INTERVIEW WITH NOOH SIDDIQUI

KLA-IAS: There is a general perception among the candidates that this examination is based on a process of elimination and not the selection. Do you agree with this kind of perception after having successfully qualified in this examination?

Nooh Siddiqui: If you look at the number of selections with respect to that of candidates appearing, it appears to be process of elimination but what I say is that there is a method of preparation through which if you are going, definitely you will get selected. For example, if there is one door and you are trying to open it by pushing instead of finding the key, it won’t help. If you find the key, it will be extremely easy to open that door.

KLA-IAS: How did you make this success possible? Is there any specific strategy which you would recommend for success in this examination?

Nooh Siddiqui: Yes, there was strategy. I prepared plan for preparation keeping in mind time management, syllabus (time and approach to be adopted for every subject).

Suggestions:

• Go through UPSC Previous year question papers like Kiran’s solved papers
• Take guidance from your seniors to learn from their mistakes
• Write as much tests as possible

KLA-IAS: What was your source for inspiration? Whom would you like to give credit for your success?

Nooh Siddiqui:   In 2011, when I completed my B.Tech, I was looking forward to completing my Masters in Canada.  At that time, my father advised me to prepare for Civil Services. He has been constantly there to support me. He also keeps motivating other youngsters in my area to prepare for Civil services.

KLA-IAS: Did you intergrate the length GS syllabus for prelims &Mains preparation together or you prepared them separately?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• You need to prepare for Prelims and Mains simultaneously. There is integrated approach for appearing in Civil Services. You need to carry the Prelims information into Mains especially static part. When you have to write about Election Commission in Mains, you need to recollect what you have read about Election Commission in Prelims.
• You need to select the areas in which you can perform well and need to go into details of those areas.

KLA-IAS: How relevant is the newspapers reading for this examination and how did you try to link it with your GS preparation?

Nooh Siddiqui: I used to read ‘the Hindu’ initially but later on I switched over to the ‘Indian Express’. In my last attempt, I used online resources as well. Newspaper is very important and integral in preparation asIt enhances information regarding current eventsAll the major issues of the Mains paper are covered

For interview except your Detailed Application Form (DAF), all the topics are from newspapers

KLA-IAS: Did you adopt any specific strategy for Ethics paper? How did you prepare for case studies in this paper?

Nooh Siddiqui:

•  Ethics is the most feared paper because we don’t read ethics as subject in schools and also it is not part of current affairs. I would say this is the easiest paper in terms of preparation as it takes less time compared to other topics.
• You need to look at the terms mentioned in syllabus and find your meaning by taking example from History, Sports, Current affairs, events happening around etc.
• In all questions they don’t ask for innovative solutions, rather approach to a problem is more significant.

KLA-IAS: How did you select the relevant material for the lengthy syllabus?

Nooh Siddiqui: You need to smart work by chalking out time for different subjects. You need to be selective while studying, follow only a few selected sources. You can use technology; prepare concise notes so that you can revise them during exam time.

KLA-IAS:: How did you divide time between different GS modules & optional during preparation?

Nooh Siddiqui:

•  If you want to become an IAS, it is your optional that helps you achieve your target. You have to score around 270 marks to become an IAS. You will get into the list by scoring 250 or 260 but if your intention is to be an IAS, you need to chalk out proper strategy for optional paper.

• You should give initial 100 to 120 days for preparing optional. You should read all the basic text and prepare first copy of notes before preparing for Prelims.
• For Mains, revise and make final copy of notes
• Increasing 100 marks in optional is easier than in GS Papers

KLA-IAS: What was your optional subject? What was in your mind while selecting the optional subject?

Nooh Siddiqui:  To select optional, things that matter are

Your interest

Availability of material

Your ability to express and score in that subject.

KLA-IAS: How many hours did you study on daily basis? In your opinion how much time does an average candidate require to prepare for this exam?

Nooh Siddiqui: I used to study atleast for 10 hours daily. During examination time, it went upto 18 hours. For an average candidate 8-10 hours for atleast 1 year is required.

KLA-IAS: What was your answer writing style? Was it a paragraph format or bulleted point format?

Nooh Siddiqui:  

• 60% is for knowledge because when you have the content then only you can write but 40% especially in Mains is about presentation. Information management is more important than information gathering.
• I used to write introduction and conclusion very well but the structure I used to write in bulleted point format. I used to provide headings and sub-headings.

KLA-IAS: How did you manage to stick to the 200 word limit while writing the answer?

Nooh Siddiqui: My approach was only focused on satisfaction rather than on word limit. I did lot of answer writing practice. What UPSC says that if you stick to 150 or 250 word limit, you will be able to complete your paper but if you have enough speed and content, you can exceed the word limit to satisfy the demand of the question.

KLA-IAS: What is your opinion regarding making notes for preparation?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• To score in GS papers in mains, you need to prepare notes
• For optional paper, I prepared three note books, first, second and final notes.
• For every topic in GS, I prepared my own notes
• Notes should be to the point

KLA-IAS: What is your opinion regarding practicing previous year question papers?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• In prelims, previous year question papers are of great help in comparison to mains paper.
• In mains, solving last 5 years’ question papers will cover about 70 to 80% of your mains syllabus as you will be writing atleast 140 questions.

KLA-IAS: How did you manage to maintain your tempo and concentration during preparation period? What you did to avoid usual distractions?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• First, you can join a group of serious aspirants
• You can choose the environment in which mostly the focus of people is on Civil Services
• Emotionally manage yourself. Use internet, Youtube, Whatsapp in a positive direction.

KLA-IAS: Did you find internet & online material useful? Which sites would you recommend?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• I used to take half from websites providing content in summary form for Civil Services rather than visiting different websites.

KLA-IAS: How important is the preparation for final interview? How did you prepare for it?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• We used to take daily mock of 20-25 minutes of each friend. We used to ask questions from every aspect.
• Guidance from teachers in mock interviews is also very useful.

KLA-IAS: On the basis of your preparation for the previous civil services examination, what modification you would be making in your strategy in case you decide to appear for the examination one more time?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• For 2018 prelims, I would have focused more on basics than current affairs
• In Mains, I was not able to complete GS Paper I on time, so I would focus on that area
• I will find some innovative techniques and suggestions from friend to score well in Ethics paper.

KLA-IAS: What is your opinion regarding various comprehensive magazines and books published by Kiran publications for Civil Services examination?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• Regarding Prelims, if you want to know the trend and approach of the exam, the Kiran publications book is very helpful.
• For IAS aspirants, guidance from toppers and current affairs by the Kiran publications are extremely helpful.

KLA-IAS: What is your advice for future Civil Service aspirants? How should they keep themselves motivated during the exhaustive and lengthy preparation for this examination?

Nooh Siddiqui:

• If you are determined to prepare for Civil Services, you can start preparing from first or second year of your graduation.
• Make yourself habitual of reading newspaper(s) daily
• You should seek advice of seniors in this field
• Have ability to accept your mistakes
• You need to be very clear about what you want (clarity of target).

To watch complete interview in English, click on below Youtube link :-

To watch Urdu Jaban ka Irtiqa Development of Urdu Language Sample (First Topic) :-

To watch UPSC Urdu Optional Introduction by Mohd Nooh Siddiqui Urdu Topper :-