Toppers Interview

CSC: Achieving top slot in the Judicial Services Examination is no small feat; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.

Yashu Khurana: Thanks to almighty, my parents, and my coaching institute - Ambition Law Institute.

CSC: Can you recall the exact moment when you realized the importance of joining Judicial Services?

Yashu Khurana: During my Law Clerkship with HMJ Sanjeev Narula, I realised the role and importance of Judiciary.

CSC: Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make a career in ‘Judicial Services’?

Yashu Khurana: After comparing my experience of working with Mr. Sanjeev Bajaj, as a trial court advocate and my experience of working as a Law Researcher, I decided that Judicial Services would be the right career option for me.

CSC: You must have read various toppers’ interviews in newspapers/magazines; what inspired you the most? Any particular success story which influenced your journey to this result?

Yashu Khurana: After watching several interviews on YouTube of selected candidates, I realised that the common ingredient in each story was a consistent and hardworking approach to achieve your goal.

CSC: Was JSE a planned decision or your parent’s wish? Did you keep in mind some time frame for the examination preparation and number of attempts?

Yashu Khurana: The idea was introduced by my parents, but I took a reasoned and informed decision after comparing experience of working with people on both sides of the bench.

CSC: About Interview Boards, many candidates have set different impressions. Do you consider such thoughts help or hinder one’s performance in the Interview?

Yashu Khurana: One can always filter useful information from impression/experience of other people.

CSC: What was your first step after choosing Judicial Services as a career option?

Yashu Khurana: Organising your schedule and finalising your resource material were the first steps.

CSC: Were you confident of your success in this examination and how did you react to this news of your success?

Yashu Khurana: If one gives an honest attempt, then despite the uncertainty of what the result may be one can be satisfied by their effort, irrespective of the result.

CSC: In how many attempts have you achieved this success? How do you visualize your preparation/previous attempts?

Yashu Khurana: This was my first attempt. Preparation is entirely based on maintaining a mental balance because it is a long journey before you get success.

CSC: Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for your ultimate goal i.e. Career in Judicial Services?

Yashu Khurana: I have been working simultaneously to augment my knowledge and stay connected with the practical world.

CSC: While the changing economic environment offers immense lucrative career opportunities in various sectors, still what kept you motivated towards Judicial Services?

Yashu Khurana: This service is attractive because of the honour, respect, and stability attached with it.

CSC:What's important and what's not? Share your thoughts and opinions.

Yashu Khurana: What's important is that your fundamentals of legal subjects are clear, you have a strong desire and focus to achieve your dream and you are constantly working to achieve it.

CSC:'Time Management' - is a key factor while doing the preparation as well as in writing in the examination. Did you come across such a problem during this period? If yes, then how did you manage things?

Yashu Khurana: Indeed, time management is a crucial factor in having a systematic approach towards your goal. Preparing a daily schedule helped me in timely preparation of my notes.

CSC:List some of the Magazines, Newspapers, Books, etc. which you read for 'General Studies’ preparation.

Yashu Khurana: Magazines - Civil Services Chronicle and Newspaper - Indian Express.

CSC: How did you prepare yourself for the Interview? When and which Board did you face? How did your interview go on, how much time it lasted and what were the questions asked during the Interview?

Yashu Khurana: Mock Interviews helped a lot, there was a single board.

CSC:Does the educational, financial and demographic status of the family of an aspirant have any impact on the preparation?

Yashu Khurana: Yes, having a sound background obviously changes a lot of things, but in this case it's also difficult to stay focused when you've abundance of resources.

CSC:According to a recent report published by reputed survey agency, Civil Services Chronicle is the largest read Career & Competition magazine. What is your opinion?

Yashu Khurana: Yes, it is a very useful magazine. It is one of the most concise and relevant resource for major current events and general knowledge.

CSC: To whom would you like to give the credit for your success?

Yashu Khurana: I would like to give credit to my family members, my previous boss and my mentor Alok Kumar Ranjan and Team Ambition.

CSC: Thank you very much and wishing you all the best for your future endeavors.

CSC: Achieving top slot in the Judicial Services Examination is no small feat; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.

Kashish:Thanks to almighty, my parents and my mentor Alok Kumar Ranjan Sir.

CSC: Can you recall the exact moment when you realised the importance of Judicial Services?

Kashish: The dream to join judicial service was always there in the back of my mind from the initial phase of law school. However, it took concrete form from fourth year of law school.

CSC: Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make a career in Judicial Services?

Kashish: I took starting steps in the direction of Judicial Services Examination during the final year of my law school.

CSC: Was Judicial Service a planned decision or your parent’s wish? Did you keep in mind some time frame for the examination preparation and number of attempts?

Kashish: It was my own self-made decision to pursue law and prepare for Judicial Services Examination. However, my family always supported and encouraged me to follow my passion.

CSC: About Interview Boards, many candidates have set impressions. Do you consider such thoughts help or hinder one’s performance in the Interview?

Kashish: The Interview Board consists of Hon'ble High Court Judges and experienced legal luminaries. The purpose is to evaluate and test the personality of the candidates, to test their legal acumen and also to check the calmness of a candidate. I was confident about interview process.

CSC: What was your first step when you were really serious about making a career in Judicial Services?

Kashish: The first step was to get right guidance and a solid road-map to reach my desired destination, i.e., to clear Judicial Services Examination.

CSC: In how many attempts have you achieved this success? How do you visualise your preparation/previous attempts?

Kashish: It was my 3rd attempt.

CSC: Were you preparing for other career opportunities as well while preparing for your ultimate goal, i.e., Career in Judicial Services?

Kashish: No, I prepared only for Judicial Services.

CSC: While the changing economic environment offers immense lucrative career opportunities in various sectors, still what kept you motivated towards Judicial Services?

Kashish: The faith of public in the Institution of Judiciary and the pious function of justice dispensation continued to inspire me at every stage of this preparation.

CSC: What's important and what's not? Share your thoughts and opinions.

Kashish: The following are important:

1. Regular revision of concepts and notes.
2. Keeping oneself upgraded about legal updates and recent developments.
3. Keeping oneself motivated and enthusiastic throughout the journey.

CSC: ‘Time Management’ is a key factor while preparing as well as in writing examination papers. Did you come across such a problem during this period? If yes, then how did you manage things?

Kashish: Time management is a key-factor in clearing any examination. Completing the whole question-paper within limited time-frame and with qualitative answers is required to clear the examination.

CSC: List some of the magazines, newspapers, and books which you read for General Studies’ preparation?

Kashish: (1) News Paper - Indian Express

(2) Website - Live Law

CSC: How did you prepare yourself for Interview?

Kashish: I appeared in few Mock Interviews before the actual interview. It helped me in finding out short-comings and improving the same.

CSC: What is the importance of medium of examination for exams like Judicial Services Examination?

Kashish: One must opt for that medium in which one is comfortable to express and communicate.

CSC: Does the educational, financial and demographic status of the family of an aspirant have any impact on the preparation?

Kashish: The family support is instrumental in achieving the desired goal. A person from humble back-ground also has equal chances to succeed in the competitive examinations.

CSC: According to a recent report published by reputed survey agency, Civil Services Chronicle is the largest read Career & Competition magazine. What is your opinion?

Kashish: Yes, it is a resourceful magazine; a good consolidation of relevant knowledge and current-events.

CSC: To whom would you like to give the credit for your success?

Kashish: To my parents, my family (especially my nephew, master Divyam), my friends and my mentor - Shri Alok Kumar Ranjan Sir along with entire Team of Ambition Law Institute, Delhi.

CSC: Any suggestion/advice you would like to give to the future aspirants?

Kashish: I strongly suggest every aspirant to have an immense faith in his or her capability and pursue their dreams with full vigour and to never come under pressure and do not give up.

CSC: Thank you very much and wishing you all the best for your future endeavours.

CSC: Achieving top slot in the coveted Civil Services Examination is no small feat; accept our heartiest congratulations on your splendid success.

Sampada: Thank You.

CSC: What preference in services you had opted for and any particular reason for priority?

Sampada: I had opted for administrative services as it provides a greater opportunity to serve the masse.

CSC: 'Success is sweet' - Were you confident of your success with top ranks and how did you react to this news?

Sampada: I was confident after my last selection and had therefore filled only one post preference of Deputy Collector. But RANK-1 came as a pleasant surprise.

CSC: Can you recall the exact moment when you realized the importance of Civil Services?

Sampada: I used to have discussions with my mother during my school days regarding ways to address the problems of the society. It was during one of these discussions that I realized that civil services is one of the best mediums to work for the society.

CSC: Finally, at what point of time did you make up your mind to make a career in 'Civil Services'?

Sampada: I started my preparation during my college days.

CSC: Was CSE a planned decision or your parent's wish?

Sampada: My parents guided me towards this field but never imposed anything. Motivated by their guidance, I decided to opt for it as my career.

CSC: 'Time Management'- is a key factor making preparations as well as in writing examination papers, be it Prelims or Main Examination. How did you manage things?

Sampada: I practised a number of Mock Tests for both Pre and Mains Examination and tried to improve my writing speed and quality of answers.

CSC: The first step is the most difficult; how to prepare? Which optional subjects to pick? What to read? How much to read? Many such questions come to your mind when you really get serious about Civil Services Examination. From where, did you get the right advice?

Sampada: My mother provided me with the initial guidance regarding the Newspaper and Books to read. After this, the core guidance was provided by DHYEYA IAS, for General Studies and Goutam Academy Jabalpur (for MP Special) for a holistic strategy to crack CSE.

CSC: What was your approach towards Paper I (General Studies) and Paper II (Aptitude Test) during Preliminary Examination preparation? How much time and effort you divided for each?

Sampada: I have been pretty confident about the aptitude test, hence just used to revise the main formula for Paper-I, I used to solve previous years papers and revised NCERTs and other standard books.

CSC: What shift did you adopt in your strategy for Mains Examination (Written)?

Sampada: I tried to manage my time better by practising answer writing. I compiled my own notes for the topic of the syllabus which were hard to get from anywhere.

CSC: Was there any special for effective preparation for ESSAY Paper? Which topic you picked up this time and why did you choose this particular topic?

Sampada: The essay had to be written in Hindi. I assembled some quotes from various sources and tried to cover every topic from multiple dimensions.

CSC: How did you prepare yourself for Interview (Personality Test)? When and which Board did you face? How did your interview go on, how much time it lasted and which type of questions were asked during the Interview?

Sampada: I believe personality isn't something that can be built over a period of a few weeks. It can however be polished well. This polishing was done by revising the key point of all subjects and working on my presentation skills under the guidance of Siddhartha Gautam Sir.

My Interview was in Mehra Sir's Board. It lasted for 20-25 mins. Questions were mainly focussed on my views regarding various contemporary issues, especially related to women.

CSC: In your opinion at which Educational Level should one start preparing for Civil Services and what should be the minimum period of time required to prepare for Civil Services Examination?

Sampada: Starting early
definitely gives an advantage but it is not a sufficient condition. Minimum 8-10 months is required.

CSC: What is the importance of medium of examination for exam like CSE?

Sampada: I believe the perceived difference is only a myth. As far as I know, this is the first time an english medium student has achieved the top rank in MPPCS. Thus, both mediums have equal chance at success.

CSC: In your opinion what role do the Competition Magazines play when you are preparing an examination like Civil Services?

Sampada: They provide a summary of the month's current affairs and touch certain topics. Which prove useful for both Pre and Mains Exam.

CSC: How do you rate Civil Services Chronicle Magazine? Do you find it close to your expectation?

Sampada: Civil Services Chronicle Magazine is certainly helpful for state services exams.

CSC: To whom would you like to give the credit for your success?

Sampada: I credit all the successes of my life to my mother, father and brother who have supported all my decisions throughout. I am also grateful to all my teachers for providing me knowledge beyond books.

CSC: Any suggestion/advice you would like to give to the future aspirants.

Sampada: Never consider studies to be a burden. Enjoy learning new things and take pleasure in this journey of CSE preparation and sooner or later your will certainly reach your destination.

CSC: Thank You very much and wishing you all the best for your future endeavors.