Bharat SainiLast Updated on June 14, 2017 by Bharat Saini
“Patience, dedication and constant hard work with cool mind are the corner stones of my success”
-Nandini K R
‘Pratiyogita Darpan’ arranged an exclusive interview with Ms. Nandini K R who has been selected in Civil Service Examination 2016, conducted by Union Public Service Commission. She deserves our appreciation and heartiest congratula-tions on her splendid success. This important, thought-provoking and highly inspiring interview is being presented here in its original form.
PD—Achieving top slot in the coveted Civil Service Examination is no small feat; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.
Ms. Nandini—Thank you so much.
PD—In how many attempts have you achieved this success ?
Ms. Nandini—It was my fourth attempt.
PD—You achieved the desired success in this attempt; how do you visualize your previous attempts ?
Ms. Nandini—I did all my attempts while continuing my services. First attempt was a half-hearted one but, in second attempt I got through; but a little lower rank that gave me the post in Indian Revenue Service.
I took my third attempt last year but, due to dengue, I couldn’t manage it.
PD—What was your optional subject ?
Ms. Nandini—Optional Subject : Literature of Kannada Language.
PD—While making final choice for optional subject, what’s important and what’s not ?
Ms. Nandini—The main reason should be to what extend one likes a particular subject. The choice should be based on one’s interest in the subject.
PD—In all attempts you kept Literature of Kannada Language as your optional subject ?
Ms. Nandini—Yes.
PD—What was the basis for opting a literature subject ?
Ms. Nandini—I used to study Kannada Literature at very young age. So it was really close to my heart.
PD—What preference in services have you opted for and any particular reason for that priority ?
Ms. Nandini—IAS, IPS.
What I am and all I achieved is due to society and always wanted to work for masses and wanted to be a part of proactive government machinery for an effective service delivery.
PD—‘Success is sweet’—Were you confident of your success with top ranks ?
Ms. Nandini—This time I was sure that I will be able to get IAS. I never thought that I’ll be able to get first rank.
PD—How do you feel as the top most ranker in India ?
Ms. Nandini—First rank doesn’t make any difference; be it any other rank more important thing is it should help me realizing my dream of delivering service and giving back to society.
PD—Today, IAS Toppers are icons and lots of media coverage makes them popular. The top rankers are admired by all for their accomplishment and are source of inspiration and motivation for future aspirants. Before your success, what was your opinion about these toppers ?
PD—Can you recall the exact moment when you realized the importance of Civil Services ?
Ms. Nandini—In today’s fast world, it is not that difficult to spot the significant role ‘Civil Servants’ play and while in my service, I closely watched their work.
PD—Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make career in ‘Civil Services’ ?
Ms. Nandini—Quite early, I had made my mind about career in ‘Civil Services’.
PD—Was CSE your planned decision or your parent’s wish ?
Ms. Nandini—It was my decision; but, my supportive parents were there to back my plans.
PD—Did you keep in mind some time-frame for the examination preparation and number of attempts ?
Ms. Nandini—No, not as such. I never thought that it would take 4 attempts. But as I told, I faced a lot of challenges in 2-3 years particularly last year when I could not appear in Main Examination because of Dengue.
There was no time-frame but I always thought that I would put in my hard work and effort.
PD—Did you have any problem as far as managing time ? While writing in examination did you find any time constraint ?
Ms. Nandini—Definitely time management is crucial, only in this attempt I could manage.
I was working during all my attempts; so, time management was difficult. I used to get tired.
PD—You were in job while giving all the attempts ?
Ms. Nandini—Yes. I was in job for all the attempts.
PD—The first step is the most difficult; from where did you get the right advice ?
Ms. Nandini—I learnt from my mistakes; it was more or less hit and trial method. Most of my preparations were based on the newspapers. For optional it was mainly on text books.
PD—What was your approach for Prelims ?
Ms. Nandini—My strategy for Preliminary Examination was :
1. to cover the full syllabus
2.being accurate in whatever I knew.
This was the reason why my negatives were less.
PD—Did you clear Prelims every time ?
Ms. Nandini—No, in the first attempt I could not clear. I was left by 2-3 marks. My preparation was not accurate in the first attempt.
PD—What about General Studies Paper-II (Aptitude Test) ?
Ms. Nandini—It was not difficult for me as I was from engineering background. I used to solve most of the questions and maths problems in quick time.
PD—How did you manage the negative marking?
Ms. Nandini—I used to take calculated risk for it, so it helped me in cutting down the negatives.
PD—What shift did you adopt in your strategy for Main Examination (Written) ?
Ms. Nandini—For Main Examination the key is :
- Solid preparation,
- Effective time-management
- And answer writing practice.
And if you work on presentation, it can just add to it ensuring decent marks.
PD—This time, what helped you perform in Mains ?
Ms. Nandini—
- I used to write passages
- I used to solve papers
- I used to read news papers regularly
I referred conventional books, and effectively prepared current related matter also. I used to think practically for every issue. I used to read versatile books and texts.
PD—Was there any special effort for effective preparation for ESSAY Paper ? Which topic did you pick up this time and why did you choose this particular topic ?
Ms. Nandini—I used to write a lot of essays on diverse issues. I used to take different issues and write essays on them.
Topic I : If development is not engendered, it is endangered
Topic II : Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run
PD—How did you prepare yourself for Interview (Personality Test) ?
Ms. Nandini—Interview preparation was more of a discussion-based approach. I never read much for interview.
Yes, for current affairs, I used to read latest news and current events. It is more about your personality; so, I always used to discuss with friends. My job experience has also added up in interview as dealing with people, seniors, and public has helped a lot.
PD—Which Board did you face ?
Ms. Nandini—Mine was Sujata Madam Board.
PD—Some questions that were asked during interview ?
Ms. Nandini—Questions were mostly based on my job experience. 50% of them were based on the Public Works Department where I was working earlier. Technical aspects of various issues were asked. Current affairs, questions relating to international relation, some women issues were also asked. Some questions were based on my hobbies too.
PD—Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for your ultimate goal i.e., Career in Civil Services ?
Ms. Nandini—I was in service while I thought of my attempt in Civil Services Examination and was continuing with it till my selection last year. So, I had secured my career prospects and was contemplating with idea of my career advancement.
PD—While the changing economic environment offers immense lucrative career opportunities in various sectors, still what kept you motivated towards Civil Services ?
Ms. Nandini—I am an engineer and has evaluated all openings available but, nothing out there compares ‘Civil Services’.
PD—Did you take coaching ?
Ms. Nandini—I did take coaching for first attempt to some extent. And then 2nd attempt onwards, it was based on self-study. I studied at home. I only did test-series.
PD—Does coaching play any role ?
Ms. Nandini—It only helps when you don’t know about the subject. Otherwise self-study is all you need.
PD—What is the secret of your success ?
Ms. Nandini—Patience and dedication.
PD—To whom would you like to give the credit for your success ?
Ms. Nandini—I would like to give credit to the entire society which has contributed in formation of my personality. Credit goes to my family as well for standing with me all the time.
PD—Any suggestion/advice you would like to give to the future aspirants.
Ms. Nandini—As you have to put in a lot of effort preparing for this examination, you should plan your action so that you are able to complete the syllabus in time.
You need to be consistent during preparation and dedication towards goal will keep you motivated.
Perseverance and constant hard work will help you achieve your goal.
