To help those aspiring to crack the civil services examinations, be it for State or Central services, a book titled The Maze of Answers: Un-mazed authored by Sirivennela has been published recently.
The book delves into the art of effectively answering the General Studies paper, not only for Union Public Service Commission aspirants but also for those preparing for Karnataka Public Service Commission examinations.
Written by an officer
Sirivennela is a 2021 batch IPS officer from Bengaluru, Karnataka, currently serving in the Punjab cadre. Before clearing the CSE, 2020, he spent four years as an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer, having cleared the civil service exams in 2016. Before he took to civil service, he studied Botany from Bangalore University, securing the 2nd rank in BSc in 2013.
Driven by a strong passion for civil service, inspired by his father’s civil service career, Sirivennela embarked on this path at a young age.
“The corporate-like nature of my IDAS job pushed me to pursue the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020. As my training nears completion, I am ready to commence my duties in Punjab,” he said.
Sirivennela, reflecting on the challenges faced by law enforcement, adds, “There is a perception that the police force has deteriorated over time, but the root of the issue lies in the lower ranks and the considerable time officers spend dealing with criminals. It is more of a psychological problem than a systemic one.”
In Hyderabad, he encountered the “friendly police” initiative, which aims to change this negative perception and highlights the importance of cooperation in interactions with the police.
His book, The Maze of Answers: Un-mazed, offers insights on how to prepare for both prelims and mains, emphasizing the practical application of knowledge and decision-making. The book addresses the transition from accumulating knowledge during education to utilizing it effectively in real-life situations, a vital aspect of civil services.
Sirivennela penned this book during an injury-induced break from training, inspired by his interactions with numerous aspirants who often found themselves misinformed and misguided. He sought to bridge this information gap to assist aspiring civil service officers.
Personal touch
The uniqueness of this book lies in its personal touch, with hand-written answers and a first-person narrative. It teaches candidates how to construct answers, utilize space efficiently, begin, conclude, and discuss key points. The book presents concepts in a reader-friendly manner.
While emphasizing the importance of dedication and hard work, Sirivennela also underscores the value of patience in clearing the CSE. Next, he intends to write a book of essays, also a crucial skill for civil service examinations.
