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Interview of IAS Exam 2011 Topper Prince Dhawan

By
Syskool
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21
prince dhawan ias topper

Question: Please tell us about your childhood, family background, schooling and higher education?
Prince Dhawan: I am Prince Dhawan. My father was in the revenue service that is why my childhood had been spent in seven to eight cities across India. My schooling had completed from various schools. I had enjoyed my exposure to diverse crowds. Moreover, I had successfully completed my 10+2 from the city of Indore. Further, I had completed my B.Tech and M.Tech as a dual degree in electrical engineering from IIT Delhi. I always believe to do efficient work and want to enjoy it.

Question: When did the idea of becoming a Civil Services Officer strike your mind?
Prince Dhawan: I had felt that there were many opportunities in life to serve the society in different ways. As I always have an open mind, so, I had realized that Civil Services is one of the way through which I can serve the society and can enjoy as well. So, I was trying with this idea from my graduation time only.

Question: what kept you motivated towards the Civil Services in the course of rigorous preparation for the exam?
Prince Dhawan: The motivation in me came by the fact that I had enjoyed the preparation phase. I loved staying away from my home and spending time with my friends. I think that Civil Services are not just an exam it’s a journey and I was enjoying the journey a lot.

Question: Please tell us about your icons, hobbies and interest?
Prince Dhawan: My icons are my Parents i.e. My mother and my father. My hobbies are teaching, debating and mentoring junior students at IIT Delhi.

Question: How many attempts did it take to taste success?
Prince Dhawan: It is my first attempt and I believe that success is a very subjective concept. I define success when you sleep peacefully at night and you remain happy.

Question: How much time one should devote in preparing for the Main exam? What according to you is the ideal time to start the preparation for Main exam?
Prince Dhawan: I think it is not about the time. I had never thought of time while preparing my exam. I use to set some short term targets or long term targets and my main strategy was to achieve those targets.

Question: How helpful are coaching institutes?
Prince Dhawan: I don’t prefer coaching institutes. I had taken electrical engineering as my optional and my IIT teachers had helped me out for that. Moreover, in public Administration exam I had taken guidance from some experienced teachers.

Question: Did you take the help of internet while preparing for the examination? How helpful did you find it? Did you use any current affairs website?
Prince Dhawan: As it is a proven fact that UPSC had became very dynamic in today’s scenario. So, it requires lot of awareness in your surrounding and that is the reason that internet was very crucial part of my preparation. I often read from jagranjosh.com and I believe that this site is regularly updated.

Question: How much time did you take to prepare for the CSE?
Prince Dhawan: I think that it is a very subjective question. I cannot give answer to this question but, I believe that it depends upon the individual and every individual should devote as much time until and unless they are not confident about the subject and their preparation.

Question: Given the extensive nature of contents asked in the preliminary exam, did you apply any specific method for the preparation?
Prince Dhawan: My only aim was to prepare for the main exam. To keep an eye on the main examination I had prepared my subjects.

Question: When did you start preparing for the Main examination? What was your medium of the written exam? What were your optional subjects for the Main exam?
Prince Dhawan: I had started preparing for mains and the prelims together. I had not taken the peace-meal approach. Although,my strategy was also similar for both examinations.

Question: not audible
Prince Dhawan: It is a very subjective question. Some might find the prelims easier or some might find the interview easier. It depends upon the perception of different people with accordance to their mindset.

Question: How much time one should devote in preparing for the Main exam? What according to you is the ideal time to start the preparation for Main exam? 
Prince Dhawan: One thing that one should keep in mind while preparing that one should be confident and comfortable about the subject and preparation respectively.

Question: What were your optional subjects? 
Prince Dhawan: My optional subjects were Electrical Engineering and Public Administration.

Question: What was the basis for choosing these optional subjects?
Prince Dhawan: Electrical Engineering was a natural choice for me as I had done both B.Tech and M.Tech in electrical Engineering and as far as Public Administration is concerned, I felt that it suited my personality bit more as I had led certain student bodies in my college and I was very eager to know that how they can be managed. These are the reasons or we can say basis for choosing my optional subjects.

Question: Do you think that public administration should be a compulsory subject as the nature of duties required and administrating things on the field so everyone should be aware through this?
Prince Dhawan: I think that training exemplifies everything. So, I don’t think that it should be a compulsory subject.

Question: What is your approach while preparing Public Administration? Which books, notes and things you had preferred? What was your strategy to prepare that strategy?
Prince Dhawan: I believe that that there is no substitute for self study. No amount of coaching can help a person if he/she is not putting an effort to his own. My first approach towards Public Administration is to get a grip on the study material and practice for writing answers regularly.Which

Question: Which Indian Language you chose for the Main exam?
Prince Dhavan: I had opted for Hindi.Which Indian Lan

Question: How did you plan for the General Studies in the main examination? 
Prince Dhawan: I read newspapers and prepared some notes and I revised them periodically. Apart from that, I used to check the websites of Ministry on regular basis. In addition, I constantly keep revising my fundamental subjects-Politics, geography, history, economy, science etc- so that I can remember the right things at the right time.

Question: Do you think that Current affairs news is helpful while preparing the subject-Public Administration?
Prince Dhawan: Yes, certainly. Public Administration is a dynamic subject and one should constantly places the subject in the current context for that one should keep an eye on current happenings specially in the field of administration and gain and learn from them.

Question: For essay paper, how did you prepare?
Prince Dhawan: For essay paper, I had read that what UPSC wanted in essay paper. It requires concise, original and innovative thinking. Students should keep their essays to the point and they must stick to the topic. I feel lot of writing practice is required with ideal thinking over issues. This will help candidates to think over essay writing.

Question: Would you like to give any tips for the preparation of Essay paper to the future aspirants? 
Prince Dhawan: For essay paper, I would say that calm your mind and gather through thoughts before you pick up the pen.

Question: What was your plus point?
Prince Dhawan: I think my mistakes were too many while interview and plus points cannot be pinpointed. It is over all personality appeal and, board was very learned, experienced and respectable members. Therefore, they are able to gauge the personality of an individual easily.

Question: Who was the chairman of the interview board?
Prince Dhawan: Mr. P.K. Sharma was the chairman.

Meet UPSC topper Harshika who is fascinated by cars with red beacons.

By
Syskool
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0
Meet UPSC topper Harshika who is fascinated by cars with red beacons.



Harshika Singh- a Ranchi girl armed with London School OF Economics degree – cleared the most coveted UPSC Civil Service Examination 2011, securing All India Rank 8. Making her parents and Ranchi citizens proud. Harshika is the new role model for many aspiring candidates.

“It was my childhood dream to crack the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination and serve the country. Though i got this rank in my 2nd attempt. I had cleared the examination securing a 638 rank in my 1st attempt in 2010” said Harshika.

“Many MNCs had made offers for job to me in london and even in Mumbai with descent salary after I completed my masters from London School of Economics. But i wanted to satisfy my inner desire and perfection for my civil service preparation. This dedication towards my dream helped me to grab 8th position in the UPSC this year.

A topper throughout her academic life, Harshika did her schooling from Bishop Westcott Girls’s School and received gold medal for being the topper in economics in her graduation from St. Xavier’s College and topper of arts in DAV Public School.

As is quoted in a newspaper report Harshika was fascinated by cars with red beacons since her childhood. And that was her first motivation to work hard and achieve using such a VIP car!

She advices to the aspirants- Dream a dream and make a determined effort for that….you will surely succeed. Never get disheartened. CSE preparation is a beautiful and life changing experience. Live it and you will enjoy and relish it forever. All the very best for all your endeavors.

SARAH RIZVI (IPS): An inspiration to all

By
Syskool
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2

SARAH RIZVI (IPS) failed in the first two attempts in the preliminary exam but succeeded in the third attempt.

Sarah Rizvi, 29 is the only Muslim woman IPS (Indian Police Service) officer in Gujarat Police. She is the role model for every parent who wants to teach their girl child and for all those women aspirants of Civil Service Exams. She is from the 2008 batch of Gujarat cadre.
Born in Mumbai, Sarah belongs to an educated family. Her father Afzal Ahmed is a Science Graduate and Mother Nigar Rizvi is an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University. Her brother Wasif Rizvi is a civil Engineer employed in Saudi Arabia and sister Sameera is a computer science graduate settled in Dubai. Sarah married to Munawar Khan, a trainee Asst. Security Commissioner in RPF, in 2008.

Excerpts from interview with Sarah Rizvi

Q: Tell us about your childhood and education.
Sarah: I am from a humble background. My father was a small businessman dealing in readymade garments. My grandfather died early in my life but my maternal grandfather loved me very much. I was born in Mumbai and brought up and got educated in Mumbai. I did graduation in commerce from MMK College, Mumbai.

Q: Why did you opt for Civil Services?
Sarah: After completing graduation from MMK College, I attended a lecture on the competitive exam. I got inspired by a lecture of Dr. K.M. Arif, educationist and chairman of Dream Foundation.

I failed in the first two attempts in the preliminary exam but succeeded in the third attempt. I wanted to become Chartered Accountant and completed Foundation Course while doing graduation. But Dr. Arif suggested that I should go for civil services. My family supported me in decision making. MESCO, Modern Educational Social & Cultural Organisation, a trust in Mumbai helped me financially. Finally I got training for the IPS from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Q: How did Muslim society react over your achievement? Did you get any awards?
Sarah: I cleared UPSC exam in 2008. AMU recognized and awarded me. Even when I topped in XII exam, I was appreciated and felicitated by our neighborhood in Andheri (w), Mumbai.

Q: Can you share your experience of the first day as an IPS officer and where were you posted first?
Sarah: My first posting was in Jamnagar district of Gujarat as a probationer IPS for the six months and then I was transferred as Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP in Gondal, Rajkot. On my first day I detected a case where four bikers looted a man within 24 hours. That’s the most memorable day of my life.

Q: Women are emotional. Do you have any experience when you got emotional?
Sarah: Whether men or women, Police are also human being. We have to deal with the people who are in distress and we are trained for it. We have to be tough because we deal with criminals and getting emotional will affect our duty towards the society.

Q: Your worst day as an IPS officer.
Sarah: After becoming an IPS officer, I loved my job and never got upset with my duties. In fact I am proud to be a woman IPS Officer. Having said that I think when Naxalites killed 78 CRPF personnel in Dantewada I felt very bad. That day was my worst day, I think.

Q: Are you related to any social activities besides being an IPS.
Sarah: I am member of MESCO, a Mumbai based NGO and they call me very often in their programmes to inspire and guide others.

Q: What’s your hobby?
Sarah: I love my mother tongue Urdu. I listened to Urdu Gazalas and also tried my hand in writing it although could not publish it. I used to write articles in my college days which got published. I also like to cook and do it very often for my family.

Q: Do you have a dream that remains to be fulfilled?
Sarah: All my dreams have come true. But, yes, after becoming an IPS I would like to change the image or the public perception about the Police force.

Q: Who is your Role Model?
Sarah: While in training as IPS, I was very impressed and learnt a lot from our Director Mr. K. Vijay Kumar. He was the director of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel National Police Academy in 2009-10, an IPS from Tamilnadu cadre.

Q: Who is your best friend?
Sarah: My sister Sameera is my best friend.

Q: Any message for Muslim women.
Sarah: I would like to convey to all women that life is a precious gift from Allah and only we can make or spoil it. I urge Muslim parents to educate their girl children and make them capable of making their own decisions. I dedicate a couplet to those girls who are taking education as a challenge…
Shahraahe Zindagi se Doston Guzro to Yun,
Dhoondhne wale Tumhara Naqsh-e Pa Dhoondha Kare.

I once sold lottery tickets: V Nandakumar, IRS officer

By
Syskool
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3

‘I once sold lottery tickets’: V Nandakumar, IRS officer

You can scale the highest of mountains with courage and determination. Nandakumar just had these qualities and overcame all difficulties to become an IRS officer

Young, suave, articulate and studious are the words that best describe V Nandakumar, an IRS officer.

Nandakumar, who is now an assistant director, investigation department, in the income tax office at Nungambakam,is a role model for many IAS aspirants.

The childhood of this 2004-batch IRS officer was not a bed of roses. He was a school dropout. “I once sold lottery tickets, worked in mechanic shops, as well as television and radio repair centres. Initially I enjoyed the routine as there was no homework and I did not get scolded by teachers. But later, my friends’ parents did not allow me to mingle with them. That was the turning point,” he informs.

After battling dyslexia, Nandakumar secured 52 per cent in his 12th standard examinations. He knocked the doors of many colleges but was denied admission. Finally, he got admission to the English literature course at the Dr Ambedkar Arts and Science College.

“I was an average student and it was difficult to follow English but I worked hard and I was the only one who passed out of college with distinction in English literature,” he recalls. In 1997, Nandakumar started preparing for the UPSC examination. With sheer determination, he cracked this tough examination and now holds a prestigious post.

Meet Gaurav Agrawal – UPSC civil services 2013 topper

By
Syskool
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1
Jaipur’s Gaurav Agrawal has got the first rank in the exam with Economics as his optional subject. He holds Bachelor of Technology (Computer Science) degree from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.
This was his second attempt. Delhi-based Munish Sharma and Rachit Raj have got second and third positions respectively.
Women had bagged the top slots in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 civil services Examinations.
Munish has a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) degree from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. He got through the exam in second attempt.
“I am very happy. My success is the result of hard work and blessings of my teachers and my mother,” Munish said over phone.
Rachit has cracked the examination in his first attempt. Bharti Dixit is the topper among female candidates. She has secured fifth rank. She has done Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi. This was her first attempt.
As many as 1,122 candidates have been recommended for appointment in Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central services on the basis of the civil services Examination, 2013, said a release issued by the ministry of personnel.

There are 15 males and 10 females in top 25 positions.Source: Times of India

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