IAS Toppers Interview – Surya Pal Gangwar, Rank 8, Year 2009

Surya Pal Gangwar IAS 2009 Batch Uttar Pradesh

We bring you the IAS toppers interview of Surya Pal Gangwar IAS, Rank 8, Year: 2009 shared in Facebook. See source Link : https://www.facebook.com/Civilservicesexams/posts/ias-toppers-interviewsurya-pal-gangwar-rank-8-year-2009he-believes-in-the-streng/516259771757475/

Surya Pal Gangwar believes in the strength of motivation, has the desire to serve and actively contribute in social development. His eventual win testifies it. Meet Surya Pal Gangwar in a heart-to-heart conversation with Wizard.

Surya Pal Gangwar IAS Interview

Question: To whom and to what do you credit your success?

Surya Pal Gangwar: My parents, family, Navodaya Vidyalaya, teachers especially Manoj Sharma Sir and friends. It was hard work and God’s grace which finally materialized my dream.

Q: Why did you choose Civil Services as a career?

Surya Pal Gangwar: The desire to serve the people and contribute actively in social development of my country was the basic motivation in this choice. In Navodaya Vidyalaya, I started getting a feeling to go beyond self and become a valuable resource of the society. Civil services is the most prestigious career option in India and give enough opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of millions of people.

Q: How should one assess oneself before deciding to opt for Civil Services as a career?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Strength of basic motivation is the deciding factor. Those who opt for this career are required to have high social aptitude. One should evaluate one’s life goal that is expected to lead satisfaction in life vis a vis opportunities available in civil services. Just qualifying the exam is not an end in itself, it is just the beginning of a challenging future. A person may have to keep his personal life on a back seat in order to meet the expectations of the job.

Q: When did you consciously start your preparation for this examination?

Surya Pal Gangwar: In 2004.

Q: When should one ideally start the preparation process?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Generally to start during Graduation can give anyone an extra advantage. But it depends on background of a candidate. There can be no single prescription that anyone can give. I feel this thing evolves gradually as you become matured and informed. Minimum time required to succeed also varies based on background.

All that I can say is that once a person decides to take up this challenge after evaluating his or her strength of aspiration and potential, he or she should stick to it and evolve a better customized approach and plan for himself. Generally it may take up to one year to get familiarity with pattern of whole exam and expectations of UPSC.

Q: It is said that the Civil Services examination is one of the toughest nuts to crack. It requires constant and sustained hard work. How did you keep yourself constantly motivated? What was your source of inspiration?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Yes, the competition is really very tough because it is open to Graduates from all streams, and it is one of the most prestigious exams. Highest degree of intrinsic motivation is required to keep you on the right track constantly for a long time. Humble acceptance of your imperfectness & shortcomings and a continuous urge for self improvement is the key. My source of inspiration were my own big dreams and plans which never went out of my conscious mind.

Q: In your opinion how crucial is the selection of Optionals for success in the examination?

Surya Pal Gangwar: The most important factor is selection of appropriate optional subjects. One should very carefully choose the subjects.

Q: What should be the criteria for selecting them and how should one go about it? Should one opt for the subjects studied at college or go for new ones? How did you choose your optionals?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Some of the criterion may be educational background, interests, keen perception, aptitude, time available, availability of study material, familiarity, understanding and comfort level with the UPSC syllabus. Don’t make false assumptions based on hearsay about preferential treatment by UPSC for certain subjects. My optional subjects were Public Administration and Psychology. Industrial Engineering (my graduation subject) is not an optional in UPSC. So I had to choose other subjects.

My criterion for above selection was my interests and aptitude in these subjects as well as my aspiration of making a career in Public Administration to get a feel in advance. It had deepened my interest in Public Administration as the dreams and preparations used to reinforce each other. I thought I will be working with people; Psychology can help me in understanding them psychologically in a better way to deliver the services most effectively.

Q: How should one prepare for Prelim and Main?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Slightly different strategies are required for these two stages in preparations.

For Prelim: Divide the time for GS (wiziq.com/course/7109) & Optional paper judiciously keeping in mind the fact that weightage of one question in optional is 2.5 times more than that in GS. Optional syllabus is well defined. One should cover the complete syllabus of UPSC in Optional. Use the most authentic books on the relevant topics. Try to master the syllabus from good authentic books. In GS, there are two components of paper, one is static in nature and second is dynamic.

Static portion should be preserved carefully, you may need it in the next year, otherwise you will again be investing precious time next year if required. Use highlighter pen and mark some crucial words or phrases or sentences. It will reduce efforts drastically while doing revision. Use time saving devices while reading and clues, mnemonics or other memory improvement devices for better retention.

Develop a habit of making notes. Frequent revision improves confidence. One should invest time in planning and re-planning. Make schedules and revisit them at certain intervals. It will help you to locate exact status of your preparations.

For Main: Planning and memory/retention devices are important. It may be better strategy if you prepare both the Optionals and GS papers simultaneously (i.e. parallel preparation rather than sequential). You will have options/choices in optional papers as well as in GS. Although you should prepare all topics in syllabus but generally it is not possible to have equal depth due to time constraint. So be practical, analyse syllabus and smartly mark some of the topics for deeper study than others, taking some clues from previous years’ papers and pattern therein. Make notes and develop confidence in these topics.

In other topics, you may have some degree of comfortness and not the authority. Practice the answer writing, first without time limits (focusing just on contents) and then later with time limits(focusing on both content as well as time).

Q: How can one score well in Essay, GS and Interview?

Surya Pal Gangwar: For Essay: You need to have good writing skills which can be developed through practice. Clear and logical presentation of your thoughts and reasonableness in your attitude and views can make difference. Choose the topic in which you are very comfortable and develop your thoughts and plan of essay on rough and arrange the scattered thoughts in logical and seamless flow. You can devote 30 minutes in planning and organizing. After writing, keep at least 15 minutes for revision so that mistakes can be corrected. Sum-up the essay in about one page at the end.

GS: Devote only 10 minutes in reading the whole paper and choosing which parts to answer, where you have a choice and then plan your sequence. Time management is very crucial while writing GS papers. You may plan and practice your time in advance based on previous years’ papers. 5 short answer questions should be attempted in around 4 minutes. Plan your content likewise. All parts of the questions should be attempted at the same place but you may leave space for attempting less familiar questions at the end. Do not waste time in answering in first place those questions, about which you are having only superficial knowledge or you are not sure. Revisit them if you have time at the end.

Interview: Evolve your personality from the current status to the expected personality of an IAS/civil servant during your preparation years. It is a gradual transformation. Be honest to yourself and focus on self improvement throughout the span of preparation. Don’t bear any kind of prejudice about the board. They are absolutely fair. Prepare all aspects of your bio-data and acquaint yourself with events of general curiosity during those days.

On entry in Board room, submit your real personality to the Board in a humble manner without manipulations or distortions. Be truthful and honest and let them judge fairly your suitability for the civil services. If you are convinced, you are fit for the job, I hope you will not be disappointed. Accept humbly your imperfection and admit incompleteness of your knowledge with the same courage as you experience telling a correct answer with confidence. I mean, genuine people can say, “I Don’t know” with the same ease as correct replies. But you must have flexibility and an urge to know.

Knowledge is less important than the learning attitude. Don’t panic even if you could not answer many questions at a stretch. Don’t be overconfident. Don’t conflict with the Board normally. Don’t indulge in any arguments with any member even when you feel provoked. Emotional Intelligence pay you in interview. Be reasonable in your attitude. Accept the harsh realities and problems and try to present yourself as a person with solution orientation rather than problem focused.

Social attitude and aptitude will be tested through your answers on certain issues. There may be some situational questions or related to your bio-data, handle them carefully and honestly because there you are tested on many qualities which are needed in civil servants. Factual questions generally are less important as they are asked to test your confidence. Tough questions may be asked to test your endurance and stress management capabilities.

Q: What are the areas in GS Paper I and II in the Main examination in which the candidate can score marks easily?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Marks in all areas can be scored equally well. You can always expect better results from areas of your competence or background.

Q: Did you commit any mistake during your preparations?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Many mistakes like in selection of study material, too much reading without much relevance, or misplaced weightage for certain sections etc. But the feedback mechanism inbuilt in my planning and analytical approach as well as my openness to new experiences had always facilitated me corrections in time.

Q: How many hours should one devote for the preparations regularly?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Most wrong question but frequently asked. It’s the quality and smartness in preparation which is more important rather than hours spent on study table. Regularity is crucial. I think every minute left after taking care of your social, personal and biological needs, should engage you in your preparations. It is not only reading. It involves your self improvement and personality development also as it is manifested in your answers in several ways.

Time requirement mainly depends on background of candidate. There can be no single prescription that anyone can give. All that is needed is your commitment and focus.

Q: Could you please give the aspirants a list of references for essay/GS/Optional I/Optional II and Interview?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Prelim

General Studies
– NCERT Books on different topics
– Monthly magazines – Pratiyogita Darpan, Wizard and few other magazines
– Selected notes from different regular/ special issues of above magazines.
– Special Issues of Pratiyogita Darpan – Economy, History, etc.
– The Hindu and Times of India newspapers
– India Year Book (Govt Publication)
– Economic Survey
– (Any one GS manual for Prelim) for practicing questions
Public Administration
– Administrative Thinkers: Prasad & Prasad
– Public Administration: Rumki Basu
– Public Administration: M.P.Sharma & Sadana
– Indian Administration: Awasthi & Maheshwari
– New Horizons of Public Adminstration: Mohit Bhattacharya
– Indian Administration: Rajni Goyal
– Public Administration for CSP: Lakhmikant (TMH)
– Public Administration and Public Affairs: Nicholas Henry
– Administrative Behavior: Stephen P. Robbins
– IGNOU Notes on selected topics

Mains
General Studies
– Current Affairs Special Issue – Competition Wizard
– History- Bipin Chandra
– Polity– Competition Wizard
– Geography– Competition Wizard
– Economy – Pratiyogita Darpan
– Social Issues– Competition Wizard
Pubic Administration
– IGNOU Notes on selected topics
– Administrative Thinkers – Prasad & Prasad
– Public Administration – Rumki Basu
– Public Administration – M.P.Sharma & Sadana
– Indian Administration – Awasthi & Maheshwari
– New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya
– Indian Administration – Rajni Goyal
– IGNOU Notes on selected topics
– If possible, one may seek advice on answer writing
Psychology
– NCERT- XI and XII
– Psychology : Barons
– Psychology – Atkinsons & Hillgard
– Psychology : Morgan & King
– Psychology in India revisited – Girishawar Mishra
– For second paper : Graduation and post graduation level books of Meerut or other University
– Use internet to find good reading material on different topics. Search and make your own notes. This I found the most effective way to handle second paper.
– If possible, one may seek advice on answer writing
Interview
– Prepare your biodata-related questions through internet

Q: Besides text books what newspapers, magazines, novels and books of general interest should one read?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Newspapers : The Hindu, Times of India, Economic Times
Magazines: Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Wizard and few other magazines
Books: Motivational books of your choice that can recharge you with energy.
I did not read any novel. Though I read some books of Hindi poetry out of my interests which are not relevant to preparations.

Q: How one should read newspaper?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Scan the whole newspaper within 5 minutes and read complete news, articles and editorial etc., which are relevant to Civil Service exams or which attract your curiosity and are not of very localised or temporary importance. On an average, not more than one hour should be spent on newspapers daily. Cutting relevant topics and making notes is a good habit. Topics may be of relevance not only for GS but also for optionals. Keep your eyes open and maintain focus.

Q How did the Competition Wizard help you in the preparation of the Civil Services examination?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I appreciate your efforts in making the concise material available to the aspirants. It saves their time in exploring. Your special issues for Prelim and Main are of great significance for speedy revision. Current affairs issues for both levels had been my favourite handy material. Your previous years’ issues containing History, Geography, Economy notes had always helped me in last hours of revision for Prelim. I suggest you should cover all the sections of GS every year in these Prelim issues.

Q: What is more important for this exam, intelligence or hard work?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Both hard work as well as intelligence are important. Be smart.

Q: Do candidates with a technical background have an advantage over general students?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I am not sure if that has got some correlation.

Q: Where did you prepare for the examination (at what place)? Does the place of preparation matter?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Since I was working with Indian Airlines in Delhi, I was preparing at Delhi. Place of preparation matters to the extent of availability of study material and competitive environment. Although there are many educational hubs in the country where students go for preparation, but the results shows that persons from across the country, urban as well as rural are qualifying in this exam. Candidates with strong motivation can make niche for themselves in civil service even after preparing at small places.

Q: In the course of preparation one is faced with many problems, queries and difficulties, where should one go for help, especially the students staying in remote areas?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Its true, quality guidance is not properly available beyond so-called preparation hubs or metros. A large number of candidates in villages or from poor families don’t have access to any guidance. These aspirants may have high social aptitude and commitment and can prove to be very valuable officers after selection. They may send their queries to different magazines etc. and seek clarifications and can also get benefitted by print media or television programmes carrying guidance in this regard. They may send me an email with specific queries at: suryapalgangwar@ gmail.com.

Q: In which stage should one ideally opt for coaching?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Once a candidate decide to appear in civil service.

Q: Why did you choose ALS in the first place?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I had heard about Shashank Atom and Jojo Mathew Sir from my friends for their motivational skills and knowledge base. I am a regular reader of Wizard magazine and I decided to take some help from both these teachers before my interview.

Q: What is so special about ALS?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I think ALS have value system transacting commercial activities. Here they do not only teach how to succeed in civil service exam but also how to lead a good life and how to become a good officer after selection. This becomes fundamental inspiration. Faculties at ALS are also experienced in guiding for Civil Service exam.

Q: Do you think that with increasing levels of competition, the preparation for Civil Services is getting too expensive?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Yes, it is true.

Q: Could you suggest some ways of cutting down on expenses?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Aspirants themselves should decide what is less important to them considering their financial resource constraints. I think they must evaluate their capabilities to study themselves and should not join coaching institutions in haste. Time investment vis a vis potential benefits expected must be analysed individually before making any decision.

Q: Seeing the stiffness of the competition, is this exam meant for everyone who takes it?
Surya Pal Gangwar: I don’t have right to discourage any one. In fact, I don’t believe in giving up without making an attempt. I think it’s good that everyone can take part in this exam and the UPSC selects best for the nation from a larger lot.

Q: Is UPSC really unpredictable?

Surya Pal Gangwar: It is doing perfectly, what it is expected to do.

Q: What all do you think is needed to make it to the top?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Big dreams, smart plan, hardwork, flexible approach, result orientation and faith in yourself.

Q: How would you rate luck as far as success in Civil Services is concerned?

Surya Pal Gangwar: To some extent luck plays a role, but it is inherent in all competitions.

Q: How was the atmosphere during your Interview? Can you tell something about your interview experience?

Surya Pal Gangwar: It was a very nice experience to have interaction with the UPSC Board. The atmosphere was absolutely cordial and positive. I had already faced one interview, so was clear this time what I needed to do.

My interview was on 1st April 2009 and I got the Board of Honble Balaguruswamy sir. The Board was very polite and cordial. They never tried to make me uncomfortable. It was an open discussion type of interaction. For questions unknown to me, the members were giving me enough hints and helping me even while phrasing my sentences. I kept smiling.

It lasted for approximately one hour. But I felt they were very keen to know about me. I became very frank. One very important observation was made by Chairman sir (though it was not a question and the answer/comment was not expected) but I think was a lesson taught to me which I will never forget. When I said social commitment and serving the people as my career goal, he paused and sadly shared his feelings, that many high officials pass through UPSC and they all show idealistic orientation, but when they go to field only few keep their promises made during selection process.

Then he asked me to draw any card from the lot bearing a message and asked me to read it loudly and explain and give my views. The card read something like this, “Human capability to take care of others gives satisfaction in life………..”. I explained. Board appreciated my explanation when I correlated this with an Officer’s capability to take care of the needy people whom he is to serve or who comes in his influence zone and ability to solve their problems gives any officer ultimate satisfaction and a feeling of self actualization.

At last they asked me that your interview is now over and you may ask any question from the Board. I asked about UPSC reforms. They were kind enough to share something going on.

Q: What do you think is the right way to face interview board confidently?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Confidence, humbleness, truthfulness, honesty, leadership, decision making under stress etc. are some of the qualities which are tested through interview. I had planned to expose and reflect my true personality while answering without trying for manipulations/distortions (Truth always gives confidence). This made me very comfortable as I was not to hide anything from them. I considered myself as a responsible young/child (this convinced me that my errors will be forgiven) in front of elders and senior persons judging me. I was to facilitate their correct judgment.

This mental frame connected me to them in a very humble and cordial manner. All fears and pressures were gone and a confident, humble, truthful and honest child/young aspirant was sitting in front of the board. There could be no better judgment than in this situation.

Q: What types of questions did the Board ask?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Mostly there were questions from and around my bio-data. They asked me about Industrial Engg., Delhi, IRS experience in Customs and Central Excise, my hobbies and past achievements etc. Some questions were also from that day newspapers. They did not ask anything from optionals. It may be due to my bio-data which was rich in hobbies, achievements and 10 years of work experience that might have given enough scope to judge my personality.

Q: What is the most important thing one should keep in mind while facing the Interview Board?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Be your true self, let it be judged fairly. You will get it if you deserve it. No matter what you replies or not able to reply. Present yourself in truthful manner.

Q: During the Interview, did the Board member(s) ask you any tricky question(s)?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I think there was one question, “Do your seniors in Customs and Excise tell you that your service is not inferior to any other service including IAS”? I replied, “Yes Sir, they tell so”. The next question was, “So you don’t trust them, or they all lie? And you had appeared again.” I replied humbly with a smile, “Sir, it’s not a matter of truth or lie, I think it is only individual perception and I can have different perception”.

Q: How do you foresee your future as an administrator?

Surya Pal Gangwar: I will always try to live up to the requirements of the Constitution, laws and social expectations. I will discharge my duties in most logical and efficient manner. I will be using my Industrial Engg and management skills in making the administration more efficient and effective. I will make all efforts so that government machinery reaches the common man with humbleness and delivers the services as desired by the society. I am a servant of the society and will try to fulfill all its reasonable expectations. Career in civil services will be very challenging and demanding. I dream to be considered within reach and as a problem solver by all including lowest strata of the society.

Q Would you have a final word for the student community?

Surya Pal Gangwar: Dream big, work hard, remain positive and hopeful throughout, smartly plan your schedule, master the Time Management skills focusing “First Things First”, have faith and confidence in yourself. Enjoy the whole journey however long it may be. Enjoy preparation appreciating the gradual evolution of an IAS personality in you. Everyday improve yourself. When things take a wrong direction, consciously make best efforts to restore original aspirations.

Always remember these four things:
1. Every King was once a helpless child, every oak – once an acorn, every mighty ocean swell once a ripple and every great structure was once a blue print. It is not important where you are today, but where you are going that counts.
2. The most determinative sentence which need to be followed during preparations:
“THE GAME IS NOT OVER, BECAUSE I HAVEN’T WON YET”.
3. Life is not a rehearsal; each day is a new show. No repeats, No rewinds, so give the best shots in all your worthy acts as the show must go on.”
4. Confidence comes naturally with success, but success comes only to those who are confident.
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