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An average performer at school and at college. Couldn’t manage beyond the Main in the first two
attempts. Had taken a break to concentrate in a career in teaching. He finally resurrects himself much like
the Phoenix to top the list for IAS this year! Read about this remarkable man, Alok Ranjan Jha, his efforts
and his success...
Q. What was the real shift in emphasis in your preparations in this third attempt?
A. I think I was more methodical and systematic this time.
Q. Apart from what you have already told us, what do you think of Sociology as a
subject? How did you prepare?
It is interesting, particularly, the theory part. The way we have to study about thinkers, is fairly
interesting. And, a friend of mine, Nayanika Mathur was a great help to me. At that time she was a
student of the Delhi School of Economics.
Q. What about General Studies? What was going wrong with you in previous
attempts?
One of the biggest mistakes I made in both my previous attempts, was time management and that still
remains a problem. One of the two papers was quite lengthy. In the first attempt it was difficult to
manage all questions. So I was very careful this time. I said to myself if I am not able to write more
than 150 words within 3 or 4 minutes I am not going to succeed. I would rather leave the answer
incomplete than exceed the time limit. So, time management was one factor that made the difference.
Q. You did graduation from Hindu College and then you went to JNU. What do you
think is the difference in approach in both universities?
As far as merit and academic excellence of faculties is concerned, both are equally good. As a place
for students JNU is far more compact. There is much more interaction among the students at JNU than
compared to that of DU. Of course, the number of students in JNU is far less. No doubt, JNU does
have very meritorious students, but that is true for the Delhi University too.
Q. So, do you attribute your success to your school and those formative years?
Every school as an institution always gives its contribution to an individual. We might not realise that in
concrete terms. It has left a deep impact on my personality, attitude towards the world and the people
around me because it is the first place where socialization begins outside the family.