“Focused determination is the permanent
characteristic of a vigorous intellect.”
Shri Vikas Sharma, who attained 2nd Rank in his 1st attempt in Madhya Pradesh Higher Judicial Service Examination, 2016; in an important, exclusive, thought-provoking and highly inspiring interview; attributes extreme hard work focused determination to achieve the goal and having an eagle eye on it to the secrets of his success. Extracts of the interview:
On ‘Success is Sweet” & reacting to the news of the Top Rank:
Yes. I was confident about my success but I was not sure of the 2nd rank. However, it was my wish to see my name in the first five selected candidates.
On Judicial toppers being icons, media coverage to toppers, opinion about these toppers before his success and any particular success story which influenced his journey to this result:
Before my final selection in the higher judicial services, I used to go through the interviews of the toppers published in print media and took them as the icon for inspiration. I was greatly impressed by saying of Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, wherein he said, “sapne wo nahi hote jo hum neend mein dekhte hain balki sapne wo hote hain jo hame sone nahi dete.” Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is my all time favorite icon. I read his book ‘Ignited Minds’.
On exact moment of realizing importance of Judicial Services:
Since the date of my law degree, I determined to render the judicial services. I started a serious preparation and achieved my goal.
On Judicial Services being a planned decision or parents’ wish:
My parents never wanted me to be a Judge or even an Advocate. It was only my wish that I wanted to be a judicial officer. None is even law graduate in my family.
On time-frame for the examination preparations and number of attempts:
I had planned that I shall make a serious preparation for about 2 years as I have liability of my family and more the time is passed I may lose my professional life. So that’s why I just gave myself 2 years for serious preparation.
Almighty has given me this success in first attempt. A great thank to God.
On ‘Time Management’ being a key factor & managing things:
Time is worth. Either it is the legal profession or any exam’s preaparation, without the time management, you can’t fulfill your desire. I used to practice judgment writing at home as in a question paper of 3 hours, a candidate has to write a civil judgment, criminal judgment, charge framing & issue framing. So for this, it is essential to prepare yourself to complete all that within given span of time.
On the first Step being the most difficult to prepare & getting the right advice:
From my past performance in the Tripura & Chhattisgarh Exam, I found that I can crack the nut and took my failure as a tonic to boost me up. I think the vision of a man must be that “I shall never lose, either shall win or learn”.
On approach towards during Preliminary Examination preparation:
General Studies is in Prelims only both in M.P. and Gujarat. For that I took help of ‘Pratiyogita Darpan’, News Papers and Social Media. I thank them all. Prelims are purely on different footings. For that I used to read Bare Acts, and the above competition books.
On adopting any shift in strategy for Main Examination (Written):
For Mains, I had a deep study of Bare Acts, Recent Supreme Court & High Courts Judgments, Essay Books. The acute legal knowledge on the legal subjects and practical knowledge also worth’s. It requires the long & continuous sitting. Short notes of all the subjects helped in making the revision of them during the exam time.
| Bio-Data |
| Name: Vikas Sharma
Father’s Name: Shri Vinod Kumar Sharma Mother’s Name: Smt. Sharda Sharma Date of Birth: June 18, 1979 Educational Qualifications : 10th: 1994, U.P. Board, Ingraham Higher Secondary School, GZB (63%) 12th: 1996, U.P. Board, S.S.D. Inter College, Ghaziabad B.Sc.: 1999, CCS University, MMH College, Ghaziabad (66%) LL.B.: 2002, CCS University MMH, College, Ghaziabad (62%) |
On special effort for effective preparation for ESSAY Paper & on pick up of topics:
I used to read the essay books on legal topics. The famous legal topics and current legal topics in news must be thoroughly read. Recent Supreme Court Judgments & words limit must also be kept in mind.
On preparation for Interview, the Personality Test & facing it:
The revision of the legal subjects/bare acts, Group discussion with legal experts/lawyers, friends helped me in making myself prepared for interview. The interview board consists of High Court Judges. My interview lasted for about 20 minutes approx. in M.P. and 22 min. approx. in Gujarat.
The questions were based on legal subjects/Acts such as:
- What does section 10/32/115/ 118/165/113-A/113-B/27 of Evidence Act say?
- Difference between section 11/96/100 & order 2 rule 2 CPC & order 37/43 CPC?
- What is order 1 rule 8 CPC & Order 43 CPC?
- The Provision of Remand of case by appellate court.
- Power of appellate court to take additional evidence.
- Difference between section 163-A & 166 MV Act & what does Section 170/173 MV Act say?
- Difference between Section 300/ 299 IPc & section 305/306 IPC?
- Essentials of section 304-B IPC?
- When is section 50 NDPS Act mandatory?
- What does section 210 Cr.Pc say?
- What does section 140/141 NI Act say? What are the defenses available to corporate director?
- What does section 4/19 Limitation Act say?
- Can a decree granted in time barred suit be set aside by the appellate court although no objection of limitation was taken by the defendant?
- Whether a judge is bound by the judgment of the Apex Court even if it is passed contrary to the law?
On preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for ultimate goal i.e. Career in Judicial Services:
No. Judicial Service was my first and last priority. I never looked for other opportunities.
On motivation towards Judicial Services despite other lucrative opportunities in changing economic environment:
Indian judiciary is independent. While being an advocate, I could help the poor peoples in getting the justice but being a Judge of the Court, I can give them justice. Thus, I can help not only the poor people but render my cooperation to the Nation being a part of the judicial system of the country.
On Educational Level to start & minimum period of time for preparation for Judicial Services Examinations:
If one wants to enter into Higher Judicial Services, one must start preparation before one attains the age of 35 which is the minimum age limit so that, in my view, he may serve the Nation for a longer period. But no straight jacket formula can be laid down to give it a minimum time frame for the preparation for Higher Judicial Services.
On importance of medium of examination for exams like Judicial Services:
In my view, English medium must be adopted as a candidate who is declared successful becomes the District Judge (Entry Level) which is a Constitutional Post and he is immediate subordinate to the Hon’ble High Court. The appeal from his orders/judgments shall lie to the High Court. Thus being on a responsible Constitutional position, a candidate must adopt English as a medium to the Exam and it shall weigh his writings.
|
Personal Qualities |
| Favorite Person: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Strong Point—I find myself courageous even in unfavorable circumstances. I think it is my courage which brought me here. Weak Point—I find myself firm all time. I think it may be my weak point. Hobbies—Listening latest music. |
On role the Competition Magazines play in preparing for an examination like Judicial Services:
For the prelims the competitive magazines play the important role. These books help in making yourself prepared for the current topics, current affairs, G.K. etc. I used to read Pratiyogita Darpan etc. for prelims.
On finding “Pratiyogita Darpan” close to expectations:
The brother of my close friend who is preparing for Civil Services made me sure that I shall get all that I need for cracking the prelims. I think, one year old editions of Pratiyogita Darpan besides the current are sufficient for cracking the nut. I am fully satisfied with what it contains.
On referring to the Pratiyogita Darpan—Panorama Year Book & opinion about its Current Affairs contents, size & the time of publishing:
It is excellent.
On being a reader of Pratiyogita Darpan, opinion on the articles written by Atul Kapoor:
It was inspiring.
On Secret of Success:
Firm determination to achieve the goal & having eagle eye on it, extreme hard work, non-compromising attitude towards the unfavorable circumstances, clear vision, a criticism that shook your self-respect must be taken as a challenge, a focused determination like Arjun and to prove yourself by your acts not by words are the secrets of my success. I find these qualities in myself.
On Credit for Success:
The person (name intentionally withheld) who shook my self-respect and my most dear friend who always motivated me.
On suggestions/advice to future aspirants:
Be firmly determined to your goal and have eagle eye on it.
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