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 10^th 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 6^th 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.