The Convocation Ceremony of the 2024 Batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) probationers undergoing training at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun, was held on Saturday at the Convocation Hall of the Forest Research Institute (FRI). Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest and presented certificates and medals to the successful probationers.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Yadav congratulated the officers on successfully completing their training and said that they had received outstanding technical and leadership training at one of the country’s premier academies. He expressed confidence that when these officers reach the most productive phase of their careers, India will be celebrating 100 years of Independence and they will play a significant role in achieving and leading the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Union minister said that the officers would face major challenges in the coming years, including climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification. He said addressing these challenges would require equal emphasis on innovation, modern technology and people’s participation. He added that artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies should be used not only for data collection and analysis but also for developing practical solutions with human sensitivity.
Shri Yadav said that ethics and efficiency are the strongest foundations of a successful public servant. High moral values, effective utilisation of time and the ability to deliver maximum outcomes with limited resources define the true identity of an officer. He urged the officers to aspire not only to become capable administrators but also effective leaders, stating that sacrifice, compassion and the ability to inspire others are the qualities that distinguish a true leader. Leadership, he said, is not merely about administration but about bringing positive transformation to society.
Concluding his address, the Union Minister said that a good officer is one who is first and foremost a good human being. He urged the officers to make self-assessment and self-awareness an integral part of their lives, adding that every officer’s journey after training would be unique and that they should continue learning from their experiences while making exemplary contributions to society and the nation. He also extended his best wishes to all the trainees and their family members.
Earlier, Director, IGNFA, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Khajuria presented the Director’s Report and stated that the institution, which began as the Indian Forest College and now functions as the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, has been serving the nation since 1938. He informed that all Indian Forest Service officers of independent India, along with 369 forest officers from 14 friendly countries, have received training from the institution. He further stated that under the revised curriculum aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, a total of 111 officers, comprising 109 Indian Forest Service probationers of the 2024 Batch and two officer trainees from Bhutan, completed the 20-month training programme. Of these, 75 officers secured more than 75 per cent marks and were awarded the Honours Diploma.
The Director further informed that the training programme placed special emphasis on forestry, wildlife management, environmental governance, advanced technologies and leadership development, in addition to classroom learning. Nearly 45 per cent of the total training period was devoted to field exercises, study tours and adventure activities across diverse ecological regions of the country.
The probationers also participated in specialised elective courses, independent research and practical exercises related to forest management and wildlife conservation with guidance from eminent experts and support from leading institutions. He urged the passing-out officers to serve with complete dedication towards conserving natural resources and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
During the ceremony, awards and medals were presented to probationers for their outstanding achievements. Ms. Pratiksha Nanasaheb Kale of the Rajasthan Cadre emerged as the batch topper.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Tanmay Kumar; Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi; Chairman, CEC, Shri C.P. Goyal; Additional Director General of Forests, Shri Santosh Tiwari; Additional Director General of Forests, Shri Ramesh Kumar Pandey; Additional Secretary, Shri Amandeep Garg; Director General, ICFRE, Smt. Kanchan Devi; Director, IGNFA, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Khajuria; Additional Director, IGNFA, Shri N.C. Saravanan; Inspector General of Forests, Dr. V. Clement Ben; Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj; Director, FRI, along with several senior officers, heads of forestry and other institutions based in Dehradun, faculty members and staff of IGNFA and the Central Academy for State Forest Service, retired Indian Forest Service officers, senior officers from the Central and State Governments, trainee officers of the 2025 Batch, and family members of the passing-out officers of the 2024 Batch.
