[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
Hello there,
The following are the key points mentioned by Ayush sir in today's session (19/08/2020) for Prelims with respect to SFG batch and the strategy for the next 45 days.
- Study as much as possible now.
- Only study, eat food & sleep
- Wake up as early as 2 am
- Normal approach wont get you anything
- No social life.
- Stick to your own source.
- 3:1 =3 hours for test & 1 hour for revision
- You can clear prelims in the remaining time.
- Source minimalism- no new sources.
- No thinking on Mains at this point of time.
- Focus only on prelims.
- Concentrate only on the subject you are doing .
- Start studying as soon as you wake up.
- This is the last time i am studying so much.
- Nap of 20 minutes. Not more than that.
- May be try Shavasan.
- 2-3 days plan. Even if i dont finish. I should not extend the deadline, move to another subject.
- Change sequence of reading. Reverse.
- Confidence has 50% role in success.
- Revision is the Key.
- Dont judge yourself based on scores.
- Careful reading.
- No good scores, only improvement is needed in scores.
- Solve & resolve the same papers.
- Problem solving mode rather test series mode.
- Solved - bored - Revise- bored - solved.
- Be on solving mode - MCQ mode.
- Solve Previous paper questions.
- Mind map/ Tables
- Practise CSAT everyday.
- Wrongs notes should be scribbled. Not elaborate.
- Attempt min 85 questions -95 questions.
- 45 days is more than enough to clear this Exam.
- Compete with the Best.
- This is the time to run the fastest.
All the Best guys.
Thanks @Neyawn Sir
Thanks 👍👍
Haryana,Rewl1said
Hello there,
The following are the key points mentioned by Ayush sir in today's session (19/08/2020) for Prelims with respect to SFG batch and the strategy for the next 45 days.
- Study as much as possible now.
- Only study, eat food & sleep
- Wake up as early as 2 am
- Normal approach wont get you anything
- No social life.
- Stick to your own source.
- 3:1 =3 hours for test & 1 hour for revision
- You can clear prelims in the remaining time.
- Source minimalism- no new sources.
- No thinking on Mains at this point of time.
- Focus only on prelims.
- Concentrate only on the subject you are doing .
- Start studying as soon as you wake up.
- This is the last time i am studying so much.
- Nap of 20 minutes. Not more than that.
- May be try Shavasan.
- 2-3 days plan. Even if i dont finish. I should not extend the deadline, move to another subject.
- Change sequence of reading. Reverse.
- Confidence has 50% role in success.
- Revision is the Key.
- Dont judge yourself based on scores.
- Careful reading.
- No good scores, only improvement is needed in scores.
- Solve & resolve the same papers.
- Problem solving mode rather test series mode.
- Solved - bored - Revise- bored - solved.
- Be on solving mode - MCQ mode.
- Solve Previous paper questions.
- Mind map/ Tables
- Practise CSAT everyday.
- Wrongs notes should be scribbled. Not elaborate.
- Attempt min 85 questions -95 questions.
- 45 days is more than enough to clear this Exam.
- Compete with the Best.
- This is the time to run the fastest.
All the Best guys.
Thanks @Neyawn Sir
Thanks 👍👍
Reverse Reading is the Best point :)
nam230290407,
Rewl1said
Hello there,
The following are the key points mentioned by Ayush sir in today's session (19/08/2020) for Prelims with respect to SFG batch and the strategy for the next 45 days.
- Study as much as possible now.
- Only study, eat food & sleep
- Wake up as early as 2 am
- Normal approach wont get you anything
- No social life.
- Stick to your own source.
- 3:1 =3 hours for test & 1 hour for revision
- You can clear prelims in the remaining time.
- Source minimalism- no new sources.
- No thinking on Mains at this point of time.
- Focus only on prelims.
- Concentrate only on the subject you are doing .
- Start studying as soon as you wake up.
- This is the last time i am studying so much.
- Nap of 20 minutes. Not more than that.
- May be try Shavasan.
- 2-3 days plan. Even if i dont finish. I should not extend the deadline, move to another subject.
- Change sequence of reading. Reverse.
- Confidence has 50% role in success.
- Revision is the Key.
- Dont judge yourself based on scores.
- Careful reading.
- No good scores, only improvement is needed in scores.
- Solve & resolve the same papers.
- Problem solving mode rather test series mode.
- Solved - bored - Revise- bored - solved.
- Be on solving mode - MCQ mode.
- Solve Previous paper questions.
- Mind map/ Tables
- Practise CSAT everyday.
- Wrongs notes should be scribbled. Not elaborate.
- Attempt min 85 questions -95 questions.
- 45 days is more than enough to clear this Exam.
- Compete with the Best.
- This is the time to run the fastest.
All the Best guys.
Thanks @Neyawn Sir
Thanks 👍👍
Reverse Reading is the Best point :)
what is revesre reading here ?
first mcq then books ?
I think it means reading the last pages of the chapter or last chapters of a book which are usually not paid much attention due to fatigue.
Mariposa27,
@forumiasacademy - please check this question
grv_346910,Sir
SFG 2020 | Level 2 | Online | 15 July
Que 24 statement 1
FSB was est. In 2009, G-20 summit as a successor of FSF . So G20 should be correct rather than G-7.
Its like saying WTO was est. in 1948 because it is a successor of GATT, however it was est in 1995.
Que 35
Please verify more about STT as direct tax. As some websites claim it direct tax whereas on MoPSI website and following Economic times article it is given as indirect tax
https://m.economictimes.com/markets/stocks/news/what-is-stt/articleshow/72977557.cms
Que 40
India used to follow dual exchange rate in 1991-93. Since then it follows market driven exchange rate.
Can someone please elaborate the conflict between the two functions of RBI below?
At present, the RBI manages the government debt, including market borrowing. There is a case of clear conflict of interest in this arrangement at one hand RBI decides the key interest rates (i.e., policy rates under monetary policy mechanism) on the other hand it trades in the government bonds (treasury bills, cash management bill and G-Secs) also.
ishitatri,@forumiasacademy Test 29, Q17 - NHB doesn't have regulatory functions anymore, it has been taken over by RBI. Please confirm the same.
Yup, I was wondering if NHB still has other regulatory functions over NHB and if only lending have been transferred to RBI? NHB still registers HFCs, so does that count as regulatory? NHB website's FAQs are not updated yet
Apparently NHB Website still mentions it as an official regulatory body for housing finances. https://nhb.org.in/citizens-charter-2/
However, in 2019 this function was taken away from NHB and given to RBI. Hence NHB is no more a regulatory body and function merely as a financing body.
https://www.business-standard.com/budget/article/budget-2019-govt-hands-over-housing-finance-companies-to-rbi-from-nhb-119070600074_1.html
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rbi-to-replace-nhb-rules-with-its-own-set-as-the-new-hfc-regulator-120061701276_1.html
A corrigendum will be put in that regard soon.
Sir
SFG 2020 | Level 2 | Online | 15 July
Que 24 statement 1
FSB was est. In 2009, G-20 summit as a successor of FSF . So G20 should be correct rather than G-7.
Its like saying WTO was est. in 1948 because it is a successor of GATT, however it was est in 1995.
Que 35
Please verify more about STT as direct tax. As some websites claim it direct tax whereas on MoPSI website and following Economic times article it is given as indirect tax
https://m.economictimes.com/markets/stocks/news/what-is-stt/articleshow/72977557.cms
Que 40
India used to follow dual exchange rate in 1991-93. Since then it follows market driven exchange rate.
True. For question number 24 and 40, a detailed Corrigendum will be put by tonight.
Security Transaction Tax is indeed a form of direct tax. It is a type of tax collected at source and hence the government collects it from the broker.
SanjayP,
Q.19) Consider the following statements regarding Net National Product (NNP):
@Thinker @forumiasacademy
Question 9 , NIP is for 5yr(2019-20 to 2024-25) or six year
question 48 price stabilization fund is under agriculture ministry or consumer ministry https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/price-monitoring-cell/price-stabilisation-fund
please clarify
ssver2,Michael_Scofield
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