IFS Akshay Pawar (AIR 81)🌳🌱
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Son of an ironsmith. Dreamer. Learner. IFS Officer. This channel is dedicated to UPSC preparation, mentorship, motivation, and honest lessons from my journey of failures, resilience, and eventual success. "Your circumstances do not define your destiny"
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| 2 | UPSC_IFoS_Mains_Optionals_Strategy_Guide.pdf | 602 |
| 3 | If a particular concept is difficult, use short YouTube videos to understand the basic principle. Don't spend hours watching complete lecture series unless absolutely necessary.
And again, keep referring to PYQs topic-wise while studying.
For me, PYQs were not something I looked at only after completing the syllabus. They were part of the preparation itself.
Whenever I studied a topic, I checked:
- Has UPSC asked this before?
- What exactly was asked?
- From which part of the topic?
- How much depth is actually required?
This ensured that I did not unnecessarily expand the scope of preparation.
In both my attempts, I did not watch the complete class videos and still managed to score 200+ in Agriculture Engineering.
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🧠 Why did I score well without watching all the videos?
The most important thing I followed in both my attempts was a phase-wise approach to optional preparation.
Phase 1 — Familiarisation
I simply read the subject to understand:
- What does the syllabus contain?
- What are the different topics?
- What kind of questions can be asked?
- Which areas are easy and which require more effort?
At the same time, I kept checking PYQs topic-wise so that my preparation remained aligned with UPSC's demand.
No pressure to memorise.
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Phase 2 — Conceptual Understanding
In the second reading, I focused on actually understanding the concepts.
Whenever I couldn't understand something, I used short YouTube videos or other resources to clarify that particular concept.
Again, PYQs remained my reference point.
The objective was not to know everything about a topic but to know what UPSC expects me to know about that topic.
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Phase 3 — Memorisation & Exam Orientation
Once the conceptual foundation was ready, I started focusing on the micro-details required for the examination.
For Forestry, this included:
- Scientific names of trees
- Important formulae in Paper II
- Examples of different silvicultural systems
- Factual/memory-based portions
- Important diagrams and other scoring details
For Agriculture Engineering, this included:
- Formulae
- Standard numerical values
- Important standards (e.g. biogas-related values)
- Diagrams
- Different approaches to solving numericals
- Technical facts and other exam-specific details
And throughout this phase too, PYQs helped me prioritise what to memorise and what not to over-invest in.
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🎯 The overall philosophy
Don't try to conquer the entire optional in your first reading itself.
IFS Mains preparation becomes stressful when you constantly feel that you have to memorise everything you read.
Instead:
First → Familiarise yourself
Second → Understand the concepts
Third → Memorise the details
Fourth → Practise PYQs & answer writing
And throughout all four stages:
Syllabus + PYQs = Your compass.
There will always be more books, more notes, more videos and more material available.
Your job is not to finish everything. Your job is to prepare what UPSC can actually ask.
This approach makes the preparation much less monotonous and helps you actually enjoy studying two completely new subjects.
You have around 80 days.
Don't look at it as "I have two new optionals to finish."
Look at it as:
80 days → 2 optionals → Phase-wise preparation → PYQ-oriented study → Consistent revision.
If you follow the process consistently, you can cover both optionals very effectively.
Throughout this preparation, I'll try to share whatever worked for me, including strategy, resources, PYQ analysis, answer-writing approach and common mistakes to avoid.
Let's make these 80 days count. 🌳📚 | 626 |
| 4 | For those who are starting IFS Mains preparation after CSE Mains:
First of all, keep one thing in mind — this year, you have around 80 days for IFS Mains preparation, which is among the longest preparation windows in recent years.
If you utilise these 80 days properly, you have enough time to prepare both optionals comprehensively and aim for a very good rank.
How to manage both optionals?
For most of you, Forestry will be one of the two optionals. I’ll first discuss Forestry and then share my approach for Agriculture Engineering, which was my second optional.
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🌳 1. Forestry
I would suggest starting with Hornbill's printed notes, which comprise six booklets.
With focused preparation, you can comfortably complete the first reading within 20 days.
Forestry is a relatively easier subject to develop interest in because it is more about understanding and learning than dealing with highly technical concepts.
After repeatedly studying GS subjects, you may actually enjoy Forestry because you are now exploring something different — different forest types, scientific names of trees, silvicultural systems, methods of forest management and various forestry terminologies.
How to approach the first reading?
Read Forestry like a story.
Imagine that you are exploring the forests of India and understanding how different forests function and are managed.
👉 Do NOT try to memorise scientific names, diagrams or every factual detail during the first reading.
Your objective at this stage is simply to become familiar with the subject and understand its broad framework.
One thing I strongly recommend: while reading every topic, keep the PYQs alongside you.
I used to refer to previous years' questions topic-wise while preparing both my optionals. This helped me understand what UPSC actually asks and, more importantly, prevented me from deviating into unnecessary portions of the syllabus.
Don't study everything that is available in the market. Let the syllabus + PYQs decide what deserves your attention.
What did I do after the first reading?
After completing my first reading from the Hornbill printed notes, I shifted to Vidyanshu Sir's notes prepared from the Hornbill classes.
These became my more consolidated/revision-oriented source for the subsequent stages of preparation.
Hornbill Videos:
In both my attempts, I did not watch the Hornbill videos because I was short of time. Despite that, I scored 227 marks in Forestry.
So, don't develop the mindset that you must watch every video to score well.
Understanding the subject is more important than completing every available resource.
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⚙️ 2. Agriculture Engineering
Since Agriculture Engineering was my optional, I can share my approach based on my own experience.
In both my attempts, I referred to Vidyanshu Shekhar Jha Sir's (AIR 5, IFS 2023) notes, which were prepared from GateForAll classes.
Agriculture Engineering has a vast syllabus and involves numericals, diagrams, formulae and technical concepts.
The syllabus can broadly be looked at as:
- Micro Units: 2, 4, 6 & 8
- Macro Units: 1, 3, 5 & 7
Vidyanshu Sir's notes comprise five booklets.
First reading
Again, don't try to master everything in the first reading.
Your objective should simply be to understand what the syllabus contains and what each topic is about.
I would suggest starting with a booklet containing the micro units.
You will probably enjoy these units because they deal with modern technologies, their basic principles and their practical applications.
After completing them, move towards Units 1, 3, 5 and 7.
You will inevitably encounter topics where you feel:
"I am not understanding this numerical/concept at all."
Don't get stuck there.
Just go through the topic once, mark it with a different-coloured pen and move ahead.
You can return to it later when your conceptual understanding improves. And, of course, you can post your doubts here and I will try to help you understand how to approach them. | 582 |
| 5 | Above ChatGPT threads are used by my Friend Adhish Tiwari ( AIR 44) ...he scored decent in both optionals using AI | 640 |
| 6 | https://chatgpt.com/share/6a99b50d-2cc4-83e8-a060-551c89552a42?ogimg=plain
Geology | 4 196 |
| 7 | https://chatgpt.com/share/6a99b535-14a4-83e8-873f-b37c80a74592?ogimg=plain
Forestry | 4 206 |
| 8 | https://t.me/geologybyrohitifs
Do follow this channel for geology optional. He scored very good marks in this subject. | 1 486 |
| 9 | For those preparing for IFS Mains this year:
First of all, congratulations on clearing the IFS Prelims cutoff! 🌿
Clearing the Forest Services cutoff is itself a challenging task, and you have already crossed an important hurdle. Take a moment to appreciate that achievement.
At this stage, I broadly see two categories of aspirants preparing for IFS Mains:
1️⃣ Those who have been preparing exclusively for IFS Mains since the Prelims result.
2️⃣ Those who appeared for CSE Mains and will now shift their focus towards IFS Mains.
For both categories, my advice is the same: take the next 4–5 days as a rejuvenation phase.
As an aspirant myself, I understand that the mind and body cannot sustain peak preparation continuously for 2.5–3 months without a proper break. You have already gone through a long and demanding preparation cycle.
So, use these few days to rest, disconnect, and recharge. Don't feel guilty about taking a break.
After that, we will start afresh, with a clear strategy and complete focus on IFS Mains. 🌳
I will be using this group to guide you through the Mains preparation, discuss strategy, address your doubts, and help you navigate the preparation in a structured manner.
The journey to the final list starts now. Let's prepare for it seriously. 🇮🇳🌿 | 6 488 |
| 10 | For aspirants appearing in the IFS (Indian Forest Service) exam:
1. You have very little time to relax after the CSE Mains.
2. Take a short break of 3–4 days, then start preparing for the IFS exam.
3. The cost–benefit ratio for the IFS Mains is much higher than that of the CSE Mains.
4. You need to cover two optionals, along with English and General Knowledge, in the coming weeks.
5. Focus on completing the new optionals first. English and GK can be done after two readings of both optionals.
6. There is no need to read newspapers for the IFS Mains.
7. Completing the syllabus and revising multiple times are the keys to success.
8. Answer-writing practice is not as critical for the IFS Mains; most clear it without much practice, as time is limited.
9. Many candidates clear the exam with focused preparation of just 75 days (starting right after the CSE Mains).
10. The IFS is an incredible service, offering the perks of an All India Service while allowing you to stay close to nature—striking the perfect balance between personal and professional life.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
All the best | 1 761 |
| 11 | All the best for CSE mains💫👍 | 1 785 |
| 12 |  Officially inducted into the Indian Forest Service (IFS) — one of the three All India Services. 🇮🇳🌿
Receiving this appointment letter makes the journey feel truly real. From where I began, reaching this point is an immense privilege and a deeply humbling moment.
I am immensely grateful to my family, friends, mentors and every well-wisher who stood by me, believed in me and supported me throughout this journey.
This achievement is not mine alone. It carries the blessings, sacrifices and faith of everyone who walked alongside me.
A new journey begins — in the service of India and its forests. 🌳🇮🇳 | 1 842 |
| 13 | This is the list of homonyms which i referred while preparing for General English. One can devote daily 10 minutes now onwards to make the best out of those . | 1 624 |
| 14 | An initiative of my frnd..
Can refer to it | 2 123 |
| 15 | Hy, everyone, Niranjana this side,
I have been evaluating upsc cse copies at 2 institutes, now thinking of checking copies on independent basis.
Open evaluation for all - Half length, full length, PYQs, GS, Essay.
I have cleared prelims back to back, written two mains in a row. Now working with 2 institutes for copy evaluation and working on independent start up.
Hope this message finds you at right time.
P.s. - No copy sharing to strangers in name of "Best copies" and all. You answer, my evaluation our discussion, that's it. It's your answer, your research, your efforts no one else can copy n paste in their notes.
You can contact me through my telegram id- @Orwelwasright | 2 951 |
| 16 |  Whenever I find some free time, I instinctively return to where it all began.
The भाता, ऐरण, हातोडा, आणि घण are not just tools to me—they are a part of my identity. They taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and dignity of labour long before I became an IFS officer.
No matter how high life takes you, never forget your roots. Your journey may change, but your foundation should always remain the same.
To reach great heights, one should never forget one's roots. 🌿 | 1 972 |
| 17 | https://www.instagram.com/ifs_akshayhpawar?igsh=b3A0cXBhZm0xZDB6
This is my official Instagram handle.
Plz be aware of fake profiles. | 1 534 |
| 18 |  Standard CBSE format to open the report with | 2 394 |
| 19 |  Report writing
Do's and Don'ts | 2 375 |
| 20 |  General open and concluding lines for letter | 2 232 |
