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RV Varun Kumar UPSC TOPPER 2010

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Syskool
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RV Varun Kumar, who considers Sachin Tendulkar his icon for his hunger for excellence, speaks out on what made him succeed in the most prestigious exam of India. He secured 3rd rank in the UPSC civil services exam 2010.

Q. Please tell us about your childhood, family background, schooling and higher education.
A. I studied at Campion Higher Secondary School, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It is the best institution I have ever come across. What I am today, I owe it to my school and parents. My dad is a professor (economics) and my mother is a housewife. My brother works for Ericsson, USA. I completed BDS at Ragas Dental College, Chennai. The discipline and the learning style which I applied in CSE 2010 were taught to me at my school. I extend my special thanks to the institution.

Q. When and why did you choose to become a civil servant?
A. I am not ashamed to confess that a movie inspired me to think about Civil Services Examination. In 2003, I watched a Tamil movie by the name ‘Kakha Kakha’ and it initiated my thought process. Anything can initiate a person; ultimately it is the performance in the job that matters. The desire to join the IPS was always lying deep within and this movie definitely initiated me to chase my dream.

Q. Was CSE a planned decision? How did your parents support you?
A. It is not possible for anybody to clear this examination unless it is a thoroughly planned decision. I decided to take up civil services in 2007 and it took four years to reach the pinnacle. My parents were never doubtful about my decisions and they stood by my side.

Q. It is very difficult to figure out where to start and how to start. What was your strategy when you first decided to prepare for CSE?
A. The first thing a marathon runner plans is the ‘start’. Many candidates fall prey to the thought of becoming a topper and giving interviews to the media. CSE is a long process and one needs to sustain the energy. So I realized that it is not a world full of rainbows and sunshine, hence I decided to take it step-by-step. My primary target was to clear the preliminary exam. I advice candidates to stop worrying about getting the preferred service, preferred state cadre, etc. Instead one can face the examination step-by-step. It will relieve the candidate from the immense pressure created by this exam. Pressure hampers preparation. So to start with, one has to focus on preliminary exam and I suggest one full year of preparation before taking the preliminary exam. First attempt should be the best attempt in my opinion.

Q. Please tell about your icon, hobbies and interests.
A. My icon is Sachin Tendulkar. I am not a great fan of the cricketer in him but I admire him as a person in general. He has immense energy and shows a lot of conviction towards his work. The work we do should never be a burden to us; this is what I learnt from him. I try to emulate him and everyone should develop a ‘child-like desire’ to win, irrespective of whichever field we work in.
I love watching world cinema and documentaries. I worked hard to receive an award in relation to my hobby. I succeeded too. I received the ‘Film Buff Award’ at the 8th Chennai International Film Festival for my movie reviews. By winning this award after mains examination I obviously had a better chance to score high in interview than any other candidate.

Q. How many attempts did it take for you to taste success?
A. CSE 2010 was my third attempt. I read for 2 months before my first attempt. I faced an unprecedented defeat. That motivated me to do well in CSE 2009. I cleared the preliminary exam but skipped the mains exam because I chose to prepare properly for CPF (AC) exam. Also I did not want to score a rank in 100s or 200s. So after securing rank 67 in CPF Exam, I took leave from training and gave my heart and soul to CSE 2010.

Q. How confident were you about succeeding in the CSE?
A. 100%. I never expected a rank other than Rank 1. I am still thinking about how I missed it.

Q. What was your first reaction when you heard that you have cleared the exam with flying colours?
A. Disappointment. I checked the results and did not hear it from anyone. It was a happy result but not the best result. Rank 1 could have been the best result. There is a thin line between arrogance and confidence. Candidates can be very confident of getting rank 1 too. It all depends on the amount of work we have put in.

Q. How helpful are coaching institutes?
A. There is very high chance of getting fleeced. Do not get carried away by the number of candidates enrolled, difficulty in getting admission, colorful websites, tall claims by way of advertisements etc. Instead, speak to candidates and find out about the teachers. Coaching institutes are helpful but one should always view them with suspicion as they might ‘kill’ our creativity and push us into a style we may not be comfortable with. There is no assurance that what they say or teach might be true. It is better to trust good authors. Coaching institutes are helpful when you learn how to use them.

Q. Did you use the internet? How helpful was it?
A. I used Wikipedia umpteenth times. Press Information Bureau will be of particular help when you need government related data. ‘Google books’ is another source to have a brief look at various books.

Topper’s Story – Prabhjot Singh IAS, AIR – 16, 2010

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Syskool
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Prabhjot Singh

Prabhjot Singh IASWhen you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true.” As these words are immortalized by Paulo Coelho that reverberate in his mind, Prabhjot Singh at the age of 24, knows that his never say die spirit and family’s support made it possible for him to secure the sixteenth rank in the coveted UPSC Examination. Before cracking UPSC Exam, Prabhjot Singh was working with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist at Ahmedabad.

“My dream has come true after years of hard work. I always wanted to join the civil services and have been trying so for the past three years. This time, by God’s grace, I have not only qualified it, but also have stood first in the city,” exclaimed Prabhjot Singh, who has secured the 16th rank in the country and owes his success to his parents, who he says, have been his strength.

The city has managed to add another feather in its cap with Prabhjot Singh. That was the first time that a candidate from the city has come among the top 20 scorers in the civil services exam. He says, “the opportunity to serve people of this country is the maximum in this job. The social prestige and associated dignity is a by product. But only Waheguru G can make one’s hard work fruitful because it’s not just hard work but luck too plays a big role”.

Must Read: Dr.Ruveda Salam IPS – First Women from Kashmir to Qualify UPSC Exam

Marks Obtained

 Total Marks  Marks Obtained
Total (Written)  2000 1081
 Interview 300  180
 Total  2300  1261 (54.83%)

Family Background

Prabhjot’s father Gurdev Singh is a superintendent in Post Office, at Ferozepur and mother Satwant Kaur is a clerk in the postal department.

Happy over Prabhjot Singh’s achievement, a proud father said, ”Even as a child, he was bright and continued to shine in studies till graduation. He was a gold medalist in Physics. It was our dream that Prabhjot Singh become an IAS. He’s finally achieved it”.

Educational Background

Prabhjot Singh completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Communications from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana in 2006. There after he started preparation for Civil Services.

Read Also: Topper’s Story – Harshika Singh IAS, AIR – 8, 2011

Optional Paper

Prabhjot Singh opted for Physics and Punjabi Literature as his optional subjects. Earlier he had Physics and Chemistry as optionals.

For Punjabi Literature, the biggest challenge is to find right resources. He suggests the aspirants, “whether you should take Punjabi Literature or not, if yes then the best way is to start reading novels of Nanak Singh because that is the most interesting part of whole syllabus. If you find it boring then in no way you should take it, because have faith on me, most of the syllabus is much monotonous than these novels for that matter”.

Attempts by Prabhjot Singh

Prabhjot Singh could not qualify Prelims in his 1st attempt, in 2nd attempt he reached up to interview but finally failed. Prabhjot Singh changed one of his optional paper and got 16th rank and this was his third attempt at cracking the Civil Services Examination. He took coaching from Patiala for three months, followed by rigorous self study.

Advice for Aspirants

  • There is no substitute to hard work.
  • Regular coaching and expert guidance prove helpful.
  • Study hard regularly. But productive study periods are the key.
  • Leave no stone unturned to attain your goal and study for 8-10 hours everyday.
  • Concerted efforts, belief in one’s capabilities and some hours of study daily are essential.
  • Hard work should be done in a strategic manner with proper planning. Because this hard work is worth as this is the best job one can get.

Don’t Miss: Inspirational Story of Sandeep Kaur IAS – Retired Peon’s Daughter

Shuchita Kishore, IAS Topper 2010:

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Syskool
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“You are all alone at some point during the struggle”
Shuchita Kishore, IAS Topper 2010
Young woman from Lucknow, Shuchita Kishore, who got 39th position in the Civil Services Exam 2010, spoke to Gulshan Sharma

Shuchita’s is the story of an ordinary but determined girl. Drawing her inspiration from the interviews of IAS toppers and closely following their advice, this young woman from Lucknow finally realised her dream of becoming a civil servant in her third attempt. Shuchita means pure, simple and honest. That’s exactly how this slim and tall young woman of 27 comes across as she makes an effort to smile in front of the camera. Thoughtful and composed in her Salwar Kurta, the 39th ranker in the UPSC Civil Services exam 2010 opines that diplomacy must precede military action as she hopes to become an IFS officer.

One of the four daughters of retired UP government official Mr RK Srivastava, Shuchita could not clear the Prelims in her first attempt at the UPSC due to lack of proper guidance. The second attempt was encouraging as she managed to reach the interview stage. Finally in 2011, Shuchita’s efforts paid off as she secured 39th rank in the Civil Services exam 2010. The hard work clearly reflects in her eyes as she recalls, “It was not that easy to go in for three consecutive attempts but I derived strength from my belief in God.”

As she pursues her PhD in English Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Shuchita takes pride in showing the copies of IAS interviews that she read way back in 2004 in Jagran Josh. The young diplomat in the making first decided to be a civil servant when she was in class 7 and considers 1996 UPSC topper Mr Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal and 2005 UPSC topper Mona Pruthi her role models. Shuchita loves reading literature and quizzing is her favourite hobby.

Education
Shuchita Kishore went through schooling in Lucknow where she scored 89% and 86% in her class 10 and 12 exams. She then joined Lucknow University from where she completed her BA in Political Science and English Literature with 67%. On graduating from the Lucknow University, she moved to New Delhi to do her Masters in English Literature from JNU. She is currently pursuing her PhD from the JNU itself, the library of which is popularly known as the UPSC hall. Shuchita recognises the importance of educational institutions known for excellence but does not shy away from saying, “It’s not the institutions that make individuals. It’s the people who make institutions.”

Advice to IAS aspirants

Quoting Rig-Veda, Shuchita says, “Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.” She also identifies with Gandhi’s talisman as she understands the importance of a civil servant whose decisions can affect the entire nation in some way or the other. Shuchita has a word of advice for IAS aspirants as she suggests, “Think about the nation. Try to develop a vision. Never lose hope and with strong determination and hard work, there is nothing that will stop you from succeeding in UPSC exam and life.” She further adds, “You could well be the first person from your school or college to crack the Civil Services exam.”

Blind Indore girl cleared UPSC, gets railways job at PM’s behest:-

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Syskool
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Visually challenged woman who cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) with distinction in 2008 but was denied posting got justice after a four-year battle and the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Purnima Jain, with about 75% visual disability, has been offered an Indian Railway Personnel Services (IRPS) posting under Group B of Class I.

lthough Purnima is willing to take up the new job, she isn’t satisfied with the posting as she says that her scores in the exams were level with those selected for IAS. “It’s a sort of double marginalisation: as a woman and then being physically challenged,” Purnima told ToI.

She cleared the UPSC 2008 exams with 1,123 marks and hoped to get into the IAS or IFS. But that was not to be as she was visually challenged. The person selected in the ’08 batch had got only 991 marks,” said Purnima, adding, “I got 210 marks out of 300 in the interview, which was equal to that year’s topper.”

When her order wasn’t issued, she moved the MP high court in which UPSC and DoPT raised “questions of maintainability”, stating that the court had no jurisdiction on such cases and asked her to approach Central Administrative Tribune (CAT), which he did.

“I approached CAT and finally the decision was in my favour,” said Purnima. But despite that, the government was not keen on implementing it. So, she approached Union minister V Narayanswami who assured her of action in two or three weeks.

“Following his intervention, UPSC recommended my name. Even then, the DoPT did not give me the offer letter. I then approached the Prime Minister with the help of CPM MP Brinda Karat. He assured me justice,” said Purnima. Soon, she got a letter from DoPT offering her a job in Indian Railways Personnel Service (IRPS) which she is going to take up next week. “I deserve more than what I am getting. But I am happy that I finally secured the position,” Purnima told ToI.

Daughter of Dr Prakash Jain, Purnima completed her BA, LLB jointly in which she scored nearly 80%. She then completed her masters in public administration in 2008 and qualified NET/JRF in 2009.

Govind Jaiswal IAS

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Syskool
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Govind Jaiswal IAS
Govind Jaiswal, 24 years old , the son of an uneducated rickshaw puller in Varanasi (UTTAR PRADES ), had  grown up with cruel taunts like ‘However much you study, you will still be a rickshaw puller.’He had studied with cotton stuffed in his ears to drown the noise of printing machines and generators below his window in a poor neighbourhood where small workshops existed cheek by jowl with tiny residential quarters.
He had given Math tuitions to supplement the paltry sum his father could afford to send him each month. His ailing father had sold a small plot of land to give Govind about Rs 40,000 so that he could move to Delhi which would provide him a better place to study.
Throughout his life, he had lived with only one dream — to become an officer of the Indian Administrative Service. For him that was the only way. And when he broke the news to his family, that he was ranked 48 among 474 successful candidates in his first attempt at the exam — it was the turn of his three sisters and father to weep with unbridled joy.
 I could not afford to have any other career goal. My life would have been absolutely futile had I not made it into the civil services,” says Govind, just back from his medicals in New Delhi, mandatory for the IAS.
“You must understand that my circumstances were such that besides the Civil Services, I had no option. I didn’t have much of a chance with lower government jobs because they are mostly fixed, neither could I start a business because I had no money. The only thing I could do was work hard at my studies.”
It was almost impossible for him to study in the one room he shared with his family. To add to his woes was the power cut that extended between 10 and 14 hours every day. The moment the lights went out, he had to shut the window to block out the deafening noise of generators in the many workshops around his home.
So in search for a quiet place to study, he briefly shared a friend’s room at the Banaras Hindu University. Since that did not help him much, he did what many civil services aspirants in northern India do — he moved to New Delhi.
Working for ten years at the government ration shop, Narayan earned a living by weighing goods at the store. One day when the shop shut down, he bought one rickshaw and hired it out. He added three more and at one time was prosperous enough to own about 36 rickshaws.
On his meager earnings, the uneducated rickshaw vendor with a hearing disability continued the education of his children. The girls were married after their graduation — Narayan sold two
pieces of land for the weddings, the last plot was sold to achieve his Govinda’s dream.
Narayan gave his son Rs 40,000 to prepare for his Civil Services exam in New Delhi and pursue his childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer. For the next three years, he sent his son between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 every month, sometimes foregoing the expense of treating the septic wound in his foot that continues to nag him till today.
Outside his narrow lane, opposite the Varanasi City railway station, where Narayan Jaiswal parks his rickshaws and spends most of his waking hours, he still walks barefooted with a bandage, one end hanging loose and scraping the dirty road.
“Beyond this year, my father could not have afforded to send Govind any more money. It was getting very tough for him. Govind was earning Rs 1,500 from tuitions, I don’t know what he would
have done if he didn’t make it to the IAS this year. My father could not sleep for 10 days before the results came,” says Govind’s eldest sister Nirmala, whose son is almost the same age as
her brother.
Until now, courier delivery boys found his house with great difficulty but now even the fruit cart-wallah, one-and-a-half kilometres away, will tell you where the ‘IAS’ house is…
Hatsoff to you both!!

by iaspaper.org.in

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