Before beginning on the subject, let me put a disclaimer that I am no authority on the subject and in UPSC exam, one can find pieces of all shapes and sizes. However, this should not refrain from summing up my experience of those years. And so we begin.
Civil Services exam is considered the mother of all examinations in the world. IIT, GATE, CAT and even the cut-throat medical examinations are considered dwarf in comparison to Civil Services. Why so? Why this exam is kept at a different pedestal than any other equally difficult examination.
The prime reason behind such a perception is Civil Services is not merely an exam of your aptitude or knowledge. It is an examination of your character, attitude, resilience, and never-say-die attitude. It is an examination of your lifestyle. The repeated inexplicable failure despite your best effort helps you in learning the larger pattern of life i.e. life is uncertain so put your best but don't expect. It inculcates the habit of "Nishkaam Karma". The exam checks your social, emotional and intelligence quotient in one go. Some people go on hibernation, breaking all social connections and avoiding all the social obligations. But the interview process essentially checks your social awareness and relationship management skills. Your emotional strength is checked by your compassion to your surrounding. The process imbibes you with all the major characteristics of Idea of India in your behaviour. The tolerance, compassion, respect for diversity and spirit of integration, accommodation and adaptation gets translated into your own behavior in the process. And then one-day success comes to you automatically. You feel happy, satisfied and enthused inside.
However, an exam can only turn a boy into a man. With all due respect to dogs, It can not turn a dog into a man. And sometimes when it does that magic, it is more harm than good. These are the people who would create negative influence in job settings. For this, the person should exhibit certain behavioural traits which prove very helpful in overcoming the challenges of this exam. Here is the list of seven such behavioural tips which will help you in developing and maturing in the process.
1. There are three kinds of people on this earth. One who discuss Idea. Other who discuss an event. And a third category of who discuss individuals. Be the one in first two categories. Discuss Ideas and events. They may help you in an exam and even in the larger scheme of life. But do not discuss individual. I find many candidates discussing the arrogance of a flatmate or misdeed of some other fellow. One may term a fellow person as "Junglee" for his pure obsession with civil services or may tend to indulge in gossip-mongering and nuisance. My suggestion is to avoid the company of such people. It helps.
2. Learn from your surroundings. For example, when you are walking on the road, observe how the government policies are coming in action. For example, one can JNNURM buses plying on Delhi roads. The advertisement of various government schemes could be seen on metro stations.
One can relate the theory of unemployment taught in the economics class with child labour and unorganised labour seen on the street. One can think of problems faced by beggars by observing them in the act.
3. Don't fear to say No to friends, family members, and others. See you are going to be the leader of a bug district. So one should know how to deal with difficult situations in life. Therefore, the moment you feel like saying NO, do say no. and Observe the other person's reaction.
4. Control your words and modulate your tone. Someone has said, your thoughts become your words. Your words become your action. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your character. Your character becomes your destiny. You will not be a changed person in the interview room. Your inner core will remain the same at the time of interview as it was few months before that unless you consciously try to change it. Therefore, let the process of change begin today. Don't say those things which you feel ashamed of saying in the interview. The easiest way of living in life is "be the same person in your professional, personal and social sphere".
5. When in the preparation mode, you meet various sort of people and come across various activities. So a big question is what sort of activities one should engage in and what kind of people one should spend time with? For those who are concerned, one touchstone is "How is it going to help in UPSC preparation"?
6. All days are not same. One day you may stretch yourself and complete the targets but on other days, you may feel bored and totally frustrated. In all such situations, just keep walking.
7. Most of the other learning have been mentioned in some or other blog.
Some of my prominent learning over the years are following. The list is not exhaustive. It is limited by recalling power at the moment.
1. Howsoever nervous you may be or howsoever reluctant, it does not matter so making a start is necessary, howsoever small it may be.
2. Don’t expect to produce a marvel on day one. What you begin with and what eventually will come out are two different things. Remember Rome was not built in a day.
3. Act act act. Keep trying Keep walking.
4. Set realistic goals. Promise less and deliver more
5. Be honest with yourself
6. Whatever does not kill you, makes you stronger
7. You are lucky.
8. Appreciate and smile endlessly. Laugh at yourself.
9. Discuss Ideas and not individual
10. Do not fear anything
11. Your worst enemy is part of you conditioned by social evils. and you are competing so hard for its welfare. This is what makes this examination great.
12. Ignore Ignore Ignore. Ignore the negative energy.
13. Share share share. Knowledge begets knowledge.
14. Life is uncertain
15. Initially, You need to forcefully claim your happiness. Later it comes to you naturally
16. Maintaining a discipline helps
17. We are all humans. We are fallible. So don't feel guilt too much.
18. Be forgiving.
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