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.
