The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the most prestigious All India Services in the country, responsible for the management, protection, and conservation of India’s vast forest and environmental resources. Conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the Indian Forest Service Examination (IFoSE) 2026 offers a golden opportunity to candidates who aspire to serve the nation while working closely with nature, wildlife, and environmental sustainability.
UPSC has officially released the Examination Notice No. 06/2026-IFoSE, dated 04 February 2026, announcing the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026. The examination is conducted through a combined process with the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, making it a unique and competitive recruitment process.
The UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Exam 2026 will select candidates for elite forestry services via a three-stage process: Preliminary (May 24, 2026), Main (starting Nov 22, 2026), and Interview. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or agriculture, and age 21–32 (as of Aug 1, 2026). The application deadline is Feb 24, 2026.
In this blog, we will first give a brief overview of the examination and then discuss vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, age limit, age relaxation, educational qualification, salary structure, application fee, selection process, and step-by-step application procedure, along with some useful tips for candidates.
Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
The Indian Forest Service was established in 1966 to ensure scientific management of forests and natural resources. Officers selected through IFoSE play a key role in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, wildlife protection, and implementation of environmental laws.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Application Period | February 4 – February 24, 2026 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Vacancies (Approx.) | 80 posts |
| Selection Process | Prelims (via CSE), Mains (Written), and Interview |
| Prelims Exam Date | May 24, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Mains Exam Date | November 22, 2026 (starts) |
| Minimum Education | Bachelor’s Degree in Science/Engineering/Agriculture/Forestry |
| Age Limit | 21–32 years (as of August 1, 2026) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in |
Indian Forest Service Vacancy 2026
As per the official notification released on February 4, 2026, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced approximately 80 vacancies for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026.
UPSC IFoS 2026 Vacancy Distribution :-
The tentative category-wise distribution of these vacancies is as follows:
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 33 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 21 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 12 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 08 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 06 |
| Total Vacancies | ~80 |
UPSC IFoS 2026: Important Dates
Here are the officially announced and expected important dates for the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026:
| Event | Official Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | February 4, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (Registration) | February 24, 2026 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Correction Window for Application | February 25 – March 3, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Admit Card Release | May 2026 (approx. 2-3 weeks before exam) |
| IFoS Preliminary Exam Date | May 24, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Prelims Result Declaration | June 2026 (Expected) |
| IFoS Mains Exam Start Date | November 22, 2026 |
| Interview/Personality Test | February – March 2027 (Expected) |
| Final Result Declaration | April 2027 (Expected) |
Candidates must complete the application well before the last date to avoid server-related issues.
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
Before applying, candidates must ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions laid down by UPSC. Admission at all stages of the examination is purely provisional and subject to verification.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Nationality
- Age limit
- Educational qualification
- Physical standards (as per IFS rules)
Age Limit for IFoSE 2026
As per UPSC rules:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 32 years
A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on 1st August 2026.
Age Relaxation: UPSC IFoS 2026
UPSC provides age relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government norms.
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 32 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3 Years | 35 Years |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 Years | 37 Years |
| PwBD (Blind, Deaf-mute, Orthopedically handicapped) | 10 Years | 42 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Minimum 5 years service) | 5 Years | 37 Years |
Candidates must upload valid category certificates in the prescribed format during the application process.
Educational Qualification
Educational qualification is a critical requirement for IFoSE and differs from other civil services.
Minimum Qualification
A candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects:
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
OR A Bachelor’s degree in:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Engineering
Degrees from recognized universities only are accepted.
Stipend / Salary Structure of Indian Forest Service Officers
The Indian Forest Service offers an attractive salary along with numerous allowances and benefits.
Pay Scale :-
- Pay Level: Level 10 (7th Pay Commission)
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100 per month
- Total In-hand Salary: ₹70,000 – ₹85,000 (approx.)
Additional Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or Government Accommodation
- Travel Allowance
- Medical Facilities
- Pension and Retirement Benefits
- Official Vehicle (post confirmation)
- Field and deputation allowances
Application Fee
The application fee details for IFoSE 2026 are as follows:
| Category | Preliminary Exam Fee | Main Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Exempted (Nil) | Exempted (Nil) |
| Female (All Categories) | Exempted (Nil) | Exempted (Nil) |
Mode of Payment :-
- Online (Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking)
- Offline (SBI Challan – where applicable)
Selection Process for Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
The selection process consists of three stages:
The selection process for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026 is a rigorous three-stage cycle conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates must qualify for each stage sequentially to be eligible for appointment as a Group A Forest Service Officer.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Screening)
The Prelims act as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It is conducted jointly with the Civil Services Examination (CSE).
- Structure: Two objective-type papers (Paper I: General Studies and Paper II: CSAT).
- Qualifying Nature: Paper II (CSAT) requires a minimum of 33% marks (66.67 marks) to qualify.
- Cut-off: The IFoS Prelims cut-off is calculated solely from Paper I and is generally higher than the CSE cut-off.
- Attempts: An “attempt” is counted only if you appear for the Prelims.
Stage 2: Main Examination (Written Descriptive)
Candidates qualifying the Prelims must submit a Detailed Application Form-I (DAF-I) to appear for the Mains.
- Total Papers: 6 descriptive-type papers (Total: 1400 marks).
- Compulsory Papers: Paper I: General English (300 Marks). Paper II: General Knowledge (300 Marks).
- Optional Subjects: Candidates choose two optional subjects (e.g., Forestry, Botany, Geology) from a UPSC-approved list. Each subject has two papers (Papers III to VI), worth 200 marks each.
- Evaluation: Candidates must secure at least 5% marks in each paper to be considered for evaluation.
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
Shortlisted candidates (typically twice the number of vacancies) are called for an interview at the UPSC office in New Delhi.
- Marks: 300 marks.
- Criteria: Focuses on intellectual ability, social traits, critical powers of assimilation, and overall suitability for the service.
- Final Merit: Calculated by combining scores from the Mains (1400) and the Interview (300) for a total of 1700 marks.
How to Apply for Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
The application process for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026 is conducted online through the official UPSC portal. Since the IFoS Preliminary Exam is common with the Civil Services Examination (CSE), candidates apply for both using a single integrated form.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
1. One-Time Registration (OTR):
- Visit the UPSC OTR Portal and click “New Registration”.
- Enter basic details: Name, Gender, DOB, Father’s/Mother’s Name, Mobile Number, Email, and Class X Roll Number.
- Once submitted, a Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated. This is permanent and valid for all future UPSC exams.
2. Login and Common Application Form (CAF):
- Log in using your Email/Mobile (via OTP) or OTR ID (via Password).
- Complete the CAF, which stores general information like educational qualifications, address, and category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD).
3. Examination-Specific Module:
- Go to the “Latest Notification” tab and select Indian Forest Service Examination 2026.
- Crucial Step: During the CSE registration process, you must explicitly choose “Indian Forest Service” as an examination option to be considered for it.
4. Upload Documents & Live Photo:
- Photograph: Upload a recent passport-size photo (not older than 10 days).
- Live Photo: Perform the mandatory live photo capture as required by the new 2026 rules.
- Signature: Upload a scanned signature (signed three times on white paper with black ink).
- Photo ID: Upload a scanned copy of a valid ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, etc.).
5. Fee Payment & Centre Selection:
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS male candidates). Females and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted.
- Select your preferred Preliminary Examination Centre.
6. Final Submission:
- Review all details carefully; no corrections are allowed after the final submission.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page/receipt for future reference.
Incomplete or incorrect applications will be rejected without notice.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Mere issue of admit card does not guarantee final eligibility
- Original documents are verified only after interview
- Changes in OTR profile will not reflect in already submitted forms
- Uploaded photograph must match live photo capture
- Candidates should regularly check the UPSC website for updates
Preparation Tips for IFoSE Aspirants
- Focus equally on Prelims and Mains
- Strengthen optional subjects early
- Practice answer writing regularly
- Revise environmental and forestry-related topics
- Stay consistent and follow a structured study plan
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHATSAPP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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