Indian Forest Service Eligibility 2021: Here’re the IFoS Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus & Salary

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the Civil Services Examinations held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the appointment of officers at the All India level by the Government of India for scientific forest management.

Are you aspiring to become an IFoS officer? Read this article till the end to know more about Indian Forest Service eligibility 2021.

What is the Indian Forest Service?

The UPSC conducts the  IFoS test every year to select officers for the forest service. This service’s primary mission is to manage the country’s natural resources and to carry out the National Forest Policy. The Indian Forest Service (abbreviated IFS or IFoS) is a renowned All India Service, similar to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Police Service (IPS). This examination is conducted similarly to the Civil service examination. There are three stages that a candidate has to clear in this exam. One has to pass every stage to be allowed to take the exam at the next stage.

The eligibility is slightly different as compared to the civil service examination that recruits officers like IAS, IFS and IPS.

Indian Forest Service Eligibility

Are you aiming to be an assistant conservator of forests? Want to know what the Indian Forest Service Eligibility 2021 are?

One of the foremost criteria to apply for this examination is that one has to attain 21 years of age and not beyond 32 years of age. However, relaxations are offered to members of reserved categories.

Physical Criteria

The aspiring candidates for this examination must be deemed physically fit, as per the standards mentioned.

Others

#A person must be a citizen of India. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan may also apply. They are also eligible to sit for the IFoS examination 2021.

Some other candidates who could apply are Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, intending to permanently settle in India, or an Indian of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.

Candidates in categories b, c, d, and e must present a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

There is a wide list of centres where one can sit for the preliminary examination. However, the mains examination takes place in important cities like Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and many others. 

Also Read: UPSC 2021 Topper List: Check Out the Unbelievable Achievements of Candidates

IFoS 2021: Syllabus

Now that we have discussed the eligibility 2021, let us also discuss the Indian forest service syllabus in-depth:

The preliminary examination for this is the same as the UPSC civil service examination that is conducted for the recruitment of IAS, IPS and IFS. However, the syllabus for mains is widely different for this examination.

#The IFoS mains exam consists of six papers.

#All of them are descriptive. The papers have a time limit of three hours each.

#Candidates must select one of two optional topics.

Optional Papers for IFoS Mains

#Agriculture

#Agricultural Engineering

#Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

#Botany

#Chemical Engineering

#Civil Engineering

#Forestry

#Mathematics

Indian Forest Service Qualification

Many new aspirants for the IFoS examination are often confused if they can apply during the last semester of their undergraduate degree. Yes, you could apply even when you are in the last year of your college.

To be eligible for the IFoS examination, a candidate is expected to have these qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science or a related field.

Bachelor’s degree with Botany as at least one of the topics.

Bachelor’s degree in at least one discipline, preferably chemistry.

Bachelor’s degree with Geology as at least one of the topics.

Bachelor’s degree in at least one field, preferably mathematics.

Bachelor’s degree with Statistics as at least one of the topics.

Bachelor’s degree with Physics as at least one of the topics.

Bachelor’s degree in at least one discipline, preferably Zoology.

Agriculture bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree in forestry is required.

Also Read: IAS Swati Bhadauria Biography: Woman In-charge of Chamoli Incident

Relaxations for the Reserved Categories

To appear for the IFoS examination, there are some other relaxations that a candidate can avail of:

#If a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe, the maximum period is five years.

#Up to a maximum of three years in the case of candidates from Other Backward Classes who are qualified to take advantage of the reservation system.

#Up to three years in the case of Defence Services personnel who are incapacitated in operations during conflicts with any foreign nation or in a troubled region and are discharged as a result:

#Up to three years in the case of Defence Services personnel who are incapacitated in operations during conflicts with any foreign nation or in a troubled region and are discharged as a result:

#Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs, who have served at least five years in the military as of August 1st, are eligible for a maximum of five years.

#Up to ten years in the case of (a) low vision, (b) hearing impairment (partially deaf), and c) Locomotor impairment (sub-category: Leprosy cured and Acid attack)

Maximum Number of Attempts Available

Candidates for the IFoS examination 2021 are limited to the following number of attempts: 

Candidates in general: 6 attempts Candidates from Scheduled Castes and Tribes: There are no restrictions. Other Regressive Classes: 9 Attempts Physically challenged individuals to have nine attempts for general and OBC, but an unlimited number of attempts for SC/ST.

Perks and Salary

The  IFoS salary has a varied range, depending on the rank one is holding.

Assistant Conservator of Forests/Asst. Dy. Conservator of Forests – ₹56,100

Deputy Conservator of Forests- ₹67,700

Deputy Conservator of Forests-₹78,800

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Selection Grade)-₹1,18,500

Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife Warden-₹1,50,000

Chief Conservator of Forests-₹1,75,000

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-₹2,00,000

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-₹2,05,400

Director-General of Forests-₹2,25,000

Perks for an Officer

House Rent Allowances- During their tenure, the government gives them houses in reputable colonies to which they relocate with their families.

Travelling for Work- the work necessitates that someone in the field goes to various locations regularly, and the government pays the travel expenditures and gives travel allowances.

Medi-Claim- Members receive medical coverage for the duration of their term for their entire family.

Lease Allowance- Depending on where they are assigned, members can choose to live in leased housing up to a specific maximum determined by government regulations.

The officers are provided with domestic assistance and security guards for the residence in which they reside.

They are given a car and a designated driver to use for their field duty.

Bills- the government pays their power, water, and phone bills.

Also Read: Indian Forest Service (IFS/IFoS) Exam – Eligibility Criteria

Exam Dates

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the UPSC has postponed the  IFoS Preliminary test planned for June 27. The Civil Services test will be used to administer the preliminary exam. The Civil Services Examination (Preliminary) will be held on October 10, 2021, according to the Commission.

The UPSC has announced the new test dates for the  IFoS Mains 2021 exam. The IFS Mains test will last ten days, from February 27 to March 8, 2022. The screening round will be held on October 10th, as part of the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021. The Commission has also changed the dates for the IAS Mains and the Combined Medical Examination 2021.

Stages of Promotion in this Service

After the selection, the selected candidates are sent to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie for the initial orientation programme.

Upon successful completion of this stage, the probationers are then sent for on job field training in their designated state cadres.

The probationary period lasts for 4 years. After this, the officers are nominated for the post of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

The officers are ranked as follows:

Assistant Conservator of Forests

Deputy Conservator of Forests

Conservator of Forests

Chief Conservator of Forests

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you to understand Indian Forest Service eligibility 2021 facts. The syllabus for this examination is equally vast as the syllabus for the civil service examination. Since the passing percentage of these examinations are very less, most aspiring candidates start their preparation early. To begin with, an aspirant must first be through with the syllabus of the examination. Getting into the habit of reading the newspaper every day will help you in the long run. 

Since the syllabus of these examinations is vast, every aspirant goes through the motions of panic. 

Therefore, UPSC Pathshala is here to ensure that your preparation is as smooth as possible. Our trusted mentors have several years of expertise in their fields and what could be better than learning from the best!

Also Read: Indian Forest Service Salary: Benefits and Perks Received by IFoS Officers

Summary

Article Name

Indian Forest Service Eligibility 2021: Here’re the IFoS Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus & Salary

Description

The IFS/ IFoS examination is conducted by UPSC for the induction of officers for the scientific management of the forest. Read on to look at IFoS eligibility and FAQs.

Author

Shilpa Dutta

Publisher Name

UPSC Pathshala

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