From Quora
Questions I answered
242 answers and 26 posts I wrote on Quora, 2015 to 2020.
2020
- Happy Income Tax Day to all Taxpayers! post
- What is the role of sruti box in practicing Carnatic Music and how is that useful for beginners?
- What is your salary? Are you happy with it?
- When Gauri Khan shouted at IT sleuths! post
- What this space is about! post
- Can an IAS, IPS, IRS or an IFS officer grow beard?
- Why do people prefer IRS IT instead of IA&AS when the latter is better in promotions, exit opportunities, etc.?
- I have eye vision of -7 in both eyes. Will I be eligible for the IRS service?
2019
- Why do people in India try all ways to not pay taxes?
- Tamil movie "friends" (contractor Nesamani character) was remake of Malayalam movie "friends". Which one is best among them?
- What does the word "Athiran" mean in Malayalam?
- What is the English word of the Malayalam word “kudukka”?
- How can I improve my ability to memorize so much of information and data for the Civil Services (UPSC) preparations?
- What urges you to collect stamps?
- What happened to the palaces of the Pandavas, and other kings of the Mahabharata and if the Egyptian pyramids can survive till now, then why haven’t structures from the Mahabharata survive which were in the same era?
- Can IRS (Indian revenue service) officers sue big corporate companies if these companies are found guilty of evading taxes by unfair means?
- What is your biggest regret in life?
- How is IGNOU’s material for history as an optional?
- Will my UPSC application be rejected if my photo has a shadow on it? Face is clear but there is a shadow behind.
- Can a person who has failed for btech exams and later cleared it, ever get in to IAS post?
- Do all services in civil services, a foreign training compulsory? Can foreign training be avoided?
- What is the unusual phenomenon that occurs at Chandipur?
- What is the salary of a junior IRS and IAAS officer?
- Where are the other training institutes of officer’s training for other services like IFS, IRS, IAAS etc.?
- Why we pay indirect tax when we are paying income tax?
- At what rank on an average does most of the IRS (IT) officers retire, if he serves for 30 years?
- How does it feel for women when they deliver a baby?
- How many holidays does an IRS officer get in a year (not on papers, but in real life)?
- What can be done to improve the usage of public toilets in India. Most of these toilets are in very poor conditions?
- How did Vishnu H. Prasad make notes for the static syllabus of the UPSC?
- What are some embarrassing puberty stories?
- What is some career advice or guidance?
- What is the best incident you can share from Bharat Darshan?
- What is the most unexpected question that was asked to you in UPSC interview?
- What are the best modifications for a Royal Enfield Classic 350?
- Who is more powerful, IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS?
- Has any UPSC topper ever chosen any other service over IAS?
- What are the transfer policies of IAAS? Is it similar to IRS?
2018
- What happens to old movies, music, or other posters after they have lost relevance?
- What does your room look like?
- How do you organize files and folders on your desktop OS?
- What monthly subscriptions and services do you pay for?
- Joining NADT post
- What was your first day at National Academy of Direct Taxes like?
- A Tough Decision post
2017
- How do I motivate myself to do something productive after a hard day of work?
- What are the chances to crack the civil services exam for an average student?
- What can I learn in 5minutes that will have a positive effect on my life forever?
- What should one do in their 20s to avoid regrets in their 30s and 40s?
- What is unique about your college? For example, what separates a college from others?
- What do you carry in your bag every day, regardless if it’s used?
- Can you share inside office pics of RBI?
- Getting to know the Desert State post
- How does one overcome bad habits?
- Are people of Kerala forced to eat beef?
- What is the best original romantic conversation you can write?
- Why can't we address "United States of India" instead of India, reminding people that other states live in harmony with them?
- What is the highest post in IAAS which one can become, if he joins early at the age of 23?
- What will happen if we attend a civil service interview with a beard?
- Why does marriage take work? Isn't love supposed to make it easier?
- Without saying the state (in India), can you tell me where you're from?
- Executive Course on Finance - IIM Ahmedabad post
- Is it safe to be a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force?
- International Centre for Information Systems Audit, Noida post
- In IAAS, can you spend the majority of your career in your state?
- What is your review of Blinkist?
- Young! Indian Mains Guidance Program post
- Guidance for CSE Mains 2017 post
- Is there any Guidance program for UPSC CSE Mains 2017?
- What we learn in NAAA! post
- Which is the best book to read about Gandhi?
- If India's population wasn't massive then would India have been a rich country by now?
- What is something you wanted to do but never did?
- Will BMI matter in the medical examination after the interview for the UPSC exam? Will underweight or overweight people be disqualified?
- How much are the fees for learning kalaripayattu in Kerala?
- Day 3: Sangla Kanda and Nati @ Chitkul post
- Are there any informal books (i.e. not for exam purposes) on Indian polity, economy and history that a common man can read in his free time?
- What actors in the movies or on TV have the best voices?
- What's the best advice for teenagers going into their 20s?
- Why do you write?
- Do the IAAS officers get official personal vehicles and houses at the time of first posting after probation?
- Do IAAS trainees get leave for writing the UPSC exam?
- Do you think IAS would lose importance (being a generalist job) as the world moves toward specialisation?
- Do you think you are at par with the CAs providing auditing and accounting services to private entities?
- How did you digitise books which are not available in an e-book/PDF format? Is there a faster, inexpensive way to do it than scanning each page?
- How did you map UPSC syllabus with books you chose for reading that subject? I have a problem in deciding, how do I decide?
- How should I store my current affairs notes from The Hindu in Evernote?
- How should I tackle topics like reservation, which I am firmly against, in the UPSC interview?
- Is there any special advantage of staying in Delhi while preparing for UPSC CSE?
- What advantages would one have by serving in Kerala compared to other South Indian states? What would be the career opportunity he/she would get?
- What advice would you give a 17 year old girl who had a breakup last night?
- What do you think were the biggest factors that led you to success in the UPSC CSE?
- What is it like to be in the Indian Audit & Accounts Service? What are the perks of this service?
- What things shall one keep in mind if he/she is not taking a coaching for a competitive exam?
- What type of police verification is done before going to academy?
- Will all civil servants who have joined after 2004 get their pensions after retirement?
- How does hawala trading work in India?
- What should I know before messaging you on Quora?
- Can UPSC aspirants share pictures of their study room?
- How is life at National Academy of Audit and Accounts?
- How is the typical day routine at National Academy of Audit and Account Service, Shimla?
- How much field exposure is given, both national and international, during training at the National Academy of Audit & Accounts?
- Are there any places in Kerala where one could learn Kalari and Varma Kalari for free?
- Do you believe that there is a particular work culture associated with Kerala?
- Even though it is the most literate state in India, why is the population density in Kerala the highest amongst the southern states?
- Why all Keralites are united in the matter of beef?
- Why are almost all houses in Kerala pyramid-shaped at the top?
- Why is a female child considered more valuable than a male child in Kerala, while it's the other way round in the rest of the country?
- Why is The Hindu considered better than the other daily newspapers in India?
- Why is the state of Kerala, India a “basket case”?
- Why should an IAS aspirant visit Kerala? Will it be helpful in any way during the written exam or interview?
- Day 2: Sleeping hamlets- Batseri and Chitkul post
- Day 1: A trip to the land of Apples! post
- The View from my Window and some other thoughts post
- It’s spring in Shimla! post
- Will Vishnu H Prasad go for IRS-IT and leave IA&AS?
- What is your favourite pastime?
- Who on Quora have made it into the final list of UPSC CSE 2016?
- As a trader, apart from Moneycontrol, what are some good sites for tracking upcoming news related to the stock markets?
- What is the difference between and which is the best to work for among ICAS, IAAS and IDAS? Why can't they combine all three services into one?
- Can a non engineering graduate take electrical engineering as an optional for CSE?
- Did the CUSAT play any role in Vishnu H Prasad's selection in civil services, directly or indirectly?
- Do I need to write "Shashi Tharoor" type English to score more in my Mains exam?
- Do engineering students have an edge over arts stream students in civil service exams?
- Does every service get paid from the training period, which starts after the announcement of the UPSC final results?
- Have you read any coaching class notes?What do you think about it?
- How do I write an effective essay for the UPSC Mains?
- How is Kerala State Civil Service Academy at Kozhikode? Does it perform well compared to its counterpart at Trivandrum? Is the rigor lacking focus here?
- How is your experience so far working as an IAAS officer? What is the training like?
- How should I remember current affairs for UPSC?
- How will one get EOL for appearing for the UPSC exam again?
- Is there any scaling in the General Study papers?
- Should we make notes from every NCERT and other reference books that we read during preparations or selectively?
- What are the best subjects for Mains preparation for a computer science background student?
- What are the materials and sources you followed for Geography?
- What's the training salary in IAAS?
- When is the right time to quit Civil Services preparation?
- Which is comparatively a good choice for an optional subject in the UPSC?
- Which websites should I refer to for international relations? What are some suggestions for a good source for information on economic current affairs?
- Which post will be the best for an aspirant clearing Civil Services at the age of 28, IRS or IAAS?
- Which service is better - the Indian Railway Traffic service or the Indian Audit and Account Service?
- While writing Mains are you able to recall all the points which you learned?
- Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
- Are there any educational credentials for CSE?
- An Accidental Civil servant, why accidental?
- Could you list the reasons why promotions in IA&AS are almost at par with IAS despite having far lower cadre strength (almost one-third)?
- Could you name some reliable sources to prepare for Mathematics as optional in CSE?
- Does your BTech graduation percentage matter in the UPSC interview? Will the candidates be judged by their overall graduation percentage?
- Hello Sir, I work as an auditor in CAG Audit. .Should I give IAAS as first preference in UPSC given the less hectic and apolitical nature of the job?
- How advisable is it to prepare for Bank PO and SSC CGL alongwith UPSC CSE?
- How do I spend or manage the last week before prelims 2017?
- How do I sustainably remember terms in history, folk dances, GI tags, endangered animals and such other stuff?
- How is Tamil Nadu Textbook for Ancient and Medieval History for Prelims preparation?
- I am getting 70-80 marks in mock tests on prelims. I am getting depressed about my score. What should I do to increase my score?
- I am preparing for the UPSC exam in 2019. What should be my focus first, the Prelims or the Mains?
- Is a study circle very important for civil services preparation, or can it be prepared for with self-study in almost complete isolation?
- Is it easy to pass the Malayalam language exam for the UPSC, having not taken it as a subject in school? I can speak and read colloquial Malayalam.
- What is the best note making and revision strategy for integrated UPSC Mains and Prelims preparation?
- What other exams can I give with a preparation level of UPSC CSE?
- What was the attitude that you approached subjects with during your preparation? Was it with an intent to learn, or to somehow finish the concept?
- Where can I get encouragement with regard to my preparation for the UPSC?
- Who are the Quorans who are really good at analyzing the Indian stock market?
- Why do I need to read NCERTs for UPSC if I am comfortable with starting out on Standard books like Ramesh S and Laxmikant?
- With the advent of the Vision IAS monthly current affairs module, do I need to take notes out of The Hindu?
- Can a cigarette be a factor for medical in the UPSC?
- What qualities define a good stock trader?
- What are the common mistakes that candidates make before/during Preliminary Exam of CSE-UPSC? How to rectify it?
- Can someone provide any guidelines to help me in the preparation for UPSC CSE?
- Do Zebpay and Unocoin allow bitcoin mining?
- Are Indian foreign service, IAS, IPS officer allowed to invest in shares and stocks, if yes do disproportionate gains arise suspicion?
- A Tour of our Home: Yarrows post
- How can one apply engineering skills in service like IAAS or other central services?
- Can Engineering graduates become IAAS (Indian Audit and Accounts Service) officers?
- Can we take one year of extraordinary leave in IA&AS (just like IRS) and appear for the CSE next year without being on probation?
- My syllabus is totally incomplete. What should I do to crack UPSC Preliminary 2017 in a short time period?
- Which books of medievel history and with what strategy did Vishnu Sir read during his preparation for Mains optional paper?
- How should a person in their early 20s invest their money?
- Upinder Singh vs R. S. Sharma vs Romilla Thapar: Which ancient history book is the most reliable resource for writing answers in the UPSC Mains?
- The Failure and the Tragedy post
- Training Diary post
- What is the future of Indian Parliament? post
- Can an IAS/IPS officer own an Audi/BMW, based on their earnings?
- How can I cover current affairs for UPSC prelims in 3 months? is it advisable that to go through the monthly magazine of vision IAS 2016 or pt 365?
- How do I stay active for long hours while preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination? Can anyone in IA & AS stay at one period for a longer time?
- How are the first 24 hours after seeing your name in the final Civil services exam merit list? How does life change?
- Are the current controversial diplomatic issues between India and other countries relevant for the Civil Services Exam?
- At 24, is it too late to start preparing for the Civil Services Exam? I have a keen interest in current affairs, and have qualified for IAF in the UPSC Combined Defense Services Exam thrice without much preparation. Is a 2-year preparation enough?
- How has the UPSC Civil Services preparation changed your personality?
- David prepares for the fight: Inter-Service Meet post
- How should one fill out the DAF form for the UPSC civil services?
- Mumbai-Delhi-Shimla: Back in Yarrows post
- Answers on Indian Audit and Accounts Service post
- Elephanta Caves and Maheshmurti post
- Is IDAS (Indian Defence Account Service) better than IA&AS?
- Visit to the Dadasaheb Phalke Filmcity, Mumbai post
- How should I make a timetable for the UPSC CSE in 2018, from April 2017?
- Here’s All I have to share about UPSC CSE post
- What is civil services (IAS) exams procedure?
- Which job is better, IAS or IAAS?
- How is the history optional subject useful in UPSC preparation? How can I prepare for the history optional for mains?
- What is the 'height' of your Civil Services (UPSC IAS) preparation?
- Which is better service in UPSC IRS or IA&AS?
- Can we write the UPSC exam in the general category for the first attempt and change to OBC for the next year/next time?
- Will my application form for UPSC CSE be rejected if I upload a signature with the wrong rotation?
- Is there any restriction on type of pen to be used while writing Civil Service Mains examination?
- How do I keep motivating myself for IAS preparations?
- What is it like to fail in the first attempt of UPSC civil service exam?
- Is it okay to study the Gist of NCERT than reading all the NCERT books for UPSC?
- Which is the best way to prepare for IAS without wasting lots of money?
- Should I quit job and started preparing for UPSC?
- What was Vishnu H. Prasad's book list for the UPSC and how did he create his study plan?
- Why do so many people fail at clearing IAS?
- Are there any UPSC aspirants with history as optional on Quora?
2016
- Is the RBI Grade B exam as tough as the civil services exam? In how much time can one prepare for the RBI Grade B exam?
- Which is the best book for pre and post independence history of India?
- How do I determine what is important when taking notes from a textbook?
- Can we use pen and paper in the UPSC interview?
- What is the best pen to write the UPSC Mains exam with that is reasonably priced?
- Which pen did you use in the UPSC CSE Mains?
- Is there any possibility cuttoff for Upsc prelims 2016 under 100?
- What is your daily routine or how do/did you manage your daily time for UPSC preparation?
- What's so special about M.K. Gandhi in the Indian independence struggle?
- What are the things that an IAS aspirant must have in his room?
- Did India make a mistake by choosing 'Mixed Economy' after independence?
- How was the Civil services Prelims 2016 paper?
- What is the level of hardness of 2016's civil services prelims?
- Why is it considered that Vasco da Gama discovered India even though people like Alexander the Great already invaded India centuries ago?
- Will it be right to replace 'The Hindu' by 'InsightsOnIndia'?
- Will the UPSC syllabus and pattern be changed before 2017?
- Can I give the UPSC exam after doing a BA LLB? Is it an impossible task?
- What were Chandragupta Maurya's accomplishments?
- Which empire has a more lasting cultural influence on India: Mughal or Marathas?
- What books should I read to know about Indian history from a neutral view? (See comment)
- What is the extent and settlements of the harappan civilization?
2015
- Is fluently talking in English necessary for an IAS aspirant?
- Why did Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, and Ashoka follow different religions?
- How do I make notes using Evernote while preparing for the UPSC Civil Service Examination?
- What are the strongest arguments against net neutrality?
- What is the defect of having net neutrality?
- How did Nepal manage to remain uncolonized? How did it manage to remain as an independent country?
- The Hindu: From which month should one read The Hindu for UPSC 2016 preparations?
- How did really large empires survive without long distance communication? Why didn't the states far from capital break away?
- I wanted to know 1000's of years of history of India in 10 books. What those books would be?
- What should one think of before selecting history or geography as an optional in upsc? Specifics about the subject study n syllabus are welcome.
- Astrologer says I will never become an IAS officer. Should I believe in Kismat (fate), or that my strong determination and hard work can beat it?
- Can I prepare for IAS just by studying 3 hours everyday (I have started reading NCERT)? How can a busy working professional study and pass the exam within 1–2 years?
- Can we pass UPSC mains 2016 exam if we study for it right after prelims 2016 exam?
- Is Political Science and International Relations a good optional for UPSC Mains?
- What are the booklist (including NCERT) for the preparation of UPSC CSE?
- Why is the Indus Valley Civilization also known as the Harappa Civilization?
- What are the better ways of memorizing different articles of the constitution of India?
- India: What happens if the central government refuses to follow a supreme court's serious instruction?
- Can you name current Indian historians who are famous?
- Is reservation in India against the right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution? Why is there reservation when we are all equal according to the Constitution?
- What are the expected outcomes of war between Nepal and India?
- What effects does Indian constitution has on my daily life?
- What is in article 356 in the Indian constitution?
- Which is the most safest state in India if a war breaks out?
- What if india would have promoted uniculture instead of diverse culture?
- What is the best way to make Indians feel as one, rather than taking regional identity?
- Why does a nation like Britain aids a nation like India ? And they say it as succour for making India its repressed colony. Does India need it? Wouldn’t a humble sorry be enough?
- How would India be, had Tippu sultan got help from Napolen to fight against British?
- I will study Computer Science in college but I can't afford to buy a laptop. Is it possible just to use computers in the school for studying?
- Is digital India going to make its impression more than make in India?
- What if we give all powers to POLICE? Is this possible in india?
- Which one is the correct answer?
- Why didnt Indians invade other countries as like, mughals and britishers, Spanish did?
- Why didn't the powerful Maurya Empire capture the land of Tamils?