Interview with Reza Nafis , WBCS Exam 2010 1st Rank.

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WBCSMadeEasy: When and how did the inspiration and idea of joining civil service come in your mind?

Reza Nafis: I never knew that I was going to crack WBCS. I was very much satisfied with my job as a teacher of English and then as a Custom Officer. It was during my service that one of my friends who had also been struggling to get a job brought in me a belief that I could utilise my full potential only if I get into Civil Services. It was for whom that I applied for and succeeded

WBCSMadeEasy: Tell something about yourself? Educational Qualification, Marks/Division/Class, schooling?..

Reza Nafis: I was born and brought up in a very modest lower middle class family which suffered from financial crisis when I grew up to school-going age. Due to these dire circumstances, it was not possible for my parents to admit me in a school of their choice. Took admission in a nearby local govt Urdu medium School. With no help from anywhere, I became my own teacher. Top in School in M.P., took Science in H.S. Finally got Math Hons. But could not pursue it due to acute financial problems.
Did my graduation, B.A. as an External Candidate from C.U.

WBCSMadeEasy: What factors did you consider before selecting your optionals? What were they?

Reza Nafis: I liked History since my childhood and Urdu was one of my elective subjects in Graduation. So I took these two subjects as my optionals.

WBCSMadeEasy: How did you sustain the study-momentum throughout the year?

Reza Nafis:I prepared a routine for studying different subjects at different intervals. Followed it consistently.

WBCSMadeEasy: 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?

Reza Nafis: I studied hardly for two-three hours in the beginning. I picked up the momentum when the Mains was three months away. And studied for hours to somehow manage to complete it in time.

WBCSMadeEasy: Did u use internet, was it effective?

Reza Nafis: Internet played a very key role in my preparation to clear any confusion arising out of conflicting dates and topics. In History I gathered huge information from internet.

WBCSMadeEasy: Which newspapers & magazines you went through?

Reza Nafis: The Hindu, The Times of India Civil Service Chronicle, PD, Chanakya

WBCSMadeEasy: Did u took coaching? How was the experience?

Reza Nafis: I never took tuition and never advocate for it

WBCSMadeEasy What about Interview in WBCS? Was the board cordial? What should be a proper preparation?

Reza Nafis: Interview, I believe, is just a way for bringing out the REAL PERSONALITY of an individual. In 2009, the board was not that cordial or rather you may say I was not fully prepared to get Group A. I ended as Rank 1 Group C as ACTO. (I did not appear at Group B interview)
2010 was lucky for me. A very practical and cordial board. I made most of the opportunity. I was given freedom to be STRAIGHT-FORWARD, HONEST IN MY SAYINGS AND DOINGS, CONFIDENT. They dug out the person within me. Best interview ever.

WBCSMadeEasy: Plz suggest some good books for pre, comp, optional.

Reza Nafis: There's a long list of Books in market that an aspirant may follow. But I kept it very simple for Pre, sticking mainly on basics and concentrating on the older syllabus books of West Bengal Board and some NCERT books for reference. S. CHAND for History and some personal notes

WBCSMadeEasy: What should be the strategy for cracking this exam?What message you want to give to all aspirants?

Reza Nafis:Keep to the basics, study the previous years question papers first to have an overview of the question pattern. Then prepare your own notes based on what you studied from different books. Simple, lucid language, point-wise drafting of answers.

WBCSMadeEasy: Anything else u want to share?

Reza Nafis: Believe in yourself, be confident, consistent. Have patience and perseverance

WBCSMadeEasy: Was it ur 1st attempt? If not what about previous ones?

Reza Nafis:2nd attempt. I got selected as an ACTO Group C in WBCS, 2009


He also wrote us:-
Hats off for your noble mission. Salute to your spirit.
If you've any more queries, pls feel free to ask.