UPSC Preparation: Management Optional tips by Nagendra Singh (AIR 120)

Name:     Nagendra Singh
Rank:      AIR 120 (CSE 2013)
Optional: Management 

 

1) Why did you choose this optional? Is it because scoring is easy, syllabus is less or you like to study it? 

A.This optional is logical and is a natural choice for management background students. Even though it has a vast syllabus (probably the biggest in my opinion), the questions asked in the paper are of easy to medium quality. Very few people take this due to long syllabus which reduces competition even though most of the competitors are from IIMs and similar pedigree institutes. If your basics of major subjects in Management like HR, Finance, Marketing, Operations are sound then you must definitely take this optional. 

2) What are the major study sources for this optional?

A. Your MBA books and class ppts are very essential and will form the base for your preparation. Secondly, IGNOU material by the Department of Management Studies is very important for you to handle UPSC level questions, these IGNOU booklets cover the syllabus well and can act as your personal notes for concepts/ theory in Management. Finally, don’t be shy in using the internet, it is your best friend in preparing for this optional.  You need to visit Regional centers or Delhi office of IGNOU for study material.

3) Role of coaching especially if taken by you 

 

A. Coaching institutes don’t promote this optional because it is not economically viable for them and as they don’t exactly have the intelligence level to teach this, we barely have sufficient quality faculty at IIMs let alone coaching. Don’t go for coaching even for GS, get material from shops in Old Rajinder Nagar for preparation. Most of them have no clue about how to teach with the new pattern and are making a fool out of poor students. 

 

4) What were the problems faced by you in your preparation for CSE?

A. I have prepared from my home, it is pure self-study with great help from the mighty Internet! Unlike you friends, nobody was there to guide me on where to get the material or IGNOU notes, it took me a while to find these resources. Also, first reading takes a lot of time and you will never ever be able to cover the entire syllabus properly. I relied on the faith that UPSC will not change its pattern of questions tremendously which they didn’t!  This paper is all about time management and choosing your preparation topics wisely, recommend everybody to go through last five years’ question papers (YOU MUST DO IT!)

5) How to frame the answers in this Paper? 

 

A. I strongly believe this optional is meant for smart workers. Both Papers need different strategies. Paper 1 is all theory where your prime focus should be on covering HR and Organization Behavior thoroughly along with either one of Marketing or Finance.  Try writing in points where ever possible and avoid using heavy language or Management jargons that are not in the syllabus. Stick to what is being asked and write only relevant things. Don’t worry about filling up spaces in answer sheet. If your answer is half a sheet, move on, your answer is complete, don’t worry about it because UPSC often asks simple and straightforward questions in this paper.

Paper 2 is pure application, here you need to cover Business Statistics, Operations Management and Strategic Management well. In case studies and numericals, use simple examples and the most basic models for analyzing the case. Practice time management on previous year papers as this paper is all about managing time! Identify the simple questions first in this paper and then go for the slightly tougher ones. Don’t be scared of the length of this paper, with ample practice you’ll happily complete it!

Also, whatever happens do not leave any question in both the Papers. Always try to have maximum attempt. Have faith in your MBA education, it will save you at many places and try covering the entire syllabus at least once through a simple reading so that you have a general idea about every topic.

Students can contact me on :

My Facebook profile - https://www.facebook.com/nagendra.iims or Email ID – nagendra.iims@gmail.com

Link for the blog - http://thesupermanreturns.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/upsc-management-optional/

Nice to see your effort to provide free guidance to budding aspirants, the coaching institutes have truly ruined many lives!

Cheers!

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