If You are a Nature Lover, then IFS is the Best Job for you

– says Proud Government Servant and IFS Officer,

Prabhash Ray
JULY 31, 2018

Insights
1. As an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, you conserve the forest by implementing
Govt. policies working in conjugation with NGOs, National & International agencies,
villagers etc.
2. You get many traveling opportunities. The government of India takes care of your
entire journey expenses.
3. The work-life balance is tough as you work for developmental causes, growth and
wildlife protection. Eventually, you have lesser time for your family.
 4. Being in a government job, the salary is handsome. There are so many perks to
being a government official.
5. This job requires hard physical labor.
6. For entering in this profession, you need to be a science, agricultural or engineering
graduate. UPSC conducts the entrance exam for Indian Forest Service.

Personal Details
Name – Prabhash Chandra Ray
Profession – Indian Forest Service (​IFS​ Officer)
Age – 51 years
Gender – Male
City – Bengaluru
Industry – ​Government service

Where have you been born and raised?

I was born in Nainital, Uttarakhand to a farmer and raised in Gola Gokarnath in Uttar
Pradesh. I did my schooling in a village with three of my siblings. My family background is
agricultural middle-class. My parents are from a humble background and they insisted that I
excel in studies.
After I joined the service in 1994, I was recruited as Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in
Karnataka cadre by the Government of India (GOI). My wife is a Professor in Bengaluru. I
have 2 children and reside in Bengaluru.

Who had the most influence on you and how?

My parents were my biggest influences. Despite meager resources, my father provided us
the best. For example, he sent me to ​Allahabad University​ after my schooling. He has
always been a great support and my mother has been a great influence on me.

Please give us a summary of your career.

After I completed my intermediate, I moved to Allahabad University where I completed my
Bachelor of Science in biology and Masters of Science in botany. I gave competitive
examinations, qualified ​NET​, thereafter worked as a ​Junior Research Fellowship​ (JRF).
Through ​UPSC​, I qualified for Indian Forest Service in 1994. As an Indian Forest Service
Officer, you are primarily set up in the forest department of the concerned state
implementing the social forestry programs, forest laws, forest resources. We need to protect
and develop the forest area, its wildlife, and work for communities living nearby forest along
with involving people in forest management.
Then, I was transferred to Chikmagalur district where I worked for three long years. One of
the important assignments I did there was removing encroachment and intrusion into coffee
plantations. While at Bangalore, I involved myself in ​World Bank​ Project in a
community-based tank management system where I implemented several link programs,
monitored and guide them. It was one and a half years’ experience.
Then, I was transferred as Chief Conservator of forest in Bellari, a hub of iron & mining. The
mining was supposed to be restarted and it was a challenge for the conservation of wildlife.
I also worked under the ​MNREGA​ scheme of government in the rural development
program.
Then GOI posted me as Commissioner of Horticulture department in Karnataka where it is
all about developing, marketing and processing of flowers and plants. For example, this
department was responsible to conduct a flower show that has been running for the last 100
years. Tourists from all over the world visit it to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Later, I was promoted to Commissioner of Watershed Development department, wherein I
implemented various projects & programs related to water management along with the help
of NGOs. We also work on animal husbandry, providing lands, checking the capacity of the
land. The present key program is for drought and waste management.
Last month, I was promoted to the highest-grade officer i.e. Additional Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru. This is my current class of service working with 14
scientific departments.
Which institutes are best for the education/training of this
profession?
For forestry education, ​Indian Institute of Forest Management​ (IIFM, Bhopal) offers a
postgraduate diploma. There are various agricultural universities and colleges, which
provide BSc and MSc courses in forestry.
Once you are selected for IFS service, then you are trained for 3 years at ​Indira Gandhi
National Forest Academy​ in Dehradun. I have been trained by the same academy. After this
training, you join service and you get on-job training in cadre state.

What are the costs of education/training of Indian Forest

Service?
There are no costs. In fact, we are paid salaries during the training period. Also, GOI takes
care of the other expenses. While my training at Dehradun, we were on tours every month
viz. South India tour, Western India tour, East India tour, Hill tour. They make you travel to
forests and various Forestry institutes, exposing you to the entire spectrum of Forests.
We’ve been to Andaman & Nicobar Islands for field work and did trekking along several
villages. It’s a phase of many opportunities so, after training, we feel ready for service
without any fear.

How does one enter into Indian Forest Service?

For entering into this profession, you need to be either science or agricultural graduate or
engineering graduate. Then you have to clear ​Civil Services Prelim exam​ and then clear a
separate exam for IFS. Later, you need to clear personality test under Indian Service
Commission.
A physical test follows this personal interview. You have to walk 25 KM in less than 4 hours.
These are mostly 10 rounds on a path designed in the hills & forests. They check if you’re
physically fit, contain sufficient stamina and energy for this job.

What is the range of salary one can expect in Indian Forest

Service?
Salary increases with promotion and experience.
You start at a junior scale, then move to senior scale and then conservator.
These days, your starting salary is around INR 50,000 per month and it is around 3 lakhs
INR per month plus incentives for the highest rank in this profession.
From the very first day of my service, I’m provided with an official vehicle by the government
till the day I retire. It takes to me my office, places to inspect and different sites. Other than
this, other perks include travel concession, house rent allowances and the security of my
job, unlike the private sector.

Please describe your work as an IFS Officer.

On a normal day of work, I check files (system of approval) and documents. Attend
meetings with subordinates, superiors, and ministers too. Also, I attend visitors and take
phone calls. I am answerable to the government for conservation of forest and its wildlife.
I work from 9 am to 9 pm, holidays too. My responsibilities include:
1. Monitoring Watershed development program under various government schemes.
2. State and Central government program implementation
3. Sending progress reports to the government
4. Getting funds and releasing them.

There are watershed committee plus stakeholders and monitoring agencies which spends
the money so I keep a check on them and their records.

What are some of the positives, which would encourage

someone to consider IFS profession?
1. “The Indian Forest Service allows you to travel instantly, provides an opportunity to
explore the wilderness, and beauty of nature. I’m free to roam around forests.
2. Being a government job, you are smothered in perks and benefits. You also get
great respect in society for your position.
 3. The salary is hefty and easily enables you to live a comfortable life even without the
added perks and benefits.
4. You get job satisfaction, especially if you are a nature lover. You feel happy knowing
that somewhere your actions are making the world a better place to live in.

What are some of the challenges that you would want someone
to be aware of when considering a career in Indian Forest
Service?
The main challenges are:
1. The field work is in remote and interior areas where you may not enjoy the comforts
that you’ve become accustomed to.
2. You will have to deal with extremely dangerous cases like fire, wild animals or
smugglers sometimes.
3. The protection of forests is becoming increasingly difficult as there are urbanized
gangs, smugglers and a political system working.
4. The work-life balance is almost nonexistent as the job pressure is high. Often, you
need to work in places away from your family.

What are the relevant trends/skills/technologies that are currently

commanding a premium in your job profile?
The wildlife management has been specialized. With emerging technology, the satellites
and GPS are widely used for the forest works. The forests are huge so it’s hard to manage
without these relevant skills and great technologies.

What kind of person would be happy in your career?

A natural lover who is outgoing and can work in forests would definitely be happy in my
career. Also, people who love to travel and want to work for benefit of society will be happy
in my job.
Given another choice, what would you do differently as far as
your professional selections are concerned?
No, I would definitely select this job regardless of the possibilities.
As an Indian Forest Service officer, I work in different environments, cultures, and sectors.
So it’s enjoyable and I have a variety of assignments to do. There are so many choices to
explore and you gain experience every time.
“There is no chance of getting bored, this is a wrong question”, he laughs.
It’s all about one’s interest and expertise. I am happy with my work and it doesn’t feel that I
work so much.

What would be your advice to students or professionals who are

just starting their journey on a path similar to yours?
My advice is work hard and enjoy what you’re doing. You will never get tired.
“I don’t feel exhausted even after long hours of my work. I feel I’ve done very little during the
day”, he says. Just feel happy and do the work.

Contributing Writer - ​Meghna Mishra

Interested in reading more government services interviews? Check out ​our

conversation with Rajendra Singh Tevatiya​ (Ex-NCO (Non-Commissioned
Officer) in Indian Air Force (IAF))

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