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Know about IFS Officer Salary Structure: A Comprehensive Guide for UPSC Aspirants

PWOnlyIAS December 09, 2023 06:01 1966 0

IFS officer salary ranges from an initial monthly pay of Rs 56,100 for Assistant Conservator of Forests/Assistant Deputy Conservator of Forests to the highest salary of Rs 2,25,000 for the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Officers receive salary increments through promotions at 5, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 27 years of service.

Know about IFS Officer Salary Structure: A Comprehensive Guide for UPSC Aspirants

Introduction:

The Indian Forest Service (IFS/IFS) established in 1966 under the National Forest Policy is one of the most important parts of All India Services. Recruitment of officers is done by the Indian Forest Service exam conducted by UPSC by analyzing their right skills for the environment and their aspiration to contribute directly and indirectly to the environment.  These officers play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and managing areas like National Parks. 

UPSC IFS Exam and Recruitment

UPSC IFoS examination has been organized by the Union Public Service Commission every year to recruit candidates for forest service at the administrative level. The preliminary examination of UPSC IAS and IFoS is the same which means both exams have the same exam paper for prelims but their mains and personality tests have different patterns.

Pattern of UPSC IFS Examination: Stages & Selection Criteria

  • Preliminary Examination: Screening with GS and CSAT
    • This stage of the Indian Forest Service exam has two objective-type papers: General Studies (GS I) and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT). 
    • The General Studies paper has 100 questions on various subjects, each carrying 2 marks totaling 200 marks.
    • The preliminary Indian Forest Service exam serves as a screening test, and its scores are not considered for the final ranking.
  • Mains Examination: In-Depth Exam on Forestry and More
    • Consists of 6 descriptive papers.
    • Paper I: General English (Essay, Comprehension, Precis Writing)
    • Paper II: General Knowledge (Covers a broad range of subjects like Indian politics, history, and geography)
    • Papers III, IV, V, VI: Optional subjects chosen by candidates (e.g., forestry, botany, or environmental science).
    • Marks obtained in all these papers contribute to the final ranking.
    • The Indian Forest Service exam assesses in-depth knowledge, understanding, and analytical abilities in various subjects related to forestry, environmental science, and other relevant areas.
  • Interview/Personality Test: Final Selection for Forest Service
    • Candidates who clear the Mains Indian Forest Service exam are eligible for the interview stage.
    • The interview will carry 300 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).
    • The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in the Indian Forest Service.
    • Successful candidates in the interview stage are ultimately selected for various posts within the Indian Forest Services.
    • Marks obtained in the interview, combined with Mains Indian Forest Service exam scores, determine the final ranking.
  • Selection process
    • Candidates aspiring to become Indian Forest Officers have to clear preliminary, mains, and personality interviews. The prelims stage is qualifying in nature and marks scored by other candidates in mains and interviews are evaluated for final marks and to decide rank.

IFS Officer Salary – Pay Matrix

IFS Officer Salary is allotted according to the pay matrix by the 7th Pay Commission. Below is the classification of pay with the service tenure.

Pay Scale/ Salary Pay Level Service Tenure
Rs.56100-132000  (Pay Level 10) At Entry
Rs.67700-160000 (Pay Level 11) After 5 years of service.
Rs.78800-191500 (Pay Level 12) After 12 years of service.
Rs.118500-214100 (Pay Level 13) After 16 years of service and based on seniority.
Rs.131100-216600  (Pay Level 13A) Completed a minimum of 5 years of service in the previous Pay Level and also based on seniority.
Rs.144200-218200 (Pay Level 14) Completed a minimum of 1 year of service in the previous Pay level and also based on seniority.
Rs.182200-224100  (Pay Level 15) Completed a minimum of 5 years of service in the previous Pay Level and based on seniority.

 

IFS Officer Salary Structure

According to the Seventh Pay Commission, the pay structure for Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers is based on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission as follows:

Grade  Designation in State Government Designation in Government of India Basic Monthly Salary
Junior Time Scale Assistant Conservator of Forests/ Assistant Deputy Conservator of Forests Assistant Inspector General of Forests INR 56,100
Senior Time Scale Deputy Conservator of Forests Assistant Inspector General of Forests INR 67,700
Junior Administrative Grade Deputy Conservator of Forests Assistant Inspector General of Forests INR 78,800
Selection Grade Deputy Conservator of Forests (Selection Grade) Assistant Inspector General of Forests INR 1,18,500
Super Time Scale Conservator of Forests/Chief Wildlife Warden Deputy Inspector General of Forests INR I,50,000
Senior Administrative Grade Chief Conservator of Forests Inspector General of Forests INR 1,75,000
Higher Administrative Grade Scale Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Inspector General of Forests INR 2,00,000
Higher Administrative + Scale Principal Conservator of Forests Additional Director General of Forests INR 2,05,400
Apex Scale Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Director General of Forests INR 2,25,000

 

Allowances and Perks of IFS Officers

  • Dearness Allowance (DA)- DA is provided to compensate for the impact of inflation on the cost of living. It is calculated as a percentage of the basic pay and is revised periodically.
  • House Rent Allowance (HRA)- IFS officers are entitled to HRA, which is provided to meet the cost of accommodation. The rate of HRA depends on the officer’s posting location.
  • Transport Allowance- This allowance is provided to meet the commuting expenses between the residence and the place of work. The amount may vary based on the officer’s posting.
  • Study Leave- If the officer is going for higher study, they are free to take the leave for that.
  • Medical Facilities- IFS officers are entitled to medical facilities for themselves and their dependents. This may include reimbursement of medical expenses and government access or empaneled private hospitals.
  • Leave Travel Concession (LTC)- IFS officers are eligible for LTC to travel to their home or any place in India. The rules and frequency of LTC may vary.
  • Pension and Gratuity: IFS officers are entitled to a pension and gratuity after retirement, ensuring financial security post-service.
  • Education Allowance: Some officers may receive an education allowance to support the education of their children.
  • Conveyance Allowance: This allowance may be provided to meet expenses related to the maintenance of vehicles.
  • Special Duty Allowance: IFS officers serving in challenging or remote areas may receive special duty allowances.
  • Professional Development Allowance: Some officers may receive allowances for professional development activities, training, or courses.

IFS Officers Recruitment and Training

  • Foundation: IFoS training initiates with a foundation course at LBSNAA i.e. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which is in Mussoorie.
  • Core Training: Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy for core training.
  • Recognition: After completing the training, the officers are rewarded with a master’s degree in Science (Forestry) by the Forest Research Institute of India.
  • Miscellaneous Training: Officers also undergo physical training, which comprises Horse riding, Motor Vehicle, Crime Detection, Swimming, Weapon Handling, etc. 

IFS officers

Job Role of IFS Officer

There are various job roles with various profiles in which candidates get different duties and responsibilities to perform. Let us see each  of these:

  • Principal Chief Conservator of Forest
    1. Also known as the head of the forest force.
    2. Highest post of Indian Forest Service in a state.
    3. Responsibilities include managing the forests, environment, and wildlife issues of the state
  • Additional Chief Conservator of Forest
    1. Assistant to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
    2. Answers directly to the chief and the responsibilities include anything assigned by the chief.
  • Deputy Conservator of Forest
    1. Also known as the Division Forest officer
    2. Responsibilities are to maintain the forests, environment, and wildlife issues of that forest division of the state
  • Assistant Conservator of the Forest
    1. Answers to all the higher-level officers in the department
    2. Have to assist them and work on anything assigned by them
  • Forest Range Officers (FRO)
    1. Responsible for the management of the respective forest range
    2. Custodian of all government properties in that forest range
    3. Follows the orders of the Deputy/Divisional Conservator of that forest
Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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IFS Officer Salary FAQs

Yes, IFS officers may receive special allowances or incentives for postings in challenging or remote areas, as well as for handling special assignments or responsibilities.

The IFS officer salary is revised periodically based on the recommendations of Pay Commissions. These revisions are implemented to ensure that the salaries remain competitive and in line with economic factors.

The IFS officer salary is comparable to other Group A services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS).
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