Indian Forest Service Examination 2017

Overview

The Indian Forest Service Examination 2017 was conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select suitable candidates for the prestigious Indian Forest Service. The examination is held annually to recruit officers who manage the country's forests and wildlife resources. The IFoS officers play a crucial role in environmental conservation, forest management, and wildlife protection across India.

The 2017 examination followed the same pattern as previous years with a preliminary examination, main examination, and personality test (interview). Unlike other civil services, the IFoS examination has specific subject requirements relevant to forestry and environmental sciences.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: February 22, 2017
• Application Start Date: February 22, 2017
• Last Date to Apply: March 17, 2017 (till 6:00 PM)
• Preliminary Examination: June 18, 2017
• Main Examination: Started from December 3, 2017

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

• Candidate must be a citizen of India
• Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
• Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 with intention of permanently settling in India
• Person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with intention of permanently settling in India

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Maximum Age: 32 years as on August 1, 2017
• Age relaxation applicable:
  • 5 years for SC/ST candidates
  • 3 years for OBC candidates
  • For ex-servicemen and other categories as per government norms

Educational Qualification

The candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least one of the following subjects:

• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

OR

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent.

Candidates who were appearing at the qualifying examination were also eligible to appear for the preliminary examination.

Examination Pattern

Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination served as a screening test for the Main Examination. It consisted of two papers:

Paper	Subject	Maximum Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Studies	200	2 hours
Paper II	Aptitude Test (CSAT)	200	2 hours

Main Examination

The main examination consisted of the following papers. All papers were conventional (essay) type:

Paper	Subject	Maximum Marks	Duration
Paper I	General English	300	3 hours
Paper II	General Knowledge	300	3 hours
Paper III	Optional Subject 1 - Paper I	200	3 hours
Paper IV	Optional Subject 1 - Paper II	200	3 hours
Paper V	Optional Subject 2 - Paper I	200	3 hours
Paper VI	Optional Subject 2 - Paper II	200	3 hours

Personality Test/Interview

• Maximum Marks: 300
• The interview aimed to assess the candidate's intellectual qualities, social traits, and interest in current affairs
• Board members evaluated awareness of environmental issues, communication skills, and overall personality

Syllabus

Preliminary Examination

• Paper I (General Studies): Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, Indian Polity and Governance, Economic and Social Development, Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change, General Science
• Paper II (Aptitude Test): Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, Logical reasoning, Decision making, General mental ability, Basic numeracy, Data interpretation

Main Examination

Paper I & II (Compulsory)

• General English: Essay writing, prcis writing, comprehension, and usage of language - designed to test the candidate's ability to read and understand serious discursive prose, and to express ideas clearly and correctly in English
• General Knowledge: Current events, Indian polity, history, geography, general science, and current developments in science and technology - including knowledge of Indian Politics including the political system and the Constitution of India, History of India, and Geography of nature which a candidate should be able to answer without specialized study

Optional Subjects

Candidates could choose two optional subjects from the following list:

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Forestry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

Application Process

• Applications were accepted only online through the UPSC website (www.upsconline.nic.in)
• Application fee was Rs. 100 for General/OBC candidates (no fee for Females/SC/ST/PH candidates)
• Payment could be made through cash in any branch of SBI or by using net banking/debit card/credit card
• Applicants needed to upload a scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format
• Scanned copies of relevant certificates were required for candidates claiming age relaxation or other reservations

Physical Standards

Candidates recommended for appointment needed to qualify the physical standards prescribed for the service:

• Height: Minimum 163 cms for male candidates and 150 cms for female candidates (relaxable for certain categories)
• Chest Girth: Minimum 84 cms for male candidates with 5 cms expansion; minimum 79 cms for female candidates with 5 cms expansion
• Physical Fitness: Candidates were required to undergo physical tests to ensure their fitness for the role

2017 Results

• Preliminary Results: Declared in July 2017. Approximately 12,000-15,000 candidates qualified for the main examination
• Main Results: Declared in February 2018. Around 900 candidates qualified for the interview stage
• Final Results: Declared in April 2018

Final Selection and Vacancies

The Union Public Service Commission declared the final results of the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2017 on April 27, 2018. A total of 110 candidates were recommended for appointment to the Indian Forest Service. These candidates were allocated to various state/union territory cadres based on their rank and preferences.

Post-Selection Training

Selected candidates underwent comprehensive professional training at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. The training program included:

• Foundational course on forest management
• Specialized training in wildlife conservation
• Environmental law and policy
• Forest survey and management techniques
• Tour of different forest types in India
• Administrative and governance aspects
• Field training in various forest divisions

Career Progression

After successful completion of training probation, officers are appointed as Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACFs). With experience and performance, they can progress to:

• Deputy Conservator of Forests
• Divisional Forest Officer
• Chief Conservator of Forests
• Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
• Additional Director General of Forests
• Director General of Forests

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Indian Forest Service Officers are responsible for:

• Management and protection of forests and wildlife
• Implementation of National Forest Policy
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Environmental impact assessment of development projects
• Prevention and control of forest fires
• Management of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
• Promotion of social forestry and agroforestry
• Research in forestry and allied sectors

Preparation Tips for Future Aspirants

• Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly
• Focus on core subjects as per your educational background when choosing optional papers
• Regular newspaper reading for current affairs, especially environmental issues
• Practice previous year question papers to understand the pattern
• Develop comprehensive note-taking habits for systematic revision
• Join mock tests to improve time management skills
• Focus on environmental issues, forestry, and wildlife conservation for the interview
• Prepare thoroughly on recent environmental initiatives, climate change policies, and forest conservation measures