Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Vice President's Secretariat on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 19, 2026, Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 2025–2027 batch of Indian Forest Service (IFS) probationers and Royal Bhutan Forest Service officers at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) in Dehradun. The address focused on balancing development with conservation to achieve "Viksit Bharat @2047" and net-zero emissions by 2070. Key action items include the integration of modern technology with traditional knowledge and upholding "Rashtra Pratham" (Nation First) through non-negotiable integrity.
Key Points / Main Content
Strategic Vision for Conservation and Development
Development and conservation are complementary forces that must be balanced to ensure ecological security and sustainable livelihoods.
Forest management must serve the interests of both present and future generations.
The Indian Forest Service is pivotal in reaching the national goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Integration of Knowledge and Technology
Modern scientific forestry must be combined with the civilisational wisdom and traditional knowledge of communities living in forest landscapes.
New officers are encouraged to utilize advanced technologies, including remote sensing, GIS, drones, AI, and data-driven systems.
Global best practices should be adopted but must be adapted to suit local field realities.
Professional Ethics and Metrics of Success
Integrity is described as "non-negotiable," with the Constitution, law, and science serving as the primary guides for decision-making.
Officer performance should be measured by forests restored, wildlife protected, and community trust earned rather than administrative positions.
Emphasis is placed on team excellence and collective effort over individual achievements.
Inclusivity and Representation
The Vice President noted a significant transformation in the service, with women now constituting 17% of the present batch, a testament to "Nari Shakti."
Impact Analysis
IFS Probationers (2025–2027) and Royal Bhutan Forest Service OfficersImpact
These officers are designated as the primary guardians of India’s biodiversity and natural resources leading up to 2047.
Action Required
They must combine field experience with technological tools (AI, drones) and maintain high ethical standards while prioritizing national interest ("Rashtra Pratham").
Forest CommunitiesImpact
There is a renewed institutional focus on respecting their traditional knowledge and ensuring their livelihoods are balanced with conservation efforts.
Action Required
Officers are tasked with earning the trust and confidence of these communities to ensure sustainable forest management.
Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA)Impact
The academy serves as the central hub for instilling the values of collective excellence and scientific-traditional integration in new officers.
Action Required
The institution must continue to facilitate training that aligns with the national goals of ecological security and net-zero emissions.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Forest Service (IFS): The primary cadre of officers responsible for managing India's forests, wildlife, and ecological security, addressed by the Vice President.
Viksit Bharat @2047: The national vision for a developed India by 2047, cited as the critical period for the new officers' service and responsibility.
Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun: The training institution for IFS probationers and the venue for the Vice President's address on conservation and scientific forestry.
Net-zero emissions by 2070: A key national climate goal that the Indian Forest Service is tasked with helping achieve through ecological conservation.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie: The premier civil service training institute where the Vice President is scheduled to address IAS probationers.
Vice President's Secretariat
Development and conservation can always go
hand in hand: Vice President
Modern Scientific Forestry and Civilisational Wisdom Must
Complement Each Other for India’s Sustainable Future: Vice
President
Respect Knowledge of Communities Living with Forest
Landscapes for Generations: Vice President
Measure your careers by forests restored, wildlife protected
and communities whose trust you earned: Vice President
while addressing IFS probationers in Dehradun
प्रव तथ: 19 AUG 2026 6:10PM by PIB Delhi
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today addressed the Indian Forest Service (IFS) probationers of
the 2025–2027 batch and officers of the Royal Bhutan Forest Service undergoing training at the Indira
Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today addressed the Indian Forest
Service (IFS) probationers of the 2025–2027 batch and officers of the Royal
Bhutan Forest Service undergoing training at the Indira Gandhi National Forest
Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun.
The Vice President… pic.twitter.com/HzANXtA3Lc
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 19, 2026
Congratulating the officer trainees, the Vice President said that they would shoulder the responsibility of
managing India’s forests, wildlife, biodiversity and precious natural resources during the crucial decades
leading to Viksit Bharat @2047.
He emphasised that the contribution of the Indian Forest Service is integral to strengthening the nation’s
ecological security and achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
The Vice President said that development and conservation are not opposing forces and can always go
hand in hand. He urged the officers to find the optimal balance between conservation and development,
ecological security and livelihoods, and present requirements and the interests of future generations.
Calling for team excellence rather than individual excellence, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that sustained
collective effort shapes nations and institutions. He emphasised the need to respect the traditional
knowledge accumulated by communities that have lived in harmony with forests and natural ecosystemsfor generations.
Emphasising integrity in public service, the Vice President said that “integrity is non-negotiable” and that
the Constitution, law, science and larger public interest should guide difficult decisions. He also
encouraged the officers to adopt best practices while adapting them to local realities.
Highlighting the growing role of technology in forestry, he called upon the new generation of officers to
combine remote sensing, GIS, drones, AI and data-driven systems with field experience, sound judgement
and sensitivity towards people.
The Vice President said that modern scientific forestry and India’s civilisational wisdom must complement
each other in shaping the country’s sustainable future.
The Vice President also highlighted the increasing participation of women in the forest services, noting
that women constitute about 17 per cent of the present batch, describing it as an encouraging
transformation and a testament to Nari Shakti.
Advising the officers not to measure their careers merely by the positions they hold, the Vice President
urged them to measure their contribution by the forests they restore, wildlife they protect, communities
whose confidence they earn and the legacy they leave for future generations. He concluded by urging
them to always keep the national interest foremost: “Rashtra Pratham” (Nation First).
Governor of Uttarakhand Lt. General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) ; Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar
Singh Dhami; Director, IGNFA Dr. Rajendra Prasad; and Course Director Smt. Ajeeta Longjam and other
dignitaries were present during the occasion.Earlier, upon his arrival at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, today, the Vice President was warmly welcomed
by the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri
Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other dignitaries.Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan was accorded a warm welcome upon his
arrival at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, today.
Governor of Uttarakhand Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), Chief Minister of
Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other dignitaries received the Vice…
pic.twitter.com/PMB6zNRbNJ
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 19, 2026
During his two-day visit to the state, the Vice President will also address the IAS probationers at the Lal
Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, tomorrow.
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