IAS Toppers Interview: Kirodi Lal Meena Rank 248

IAS Score: What were the basic mantras of your success?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Believe in yourself. Find the inner strength.

IAS Score: What were your strategies for the lengthy syllabus of General Studies for both Prelims and Mains?

Kirodi Lal Meena: As syllabus is very wide stick to standard books. Make/Get notes for vague topics like internal security, disaster management etc. Save detailed study for optional.

IAS Score: Did you integrate your Prelims or Mains preparation or was it separate in the changing scenario?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Did not divide prelims and mains preparation but prelims require more factual memory so one month before prelims focus on memorizing little details whereas after prelims focus on answer writing.

GS Preparation for Prelims (Summary)

GS Mains Preparation (Summary)

Optional Subject Preparation  (Summary)

IAS Score: How did your prepare for essay.

Kirodi Lal Meena: Joined GS score test series. Write, Read, and Write again. When you read your own essay you will realize how bad or good it is. So introduce those missing points and write again. Cover all dimensions of given topic (as I learned at GS score test discussions). Avoid grammatical errors.

IAS Score: Did you adopt any specific strategy for GS Paper 4?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Test discussions at GS score helped. Include real life/ historical examples. Do case studies in the light of practicality.

IAS Score: What were the sources of information for general reading? How did you come to know that which sources of reading materials are standard?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Relied on sources mentioned by senior friends. Newspaper and a few official websites were the standard sources for basic information.

IAS Score:  What is your advice on notes-making for other aspirants?

Kirodi Lal Meena: This is highly individual choice. Many will write on margin of books. Other will prepare soft copies. It is advisable to have limited things to read just before exams so better to make/get notes.

IAS Score: How did you manage your time during the preparation?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Set targets and stick to them. Devote certain hours to current affairs sources like Newspaper/News Analysis on FM/RSTV programs.

IAS Score: What was your style (paragraph or point format) Of writing in the exam? How was it distinct from the general writing style? How did you develop this writing style?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Para-points-para. Earlier had habit of writing complete thing in para format but changed to new pattern to save time.

IAS Score: So much focus is being given to Test Series, both for Prelims and Mains, in your opinion how useful are they, in the course of a preparation process? Which Test Series did you join and how useful did you find it to be?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Test series help you judge your standing. In case of prelims it helps in finding out missing areas. For mains it helps strategize your attempt at paper in terms of length of answers.

IAS Score: Civil Services Exam process is quite strenuous. It requires long hours of constant study. How did you maintain your tempo and what did you do to break the monotony of preparation?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Had personal commitments to motivate. Going out with friends once in a while helps. Watch documentaries/sensible cinema/read books/visit family to break monotony.

IAS Score: The trend suggests that professionals or working people are more successful in this exam. Does this exam prove difficult for Humanities and Social Science background candidates?

Kirodi Lal Meena: I don’t think any such generalization is true. This exam requires dedicated effort and patience. Whoever follows the basics his/her chances of success are equally good irrespective of background.

IAS Score: Which sources you referred to prepare for Contemporary Issues.

Kirodi Lal Meena: Regularly updating newspaper info with RSTV programs. Daily dose of News Analysis on Radio. Online Notes published by GS Score just before mains for revision.

IAS Score: Given the recent boom in online initiatives to support an aspirant, which were the platforms that you find useful enough during your course of preparation. Please list the sites.

Kirodi Lal Meena:

iasscore.in

mrunal.org

IAS Score: What is your advice to the candidates who is still in the process of preparing for this examination?

Kirodi Lal Meena: Seek guidance to dispel doubts and find right pace to continue preparation. Do not bother about everything that everyone says.

IAS Score: Your word for future aspirants

Kirodi Lal Meena: Believe in yourself and evolve your own strategy and you will make it for sure.

Kirodi Lal Meena Mark sheet

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