Anurag Pandey

Few years back I had an extraordinary opportunity to attend the so-called sacred and tough UPSC Interview board after clearing the gruelling written exam. Since I was pretty excited about it and hence planned it well also. I booked a good hotel in the vicinity of UPSC and checked in to it a day before to settle in there. Since I was in job and had nobody to guide me, my plannings and preparations were all mine and since it made me successful I now think yes they were right.  I got up early that day had morning ablutions and got ready in ultra formal attire ! Light blue shirt and dark color trousers and a matching tie. I was looking as if I am heading towards my meeting as I usually do when in BHEL but this time it was something different- that was my rendezvous with UPSC !  I reached the venue quite early to see many veterans ( multiple timers) discussing what was asked last year and what mistakes they committed and how they were screwed. I had no idea as I never ever gave it

For last few months, I am receiving spate of phone calls, emails from future aspirants of GATE & IES regarding what should be within us to crack it & even appear for such exams. Many aspirants are apprehensive whether they can clear these exams coz' they have less CGPA during graduation.  I am writing this to clear such doubts for my friends who are preparing for these exams. At this outset, I would like to give following advise to all who are preparing or planning to appear in these exams. 1. Do not think about past academic performance while preparing for these exams. What & how you will prepare will matter most.  2. Going for coaching is a personal decision but in one of my blogs I have mentioned that, if you prepare well from the standard text books, there is no need for spending money on coaching, Save your money for party later on when you get selected.  3. Forget about your 8 semesters of engineering studies, only 30% study with full sinceri