 So, I am Varadaraj Gaonkar, I have secured second rank in the Indian Forest Service examination 2021. I am a mechanical engineering graduate from NITK Sudathakar. For this examination, I chose geology and forestry as my optional subjects. Both subjects were new to me and I had no academic background in these two subjects. So for the preparation of these two subjects, I studied from the basic books and once I was thorough with my basics, I practiced previous year question papers and did mock tests. I practiced mock tests. For forestry, which was one of my optional subjects, I practiced mock tests from the Shankar A.S. Academy. Their timely feedback helped me improve my answers. For the interview stage, I attended various initiatives of Shankar A.S. Academy. I attended their online video lectures and online mock interviews. So all their feedbacks helped me improve my articulation and oral presentation in the final interview at the UPSC. So I would like to thank the entire team of Shankar A.S. and everyone who has helped me in my preparation for this examination. Thank you so much.