Every year, the UPSC conducts the Indian Forest Service exam to recruit officers into the forest service. The chief mandate of this service is to manage the country’s natural resources and implement the National Forest Policy. This article explains in detail the examination pattern, eligibility, the kind of posts that IFoS officers get into, and the corresponding Indian Forest Service Officer’s salary.
Also Read: What Is The Difference Between Indian Forest Service and Indian Foreign Service?
Indian Forest Service Exam Pattern
The IFoS Exam has three stages to it like other UPSC mandated exams.
- Stage 1: The prelims exam for IFoS is the same as the UPSC IAS Prelims exam. There are two papers, GS I and CSAT, both objective in nature. The cut off for the IFoS exam is higher than for the IAS exam due to the less number of vacancies.
- Stage 2: There are 6 papers in the IFoS mains exam. All are descriptive in nature. Each paper is for a duration of 3 hours. There are two optional subjects candidates that have to choose from the list of optional subjects specific to the IFoS Exam, including subjects like Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, etc.
| Paper | Subject | Total marks |
| Paper I | General English | 300 |
| Paper-II | General Knowledge | 300 |
| Paper III | Optional I | 200 |
| Paper IV | Optional I | 200 |
| Paper V | Optional II | 200 |
| Paper VI | Optional II | 200 |
- Stage 3: The interview will be for a total of 300 marks. A physical test will follow the interview. Here, male candidates have to complete a 25 km walk or run in under 4 hours, and female candidates have to complete a 14 km walk or run in less than 4 hours.
Indian Forest Service Exam Eligibility
The eligibility criterion for nationality, age limit, and the number of attempts is the same as for the civil services exam.
However, when it comes to the educational criteria, the conditions are different for the forest service exam. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in at least one of the following subjects:
- Animal husbandry & veterinary science
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Zoology
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Engineering
Also Read: What is the Eligibility Criteria for The UPSC IAS Exam?
Roles and Responsibilities of an IFoS Officer
- Protect and conserve the heritage of the forest and work towards preserving the forest resources.
- Preserving the forest trees and keep a check on illegal logging of trees and work with the forest guards and security personnel to be alert at all times.
- Work towards planting more trees in the forest are and also initiate and participate in such events.
- Assure their safety and need to prevent any illegal activity that involves hurting or killing animals. Also, be alert of poachers and illegal entry in the forest area.
- Be responsible for implementing the National Forest Policy.
- Chalk-out plans for legal commercial exploitation for timber etc.
Indian Forest Service Officers Salary Details
The following table shows the IFoS officers after training period salary and the subsequent rise as they climb up the ladder through promotions.
| Grade | Designation in state govt. | Designation in GOI | Basic Monthly Salary |
| Junior Time Scale | Assistant Conservator of Forests/Asst. Dy. Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | ₹56,100 |
| Senior Time Scale | Deputy Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | ₹67,700 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Deputy Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | ₹78,800 |
| Selection Grade | Deputy Conservator of Forests (Selection Grade) | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | ₹1,18,500 |
| Super Time Scale | Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife Warden | Deputy Inspector General of Forests | ₹1,50,000 |
| Senior Administrative Grade | Chief Conservator of Forests | Inspector General of Forests | ₹1,75,000 |
| HAG scale | Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests | – | ₹2,00,000 |
| HAG+ Scale | Principal Chief Conservator of Forests | Additional Director General of Forests | ₹2,05,400 |
| Apex Scale | Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) | Director-General of Forests | ₹2,25,000 |
Conclusion
The Indian Forest Service is a very honourable cadre and is also the creme de la of the civil service organization as it is one of the most independent cadres. It has its own legislations and exercises its own judicial powers. It is also very difficult to get into it as every year it has a very minimal vacancy of around 90 seats only with around lakhs of applications.
Also Read : Which Degree is Best for IAS? Here’s How to Start Preparing for UPSC in College?
