The selection process of Indian Forest Service (IFS) is explained as under :
The written examination is followed by a personality test in the form of personal interview. Interview is the main selection procedure to the candidates after their successful completion of their written exams.
The interviews are held by the UPSC soon after the result of written test is declared. The marks obtained in the interview are added to the marks obtained by a candidate in the written test to draw up the final merit list.
The main aim of personality test is to judge the suitability of candidates as officers of Indian Forest Service.
The candidates appearing in the interview may expect some questions on current affairs, forest related issues, Indian Polity, Planning Process, Budgeting and Economic Geography. The personality test also aims at testing leadership qualities, mental alertness, initiative, balance of judgment, analytical capabilities etc.
Selected candidates after their individual performance in the written test and the personality test will be sent for foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy, which is followed by specialised orientation in Forest Service at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun with inputs on wildlife management, tribal welfare, soil conservation, forest management, engineering survey, weapon handling etc.