how to prepare opsc oas : JADUMANI NAIK (RANK 21, OCS 2015)

I am Jadumani Naik, a resident of Balangir district. Currently I am working as an Inspector in Central Excise, Customs & Service Tax, Bhubaneswar Zone. I am writing my strategy that I followed during Odisha Civil Service Examination (OCSE) popularly known as OAS Examination. Everyone has a different strategy. So, there is no perfect strategy for the preparation of a competitive examination.

THE FIRST QUESTION?

Why do you want to join OCS? I had always this question in my mind. This Question was highly motivating me during my preparation. It was working just like ghee to keep up my inner flame burning. Inner desire is highly required.

MASTERING THE SYLLABUS

I tried to memorise the whole syllabus (Prelims, Mains – GS and my two optional History and  Political Science & International Relations, Interview/PT) published by OPSC. It gave me an idea what to focus and what not to. Nahin to examination preparation k Mahasagar me dub jaoge!!!

PLANNING/TIME TABLE/ TIME MANAGEMENT

My strategy for OCSE was focused on balanced planning. Simultaneously I prepared for Main and PT. I prepared a master plan for this and tried to stick to it as far as possible. Planning gives you a proper direction which is very much essential; but executing the planning is more important. I believe no aspirant of OCS can execute his plan 100% in total; achieving more than 70% of the target is a good achievement. I chalked out a plan and tried to stick to it daily though I missed out achieving 100% most of the days.

INTERNET

It is a must for every aspirant; but should be used cautiously as it is enticing in nature. I searched many materials which I did not find in the books. For current events, it is a must to keep oneself updated.

STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS

For GS-I, completed the whole syllabus & revised it 3-4 times before the examination. For GS-II, I practised a lot. As I was preparing for IAS examination also, I did not focussed much on Prelim examination.

STRATEGY FOR MAIN EXAMINATION

I revised my notes many times 3-4 times on an average. Once I prepared the notes, I completely relied on it. For example, for my optional subject Political Science & International Relations, I read nothing but my notes. Revision and daily writing practice is the key to success. The more you do writing practice, the more you will master over the pen. It also helps in speed & quick writing. It develops ones thoughts, view points, opinions & personality which also helps in PT.

STARTEGY FOR PERSONALITY TEST/INTERVIEW

I prepared a note of 312 pages covering almost all the important areas and revised it many times. The 1st page of the note is as below:

JADUMANI NAIK – INTERVIEW FOR OAS 2015 to be held in 2016-17

Syllabus:

Areas to prepare:

• Do’s & Don’ts for Interview——————————————–4-4
• About me———————————————————-5-70
• 10.4.1.PG/Optional Subject – Political Science———————-31-44
• 10.4.2.PG/Optional Subject – History———————————45-49
• About OPSC——————————————————-71-81
• About my Village (Kutumdola) ————————————–83-85
• About my Panchayat (Jhankarpali) ———————————86-86
• About my present Residence (Chennai) —————————87-93
• About my District (Balangir) —————————————–94-114
• About my State (Odisha) ———————————————115-190
• 17.Western Odisha ———————————————–182-190
• About my Country (India)——————————————191-198
• Current issues – Balangir—————————————–199-202
• Current issues – Odisha——————————————-203-231
• Current issues – India——————————————–232-279
• Current issues – World——————————————-280-293
• Miscellaneous issues wef February 2016 to December 2016—294-300
• Who’s Who—————————————————–301-308
• Maps———————————————————309-312
• Blank Space for future use / update ———————————-313-316

STUDY MATERIALS WHICH I FOLLOWED

1. FOR PRELIM EXAMINATION:

1.1.  For GS Paper – I

• Current Events of National & International Importance
  • Insightsonindia website http://www.insightsonindia.com/current-affairs/
  • Mrunal website http://mrunal.org/
  • The Sambad newspaper

• History of India & Indian National Movement
  • NCERT Class 6th to 12th (10th-12th both new & old)
  • IGNOU materials
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Self notes
  • Mrunal video lectures

• Indian & World Geography
  • NCERT – Class 6th to 12th
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong
  • Oxford Student Atlas
  • Mrunal video lectures

• Indian Polity & Governance
  • NCERT – Class 6th to 12th
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Indian Polity: M. Laxmikanth
  • Unacademy video lectures

• Economic & Social Development
  • NCERT – Class 6th to 12th
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Mrunal materials & video lectures

• General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity & Climate Change
  • NCERT Class 12th Biology
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Unacademy video lectures
  • NIOS materials
  • Mrunal materials
  • Insights materials
• General Science
  • NCERT – Class 6th to 10th , 11th & 12th Biology
  • BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
  • Insights current events
  • Mrunal materials

1.2. FOR GS Paper – II/CSAT

1.2.1. Comprehension

1.2.2. Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills

1.2.3. Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

1.2.4. Decision Making & Problem Solving

1.2.5. General Mental Ability

1.2.6. Basic Numeracy

1.2.7. Data Interpretation

1.2.8. English Language Comprehension Skills (Class-X Level)

Note: Paper-II is all about practice, practice & practice. Solved Previous Years Question Papers of UPSC & OPSC. Watched Unacademy videos of Roman Saini for some tricks. Basic Knowledge on the syllabus is enough.

2. FOR MAIN EXAMINATION

2.1. Paper I –  Odia Language Compulsory Paper

• Odia Byakarana of BSEO
• Sambad editorials

2.2. Paper II –  English Compulsory Paper

• Wren & Martin English Grammar

2.3. Paper III – English Essay

• The editorials of The Hindu news paper from Insights website
• Writing practice

2.4. Paper IV – General Studies-I

2.4.1. History of Modern India

• NCERT Class 8th, 9th , 11th & 12th
• Modern India – Spectrum
• Self Notes (History my optional)

2.4.2. Indian culture

• Materials collected from Mrunal website
• Self Notes (History my optional)
• The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham
• Internet/Wikipedia

2.4.3. Geography of India

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong
• Oxford Student Atlas
• BSEO Books Class 6th-10th
• Internet/Wikipedia

2.4.4. Indian Polity

• Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes (Political Science my optional)

2.4.5. Current National issues and topics of social relevance

• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes

2.4.6. Legal and environmental issues

• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes

2.5. Paper V – General Studies-II

2.5.1. India and the World

• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes (Political Science my optional)

2.5.2. Indian Economy

• Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes

2.5.3. International Affairs & Institutions

• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes (Political Science my optional)

2.5.4. Developments in the field of science & technology,

communications and space

• Current events/developments from Insightsonindia website
• Internet/Wikipedia
• Self Notes

2.5.5. Statistical Analysis, Graphs & Diagrams

• BSEO Class 9th & 10th Mathematics
• Self Notes

2.6. Paper VI & VII– Optional – I (History)

2.6.1. NCERT Class 6th to 12th (10th-12th both new & old)

2.6.2. IGNOU MAH materials:

• MHI-01 Ancient and Medieval Societies
• MHI-02 Modern World
• MHI-03 Historiography
• MHI-04 Political Structure in India
• MHI-05 History of Indian Economy
• MHI-06 Evolution of Social Structures in India through the Ages 
• MHI-07 Religious Thought and Belief in India 
• MHI-08 History of Ecology and Environment: India
• MPSE-004 Social and Political Thought in Modern India

2.6.3. IGNOU History BA materials

• EHI-01 Modern India: 1857-1964
• EHI-02 India: Earliest Times to 8th Century A.D
• EHI-03 India from 8th to 15th Century
• EHI-04 India: From 16th to Mid-18th Century
• EHI-05 India from Mid 18th to Mid 19th Century
• EHI-07 Modern Europe Mid-18th to Mid-20th Centuries

2.6.4. Modern World – Jain & Mathur

2.6.5. History of Odisha – M.N. Das

2.6.6. Modern India – Spectrum

2.6.7. Discovery of India

2.6.8. The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham

2.6.9. Notes from Khelo India web site

2.6.10. Mrunal Video lectures

2.6.11. Suggested books though I have not read these

• History of Modern India – Bipan Chandra
• India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra and Others
• India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
• Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas  – Romila Thapar
• Medieval India: From Sultanat to Mughals – 1- Satish Chandra
• Medieveal India: From Sultanat to Mughals -2 – Satish Chandra
• Mastering Modern World History – Norman Lowe
• History of the World – Arjun Dev

2.7. Paper VIII & IX – Optional – II (Political Science & IR)

2.7.1. IGNOU MPS materials

• MPS-001 Political Theory
• MPS-002 International Relations- Theory and Problems
• MPS-003 India- Democracy and Development
• MPS-004 Comparative Politics- Issues and Trends
• MPSE-001 India and the World
• MPSE-003 Western Political Thought (Plato to Marx)
• MPSE-004 Social and Political Thought in Modern Indi
• MPSE-007 Social Movements and Politics in India
• MPSE-008 State Politics in India

2.7.2. IGNOU Political Science & IR BA materials

2.7.3. Indian Polity – M.Laxmikanth

2.7.4. Introduction to the Constitution of India – D D Basu

2.7.5. Political Science – N.D. Arora

2.7.6. Introduction to Political Theory – O P Gauba

2.7.7. Current affairs on International events –

• Insightsonindia website
• Mrunal website
• Internet/Wikipedia

2.7.8. Internet/Wikipedia

2.7.9. Self Notes

3. FOR INTERVIEW/PERSONALITY TEST

• Revision of all the aforementioned books/notes
• Listened to All India Radio – News at 9, Interview, Current affairs
• Watched RSTV – The Big Picture, India & World, Special Report
• Watched OTV – News fuse
• Downloaded many relevant videos from Youtube
• Read Sambad Newspaper – scanned in Camscanner all the important news for revision
• Insightsonindia Current Events
• Used internet a lot.

CONCLUSION

Perseverance is the key to success. For Odisha Civil Service Examination one needs to be focused for the examination. For me, preparation for Civil Service Examination was a long journey though I was not focussing more on OAS rather on IAS. My journey with IAS examination preparation ended in 2016 with a shattered heart. But during the preparation I studied a lot, learned a lot and eventually it groomed my personality which I think is my real treasure. Finally, with the publishing of the final result of OCSE 2015 on 16th February, 2017, I was relieved to an extent that though not IAS I have to be happy with OAS. My preparation to competitive examination ended but the zeal & enthusiasm for learning will be burning forever in my heart & mind. Getting through the examination is not a one time success; it is a ticket given by the government for the service of the civilians, specially the underprivileged, till one is in the service.