Which one of the following services was created as a 'third' 'All India Service'?

The correct answer is Indian Forest Service.

Key Points

• The Indian Forest Service (IFS) was established as the third All India Service under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution.
• It was created in 1966 to manage and protect the country's forest resources and wildlife.
• The primary function of IFS officers is the implementation of the National Forest Policy, aimed at ensuring ecological stability and environmental conservation.
• IFS officers work under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and play a key role in sustainable forest management.
• The service is part of India's civil services framework alongside the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS).

Additional Information

• All India Services: These are prestigious services under the Indian government where officers serve both the Union and State governments. They include IAS, IPS, and IFS.
• Article 312: This provision in the Indian Constitution allows the Parliament to create new All India Services upon the recommendation of the Rajya Sabha.
• Indian Forest Policy: The policy focuses on maintaining one-third of India's land area under forest and tree cover to ensure environmental stability and ecological balance.
• IFS Training: Selected candidates undergo rigorous training at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun, covering forestry, wildlife management, and environmental conservation.
• Sustainability Goals: IFS officers are instrumental in achieving India's sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, life on land, and biodiversity conservation.