You can simultaneously prepare for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) and Indian Forest Service Examination (IFS) and be successful in both, says Anshuman who secured All-India Rank 11 in IFS Exam 2018 and All-India Rank 356 in CSE Exam 2018.
While it is tough to clear one exam for many, Anshuman cleared two prestigious exams in India the same year – UPSC CSE and IFS.
The officer who now works in Indian Forest Service (IFS) in his home cadre has shared his strategy to prepare for UPSC CSE and IFS together.
Anshuman: How to clear UPSC CSE and IFS simultaneously?
In the above video, Anshuman discusses the strategy to be adopted for each stage of the exam – Prelims, Mains, and Interview of both exams (CSE and IFS).
Common Strategy vs Different Strategy
The preliminary exam is common for both Civil Services Examination as well as the Indian Forest Services Examination. While the Main exam is different for CSE and IFS, there are a lot of overlapping topics in this stage too.
Candidates can take advantage of the overlapping topics to score high in both exams.
Importance of Aiming High
Usually IFS Prelims cut-off is 10-15 marks above the UPSC CSE cut-off. If you prepare for both exams together, even if you don’t clear the IFS cut-off, you may still clear the UPSC CSE cut-off.
Start from basic books
While beginning UPSC preparation it is advised to start from basic books.
Read newspapers
To prepare current affairs, Anshuman suggests reading newspapers.
Importance of Self-Made Notes
Self-made notes are of great importance in the success in both UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) as well as Indian Forest Services Examination (IFS). Anshuman considers the practice of note-making more important than the practice of answer-writing.
Practice Mock Exams
Anshuman advises practising mock exams for Prelims as well as Mains in a time-bound manner.
The more number of mock exams you practice, the chance for your marks to go up is higher.
Attempt at least 90 questions in UPSC Prelims
If you are a general category candidate who aims to get calls for both UPSC CSE and IFS Mains, attempt more than 90 questions (out of the 100 questions in the question paper).
Optional Subjects
Anshuman is an alumnus of IIT Delhi (Engineering Physics). He took Physics as one of his optional subject in both UPSC CSE as well as IFS.
- UPSC CSE – Physics
- UPSC IFS – Physics and Forestry
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