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Guardians of forests

Environment and climate change issues are of paramount importance now as we are confronted by global warming, heavily polluted cities, and extreme weather conditions across the country and the world.

Guardians of forests


Usha Albuquerque

Environment and climate change issues are of paramount importance now as we are confronted by global warming, heavily polluted cities, and extreme weather conditions across the country and the world. Forests are among our most important natural resources, not only do they enhance the quality of our environment, but also contribute significantly to our economic development. But when we hear about “unprecedented” fires in the Amazon, and as  India loses forests to developmental pressures, and temperatures soar, it brings home the importance of a committed workforce to maintain and monitor India’s forest health.

The Indian Forest Service, which is one of the 32 Civil Services, plays an important role in the supervision and management of forests in India. This involves  protection of the existing forests, wastelands, and forest resources,  encouraging afforestation,  protecting wildlife,  and verifying the cutting of trees where necessary.  

So if you are a nature lover and interested in protecting the environment, then you can join the Indian Forest Service (IFoS). 

The IFoS as distinct from the IFS   ( Indian Foreign Service), is one of three All India Services — the other two being the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). 

IFoS

The IFoS is also a part of the Civil Services Exam, and every year, the UPSC conducts the Indian Forest Service exam to recruit officers into the forest service. Normally around 100 candidates are selected.

This is the UPSC exam where the criterion for nationality, age limit and number of attempts is the same as for the civil services exam, but the eligibility requirements are different. 

While the civil services require any bachelor’s degree, the IFoS exam requires a science, agriculture or engineering bachelor’s degree from recognised universities. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects: 

  • Animal husbandry & veterinary science 
  • Botany 
  • Chemistry 
  • Geology
  • Mathematics 
  • Statistics 
  • Physics 
  • Zoology, 
  • Agriculture 
  • Forestry 
  • Engineering 

Exam pattern

The Indian Forest Service Exam as with the Civil Services exam is conducted in three rounds. 

Stage 1: Prelims 

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.

Stage 2: Mains 

  • There are 6 papers in the IFoS mains exam. All are subjective type papers, each for a duration of 3 hours. All papers in the Mains exam will be only in English and this is the only medium of examination in the IFoS.
  • Papers I and II are General English and General Knowledge which are of standard level as expected in any science and engineering graduation paper. 

The other four are two papers each from two optional subjects that you have to choose.

Paper I

General English: 300 marks

Paper II

General Knowledge: 300 marks

Paper III

Optional I: 200 marks

Paper IV

Optional I: 200 marks

Paper V

Optional II: 200 marks

Paper VI

Optional II: 200 marks

List of optional subjects (two to be chosen) available for the IFoS main exam:

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

You will not be allowed the following combination of optional subjects:

  • Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering
  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

Of the engineering subjects namely, Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering — not more than one subject.

The syllabus for the Mains papers include: 

General English: Candidates will be required to write an essay. Other questions will be designed to test their understanding of English and use of words. Passages will usually be set for summary or precis.

General Knowledge: General Knowledge including knowledge of current events and of such matters of every day observation and experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person who has not made a special study of any scientific subject. The paper will also include questions on Indian Polity including the political system and the Constitution of India, History of India and a general understanding of Geography. 

Optional Subjects: There will be 8 questions in each question paper of optional subjects. Each paper will be divided into two parts, viz. Part A and Part B, each part containing four questions. Out of eight questions, five questions are to be attempted. One question in each part will be compulsory. 

Stage 3: Interview

Those selected in the Mains exam will be called for a personality test and interview, by a board. Here you will be assessed on general awareness, communication skills, intellectual curiosity, critical powers of observation and assimilation, balance of judgment and alertness of mind, initiative, tact, capacity for leadership, etc. 

Those who make the grade will require to undergo a medical  and endurance test. Male candidate have to walk or run 25 km, female candidates 14 km, in less than 4 hours. 

These are mostly 10 rounds on a path designed in the hills and forests. They check if you’re physically fit, contain sufficient stamina and energy for a service which will require much outdoor activity.

Forestry is an ideal career for those who love nature, especially forests and have a commitment to conservation. However, it is a tough job requiring physical and mental alertness, a spirit of adventure,  a scientific  temperament, curiosity, practicality and  patience. Those who love to travel and want to work for benefit of society will be happy in this job.


Training period

Selected candidates are sent for foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which is followed by specialised orientation for the Forest Service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) at Dehradun with inputs on wildlife management, tribal welfare, soil conservation, forest management, engineering survey and weapon handling. 

Along with traditional forestry practices, you are also exposed to use of technology like GPS, RS-GIS and camera traps. A lot of stress is laid on physical fitness through daily exercise routines, trekking, sports and swimming. 

After this comes field training in the particular state to which the candidate is allotted. 


Job profiles

After training you will start with the post of Assistant Conservator of Forests/Asst. Dy. Conservator of Forests and then rise in the service to that of Deputy Conservator of Forests and Conservator of Forests/Chief Wildlife Warden and possibly Chief Conservator of Forests, considered to be equivalent to Chief Secretary of a State

The work in the area of forestry is varied. Your main role is to protect and preserve the heritage of the forest, keep a check on illegal logging of trees and work with the forest guards and security personnel, conduct surveys of the forest and ensure that the work is being done correctly. You will also work to ensure the safety of animals in the forests and to prevent any illegal activity concerning wildlife. 


                               Sample questions (IFoS Main Exam 2018)

General Knowledge

Q. Answer all the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions:

a. How does increase in current account deficit of India influence the fall in the value of rupee against the US Dollar ? What remedial measures have been suggested? (200 words) 15
b. India is going to experience the situation of demographic dividend in the near future, roughly around 2025. Is India capable to reap the benefits of demographic dividend? Give reasons for your answer. (200 words) 15
c. What is black income? Examine the recent policy efforts by the Government of India to tackle the problem. (125 words) 10 
d. How do rising oil prices fuel inflation ? What measures would you suggest to contain it in context of the Indian scenario in the recent past? (125 words) 10

Q. Answer the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets:

a. What do you understand by the term 'Judicial Governance' ? Do you think the judiciary in India has started exercising overarching powers in the name of judicial governance? Comment citing recent examples. (200 words) 15
b. Communal-Secular debate in Indian polity seems to be dissipating under the ambit of 'Government-Governance' discourse. Comment. (200 words) 15
c. Though the right to life as enshrined in Part III of the Constitution includes rights to food, shelter and employment, these rights remain non-justiciable. Examine. (125 words) 10
d. Providing constitutionality to the backward classes will ensure their legitimate empowerment and integration. Give arguments in light of the passage of the recent Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill for backward classes. (125 words) 10

Q. Answer all the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions:

a. Write on the vertical distribution of natural vegetation of Himalayas. (200 words) 15
b. Discuss the importance of off-shore oil and gas resources for India.(200 words) 15
c. Examine the economic and strategic importance of the Island regions of India. (125 words) 10
d. Write on the problematic soils formed due to poor management of irrigation in India. (125 words) 10

Q. Answer all the following questions within the word limits indicated in the brackets at the end of the questions:

a. What are the basis for using micro-organisms in a manufacturing industry? Describe the various ways in which micro-organisms are involved with the petroleum industry. Also put a brief note on how industrial microbiology has been affected by the new biotechnology (applied genetics) ? (200 words) 15
b. What are patents ? Briefly describe the various requirements and the process of award of a patent. Discuss the pros and cons of patenting life forms. What is the status of India in this context ? Also write your views on effects of patenting on commercialization of bioteclmological products, with justification. (200 words) 15
c. Why are enzymes important to a cell ? Describe two most striking characteristics of enzymes. Describe three specific types of regulation of enzyme activity. Also differentiate between constitutive and induced enzymes. (100 words) 10
d. How do garden peas stand up to the requirements for good experimental organisms for genetic breeding? Basically, how does the first division of meiosis differ from mitosis ? (100 words) 10

General English

1. Write an essay of 800 to 1000 words on any one of the following topics : 100

  • Education as Social Justice
  • The Earth as Home
  • The Future of Heritage Buildings
  • Compassion as a Human Virtue 

2. (a) Rewrite the following sentences after correcting the grammatical errors in each : 10

  • There is too many people in the room.
  • I kept the box besides me.
  • I have no expert in the area so I cannot do the work.
  • Let there be no misunderstanding between you and I.
  • Did he played the first match?
  • Wanted armchairs for old people with folding legs.
  • Colleges spend a lot of money on equipments.
  • I shall respond to your letter after I return back.
  • The meeting will be held between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • He is one of the finest actor in Indian cinema. 

(b) Make sentences using the following words : 2x5=10

  • Confirm; Conform             (see online)

Important Dates

Date of notification 12.02.2020

Deadline 03.03.2020

Prelims Exam 31.05.2020

Mains Exam 22.11.2020

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