[Official] ForumIAS SFG 2021 - Level 1 Details and Important Updates
Important Update : LIVE Session for SFG 2021 - Level 1 General Discussion and Way Forward - 19th January 2021 at 4:00 PM. (Click Here)
To check the instructions on how to write SFG 2021 - Test 1 :
Important Dates:
Date of Entrance Test 2 - 3rd January 2021 (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM)
End Date Registration for Entrance Test 2 – 2nd January 2021 | 5 PM
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the Entrance test.
Result of Entrance Test 2 –4th January 2021
Commencement Date of SFG Level 1 – 7th January 2021
Syllabus of SFG Entrance Test - Candidates can expect 30 questions equally distributed across History, Polity, Economy, Environment and Geography. Further 15 questions will from Current Affairs of October, November and December months and 5 questions from CSAT.
SFG Level 1 Calendar: https://go.forumias.com/sfg21-calender
SFG – How it works
- Select Focus Group (SFG) is a small group of students who are selected by ForumIAS every year for coaching them to clear the UPSC Prelims Examination. Every single candidate selected and retained consistently in the group with Top ranks has cleared the Prelims examination in the past.
- 100 Students will be selected for the Select Focus Group, through the SFG Entrance Test, who will be required to report at 7 AM every day 6 days a week to write an hour-long test based on a pre-planned syllabus, followed by a discussion on the same.
- Candidates who are unable to make it to the SFG, will be maintained in a Reserve List, who can also write the tests. Candidates who couldn't clear the cutoff and are unable to make it into both SFG and RLG can register for the 2nd Entrance Test
- Tests are conducted daily and results are provided within 8 hours of test with Name and Rank list for candidates and parents to evaluate their daily performance. On the basis of rankles, about 50% of bottom performing students from SFG are migrated to the reserve list on a weekly basis, and an equal number of students from reserve list (RLG) are moved into SFG.
- The decision of the management in this regard is final and not subject to dispute. Please note that this migration is done not keeping in mind the overall merit list but moving away bottom 50% from SFG and picking up an equal number of people from RLG.
- Thus those who may be getting more than RLG students, but are bottom 50 in SFG will be moved to RLG.
- Every month, the bottom 20% or so non-performing students are eliminated from the program to maintain the quality of competition.
- All candidates writing the CSE 2021 are eligible to apply for the entrance test.
This year we introduce some changes as to how we conduct the SFG exam. Please note that changes that we bring are always in response to the examination pattern, the student feedback and our own learning with respect to how to best enable a serious candidate to clear the exam
Covid 19 Update:Keeping in mind the Covid situation, SFG – 1 entrance Test and the SFG program will be conducted in the online mode only for the year 2021. SFG – Level 2 may be conducted offline as per government guidelines and this decision will be taken at a later date.
This year SFG will be conducted in two levels as below:
SFG Level 1 (Foundation)
The SFG Level 1 is for beginners, freshers, first-timers, or simply those who have not cleared the Prelims examination ever before. The objective of the SFG Level 1 Program is three things
- Students know the basic books and basic concepts back and forth
- Students complete coverage of the syllabus through self-study
- Students are thorough with previous years papers
- Students develop the discipline and time management skills that are needed to clear the exam
The SFG Level 1 Tests will have book based / text-based / notes-based tests. By the end of SFG Level 1, you can expect that your coverage of the syllabus is complete, and you have done previous years questions well.
SFG Level 2 (Advanced)
SFG Level 2 is for people who have completed the reading and revision of the basic books and are now ready to take on the exam. The objective of the SFG Level 2 is as below
- Developing problem-solving skills for solving analytical, conceptual and thought based questions.
- Developing skills to solve questions based on the application of the reading that they have done for Level 1
- Mastering the art of handling questions from unknown areas and applying concepts from their wider reading which is relevant for the Civil Services Prelims Examination.
- Developing time management skills, and being through with the syllabus
- Providing a reliable, time-bound framework for revision just before the examination.
Current Affairs:
SFG Level 1 will provide coverage of current affairs from January 2020 to November 2020.
SFG Level 2 will have complete current affairs relevant for the Prelims examination 2021 integrated into the course.
CSAT:
CSAT tests will be integrated with SFG Level 2. There will be no CSAT tests in SFG level 1.
Application Procedure
- Admission to the SFG and RLG are based on the rank of the candidate in the merit list of the SFG Entrance Test. Students can apply for the program by registering for the Entrance Test by paying a fee of Rs. 500+ GST. Candidates can register by visitinghttp://academy.forumias.com
- The candidate must appear for the entrance test on the designated date and time, subsequent to which he/she will be admitted to the Select Group or the Reserve List.
- The candidate must pay the monthly fee as per the group he/she is allocated.
Note: Admissions to the SFG / RLG Group will only be on the basis of merit position of the candidate in the entrance test. Entrance Test will be held on 23rd December 2020. Candidates must register for the SFG Entrance Test by visiting the website http://academy.forumias.com before12 PM, December 22nd.
No admission will be granted to the candidate without appearing for the Entrance Test.
Fee Structure and Details:
- The course duration is of about two months and fees is charged on a monthly basis. Fees for the full duration of the program cannot be paid at one go.
For students selected in SFG- Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month. For Payment,Click Here.
For students selected in RLG- Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month. For Payment,Click Here.
- Fees are to be paid once the candidate is selected for the program. A fee of Rs. 118 is to be paid additionally for the I-Card by all students.
Wishing you Success,
Always
ForumIAS Academy
1. Regarding using unfair means during the exams, I remember @forumiasacademy removing few candidates when earlier SFG was shifted online and people started getting 100% marks. I also remember a test series where someone with the name Mr. Shashi Tharoor getting 200/200(People will be everywhere who will cheat)
2. Paying unequal fees(although I accept that I got fewer marks and hence need to work harder) would be as harsh asking Forum to reduce the fees to a below sustainable level. I am in favour ofequal fees with distinct batches
3. SFG 1.0 has helped me a lot in creating discipline in my preparation. Please give it a shot and see the changes in you(only if you follow it religiously)
4. Peace out and Study hard!
pranavjain1007785,Dear Students,
Thank you for your participation in the SFG Entrance Test. As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step :)
We have emailed your scorecard to you on your registered Email and also sent you an SMS for the same. Please read the instructions below:
#1 About 100 Students have been admitted to the SFG, About 500 students will be part of RLG and about 300+ students from the bottom 20% will not be able to join us for either SFG or RLG.
#2 Based on your SMS and Email Scorecard, you will be required to pay the fee as per below.
Please note that we will not be able to provide telephonic or Email support for SFG 2.0 Program. Candidates are expected to pay the fees by 5 PM, 14th July, Tuesday. After the 5 Pm, students who have selected for SFG will be eligible for the RLG batch. We will accept the payment till 8 PM
We will not be able to entertain students who pay fees at 8 AM and want immediate access to Tests.
This will not be possible.
Also, we will not be able to entertain any unreasonable demands once the fee payment window is over. If SFG is not your priority, please do not take this up.
Fee for SFG for 1st Month:https://go.forumias.com/126
Fee for RLG for 1st Month:https://go.forumias.com/127
Please subscribe to the channel:
https://forumias.com/channel/SFG-20-15th-July-2020
For every and any details and updates related to Select Focus Group 2.0 for Prelims 2020.
Note:Those students who are looking for SFG 2.0 Calender. Please subscribe to the channel.
Regards,
ForumIAS
slightedge109,
Dear Students,
Thank you for your participation in the SFG Entrance Test. As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step :)
We have emailed your scorecard to you on your registered Email and also sent you an SMS for the same. Please read the instructions below:
#1 About 100 Students have been admitted to the SFG, About 500 students will be part of RLG and about 300+ students from the bottom 20% will not be able to join us for either SFG or RLG.
#2 Based on your SMS and Email Scorecard, you will be required to pay the fee as per below.
Please note that we will not be able to provide telephonic or Email support for SFG 2.0 Program. Candidates are expected to pay the fees by 5 PM, 14th July, Tuesday. After the 5 Pm, students who have selected for SFG will be eligible for the RLG batch. We will accept the payment till 8 PM
We will not be able to entertain students who pay fees at 8 AM and want immediate access to Tests.
This will not be possible.
Also, we will not be able to entertain any unreasonable demands once the fee payment window is over. If SFG is not your priority, please do not take this up.
Fee for SFG for 1st Month:https://go.forumias.com/126
Fee for RLG for 1st Month:https://go.forumias.com/127
Please subscribe to the channel:
https://forumias.com/channel/SFG-20-15th-July-2020
For every and any details and updates related to Select Focus Group 2.0 for Prelims 2020.
Regards,
ForumIAS
Hey!hey! Hey! What about people who couldn't attempt test due to your technical fault even on the second day?? I understand that issue was resolved for many students, but this is a genuine complaint that you must address before asking people to pay fee for your programs.
@forumiasacademy the least we expect from you is to listen to our feedback through all these message. Some kind of reply or acknowledgment of our issue is needed from your side.
This format is encouraging people to cheat so they have to pay less fees every time.
Thank you
There is no change in the existing system as of now. Any change in having same fees will be opposed by those advantages by it this months.
Then they will say the same things. Then the cycle follows.
One of you can start community SFG without fees using using 10pm quiz and we will be happy to draw a mail and pin it at the top. We will also provide you the 10pm quiz files which you can schedule.
@kannagi Would you like to take that up ? We will provide you a tool to schedule posting pdf files here ( will take 2-3 days to develop ) and we can have a community initiative for the same ?
This way you will be able to work for what you feel very strongly about.
From next month we are considering no difference in fees.
For now, let us focus on tomorrow’s test.
mickeyviru,Those students who are looking for SFG 2.0 Calender.
Please subscribe to the channel:
https://forumias.com/channel/SFG-20-15th-July-2020
For every and any details and updates related to Select Focus Group 2.0 for Prelims 2020.
There is no change in the existing system as of now. Any change in having same fees will be opposed by those advantages by it this months.
Then they will say the same things. Then the cycle follows.
One of you can start community SFG without fees using using 10pm quiz and we will be happy to draw a mail and pin it at the top. We will also provide you the 10pm quiz files which you can schedule.
@kannagi Would you like to take that up ? We will provide you a tool to schedule posting pdf files here ( will take 2-3 days to develop ) and we can have a community initiative for the same ?
This way you will be able to work for what you feel very strongly about.
From next month we are considering no difference in fees.
For now, let us focus on tomorrow’s test.
I couldn't attempt the test due to your technical faults. I know there are many people like me. I am also sure there are a lot of people who didn't get proper 1 hr to attempt the test. I had a talk with my friend who got only 35 minutes to give the same test, while other people may have got 1 hr. And there may be students who got even less than 35 minutes. Leave the cheating aspect aside, student are not getting equal time to attempt the test and be on the sfg list. This doesn't look fair to me!
Hi Team,
This is regarding the test that was conducted on 13th July. Though I was able to appear for the test I was only able to attempt it for around 30 minutes. I am attaching the photo of the last time I took the photo for raising the query. Around 15 minutes after this I was able to appear for the test.
Don't you guys think that I was unable to appear for the test despite my full preparation and was able to score less for the discrepancy from your side. You can verify my claim from your server I had around 17 minutes left before the examination ended.
Would be glad to hear your side
.
Regards
Abhishek Anand
There is no change in the existing system as of now. Any change in having same fees will be opposed by those advantages by it this months.
Then they will say the same things. Then the cycle follows.
One of you can start community SFG without fees using using 10pm quiz and we will be happy to draw a mail and pin it at the top. We will also provide you the 10pm quiz files which you can schedule.
@kannagi Would you like to take that up ? We will provide you a tool to schedule posting pdf files here ( will take 2-3 days to develop ) and we can have a community initiative for the same ?
This way you will be able to work for what you feel very strongly about.
From next month we are considering no difference in fees.
For now, let us focus on tomorrow’s test.
@forumiasacademy on your consideration of having no difference in fee from next month, I am reminded of Kabir
काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब । पल में प्रलय होएगी,बहुरि करेगा कब ॥
Since with online platform, merit has taken a backseat. I hope@forumiasacademy will remove the price difference and reduce the fees for the next month.
I have paid the fees and hoping the changes are introduced at the earliest so that I can continue even for the next month.
Rise from Ashes,Unpopular opinion:
I do not think there should be same fees for both SFG and RLG.
- Correlation of fees with marks acts as a motivator.
- if you think that it will surely make people cheat, you are mistaken. It is only partially true. Yes it will make people cheat, but for how long? If anyone of you reading this comment has observed human nature, you would have concluded that this defies logic. You can not/will not cheat to stay in a group for mere questions!!! I mean these questions might even show up in telegram the next day.
- So why would one want to pay (and cheat), when s/he knows s/he will get the questions anyway!?
- in nutshell, only those guys would participate in the tests, who believe in the SPIRIT OF SFG, i.e. self discipline, performance tracking and competition.
- moreover, people complaining about cheating in digital tests, well, what did you expect? We are not even honest with our parents and you expect candidates to be honest while attempting tests? Which utopia do you live in?
- however if@forumiasacademy analyse the server timings and conclude that the chunk of candidates is huge who have unrealistic timings and scores, they can always avoid grouping candidates just based on the entrance tests. Instead, initially everyone can be a part of one group only and then on the basis of 2-3 weeks’ performances two groups can be formed.
- also@forumiasacademy could look into disabling right clicks and cut copy pastes. This might help in allaying some fears.
- HOWEVER, if they decide not to do this, we can not do anything as it is a private venture and not Cuba. So please rein your abusive horses.
adipokra,
Why aren't we able to see our performance in detail.
Please display solution and our response so that we can analyse the paper.
Also release complete list of ranks and number obtained so that we can evaluate our performance , and take decision to join or not.
The experience of website during the test was not satisfactory. Make website more user friendly and it should be able to take more load so that error doesn't appear.
Let's accept that test series is not cheap and we should be able to get required service as others coaching institutes offer.
Last but not least , make sure students attempt test seriously and genuinely , then only we will be able to see where we stand in the competition.
Thanks
@forumiasacademy May I know exactly how this RLG /SFG program works and its detailed schedule?
Hey, thank you for acknowledging the feedbacks. Can you elaborate the idea of community sfg?
I have no problem in scheduling some pdf uploads. But 10 PM Quiz is already being posted, you want to create a ranking mechanism in it? And it'll be free, but 10PM quiz already is!?
But 10 PM Quiz is mostly current affairs and sfg is a 50 question, syllabus based test. Just demarcating the difference.
Hoping to hear from you!
Cheers.
GravityShades,
@AcademySupport @forumiasacademy paid fees. Now what's the next step?
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