[OFFICIAL] SFG 2021 | Level 2 | Details and Important Announcements
Dear Students,
As we enter the 3rd year of SFG – Select Focus Group – one of our most innovative programs for successfully cracking the Prelims Examination. Based on your feedback, we continuously innovate and update our programs, keeping in mind the dynamic nature of the Civil Services Examination, the rising standards of Civil Services preparation, and increasing competition – partly because of capacity development and fast-paced self-learning programs like SFG.
Important Updates:
Note: Please subscribe to the "SFG 2021 - Level 1 & 2" channel for all the updates related to SFG 2021.
https://forumias.com/channel/SFG-2021-7th-Jan
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Updates #15
SFG-2021 || Level 2 || Month 1 || Ranklist and Payment Link
Candidates are required to pay the fee by 28th April, for SFG and RLG as per the below rank list.
Ranklist for 1st Month: CLICK HERE
Payment for SFG Renewal (2nd Month): Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month
Payment for RLG Renewal (2nd Month): Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
From 28th April candidates who have not paid the renewal fee, will be removed from the course.
After 29th April, fees will not be accepted on any ground whatsoever. Students will be removed from the course permanently.
It is likely that if you do not renew on time, you will miss a few tests. Also, after a few tests, you will not be allowed to join, because it defeats the whole purpose of (a) doing a program completely and (b) inculcating discipline.
We hope you understand.
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Updates #14
Prelims 2021 Reorientation Sessions for SFG Students
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Update #13
All India Open Test - Simulator 0: Instructions
Timings : 07:00 AM to 09:00 AM
- How to write the Test? To check the instructions, Click Here
- You can write the Test at the designated slot. If you are unable to write the test at the designated slot, you can write it anytime after 02:30 PM (April 11).
- Solutions and Video discussion will be uploaded by 9 PM on 11th April.
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Update #12
TheAll India Open Simulator Test 0 will be conducted at 7 AMon Sunday for SFG Students. This will be a part of the SFG Test. Its score will be taken into account for determining SFG and RLG for the Daily / Weekly / Monthly Rankings. You can write the Test, just the way you attempt your SFG Tests.
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Update #11
Application SFG Level 2- 2021 Doubtful questions/ Report an Error
Please fill the following form in order to report questions in which you have doubt of an error in the question or the solutions. If found valid, we will issue a corrigendum and also inform you of the same.
Click Here to fill the form.
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Update #10
Instructions for attempting the SFG tests-https://go.forumias.com/325
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Update #9
Info: SFG Level 2 to be conducted online until further notice.
As the Covid numbers are on the rise again and government restrictions are being imposed in various places, we have decided to conduct SFG Level 2 in Online Mode until further notice so that your health and the health of your family members is not put at risk.
If you have any queries, you can reach out to us at helpdesk@forumias.academy.
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Update #8
Results for SFG Level 2 Entrance Test 2 has been declared, please check your respective mails for the same.
Payment for students selected in SFG - Rs. 1300 + GST (18%) per month
Payment for students selected in RLG - Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
Note: SFG 2021 - Level 2 will be starting from 31st March 2021
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Updates #7
Date of Entrance Test 2 - 21st March 2021, 10:00 AM - Concluded
The SFG 2021 Level 2 tests will be held in ONLINE MODE. If the situation improves by 22nd March and the Government allows the functioning of coaching institutions, the course will be available in OFFLINE MODE as well.
The Entrance Exam will be held on 21st March in online mode
The test will be conducted in Online mode at 10 AM in the morning.
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the test.
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Updates #6
SFG Level 2.0 will include CSAT tests along with GS and Current Affairs Test, as requested by candidates.
It is expected that you prepare for it in advance instead of waiting for the day of the test. In SFG Level 1, we expected you to read the books for the first time, if you are a fresher - plus we have the luxury of time as well ( 5 months + ) In SFG level 2, we expect you to have read the books and should be using the plan as a revision plan.
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The detailed exam plan for SFG 2021 - Level 2 is now available.
You can see the detailed plan - https://go.forumias.com/sfglevel2-calender
Commencement Date of SFG Level 2 – 31st March 2021
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Updates #3
Updates #2
Result of Entrance Test – 2nd March 2021, 5 PM
Updates #1
Date of Entrance Test 1 -28th February 2021, 10:00 AM - Concluded
The test will be conducted in Online mode at 10 AM in the morning.
Please click on the link for instructions regarding attempting the test.
Note:The test will close at 11:00 AM
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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 7AM 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.
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.
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 visiting https://go.forumias.com/280.
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 28th Feb. Candidates must register for the SFG Entrance Test by visiting https://go.forumias.com/280. 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 are 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 students selected in RLG - Rs. 1900 + GST (18%) per month
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.
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Wishing You Success,
Always,
ForumIAS Academy
Hi Team, I was very sure of joining online SFG (have received goof feedback, but only for offline mode), but now I am having some second thoughts (Reasons mentioned below). I gave the entrance test, and scored 73.98. My rank was 182. Was really expecting to get into the SFG, but the cut-off was 79+.
Reasons for second thoughts.
1. As far as I know, the uniqueness of SFG is its inbuilt ability to foster discipline. This claim is being challenged by having a look at thehigh cut-offsin the online mode. Top score is beyond 95 (This is unconvincing and too far-fetched)
2. I checked few rank lists ofonline SFG level 1, just so that I can be sure that such high scores are exceptions only in case of entrance tests. But to my surprise I found few students consistentlyscoring a perfect 100.This indicates only two things. Either the aspirants are so well-prepared that they cannot miss even one question, or else, they areusing unfair means.In my opinion, if the case is former, the student would not need the SFG, as (s)he is already so perfectly well-prepared.
3. What I feel is this disincentivises people to strive to get into the top 100 spot, because of the inherent belief of the system being unfair with the people writing the test honestly.
4. What is more, the whole competitive systemincentivisespeople to use unfair means to remain into the SFG. This might be to save a few bucks (as the price is lower for top 100) or also to remove the fear of being kicked out of SFG due to low scores.
5. Inlong term,if students in top 100 do not actually make it through the prelims, this mightreduce the credibilityof the SFG programme.
My apprehensions are based on the fact that use of unfair means cannot create a healthy competition environment, which is the underlying sole of SFG.
The above mentioned points are my own analysis, and is not intended to hurt anyone. This is just for the reforms into one of the good prelims preparation programmes, so that
Before I invest my money into the programme, I would want to know from the@forumiasacademyteamwhat are the steps they are planning to take to stop the use of unfair means.I know they have mentioned in the instructions that theycan debarstudents practising unfair means,but is it being implemented???
Test 5 Q12.
Option 2 - "A High Court has a power of judicial superintendence over all the tribunals functioning within its jurisdiction."
Shouldn't this be wrong as it is not "All" - exception is military tribunals ??
No No No!
No!
You do not test the logical truth value of statements like that. When you consider statements such as those, please try to see if the statement is "generally" true. Can we say that the statement is true ?
For example,
(1) All Executive orders of the Union are issued in the name President.
Now that is generally true, But you will see that some govt orders ( GO) will be issued by Secreraty sometimes not naming the President.
This is a very beginner mistake.
If you start testing the logical truth value of a statement then you will always find one exception and will be annually surprised that UPSC is not considering that exception.
I am not making this statement with respect to this question. Generally follow this rule.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
As@hrishabh mentioned above I have a similar score & rank in the entrance test. As far as the entrance test goes, I knew the online test would 'promote' cheating considering the two different fees for sfg & rlg & still there are people who didn't cheat & ended up being in rlg despite good enough scores.I had joined SFG last year as well & was consistently in sfg group in that.The offline program of sfg is quite good but the online one I am afraid doesn't serve the same purpose for majority of the candidates I think.
Hence, 1 request - that sfg, if possible be conducted offline and 1 suggestion - If its still going to be an online process then there is no point of having 2 groups (sfg & rlg) with different fees...It would be better to have a single group.
@Babayega
I had joined last year's sfg which was half offline & half online process (owing to COVID)... the marks do shoot up unusually high during the online phase...which was even acknowledged by the team.
For people not in Delhi, the online process is a boon but for those of us here in Delhi...the process of waking up early to go to centre & writing the test in an exam environment takes away the casualness that comes with ticking options online at home. This is my personal opinion & echoed by many of my friends who didn't join this year's online sfg for it being online.
So it's just a request to Forum to conduct an offline batch if possible.
Hello sir@Neyawn
If possible, please transfer a student in RLG batch on the basis of average marks obtained in all the CSAT tests and not just one test.It demotivates us if we work hard for 5 GS tests and scores good and just because we couldn't do well in CSAT test and that too because of just 1 question we couldn't clear cut off of CSAT. Also sir, it it very difficult to read long passages and pie charts on the computer screen and mobile screens.I have scored 38.33 in today test and 50.66 in RC test.Its a humble request sir to please consider this suggestion.I am not giving any excuses sir, but just sharing the problems being faced while attempting questions.Thanks.
Even after zooming 150% the screen one can't be sure about the % Digit written in the question. (For ether it's 16 or 18). Probably this type of problems will be faced by everyone in dealing with data interpretation questions in 1or 2 paragraphs.
How can be sure about % in Radar based question in such a merged lines. Those are not even on accurate % Point. Please consider these queries.
Lag gaye aaj toh bhai. Today i have some doubts 
Q3 - VP can be removed by a resolution passed by an absolute majority of the Rajya Sabha.
It should be "efective majority" or as Laxmi says special majority of the then members which means "total membership - vacancy". It is same for speaker.
Q5
Pardoning power is executive in nature.
IMO power is executive power but it is definitely judicial in nature. The two are different things. Just like impeaching Prez is legislative power but it is judicial in nature. Ques is asking nature of power.
CVC report to Prez + States having more subjects to tax + not more/less than 1/3rd women reservation were creations of a devilish mind + my own hasty reading in 2-3 ques + flunked in CA as not started it = Got destroyed today
Will Bounce Back Better
@Neyawn Reasons why pardoning power should not fall under judicial capacity:1. Constitution has established Supreme Court as the apex institution of justice delivery. Giving President (or for that matter any other office) to change the decision of apex institution as a judicial function will be unconstitutional.2. If power of President falls under judicial capacity, it would no more be an act of mercy/grace. It will have to follow laws, rules and decide mercy petitions on the basis of facts, evidences etc. This again nullifies the entire purpose of pardoning power, it will be more like reviewing the decision of apex court.3. President is the head of the State and the executive. Article 50 clearly talks about separation of judiciary and executive. Giving the head of executive judicial power will be unconstitutional. It will affect the system of checks and balance under Indian governance system.
Yes Yes Yes!
You don't want a Supreme Court over a Supreme Court!
Brilliant! You made my day!
Henceforth, please follow the rule of asking "Why" people who wrote the Constitution did things the way they did!
And overall if you focus on "why things should" or why something is done, you will get brilliant points even for your Mains.
Okay, now think and tell me if NHRC is given a constitutional status, in the current set up what problem could it create ? :)
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
Hello sir@Neyawn
Consider the following statements, with reference to the election and impeachment of the President:
1. During election of the President only elected members of the Parliament take part whereas during impeachment both the elected and nominated members of Parliament take part.
2. The sum of the value of votes of all MLAs is equal to the sum of value of votes of all MPs.
3. The process of impeachment is a purely executive process done by the legislators.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Hello sir@Neyawn
If possible, please transfer a student in RLG batch on the basis of average marks obtained in all the CSAT tests and not just one test.It demotivates us if we work hard for 5 GS tests and scores good and just because we couldn't do well in CSAT test and that too because of just 1 question we couldn't clear cut off of CSAT. Also sir, it it very difficult to read long passages and pie charts on the computer screen and mobile screens.I have scored 38.33 in today test and 50.66 in RC test.Its a humble request sir to please consider this suggestion.I am not giving any excuses sir, but just sharing the problems being faced while attempting questions.Thanks.
Completely see your point. But tell me something, why would you want to be in a zone where you are not able to score 40% in CSAT tests.
So many students last year didnt do anything for CSAT and many top scoring students stupidly flunked the CSAT paper.
Motivation is important, but do you see that unless we get a shock, sometimes we dont take any action. If you are reaching 38% it is anyway a warning bell. Work on it.
We can lower the bar but then it lowers the guard. And thats how accidents happen in the exam.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS
@C_2020_F3 I had revised all basic books aprx 5+ times and still again when I am revising I always find something still need to be update or I had missed in my earlier revision. I am ltl bit consistent but still lack in couple of tests, that must be due to silly mistakes or not reading questions properly (correct or incorrect asked).
For SFGs my plan is atleast revise two times before the test. Use comparative study for mostly topics. Attempt PYQ of UPSC then do reverse revision.
Deep inside after 1 reading we all know which part we need to focus more try to reconcile (don't skip) that one in next revision before Test.
This pandemic situation is hitting and distracting everyone. Even I am also not feeling well since last two days but still we need to excel this hard time.
Q14, jal jeevan mission urban is under mhoua not jal shakti ministry, kindly check@forumiasacademy
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