Still confused about IFoS optional? Here is a complete guide.

Anyone opting for ifos will find themselves in the following two cases:
1. One common optional with CSE
2. Two Entirely New optionals to choose from.

If you have one optional common with CSE, mostly it is going to be a science subject - Choose Forestry!
1. Easily available material.
2. More than 90% aspirants will be writing this paper. If it is difficult it is going to be difficult for all.
3. Very short syllabus.

If you have to pick two new optionals, one should definitely be Forestry. The other one can be Geology.
1. Easy resource availablity.
2. Topper guidance and notes available.
3. 2nd most preferred optional after Forestry.

If you have one common optional with CSE and you cannot pick Forestry, choose Geology if available.

I suggest Agriculture Engineering for people who do not fit in any of the above case if at all.

This suggestions are based on my own experience along with @g0uravs experience.

Other helpful links:
1. Forestry Notes - Notes referred by me and others are available for free. I strongly recommend against joining any coaching. These notes + Manikandan is more than sufficient for scoring 250+ marks
2. Forestry Strategy
3. 45 Days Strategy
4. Geology Strategy

@priyanshaIAS

Cadre Preferences
There are two key aspects to consider when it comes to cadre preferences:

1. What are your cadre preferences?
2. How can you achieve them?

Second part is easily solvable with an algorithm. Link - https://t.me/g0uravs/404

Let's focus on the first aspect.

Aspect #1: Cadre Preferences

The challenge with cadre preferences is that they are highly individual and vary greatly depending on one’s background. If you ask 100 people, you’ll likely get 100 different answers.

Here are some key variables that influence cadre preferences:

- Home Cadre
- Your life and career alternatives
- How much of your identity is tied to the service
- Your level of dependence on the service
- Your educational and professional background

For those with a decent educational background and prior work experience, their choices tend to be more evolved. They won’t assign significant value to perks like a vehicle or the type of accommodation provided. They also often have the flexibility to resign rather than compromise on more critical aspects, such as living in tier 2/3 cities. These are the issues which can be solved with money.

On the other hand, consider someone who has managed to secure the service after great difficulty, with no viable career alternatives. Such individuals may place greater importance on smaller conveniences and are more likely to micro-optimize for minor benefits like housing or job perks.

No Moral Policing

It’s important to note that there’s no right or wrong here. Everyone is entitled to their own choices. The key is to ensure your cadre preferences align with your personal values. Seek advice from candidates who share similar priorities to make an informed decision.

My Take on Cadre Preferences

As an All-India Services (AIS) officer, you are already expected to spend much of your career in districts away from metros.

At the very least, ensure that your cadre includes a good capital city. In the worst-case scenario, this will give you a decent city to live in for 20–25 years of your career.

While job perks such as vehicles, house help, and accommodations may seem appealing, they generally cost no more than ₹80,000–1,00,000 per month and shouldn’t be the basis for your cadre selection. Instead, focus on things that money cannot buy:

1. A good city where you can live comfortably.
2. Career opportunities for your spouse.
3. Social acceptance based on your region, language, or caste.
4. Connectivity and accessibility to major hubs.

Remember, you can rent a bungalow or buy a car in a metro city, but you can’t build an airport in a tier 2/3 city.

Optimize your preferences for factors that will have a lasting impact on your quality of life and overall satisfaction.

IFS DAF II is live now

IFS DAF II Click here

There seem to be some issues in accessing the DAF.

Candidates those who are appearing in IFS Interviews can join the ✅ Verified IFS Interview 2024 group

Contact @dpnforest @DonCorleone108 @javedahmad1704 for joining the group.

Best of luck!

CSE 2024 Mains Result declared!

Congratulations to all the selected candidates ??

@acadsCSE

Interview Guidance Program starting soon!

acads.com

IFoS Forestry Paper I

Credits: Suraj

@g0uravs

IFoS Forestry Paper II

Credits: Suraj

@g0uravs

An unconventional but rational choice!

For candidates who have cleared both CSE and Indian Forest Service Prelims, I strongly recommend focussing solely on Indian Forest Service exam (and skip CSE), if you satisfy the following criteria

1. This is your first mains and you have no idea how you would perform in mains.

2. You have appeared in Mains earlier but failed to clear mains. Unless, you are doing something drastically different, it's not easy to increase marks in 100-150 marks in mains. That's the improvement you need to get a service IAS/IPS/IFS (services better than Indian Forest Service in conventional sense)

3. You are already in preparation for over 3 years but with no backups/job with you.

4. You have appeared in CSE interviews multiple times but couldn't make it to the final list.

I know it's not usually followed. But, here is the rationale behind this

1. Indian Forest Service is one of the 3 all India services with perks, benefits and facilities same as IAS and IPS, with a good work life balance. With increased global focus on climate change and environment, the service is gaining prominence.

2. In conventional terms, it can placed behind IAS and IPS. Unless you have a strong inclination towards Taxation, Finance, Data, City life Indian Forest Service offers better service profile than Indian Revenue Service (IRS).

3. Indian Forest service Mains is much more predictable and certain. With average writing skilld and limited content, one can easily clear IFS Mains (compared to CSE)

4. Candidates are usually mentally and physically exhausted after CSE Mains when they appear in IFS Mains and fail to give their best in the exam.

5. Forestry, geology etc are the optionals that can be done in 40-45 days max. Very few people study for more than 20-30 days per optional. Anyone studying solely for IFS will have almost 100% chances of clearing IFS

Basically the decision boils down to 1 simple question - if you are given a choice to either get a confirmed (almost) service comparable/better than IRS
OR
to appear in CSE to try your luck, what would you choose?

When can one plan for give CSE and IFS together?

1. You are already in a service and aiming for only IAS
2. You have your optional common with CSE.

The decision is not easy. Aspirants can use the discussion forum for the discussion. Or you can reach to me at [email protected] in case you need any help in this regard.

———————-
We have created a exclusive group of aspirants appearing for IFS 2024 Mains with many IFS/IAS officers as mentors.

Aspirants can message at @gaurav_iitm @blitzkrieggs for the group membership

Hello everyone,

Most of the queries I received are related to GS Mains preparation in which I scored 466 - that was one of the highest marks that year. For aspirants convenience, I have compiled all Mains resources at one place.

GS 1 [115 Marks]
GS 1 Test Papers
GS1 Geography Notes

GS 2 [122 Marks]
GS2 Test Papers
GS 2 Consolidated Notes

GS 3 [97 Marks]GS 3 Strategy and Notes
GS 3 Consolidated Notes
GS 3 Test Papers

GS 4 [122 Marks]GS 4 Answer Copies and Notes

Public Administration [292 Marks]

Public Administration Strategy I
Public Administration Strategy II
Public Administration Test Papers
Public Administration Paper II Notes
Public Administration Paper 2
Public Administration Paper 1
Public Administration Value Addition

IFoS Strategy

45 Days Strategy
Forestry Strategy
Geology Strategy

Telegram

Priyansha Garg IAS

I am sharing my Geography notes for GS 1. SOURCES : NCERT, Kanishak Sir's Notes, Rushikesh Reddy Sir's Notes for World Resources, mineral and industry distribution. Why not studying Geography for GS-1 is a rookie mistake : 1. 2022- 4 x15m + 4x10 m = 100…