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Interview with IAS Toppers-Karthik
Adapa ( 2008)
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How to
Prepare
A
doctor by profession, Karthik
Adapa gave up scholarships to Harvard and Cambridge to join the Indian
Administrative Services. Thinking beyond marks, appreciating the value of each
subject and teaching these very subjects to students during his preparation
helped him ace the exam.Now stationed at Ranikhet, a small town in Uttarakhand ,
Karthik (who was ranked first in the IAS exam of 2008) aspires to make a
difference by working at the grassroots...
Why did you opt for the
IAS?
It offers a
tremendous opportunity for leadership and to work at the grassroots level. For
example, I now work in a small town with a population of around 20,000. It is
such a backward region that even a little work we do has a tremendous impact on
the people here. You also get a chance to impact people's lives across a variety
of domains such as health, education, water, sanitation, roads and electricity.
In fact, as a topper, I was given the option to go to my hometown in Khammam,
Andhra Pradesh but I chose Ranikhet as it's a much more backward place and
that's the kind of place I wanted to contribute to.
Medicine is considered a
noble profession. What prompted you to move out of it?
I enjoyed being a
doctor and in fact, continue to be a doctor even now. In my capacity as an
administrator, I organise health camps, where I also serve as a doctor. But what
I realised is that as a doctor, the canvas you get to paint on is very small.
Health is the only field you can work in as a doctor.
Tell us about life as a
student...
I was always a good
student, which helped me secure admission to a national medical college. I got a
scholarship for a postgraduation at both Harvard and Cambridge. I also got a
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation scholarship for a PhD in Molecular Medicine at
Harvard and the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Trust Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
for my PhD in Cambridge. But I opted for the IAS. In two earlier attempts, I
also got through the Indian Police Services, but I let it pass, too.
Three attempts? It
sounds taxing! How did you prepare?
I enjoyed the
process. I wish I had to give ten attempts so I could study for ten years! You
actually grow a lot in the process; the reading is voracious. I look upon it as
a way of life and not much has changed since those times for me. I still read a
lot, keep abreast of what's happening in the world, in the country, in my state.
Which subjects did you
chose during the mains and why?
Zoology and
Psychology. Having done medicine, which is Advanced Biology, I wanted to go back
to my basics and study Zoology, which is Basic Biology. I also wanted to study
one subject that was different and would tell me something I enjoy in life and
Psychology fitted the bill well. I worked really hard in Psychology. Though I
didn't score too well, it gave me new perspectives to see my life events. It
brings about a holistic change in your personality, which happens as long as you
don't study merely for marks but internalise the subject. You must appreciate
the basics of the subject and study its varied topics.
How did you prepare for
the exam?
I referred to basic
textbooks like Morgan & King and Barrons. Then you have advanced textbooks for
each subject; Coleman for Abnormal Psychology, Pearson's for Education
Psychology. I would devote six to eight hours a day, but more than the number of
hours, it is the quality and consistency of your studies that matter. I used to
be very consistent with my reading.
What did you do differently in Attempt 3, which enabled you to crack it?
I feel I was much
more focused and also put in more effort than in my first two attempts; however,
some things you learn only with experience. Lesson 1, I learned how to manage my
time better after going through the entire process twice. Lesson 2, never to
ignore Prelims even after your Mains or your interview because when the results
are out, you don't have any time left for the next year's Prelims.
Any interview tips
for IAS aspirants...
Just be yourself!
The more artificial you are, the more you will struggle. While preparing,
'studying' newspapers is the ultimate thing. I read
The Hindu, which is by far the best newspaper when preparing
for the Civil Services Exam. While preparing, don't merely 'read' the newspaper,
'study' the newspaper, just like you would a textbook. Underline, make notes,
analyse, draw some conclusions, discuss.
Who was the
inspiration behind your success?
My teachers and my
students.
Your students?
I taught Zoology
and General Studies at Evolution, a coaching institute, during my preparation
while simultaneously preparing for General Studies with study material from
Rajaram & Ravi, another coaching institute. If I didn't teach a topic well, my
students' faces said it all. This would encourage me to study and understand
better, work hard and ultimately teach better. So I thank my teachers for
teaching me and my students for bearing with me and tolerating me.
How has your
administrative experience been so far?
We have a period of independent charge as part of my training. Hence I am at
Ranikhet as the Joint Magistrate, for the last one-and-a-half months. I am the
youngest but still the leader of the entire team. Hence I need to be the energy
and motivator of the team. Ranikhet is located in the hills where everything
usually closes by 6 pm. But our office remains open till 8 or 9 pm, sometimes
longer. We are trying to make the administration friendlier and improve health,
education, etc. In fact, I have lodged the first FIR against illegal mining in
Uttarakhand, probably a first in all of North India
Courtesy: Nitin Jindal / Rediff.com
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