IAS Subhankar Bala MAINS strategy

IAS Subhankar Bala MAINS strategy

How to move forward to the Mains and interview stage?

• Preparation of mains is slightly different from Prelims
• In prelims we remember all small minute facts but in mains we try to remember the bigger picture and analysis along with important data
• One should first try to complete the basic syllabus of Base subjects as mentioned above before jumping into answer writing practice
• After that I would suggest writing mains answers of 4-5 questions daily from different sources.
• I used to read questions along with answers from Insightsonindia secure synopsis in the morning and used to write the answers in evening or night to test my memorizing skill and then recheck the answers with original text and add missing parts.
• Revise once a week all the answers of the past week. And once a month past month's answers swiftly.
• This helps to improve articulation in answers and also helps to form structures in answers. Practice putting maps and diagrams, flow chart in answers from the early stage.
• Regarding News paper : In the beginning stage one should read news paper but i do not think one should give too much time to read each line of it as without basic concepts clear it will be tough to understand the whole picture. I would suggest read for 45-60 minutes and focus on important topics.
• Over time when you will get to know flow of the news and past event then you will automatically read it for longer period and actually understand it and will be able to use that knowledge in the exam. REMEMBER YOU ARE GOING TO WRITE THE EXAM AFTER 8-10 MONTHS OR SO. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMEMBER NEWSPAPER ARTICLES TILL THAT TIME. SO JUST FORM IDEA ABOUT THE EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE GLOBE FROM NEWS PAPER AND MAKE NOTES FROM OTHER SOURCES ABOUT THOSE.
• PREPARE NOTES FOR ALL TOPICS
• Watch debates from RSTV (Now Sanshad TV) , you may write down if some important viewpoint is found.
• Whenever any important event comes up, gradually put information about it in the notes (preferably digital format) , which will finally create a good information base for your answer.
• Essay : Don't start preparation of essay in early stage as essay needs lot of information and perspective and it takes time to build those.
• I have shared some of my essays from there you can take idea about the topics that you needs to prepare.
• Prepare a lot of quotes which you can use in essay. ( I have  provided some already)
• Think in different lines as given in the notes. Prepare your own essay short notes with your own examples and story.
• I used to write essay in very simple language. I tried to make is as simple as possible . But I always tried to create a flow in the essay where the reader feels continuation while reading the essay and do not feel stressed while reading those.
• Previous toppers also suggested to use simple language and avoid GRE type of world too much in the essays. I believe UPSC is trying to see you diversity in thought and perspective and overall articulation and arrangement skills. Not just your stock of words.

• For the interview stage I will share information in another document