SACHIN DESHPANDE, a final year MTech (Biological Sciences and Bioengineering) Student from IIT Kanpur, secured All India Rank of 24 (Roll Number 356742) in CSIR December 2013 JRF Exam.
He joined helpBIOTECH Academy for both GATE and CSIR coaching [2013 June Batch]. In an exclusive interview with helpBIOTECH, Sachin shared his success journey and preparation plan for CSIR ………….
Q. Tell us about your background?
I completed my education till BTech Food Technology from University College of Technology, Osmania University. Hyderabad. I completed my 10+2 with Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Since my school days I was interested in taking up Biology as my career path. But I was also good at Maths and eventually choose Maths stream in 10+2 as I was advised for that by my elders. Then I ended up doing my BTech in Food Technology. But all this while I never forgot where my true passion lied, that was a career in BIOLOGY.
Q. Your CSIR JRF AIR 24. helpBIOTECH curious know about secret of your success?
The secret to my success is the passion for my subject, dedicated hard work and Dr. Rajasekhar Sir's (helpBIOTECH Academy Director) guidance. I have always used curiosity as a motivation to get in depth Knowledge of the subject. This was further enriched by attending Dr. Rajasekhar Sir's classes who explained the concept of CSIR exam, problem solving skills especially Part C question and his constant encouragement to perform better. The helpBIOTECH Academy mock tests helped me to master the art of solving experiment oriented problems. Last but not the least if you want to be a Researcher then you have to start thinking and acting like one during your preparation time.
Q. You had any specific plan?
I started my CSIR Coaching at helpBIOTECH Academy from January 2013. After understanding the pattern of CSIR, I focused on concepts which I could better understand - Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Plant Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Cell Signaling and Ecology. My main focus was on Biochemistry and Ecology as these were advised by Dr. Rajasekhar Sir.
I could not qualify CSIR in my first attempt and joined IIT Kanpur based on my GATE score. But I was not satisfied and pursued my goal of qualifying CSIR while at IIT Kanpur. I had Dr. Rajasekhar Sir's notes and I revised them twice every weak and also solved many question papers in whatever available time I found. At the beginning of December, I started revising notes and studied 7 hours daily. I was working towards scoring a minimum of 60 marks in Part C as this is the most significant part.
Q. How would you visualize and attribute your success?
There are two components to my success. One is passion and curiosity in the subject (I often asked the very basic questions and a strong basic knowledge is very essential in this field.). Second is that I was fortunate enough to be under Dr. Rajasekhar Sir's guidance. He is an inspirational personality and I am blessed to be his student.
Q.How did your parents, family and friends contribute to your success?
My parents gave me the freedom to change my field after my BTech. Their belief in my potential was what gave me the wings to fly towards success.
I would also like to thank my friend and co-guide Shivkumar, who encouraged me in the beginning when I was preparing for GATE.
Q.Which books did you read for the General Aptitude and Life Sciences?
As I am from Maths background, I could perform well in general aptitude and logical reasoning so I did not refer any particular books but solved my aptitude question from previous question papers of CSIR, GATE etc.
The various books I read related to life sciences
Biochemistry- Lehninger, Stryer
Plant physiology- Salisbury and Ross (Excellent Book)
Development Biology- Scott Gilbert (I added this to my profile as I work in a Developmental Biology Lab)
Immunology- Kuby
Cell and Molecular Biology (Including Signal Transduction) -Lodish, Gerald Karp
Ecology- Dr. Rajasekhar Sir's notes and online source material
Genetics - Dr. Nanda (helpBIOTECH Academy Director) class notes
(Prescott for basic microbiology)
Q. What was your daily timetable during the preparation?
During my days at helpBIOTECH Academy Director Academy, I studied 8 hours daily (Including everyday 3-4 hour classes). Since Academy gave a timetable starting every week, I studied the topic to be covered one day before and the next day in class I enriched my grasp and gained permanent memory of the topic. I also revised the topic that was covered the same day.
I cleared my doubts no matter how basic they were and did not compromise with half knowledge. I used online source material to complete the cycle of revision. At IIT Kanpur, I referred to Academy notes twice a week and improved my problem solving skill for part C
Q. What do you think is the better way of preparation between selective, intensive study and wide, extensive study?
If one assumes the fact that one can cover all the 13 units of the syllabus, then one will become "Jack of all trades and Master of none". Extensive study should be done by covering few units but one must focus on 3 units intensively and try to attempt part C questions relating to these units. Having Ecology in your repertoire is an added advantage irrespective of your background.
Solving CSIR Question paper requires time management and question selection. Part C must be given majority of the time (at least 90 minutes).One must keep track of number of questions attempted as overshooting will lead to time loss. Do not get stuck on any one question as there are plenty of options and you will find your question set sooner or later. In part C, try to attempt only those question which you have studied intensively. Try to get at least 15 questions right in part C. In part B, attempt these questions based on your extensive study Topic set and try to get 18-20 questions right. Do not ignore Part A as this can be your last strike towards success and put you above the cutoff. Try to get at least 8-10 questions right as this will be the easiest question set in the paper. I suggest you to start and complete with Part C and then move on to other parts.
Q. Did you attend any coaching? Were they useful?
My purpose of joining coaching was to find the right instructor/Guide. The very existence of coaching centers is based on the fact that students fail to find such instructors in their respective colleges. I attended helpBIOTECH Academy classes by Dr. Rajasekhar and fellow lecturers. They were the only source of doing any course in life science as I was from another field in my BTech. These were extremely useful in not only clinching the CSIR title but helped me in my coursework at IIT Kanpur.
Q. What was your strategy for the exam day?
The mind should be devoid of stress on exam day. I prepared for the exam day by eating and sleeping well 2 days before exam date. I did not study in these two days as I cannot cover something which I could not do so in the preceding months. I prepared my mind to feel alone in a class filled with students so there are no distractions in the exam hall.
Q. Had you not been successful in CSIR, what would have been your reaction? Did you have a backup plan?
I would have felt remorse that I couldn’t clear it even after such dedicated hard work. But I would have tried it again and again till I clear it (Never say die attitude). As I am already pursuing my MTech at IIT Kanpur I have less time to fell sorrow and would have moved on. But I would have never become complacent and sooner or later realized my goal of clearing CSIR.
Q. What is your opinion about helpBIOTECH site and their Academy?
The helpBIOTECH site is the reason, I joined the coaching center as I did not have a prior knowledge of the coaching classes. (I desired to join biotech coaching one day and just googled "biotech coaching in Hyderabad" and the first hit was helpBIOTECH Academy. It provides you with all the latest information and I will use it for my future career prospects. The coaching center is truly an inspirational experience and I recommend it for overall improvement in your academic career.
Q. What is your advice to the future aspirants?
My advice is that one should pursue a career in life science if one has the passion and patience as this field is very academically demanding. Students should develop an innovative and creative mindset as these skills are a prerequisite for PhD aside from through knowledge. It takes more time to settle down in this field so one must be tolerant enough (You may complete your PhD at age of 27 and later). If CSIR is not your cup of Tea then one should also try other entrance exam like GATE, DBT etc. Attempt as many entrance exams as possible (even if you are attempting 3rd or 4th time) and work with strong motivation And always remember the quote by Louis Pasteur "Chance favors the prepared mind".
Q.What are the future plans?
I always wanted to be a researcher in the field of biology so I will surely do my PhD after completing my MTech. I wish to do something inspirational so that the scientific community will remember me for the years to come.
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