full confidence for the exam. You are gonna make it this year.
5) Do not panic looking at the questions. There will be something unexpected for sure in the paper.
6) Give enough time to your questions especially in GS.
7) Keep telling your mind throughout the paper, that you have to do it. Trust me, it works wonders.
8) Do not discuss how the paper went with anybody.
9) Do not look around except for the clock.
10) Keep yourself hydrated and Eat light food.
Whatever it is, just remember that there are people around you who love you more than anything. Just keep your faith in them. And everything will eventually fall into place.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
It's finally the day before the D-DAY.. Today you will probably look back at your years of preparation, quite possible that it might make you anxious as well. Some of you might have gone through this feeling before as well and for some it might be completely new. But trust me if there is anxiety of performing your best, then you have prepared well. For those who don't prepare, tomorrow is just another day.
No matter how the paper is, no matter what happens tomorrow, if you have prepared well, success will come to you.
Some tips from my end:
1) Do not overstress yourself.
2) Take proper sleep tonight
3) Today's study isn't going to add anything to or subtract anything from your preparation. So just stay calm and relax.
4) Go with full confidence for the exam. You are gonna make it this year.
5) Do not panic looking at the questions. There will be something unexpected for sure in the paper.
6) Give enough time to your questions especially in GS.
7) Keep telling your mind throughout the paper, that you have to do it. Trust me, it works wonders.
8) Do not discuss how the paper went with anybody.
9) Do not look around except for the clock.
10) Keep yourself hydrated and Eat light food.
Whatever it is, just remember that there are people around you who love you more than anything. Just keep your faith in them. And everything will eventually fall into place.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Hello All..
I hope your exam went well yesterday. For those who have calculated their marks and are looking at what the cut off could be, you can read this analysis by Rahul Sir. His analysis is on the right line most of the time. He has a great understanding of the paper pattern and expected cut offs.
Last year also he advised everyone who was scoring above 70s to start preparing for mains (which eventually turned out to be true).
So, as per this analysis you can get an idea for sure and start your mains preparation asap.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
I hope your exam went well yesterday. For those who have calculated their marks and are looking at what the cut off could be, you can read this analysis by Rahul Sir. His analysis is on the right line most of the time. He has a great understanding of the paper pattern and expected cut offs.
Last year also he advised everyone who was scoring above 70s to start preparing for mains (which eventually turned out to be true).
So, as per this analysis you can get an idea for sure and start your mains preparation asap.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
Forwarded from Rahul Sengar
प्यारे साथियों
Due to some early numbers I have given the cutoff around 100 but after analysing it for the whole night and comparing questions with 2019-2018-2020 paper , My view point is now different.
So.......
If you have given prelims 2024 and scoring ABOVE 85 (Gen) , 83(OBC) , 70 (SC/ST) , 75(EWS) in GS1 ...kindly start mains ASAP.
Reasons for the same :
1.Paper 1 was moderate i.e. than last year ...neither too difficult nor easy and also having difficult sections like ancient history and culture , environment and again 17 questions of the nature ,pair type, but there was no panic situation like last year .
2. If I compare this paper with 2019 (cutoff 98 and 2020 cutoff 92) then the paper is almost on the same line so the cutoff can be around 90-95(Gen) .
2.Paper 2 was definitely on the easier side and getting 66 is easy so mostly it's not going to play any role in the final cutoff .
3. Safe zone
Gen : 95+
EWS: 83+
OBC:92+
SC: 75+
ST: 75+
So ...
Take 2 days rest and start mains preparation. And if any support is needed ... I AM RIGHT HERE
P.S : Even if someone has not done well this year ...one should start preparing for mains ...
MAINS is the KEY
Do not copy or compare with anyone but you can always learn good things from Ishita (1st rank ) ...she couldn't clear prelims twice but when she did ..she did phenomenally well in mains ... Mayur , Srijan , Saurabh , saksham believed in themselves and you all know the result ...this should be the level of preparation
So buck-up ...stop brooding over prelims ...plan , strategise work and let's make history together . 😊😊
I am planning to have a one to one discussion too and for that I will be meeting in slots from 23rd June . Information will be shared in group
जल्द ही मिलते हैं ।
All the best
Always Your well-wisher
💐💐💐
Due to some early numbers I have given the cutoff around 100 but after analysing it for the whole night and comparing questions with 2019-2018-2020 paper , My view point is now different.
So.......
If you have given prelims 2024 and scoring ABOVE 85 (Gen) , 83(OBC) , 70 (SC/ST) , 75(EWS) in GS1 ...kindly start mains ASAP.
Reasons for the same :
1.Paper 1 was moderate i.e. than last year ...neither too difficult nor easy and also having difficult sections like ancient history and culture , environment and again 17 questions of the nature ,pair type, but there was no panic situation like last year .
2. If I compare this paper with 2019 (cutoff 98 and 2020 cutoff 92) then the paper is almost on the same line so the cutoff can be around 90-95(Gen) .
2.Paper 2 was definitely on the easier side and getting 66 is easy so mostly it's not going to play any role in the final cutoff .
3. Safe zone
Gen : 95+
EWS: 83+
OBC:92+
SC: 75+
ST: 75+
So ...
Take 2 days rest and start mains preparation. And if any support is needed ... I AM RIGHT HERE
P.S : Even if someone has not done well this year ...one should start preparing for mains ...
MAINS is the KEY
Do not copy or compare with anyone but you can always learn good things from Ishita (1st rank ) ...she couldn't clear prelims twice but when she did ..she did phenomenally well in mains ... Mayur , Srijan , Saurabh , saksham believed in themselves and you all know the result ...this should be the level of preparation
So buck-up ...stop brooding over prelims ...plan , strategise work and let's make history together . 😊😊
I am planning to have a one to one discussion too and for that I will be meeting in slots from 23rd June . Information will be shared in group
जल्द ही मिलते हैं ।
All the best
Always Your well-wisher
💐💐💐
Hello
For anyone who is considered to keep economics as their optional or are writing mains this year with economics optional can join in for tomorrow's session at next IAS. You can join offline as well.
I will also be there at Next IAS tomorrow. Will tell my optional preparation strategy in detail.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka
For anyone who is considered to keep economics as their optional or are writing mains this year with economics optional can join in for tomorrow's session at next IAS. You can join offline as well.
I will also be there at Next IAS tomorrow. Will tell my optional preparation strategy in detail.
Thanks
With love,
Anushka