Author: Sukanya Rana

Niki’s answer copies from week 1 of Samachar Manthan to week 10

Prelims is around the corner and we are going to begin our new courses for Mentorship for next year. It is the right time to take a look at the progress of the students who joined us last year.

Today we will tell you 2 stories. Stories of Jia and Niki(names changed).  Both of them joined us in May 2020 for Mentorship.

Similar Beginnings

Jia and Niki have appeared in UPSC multiple times but failed to clear even Prelims. Both of them were working professionals and had their last attempt in 2021 and as a last resort approached us for mentorship guidance.

Motivation in the initial days was high for both as seen in regularly completing the assigned targets and attempting the tests.

Jia’s Progress Graph:

Jia identified that the biggest issue in her preparation was consistency. So, she asked the mentor to give her an oral test over the call every day to set up accountability. The mentor understood the students’ requirements and obliged. For the next one month, daily oral tests happened to ensure Jia developed the needed discipline.

Things went well, the Mentor had regular test discussions that helped Jia to improve her scores and cover the syllabus.

But from the 3rd month, something changed. Jia started missing tests and her score also dropped. Our Mentor tried to reach out to her but she started missing mentor calls. When she did pick up the phone, excuses such as health issues, family functions, etc were the usual replies. Mentor tried to motivate the student over the calls but there is little a mentor can do if the student refuses to pick up the call.

Within 6 months’ time, the student realized that UPSC is not her cup of tea and finally left the preparation.

Niki’s Progress Graph:

The story again starts with a motivated student aiming to crack UPSC. Along with the job, Niki managed her time well under our guidance and was able to complete the assigned targets on time. Niki identifies her issues lie in her approach to Prelims Tests and Answer writing. With the right guidance, her test scores improved which gave her confidence to put in more effort.

After 6 months of mentorship, Niki was able to complete the majority of her syllabus – both GS and Optional. She completed standard books which in the past 5 years she was never able to. In February 2021, Niki surprised us all.  She left her well-paying corporate job to dedicate time to UPSC preparation.

Right now Niki is among the top percentile of our batch and has the highest test completion rates.

What did we learn from them?

• There is no magic potion that will help you qualify for this exam. Eventually, it is your hard work that pays off.
• Mentors can only provide directions to smart work and help you to remain motivated. It is you who have to stick to the assigned targets, complete tests, and raise doubts with the mentor.
• Mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll gain more from it by active participation. You have to give your 100% as well. If you start avoiding your mentor then there is little a mentor can do to help you.

If you are the type of student who is ready to put in the hard work we are here to provide you with the necessary guidance. Our experienced mentors are always here to listen to your issues and suggest timely interventions.

To experience the personalized mentorship provided by Civilsdaily please fill the Samanvaya form linked below.

Niki’s answer copies from week 1 of Samachar Manthan to week 10

Prelims is around the corner and we are going to begin our new courses for Mentorship for next year. It is the right time to take a look at the progress of the students who joined us last year.

Today we will tell you 2 stories. Stories of Jia and Niki(names changed).  Both of them joined us in May 2020 for Mentorship.

Similar Beginnings

Jia and Niki have appeared in UPSC multiple times but failed to clear even Prelims. Both of them were working professionals and had their last attempt in 2021 and as a last resort approached us for mentorship guidance.

Motivation in the initial days was high for both as seen in regularly completing the assigned targets and attempting the tests.

Jia’s Progress Graph:

Jia identified that the biggest issue in her preparation was consistency. So, she asked the mentor to give her an oral test over the call every day to set up accountability. The mentor understood the students’ requirements and obliged. For the next one month, daily oral tests happened to ensure Jia developed the needed discipline.

Things went well, the Mentor had regular test discussions that helped Jia to improve her scores and cover the syllabus.

But from the 3rd month, something changed. Jia started missing tests and her score also dropped. Our Mentor tried to reach out to her but she started missing mentor calls. When she did pick up the phone, excuses such as health issues, family functions, etc were the usual replies. Mentor tried to motivate the student over the calls but there is little a mentor can do if the student refuses to pick up the call.

Within 6 months’ time, the student realized that UPSC is not her cup of tea and finally left the preparation.

Niki’s Progress Graph:

The story again starts with a motivated student aiming to crack UPSC. Along with the job, Niki managed her time well under our guidance and was able to complete the assigned targets on time. Niki identifies her issues lie in her approach to Prelims Tests and Answer writing. With the right guidance, her test scores improved which gave her confidence to put in more effort.

After 6 months of mentorship, Niki was able to complete the majority of her syllabus – both GS and Optional. She completed standard books which in the past 5 years she was never able to. In February 2021, Niki surprised us all.  She left her well-paying corporate job to dedicate time to UPSC preparation.

Right now Niki is among the top percentile of our batch and has the highest test completion rates.

What did we learn from them?

• There is no magic potion that will help you qualify for this exam. Eventually, it is your hard work that pays off.
• Mentors can only provide directions to smart work and help you to remain motivated. It is you who have to stick to the assigned targets, complete tests, and raise doubts with the mentor.
• Mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll gain more from it by active participation. You have to give your 100% as well. If you start avoiding your mentor then there is little a mentor can do to help you.

If you are the type of student who is ready to put in the hard work we are here to provide you with the necessary guidance. Our experienced mentors are always here to listen to your issues and suggest timely interventions.

To experience the personalized mentorship provided by Civilsdaily please fill the Samanvaya form linked below.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook by Dr Vipin Garg (UPSC Rank 20) on your registered email.

Prelims can be scary.

The preliminary Stage is the first step to your LBSNAA dream. More than 5 lakh candidates appear for prelims every year. But only 10,000 to 13,000 students make it for Mains. This stage is known for its BRUTAL ELIMINATION.

Many toppers have struggled with prelims !! Even the level of questions in prelims have been raised by UPSC – It is becoming more tricky, less factual, and more conceptual.

WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS?

Never forget your basics.

• Revision: Your static syllabus should be revised at least 2-3 times before you sit for your prelims paper. Make no mistake of thinking that only current affairs can help you sail through the examination. The static portion has its own importance, don’t ignore it.
• Attempt UPSC previous year paper: It is a crime if you go for prelims paper without attempting the last 10 years UPSC prelims papers, Period
• Attempt Mock Tests: More mocks means more practice, more revisions, and fewer mistakes on the D – Day.

If you are secure with these basic steps then what’s next?

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO SECURE PRELIMS?

Mentorship: Mentorship can help you prepare more efficiently for prelims. Both 2021 and 2022 students can benefit from Mentorship.

For 2021students, the prelims is within 3.5 months. You still have 1 month, where you can plan and strategize for prelims. Our mentors can gauge your level of preparation, help you with your doubts and suggest the last-minute MUST preparatory tools for prelims.

For 2022 students, it is important that you start on the right path. Get in contact with our mentorship program to take benefits of customized schedule, on-call doubt resolutions, and weekly calls for performance evaluation.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Tikdam: UPSC is an intelligent test taker. It not only wants to test your comprehension (of syllabus) but also your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). How would you solve a “factual” question which gives an illusion of the necessity of “rote-learning”? By ensuring that your core fundamentals are strong and then using the Art of Tikdams to go for the best approximation among the answer choices!

We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and the art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.

Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Art of Tikdam Handbook – Description

This is an advanced level compilation on choicest IAS Prelims questions, penned down by Vipin Garg, AIR 20 (CSE 2015).

These 20 pages contain elaborate expositions on the application of what we at Civilsdaily refer to as TIKDAMS.

With 19 questions & unique explanations using the 3 types of Tikdam approaches, we present to you this unprecedented piece of literature in the history of IAS Prelims Approach Methodology.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook by Dr Vipin Garg (UPSC Rank 20) on your registered email.

Prelims can be scary.

The preliminary Stage is the first step to your LBSNAA dream. More than 5 lakh candidates appear for prelims every year. But only 10,000 to 13,000 students make it for Mains. This stage is known for its BRUTAL ELIMINATION.

Many toppers have struggled with prelims !! Even the level of questions in prelims have been raised by UPSC – It is becoming more tricky, less factual, and more conceptual.

WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS?

Never forget your basics.

• Revision: Your static syllabus should be revised at least 2-3 times before you sit for your prelims paper. Make no mistake of thinking that only current affairs can help you sail through the examination. The static portion has its own importance, don’t ignore it.
• Attempt UPSC previous year paper: It is a crime if you go for prelims paper without attempting the last 10 years UPSC prelims papers, Period
• Attempt Mock Tests: More mocks means more practice, more revisions, and fewer mistakes on the D – Day.

If you are secure with these basic steps then what’s next?

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO SECURE PRELIMS?

Mentorship: Mentorship can help you prepare more efficiently for prelims. Both 2021 and 2022 students can benefit from Mentorship.

For 2021students, the prelims is within 3.5 months. You still have 1 month, where you can plan and strategize for prelims. Our mentors can gauge your level of preparation, help you with your doubts and suggest the last-minute MUST preparatory tools for prelims.

For 2022 students, it is important that you start on the right path. Get in contact with our mentorship program to take benefits of customized schedule, on-call doubt resolutions, and weekly calls for performance evaluation.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Tikdam: UPSC is an intelligent test taker. It not only wants to test your comprehension (of syllabus) but also your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). How would you solve a “factual” question which gives an illusion of the necessity of “rote-learning”? By ensuring that your core fundamentals are strong and then using the Art of Tikdams to go for the best approximation among the answer choices!

We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and the art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.

Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Art of Tikdam Handbook – Description

This is an advanced level compilation on choicest IAS Prelims questions, penned down by Vipin Garg, AIR 20 (CSE 2015).

These 20 pages contain elaborate expositions on the application of what we at Civilsdaily refer to as TIKDAMS.

With 19 questions & unique explanations using the 3 types of Tikdam approaches, we present to you this unprecedented piece of literature in the history of IAS Prelims Approach Methodology.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook by Dr Vipin Garg (UPSC Rank 20) on your registered email.

Prelims can be scary.

The preliminary Stage is the first step to your LBSNAA dream. More than 5 lakh candidates appear for prelims every year. But only 10,000 to 13,000 students make it for Mains. This stage is known for its BRUTAL ELIMINATION.

Many toppers have struggled with prelims !! Even the level of questions in prelims have been raised by UPSC – It is becoming more tricky, less factual, and more conceptual.

WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS?

Never forget your basics.

• Revision: Your static syllabus should be revised at least 2-3 times before you sit for your prelims paper. Make no mistake of thinking that only current affairs can help you sail through the examination. The static portion has its own importance, don’t ignore it.
• Attempt UPSC previous year paper: It is a crime if you go for prelims paper without attempting the last 10 years UPSC prelims papers, Period
• Attempt Mock Tests: More mocks means more practice, more revisions, and fewer mistakes on the D – Day.

If you are secure with these basic steps then what’s next?

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO SECURE PRELIMS?

Mentorship: Mentorship can help you prepare more efficiently for prelims. Both 2021 and 2022 students can benefit from Mentorship.

For 2021students, the prelims is within 3.5 months. You still have 1 month, where you can plan and strategize for prelims. Our mentors can gauge your level of preparation, help you with your doubts and suggest the last-minute MUST preparatory tools for prelims.

For 2022 students, it is important that you start on the right path. Get in contact with our mentorship program to take benefits of customized schedule, on-call doubt resolutions, and weekly calls for performance evaluation.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Tikdam: UPSC is an intelligent test taker. It not only wants to test your comprehension (of syllabus) but also your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). How would you solve a “factual” question which gives an illusion of the necessity of “rote-learning”? By ensuring that your core fundamentals are strong and then using the Art of Tikdams to go for the best approximation among the answer choices!

We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and the art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.

Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Art of Tikdam Handbook – Description

This is an advanced level compilation on choicest IAS Prelims questions, penned down by Vipin Garg, AIR 20 (CSE 2015).

These 20 pages contain elaborate expositions on the application of what we at Civilsdaily refer to as TIKDAMS.

With 19 questions & unique explanations using the 3 types of Tikdam approaches, we present to you this unprecedented piece of literature in the history of IAS Prelims Approach Methodology.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook by Dr Vipin Garg (UPSC Rank 20) on your registered email.

Prelims can be scary.

The preliminary Stage is the first step to your LBSNAA dream. More than 5 lakh candidates appear for prelims every year. But only 10,000 to 13,000 students make it for Mains. This stage is known for its BRUTAL ELIMINATION.

Many toppers have struggled with prelims !! Even the level of questions in prelims have been raised by UPSC – It is becoming more tricky, less factual, and more conceptual.

WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS?

Never forget your basics.

• Revision: Your static syllabus should be revised at least 2-3 times before you sit for your prelims paper. Make no mistake of thinking that only current affairs can help you sail through the examination. The static portion has its own importance, don’t ignore it.
• Attempt UPSC previous year paper: It is a crime if you go for prelims paper without attempting the last 10 years UPSC prelims papers, Period
• Attempt Mock Tests: More mocks means more practice, more revisions, and fewer mistakes on the D – Day.

If you are secure with these basic steps then what’s next?

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO SECURE PRELIMS?

Mentorship: Mentorship can help you prepare more efficiently for prelims. Both 2021 and 2022 students can benefit from Mentorship.

For 2021students, the prelims is within 3.5 months. You still have 1 month, where you can plan and strategize for prelims. Our mentors can gauge your level of preparation, help you with your doubts and suggest the last-minute MUST preparatory tools for prelims.

For 2022 students, it is important that you start on the right path. Get in contact with our mentorship program to take benefits of customized schedule, on-call doubt resolutions, and weekly calls for performance evaluation.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Tikdam: UPSC is an intelligent test taker. It not only wants to test your comprehension (of syllabus) but also your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). How would you solve a “factual” question which gives an illusion of the necessity of “rote-learning”? By ensuring that your core fundamentals are strong and then using the Art of Tikdams to go for the best approximation among the answer choices!

We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and the art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.

Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.

Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

Art of Tikdam Handbook – Description

This is an advanced level compilation on choicest IAS Prelims questions, penned down by Vipin Garg, AIR 20 (CSE 2015).

These 20 pages contain elaborate expositions on the application of what we at Civilsdaily refer to as TIKDAMS.

With 19 questions & unique explanations using the 3 types of Tikdam approaches, we present to you this unprecedented piece of literature in the history of IAS Prelims Approach Methodology.

Finding success in the UPSC journey requires every aspirant to identify their “weak” areas and rectify them.

I think my number of revisions of the syllabus is still less.

Why are my marks stagnant in the mock test? Do I need a new book?

Should I change the optional subject?

At one point during preparation days, these questions cross every aspirant’s mind. While it is important to have the right technique aka “smart study” strategy for this examination but is that enough?

What about that crazy SELF-DOUBT VOICE in the head? What about those SLEEPLESS ANXIETY-filled nights? What about those LACK OF SUPPORT LOOKS you get when you did not clear prelims for the 3rd time? What about that FEELING OF GUILT that prevents you from having a day off? And finally what about the SUFFOCATION you feel carrying so much mental stress on your shoulders?

MENTAL HEALTH as an issue has always carried a sense of stigma in Indian society. So, why should the stress and anxiety associated with UPSC preparation be treated any differently!

Even if you are one of those courageous extroverts who speak about these mental challenges, you always have that one friend who sends you a motivational quote to get you over your MOOD SWINGS with some extra advice to memorize the quote as it can be helpful for GS 4 and essay.

Honestly, sometimes you need more than a motivational quote. In our interaction with some 1000+ students, even the smallest act of acknowledging an aspirant’s anxiety and stress can go a long way in maintaining the right frame of mind during preparation.

Emotional Stability is crucial to remain sane during this preparation and also to enjoy the whole process. The first step towards a balanced approach is to identify that as a human having lows and highs is pretty much normal. If you are not able to finish the decided target, then it is alright to feel bad and push yourself a little extra for the next day. What you need to avoid is “unhealthy behaviour”. For example, putting yourself under so much pressure that your performance starts to deteriorate or belittling yourself that it starts to affect your confidence.

We are not here to diagnose any clinical conditions. But as former aspirants and gaining years of experience through mentorship, we are a big advocate of people’s interaction for healthy minds.

Sometimes, in this preparation, all you need is a person to hear you out and understand you. And unfortunately, some of us are not able to find that one person in our family or friends. There is no shame in asking for emotional help. It helps if you have a person who can listen to your worries and reduce some of your pressure. Talking to your mentor can make you feel supported in the toughest times. The worst part of silo preparation is that aspirants tend to create the idea that all these emotional upheavals are exclusive to them. Trust us this is not true!

A holistic UPSC preparation includes the right technique to complete your syllabus, revisions and mock test and a healthy mindset.

Reach out to us if you feel like nothing is going right in your preparation. Talk to our mentors about your emotional worries, and remove the burden of anxieties from your preparation.

Is UPSC 2022 examination your Goal?

Then MEP 2022 is your solution to practicing Mains Answer writing. Don’t procrastinate answer writing, developing a skill does not happen magically after you clear prelims.

Mains is the most important stage of the UPSC exam. It’s also becoming more and more unpredictable, analytical and dynamic than ever before.

PROGRAM STARTS 4^th JULY 2021.

ENROLL TODAY TO START EARLY.

22 TOTAL TESTS (10 SECTIONAL + 12 FULL LENGTH TEST)

What is MEP 2022?

Mains Essential Program 2022 is a Mentor guided comprehensive and intensive program for GS Mains papers. The focus is on making students understand the requirement of Mains Question, its elements, using information, and imparting answer writing skills for that.

Our previous year Mains tests have had an exceptional hit ratio in 2019 and 2018 UPSC Mains.

In 2020, 80% of students in our smash mains program were able to clear the mains examination.

Program inclusion:

1. 10 Sectional tests: The whole syllabus will be divided into portions like history, economics, and geography. The test will be spread for a period of 7 months. This will ensure that your basic static preparation happens on a continuous basis alongside your mains answer writing program. Killing two birds with one stone!
2. 12 Full-length tests: After the prelims, it is time to go full gear.
3. Live Video discussion: You doubt why you are scoring less or how you can improve your score for the next paper. No worries! After every test, a live video discussion on the test will happen where you can raise your queries. And if by any chance you miss it, the recording will be made available to you.
4. Civilsdaily’s handholding: You will be provided membership to Mains 2021 club on Habitat. There you can put up your doubts and queries. Also can be used to interact with peers on strategies to improve your mains writing. You can also contact mentors like Sajal sir, Sukanya ma’am, Sudhanshu sir and Ajay sir. They all have interview-level experience, so utilize their experience to your benefit.
5. Civilsdaily magazine: Your current affairs will be covered with access to our 1-year subscription.

Why MEP 2022? (Our Philosophy)

1. Question Formulation

It happens under a team of experienced Civilsdaily’s faculty. Questions framed are from the most important UPSC relevant themes and papers are based on the latest pattern of UPSC.

Our questions specifically state:

• Whether they are straightforward or thought-provoking/analytical.
• Whether they have subparts.
• Why this question – similar previous year questions, the importance of the theme, etc.

CD Innovation – Red-green highlight – to let you know about the necessary and innovative points.

2. Live Video Discussion

Just writing a mock is not enough. You need to discuss your issues and ways through which you can improve. This is where our Live video discussion comes in handy. Raise your queries as the mentor discusses with you the structure of answers and how to enhance your answer writing.

3. Answer Checking

Our evaluation focusses on multiple dimensions and parameters like structure, flow, presentation, contextuality, relevance to question, analytical excellence, and cross-domain inter-linkages than simply on superficial, memory-based lapses.

Evaluated answer copy – 1 (Click to download)

Evaluated answer copy – 2 (Click to download)

Read more about our methodology here.

4. Model Answers

More than just simply providing information, our model answers cover all the aspects of a question and provide enriching points to the student. They also include:

• For ‘thought-provoking/analytical’ type of questions, we’ll provide the best way to approach them.
• Alternate introductions
• Sub-headings and categorization to enhance readability and answer structure.
• Colour coding for main arguments, reports, data, scholars, etc.
• OTB – Out of the box points for additional marks

5. Civilsdaily’s Handholding 

You’ll be assigned to a special group on Civilsdaily’s Habitat, there you can interact with different mentors like Sajal Sir, Sukanya ma’am, Ajay Sir, Sudhanshu sir, and others.

Habitat is where everything comes together learning, doubt clearing, notes, references, mentor’s support, and a focussed community. You’re going to learn and discuss like never before.

6. Value-added material

Current affairs magazines – Civilsdaily’s Magazines are the best in terms of comprehensive coverage, superb design, and high readability. Get them here.

Listicles and other relevant study material – Supplementary content provided will be helpful in covering multiple related questions.

This is what our students have to say..

Mains Test Series Community: Testimonials

PROGRAM STARTS 4^th JULY 2021.

ENROLL TODAY TO START EARLY.

22 TOTAL TESTS (10 SECTIONAL + 12 FULL LENGTH TEST)

Is UPSC 2022 examination your Goal?

Then MEP 2022 is your solution to practicing Mains Answer writing. Don’t procrastinate answer writing, developing a skill does not happen magically after you clear prelims.

Mains is the most important stage of the UPSC exam. It’s also becoming more and more unpredictable, analytical and dynamic than ever before.

PROGRAM STARTS 4^th JULY 2021.

ENROLL TODAY TO START EARLY.

22 TOTAL TESTS (10 SECTIONAL + 12 FULL LENGTH TEST)

What is MEP 2022?

Mains Essential Program 2022 is a Mentor guided comprehensive and intensive program for GS Mains papers. The focus is on making students understand the requirement of Mains Question, its elements, using information, and imparting answer writing skills for that.

Our previous year Mains tests have had an exceptional hit ratio in 2019 and 2018 UPSC Mains.

In 2020, 80% of students in our smash mains program were able to clear the mains examination.

Program inclusion:

1. 10 Sectional tests: The whole syllabus will be divided into portions like history, economics, and geography. The test will be spread for a period of 7 months. This will ensure that your basic static preparation happens on a continuous basis alongside your mains answer writing program. Killing two birds with one stone!
2. 12 Full-length tests: After the prelims, it is time to go full gear.
3. Live Video discussion: You doubt why you are scoring less or how you can improve your score for the next paper. No worries! After every test, a live video discussion on the test will happen where you can raise your queries. And if by any chance you miss it, the recording will be made available to you.
4. Civilsdaily’s handholding: You will be provided membership to Mains 2021 club on Habitat. There you can put up your doubts and queries. Also can be used to interact with peers on strategies to improve your mains writing. You can also contact mentors like Sajal sir, Sukanya ma’am, Sudhanshu sir and Ajay sir. They all have interview-level experience, so utilize their experience to your benefit.
5. Civilsdaily magazine: Your current affairs will be covered with access to our 1-year subscription.

Why MEP 2022? (Our Philosophy)

1. Question Formulation

It happens under a team of experienced Civilsdaily’s faculty. Questions framed are from the most important UPSC relevant themes and papers are based on the latest pattern of UPSC.

Our questions specifically state:

• Whether they are straightforward or thought-provoking/analytical.
• Whether they have subparts.
• Why this question – similar previous year questions, the importance of the theme, etc.

CD Innovation – Red-green highlight – to let you know about the necessary and innovative points.

2. Live Video Discussion

Just writing a mock is not enough. You need to discuss your issues and ways through which you can improve. This is where our Live video discussion comes in handy. Raise your queries as the mentor discusses with you the structure of answers and how to enhance your answer writing.

3. Answer Checking

Our evaluation focusses on multiple dimensions and parameters like structure, flow, presentation, contextuality, relevance to question, analytical excellence, and cross-domain inter-linkages than simply on superficial, memory-based lapses.

Evaluated answer copy – 1 (Click to download)

Evaluated answer copy – 2 (Click to download)

Read more about our methodology here.

4. Model Answers

More than just simply providing information, our model answers cover all the aspects of a question and provide enriching points to the student. They also include:

• For ‘thought-provoking/analytical’ type of questions, we’ll provide the best way to approach them.
• Alternate introductions
• Sub-headings and categorization to enhance readability and answer structure.
• Colour coding for main arguments, reports, data, scholars, etc.
• OTB – Out of the box points for additional marks

5. Civilsdaily’s Handholding 

You’ll be assigned to a special group on Civilsdaily’s Habitat, there you can interact with different mentors like Sajal Sir, Sukanya ma’am, Ajay Sir, Sudhanshu sir, and others.

Habitat is where everything comes together learning, doubt clearing, notes, references, mentor’s support, and a focussed community. You’re going to learn and discuss like never before.

6. Value-added material

Current affairs magazines – Civilsdaily’s Magazines are the best in terms of comprehensive coverage, superb design, and high readability. Get them here.

Listicles and other relevant study material – Supplementary content provided will be helpful in covering multiple related questions.

This is what our students have to say..

Mains Test Series Community: Testimonials

PROGRAM STARTS 4^th JULY 2021.

ENROLL TODAY TO START EARLY.

22 TOTAL TESTS (10 SECTIONAL + 12 FULL LENGTH TEST)

Click here to register and get a free handout on Important tips for Mains answer writing

One of the greatest student in Indian History is Arjuna. His dedication and hard work to improve his skill of archery are unmatched.

Guru Dronacharya had instructed the cook at the ashram to not serve his students food at night. One day, however, the dinner got delayed. While everyone was eating at night, suddenly, the lights went off. As Arjuna ate in the dark, he realized that there was automatic coordination between his hands and mouth. He did not require vision to put his hand into his mouth. This was an amazing discovery for him. This meant that he could orient himself to shoot the target even in the night, through his other senses. He immediately took up his bow and arrow to practice in the dark. And from then on, the entire month, he would practice day and night!

Day and night- just practice.

If you want to ace your mains answer writing, then PRACTICE is your only option. Arjuna had practiced for decades before his real test in the Mahabharata war. Even you need to start your answer writing from day one and not leave it for “after the prelims” approach.

Be Arjuna of Answer writing!

Why Answer writing from Day 1 is necessary?

Let me first develop enough knowledge to write answers: This is the biggest lie we tell ourselves. There is no such thing as “ENOUGH” in UPSC preparation. It is better to train ourselves from Day 1 – How to apply the knowledge that I have?

Your knowledge is tested through your answers: If you have not learned the art to articulate your thoughts on paper, then that’s a disaster waiting to happen. Studying and writing answers is a symbiotic relationship and one reinforces the other.

Prelims Magic: We all want quick results, we want our answers to be brilliant within a week after we clear prelims. Hence, the common excuse – I will deal with answer writing after prelims. Sorry to break it to you but magic is limited to Harry Potter books.

Advantages of starting writing answer early:

• Helps you retain concepts, facts, and figures.
• Learning the trick to formulate the structure of the answer.
• Helps to revise things and learn new things not covered by conventional books.
• Improves your writing speed, and handwriting.

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Some common mistakes students make in answer writing

• Not understanding the demand of the Question: Words like ‘Examine’, ‘Comment’, or ‘Discuss’ are used for a reason in the questions. Why would UPSC use different words if it wants the same structure from each question?
• Structure a Mental Framework: If you lack the practice then, you are not able to create a mental framework. This leads to poor answers- you write points as you remember in a haphazard manner. This completely compromises your presentation.
• Introduction, body, and conclusion: This is the ideal structure for the mains answer. One very common mistake is that students have a tendency to generalize the introduction and conclusion. Along with this, the scope of dimensions in the body is limited.
• Low hanging fruits: Some elements in your answer like a diagram, reports/commissions, and supreme court judgments can uplift the quality of your answers. Students have a tendency to skip them.

These are just a few mistakes, in the initial phase of answer writing, students make a lot of such mistakes which can cost them marks. The real Smart study is to overcome such silly mistakes in your answer writing from the very start.

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This Handout is drafted by SAJAL SIR himself which deals with 20 key points for Mains answer writing. This handbook can give you a new insight into what mistakes you are making while writing answers.

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About the Author

Sajal Singh

Sajal sir is known to make Economics and IR as easy as a cakewalk. He scored one of the highest marks in GS in the 2017 UPSC exam. Under his guidance, more than 80 percent of Students qualified for UPSC interview 2020 in Smash mains Program.

Sajal sir’s marks in UPSC 2017 GS Mains paper were:

• GS Paper 1 – 132
• GS Paper 2 – 125
• GS Paper 3 – 130