The three Keralites who found a place among the top 100 ranks in the Civil Service exam met each other for the first time, thanks to a video conference arranged by Malayala Manorama Career Guru. R Sreelakshmi, who secured rank 29; Ranjina Mary Varghese, who achieved rank 49 and Arjun Mohanan, who won rank 66 shared details of their preparations, exam and interview experiences and aspirations.
While Sreelakshmi and Arjun are eager to join the Kerala cadre, Ranjina wants to be part of the Indian Foreign Service.
Each of the top three rank holders from Kerala stress that success in Civil Service examination depends on the ability to overcome failures and chase the dream till it is achieved.
Excerpts from the video conference:
Everyone wants to know your strategies for the examination.
Sreelakshmi: Initially, I attended classes at Civil Service Academy for a month. Later, I felt that I could prepare myself. But I found it difficult to complete the written papers. I also took the test series in Thiruvananthapuram. Economics, which was my subject in college, was my optional paper. After waking up at 4 am, I spent around 7 hours studying every day. But I never sacrificed sleep at night.
Ranjina: I have a degree in Chemical Engineering and wanted to choose that subject as my optional paper in the Civil Service Exam. However, it was not among the subjects available and I was forced to take Sociology, which I found tough. In my first attempt, I cleared the preliminary exam but failed in the mains by 18 marks.
At that time, I worked in an oil company and studied from 5 am to 7 am. At 7.30 am, I reached office and read the daily newspapers. While leaving the office, I listened to the news on radio. There was coaching in current affairs in the evening.
But when I failed to clear the main exam in the first attempt, I resigned from my job. In the second try, I managed to get selected to Ordnance Factory Service.
I didn't maintain a daily schedule for studies. If I didn't felt like studying, I never forced myself. But, I took care to complete a specific portion over a week.
Arjun: My preparations for the Civil Service exam started in November 2017 when I joined a coaching centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Initially, I practiced writing.
I never fixed a schedule for studies, but set a target for a week. If I missed a week's studies, then it would be difficult to make up.
During my first attempt, I chose Mechanical Engineering, which was my subject in college. But I found it very tough. In this second attempt, I selected Malayalam and got a good score.
Is the school or college you attend important?
Sreelakshmi: I studied at London School of Economics, where much importance was given to academic writing, which helped me in the Civil Service exam. But I feel one can clear the Civil Service exam with a degree from any institution. Still, having a professional degree gives you the confidence that if you don't clear the Civil Service exam, you can depend on that degree to pursue a career. My plan was to do research in economics if the Civil Service dream was not realized.
Can you pursue your job as well as studies together?
Ranjina: There are many candidates who can balance their job and Civil Service studies. But it depends on the person. I resigned from my job realizing that it was difficult to study while holding a job that involved a 10-hour duty. One has to give justice to the job too.
A lot of uncertainty surrounds the preparations for the Civil Service Exam and having a job gives you a secure feeling. There will be the confidence that you can rely on the job if you fail to clear the exam.
The candidate who secured AIR 5 totally avoided social media. What did you do?
Ranjina: I did that only for a week before the exam. In fact, there are several discussion and answer writing groups on WhatsApp. Moreover, maximum civil service exam materials are available on Telegram. I don't have the habit of carrying the phone with me always, but there is no need to shun Facebook or WhatsApp either. However, if the notifications become a problem, then it is better to avoid social media.
Sreelakshmi: I was active on WhatsApp and friends were my biggest source of support. There was a group in Thiruvananthapuram with candidates preparing for the Civil Service mains as members.
After the mains, I became active on Facebook also. That helped me get a clear idea of developments around the world.
Arjun: I used to check WhatsApp once a month. But Telegram proved much beneficial during the interview phase as several transcripts of old interviews are available on it.
Did you ever feel like giving it all up?
Ranjina: During the second attempt, I reached the interview stage, but did not make it. By that time, I had resigned from my job too and became tense. However, I received good support and encouragement from my family. I made a resolution to achieve the goal at any cost. Finally, I succeeded in my third try.
Sreelakshmi: I did felt let down on several occasions. This was my fifth attempt. If I had lacked the determination to succeed irrespective of the repeated failures, I would not have made it finally. Several times, I missed success by a whisker. If I had not cleared the exam this time, I planned to take a one-year break and attempt once again.
Were there any tricky questions during the interview?
Sreelakshmi: I was asked a question about Brexit as I was earlier in London. 'What will Britain do now?' was the question. I replied that I had no idea. The interview board member also said he did not know the answer. Then I quipped, ''Even the British themselves have no clue!''
Ranjina: There were no such questions, but I was asked about even the origins of the Easter egg.
Arjun: I was asked who would be the main character if I were to adapt the 'Mahabharata' for film. My answer was Bhima and being from Kerala, it was not a difficult question for me.