Rank 12 - IFoS Topper Neha Srivastava's Success Story

4/19/2016 Rank
12 – IFoS Topper Neha Srivastava’s Success Story
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INITIATIVES
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Rank 12 – IFoS
9 PM Brief (126)
 Editorial Today (16)
Topper Neha  FIN ( Facts in News)
Srivastava’s Success (2)
 Friday Science Quiz
Story (6)
Written by F O R U M I A S | February 18, 2016 — 20 Q Monday Polity Quiz

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MO TU WE TH FRI SAT SU
N E D U N
http://forumias.com/portal/nehasrivastavaifos2015air12/ 1/17
4/19/2016 Rank 12 – IFoS Topper Neha Srivastava’s Success Story
IFoS Rank 12 Neha Srivastava with her father
1 2 3
before her Personality Test at Union Public
Discussions Test Series Groups Portal Sign In or Join
Service Commission 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Neha Srivastava has secured Rank 12 in the 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Indian Forest Service Examination 2015. She 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
cracked IFoS in her first attempt. Hailing from
Hazaribag in Jharkhand, Neha chose Zoology and 25 26 27 28 29 30
Botany as her optionals.

Neha completed her B.Tech in Biotechnology
from DY Patil, Mumbai
Neha is an avid ForumIAS members and joined
the ForumIAS family two years ago. Presenting
before you Neha’s success story.
First, tell us something about
yourself!
I did my early schooling from RK Mission, so
LATEST FROM
‘Jiva is Shiva’ was impregnated in my mind when TOPPERSPEAK
I was just 8. Since then I wanted to be a civil
 Rank 49 – IFoS
servant in a true sense.
Topper From ForumIAS
Vipul Pandey’s Success
For me there is just one universal truth Law of
Story March 17, 2016
karma. And this dictates my life a lot. Maybe this
 Rank 46 – IFS Topper
is why I am inclined to get into civil services
Avinash Kumar Strategy
where I can do ‘good karma’ in broadest manner to CRACK IFS with
possible. Forestry and Geology +
Links to Sources March
Your medium of instruction in 9, 2016
school,college and in the Mains  Rank 12 – IFoS
Examination? Topper Neha
Srivastava’s Success
English Story March 9, 2016
 Interview with IAS
How did you get started for preparation 2014 RANK 86: Tushar 
for All India Services? Singla September 8,
2015
After my B.Tech, I wanted to get into some decent  AIR 58: Bhavesh
Bschool, become financially independent before Mishra : Mathematics
getting into civil services preparation. So I was Strategy October 16,
2015
already preparing for aptitude. Meanwhile my
uncle who himself is a civil servant was guiding  The inspiring story of
Suharsha Bhagat – 5th
me for GS. I was motivated by him and I decided
Attempt and 5th Rank
to drop my MBA plan. I started my full pledged September 2, 2015
preparation 6 months before prelims. View All Posts In
TopperSpeak »
How did you tackle GS/GK Paper?
ARTICLES
I was already preparing for aptitude during final  Art & Culture (3)
semester as I was preparing for GRE, my plan
 Committee & Reports
was to go for civils after PG. But then I decided to (1)
give civil services at least one try. So I gave my
 Economy (22)
first prelims in May 2013, I picked up the Hindu
 Geography &
and NCERT books in Jan 2013. I was guided by
Environment (7)
my uncle who himself is a civil servant and has
 History (2)
teaching experience of over 10 years. He taught
 How To (6)
me what not to study instead of what to study.
And with his guidance I was able to clear CSP  Institutions &
Organisations (4)
2013. Also I am not a kind of person who can
study for 10 hrs a day, follow a proper timetable.  International Relations
(5)
As suggested by my mentor, I limited by booklist.  People & Awards (2)
And strategy was to read the same book again and
 Polity & Governance
again instead of reading different books on the (11)
same topic. And it paid off, it helped me to clear
 Programs & Policies
prelims in first attempt in very less time. So (9)
prelims exam is toughest stage yet it is
 Science & technology
conquerable with the right strategy. (7)
 Social Issues (1)
How did you prepare Zoology
Optional?  Videos (10)
My major optional is zoology, many topics are
EXAM PROCESS
similar to my graduations subject, but initially
troubled me a lot. Being unconventional subject it  Notification (2)
is not very easy to gather the sources of studies.  Question Paper (2)
But I love this subject so I went for it. I have habit  Results (2)
of notes making. Notes helped me to compile the
topics together. It is a time consuming process but
it ultimately helps a lot in revision especially for
RECENT
topics like economic zoology, genetics which COMMENTS
can’t be covered using one book.
Khagendra on  9 PM
Daily Brief – 18 April
I have habit of note making and I make proper
2016
notes from 23 sources with coloured diagrams
Paras Ahuja on  The
etc. it is a time consuming process however for
10 PM Daily Quiz – 18
me it is one time investment. Also, the topics are April, 2016
not available in one book. They are quite scattered
rnr1016 on  The 10 PM
especially in genetics for example if Mendel’s law Daily Quiz – 18 April,
is given well in Griffiths, cloning is explained 2016
well in TA brown. Because it is always easy for  rohan_19 on 
me to revise from notes written in my own [Solutions] – The Friday
General Science &
handwriting. It is never possible to complete the
Awareness Quiz #1
syllabus and it is not wise too. My strategy was to
Rudrani M on  The 10
complete one section of each paper. For example
PM Daily Quiz – 18 April,
in paper 1 section B with ecology, ethology, 2016
economic zoology is easier to complete and is
Gaurav Gupta on  The
more scoring than section A I.e, taxonomy. And 10 PM Daily Quiz – 18
ultimately one need to attempt only 5 out of 8 April, 2016
questions. elutherian on  The 10

How did you prepare Botany Optional? 2016
 rahul7 on  The 10
My second optional was botany. It has many
overlapping topics with zoology so I prepared 2016
them well. And for rest of the topics I went for
Gaurav Gupta on 
selected studies like plant physiology which is Monday Polity Quiz #4
easier than taxonomy. Biotechnology portion is elutherian on  Monday
scoring. IGNOU notes helped me a lot. My Polity Quiz #4
strategy for optional was to finish one section of
each paper completely because ultimately we
need to answer 5/8 questions. RELATED
POSTS
Since you cleared IFoS, you would have
pretty good marks in Prelims. What Tuesday Economy
books/notes did you refer to for General Quiz #4
Studies and CSAT? views 20
The 10 PM Daily
I made my booklist and then decided no matter
Quiz – 18 April,
how tempting any new notes or book look, I am 2016
not going to buy them. Just 23 months before views 434
prelims when it became clear that CSAT will be
9 PM Daily Brief –
qualifying, I locked my all books(to avoid 18 April 2016
traumatising myself unnecessarily) except those views 1079
mentioned in my booklist.
Editorial Today #16
Booklist: – IndiaIran
Relationshi...
History Ancient India: old NCERT 12th, views 571
medieval india skipped, modern india old – Saturday CSAT
NCERT 12th + TMH Md.Tarique Quiz #3
views 271
Culture CCRT
Geography New NCERT 912th, old NCERT 6
8th
Polity DD Basu, BK Sharma
Economy Sriram’s note + Sanjeev Verma +
9th, 10th NCERT, 12th NCERT macroeconomics
Ecology 1112th NCERT biology (selected
chapters), E.Baruch UGC book.
Current affairs The Hindu, Vision IAS Current
Affairs booklet.
Science NCERT
How Many questions did you attempt in
GS?
92
Do you think attempting more questions
is the key to success in Prelims? Is there
an ideal number of questions one should
attempt? How did you decide to attempt
those questions which you were not sure
of?
This year the fate was to be decided by only 100
questions of GS, and definitely attempting
maximum number of questions was the only
option. Luckily, I could manage almost 80
questions and then guesswork for rest. One should
know when to stop. Costbenefit analysis is must.
One should first attempt the question which one is
sure about. Then take the risk for other questions.
MAINS PREPARATION
When did you start preparing for Mains
Examination?
I had already appeared for CSM earlier so my one
optional was almost prepared. I was preparing for
GS till prelims result came out. And when I found
that I am eligible for IFS mains, I focused on the
optional. And reserved last 10 days for second
optional.
How did you prepare GS/GK?
GS for IFS is more or less factual. I only added
Yojna to my prelims booklist. GS of IFS is a
different than GS of CSE. It is more factual and
trend is that usually the hot topics are asked like
this year Nepal earthquake, Greece Crisis etc.
were asked. If one is following news properly GS
can be easily managed. My booklist was same
that I used for prelims just added Yojna for better
analysis.
How did you cover Current Affairs for
Mains?
The Hindu + Yojna+ vision notes. No other
magazine or newspaper. Even covering this was
not too easy for me (I have a bad habit that I don’t
read newspaper daily and I collect them for later.
And later never comes, but vision IAS notes
helped me to compensate this however there can
be no substitute to newspaper, so it is not
advisable)
COACHING
Did you join any coaching classes for
Mains? If yes, which one?
I had joined Vision IAS mains test series but
appeared for only 3 tests.
How far do you think is coaching
necessary for preparing for the Mains
Examination?
I prepared on my own and at no stage I felt like
joining any coaching because I don’t have habit of
studying continuously for 1 hr. Coaching may
help to define the boundary of this vast syllabus.
Current affairs of Vision IAS is really helpful but
I think that there is no concept in GS that we can’t
understand on our own. I did selfstudies because
I am not a kind of person who can sit and study
for one hour continuously that’s why I never
joined any coaching. Coaching or no coaching
should be individual’s choice. For me it is no
coaching.
INTERVIEW
Which Interview Board did you face?
Sri. Manbir Singh
Can you tell us briefly about your
interview experience?
It was the very first interview of my life, I had
never ever appeared for any job or entrance
related interview earlier. Overall the experience
was good. The first question was which
newspaper I read. I replied the Hindu. Manbir sir
asked me why? I said it has concise articles blah
blah. But he was not happy with the answer he
asked my again why? Other papers are also good
still all civil aspirants go for the Hindu. I replied
that I don’t know about other aspirants but I like
the Hindu because it has very less number of
pages. He was laughing after this answer, and
remarked that this was a unique answer and he
was waiting for this answer. This also eased the
tensed airs of the room and then I could answer
other answers well.
Further, Manbir sir asked me questions about
some concepts of economics that was completely
unexpected given that it was IFoS interview and I
have no background of economics. However he
was very cordial, he himself explained a few
questions twice when I failed to understand. The
other members were also encouraging me and
helped me to frame the answers better when I was
missing the appropriate word. One member even
whispered the right answer in my ear when I
could not recall one botanical name asked my
other member. So overall at no point of time they
made me feel that I am facing an interview.
However there were no questions on my DAF,
home state, graduation subject, current affairs,
why ifs, hobbies. They asked anything that came
to their mind.
What did you wear for the Interview?
Dark cyan silk saree
What qualities do you think are being
tested in the Interview? Some strict
Do’s and Don’ts for the Interview for
aspirants and Interview candidates?
I think they were testing for honesty. Manbir sir
asked me which newspaper do I read, I replied the
Hindu, when he asked why do all civil service
aspirants prefer the Hindu, I replied that Sir! I
have no idea about other aspirants but I go for this
because it had concise articles and minimum
number of pages. He was happy with the answer,
he said that it is the most unique answer.
What magazines /newspapers did you
refer to for preparing Current Affairs?
Hindu and Yojana (Yojana helped a lot for mains
because no matter how hard I try, most of the days
I am not able to finish my newspaper)
What qualities do you think are being
tested in the Interview? Some strict
Do’s and Don’ts for the Interview?
Be honest and modest. One should never argue.
Many times board members try to explain some
concepts if we fail to answer, that time we should
look interested that we are too eager to learn.
Usually there is one psychologist who will
literally stare at you and will make you feel
conscious and will wear an expression that ‘you
know nothing.’ Just ignore him.
First of all don’t have any prejudice so it is better
to not research on the background of the
chairman. Because if we don’t get the expected
questions it lowers our confidence. Manbir sir
usually asks questions related to IR but he asked
me questions only related to economics and that
too in depth although I have no background in
economics. So, just be honest but modest.
Do you thing marks in school or college
can impact one’s score in the Interview?
I don’t think that matters
USE OF INTERNET FOR
PREPARATION
How far did you use the Internet for
your Preparation? Do you think in the
changed UPSC pattern, today an
aspirant can prepare wholly by
referring sources from the Internet?
Internet is like having any info at one click. It
helped me a lot especially for ecology and culture.
Because we don’t have defined booklist for these.
We can’t depend on one source wholly and I think
that there is no alternate for standard books.
However internet definitely helps a lot to clarify
the concepts. Since I did selfstudies, I relied on
internet mostly when I was not able to understand
anything from the books like concept of physical
geography can be studied through animation.
How far did ForumIAS.com help you as
a social network, as a sharing platform
for you Prelims, Mains & Interview
Preparation (and the excruciating
period between the exam and results to
chill out with coaspirants and other
successful candidates)?
It never made me feel I am preparing alone.
Starting from prelims to cut off discussion, to
interesting debates on controversial prelims
questions (that eased the tension while we were
waiting for results), to filling up DAF, to getting
info about interview boards at almost every stage
ForumIAS helped me a lot. And especially
because I am a kind of person who doesn’t know
many serious aspirants personally, this is the
platform from where I could meet and seek
guidance from experienced aspirants and toppers
It is because of this forum I never felt lonely
during this journey. Apart from help at each and
every stage of the exam, it gave me a few very
good friends. Even the silliest of the silly query
was addressed at the earliest.
What is the best thing you like about
ForumIAS?
I was preparing on my own, so ForumIAS is the
only platform where I could interact with other
aspirants and this forum helped me to get really
good friends. Best thing is queries are answered
very quickly.
ForumIAS is not a forum it is a fraternity.
Members are always ready to help each other. A
true spirit of sportsmanship where everyone is
competing, but not competing with each other –
that is the beauty of this forum.
Do you use any other websites for your
preparation? Is yes, name them.
General net surfing. No particular website.
Finally, Congratulation for making it. Is
there any message you would like to
give to IAS Aspirants who look up to
you?
I think that this examination is not about how
much one can study, this exam is actually
emotionally exhausting especially if one is not
working. Taking money from parents (although
they never say no), watching friends going on
vacations and we are missing even the festivals.
Every time when someone asks what are you
doing or why aren’t you getting married.
Every time when we have to make an excuse for
not attending friend’s birthday party. Every time
when we don’t see our roll number in the PDF
and it feels like it is the end of the world, every
time when we see our friends earning so well and
living a good life while we despite of being
toppers have opted this life of a sage and those
low phases when we feel that can we ever make
it?.
But it is also true that ‘labour can’t go
unrewarded’. There may come one stage that
when one actually start cursing oneself for getting
into this mess, but one thing is also for sure that
good things take time. In Kabir’s word “Maali
seeche sau ghada, Ritu aaye phal hoye”. So, we
still fight with these odds and we keep on going
And the success is all ours!
Any other Exams you have already
cleared or plan to appear for?
I have appeared for TISS Net this year and have
GDPI for HRLM scheduled in March. (It was
only a career back up, so that I could become
financially independent and focus more on CSE
preparation)
Any suggestions for ForumIAS? How
can we improve?
This forum is already doing a great job. My best
wishes are always with its team.

Neha Srivastava joins the ranks of ForumIAS
women members @dottydorothy ( Ira Singhal,
IAS Rank 1 ) , Priyanka Mehtani ( IAS Rank 59)
, Roshni Thomson ( IAS Rank 98 ) who have
made a name for themselves by their sheer hard
work. We wish Neha the best in all her future
endeavors!
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Join the discussion…
anjus • 2 months ago
Congratulations Neha on your stupendous
success! I have a doubt. Can you tell me if in the
age of single optional one can risk studying for
Mains right now in Feb AprilMay and then
move to Prelims prep in May JuneJuly?
I have cleard prelims before and appeared for
the Interview but could not get selected that
year. I am new to the new 4 GS paper pattern.
Your advice will be helpful. TIA
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
kriti34 • 2 months ago
Mam, can u please tell detailed strategy for
botany optional, I mean which buks and if
botany optional, I mean which buks and if
possible can i have your email id for more
information
Nocturnal90 > kriti34 • 2 months ago
Botany is my second optional. Ignou
notes are available in PDF. They cover
the families, economic botany,
physiology and morphology portion really
well. If you are familiar with botany then
for other topics you can go for standard
books. I will post my notes asap.
This comment was deleted.
kriti34 > Guest
• 2 months ago
Thnks mam
Rita • 2 months ago
Congratulations. Can I request you to share
more information about your preparation for
botany. The books, the strategy etc.. Would like
to have your email add to consult about the
optional.
Nocturnal90 > Rita • 2 months ago
Thank you. You can contact me through
gmail. All the best
Neyawn • 2 months ago
Congratulations @nocturnal90 :) You rock!
Nocturnal90 > Neyawn
• 2 months ago
Thank you so much :)
Ajit Singh • 2 months ago
Great ,really very nice presentation Neha it
seems true from yours heart and boosted my
seems true from yours heart and boosted my
confidence ,waiting for my mains result really
your idea regarding interview is too much
informative and motivating.thanks stay blessed
and happy forever
Nocturnal90 > Ajit Singh
• 2 months ago
I am glad. Thank you and all the best for
the upcoming result.
Nocturnal90 • 2 months ago
Thank you all! My both optionals are very
unconventional, and they troubled me a lot in
beginning. I would be really happy if I could help
my fellow aspirants in anyway possible. I will
post the detailed strategy, booklist, notes, PDF
etc whatever I have very soon. Right now I am
gearing up for walking test and my notes are at
home. All the best.
helianthus > Nocturnal90
• 2 months ago
Hi neha, congratulations and best wishes
for future.
I am planning to appear in ifos this year
with botany n agriculture as optional.
Plz suggest booklist in addition to ignou
material.
I have no background in botany, only that
I studied it till 12th. An exhaustive list of
material by you may prove really
beneficial.
Thanks
MAD MAX • 2 months ago
Congratz ma'm
Nocturnal90 > MAD MAX
• 2 months ago
Thank you :)
Sathish • 2 months ago
Congratulations Neha... Welcome to IFS.... U ll
have fun time here in IGNFA... Cheers
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4/19/2016 Rank

Test Series Daily Quiz Initiative Daily Initiatives UPSC Syllabus

Buy IAS Notes CSE Results Downloads

Written by F O R U M I A S | February 18, 2016 — 20 Q Monday Polity Quiz

< April 2016 >▼

questions. elutherian on  The 10

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