India is currently experiencing the monsoon season. From the south to the north, rains are giving relief to people from the scorching summer heat. But, for Andhra Pradesh’s Kolluru Venkata Srikanth, who has been in love with nature from his childhood, this season is also showering good news and joy upon him that he will cherish forever. He topped the UPSC’s Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2022 exam with AIR 1 in his third attempt, a feat that all aspirants dream of, but only one manages to achieve every year.
Last year, when Srikanth failed to clear the same exam, he was disappointed and heartbroken. But this year, when UPSC announced the results on the first day of the month of July, he was the happiest man on earth. And why not! His hard work, dedication, and perseverance have finally paid off. For him, it is also a relief from making further attempts at one of the toughest exams of India, as he was destined to be selected this year.
And, it was his love for nature that attracted him towards the forest service and, ultimately, led him to this grand success!
JOURNEY TO INDIAN FOREST SERVICE
Srikanth hails from Bapatla in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He competed his school education from his native place in Guntur.
He did his graduation (B. Tech) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Shiv Nadar University, Noida, UP Campus in 2019. After that he started preparing for civil services examination. But his love for nature led him to go for Indian Forest Service Exam as well.
In his first attempt at IFS exam, he reached till the interview stage, but could not make it to the final list. And, last year, he could not even qualify for the prelims. But, this year, he not only cracked the exam but made it to the all India rank no 1!
He has also cleared the UPSC’s Central Armed Police Forces-2022 Exam and had appeared for the interview this year in April. The results of this exam are yet to be declared. But, now, he will not have to wait for this result, as he has already qualified for his dream job!
He said, “From my childhood, I love to observe plants and animals around me. It connects me to nature. I also often do countryside walks to feel peaceful and calm. Perhaps, that is why IFS was my first choice for career.”
OPTIONALS AND STRATEGY
His optional subjects were Geology and Forestry. Unlike UPSC CSE, in IFS, there are two optional subjects.
Srikanth mostly self-prepared for the examination, and only took coaching for one of his optional papers, Geology.
He said that his mains exam was very good, as he could do both his optional papers very well. “That is why I was expecting a good rank this time, but topping the exam is really another level feeling,” he added.
His strategy was focused on solving test papers and PYQs, and doing timely revisions. He also made short notes for his optional papers.
He said that he will now work to save forests along with research on pollution prevention, biodiversity and climate change.
ABOUT UPSC IFoS EXAM
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the final results of Indian Forest Service (IFS)-2022 exam. AIR 2 went to Sahil Poswal, followed by Anuradha Mishra in rank 3. The Commission has recommended 147 candidates for appointment and another 12 candidates under the provisional category. A total of 150 vacancies were reported by the Central government to the Commission for recruitment.
Indian Forest Service is one of the Civil Services of India and belongs to the apex All India Services group. India’s forest area is spread over 80 million hectares in the country. These forests are a haven for abundant natural resources, invaluable forest resources, fertile grasslands, tribal tribes and biodiverse animal species. The Government of India has a responsibility to protect these forests, which are part of the country’s culture and people’s way of life. That is why the Indian Forest Service is very important.
Aspirants need to note that they have to appear for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) examination and qualify the same for the second phase of the IfoS examination, the Mains. Candidates who qualify in the Civil Services Preliminary Exam and meet the eligibility criteria of the Indian Forest Service will be shortlisted for the IFS Main Examination. There will be a physical examination, too. After that, will come the last stage – the interview round.
