Forest Section Officer Salary 2025(APPSC): Group, In-hand Salary, Job Profile and Promotions

Forest Section Officer Salary in AP(Andhra Pradesh)

If you are selected for the Forest Section Officer Salary 2025(APPSC), you will also get allowances such as conveyance, halting, medical aid and other facilities provided by the state government.

Note: The exact amount will change based on things like deductions, where they are stationed, and how long they’ve worked. The allowances, and in-hand salary may vary depending upon various factors. For exact details, refer to official notifications.

A Forest Section Officer (FSO) hired through the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) can expect to earn a monthly salary of ₹34,000 to ₹49,000 in 2025.

Hiring Body is APPSC (Group IIB services). Work Locations are Forest areas throughout Andhra Pradesh
Job profile is forest-management. FSOs are in charge of protecting forests, managing forest guards, stopping illegal activities, and taking care of wildlife and plants. FSOs can advance to Assistant Conservator of Forests and then to Divisional Forest Officer by passing tests.

Before moving on to more details, compare salary with Forest Beat Officer Salary 2025 | Pay Scale, In-Hand Salary & Perks

Perks and Benefits Besides Salary(APPSC FSO)

Besides salary and allowances, APPSC Forest Section Officers (FSOs) in Andhra Pradesh get some extra benefits. These include:

• government housing or money to help pay rent,
• travel funds for work in the field,
• medical bill repayment for themselves and their family,
• access to government health plans like EHS, pension and retirement plans under NPS, and different types of paid time off.
• field experience that helps them get promoted.
• uniforms and gear for their work.

This job is secure, respected, and gives you a chance to help the environment.

Also know APPSC Group 2 Posts 2025: All Salary and Designation Details and APPSC Group 1 Salary 2025, Pay Scale and In-hand Salary Per Month with Allowances

Promotions(APPSC FSO)

In Andhra Pradesh, Forest Section Officers (FSOs) who are hired through the APPSC can move up the ranks.

1. When they start as FSOs, they can get promoted to Forest Range Officer (FRO) if they pass departmental tests and have enough seniority and good work reviews.
2. With more experience and training, they could get positions such as Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), and even Conservator of Forests (CF).
3. Promotions rely on open positions, annual reviews, and finishing required training. This career path allows for career growth and more management duties in forest management and protecting the environment.

Forest Service Officers don't automatically become Indian Forest Service officers.

They might be promoted to the IFoS if they get to the ACF/DC level, meet the requirements, and are chosen under a specific promotion quota.

These promotions happen after many years (usually 15+) of state service, based on things like seniority, how well they did in their job, and if there are open spots in the IFoS.

Check: Indian Forest Service Salary, Allowances, Perks, Benefits and Promotions and Indian Forest Service Pay Rules

Forest Section Officer (FSO) Job Profile in Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, a Forest Section Officer (FSO) is essential for protecting and managing forest resources within the AP Forest Department. Their key responsibilities include overseeing forest areas, stopping illegal logging and poaching, and seeing that environmental laws are properly followed.

FSOs also keep up forest boundaries, do field inspections, watch wildlife activity, and manage forest plantations. They also make reports on forest health, survey forest land, and assist in managing afforestation programs.

Besides enforcement and conservation, FSOs closely work with local communities to promote sustainable forest practices. They might run awareness programs, help with eco-tourism projects, and assist in putting government schemes related to forest development into action. As frontline officers, they’re a link between forest authorities and forest guards. Their job needs them to be physically fit and have leadership qualities, field skills, and a strong dedication to protecting the environment. Know more about Difference Between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Read more: Forester Salary in India 2025, Pay Scale, In-Hand Salary, Perks & Career Growth

Forest Section Officer (FSO) Salary in Telangana

In 2025, a Forest Section Officer's pay in Telangana is about ₹51,320 to ₹1,27,310 each month, based on Pay Level 20 set by the Telangana government.

After deductions, the actual take-home pay is usually between ₹48,000 and ₹65,000 a month.

This varies based on experience, where they're posted (city or country), and other things. FSOs also get Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Travel Allowance (TA), which increases how much they make each month. Because they often work in the field, FSOs in far-off forest areas might also get special forest duty pay and risk pay.

Salary Comparison Between Both States for FSO

In Telangana, Forest Section Officers often get a bit more take-home pay. This is because they usually start at a better pay grade and receive better Housing Rent Allowance, especially when working in cities such as Hyderabad. Still, both states provide similar opportunities for career growth and benefits.