The post of Director Forest Education was created in the year 1953 to assist the President, Forest Research Institute and Colleges and was responsible for professional and technical training / education in the country. Subsequent to re-organization of Forestry Research, Education and Training Institutions in 1987, the erstwhile Indian Forest College got upgraded to Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education was created as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to organize, direct and manage research in Forest Sector at National Level.

The Directorate of Forest Education was separated as an independent organization under the direct control of MoEF&CC for the training  of State Forest Service officers and Forest Range Officers. The Directorate also supplements the efforts of the State Governments for the training of Frontline Forest Staff (Deputy Rangers, Foresters and Forest Guards).