Regardless of preliminary setbacks in UPSC CSE makes an attempt, Harsimran Singh Cheema persevered, attaining an All India Rank of 16 in his first try at UPSC IFS in 2022. He shares the distinction in preparation technique for IAS and IFS, sharing suggestions that labored for him.
Whereas scrolling by way of Instagram, Harsimran Singh Cheema got here throughout a profile suggestion for an Indian Forest Companies (IFS) officer from Madhya Pradesh. As he explored the officer’s feed, he realized concerning the prestigious Indian Forest Service.
“I used to be amazed by the various duties of a forest officer in defending our forests and supporting the group. With the rising affect of local weather change and heightened deal with environmental points, I realised there are lots of alternatives for significant work on this area,” he says.
“This realisation sparked my curiosity within the service, and it was then that I made a decision to take the examination,” he provides.
Previous to this, Harsimran had already tried the Union Public Service Fee Civil Companies Examinations (UPSC CSE) 5 occasions with out success. “I used to be additionally approaching the age of 32, the utmost restrict for a normal candidate within the UPSC. I wished to provide it one final attempt since I had nothing to lose,” says Harsimran, who was then working because the Inspector of Cooperative Society in Punjab.
After a number of failed makes an attempt in UPSC CSE, Harsimran lastly achieved a outstanding feat on his first try within the UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) examination in 2022, securing an All India Rank of 16 on his first try.
We sat down with him to grasp the distinction between IAS and IFS and the preparation technique that led him to success in his first try at IFS.
Decade-long journey to turning into an IFS Officer
Initially from Jalandhar, Punjab, Harsimran shares the story behind his inspiration to affix the civil companies. “Once I was a toddler, my mom would inform me tales about her dream of turning into an IAS officer. Nevertheless, at the moment, the surroundings was not conducive for girls to pursue increased schooling and jobs. Alternatives have been restricted, and fogeys primarily targeted on marrying off their daughters. She hoped to fulfil her dream by way of me, and I wished to attain this for her,” he shares.
After finishing his civil engineering diploma from the DAV Institute of Engineering and Expertise in 2013, Harsimran labored within the non-public sector for a yr. In 2014, he determined to go away his job and put together full-time for the UPSC-CSE.
Harsimran cleared the Prelims on his first try however couldn’t clear the Mains. This sample continued in his successive makes an attempt in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he managed to clear the Mains however didn’t make it to the ultimate record after the interview spherical. “By that point, I used to be unemployed, and I used to be not getting success in my makes an attempt. I used to be disheartened,” he says.
He felt it was excessive time to work on his Plan B — securing a authorities place within the Punjab State Civil Companies. “In 2017, I took up a job as an Inspector of Cooperative Society. This position allowed me to watch the functioning of the Authorities on the grassroots degree. It was an eye-opener for me. I realised that whereas civil companies are sometimes glamourised, the work of presidency officers is much like another job, with targets and objectives to fulfill,” he provides.
Speaking concerning the significance of getting a plan B, he says, “I wouldn’t advise aspirants to spend years and years solely on examination preparation. This examination isn’t every part. It’s vital to diversify and never put all of your eggs in a single basket. That ought to be your preliminary method. Many individuals waste years chasing glamour. As an alternative, dedicate two to a few years of laborious work, and if you happen to’re unable to clear it, it’s completely effective to discover different alternatives.”
“Alongside your job, you may put together for this examination. Arduous work by no means goes to waste; I can attest to this after nearly 10 years of my journey, which thankfully culminated in success on this area,” he provides.
In 2021, he started making ready for forest companies alongside his full-time job. “As this was my final alternative to get into the service, I used to be nervous. However lastly, I tasted success in my first try at IFS,” says Harsimran, who clenched an AIR of 16 within the 2022 examination.
IAS vs IFS — How completely different is the preparation course of?
In UPSC, candidates can select their most well-liked ranks, choosing both IAS, IFS, or each. They’ve separate makes an attempt for every. Initially, Harsimran targeted solely on IAS (CSE). Nevertheless, on his closing try, he determined to pursue IFS, a choice that proved fruitful as he efficiently cleared it on his first try.
Speaking concerning the modifications that he made in his technique earlier than showing for forest companies, he says, “The cutoff for the forest service examination is mostly increased than that for civil companies, requiring candidates to place in additional effort proper from the preliminary stage. I needed to elevate my Prelims preparation to an entire new degree.”
He continues, “To organize successfully, I looked for UPSC query papers from the final 10 years. This helped me perceive UPSC’s expectations and gauge the adequacy of my preparation. Moreover, I targeted on mastering topics that sometimes problem different candidates, giving me a aggressive edge.”
To realize an edge over his opponents, Harsimran careworn reverse engineering. “I recognized probably the most difficult questions from earlier years’ query papers and diligently looked for related info on-line. As soon as I discovered the suitable supply books, I caught to them to realize a deeper understanding of the themes,” he provides.
With this technique, he efficiently cleared the Prelims and Mains levels in 2022. He mentions that he devoted roughly a month and a half to organize for the interview spherical. “It’s to be famous that the interview rounds for each CSE and IFS are completely different. Whereas the previous is on normal questions, the latter stresses on technicalities of the forest service,” he informs.
“Whereas normal solutions would possibly suffice within the Civil Companies Examination (CSE), the board for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) expects scientific and sustainable options,” says Harsimran, who secured 210 marks out of 300 within the character take a look at spherical.
“Whereas making ready for the interview, I lined fundamental questions on my background, job expertise, levels, hobbies, and pursuits. Moreover, I targeted on technical features associated to forestry,” he says, including that through the interview spherical, he was requested about numerous varieties of forest fires and techniques to enhance groundwater high quality affected by the overuse of chemical fertilisers in farms.
Edited by Pranita Bhat. All pictures: Harsimran Singh.
