Latest news with #ManasSrivastava
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Reduce Ethics paper weight, CSAT to not exceed Class 10 level, release Prelims answer key sooner…': Former DGP of Uttarakhand on UPSC exam reforms
For UPSC aspirants, it is that time of year when they juggle their preparation between the Prelims and the Mains. With rising difficulty and increasing competition, the exam keeps students engaged year-round. And the hard work doesn't stop at the end of one year. Many aspirants who do not qualify on their first attempt continue the struggle for several more years — often during the prime years of their lives. The popularity of the UPSC Civil Services exam, among both aspirants and their families, has cemented its place as one of the most coveted competitive exams in the country. And while the exam season brings its own intensity, the broader debate around UPSC reforms continues throughout the year. This year has been no exception. In today's Expert Talk of UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express, Ashok Kumar, former Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttarakhand, speaks with Manas Srivastava about issues related to the UPSC exam and the Civil Services of India. About our Expert: Ashok Kumar is a retired 1989 batch Indian Police Service officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, who served as the 11th Director General of Uttarakhand Police. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the Sports University of Haryana. Ashok Kumar: I believe that the civil service is the only exam in India which changes your status overnight. Civil services continue to hold immense appeal among Indian youth, particularly those from rural backgrounds, because they offer a unique combination of status, authority, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people. For many, especially from modest socio-economic settings, clearing the exam represents a transformative leap, not just in career but also in social standing. The prestige, power, and ability to contribute directly to governance and public welfare make it an aspirational goal for lakhs of young Indians every year. The services offer a variety of jobs that can be rated quite high on job satisfaction scale. Aspirants are drawn to this variety, where one can grow continuously and explore multiple domains while staying in public service. The prestige, job security, and lifelong benefits associated with Civil Services remain unmatched in India. The structured career progression and power to influence public policy make it highly desirable even today. Ashok Kumar: There has been a noticeable shift in the geographical and socio-economic background of candidates over the years. In my time, Bihar was a dominant contributor to the list of successful candidates accounting for nearly one-third of the selections. Today, while Bihar still plays a significant role, states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and more recently, Haryana, have seen a surge in representation. Another major shift is the increasing number of candidates from rural and modest backgrounds. Earlier, the majority of aspirants came from urban, service-class families, many already connected to government employment. Now, the field is more diverse, with greater participation from first-generation learners and rural aspirants, which is a positive development for inclusive governance. As far as continuity is concerned, the exam remains as tough and uncertain as it was 36 years ago. However, the level of competition has increased, as the number of applicants has grown five-fold while the number of selected candidates has remained more or less the same. Ashok Kumar: It is a well-known fact that the current UPSC exam pattern is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive selection processes globally. It is probably the only exam that, in its various stages, tests candidates' intellectual aptitude, general awareness, analytical skills, and ethical reasoning. The demand—especially in the All-India Services—is not just for intellectual capability, but also for leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, decision-making under pressure, and a strong sense of public service. If you ask me, in some respects, the current pattern is an improvement over the older examination format. During our time, we had to prepare two optional subjects. It made the entire exam process more demanding and increased the element of unpredictability significantly. If we look at the present structure (with common GS papers and the essay carrying 1250 marks), we will find that it brings more uniformity and fairness. But certain other concerns need to be addressed: Ashok Kumar: I believe that the introduction of the CSAT was a step in the right direction. This qualifying paper aims to assess candidates' logical reasoning and analytical abilities. These are essential skills for any civil servant, and therefore, candidates must be tested on them. They are crucial for administrative roles. Having said that, the difficulty level of the paper must be reasonable and aligned with the exam's qualifying nature. The word 'qualifying' must be emphasized. For instance, when I saw the CSAT paper in 2023, I found the difficulty level comparable to that of the IIT entrance exams. One can't expect a qualifying paper to have such a high level of difficulty. I am of the strong opinion that the CSAT should continue. However, its standard should not exceed the Class 10 level. What should be the goal of the preliminary exam's qualifying paper for civil services? The goal should be to ensure that every civil servant possesses essential cognitive reasoning skills. It should not create an undue hurdle for capable candidates from a non-science background. Ashok Kumar: Aspirants, or all those who aim for the Civil Services Examination, must know that it is one of the toughest exams in the country. However, it is also one of the most rewarding exams that the youth of this country can pursue. The reason I say this is that it offers young minds a rare opportunity to serve the people and influence policy. If the youth want to bring about real change in society, the civil services are the answer. Thus, it is worth preparing for this career. In order to succeed, there are no shortcuts. One needs to work both hard and smart. There are a few musts that aspirants should keep in mind: Limit your study resources. Ensure they are the best for your exam preparation. Avoid information overload. Consistency is key. At least 10 to 12 hours of focused study are required every day, especially over two years. Make wise use of available guidance and mentorship. Have a clear thought process. When answering questions in the mains exam and interview, remember to be clear, precise, and to the point. Last but not least: stay patient, persistent, and believe in yourself. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'You Ask We Answer'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Special: Have last minute exam day strategy doubts — we have got answers
Are You Prelims Ready? UPSC Prelims 2025 is scheduled for May 25. As the exam approaches, aspirants are often flooded with last-minute doubts and dilemmas — ranging from anxiety and self-doubt to concerns about strategy and performance pressure. These feelings are natural, especially ahead of such a high-stakes and competitive examination. To help aspirants navigate this crucial phase, here is a comprehensive Prelims Day Strategy Guide, part of our Expert Talk series under UPSC Essentials by The Indian Express. In this edition, Rohit Pande, our expert, speaks to Manas Srivastava of The Indian Express, addressing the most common questions and mental roadblocks that aspirants face just before entering the exam hall. About our Expert: Rohit Pande brings over a decade of experience in strategy and consulting to the world of CSE examinations. His team has helped many students clear the exam using scientific framework-driven mentorship. He keeps a keen eye on the evolving patterns of the UPSC IAS exam and the changing study habits of GenZ UPSC aspirants, enabling them with deep, actionable, and unrivaled insights. Answer: Aim to attempt every question where you can confidently eliminate at least one option. Ideally, attempt at least 85–90 questions. Often, even in the 10–15 you initially skip, you'll find you can eliminate at least one option on review. This pushes your attempt count higher. If you're strong in reasoning and have sharp intuition, going beyond 95 attempts can work — provided your guesses are reasoned, not random. Answer: If the paper throws a few surprises your way, take a deep breath — it's the same for everyone. Don't panic. Every question has a pattern and logic; your job is to crack it. In recent years, some unexpected areas have shown up, such as sports questions (Olympics, Chess Olympiad, Laureus Awards, even the Cricket Test Championship), a whole bunch of 'only'-type statements (47 in 2023), and 18 assertion-reason questions. In 2024, they even included defence-related topics — military ranks, operations, and exercises. So, expect a few curveballs. But remember, it's not about knowing everything — it's about staying calm, thinking smart, and playing the game well. Answer: The golden rule for attempting questions in the Prelims is simple: attempt every question where you have confidently eliminated at least one option. Once you eliminate even a single choice, your odds improve significantly — with three options left, you now have a 1 in 3 chance, which statistically leads to a net-positive outcome. If your logical reasoning and elimination skills are sharp, you can take calculated risks and attempt more questions. But if you are not confident in your techniques, it is smarter to play it safe. In that case, keeping your total attempts between 88 and 92 is often a sweet spot. Answer: Do not go into the exam hall trying to judge the difficulty of the paper — that is not your job. Your focus should be on attempting every question where you can eliminate at least one option. That is your green light — stick to it no matter what. Take a deep breath. The paper might feel tough — but it will feel that way for everyone. And remember, when the paper is tough, the cutoff usually drops. So stay calm, stay sharp, and don't let the pressure get to you. Answer: We don't expect the CSAT paper to be as difficult as it was in 2023 — that year saw significant backlash, with even cases filed in the Supreme Court over the level of difficulty. As a result, the 2024 paper was more balanced. So, there is a good chance this year will follow that pattern. But just in case it doesn't, be mentally prepared. Stay well-rested — calmness and composure can make all the difference. CSAT requires a solid strategy. That is why we emphasize mastering both Comprehension and Maths & Logical Reasoning. If one section turns out to be tough — like Maths in 2023 — shift gears and focus more on Comprehension and Logical Reasoning. If Comprehension feels hard, rely on the other areas. Flexibility is your best weapon. Answer: Ever wondered why UPSC gives only 2 hours for this exam while most 100-question exams offer 3 hours? It is intentional — this exam tests decision-making, clarity under pressure, and your ability to act decisively. If you have spent around a minute on a question, you have likely exhausted your reasoning and recall. Lingering longer rarely helps. Be decisive and move on. There's no 'one-size-fits-all' time per question. Instead, manage your paper in time blocks. For example: Time management is non-negotiable. If you are falling behind, speed up and make decisions faster. The goal isn't perfection — it is smart decision-making under pressure. Answer: It is absolutely essential to approach the GS Paper with a multi-round strategy. The most effective method is the three-round approach: Have a well-rehearsed strategy and stick to it on exam day. Avoid panic-based decisions or switching strategies mid-way. Answer: Don't discuss the paper or search for answers online. It's tempting, but it does more harm than good — leading to panic, self-doubt, and lower performance in CSAT. Instead, mentally draw a line under the GS paper — it's done. Now shift focus completely to CSAT. During the break: Answer: Remember, D-day is all that counts. It's not just about your knowledge — it's about how well you execute under pressure. Stick to your strategy, stay calm, and trust your preparation. Answer: Slow down just enough to read with intention. Start by carefully reading the question and all options. Don't rush, even if it seems familiar. Underline or circle keywords — especially critical ones like: 'not,' 'only,' 'all,' 'some,' 'incorrect,' 'correct,' etc. These completely change the question's meaning. If something feels off, reread it. A second reading often reveals hidden traps. Answer: If you panic or blank out, don't change your strategy. Pause. Take a deep breath and tell yourself, 'I got this' (or any personal mantra you use). This helps calm your nerves and re-engages your brain. Then return to the paper with a steady mind. Trust your preparation and stick to your process. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. The UPSC articles of Indian Express is now on Telegram. Join our Telegram channel- Indian Express UPSC Hub and stay updated with the latest Updates. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than four years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'You Ask We Answer'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
CSAT Exam Hall Strategy : Step-by-step guide to score atleast 66.67 marks in UPSC Prelims 2025
Dear UPSC aspirants, The UPSC CSAT examination is just a few days away, and with the admit cards now released, many aspirants are turning their attention to exam hall strategy and how best to attempt the paper. Over the past few years, CSAT — once considered a qualifying formality — has evolved into a silent eliminator, filtering out candidates regardless of their General Studies performance. With just days remaining before the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, aspirants across the country are intensifying their preparations. While General Studies continues to command the bulk of attention, the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) presents its own set of challenges — and risks. Recognising this shift, UPSC Essentials launched the 'UPSC CSAT Simplified' series earlier this year. The aim: to break down key concepts from the CSAT paper and offer practice questions to help candidates track their progress. Today, we pause from the usual syllabus-driven discussions to address an often overlooked yet vital aspect of preparation: exam hall strategy. In this article, Manas Srivastava speaks with CSAT expert Mudit Gupta, who shares practical strategies to help candidates secure the crucial one-third qualifying marks in CSAT. His insights focus not just on improving accuracy, but also on avoiding common time traps. Whether you're a first-time candidate or a returning aspirant, a methodical approach to the CSAT paper could make all the difference on May 25 — the day of prelims exams. About our Expert: Mudit Gupta has been a mentor and faculty for the UPSC Civil Services exam for 8 years with expertise in CSAT, Polity, International Relations, and Current Affairs. He is known to break complex concepts into simpler ones that allow UPSC aspirants to develop a grip over the subject matter. There is a widespread misconception that CSAT is all about tough mathematics questions, and students from a humanities background cannot solve them. Experience tells me that CSAT is an unpredictable turf ground. There have been instances when English reading comprehension was more difficult than quantitative aptitude. So, there is no generalised fixed trend regarding the difficulty level of the CSAT exam. It varies every year. Moreover, many aspirants from premier engineering colleges of the country have failed to score the minimum 1/3 marks in CSAT on multiple occasions. So, the stream of the candidate is immaterial while solving the CSAT paper. It's a misconception that students from a science background have an edge over others in the CSAT paper. Each one of us has certain strong and weak areas in a subject. However, to clear the exam, we cannot just attempt the questions only from our strong areas. The weightage of every chapter is limited, and to be able to clear the cut-off comfortably, we need to attempt the questions from across the spectrum. Sometimes, aspirants move ahead with the strategy of finding the questions from a specific chapter or a specific subject in the paper first and then attempting questions from other areas. This is a time-consuming and inefficient strategy. To find questions from a specific chapter or subject out of the mixed bag of 80 questions is time-consuming and will eat up the time from the limited 120 minutes that we have to solve the 80 questions. It is always advisable to solve the questions in the order in which they appear in the question paper. Before pouncing on the prey, a lion always takes a step back. That stepping back is not a weakness, but rather the strength of a lion. Following the similar analogy, whenever you encounter a question that you think is partially solvable or you're not very confident about its answer, it is always better to skip that question. Every negative mark will erode your positive marks and thus pull you downwards. Skipping a question will fetch you 0 marks, but wrongly attempting a question will take away your 0.83 marks Just before the exam, this is one question that I am asked the most. The number of questions to be attempted depends solely on your accuracy in the exam hall. It is a given that you don't need to attempt all 80 questions. Some aspirants have a preset number in mind regarding the number of questions to be attempted. In the quest to achieve that number, they tend to over-attempt, ultimately leading to negative marking. Never enter the exam hall with a preset number. Depending on the difficulty level of the overall paper and the difficulty level of individual subjects of quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and English reading comprehension, you should decide how much to attempt in the overall paper and how much to attempt from each subject. Ideally, to attempt 80 questions in 120 minutes, you need 1.5 minutes per question. However, the requirement of CSAT is such that we don't need to attempt all 80 questions to be on the other side of the cut-off. While attempting the CSAT paper, different questions will require different amounts of time depending on the length of the paragraph or the length of the calculation involved. Hence, we cannot assign a uniform amount of time to every question. However, a few basic parameters to be kept in mind while solving the questions would be: if you think that a question is a bit on the lengthier side, but you're confident of getting close to the right answer, you should attempt it. Moreover, avoid the ego battles at all costs. If there's a tough question from your strong area, and it is likely that you will not get the answer, in such cases, you should not be stubborn and, rather, move ahead to capture the low-hanging fruit. BTW: Haven't tried our UPSC CSAT Practice Sets yet? Check out CSAT Practice Set 1 (click here), Practice Set 2 (click here), Practice Set 3 (click here), Practice Set 4 (click here),Practice Set 5 (click here) , Practice Set 6 (click here) , Practice Set 7 (click here) , Practice Set 8 (click here) ,Practice Set 9(click here),Practice Set 10(click here)., Practice Set 11(click here), Practice Set 12 (click here). and Practice Set 13 (click here). The CSAT paper refers to the General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination which is a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33 per cent or 66.67 marks. This 200 marks paper comprises questions on comprehension, interpersonal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning, and analytical ability, decision making and problem solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class 10 level), data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. — Class 10 level). The questions are of multiple choice, objective type. Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week relevant for your UPSC Exam. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
