Yash Dhoble, a resident of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, has fulfilled both his and his parents’ dream by securing the All India Rank 17 in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination 2022. Born to a family of doctors, with his father being a Pathologist and his mother a paediatrician, Yash had a strong educational background. He completed his schooling in Ujjain and went on to pursue a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, graduating in 2018.
After working for three years, he made a life-altering decision in 2021. Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and the desire to contribute to the nation, he decided to quit his job and dedicate himself to preparing for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the forest service exam. This was his second attempt at the Indian Forest Service exam, and he was determined to succeed!
Yash’s motivation to join the Forest Service stemmed from his aspiration to make a meaningful difference in society. He believed that serving the nation through this esteemed profession would allow him to fulfil his goals. “The Indian Forest Service is widely regarded as one of the most respected careers in the country, which further inspired me to pursue this path,” he told Indian Masterminds.
HAPPINESS!
The announcement of the exam results took Yash by surprise. Overwhelmed with joy, he double-checked the results to ensure it wasn’t a dream. His parents, who had supported his aspirations from the beginning, shed tears of happiness upon learning about his outstanding achievement. His success was not only his own dream come true but also a realization of his parents’ aspirations for him to join the prestigious service.
While Yash’s focus has been on the Indian Forest Service, he has also appeared for the Civil Services Examination. “I have cleared the Prelims this year and am scheduled to sit for the Mains examination in September,” he said. Regarding the choice between IFS and IAS, Yash plans to seek guidance from senior officials and experienced professionals who have served for a decade or more. He believes their insights will help him make an informed decision if he clears the CSE exam.
PREPARATION STRATEGY
His preparation strategy revolved around simplicity and strong fundamentals. “I took advice from my seniors and mentors, including IPS Mahesh Bhagwat sir, and ensured that I cover the basics comprehensively,” he shared.
His optional subjects for the forest service exam were Forestry and Physics, and he took coaching specifically for these subjects. Opting for Physics as a common option with the Civil Services Examination proved advantageous, saving him from studying two optional subjects simultaneously.
English, being a relatively easier subject, allowed Yash to score exceptionally well. His dedication to practising grammar and tackling objective-type questions paid off, resulting in an impressive score of 172 in General English.
INTERVIEW
For the interview round, he leveraged his preparation for the Civil Services Examination. Dividing his focus into three parts, he extensively covered his Detailed Application Form (DAF), and prepared for HR-type questions about his motivation to join IFS or IAS, his strengths and weaknesses, and current affairs. He stayed updated with the latest news and happenings around his surroundings.
Although Yash had high expectations for the interview, he said that it became too factual after a certain point.
TIPS FOR ASPIRANTS
Reflecting on his journey, Yash provided valuable advice for aspiring candidates. He highlighted the uniqueness of the exam and emphasized that what works for one person may not work for another.
Further, he encouraged candidates to approach the preparation with simplicity, acknowledging that it is impossible to cover the entire syllabus. “Have confidence in your efforts, maintain faith in yourself, and believe that your hard work will yield positive results,” he said.
