#103: IPS Rajesh Mohan | The Aspirants Show

Notes from the Podcast for you to read and learn!

For those who could not tune in, sharing notes from my conversation with IPS Dr. Rajesh Mohan on The Aspirants Show Episode 08

You can listen to this entire conversation on Spotify here

How is the training of IPS

1. Very limited area for violence

2. Although physical stamina is required

3. Academy chisel out the officer in you

4. However, 11 months of training helps fill this gap

About Cadre

Home Cadre: being posted in the same state as one’s nativity

Prerequisites to get home cadre

1. Merit

2. Vacancy in cadre in that state

3. Insider vacancy in that state

4. Marriage

Tips for the exam

Prelims

1. Smart work is necessary 

2. In CSAT (prelims gs paper 2) , while attempting the paper, if stuck, move on and solve other questions. Attempt as many questions as you can without getting stuck.

3. In GS PREPARATION, 

• limit time spent on current affairs

• Weightage of static portion of syllabus has been higher. So focus on static and revise multiple times. Be solid.

• Limit time spent on newspapers daily.

• Don’t overthink while preparation : this way, the essence is lost and we tend to dive into the topic more than necessary- leads to confusion in real exam.

• Avoid overthinking in exam - avoids mistakes: saves you from losing prelims by 2-3 marks situation

• Use common sense while attempting prelims.

Prelims need wider knowledge base

Mains need deeper knowledge base

Mains

• For ethics, mainly questions come from government documents like ARC report

• Trend and pattern of source of questions is clear : analyze PYQs 

Optional (Medical Sciences)

Professional subjects like MBBS as optional lack coaching options, peer group to study.

• Stick to SYLLABUS strictly 

• Standard books for everything

FAMILY & SUPPORT SYSTEM

• Revamp support system if they’re being toxic

• Always prioritize: Self confidence > peer pressure

• Peers should not reinforce a negative feeling you have. Check

• Do not dwell on self doubt. Remove all factors which enhance such feeling

• Inside strength: your strongest weapon is your mind, train well with it

• Self confidence makes you and lack of it breaks you in any game.

WORDS OF WISDOM

1. Clearing UPSC CSE opens up a lot of opportunities to serve & social recognition, make it your motivation But life is so much beyond this exam and give 100% to anything else you do eventually, if not this service.

2. Fitness, Food & Finance: YOU DO YOU!

3. Meditation, fitness & self care is necessary to keep sanity