Maths Strategy of Utsav

Gautam (AIR 33, UPSC-CSE

2017)
Disclaimer : All the things mentioned below is based on my
experience. It is not the only strategy. I humbly believe in
principle of Anekantavada.
Dear all,

I have written 4 mains with maths and secured variety of marks

in them. I got 238(122+116) in 2014, 195 (122+73) in 2015, 288
(145+143) in 2016 and 310 (147+163) in 2017. I have interacted
with numerous aspirants who took mathematics in these 4 years.
I would like share various aspects that I have observed in
these years. I did no coaching for maths. Neither did I join
any test series.

Choosing Mathematics as an optional

Many aspirants take mathematics as an optional and after

exhausting 2-3 attempts with maths, realized that maths was
not the right optional for them. Changing optional is the most
unfortunate thing that can happen to an aspirant. Therefore
decision that whether to take maths or not needs a lot of
self-assessment and introspection.

Aspirants many times are attracted by the high marks obtained

by toppers every year, which gives illusion that maths is a
scoring subject. People who are the top scorers in maths (lets
say top 20-25 people) will get 280-300+ marks. Rest are bound
to get less marks because of scaling. It is just the beauty of
scaling method which leads to wide variety of score. I got 73
in paper II in 2015. Since I was in lower percentile of
candidates, scaling decreased my marks by a big factor.

There is no time for learning basic mathematics while reading

about the optional. One should be comfortable with basic
topics. He/she should improvise on easy topics and learn the
topics which are difficult by doing a lot of practice.

Usually Btech or BSc/MSc maths people take mathematics as

optional. Before taking mathematics one should be comfortable
with easy topics such as linear algebra, Calculas, Ordinary
and Partial Differential Equations and Complex analysis. If
one is not comfortable with these topics then he/she should
think twice before talking mathematics.

Scoring good marks in maths requires competing with the

aspirants who have some natural skill in maths, which even
includes competing with finest IIT minds as well. There is no
time for building base. Choose mathematics only if you have
strong liking and interest in mathematics which includes
possessing some inherent skill in maths. Students who have
performed well in their Btech/Bsc in maths courses, can infer
that they have some level of comfortableness in mathematics.

Coaching or no coaching

Ideally a person who is good in mathematics, will not feel any

need for coaching. Unlike humanities optional where many
aspirants take optional without having any background of it.
Science optional (especially Maths and engineering optional)
is taken by people who have some background for it. So there
is not much case for taking coaching so as to get some
acquaintance with maths. Except for some difficult topics like
Abstract Algebra, fluid mechanics there is no need for any
coaching guidance. Usually all recommended books contain
solved examples which are more than sufficient for teaching a
new topic. But still if one thinks of going to coaching, I
would advise to do it for selected topics and not for all.

Joining Test series ?

As per present trend, UPSC maths paper level is quite tough

which is not matched by any test series in the market. I think
doing difficult problems from recommended books in a time
bound manner is more fruitful than joining test series
available presently in the market.

Recommended book list and Strategy

Paper 1

Linear Alegbra : this is the one of the easiest portion in

paper 1. The key lies in finding the correct answer in minimum
time. Linear Algebra book and Matrices Book by Krishna series
is sufficient. One can read schaum series as well. Please do
last 15 years UPSC question from this chapter for
improvisation.
Calculus : Questions from this chapter are also
straightforward. Books needed are : Shanti Narayan – Course on
Mathematical Analysis (S. Chand), mathematical analysis by
S.C. Malik and Savita Arora. For covering asymptotes and curve
tracing, differential calculus by shanti Narayan needs to be
studied. For practicing definite integral question (which is
coming as 10 marker), Series Integral Calculus by A.R.
Vashishtha (Krishna Series) can be studied.
Analytical Geometry : Analytical geometry by shanti Narayan (S
Chand) or Series Analytical Geometry by A R Vasishtha(Krishna
Series). Krishna series book contains more solved examples so
I personally prefer it. Questions pertaining to conicoid are
not easy, so for some selective good questions, how to start
the question needs to be remembered.
Ordinary Differential Equation: M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand).
For Laplace, selective chapter from advance differential
equation by M D raisinghania needs to be studied. Focus should
be on solving question without doing ZERO calculation
mistakes.
Vector Analysis: Vector Analysis by Krishna series. Solve at
least last 15 year question from UPSC paper.
Statics : Krishna Series
Dynamics : Krishna Series
Solve relevant chapters from Krishna series for statics and
dynamics. Mostly question is coming from these books only. If
a new question comes in exam which is not easy, it becomes
difficult to solve in that pressure situation.
For friction: Read Golden Statics By N.P Bali. It is there on
google books.
Paper 2

Modern Alegbra : Group theory by R Kumar and Ring theory by R

Kumar( Vardhaman Publications). Question in past 2 years have
become very tricky. They are asking proof of theorems. So
approach should be to cover basics first and get comfortable
level in it and then go for learning higher stuff. This
portion creates a lot of challenge for majority of students as
they read modern alebra for first time in their student life.
Therefore ample time and lot of revisions are needed.
Real Analysis : Raisinghania – Elements of Real Analysis (S.
Chand) and Mathematical Analysis by S.C. Malik and Savita
Arora. Since past 2 years, there has been some very
unconventional questions from this portion. Some question in
my opinion are meant to be bouncer, so nothing much can be
done on that front. Therefore the best approach is to ensure
that one should be able to solve easy and moderate level
questions. Please do past 15 year papers from this portion.
Complex Analysis : complex analysis by Krishna series. This
portion is quite straight forward.
Linear Programming : Linear Programming by R.K Gupta. One of
easiest topic. But ensure by adequate practice and diligence
that there is no mistake in finding answer.
Partial Differential Equations– M.D. Raisinghania + internet
searching for practicing boundary value problem. I will also
upload some material on this.
Numerical analysis : Jain & Iyengar book or any book which is
there in state engineering college mathematics course. I will
upload a pdf also soon.
Fluid Mechanics : M D Raisinghania. This portion is very
challenging. Best bet is to memorise and practice examples
form this book. If some tough question comes in exam which is
not from this book, it becomes quite unapproachable.
Mechanics: Rigid Dynamics (Volume I & Volume II). It has
similar case as that of Fluid mechanics.

General tips

Try to solve past 20 years question papers. If time doesn’t

permits, atleast solve papers for the portion that I have
mentioned.
Revision is the must thing. Even if you cover some tough topic
and don’t revise it enough. Touch will be lost, and all the
hard done earlier will go in vain. So revise, revise and
revise. My typical revision schedule after prelims was like
that
Fluid mechanics, mechanics : 4 times
Statics, dynamics, modern algebra : 3 times
Rest topics : 2 times
Focus and practice a lot on finding the correct answer. Silly
mistakes can cost you dearly. As it did in my case.
Revise all formulas once in every 2 weeks
Paper 2 in 2016 and 2017 came very tough. I think this will
become a norm. Please practice more for this paper.

Source: xaam.in