We thank Mr. Tilakmouli Rakshit for these important informations, he shared with us.
WBCSMadeEasy:1.When and how did the inspiration and idea of joining civil service come in your mind?
Tilakmouli Raksit:My uncle was in WBCS (Exe.). He was 1964 batch. Thus, from my childhood onwards I only dreamt of becoming a civil servant. Didn’t have the calibre to be in IAS. So choose WBCS.
WBCSMadeEasy:2. Tell something about yourself? Educational Qualification, Marks/Division/Class, schooling?..
Tilakmouli Raksit:I was a very ordinary student.
I completed Madhyamik in 1993 with 73% marks from Kachrapara Jonepur HS School, N 24 PGS.
Completed HS(Humanities) with 65% marks in 1995 from Bhatpara Amarkrishna Pathshala, N 24 PGS.
Scored ordinary 2nd class (52%) in History (Hons.) from Asutosh College (C.U.) in 1998.
Enrolled for M.A. at C.U. & in at the same time started preparation for WBCS. Could not continue due to critical health condition of my father. My studies stopped almost completely from 2000 – 2003.
Appeared for the WBCS in 2002. Called for interview in Gr. C. Failed to secure any place.
After the demise of my father in early 2003 started preparing for WBCS once again. Got chance in WBCS, Gr – D (C.I.) in 2003.
Failed to qualify the prelims in 2004.
In 2005, stood 21st in GSL & 19th in WBCS(Exe.).
WBCSMadeEasy:3. What factors did you consider before selecting your optionals? What were they?
Tilakmouli Raksit:Selected History & Bengali. History was my Hons. subject. Bengali was my favourite subject. But, at the end of the day, I think that my choice was wrong. One should choose marks bearing subjects in optionals. For instance, I got 109 in Bengali & 101 in History. It was only due to my good marks in compulsory subjects that I got a chance in the merit list. I got 300 in compulsory. So, for the aspirants with these types of optional subjects I would advice that pls concentrate on your compulsory papers.
WBCSMadeEasy:4. How did you sustain the study-momentum throughout the year?
Tilakmouli Raksit:After my failure to clear 2004 prelims I did sustain the momentum until the completion of 2005 mains. As I told earlier, I was a very mediocre student. So, I had to put in some extra effort to make it home!
WBCSMadeEasy:5. How many hours did you study per day? How many months did it take you to complete the core syllabus of Compulsory and optional subjects?
Tilakmouli Raksit:8 to 10 hours per day on an average. It would require almost a year.
WBCSMadeEasy:6. Did u use internet, was it effective?
Tilakmouli Raksit:No. Not at all. Till that time, I was not very computer savvy. However, if I have to sit for the exam now I would have used the internet extensively for every subject, especially for GK & CA paper.
WBCSMadeEasy:7. Which newspapers & magazines you went through?
Tilakmouli Raksit:I used to read The Statesman. As far as journals were concerned I followed CSC, CSR, Yojana.
WBCSMadeEasy:8. Did u took coaching? How was the experience?
Tilakmouli Raksit:Though I did admit myself at a coaching centre in 1999, I could not continue due to my father’s illness & hence I took preparation on my own. However, many of my friends were also preparing for the exam. We used to have very fruitful talks on different issues which were very helpful.
WBCSMadeEasy:9. What about Interview in WBCS? Was the board cordial? What should be a proper preparation?
Tilakmouli Raksit:Board was very cordial to my surprise.
As far as the preparation is concerned, I prepared myself on the following line –
1. Name (meaning; significance)
2. Parents Names(meaning; significance)
3. Birthplace (significance)
4. Birth year (significance)
5. Hometown (significance; historical, geographical, census, agricultural data)
6. Home district (significance; historical, geographical, census, agricultural data)
7. Hobby
8. Reason/ reasons for the choice of services as given by the candidate
9. Job related questions (for working candidates)
10. Optional subjects
11. Current affairs
12. Indian Constitution
As far as attitude is concerned, it should be polite but firm. Sitting posture should show the confidence of the candidate. DON’T EVER ARGUE.
Dress should be simple.
Answers should be given in the language in which it has been asked.
WBCSMadeEasy:10. Plz suggest some good books for pre, comp, optional.
Tilakmouli Raksit:I had read the following books –
Prelims -:
1. GS (Tata McGraw Hill)
2. GS (Spectrum)
3. GS (Unique)
4. NCERT books of class 9,10 ( for history & INM class 11 & 12 also )
5. CSC
6. CSR
7. Yojana
8. Mental Ability & General Aptitude published by Tata McGraw Hill (forgot the name of the author)
Mains -
1. Indian Constitution (Subhas Kashyap)
2. Indian Economy (Dutta - Sundaram)
3. Bengali Optional – mainly Asit Bandopadhyay, Sukumar Sen, Bhudeb Chowdhury
4. History Optional – as this was my Hons. subject I had access to lots of books. Mainly – Romila Thapar, Sunil Chattopadhyay, Irfan Habib, Satish Chandra, Bipan Chandra, Sekhar Bandopadhyay ( ‘From Plassey to Partition’) for 1st paper
Meenaxi Phukan (Rise of the Modern West), David Thopson, Lipson & Hobsbawm & Lowe (History of Modern Europe) for the 2nd.
WBCSMadeEasy:11. What should be the strategy for cracking this exam? What message you want to give to all aspirants?
Tilakmouli Raksit:As I didn’t attend any coaching centre, my point of view may differ with those who take training at institutes. For me, it was extensive reading of the entire syllabus (for the optional subjects & Constitution - Planning) with special emphasis on suggested portions.
WBCSMadeEasy:12. Anything else u want to share?
Tilakmouli Raksit:If u get 55% to 60% marks u will surely get a call in the interview. So asses your strength & weakness & set a paper wise target to reach the goal. I got the following marks –
Compulsory – 300
Optional – 210
Interview – 120
Total 630 (57.27%) & I secured 21st rank in General Standard List & 19th in WBCS (Exe.). So, it is not that tough!
WBCSMadeEasy:13. Was it your 1st attempt? If not what about previous ones? You are from which batch and what was your rank in WBCS Exam (Plz don't mind)?
Tilakmouli Raksit:It was my 4th attempt.
2002 – Got interview call in Gr. C. Failed to secure any place.
2003 – Got chance in Gr. D (C.I.)
2004 – Failed to qualify prelims!
2005 – 19th in WBCS (Exe)
Thanks.