What was the main driving force behind your choosing IAS as a career?
I main reason for choosing IAS was its work profile. One gets exposure in diverse domains like Law & Order, Education, Healthcare, implementing social schemes etc. Moreover there is people to people contact which adds to job satisfaction. The power to improve the lives of the most unprivileged is a big motivator

Which attempt was this?
This was my 3rd Attempt. I secured Indian Revenue Service (IT) in my previous attempt with AIR-277 in CSE-2008.

Where did you lack in your previous attempts?
General Studies & Essay were the areas where I needed improvement.

What was your strategy for this attempt?
Strategy was to improve written score in Mains through special focus on two markers & Science & Technology section. In essay, apart from content, I also focused on using creative sentences.

What are the three qualities that are most important of three different level of examination process?
Strategy, Focus & Hard Work

What was your planning for Mains G.S.?
I basically relied on standard textbooks in case of Geography. I had put maximum emphasis on General Studies preparation especially two markers.

What were your optional subjects?
Geography for Prelims. Geography & Pschology for mains

What was your plan for handling Essay?
Focus on content, structure & use of creative sentences giving analogy formed the basis of my strategy.

What do you want to say the lakhs of student who aspire to be an IAS officer?
Strategise well. Strategy is as important as hard work if not more. Hard work without strategy is useless. Last but not the least, Life is not about “I could or I couldn’t” but life is just about “I tried”. My advice to aspirants is to do synchronous classes for securing good marks in G.S.    

Marks in the Attempt
Essay      GS       Psychology    Geography    Interview    Total
104          324      280                  332                 210             1240