Geology Optional strategy for IFoS

I had Geology as my optional in IFoS Mains 2020 and 2021.We have got around 40 days between Civil services Mains and IFoS Mains. In such a short time, we had to prepare 2 optional subjects. I devoted around 2 weeks for Geology and scored good marks. So my strategy for Geology is more specific to IFoS.

Resources followed:

1. Prajesh Jena handwritten notes of Geology
2. Principles of Engineering Geology by KM Bangar
3. I added few other sources in my second attempt of IFoS. But referred to them very selectively
4. Amit Kumar handwritten notes (these notes are excellent but are very bulky and topics are covered in depth. So it might not be helpful for students covering Geology for IFoS due to paucity of time)
5. Tulane notes.

Strategy followed:

1. Get a compilation of PYQs of chapter wise or topic wise of entire syllabus of Geology
2. Read a reference book for each chapter (strictly in accordance with syllabus topics). For example- KM Bangar can be referred for few topics like Mineralogy. Reference books should be read only if time permits.
3. Now read handwritten notes of Prajesh Jena (other notes like Amit Kumar are also available in the market but they are bulky).
4. Topics like Paleontology, Crystallography etc. can be read from youtube. Geokhan has excellent short lectures on Paleontology.
5. Make your own notes on topics which require extensive revision like Paleontology and crystal systems etc.

Things to keep in mind while reading Geology:

1. Try to have conceptual knowledge rather than rot learning.
2. Try to cover all the topics of the syllabus. Do not leave any chapter behind. Candidates appearing for IFoS should atleast have some knowledge about all the syllabus points.
3. The repeated questions/topics should be given more time and focus. For example- few fossils from Paleontology, normal classes of crystal systems etc. are getting repeated more frequently. Such topics should be covered thoroughly.
4. Try to incorporate diagrams/ flowcharts etc. to explain processes and phenomenon.
5. Analyse real paper of Geology. In IFoS, questions of Paleontology and crystal systems are part of almost all questions of Section B of the paper. So it may not be a good idea to leave such chapters while preparing. If you leave such chapters/ topics, you might not be able to complete the paper.

For IFoS, Geology can be prepared in less than 20 days. Good marks can also be attained provided one has good answer writing skills and skill of filling the pages of answer sheets.

My answer might not be appropriate for Geology strategy for CSE but in IFoS, it can fetch good marks.