THE INDIAN FOREST SERVICE (IFS)

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is the forestry service of India. It is one of the three All India Services of the Indian government, along with the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service; its employees are recruited by the national government but serve under the state governments or Central Government.

Eligibility and selection

Recruitment to the Forest Service is made through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on the basis of annual competitive civil service examinations. Entry is open to candidates who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, geology, statistics, veterinary science and animal husbandry; or who hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, forestry, or agriculture; or a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, and who are between the ages of 21 and 30 as on July 1 of the year of the examination. Upper age limits are less restrictive for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and Other Backward Classes (SC/ST/OBC).

Notification of the Indian Forest Service Examination is generally in February. The written essay-based examination is conducted in July and is conducted in English. Each paper is of three hours' duration.

Applicants appear for tests on two compulsory subjects, General English and General Knowledge, for 300 marks each. General English consists of essay-writing, precise/summary writing and questions to assess reading comprehension and verbal ability. General Knowledge consists of questions relating to the Indian political system, the Constitution of India, Indian history, Indian and world geography, general science, and national and international current events. Higher secondary level of knowledge is a good base.

Then two optional subjects are selected by the applicant from a list of 14 subjects, which includes among them four branches of engineering (mechanical, chemical, civil, and agricultural). Each optional subject has two papers, and each paper is worth 200 marks. Four combinations of similar optional subjects are not allowed: Chemical engineering and chemistry, mathematics and statistics, agricultural engineering and agriculture, and veterinary science and animal husbandry. Optional subject testing is at least of the Honours degree level.

Candidates who qualify the written examination appear for an interview worth 300 marks. Interview questions revolve around subjects of academics; current affairs; basic knowledge of forest-related issues and policies and the status of their implementation; knowledge of the geographical features, forest cover, wildlife, and economic and cultural issues of one's community.

Within the specified age range, most candidates may attempt up to four times. Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates are allowed a maximum of seven attempts and there are no limitations on number of attempts for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SC/ST) candidates.

Training and rank structure

Selected candidates are sent for foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussourie. This is followed by Forest Service-specific orientation at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy at Dehradun, with training on forest and wildlife management, soil conservation, surveying, Scheduled Tribes, and handling weapons.

After completing the academies, candidates go through a year of on-the-job field training in the state to which he or she is assigned.

There is a probationary period four years. On completion of this, officers are appointed to the Senior Time Scale and are entitled to be posted as the Deputy Conservators of Forests or Divisional Forest Officers in charge of districts/forest divisions.