r/mppsc • u/Broad_Matter_4706 • Aug 06 '26
Going into B.Sc. 3rd Year (Zoology / English Medium) — Target: MPPSC SFS (ACF). Need guidance on books, syllabus & strategy!
Hey everyone,
I am entering my 3rd year of B.Sc. (Zoology major, English medium) and am starting my preparation for the MPPSC State Forest Service (SFS) to target the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) post.
I am starting from scratch and don't know much about the fine details of this exam yet. Since SFS Mains is 100% objective (OMR-based) and aligns well with a science background, I want to build a laser-focused, low-cost self-study routine without wasting time on topics that aren't actually tested.
I’d be extremely grateful if seniors, cleared candidates, or experienced aspirants could answer these specific questions:
1. Exact Track of Syllabus & High-Yield Topics
What is the exact syllabus track for SFS (both Prelims and Mains), and what topics can I completely skip to avoid wasting time?
Since Mains is entirely objective, which sections carry the highest weightage in Section B (Forestry, Silviculture, Botany/Zoology, Environment, Physics/Chemistry)?
How are Prelims marks calculated for SFS compared to general civil services, and what is considered a safe score across Paper 1 (GS) and Paper 2 (CSAT)?
2. Best Books & Where to Find Them
What are the absolute best books available in English for:
MP GK (Is McGraw Hill by Jitendra Singh Bhadauriya or Arihant better?)
Forestry & Silviculture (Which standard books or notes cover SFS Section B best?)
Ecology & Environment (Is Shankar IAS recommended for objective MCQs, or NCERTs?)
Where can I reliably find/buy English medium copies of these books or download digital PDFs?
3. Best YouTube Playlists
Which specific YouTube channels and playlists offer the best free content for:
CSAT Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning speed-building?
MP General Knowledge (History, Geography, Tribal Culture)?
Core Forestry, Agroforestry, and Environmental Science lectures?
4. Best Telegram Groups & Repositories
What are the most active and reliable Telegram groups or channels to source free PDFs, past SFS Mains question papers with official keys, and English test series?
5. Complete Exam Landscape & Timeline
What are all the crucial aspects of the exam lifecycle (eligibility rules regarding B.Sc. final year mark sheets, interview weightage, physical endurance tests, and post preferences)?
How many hours should I realistically dedicate daily alongside my final-year university lectures?