Selfstudyhistory.com’s Interview of Kritika Bhardwaj [Rank 370, CSE- 2023, History Optional]

Profile of the Candidate

Introduction

(1) Tell us something about yourself.

My name is Kritika Bhardwaj. I was born and brought up in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. I completed my schooling from DPS, Agra and pursued my graduation and post graduation from Hindu College, DU. After that, I started the preparation for UPSC Civil Services. My optional subject was History.

Questions Related to History Optional

(2) Why did you choose history as your optional subject?

• I had an interest in the subject since Class XI (I had humanities stream), which is why I also decided to do my graduation and post graduation from the same subject. My academic interest also translated into proficiency in university. By this time, I had a nebulous idea that I would use it as my Optional in UPSC CSE as well. Also, it has significant overlaps with GS 1.

(3) Kindly mention positive and negative about the History Optional for those who what to take history optional.

• Positive– It forms a major portion of both Prelims and Mains exam syllabus especially GS 1 in Mains exam. An awareness of history usually equips you better to understand various other events and phenomenon in society in general.
• Negative– No negatives as such according to me, but lengthy syllabus may be a
  consideration. Map is also getting a bit tricky. However, I feel the main factor that must persuade one to take this optional must be their own personal interest in the subject.

(4) Kindly mention booklist and sources which you followed for History Optional.

• NCERTs (especially 11th and 12th), Upinder Singh’s A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, Satish Chandra’s Medieval History (selected topics), Bipan Chandra’s India’s Struggle for Independence (selected topics), Arjun Dev’s Story of Civilization for World History(selected topics), Self Study History Topic wise materials, self notes

(5) In Paper I and II, you answered 3 questions from Part A or Part B?

• From Part A in both papers.

(6) How did you prepare for Map Portion?

• Self Study History map materials, self notes

(7) How much time per day you used to give the history optional during your preparation (both before and after prelims)?

• No specified hours, but consistency is important, I feel. 2-3 hours everyday on an
  average.

(8) Did you do answer writing regularly? If yes, what amount of time you devoted to it and how did it help you?

• Answer writing is sine qua non for mains. Not doing answer writing practice costed me an attempt. Topic wise tests in the beginning and full length tests before mains helps. 3 hours of answer writing is satisfactory.

(9) Did you join any test series? If yes, kindly name it? How did it benefit you?

• I joined Self Study History test series as well as Vajiram and Ravi test series. Writing answers in stipulated time limit gives a fair idea about exam. Exposure to expected themes in the exam also helps you prepare better.

(10) Did you maintain self-notes? If yes, how did it help you?

• Yes. Since my graduation and post graduation was in History, I had some notes from the beginning. In addition, I also made UPSC specific notes. It helps in personalising and customizing our preparation, in addition to saving time.

(11) Have you solved previous years papers of history optional? Did it help you in the examination?

• PYQs of Optional are a must because themes are often repeated. Moreover, it also
  helps in assessing the standard level of questions that UPSC expects.

(12) In your views, how the nature of questions asked in history optional changed in
recent years?

• True to the nature of History, the UPSC questions shows facets of continuity as well as changes. We can expect continuity in the form of repeated themes. E. G. Mauryan empire and it’s nature, one question from Harappan Civilization, Gupta era in ancient India. Similarly, from medieval India, we can expect one question from Sultanate era.
• However, there are some interesting changes as well. The questions are becoming more analytical and dynamic. Map question is becoming a bit tricky as well. World History questions are diversifying.

(13) Were you asked questions related to History in interview? If yes, kindly mention those.

Yes.
1. Why did Budhhism decline in India and flourish in S. E. Asia?
2. Is History subjective or objective?
3. Why is it important to study History?
4. How will you use your knowledge of History in administration?

(14) How did selfstudyhistory.com benefitted you in your History Optional Preparation?

• Concise notes, topic wise materials helped in value addition. Test series also aided in assessing my overall performance keeping in mind the pattern of UPSC. .

(15) Any specific thing you want to share about history optional?

• History Optional is a lengthy optional and scoring is not very easy, but it is a deeply interesting subject. With thorough and consistent preparation as well as a touch of originality, one can clear it with flying colors.

Click here for Answer Sheet of Kritika Bhardwaj [Rank 370, CSE- 2023]