The Gazelle Punch - Damera Hima Vamshee - AIR 548, CSE 2022

Significance of Regular Course Corrections "Destination is not determined by hope, it's not determined by wish. It's done by the Direction." You cannot change destination overnight. But what can be changed overnight is the Direction you are moving in. You can correct it right now. And your Direction essentially determines your Destination. Do the small things right. Monitor your progress regularly. Make the small corrections where needed. That takes you in the right direction, and eventually to the right Destination. 🙌

Virtual / Digital Library https://t.me/studygroupdigital If you are feeling difficult to focus on studies at home, a library can be a good place to be. But it is equally difficult to find a good library in the vicinity, if you don't live in a major UPSC hub. Preparing from home, this is a problem I have often faced too. If that's the case, You can utilise this virtual library facility. This is free of cost, and helps you focus better. Basically a 24*7 virtual space where you can freely hold your sittings with fellow ONLY UPSC aspirants. Kindly maintain the decorum and follow the rules stated. 🙏

Something that pulled me up after every defeat. Something that kept my spirit alive, despite several setbacks. Thank you for everything, Rocky Balboa ❤️ "Life isn't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!" When you are down, think like a boxer. If you are knocked down, you need to get up in 10 seconds or less. One extra second, and it's all over. Get up, and get back at it quickly. That's how Winning is done, my friends. 🙌

This channel is being run by a Group of Toppers, willing to give back to the aspirant community. In the coming days, they'll share detailed insights about what all one should do (or should not do) to have a better chance at clearing the exam. Knowing them personally, I can assure that these tips can be valuable in refining one's approach towards UPSC. https://t.me/upsc360degree

GS1 STRATEGY Hello Everyone This is Manish, AIR 283 in CSE 2022. I got 123 in GS1 this year, an improvement from 101 in 2021 & 88 in 2020. Here is a brief outline of my approach to GS1 and few things that I believe have worked well for me. 1. I have Geography Optional and that I believe, has been the major factor. So, for Geog people, Leverage that to your advantage. For others, I would suggest to prioritise Geography>History>Society. 2. Geography in GS1 lately have shifted towards Disaster Management and Environment. So, integrate GS1 with GS3 Preperation. Identify repetitive themes like Industrial Locations, Recent Disaster Events and Mechanisms etc. and prepare short notes and examples on them 3. For History, Prepare your own topic wise notes (I did it from Spectrum and Nitin Singhania) and try to brainstorm while revising to add few more points. In Answers, Try to add Specificity by adding Dates, Personalities and Specific Events. Similarly, In AnC Questions, Try to use names of Kingdoms or Kings or Contemporary Travellers or Books. 4. For Society, I used Forum IAS Booklet for Static topics like Caste, Regionalism etc and Vision 365 for CAs. Apart from that, I focussed more on Current Examples and Case Studies. (especially from June-August Newspaper) Society was my weakest portion in GS1 5. Maps/Diagrams/Schematics : This I believe is the key to score Good Marks in GS1. 5.1 Geography : Its obvious to draw maps and diagrams in Geography. 2 things should be kept in mind. First, Try to enrich the diagrams and Maps. Label them and Make them a bit detailed so that they add value to the answer and not just consume space. For Eg. In Question on Floods, rather than just shading the Flood Prone area, one could : 1) Shade the Area. 2) Can mention Specific reasons of flooding in respective regions using some technical terms if you can. 3) Mention Specific Data or Flood incidents and enclose this in a Box. Secondly, In Geography, It's Good if you're drawing comprehensive maps like India, World Map etc. Along with this, You can draw numerous regional maps, smaller in size. For example, In Question on Ocean Currents, I drew 1 World Map depicting Major Currents plus 5-6 smaller regional map to discuss their impact. You can draw as much as you want, so long as they are relevant and do not occupy too much space. Thirdly, In Geography, I used to draw One Map immediately after introduction about the asked Phenomenon/Distribution etc. 5.2 Try to incorporate maps and diagrams in Non Geography Questions as well. Distribution Maps could be drawn. For example, Extent of Temple Architecture during medieval times with relevant Locations (2022), Spread of Bhakti Literature (2021) or Spatio-Temporal distribution of Famines during British Raj (2022) 5.3 Additionally, You can do one excersize that I used to do. Sit with question paper from any coaching institute and brainstorm for 10 minutes what possible maps or diagrams or value addition you can do in these Questions. Similarly, While revising Notes, Try to think about Maps/Diag/VA and draw them in your notes. 6. At last, Leave No Area (Not Just Page) in your QCAB Blank and write as many points as possible maintaining a balance between No. of Points and depth in Points. Practice Drawing India and World Maps (in ~10-15 seconds) to save time for labelling. If @babayaga_ge John Wick can learn to draw Maps, Than Anyone can. Neat and clean diagrams will be cherry on the top. GS 1 is one area where I believe there is relatively more certainty that Your efforts will result in marks. Happy Learning🙏💛

As the Prelims results are announced, there has been a flurry of emotions. Many have cleared, really happy for them. But at the same time, many unfortunately couldn't find their name in the list. I have been at this juncture a couple of times before. It's painful. However, I just want to remind each and every one of you that you are all truly special and exceptional individuals. The journey you have undertaken, the hard work you have put in, and the dedication you have shown are testaments to your remarkable character. Regardless of the outcome, your efforts and commitment have already made you winners. Embrace this moment with confidence and pride, knowing that you have given your all. The result does not define your worth or potential; it is merely a stepping stone in your extraordinary journey. Stay positive, Stay Strong and Keep Shining brightly, as you have always been. ✨

All the best everyone 👍

All growth happens outside your comfort zone. 🙌 So Don't be scared of discomfort and uncertainty. Embrace them. You evolve only when you face challenges. 🏆

You have to work hard all the time. That's the prerequisite to Success. And sometimes, the Stars Align ✨

Socio 10 Point Strategy Contd.. 8. Prepare Model answers for PYQs An Analysis of PYQs shows us that, nearly 70% of questions from Paper 1, and about 50% questions from Paper 2 are repeated. And this makes it very important to prepare model answers for PYQs. Having that more than 50% questions ready beforehand will help immensely in the exam. I did brainstorming sessions for Socio PYQs along with a friend. We tried to prepare model answers for last 5 years questions asked in Sociology. This exercise was of much help. (We did not find any good Solved PYQs source for Sociology. Hence, we tried to do it ourselves.)

The Big Learning from UPSC journey This journey is hard. There will be days we don’t feel like studying, there will be things we don’t feel like doing. But we must do the things we need do, even though we don't feel like doing them. That is what Professionalism is. It’s really easy for anybody to get to work on the days they feel like killing it. But what happens on the days that you don’t feel like killing it? What happens on the days you don’t feel like getting out of bed? “Because those are the days that define where you are going to end up in life." I would like to give the analogy of Virat Kohli here. We all know how dedicated he is to fitness. He works out for hours, runs around the ground many times, he also said he gave up his favourite food (Garlic Naan & Butter Chicken). Inherently, nobody likes to do all these. Nobody wants to sacrifice so many things. But he does that anyway. Not because he likes doing these, but because these things eventually put him in a place to do what he loves to do. That is to play for the Indian Cricket Team. This professionalism is something which always inspires me. As an aspirant, and as a person, this is a principle which will always stay close to my heart.

It is a moment of pure bliss, something which flows in from the 5 years of hard work and resilience. Every setback, every hurdle, and every doubt along the way has been eclipsed by this overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Gratitude fills my heart, appreciating the support and encouragement that propelled me forward. This marks a milestone in my journey, igniting a renewed sense of purpose in the service of our nation.

These were some of the messages I received from my friends, after the unfavorable result last year. I was utterly disappointed at that time, one of the lowest phases of my life. These kept me motivated for the next attempt. And fortunately for me, what they said, and their trust in me turned out to be true this year. Last year, I was shattered. But that time has passed. This year, I am happy. But I know for sure, this too shall pass. However, the support provided in the moments a person is weak, vulnerable and distressed, shall forever be remembered. We all have our share of such low moments, and that's totally alright. Do seek support from your loved ones when needed. In case you find someone in need of help, be that support for them. We never know what someone is going through in life. A few kind words and a couple of minutes of your time might mean everything for that person.

A Story of Resilience and Triumph 5 June, 2022 An important day in my life. Exactly a year ago, I was out there to give my UPSC CSE Prelims. It was hard. It was really hard, especially after the significant setback I faced on 30 May, 2022, just 5 days before that. When the search for my name in the Final Results pdf, only ended up showing "No Results Found". I was in all ways devastated. The result was one thing, I also had to face rough patches in my personal life. Today, on June 5th, 2023, as I reflect upon the past year, my heart is filled with gratitude and a deep sense of accomplishment. With only five days before the next Prelims, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge. To put it bluntly, there wasn't even enough time to cry and vent out my grief. But amidst the darkness, a flame of resilience ignited within me. I decided to do what needs to be done, regardless of how my emotions made me feel. I cannot express enough gratitude to my family and friends who stood by me during this trying time. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in my abilities propelled me forward. Their words of strength uplifted me when self-doubt threatened to consume me. The journey that followed was arduous, demanding countless hours of study, sacrifice, and determination. It tested my mental and emotional fortitude, pushing me to my limits. But I embraced failure as an opportunity for growth and promised myself to give my all, leaving no stone unturned. Today, as I stand here, successful in my pursuit, I owe this victory to the unwavering support and faith of my dear friends. It would be a long list to name you all, but remember that you will always have a special place in my heart. "I am what I am today, only because you all have been what you've been to me". To anyone facing their own moments of disappointment, I urge you to hold onto hope. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and trust in your abilities. Surround yourself with believers who uplift and inspire you. Remember, the path to success is not linear, but within you lies untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Believe in your dreams, trust in your resilience, and never lose sight of the greatness within you. Thank you, my dear friends, for walking beside me on this incredible journey. Special shoutout to my PT Extended Family. Very fortunate to have found a family, which stuck together in this uncertain journey. Many of my friends who shared a similar setback last year are now selected with good ranks, and would be IAS, IPS, IRS officers. And many will soon be. May our stories of resilience and triumph continue to inspire others as they pursue their own dreams with unwavering determination.

Success - Motivation loop Success, gives you motivation, which leads to further success and that puts you in a loop of Success and Motivation. It’s not by mere coincidence that the most successful people are often among the most motivated people you see. Ex: Virat Kohli, Steve Jobs, Micheal Phelps. It's the Action - Success - Motivation loop actually. The loop doesn’t start with motivation, nor with success. It must start with Action, then Success, and then Motivation. The loop goes on, if not broken in between. So cherish your small achievements. They set you up for the big wins. 🏆