Full Name
Sanagavarapu Sai Bhargava
Rank
798 – CSE (2024)
What is your reaction immediately after seeing your rank on the list
Mixed emotions, happy that I finally made to the list and disappointed that I am so close but couldn’t get my preferred service
Family Background.
Both my parents are educated till intermediate (12th). They migrated to Vizag for livelihood and I grew as an ambitious child waiting to come out of the cycle of financial ups and downs of my family by studying well.
Who were the key people behind your success story? Feel free to share your gratitude and acknowledge those who supported you on this journey.
1. My father and my uncle (mother’s brother) are two people who constantly encouraged me since my childhood to pursue civils. It is sad that they could not live to see my success. Both of them passed away during my prep (2020,2023)
2. My mother has so much confidence in me and always supported me financially and emotionally throughout my journey.
3. to all my friends and mentors who believed in me. Special mention to Balalatha mam for supporting me financially for a year (2024-25)
Educational Background. (School/College)
School: DAV school, Vizag
Intermediate: Narayana cllg, Vizag
College: IIT Madras
Graduation
BTech(Hons) from Civil Engineering
Working Experience,
Haven’t worked. Started my prep soon after my graduation in 2020
Coaching/Guidance/Test Series
Foundational course for GS: Vision IAS (sept 2020 to Aug 2021)
PSIR course: Subhra ranjan (Aug 2020 to June 2021)
Test series: Prelims: Vision (2021-24), Forum (2022-24), SFG module by Forum (2022,2023) Mains: MGP by Forum (2022,23,24)
PSIR: Subhra ranjan (2021,22), GS score (2023), CSB (2023,24)
Prelims Strategy
1. Revision of static notes for at least 4 cycles-start at least 2 months prior to Prelims exam
2. Current affairs- Forum magazines (SFG quarterly/earlier EPIC)- spend not more than 20% of the total time in the prep + value addition of current affairs from mock tests
3. Writing at least 25 Full length tests (10 from vision, 10 from forum etc)- mostly try to write them every alternate day
4. Solving PYQs- to familiarize oneself with kind of eliminations one can do.
Prelims Books
Nothing special. Followed standard sources as provided for me in the foundational course.
Mains strategy
RRR strategy
1.Revision- fixing what to read for what subject should be done by pre prelims. 2. wRiting tests- I suggest 3-4 cycles of essay + GS 1,2,3,4
3.Review of mock tests, PYQs and topper copies (most important)- do value addition (schematics, good intros-conclusions etc)
Mains Books
1. Followed my static notes, which I prepared in foundational course and did value addition based on solutions of mock tests, examples from news etc
2. Even for Ethics, Security and other such non-prelims subjects, I followed my own notes. Have not read any specific books.
Optional Strategy
PSIR optional strategy: 1.Took PSIR classes from Subhra ranjan (2020-21) 2. Writing tests atleast 12 (3hr tests) 3. Brain storming PYQs
Optional Books and Coaching(if any)
1. Subhraranjan notes
2. Topper copies to do value addition
3. Selective reading of a) IGNOU notes for western political thought b) Andre Heywood book on Political theory (1A topics)
4. Online sources: ISAS briefs, IDSA comments, Cut the clutter by Sekhar Gupta, Fareed Zakaria’s GPS, Milan Vaishnav’s The Grand Tamasha, follow article written by scholars we quote (Joseph Nye, John Mearsheimer etc)
Interview Strategy
1. Self preparation on DAF key words
2. Taking mock interviews for gaining confidence and acquiring soft skills.
What were the mistakes you made during your preparation that others should avoid?
1. Spent too much time on perfecting my notes rather than practicing questions
2. Delay in analyzing PYQs
What message or advice would you like to share with new aspirants and those who are facing challenges in clearing the exam,
My motto: Motivation sustains your prep but discipline gives closure to your prep.
1. Why do u want to clear the exam?- this answer should be clear to the aspirant. This answer will act as motivating factor throughout your prep.
2. How do you want to clear the exam?- this answer should be evolving and the strategy should be flexible based on the new learnings. Disciplined prep based on a clear strategy is needed to shut the outside noise and to come out of self doubt.
Did you have a Plan B in case things didn’t go as expected? If yes, could you share it with us? This could help aspirants understand the importance of having a backup plan while pursuing their goals
The choice of plan b depends on one’s personality. Some feel having no plan b will push them to clear the exam. Others feel plan b as a practical decision. I personally feel, with the kind of uncertainty this exam has, it is necessary to think of plan b. It can reduce the stress and make u feel content with the hardwork u have put in. My Plan B: Going back to civil engineering jobs with my IIT background Choose Plan B based on your interests and capability.
Do you have any feedback, suggestions, or thoughts to share on RankerCave?
I hope RankerCave will try to fill the vacuum in aspirant’s prep rather than becoming one more institute that makes aspirants confused.