Selfstudyhistory.com’s Interview of Ramareddipeta Rajinikanth [Rank 587, CSE- 2023, History Optional]

Profile of the Candidate

Introduction

(1) Tell us something about yourself. 

I am from Kamareddy district of Telangana state. I am a graduate and post graduate in History. Preparing since 2018. Given 3 mains. Cleared upsc in my 6th attempt.

Questions Related to History Optional

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

Firstly because it has been my academic background. Secondly, interest and advantage in prelims and Mains GS 1 and essay.

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

Positives- It helps in writing mains answers secondly mostly PYQs repeated.

Negatives- Too much syllabus and need repeated revisions and need to remember some facts to substantiate.

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

New ncerts especially 12th themes

Ignou MA history books

Self study history notes

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

Paper 1 – Ancient 3 questions

Paper 2- Modern 3 questions

(6) How did you prepare for Map Portion?

Self study history maps

Ncerts Maps

Rs sharma ancient india book maps

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

3-4 hours daily

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

Yes during my last 2 mains i wrote regularly

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

Self study history test series

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

Yes i made notes and revised them several times because of which i could extensively quote historians, dates and names

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

I have gone through them but I selectively attempted some questions

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

Very analytical and different topics in a single topic which shows one required very deep understanding of history subject and not just general idea

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

Yes many questions but they are analytical

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

With very good notes , presentation and overall understanding of upsc exam pattern.