Indian Forest Service Exam 2011-12 IFoS Topper Interview with Ms.C.Vidhya

UPSC- Indian Forest Service Exam 2011-12 IFoS Topper Interview with Ms.C.Vidhya

An Exclusive Interview

Topper-2011-2012

1.      Brief Bio data

Name: C.Vidhya

Father Name: Mr.T.Chandran, Computer Operator (TNSTC)

Mother Name: Mrs.Vasantha, Senior Accountant (TNSTC)

Brother: C.Vinod, Engineer (EIL)

School: Vidya Vikasini Matric Higher Sec School, Thudiyalur (6-12^th)

Degree: B.Sc. Forestry

    Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam

    OGPA – 8.9

            Now doing my PG in Forestry

2.      Your interest in Indian Forest Service Exam

I was interested in forestry as early as when I was in my higher secondary. And so took forestry for my graduation. The campus and the staffs and seniors gave me a lot of inspiration to get into IFS. My seniors gave me strategies to crack the exam in the first attempt.

 3.      Subject Selection

Optional 1: Forestry

Optional 2: Agriculture

It’s because we study one subject on agriculture in our syllabus. (But now the system has changed, the notification – 2012 of UPSC says one cannot choose forestry and agriculture as optional.)

4.      Coaching if any

I took No coaching.  Studying well for the semester exams helped me a lot. While preparing for semester exams I used to take notes, which at the end helped me a lot.

Coming to the optional part, you need to talk with someone in that stream. This will help a lot.

5.      Preparation Strategy

1.      Go through the syllabus as many times as possible

2.      Find out areas which require more preparation

3.      Collect all required materials

4.      Make a schedule in a way that comforts you(give weightage for areas which require more preperation)

5.      After reading a part, take notes. (notes to be taken like how you will present in the exam, make it crisp)

6.      Book List

Forestry: all basic books

            Geography: Physical Geography - Savindra Singh

                                  Certificate Human and Physical Geography – Goh Chen Leong

History: NCERT books (6-12^th)

    Modern History: Bipan Chandra

            NCERT books          

FORESTRY BOOKS

1.      Principles and Practice of Silviculture – L.S.Khanna

2.      Forest Management – Ram Prakash

3.      A Handbook of Forest Utilization  - Tribhawan Metha

4.      A Guide on Forest Entomology – A. Regupathy et.al.

5.      Principles of Soil Science – M.M.Rai

All subjects are covered under these two books

6.      Handbook of Forestry – S.S.Negi

7.      Indian Forestry – A breakthrough approach to Forest Service – K.Manikandan and S.Prabhu

7.      Examination Experience

General English and General Knowledge were as I expected. Though I did not have enough time to complete G.K. (here comes time management, so I scored more in this than my optionals)

Forestry II paper was easier than the Forestry I one. I was satisfied.

Agriculture I and II both looked little bit tough compared to forestry. The questions were very much practical oriented.

8.      Interview (strategy, questions, and atmosphere) – UPSC Board

The main strategy was I spoke with a lot of my seniors who are in service now; I met our district D.F.O Mr. Thirunavukarasu IFS to discuss about the practical things, as one is expected to be asked from their native. Then since our college is at the foot hills of The Nilgiris, I met Ooty D.F.O Mr. Ramasubramaniam IFS (who cleared the service as national first), then Mr. Anwardeen IFS, the first I.F.S from our college to get ideas on current trends in forestry. Mr. Sivakumar IFS gave us tips on how to behave in the interview. It all really helped me a lot.

And for personality skills I went for a short time class in the Nathans institute of English at Coimbatore. Mr. Uma Mahesvaran there helped me overcome my fear and helped me with the gestures.

The big day came on 15.03.2012. I was called to be in the building by 09.00 am. They carried out the certificate verification. You will feel quite cordial in there. You can read that day’s paper can have coffee and make yourself at home. I was informed I was the third person in Madam Rajni Razdan’s board. 

9.      Total Marks scored

This is my first attempt for IFS.

Roll No.: 003495

Name: VIDHYA C

Indian Forest Service Examination 2011
Subject	Maximum Marks	Marks Obtained
AGRICULTURE PAPER I	200	109
AGRICULTURE PAPER II	200	097
FORESTRY PAPER I	200	103
FORESTRY PAPER II	200	083
GENERAL ENGLISH	300	132
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE	300	132
Penalty Marks		0
Written Total	1400	656
Interview Marks	300	200
Final Total	1700	856

All India Rank: 26^th

10.     Any other tips you wish to share.

1.      Choose the subject you are interested in

2.      Plan it earlier and start taking notes(don write too much, make it short as you will not find time to write all you read)

3.      Time management should be practiced while making notes itself.

4.      Read news paper, update G.K. by reading Chronicles

5.      Do mock exams by getting old question papers(atleast it will give you an idea of how to prepare)

6.      For interview don stress yourself, keep it in mind that they have already tested your knowledge and it’s a personality test.

7.      Do not try to impress the board, they all are experienced All India service people

8.      Be honest to yourself, don’t try to bluff, it will irritate the board

9.      Have a decent dress code, wear light colour dresses

10. Don’t forget to greet the chairman and member while going in and also coming out