Interview with Soubhik Bhattacharjee Rank 14-WBCS Exam 2013

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:I was inspired by my brother in law who is presently serving as yhe joint commissioner of Income tax(IRS,2005 batch).Working with the BDOs as an extension officer was also boosted up my inspiration.

WBCSMadeEasy:Tell us something about yourself?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:I did my schooling from Kalyangarh Vidyamandir, ashokenagar,North 24 Pgs with 82% in 10th and 75% in HS. Then Chemistry (Hons) with 58% marks.

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:I selected optional looking at the trend as well as their syllabus, availability of materials and most importantly I got interest in them. Psychology and anthropology were my optional and I find them really interesting.

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:Before getting selected in WBCS (EXE) I was serving as an Inspector of Cooperative societies in purulia II development block and for a short period as a Land Revenue officer, Gaighata BL&LRO office. It was really difficult to balance my work with the study. I have to motivate myself, interact with the aspirants to gain inspiration. I preferred to study at night because I have to do loads of extra dept work in the block level in day time but now when I look back I realise the self motivating factor was the key.

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?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:STUDY HOUR has never been one of my favourite words. I studied when I felt the urge and interest...rest of the time I spent for myself playing guitar and socialising....that was also essential as I was alone doing posting in purulia.
I picked up just before 2 months of the mains...I used to study 4-5 hours a day...that suffice.

WBCSMadeEasy:Did u use internet, was it effective?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:I used internet in a great deal. It was really effective. Most of the current issues I have studied from online magazines. Net can be really effective if used in a controlled manner.

WBCSMadeEasy:Were you doing any other job during preparation?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:Yes...I was an inspector of cooperative societies, Purulia II Dev Block (2011-2014) during the preparation. Later I joined as a land revenue officer (WBCS 2011, Group C) before joining in WBCS(Exe).

WBCSMadeEasy:Which newspapers & magazines you went through?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:Magazines-competition success refresher
News Paper- Times of India

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:Yes, I took coaching for some months in the initial stage of my preparation. They are good if we can select the institutions carefully but I still believe there is no alternative of self study.......young aspirants should not be blown away with the gimmick of advertisement.

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:The interview board of PSC is really cordial. We shouldn’t refer to it as an interview....it’s rather a personality test. They judge whether the candidate has the mental set up to join civil service or not.

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:Nothing more to add.....just follow one good text...please go through other posts...they said it all..

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

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:There is no short cut really...work hard, be patient...u need not to be a rocket scientist or a professor of a subject. Civil service is nothing but a helicopter overview of a huge syllabus. Be patient, follow your own strategy...never leave any question, at least try to answer all of them....mind it failure in one subject or excellence in one paper don’t have any value, you have to perform in a complete manner.During preparation period close all your sensory organs and concentrate...your critics will turn into your sycophants after the success...it’s my personal experience.

WBCSMadeEasy:Was it ur 1st attempt? If not what about previous ones? You are from which batch and what was your rank in WBCS Exam ?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:2009 first attempt-CI (WBCS Group d, Rank 1)
2011 second attempt (WBCS, Group C, RO,Rank 4)
2012 3rd attempt (WBCS Exe,Rank 14)

WBCSMadeEasy:What about the changing pattern of WBCS exam from 2014?

Soubhik Bhattacharjee:No idea...sorry friends...I am not following it anymore.......

We thank Soubhik Bhattacharjee for sparing her precious time to help for aspirants by giving this interview.