Friday, July 17, 2015

Interview of UPSC Topper in CSE 2014 - Kantesh Kumar Mishra, AIR 103


We caught up with Mr Kantesh Kumar Mishra, a couple of days after the Results of the elite Civil Services were declared on 04 July 2015. He was an instant celebrity with an All India Rank of 103 - that too from Kolkata - considered to be a dungeon for preparing towards Civil Services Examination.

He was receiving innumerable phone calls and was hardly able to toy around with his two mobile phones. Finally he had to switch off the phones to talk to us.

An exceptionally hard working and down-to-earth individual, yet sharp and knowledgeable. Below is an excerpt of his rendezvous with us.

 
 
1. When did you start contemplating for Civil Services?

 
I had a wishful thinking  of appearing in Civil Services in my 10th standard. I gave a serious thought of it after my graduation in 2010.

 

 
2. Why did you want to become a Civil Servant when so many career options are available & you were already in the Banking sector?

A career as Civil servant  brings immense social clout
 
along with authority to bring about social change.  
 
Salary after 6th pay is quite attractive and job
 
security is also there. Personally I feel it is the “ Real
 
Service “

 

 
3. How long have you seriously prepared for the UPSC Civils?

I started my preparation after my graduation in 2010
 
albeit in a small manner. I put my brain seriously
 
after 2012.

 

4. What were your Optionals & Why?

 
I opted for History as my optional as it has relevance to the General studies paper especially GS1. History is also very interesting as it motivates when we learn about various Historical Personalities; their rise and fall. Most importantly guidance was readily available for the subject.

 

5. Do you think educational background plays any role in the success in this Exam?

Not Quite. There are people from IITs and IIMs and
 
other top universities competing with graduates from
 
lesser known universities. The level of exam is such
 
that any one could compete. However, the ability to
 
interact and extrovertness which is nurtured in elite
 
institutions sometimes help in Personality Test.

 

6. Since you were in the Banking sector, can you elaborate your study routine? This would help other aspirants who are working professionals.

 
Studying Consistently for 4 hours daily is important. Working
 
professionals should try to complete their work in time and
 
stop gossiping at workplace. They should minimize
 
socialising and strictly maintain time table.

 
7. What needs to be the style of writing answers in the MAINS exam? 

 
Answer writing comes through lot of practice. Simple and crisp language can fetch marks. Aspirants can develop their own style. Answer must be written within the given word limit. It is always better to complete the paper. Quality and quantity should be balanced while strictly adhering to time management.

 

8. Did you practice writing answers? Did it help? Did you appear in any Test Series towards Mains?

 
Yes, of course. Answer writing is must for qualifying mains with high score. I joined the test series in Trademark IAS which helped me in improving my writing style. The feedback after test helped in course correction.

 

9. What should be the approach towards Prelims in the age of –ve marking & now with total stress back on GS I?

 
With the new change major focus should be on core
 
subjects like history, ecology, polity, geography and
 
economy. Candidates should practice a number of
 
Mcqs and improve their strike rate. Wild guesses
 
should be avoided.

 

10. What is your opinion regarding the change in the MAINS Syllabus?

The new syllabus of mains since 2013 has
 
fundamentally changed the approach towards CSE
 
preparation. Preparation time has been shortened.
 
This new shift is in tandem with changing realities
 
within which modern administrative machinery
 
works. A lot of emphasis is being laid on current
 
affairs which require through reading of newspapers
 
and journals.

 

11. Was going through this journey a lone fight or did you find people around you?

I have got support of many friends. 

 
Shekhar Bhaiya has been a constant source of
 
motivation. Kaishav Trehan helped me in revising
 
many topics. Indira ma’am too acted as mentor. So
 
all these people made my journey look simpler.

 

12. Any other comments / thoughts you would like to share?

 
Preparing for CSE is a life time experience. It
 
changes the attitude towards life . I feel extremely
 
fortunate that I was able to live the journey of
 
preparation for what my friend call’ Mother of All
 
Exams’.


 
Thank You Mr Mishra for sparing some precious
 
moments from your busy schedule. We again
 
congratulate you & wish you get your desired
 
service and cadre.  

5 comments:

Chandrashekhar Chauhan said...

Hats off Kantesh Sir!! You are inspiration to us at Trademark and many others.

Unknown said...

Congratulations sir. You truly inspire us to work hard towards the realisation of our dream!

martin007 said...

Pride of DAV basundhara.

Unknown said...

Hats off u sir.

Unknown said...

Tremendes wrk sir