BPSC TOPPER INTERVIEW

BPSC TOPPER INTERVIEW DSP SUBODH KUMAR RANK 49

bpscpathshala.com interviewed one of the toppers of 63rd BPSC Exam Subodh Kumar on 19 Apr 20. The final result of the 63rd  BPSC exam was declared on 15 Oct 19 by the BPSC, in which Subodh Kumar secured the 49th  rank and was allotted the post of Dy SP in Bihar Police Service.

In this article, i am going to provide the detailed interview with Mr. Subodh Kumar.

bpsc topper interview

Interviewer: Welcome and Congratulations Mr Subodh Kumar from bpscpathshala.com on your selection in the 63^rd BPSC Exam.

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Thank you.

Interviewer: How you came to know about your selection in BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: It was in fact interesting, I appeared in the interview on 04 Sep 19 and it was pretty well. I informed my family and friends that this time I will get through the exam irrespective of rank I secure. The final merit list of 63^rd BPSC Exam was published on 14 Oct 19 and the very next day I had to appear in 65^th BPSC Pre exam. On 14 Oct 19 I was returning home from Delhi to appear in 65^th BPSC Exam and was waiting to board a passenger train to reach Nawada from Gaya. Meanwhile I came to know about my final selection in 63^rd BPSC exam for the post of Dy SP. Being selected for the post of Dy SP was highly surprising for me considering number of vacancies for the said post i.e only 06.

Interviewer: So, How do you feel after getting success in the 63^rd BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Definitely it was a memorable moment of my life like a dream come true. I got this success after several failures. My happiness doubled due to my good rank and recommendation for my first post preference (Dy SP).

Interviewer: Whom would you like to thank for your success in the 63^rd BPSC Exam and why?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I would like to thanks my parents for this grand success because despite poor economic and social condition they always supported me for quality education and higher intellectual level. Considering my social and economic status it was very difficult for my family to expect such a wonderful result from me.

I would also like to thank Dhyeya IAS and specially Mr Kumar Servesh Sir of Sarthak Samvad institute, who personally guided me and always provided me valuable support for 63^rd BPSC Exam.

Interviewer: When did you decided to look for a career in civil services and what attracted you to Civil Services?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I decided to look for Civil Services as a career when I was pursuing my higher secondary. After completion of my higher secondary, I decided to complete my graduation in History and I got admission in BHU. In second year of my graduation I started preparing civil services and especially targeted UPSC.

Attractive things in civil services are high profile career opportunity, better life style and higher responsibility as well as authority to serve people specially grass root section of society.

Interviewer: Please tell us about your educational background as well as your family back ground.

Mr. Subodh Kumar:  I belong to Nawada Dist of Bihar. I completed my schooling from government school and after that I completed my graduation from Banaras Hindu University in History. I completed my masters from IGNOU. My family consist of my father, mother, brother and sister. My father is a teacher in a private school.

Interviewer: How many times you appeared in BPSC exam before finally qualifying in 63^rd BPSC Exam? Was this your first attempt? If not, what changes did you make in your strategy for this attempt?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: This was my second attempt. First time I appeared in 60-62 BPSC Exam and even I could not qualify pre exam. So after disqualifying 60-62 pre exam, I just introspected my preparation strategy and focused on weak points. Simultaneously I focused for mains exam more rigorously. In last month of 63^rd BPSC Pre exam I did extensive revision with positive mindset.

BPSC TOPPER SUCCESS STORY RANK 39

Interviewer: How much time should one give for the preparation of BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar:  In my opinion 1 to 2 years full time preparation with dedication is sufficient to crack BPSC Exam. Candidates with poor academic background (Weak Basics) may take some extra time also to crack this exam.

Interviewer: Considering the extensive syllabus of general studies in preliminary exam and main exam, what strategy did you adopt?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I told you earlier that I was preparing for UPSC. The extensive preparation of general studies for UPSC helped me a lot for BPSC Pre Exam and for BPSC Mains Exam. First of all, I meticulously observed the syllabus of BPSC and I reached to the conclusion that almost 80 % syllabus for BPSC and UPSC Exam is similar. After that I went through past year questions of both Pre Exam and Mains Exam, to understand the nature and difficulty level of questions. In my opinion consistency in preparation and passion towards goal is key to success. I also did fair justice with all mains paper.

Interviewer: List the books followed by you to prepare BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I followed following books for preparation.

For History I followed RS Sharma Ancient India, Satish Chandra Medieval India, Bipin Chandra Indian Freedom Struggle. For Indian Polity I followed M Laxmikanth. For Bihar special I followed Lucent Bihar Special. I also followed some books of Dhyeya IAS and Lucent General Knowledge for pre exam facts. For mains exam I followed some book series of Sarthak Samvad Mains special.

Following books were followed for History optional.

I followed RS Sharma, DN Jha and Romilla Thapar for Ancient Indian History. For Medieval Indian History I followed Satish Chandra and some topics of Harish Chandra Verma. For Modern Indian History I followed Indian Freedom Struggle by Bipin Chandra and History of modern India by Bipin Chandra, some topics of BL Grover, Economic History of modern India by Sabyachi Bhattacharya. I also followed Ram Lakhan Sukhla for social and religious reform in Modern India. I followed Lal Bahadur Verma for world History. I also took help of some IGNOU books.

Interviewer: Did you prepare notes for bpsc exam? If yes what was your strategy to prepare notes for exam?

Mr. subodh Kumar: Yes, I prepared notes for all sections of GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2 and optional. I prepared concise notes on all topics of BPSC Mains Exam for quick revision.

Interviewer: what was your optional subject for BPSC Exam? Did you study it during your graduation or at any level after that? If not, on what basis did you chose it

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I chose history as my optional paper. I did my graduation in history only and on that basis i chose history as optional for BPSC Exam.

Interviewer: Some people say that some optional subjects are smaller, easier and more scoring than other subjects and hence are more popular. In your opinion, would it be right to say so? While choosing your optional subject did you consider its popularity as a basis?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Optional subject play a vital role in selection process. Hence due care is to be taken while choosing optional subject. Do proper research before taking any decision. There is some myth that some optional papers are easy for BPSC Exam. In my opinion it is not true at all. The hard work and efforts put forward by a candidate in any optional subject make that optional subject easy and scoring. Hence it is suggested that, choose the optional subject based on your interest and educational background and not on the criterion of highly scoring or popular one.

Interviewer: in your opinion, to what extent is success in main exam dependent on the answer writing style? What approach did you follow in developing the right style of answer writing?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I think answer writing skill is not a magic. BPSC Mains Exam is subjective in nature and a candidate is supposed to write down 3 hours continuously in mains exam. Hence answer writing practice is must. I started answer writing practice in the beginning of my preparation and intensified it after appearing in pre exam. I also joined mock test series for mains exam.

Interviewer:  How did you prepare for BPSC interview?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Preparation of BPSC Exam is integrated in nature and separate preparation of all three stages of exam viz; Pre, Mains and Interview is not feasible. In my opinion interview is nothing but examination of your personality and grooming personality is a longtime affair. After qualifying mains exam i sincerely focused myself for interview. First of all i prepared notes on my Bio data, Schooling, Dist profile etc. Since i had given Bihar Police Service as my first post preference so i was sure to expect question on police administration. I prepared detailed notes on policing in Bihar and on police reforms.

Interviewer: Please give us the details about your interview. What was its time duration, the number of members in interview panel etc.

Mr. Subodh Kumar: My interview lasted for almost 20 minutes. There were four members in the interview board. The board was very humble and supportive. Most of the questions were asked from my optional subject (History) and about my hobbies (Tourism).

Interviewer: Please tell us about the questions asked in the interview?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I can recall some questions being asked in interview.

What is your hobbies.

What places you visited.

Name of World heritage sites in Bihar and in India.

Question on Qutub Minaret.

Question from History Optional - Old silk route and new silk route of China.

Kushan and strategic importance of North West (Kabul).

Disinvestment and its impact on tourism.

Budget.

Poster war in Bihar.

First post preference related questions and some counter questions on that.

MOTIVATION FOR BPSC EXAM

Interviewer: What mindset should the candidates keep while facing the Interview?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Be positive and be confident. Just think that you have almost qualified the exam.

Interviewer: How much marks you scored in interview?

Mr. Suubodh Kumar: I scored 79 out of 120 marks.

Interviewer: How much time did you take to complete your preparation for all the three stages of examination? Did you prepare for each stage in sequence or for all the stages simultaneously?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I already mentioned that BPSC Exam is integrated in nature. Hence preparation for all the three stages of exam should go simultaneously. It took me almost 2 years to finally succeed.

Interviewer: Is joining coaching Institute must for clearing the BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I think it’s not necessary to join. The proper guidance and proper mentoring is must to quality exam. Look for a good mentor and not a teacher. Just believe in your hard work and move in right direction.

Interviewer: Did you use the Internet? How helpful was it?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: It was helpful up to some extent. I used to watch two programs on Rajya Sabha TV (Sarokar and Desh Desantar) for current topics.

Interviewer: Do you think that YouTube really help in preparation journey of BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: I didn’t follow YouTube too much. I took help of YouTube for certain topics only.

Interviewer: In Your opinion, how useful is participating in mock test series at different stages viz; Pre, Mains and interview of this exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Mock tests are extremely useful. Although I didn’t join any mock test for pre exam but I joined mock test for mains exam. Don’t focus much on marks obtained in these mock tests. What is most important is writing practice for mains so that you can continue writing comfortably in mains exam for 3 hours. I also appeared in some mock interview just before my actual interview. Mock interview acquainted me with interview environment and helped build up confidence.

Interviewer: How did you maintain consistency in preparation despite often frustrating nature of BPSC Exam?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Success and failure is a part of life and sincere candidates must bounce back quickly after failures. Since the preparation of BPSC Exam is a lengthy and monotonous process, hence one must also devote some time for what one likes to do. It rejuvenates you.

Interviewer: On an average, how many hours in a day did you devote to studies? What activities did you indulge in when not studying?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: On average I tried to manage 8 hour per day. Just before exam I stretched it to 10 hours per day. Every now and then I used to plan some short trip with my friends since traveling and tourism is my hobby.

Interviewer: What was your first three preference of services?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Dy SP, Excise Inspector, Labor Enforcement Officer. I was not eligible for other posts because I had not completed 22 years on 01 august 2017.

Interviewer: What will be your priorities after becoming a Police Officer?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Maintenance of law and order and protection of women from domestic violence will be my first preference.

Interviewer: Please tell us about your hobbies and interests.

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Tourism is my hobby and I like to explore places of interests.

Interviewer: What suggestions would you like to give to the BPSC Exam aspirants?

Mr. Subodh Kumar: To start with BPSC Exam preparation, first check the syllabus and past year questions meticulously. Strictly follow syllabus and don’t read unwanted stuff. Use YouTube judiciously. Don’t buy many books on same topics. Reading one book ten times is better than reading ten books once. Always keep in mind that revision is key to success. Look for a good mentor and prepare under his guidance.

Interviewer: Thank you Mr Subodh Kumar for your valuable time. Thanks a lot and wish you all the very best for your coming journey as a Police Officer.

Mr. Subodh Kumar: Thanks.