[Topper’s talk] Neha Sharma, IGNOU M.A. Rural Development (MARD)- Gold Medal, 93.03%, RC- Delhi-2. Qualified UPSC Pre & Mains

IGNOU Topper’s talk – Ms. Neha Sharma, University Gold Medalist, M.A. Rural Development (MARD)

Ms. Neha Sharma receiving IGNOU University Gold Medal Award & degree from the Hon'ble Vice President of India in the 32nd convocation of IGNOU held on April 03, 2019.

Name	NEHA SHARMA
Age (while joining IGNOU)	21
IGNOU  Enrolment number	168787433
Name of IGNOU Course with code	Masters in Rural Development (MARD)
Medium of Study	English
Month and Year of Passing the course	June 2018
Gold medal awarded in which year	03.04.2019 / 32nd convocation
Total percentage of marks obtained	93.03%
Regional Centre	Delhi-2, Rajghat
Study centre	Research foundation centre, Sector-9 Rohini, Delhi
Previous courses before joining IGNOU	BA Hons. in Political Science, IP College for Women, Delhi University, 2013-16
Other courses from IGNOU, if any	N/A
Work experience, if any	Non-Paid internship with Navjyoti India Foundation (during Post graduation); Worked as Centre coordinator and trainer in the same NGO later on for 6 months, Worked as T.G.T Social Science with St. Mark’s Girls School, Meera Bagh, Delhi.
Current organization & job title	P.G.T Political Science with Rukmini Devi Public School, Pitampura, Delhi.
Competitive Exams (after graduation)	UPSC prelims qualified twice, mains once. (during post-graduation)
Other achievements	Subject topper in Global politics paper during graduation. Consistent academic achiever ever since school time; National level Hindi Debater.
Hobbies	Singing, Debating, Doodling, Reading.

IGNOU MARD result and course content review with suggested books:-

S.No.	Course code	Assignment /Project grade	TEE grade	Was IGNOU material sufficient (Yes/No)	Name of other reference books that can help student
1.	MRD-101	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRD101 - Rural Development Indian Context  (English | Hindi),  GPH Publication
2.	MRD-102	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRD102 - Rural Development Programmes (English | Hindi),  GPH Publication
3.	MRD-103	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRD103 - Rural Development Planning & Management (English | Hindi),  GPH Publication
4.	MRD-104	B	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRD104 - Research methods in Rural Development (English | Hindi), GPH Publication
5.	MRDP-001	Dissertation	A	Sufficient for assignment	Dissertation
6.	MRDE-002	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRDE002 - Voluntary Action in Rural Development (English | Hindi), GPH Publication
7.	MRDE-004	B	A	Sufficient for assignment	MRDE004 - Entrepreneurship and Rural Development (English | Hindi),  GPH Publication
8.	MRDE-101	A	B	Sufficient for assignment	MRDE101 - Rural Social Development (English | Hindi), GPH Publication
9.	RDD-06	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	RDD06 - Rural Health Care (English | Hindi),  GPH Publication
10.	RDD-07	A	A	Sufficient for assignment	RDD7 - Communication and Extension in Rural Development (English | Hindi), GPH Publication

                                               Final Percentage in IGNOU MARD = 93.03%     

IGNOU Assignments M.A. Rural Development (MARD)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

(PS- I am including these simple questions as freshers do have all these doubts)

1.	Did you strictly follow the word limit for the assignment? (Yes/Not exactly)	Not appropriately, it is always plus-minus 50 words.
2.	Did you make the assignments only from the IGNOU course material? (Yes/No/Partially). Please mention the other sources which you used.	Only from IGNOU Course material.
3.	Did you use plain white A4 sheets for assignment writing? (Yes/No). If No, please give details.	No, I used Foolscap lined white sheets, as mentioned in the assignment writing guidelines of IGNOU website.
4.	Did you draw side margins in the assignment? (Yes/No)	The sheets I used had margins drawn already, even if they were not drawn; I did not draw margins but kept my work very neat.
5.	You wrote the IGNOU assignment answers in blue pen or black dot/pilot pen or both?	Black and Blue Gel pens, and a pencil for underlining.
6.	Did you write assignments on a single side of the paper or double side? (Single Side/Double-side)	Double side.
7.	On average, how many pages per answer did you write? (3, 4, 5…)	It used to depend on the typology of the question asked. As for me, short answers are done within one page, while long answers take 5-6 pages on average.
8.	After completing the assignment, did you use spiral binding, plastic file, stapler, or others? Please specify.	I just stapled those sheets properly.
9.	Did you keep a photocopy of your assignments (Yes/No)	No
10.	Did you visit the study centre to submit the assignments or sent them through the post? (Visited Study centre/Post)	Visit the study centre, write proper details like enroll no. and name, and signed after submission. We also used to get a stamped receiving for the same.

Please provide your special tips due to which you secured high marks in IGNOU MARD assignments:-

Answer:

Ø  More than the number of pages I used to concentrate on the quality of answer writing.

Ø  Handwriting is very crucial. If not very great, it should at least properly be deciphered.

Ø  Underline key terms. But don’t go on underlining the entire answer.

Ø  Avoid using whiteners and highlighters.

Ø  I used to include flow charts and diagrams related to the question asked to make my assignments art-related and integrated.

Note: You can also refer to my earlier post for other important instructions for making IGNOU Assignments.

IGNOU M.A. Rural Development (MARD) Term End Examination (TEE)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1.	Did you strictly follow the word limit in the TEE? (Yes/Not exactly)	Not appropriately, it is always plus-minus 50 words.
2.	On average, how many pages per answer did you write? (3,4, 5…)	It used to depend on the typology of the question asked. As for me, short answers are done within one and a half pages, while long answers take 7-8 pages on average.
3.	You wrote the TEE answers in blue pen or black dot/pilot pen or both?	Black and Blue Gel pens, and a pencil for underlining.
4.	Is it easy to complete all the TEE answers in the prescribed time-limit? (Yes/No).	Mostly yes. If well prepared.
5.	Did you draw any diagrams, mindmaps, etc. in any paper? (Yes/No).	Yes, quite often. As per the need of the question and as per the allowance of the time limit.
6.	For how many hours/days did you study for the TEE?	HONESTLY, used to begin very late, mostly a week before. Because I was preparing for UPSC so most of the time was devoted there, but of course the same helped to score here.
7.	How did you prepare for TEE? Did you make comprehensive subject-wise notes? Please give details.	I didn’t have time for preparing notes as such, But I did do answer writing practice by solving previous year question papers.
8.	Is the format of asking questions in TEE needs a relook? Is TEE able to test the subject knowledge and analytical skills well? Suggest enriching ideas.	I do not really find myself capable enough for questioning or analyzing this domain. For me, it has been simply wholesome.
9.	Did you apply for obtaining a photocopy of answer scripts? (Yes/No)	No
10.	Did you apply for a re-evaluation in any subject? (Yes/No). If Yes, please mention the subject to the best of your memory.	No
11.	Did your marks increase after the re-evaluation? (Yes/No)	N/A
12.	Any other reforms in TEE which you think are pertinent? Please give details.	No comments on that, apologetically.
13.	Did you take help from IGNOU guide books? (Yes/No) If yes, please mention the books.	No

Please provide your special tips due to which you secured high marks in IGNOU MARD Term End Examinations (TEE):-

Answer:

Mine was a theoretical subject. How you score in a theory exam depends largely on how you present your answers. You may know everything that there is in the subject, but if you do not present it properly then you can lose marks.

Ø  Begin with objective type questions. Answer them as briefly as you can ensuring that no major point is missed out. Contain your answer within 4-5 sentences, not more.

Ø  Don’t beat around the bush, come to the point. You are not being tested for your knowledge of language or length of the answer. Make sure your paper covers points relevant to the questions.

Ø  For long and essay type answers- Make it a synopsis of points.

Ø  Do not cut and overwrite since it shows a lack of confidence. Then, if you can, do underline the headings and keywords in your answer.

Ø  Leave space for a couple of lines after each answer. So you can add points that you might have missed when you proofread the paper.

Ø  Always, leave some time to proofread the paper before submitting it. You will be surprised at the number of silly errors you will find.

Other Frequently asked questions (FAQ):-

1.  Did your course have a practical/Internship/project component? If yes, please provide complete details as students have a lot of questions and issues in this section.

Answer:  To be blatantly honest, I and my friend had a passion for working on the field. So, despite the fact that our course did not allow for any official internship, yet we voluntarily found one in Dr.Kiran Bedi’s NGO- Navjyoti India Foundation. We worked there as interns for the family counseling centre as well as a skill and placement project running in the NGO under ERICSON Company’s funds. As a part of it, we made files for the disputed cases registered there (domestic violence, child marriage, drink, and abuse, etc) and went onto fields for campaigning for the skill project. We had to collect a permission letter from IGNOU Regional centre for the same.

It was really a tough task yet we liked to do this every day till 20 days. My internship diaries turned fruitful, when a month after I left, the same organization, seeing my work during the internship, gave me my first job as a centre coordinator and trainer. (Sept 2017-March 2018)

2.     Apart from IGNOU text books, which book would you recommend for the students to get crystal clear concepts & maximum marks in this course?

Answer:  I cannot recommend any specific books for this course in particular, because for me, UPSC preparation helped a lot.

3.      What was your motivation for joining this particular IGNOU course?

Answer:  It might sound humorous, but NOTHING motivated me as such. It was in fact LUCK BY CHANCE. Since I’ve done my graduation in Political science, as a regular course from DU, I had applied for a regular M.A. course from Hindu College, DU. But when UPSC was to be prepared for, a regular college did not suit me. That’s why open education from IGNOU helped me out, along with which I not only prepared for UPSC Civil Services Exam, but also did my internship and job.

4.      Did this course help you in your job or getting a job? Please explain how.

Answer:  DEFINITELY! The reasons have been already explained above.

5.      What are your suggestions for the freshers who are joining this course?

Answer: Just be CONSISTENT and honest to whatever you do.

6.      Does this course help in any competitive exams? Were you able to apply the knowledge so gained in this course in that exam?

Answer: Yes. Discussed above already. (UPSC Examination)

7.     What is the academic and professional value of a degree obtained from IGNOU? Please share your personal life experience as well.

Answer: Though this degree has helped me a lot. But one needs to put a lot of effort behind the same. A degree alone wouldn’t do.

8.     Did you ever face any advantage/disadvantage of completing this distance education course from IGNOU over the people who completed the same course full time from some other university? Please give details.

Answer:  NO Disadvantage at all!

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