Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 Notification – Complete Details, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Vacancies & Apply OnlineÂ
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE) 2026 Notification on 04 February 2026. The Indian Forest Service is one of the three All India Services (along with IAS and IPS) and plays a vital role in environmental protection, forest conservation, wildlife management, and climate governance in India.
The IFoSE 2026 selection process is conducted through the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, followed by the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination and Personality Test (Interview).
1. Overview of Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
The Indian Forest Service Examination is conducted annually to recruit officers for managing India’s forests, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecological balance. IFoS officers work at senior administrative levels in both State and Central Governments.
For 2026, UPSC has announced that the screening test will be the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, scheduled on 24 May 2026. Only candidates who qualify Prelims will be eligible for the IFoS Main Examination .
2. Important Dates – IFoSE 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 February 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Civil Services (Prelims) | 24 May 2026 |
| IFoS Main Examination | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Interview / Personality Test | 2027 |
Candidates are advised to apply well before the last date to secure their preferred examination centre.
3. Number of Vacancies
The number of vacancies for IFoSE 2026 is approximately 80, distributed across categories as follows :
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 33 |
| OBC | 21 |
| SC | 12 |
| ST | 06 |
| EWS | 08 |
| Total | ~80 |
PwBD Vacancies
- Blindness / Low Vision – 1
- Deaf / Hard of Hearing – 1
- Locomotor Disability – 3
Vacancies are liable to change based on final government requirements.
4. Eligibility Criteria
4.1 Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A Citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal / Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01-01-1962, OR
- A person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries
(Non-Indian citizens must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by Government of India.)
4.2 Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years
- Date of Birth Range: 02 August 1994 to 01 August 2005
Age Relaxation
- SC / ST – 5 years
- OBC – 3 years
- PwBD – 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen – As per rules
Age limits cannot be relaxed beyond the prescribed maximum under any circumstances .
5. Educational Qualification
A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least one of the following subjects:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Engineering (any discipline)
- Botany
- Zoology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Geology
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Final-year students are eligible, provided they submit proof before the Interview stage.
6. Number of Attempts
| Category | Attempts |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 6 |
| OBC | 9 |
| SC / ST | Unlimited |
| PwBD | As per category |
Appearing in any one paper of Prelims counts as an attempt.
7. Selection Process
The IFoSE 2026 selection process consists of three stages:
Stage 1 – Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
- Objective type
- Screening test only
- Marks not counted for final merit
Stage 2 – Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination
- Written (6 descriptive papers)
- Followed by Interview
Stage 3 – Personality Test
- Conducted by UPSC Board
- Assesses leadership, integrity, decision-making, and suitability for service
8. Exam Pattern
8.1 Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 |
| Paper II | CSAT | 200 |
- CSAT qualifying marks: 33%
- Negative marking: 1/3rd
8.2 IFoS Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English | 300 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 300 |
| Paper III | Optional Subject 1 | 200 |
| Paper IV | Optional Subject 1 | 200 |
| Paper V | Optional Subject 2 | 200 |
| Paper VI | Optional Subject 2 | 200 |
Written Total: 1400 Marks
Interview: 300 Marks
Grand Total: 1700 Marks
9. Optional Subjects (Main Examination)
Candidates must choose two optional subjects from the approved list:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Botany
- Zoology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Geology
- Mechanical / Civil / Chemical / Agricultural Engineering
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Certain subject combinations are not permitted (as per notification rules).
10. SyllabusÂ
Prelims Syllabus
- Current Events
- Indian History & National Movement
- Indian & World Geography
- Polity & Governance
- Economy & Social Development
- Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Change
- General Science
- CSAT (Reasoning, Aptitude, Comprehension)
Mains Syllabus
- English (Essay, comprehension)
- Indian & World affairs
- Environment & ecology
- Optional subjects (degree-level depth)
11. Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
Candidates qualifying for IFoS Main Examination must pay an additional ₹200 (except exempted categories).
12. How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
- Visit UPSC Online Portal
- Create Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF)
- Upload photo, live photo & signature
- Choose IFoS Examination
- Pay application fee
- Submit before 24 Feb 2026
No correction or withdrawal is allowed after submission.
13. Medical & Physical Standards
Candidates must meet strict physical and medical standards as prescribed for IFoS officers, including:
- Vision requirements
- Physical endurance
- PwBD functional suitability
Medical fitness is verified after final selection.
14. Reservation Policy
Reservation is applicable for:
- SC
- ST
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
- EWS
- PwBD
Valid certificates issued within prescribed dates are mandatory.
15. Career Prospects in Indian Forest Service
IFoS officers enjoy:
- High administrative authority
- Outdoor & field-based leadership roles
- Environmental policy implementation
- International exposure (UN, climate bodies)
- Prestigious government service status
16. Official Notification & Apply Online Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in |
| Exam Updates | https://www.examguru.org.in |
The Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 is a prestigious national-level examination for candidates passionate about nature, environment, administration, and public service. With limited vacancies and high competition, aspirants must prepare strategically and apply with complete accuracy.
Candidates are strongly advised to:
- Read the notification thoroughly
- Verify eligibility carefully
- Apply early
- Begin preparation immediately
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