Dehradun: The convocation ceremony for the 2024–26 batch of Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officer Trainees was held on August 1, 2026, at the historic Convocation Hall of the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, marking the successful completion of professional training by 111 officer trainees at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA).
The ceremony was presided over by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, who presented certificates and medals to the graduating officers and urged them to become leaders of a greener, more sustainable India as the country moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
111 Officers Graduate, Including 21 Women and Two Bhutanese Trainees
The graduating batch comprised 111 Indian Forest Service officers, including 21 women officers, reflecting increasing gender diversity within the country’s premier forest service.
The batch also included two international officer trainees from Bhutan, highlighting India’s continued role in training forestry professionals from friendly neighbouring countries.
Among the graduating officers, Madhya Pradesh received the highest allocation with 11 officers, while Uttarakhand has been allotted five officers.
One of India’s Oldest Forestry Training Institutions
The Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, along with its predecessor, the Indian Forest College, has been serving the nation since 1938.
Over the past 88 years, the institution has trained generations of Indian Forest Service officers and 369 forest officers from 14 friendly countries, establishing itself as one of India’s most prestigious forestry training academies.
Bhupender Yadav Highlights India’s Conservation Achievements
Addressing the passing-out parade, Bhupender Yadav congratulated the newly inducted officers and said they would play a decisive role in shaping India’s environmental future over the coming decades.
He said the officers graduating today would become key leaders in the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and would shoulder the responsibility of protecting India’s forests, wildlife and natural heritage.
The Union Minister credited the Prime Minister’s leadership for significantly strengthening India’s environmental conservation efforts. He highlighted the expansion of:
- Forest reserve areas
- Protected areas
- Eco-sensitive zones
- Tiger reserves
- Elephant reserves
- Ramsar sites
He also noted that more than 16 organisations under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are continuously working to strengthen India’s conservation framework.
‘India Has a Rich Tradition of Forest Service’
Speaking about India’s forestry legacy, the minister said the country has built a strong tradition of forest administration through dedicated officers over several decades.
He remarked that the achievements in forest conservation were made possible because generations of committed forest officers had consistently strengthened the country’s institutions and environmental governance.
From Environmental Activist to Environment Minister
Sharing a personal anecdote, Bhupender Yadav reflected on his journey from being a lawyer representing public interest litigation cases against the forest department in the Supreme Court to becoming the Union Environment Minister.
He said his experience allowed him to understand both activism and administration.
According to the minister, while both perspectives have their own importance, his experience in government convinced him that dedicated Indian Forest Service officers have played a remarkable role in taking India’s forest management traditions forward.
Young Officers Asked to Protect India’s Natural Heritage
In a message shared after the ceremony, Bhupender Yadav congratulated the young officers for successfully completing their professional training and beginning careers dedicated to protecting India’s forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
He said the commitment, integrity and spirit of public service demonstrated by the new officers would strengthen India’s conservation efforts and contribute significantly to building a greener and more sustainable future.
As the newest members of the Indian Forest Service enter field assignments across the country, they are expected to play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, wildlife protection, sustainable forest management and ecological restoration.
