I started preparing for UPSC in February this year, later I got to know about the CD app, and post that CD guys called me and explained me about the mentoring program they are offering. I have been working full time so it wasn’t possible to join a full time coaching.

In March I joined the CD mentorship program Its been almost 2 months now, overall I feel its worthwhile, I’d summarize details about my experience so far:

1. First problem I faced while starting the preparation was what to study? from where do I get material? how much deep I need to go? all these questions were puzzling and you dig down the internet and you get so many views that you conclude nothing. Regarding that I feel CivilsDaily team have really organized that part with focus points and source list, and one good thing is that they are not selling CD brand books, its all covered from standard books and material.
2. Second main issue was time management, the good thing about the mentorship program is that there is managed study, the mentor setup the targets on weekly basis, there is no micromanaging so you can plan accordingly. Mentor is available to discuss the deadlines or any other Issue which one might face.
3. Next regarding the Current affairs, I feel that the Samachar Manthan (SM) program where the faculties explain the current affairs of the whole week in detailed manner, a few people might find it too much time consuming, but here’s what I understood
1. SM id not only reading out headlines for you, its detailed analysis, what I mean here is say for example, a few weeks back there was issue of anti-defection in certain state, what I saw in news paper was more of a flashing headline and political details, but in SM they covered detailed analysis of anti-defection, role of speaker, should we make speakers office more or less powerful etc. I feel its more directed towards how UPSC would like the answer
2. Along with SM there are 10 questions on current affairs every week, and you can do them and submit the copy, it’ll be checked and you’d get criticism on how answer writing can be improved, at least for beginners, I read through multiple blogs etc and all of them advised to begin writing from the earlier stage, so at the time when one doesn’t know much polity, history etc, this can be a really good way to start writing
4. I guess I didn’t emphasis enough at the role of mentor, UPSC has vast list of topics to study and its easier to get frustrated when one read a lot but then none of the previous year questions look familiar, I really feel the guidance is important especially to boost you up sometimes, and telling what went wrong. One more thing to add here, that may not fit for all mentors but the guy mentoring me is simply straight forward, there is no round and round talk, this really saves my time.

A few places I feel the CD team can work upon are:

1. The SM answersheets take really long time to be corrected, it can be really useful to use the criticism of previous answers while writing new answers.
2. They do have some subject videos and notes, but It seems incomplete.

Overall the program is worthy enough to spend, and one can really give it a try, especially those who can’t join a full term coaching.