Humpty dumpty

IT is weird thing...being placed up on a pedestal so quickly... One day you are an ordinary person, just like most of the people on earth struggling to achieve their goal.. Some eking a living to feed/clothe/shelter themselves and their kids, some for a better way of life, etc. There are some who also are struggling to bring justice to others. I do not consider myselves worthy of putting myself in any of these categories right now. I still spend money earned by my father, burden my mother with work, while I sit spinning ideas about what I would want to do in life further on. Yet, there are many who shower praise on me as if I have brought liberation to souls of my parents and freedom to our nation. I feel like Obama being given the Nobel peace prize at very beginning of his term. I feel torn inside. On one hand, I feel that I should be self-effacing as advised by ancient Chinese wisdom, to keep myself rooted to ground. But I can't shun people away, and have to listen patiently to my praises. Humbly accepting their blessings and words of caution about future endeavours. I feel glad that I am approaching middle age, so have my head balanced on my shoulders, while I see some young ones mouthing off about their success "despite" their ignorant parents. I wish I could have a word with them, like I would with my sibling and advise them to stay clear of the wave of pride that sweeps us far away from the people and conditions that made us, into an island of delusion.
I suppose that is a trend. You give a person too much success too soon and one starts believing that it is destiny. The odd victories over fate just baffle logic of most sane person.  Then as the cannon balls of sycophancy crumble the walls of humility, ego takes over and blinds a person.
I hope that I don't give in to praises and start climbing the wall, only to fall.
I wish to be at the foundation. I remember when I was at crossroads, deciding about quitting my job and preparing for civil services exam full time, I remembered a lesson from Class VIII Hindi textbook. It was "neev ki eent" meaning brick in foundation. So, all that time spent on languages in school does have meaning in life. I was inspired by that idea then and even now. I don't want to become that "swarn kalash" the shining finial at the top, but the unseen load bearing brick at the bottom.
So, I accept with great humility all the blessings and well wishes of people and pray that I am reminded of my place, by my conscience, even if people fail to do so.
Now, another thing is that I do not wish to take moral high ground over those who wish to celebrate their success. Cheers to them, but a word of caution from Mr Humpty Dumpty.

Essay writing

This post is on writing essay for the CSE mains exam. First, my credentials. I scored in 90s in essay paper in 2014 mains and 138 in 2015 mains. I have heard that essay is very unpredictable and one cannot tell if they will score poorly or not. I won't make generalizations by saying that one can make predictions, but will speak on my experience.
Last year(2014), I wrote an essay on competition and the other on Olympics/sports topic. In the first one I started off poorly. My introduction was based on natural selection trying to show that competition seems to be law of nature, but it was a lopsided intro. I went on to discuss positives and negatives of competition. Points were quite generic. By end of the essay, I realized that I had already performed way below my potential. Next I took up on sports essay and went for all angles that are relevant and added latest points with examples. So, I knew that overall my marks would not be outstanding. Marks were as expected. So, what went wrong in first essay?
1. I had joined a certain essay test series where the instructor was stubborn about people following his method of rough work and would not even go thru the points. So, I ended up getting confused in the hall, doubting the efficacy of his method and ended up with a big mess of rough work, with haphazard layout. So, lesson learnt-- preserve your own genius and dont let methods of anyone take over your original style. If something helps you then take it up, but if you feel it doesnt suit you, immediately drop it and move on.
2. I had completely missed the angle of cooperation. Opposite of competition is cooperation. It is also seen in nature, most among insects and sometimes even among humans :) bringing great results. Missing this angle, I feel made my essay bit mediocre. So, lesson learnt-- think deep, read more. Reading more of various ideas, cultivating them, thinking on them helps generate that salad material in one's mind. This can then be used to decorate the essay and make it palatable.
3. There was no flow in my essay. I made an intro without thinking how I would transition into the essay from there. So, it seemed like break dance. Some intro, then jump to some random idea and then into a mediocre framework of +/- of competition. Frankly, when I finished my paper and re read my essay, I was disappointed in myself. Lesson learnt, plan well on the mega framework you are going to work on and the flow you are going to create in the essay.

With these lessons learnt and some more planning, I was ready to take on essay paper in 2015. No essay test series. All I did was go thru previous year generic topics and essay test papers of various classes in market. I used to think on the mega framework and the flow of the essay and leave it.
Finally, I wrote only 2 essays that too 2 weeks before exam, just to test my writing speed, paragraph planning and ability to use examples in points.

So, having gone through bit of what not to do, lets see what can be done in essay paper.
1.Choice of topics: always choose homeground. Dont become generic. I never thought I would write an essay on philosophical topic, but I did this year. I wrote on Lending hands better than giving dole.
I could connect with topic instantly and had flood of ideas that I could rope in. Other topics were also great, but trusting gut is important. Other topic I chose was technology, with a degree in tech, natural inclination. But other topics seemed challenging/open ended, so tech seemed safer all the more.
2.Time division: Now with 5-10 mins gone in deciding topic, we are left with roughly 1.5 hours for each topic. Standard rule, do not begin writing essay till end of half an hour of planning. It is better you exhaust time to think and then write than come up with an idea later with no space to insert.
3.Megaframework: This is the larger angle you are going to use to approach the essay topic. Usually it involves breaking essay topic line into 2-3 parts and then these become major blocks in the essay. Under these you create a tree of different points, subpoints and then attach leaves of examples to substantiate.
Ex. In "lending hands..." there was no way of breaking topic in 2-3 parts, so I had to go for megaframework with multiple angles. So, first historical angle.. Indian history is a history of resilience and self reliance. During struggle for independence, we fought for freedom from British and social evils. In society, Gandhiji did not give out doles, but gave helping hand, made people self reliant. After independence also, India charted a path where we never put out our hand for doles from other countries and remained non-aligned. For our farmers, we did not handout freebies and make them state-dependent, we went for land reforms and gave them way towards self dependent life.
[So, historical angle is the big branch and the above are points and examples are leaves. Each of these points make a healthy paragraph.]
Political angle: Went for Panchayati raj which is again story of helping people and not handing out doles. Federal structure and local governance system shows how helping people is better than mere handing out funds. So, need to devolve functions and functionaries too, making system truly democratic.
Development angle: Cooperative movement in different sectors like milk and green revolution are stories of people prospering with a little help given to them. Hand they been given doles, they would not have realized their potential. SHGs are growing steadily across India, showing how with some help from state, people on their own are building livelihoods without the need to look to state for alms.
Economic angle: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has already pointed out capabilities approach. With programs like Make in India, Skill India, MUDRA, PMJDY India is charting a path towards making people self dependent. The economic survey too speaks of rationalizing subsidies and investing in people, by helping them become capable and not mere beneficiaries of the state.
International angle: India also believes in helping out other developing countries by making them more capable. Programs like ITEC have been helping many developing countries in our neighbourhood and Africa achieve technical and educational progress through training of personnel and investment in infra in these areas. Collaborations like IOR-ARC, FIPIC, 3rd IAFS have led to India helping countries with tangible resource development on the ground, without the side effects like those from investments from China in mining. Furthermore, even in COP21 and SDGs the concept of building capabilities is clear, as just handing out doles under Kyoto protocol has not helped the situation at all.
Philosophical angle: Reserved for conclusion.
4.Intro, conclusion:I have seen in many Yojana articles by editors that they use an incident based intro and have a conclusion that comes full circle to connect with the intro.
This is an awesome technique as it gives that "ting" effect when you connect intro and conclusion.
Also, this way one does not have to go for quotes. Quotes are big responsibility. Quote has to be relevant, one who said should preferably be a decent guy and an Indian. Also, mistake in quotes dont look good, as you are then putting wrong words in mouth of some great person. So, better go for interesting incidents or ideas that raise questions which become the thread you will run through your essay and tie off in conclusion.
Ex. In "lending hands..." in my intro I started off with this... Gautam Buddha, a rich prince, came across endless misery on his contact with world outside his palace. He thought over it and decided to look for the truth that would set people free from misery, instead of emptying his treasury. Inherently, it is wiser to help people instead of merely handing out doles. Even in Mahabharata, Kunti does not ask for doles of easy life from gods, but asks for strength to endure a difficult life. Such are the Indian values that spread light of resilience and self reliance across centuries and across the world.
With this intro, I then transition into historical angle. So, you see there is a flow(clarification: mythology is not history :), but Buddha is a historical figure, a great one)
Now, in conclusion I use the philosophical angle and as Buddha is a great philosopher too, I get to complete my circle :) Here's how I conclude..
Handing out doles cuts at human dignity. It diminishes a person's esteem. Instead, by helping a person grows and character is built which helps the person persevere and even help others. This brings a virtuous cycle that pushes society forward on path of development, both individual and collective. Furthermore, it is said god helps those who help themselves. So, till the poor and weary man seeks and finds god, lets give help or should we say a helping hand.
5.Paragraph planning: 1000-1250 words in an essay...Say 50 words in a paragraph. For my handwriting, it took 10 words per line, so I had 5 lines in a para. 20-25 paras in an essay.
2-4 paras for intro, conclusion and transition from one block to another, so remaining 18-20 paras.
So, now depending on number of blocks in the mega framework, one can plan number of paras.
Also, this way essay will be balanced, wont be too many points on one aspect, starving the other.
So, in ex. "lending hands..." I had 5 blocks in my body leaving intro and conclusion. In each block I needed 4 points at least, which I came up with. Then within these you rearrange them by numbering to create a flow. Then you enrich by putting examples/events from current affairs like some scheme or statement of PM/VP/Pres/former Pres/CJI and others. This is a chance to highlight your awareness and to make your essay interesting. Only points makes essay bland and monotonous.
As you can see, with this para planning, essay does not seem like a big thing but a string of small topics connected together. That is how it must be, is what I feel.

6.Last but not the least. Practice.
Try this technique on many essay topics. Think of an interesting intro, transition, mega framework...block 1,2,3 and then points under them.. repeat.. Later try to think of current example on each point... That's it... this is the rough work you need to write an essay.

7.Next step is to write in full sentences. This is often under estimated but Ive seen that most of us think in some other language and write in English or think faster than writing speed. So, we tend to make lot of weird grammar mistakes. So, once in a month try to write down an essay or even a page, to see how you do in writing full sentences with appropriate wording. Ive seen so many of my friends getting stuck up on choosing the right word in middle of a sentence. It breaks flow of thought and also stops your pen, creates inertia. So, reading Yojana is important to build healthy vocab. Further, Ive seen that as soon as I try to go for flowery language, my meaning gets obscured and then Im busy looking for better words. Better to keep language simple and focus on proper passage of meaning to reader.

That's all folks!

I'll try to write some essays, not to instruct people, but just to share my ideas, at random. Please feel free to "critically analyze", "discuss", "comment" :)

Fate Faith Fairness

Results of CSE are out and a line has been drawn that separates those who move on and those who will get a chance to get better. Such is fate. Last year I knew I would not make it, but still there was some wishful thinking, that some crazy fateful turn would get me into the list. But, i suppose that was not meant to happen. One should not resign to fate and should have faith, many say. I had faith but could not give comfort to my restless mind and to innocent queries of my parents about my chances this year. After all, it is written behind many trucks that waqt se pehle aur kismat se jyada kuch nahi milta. So, what if my time had not come and my kismat was in poor shape. Were the ancient monks of Ajivika sect right in their belief in absolute determinism. At least they had some peace in their hands up approach and leaving things to greater cosmic forces. But then this too is not a comfortable state of mind to be in. Ignorance, satisfaction in helplessness, resignation of control is a defeatist attitude. I don't think anything of immense value could be ever created with such outlook.
So, people have faith or don't, and experience what they call fate, but sooner or later they look forward to fairness.
What do people get in life? Is it what is pre ordained, or what they believe strongly in(shiddat etc), or what they deserve?
There are many Marathi lines that come to mind.. Thevile ananti taisechi rahave, chitti asu dyave samadhaan.. Saint Tukaram meant one must not be greedy and must be content in what one has.. of course he doesn't mean one must not put in efforts to better their situation. Another intriguing line that comes in Haripath by Saint Dnyaneshwar is.. Hari mukhe mhana, punyachi ganana kon kari.. meaning keep chanting lord's name and don't bother about how much your good deeds add up to..
Yet again we bathe in bliss of Bhakti and leave reign of fate into hands of faith and leave fairness to a higher power.

This post is turning out to be pointless, but it was never a point to begin with. It is a circle and we see that the 3 Fs revolve and one often refers to this circle using other F words, decides it is all futile, yet starts afresh.

I don't know if I can give credit to my faith for bending fate in my favor, but I do consider my aim fulfilled with fairness, and pray that same follows for others.

Fluid mechanics/machinery

Manometers, pressure measurement
ESE2013-6a15


Hydrostatics
ESE2014-4c10




Buoyancy and floating


Flow kinematics


Flow dynamics


Orifices
ESE2014-1e10


Notches and weirs
ESE2015-6b5

Viscous flow(correction factors)


Turbulent flow
ESE2013-1f5 Turbulent flow described by equation: u=5+0.5 sin t, then u'? and (u'^2)^1/2?




Pipe flow
ESE2015-7b10


Dimensional analysis, similitude
ESE2013-5a15 Find expression for thrust F on propeller of ship if it is function of mass density(rho), dynamic viscosity(mu) of fluid and dia d, speed of advance v, rotational speed n of propeller
ESE2014-7c10
ESE2015-2a10

Boundary layer flow
ESE2013-1e5 Discuss various factors affecting boundary layer thickness
ESE2013-5b10 Smooth flat rectangular plate placed edgewise in a stream of fluid. At what fraction of length from leading edge would drag force on front portion be equal to half of total drag force?
Assume boundary layer to be laminar.
ESE2014-5c10
ESE2015-1c10
ESE2015-6b5



Drag and Lift



Open channel flows
ESE2013-6b15

Jet impact
ESE2014-1c5


Turbines
ESE2013-1g5 Expression for hydraulic efficiency of water turbine? How does it vary with part load?
ESE2013-5c15 Derive expression for work done per second by water on runner of Pelton turbine.
Prove that for a given jet speed, volume flow rate, turning angle and wheel radius the max efficiency occurs when turbine bucket moves at half the jet speed.
ESE2014-1d10
ESE2015-3a10



C-pumps
ESE2013-1h5 Explain slip and slip factor, as applied to c-pump, write expressions
ESE2015-1e10

Reciprocating pumps
ESE2014-1f10
ESE2014-2c10
ESE2015-5e10

RAC 1

Refrigeration and Air conditioning


1kcal=4.186kJ=3.968Btu, 1Btu=1.055kJ
Ton refgn 1TR is equivalent to production of cold at rate at which heat is to be removed from 1 US tonne of water at 32degF to freeze it to ice at 32degF in 1 day(24 hours)
1TR=200Btu/min=3.5167kW

Ways of producing low temperatures
*throttling expansion of liquid with flashing
*reversible adiabatic expansion of a gas[T2/T1 = (p2/p1)^(γ-1 / γ)]
*irreversible adiabatic expansion(throttling) of real gas[Joule Kelvin effect]
*thermoelectric cooling[Peltier effect]
*adiabatic demagnetization of a paramagnetic salt

Reverse Carnot cycle

VC cycle
CSE2003B7a30

CSE2004B7a40

CSE2006B6a30

CSE2006B5b20

CSE2008B5d20

CSE2010B6b20

CSE2012B7c20

CSE2013A1e10

CSE2015B7a20

LVHE
CSE2007A3a30

CSE2008B7b15

Refrigerants properties, coding




Multistage and cascading systems
CSE2005B5b20

Compressors
CSE2010B5d20

Condensers
CSE2009B7c25

CSE2015B6c10

Expansion valves
CSE2011B5a15

CSE2011B6c20

CSE2015B5a10

Gas cycles(Joule or reversed Brayton)
CSE2013B8b25

VA system
CSE2010B7b20

Moist air properties
CSE2008B7a15
CSE2011B5b15
CSE2014B6c10



Psychrometry of AC processes
CSE2007A3b30
CSE2008B7c30
CSE2009B8b20
CSE2010B8c20
CSE2012A3c20
CSE2013B5d10
CSE2013B8a25
CSE2015B6a20


Comfort AC and ET
CSE2003B7b30
CSE2005B7a40
CSE2006A1c20
CSE2006B6b30
CSE2009B5d20
CSE2009B8a40
CSE2011B7b30
CSE2014B7b20/2004B5b20
CSE2014B5d10

Geography previous year questions

Geography is one topic where output/input ratio is quite high. All one has to do is study the 4 NCERTs of 11-12th, GC Leong + any Atlas(all those pages that one usually skips) + bit of Yearbook(states chapter, water resources etc) and wiki surfing

Indian physical
2014
10degree channel separates : Andaman.... and ....Nicobar
Correctly paired? Dampa TR:Mizoram, Gumti WLS:Sikkim(Tripura), Saramati peak:Nagaland
Which are coral reefs: Andaman and Nicobar Is, Gulf of Kucch, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans
Indian soil erosion problem is associated with: terrace cultivation, deforestation,tropical climate
River flowing thru Arunachal Pradesh: Barak, Lohit, Subansiri
Correctly paired? Cardamom hills:Coromandel coast, Kaimur hills:Konkan coast, Mahadeo hills: Central India, Mikir hills: NE India
Trees found in Himalayas? Oak, Rhododendron, Sandalwood
2013
Correctly paired? CorbettNP:Ganga, Kaziranga NP:Manas, Silent Valley NP:Kaveri
Narmada flows west while large peninsular rivers flow east, Why? It occupies rift valley, It flows between Vindhyas and Satpuras, Land slopes to west from Central India
Correctly paired? Nokrek BR:Garo hills, Loktak lake:Barail range, NamdaphaNP:Dafla hills
Characteristics of Indian coal: High ash content, low sulfur content, low ash fusion temperature
About laterite soils of India:Generally red color, rich in nitrogen and potash, well developed in RJ and UP, Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well in these
True/False: Natural gas occurs in Gondwana beds, Mica occurs in abundance in Koderma, Dharwars are famous for petroleum
2012
Which state: is located on same latitude as North RJ, has over 80% area under forest cover, over 12% forest cover as protected area--Arunachal Pradesh
While travelling Himalayas, we see: Deep gorges, U turn river courses, Parallel mtn ranges, Steep gradients causing land sliding(all above)
True/False: Duration of monsoon decreases from south to north(T), Amount of annual rainfall in northern plains decreases from east to west(T)
2011
Brahmaputra, Irrawady, Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow thru narrow and parallel mtn ranges in their upper reaches. Of these, Brahmaputra takes u-turn due to: Uplift of folded Himalayan series, Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas, Geotectonic disturbance in tertiary folded mountain chains
2010
T/F: Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions(F), India has 4 biodiversity hotspots--E Himalayas, W Himalayas, W Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Is (F)
Which are appropriate methods of soil conservation in India: Crop rotation, Sand fences, Terracing, Wind breaks(all above)
Correctly paired? Mineral vs state with 90% of reserves: Copper-Jharkhand(~40%), Nickel--Odisha, Tungsten--Kerala(RJ)
India is party to Ramsar convention. Best description of how to maintain sites as per convention: Conserve all sites thru ecosystem approach and allow simultaneous sustainable use



Indian human
2014
Match regions and what it is well known for
Kinnaur--Arecanut(areca nut in moist tropical), Mewat--Mango, Coromandel--Soyabean
Match NH and connected cities
NH4--Chennai to Hyd, NH6--Mumbai to Kolkata, NH15Ahmedabad to Jodhpur
Communities/tribes that have a month long ecologically imp festival in which they plant fruit bearing trees-->Gond and Korku, Bhutia and Lepcha, Irula and Toda, Sahariya and Agariya
True about Changpa: live mainly in Uttarakhand(Zanskar JK), rear Pashmina goats yielding fine wool, kept in ST
2013
Of following industries, max consumer of water in India: Engg, PaperPulp, Textiles, Thermal power
Correctly paired? Limbu tribe:Sikkim, Karbi:HP, Dongaria Kondh:Odisha, Bonda:TN
Kharif? Cotton, Groundnut, Rice, Wheat
2012
Used as pulse, fodder, green manure: Cowpea, Green gram, Pigeon pea
Predominantly rainfed crop: Groundnut, sesamum, pearl millet
2011
Which state has most suitable climatic conditions for cultivation of variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop export oriented industry in orchids--Arunachal Pradesh
Lower Gangetic plain is characterized by humid climate with high temp thru out the year. Which pair of crops is most suitable for this region--Paddy and jute, wheat+jute, wheat+cotton, paddy+cotton
Which state has, its north part arid and semiarid, central part producing cotton, cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops -- GJ, AP,KA,TN
2010
Hot and humid climate, annual rainfall 200cm, hill slopes upto altitude 1100m, annual range of temp 15C to 30C, suitable for crop -- mustard, cotton, pepper, tobacco



World physical
2014
Which phenomena might have influenced evolution of organisms: Continental drift, Glacial cycles
Seasonal reversal of winds is typical characteristic of ---Monsoon climate equatorial, Mediterranean
Turkey is located between--Black sea and Mediterranean
Sequence from South to North: Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi
Benefits of Integrated Watershed Development Program: prevention of soil runoff,Linking perennial rivers with seasonal riversRainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table, Regeneration of natural vegetation
2013
Correctly paired? Abyssinian plateau:Arabia, Atlas mtns:NW Africa, Guiana highlands:SWAfrica, Okavango basin:Patagonia
Variations in length of daytime and nighttime from season to season are due to: earth's rotation on its axis, earth's revolution round sun in ellipse, latitudinal position of place, revolution on tilted axis
On earth, most of freshwater is in ice caps and glaciers, of remaining, largest share is in: Atmosphere as moisture and clouds, In freshwater lakes/rivers, Groundwater,soil moisture
Responsible for bringing dynamic changes on surface of earth: Electromagnetic radiation, Geothermal energy, Gravitational force, Plate movements, Rotation of earth, Revolution of earth
Climate is extreme, rainfall scanty, people used to be nomadic herders:African Savannah,Central Asian Steppe, North American Prairie, Siberian Tundra
During thunderstorm, thunder in skies is produced by: Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in sky, Lightning that separates nimbus clouds, Violent upward movement of air and water particles, NOTA
2012
Factors influencing ocean currents: Rotation of earth, Air pressure and wind, Density of ocean water, Revolution of the earth
Normally temperature decreases with increase in height from earth's surface coz; Atmosphere can be heated upwards only from earth surface, There is more moisture in upper atmosphere, Air is less dense in upper atmosphere
Acidification of oceans is increasing, this is concern coz: Growth and survival of calcerous phytoplankton will be adversely affected, Growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected, Survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected, Cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected
Characteristic climate of Tropical savannah region: Definite dry and wet season
Difference between antelopes Oryx and Chiru: Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi desert areas of cold high mountains
La Nina is different from El Nino coz: La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temp in equatorial Indian ocean whereas El Nino means unusually warm ocean temp in equatorial Pacific ocean(F), El Nino has adverse effect on SW monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate(F)
T/F about micro irrigation: Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced(T), It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming(F), In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked(T)
Salinization occurs when irrigation water accumulated in soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. Effect of salinization: makes soil impermeable
Westerlies in south hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in north hemisphere, coz: South hemisphere has less landmass compared to north hemisphere, coriolis force is higher in S than N
Main reason(s) for formation of African and Eurasian desert belt: located in subtropical high pressure cells, influence of warm ocean currents
Jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in lower stratosphere, coz: no vertical winds in lower stratosphere, no clouds or water vapor in lower stratosphere
2010



World human
2014
True/False: Maize can be used for prodn of starch(T), Oil extracted from maize can be feedstock for biodiesel(T), Alcoholic beverages can be produced using maize(T)
Significances of "Sustainable Sugarcane initiative"--Seed cst is very low in this compared to conventional method of cultivation, Drip irrigation can be practiced effectively in this, There is no application of ehemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this, Scope for intercropping is more in this compared to conventional method
Arab spring originated from---Tunisia
Members of Arctic Council -- Denmark, Japan, Russian federation, UK, USA
Correctly paired? Chechnya--Russian Fedn, Darfur--Mali(Sudan),Swat valley--Iraq(Pak)
2013
On usefulness of byproducts of sugarcane industry(T/F): Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for generation of energy(T), Molasses can be used as one of feedstocks for production of synthetic chem fertilizers(F), Molasses can be used for production of ethanol(T)
Contour bunding is method of soil conservation used in Desert margins liable to wind action, Low flat plains liable to flooding, Scrublands liable to weed growth, NOTA
Most imp fishing grounds are found where: warm and cold oceanic currents meet
Characteristics of equatorial forests: Presence of tall closely set trees with crowns, forming continuous canopy, Coexistence of large number of species, Presence of variety of epiphytes
Reason(s) for annual range of temp in interior of continents being higher than in coastal areas: Thermal difference b/w land and water,Variation of altitude b/w continents and oceans, Presence of strong winds in interior, Heavy rains in interior as compared to coasts
2012
Chief characteristic of 'mixed farming': Cultivation of both cash and food crops, Cultivation of 2 or more crops in same field,Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together,NOTA
2011
Navigation time and distance between India and East Asia can be greatly reduced by: Deepening Malacca straits b/w Indonesia and Malaysia(T), Opening new canal across Kra isthmus b/w gulf of Siam and Andaman sea(T)

Interview diaries 3

My interview was on 1 April 2016, forenoon. I have never felt so much of pressure before in my life. I had appeared for many job interviews in college. Many presentations during my job. I have been grilled many times in life, but somehow I could not stay cool in days before my interview.

I wont be writing my complete transcript, as most of the questions were very much drawn from my DAF and followed from the leads that came up in my answer or from that day's newspaper headlines.

So, largely my subject preparation and random stats ratta was a total waste of time. It came back to sponti maarna.., at which I thought/think am pretty good. But that day I gave many answers below my potential. I must say that the "mock" interviews add to duress and harden concepts, which makes it difficult to think on your feet in the room at upsc. Besides, one is always trying to come up with the "best" answer instead of the natural answer. I feel bad because many of my answers were bit doctored, so after coming out I felt dissatisfied, as the board could not see my natural honest self. 

They might have perceived a scheming guy trying to be smart.

From the mains result to interview date, I could realize my IQ dipping, as I became a dispenser of random facts about India, Maharashtra and Jalgaon, Budget, Govt schemes etc. I consider my prep stage before mains as a peak from which I had been constantly slipping down to pedestrian level of analysis/thinking. Perhaps this was adding to the pressure that mounted in the end.

Further, looking at the transcripts, I thought I would get a chance to highlight my knowledge in various aspects like sci-tech, polity, IR, society, my optional/degree subject. Instead most of my interview wasnt deep. There were no follow up questions, unlike Ive seen in so many transcripts. So, I felt as if these guys were just gauging if I had basic awareness. No chance to highlight analysis etc, I felt like a goof when I came out.

The dies have been cast, arrow has left the bow, etc etc, so no point worrying now. If there is any takeaway from my experience, it would be that one must not forget the purpose of preparation(to serve the poor, which surprisingly no one seems to believe) and stay true to it and keep working, instead of trying to be smart with the process.

Lets get back to the pits and prepare for next round.