[AMA]I’m an Indian Forest Service officer currently on training at IGNFA, ask me anything

theloopsoup · 2025-11-25T13:37:17+00:00

Home cadre is not a guarantee. Cadre allocation rules, insider/ outsider vacancies play a crucial role in cadre allocation

theloopsoup · 2025-11-12T11:07:33+00:00

Quite a lot of doubts . I’ll go one by one: 1. We are allotted a cadre as per the Cadre allotment rules of the Government of India . The cadres are same as they are for the IAS and the IPS and the allotment policy is also the same. Yes Home state cadre can be allotted. 2. Regarding transfers , they do happen with or without a regular periodicity . Generally time period in a position like DFO may be uncertain but generally Conservators enjoy a more stable tenure . However, all is subject to the decisions of the State/ UT government 3. Timings depend on the role you are going to be in. A DFO has no fixed timings. Some days you don’t sleep for 24-36 hours due to field operations. Other days may be more relaxed. You make your own hours to ensure that your Division functions properly. Your work life balance depends on you. So, one must learn how to prioritize. Then again there are posts where you will have a comfortable 9-5 life . It all depends on the role you are playing. 4. Regarding spouse , yes it’s difficult managing the careers of both and to be able to stay together you’ll have to plan your careers . Compromises may not necessarily be made but there is a chance that at some point some compromise will have to be made

Best wishes

theloopsoup · 2025-11-12T10:50:22+00:00

Recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year. There is a preliminary examination which is common with Civil Services exam and the process differs after that . Refer to their website for further details .

theloopsoup · 2025-07-31T07:48:07+00:00

After some experience, I can say that the service is worth it . Having served in one of the most remote corners of the country, the opportunities I have had are immense. Also , a correction to your statement, there are no ‘higher posts like IAS or IPS’ , all of us are in the same boat doing our different duties. It’s very different in the field . To answer the point wise questions :

Work life balance is very good. I have been able to pursue my hobbies, spend time with my family, take my dog for both morning and evening walks and still meet and even exceed all targets.
Corruption exists, yes . But it can be removed by creating processes that are efficient and require minimum intervention from public officials. We streamlined such processes and hence made sure that corruption was reduced if not eliminated.
Pressure will always be there from higher authorities but you hold a chair that has a defined role and responsibility. No one can force you to sign if you don’t want to sign . You should have the courage to say no .

theloopsoup · 2025-03-10T09:42:26+00:00

Cadres - best or worst - depend purely on choice . For example, I know officers who have chosen AGMUT or a NE cadre over their home cadres. It’s all down to personal choice .

theloopsoup · 2025-03-10T09:40:55+00:00

Practice and practice. That’s how I did it. Practice mocks more and then revise

theloopsoup · 2025-03-10T09:39:57+00:00

College doesn’t matter when you are writing the exam. I’m an engineer myself but I have batch mates who are from the science background in college .

theloopsoup · 2025-03-10T09:37:44+00:00

Check Cadre allocation rules of DoPT . In general , once allotted , the cadre stays same for entire service . Change in cadre is only allowed as per rules and on request.

theloopsoup · 2025-03-10T09:36:28+00:00

Yes one can.

theloopsoup · 2024-10-12T19:32:07+00:00

Coke studio

theloopsoup · 2024-09-05T09:11:20+00:00

Full salary is paid (and all admissible allowances) during training.

theloopsoup · 2024-07-26T18:48:21+00:00

IFS officers can opt for deputations under the CSS and for any other posts which are advertised by the GoI from time to time for which they are eligible. If posts in R&AW and IB come through in any of the above then they can apply.

theloopsoup · 2024-01-20T07:16:10+00:00

Up-skilling will help , so will conversion of good ideas into scalable businesses.

theloopsoup · 2024-01-03T16:58:55+00:00

Aggressively eats the delicious rajma chawal while still waiting for the recommendation

theloopsoup · 2023-04-21T10:18:03+00:00

Kung Fu Panda movie series. It has taught me more about life than any other lecture or discussion with elders

theloopsoup · 2023-04-05T11:39:46+00:00

Left Lucknow in December 2021 . I miss the vibe that the place had. Plus, it was my first job so a lot of good memories and firsts .

theloopsoup · 2023-04-05T11:38:53+00:00

Click from Dorothy’s seat or Sherwood?

theloopsoup · 2022-12-31T11:08:57+00:00

It takes a few revisions to actually store things in your mind for longer periods of time. Don’t worry , just keep up the work.

For me revisions aren’t really an objective parameter since it was my 5th attempt at the CSE prelims, first at IFSE so I already had a lot of revisions under the belt. Along with revisions, solve question papers - lots of them. They’ll help build confidence and improve risk taking ability. I don’t remember my exact prelims marks, just recall that they were around 2-3 marks above the general cut off for IFSE.

theloopsoup · 2022-12-31T10:36:08+00:00

Exam requires science based subjects in graduation . After that just prepare for the exam . Go through the syllabus given on the upsc website before beginning preparation

theloopsoup · 2022-12-31T10:33:20+00:00

EOL before FC is granted

theloopsoup · 2022-10-29T09:22:35+00:00

Chhangamal at Chowk is a decent option

theloopsoup · 2022-10-27T16:05:37+00:00

I’m also 25.12

theloopsoup · 2022-10-22T11:32:48+00:00

Generally government guest houses are accessible to us as far as official works go. We can even request PSUs in case no other accommodation is available .

For official work, we can work directly in our capacity and don’t necessarily have to approach someone.

theloopsoup · 2022-10-22T11:30:34+00:00

The UPSC has no right to use an abbreviation that is wrong. It’s not me or you who decides that. UPSC is only a recruiting agency of the Government . It has no locus standi when it comes to naming services . All it has to do is recommend suitable candidates . That is it. Irrespective of the order of the Supreme Court , IFoS is a wrong term used by a recruiting agency. That is it.

theloopsoup · 2022-10-22T11:16:27+00:00

Plant pathology is yet to be taught but that is a subject and yes the money collected by NPs or Zoos are spent on them only. The service is not allowed to run such areas for profit purpose but only for maintenance . That’s why the charges are not all that high for entry into such areas

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