A young Electronics and Communication Engineer from Hyderabad, Saahithi Reddy, cleared the prestigious Indian Forest Service Exam 2022 with a little help and a gentle push from her office colleagues. Saahithi went on to secure an impressive All India Rank of 48 in her fourth attempt.
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, she revealed her rigorous preparation journey and the invaluable support she received from co-workers along the way.
BACKGROUND
Saahithi’s academic journey began with a graduation degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the prestigious BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus in 2017. Following her graduation, she worked as a Hardware Design Engineer in Pune for two years. However, during this period, she realized her true calling lay in serving the country rather than pursuing a corporate career.
Both her parents are working as a state government employees. Her father works in Minorities Residential Education Department in Telangana, while her mother works as a health officer in Social Welfare Residential Schools.
FATHER’S DREAM
Motivated by her father, who had always envisioned her in a prestigious government role, Saahithi made the life-changing decision to resign from her job and pursue her dream of joining the civil services. Despite facing initial setbacks, including failing the Prelims in her first three attempts, Saahithi remained determined and persevered hard.
Saahithi’s dedication and hard work finally paid off in her fourth attempt. “I not only cleared the Forest Service Prelims but also managed to clear the Civil Services Examination (CSE) Prelims as well,” she said.
Reflecting on her preparation strategy, Saahithi emphasized the importance of thorough Prelims preparation, dedicating ample time to studying NCERT books multiple times. Determined to clear the Prelims with a good margin, she left no stone unturned in her quest for success.
SUPPORT FROM CO-WORKERS
One crucial aspect of Saahithi’s journey was the support she received from her colleagues, who were also preparing for the civil services exams. “I engaged in group study sessions with them which allowed me to identify my own mistakes and rectify them effectively,” she mentioned. The shared dedication of the group led to all three colleagues clearing the Prelims together, further boosting their confidence for the Mains exams.
She also gave credit to her mentors for their support. “I would also like to thank Priyanka Verghese ma’am and DCF Narshima Reddy Sir and FCRI who played a significant role during my interview preparation,” she said.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
She faced a new challenge in the Mains exams, as she had opted for two new subjects: agriculture and zoology. With no background in agriculture, she sought guidance from a friend who was a graduate in the field and was preparing with Agriculture as an optional for civil services. “He assisted me in understanding the subject’s basics, which proved invaluable,” Saahithi shared.
INTERVIEW ROUND
The interview phase was a nerve-wracking experience for Saahithi. However, her perseverance and in-depth knowledge of the subjects impressed the panellists, resulting in an impressive score of 210, one of the highest in her batch.
During the interview, the panelists asked her about fluoride problem in Nalgonda, which she couldn’t answer. However, she said that the panelists were very cordial and helpful when she got stuck while answering.
Saahithi has just one advice for the aspirants preparing for this competitive exam: “If you really want to be in the service, you need to persist despite failures.”
