The Union Public Service Commission has released the official notification for the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026. The recruitment is being conducted for 80 Indian Forest Service Officer posts. Online applications are open from 04 February 2026 and will close on 24 February 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Recruitment Overview
The Union Public Service Commission is conducting the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 for recruitment to Group ‘A’ posts under the Government of India. The examination is held through multiple stages including Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. Applications are accepted through online mode only via the official UPSC portal. The notification confirms category-wise vacancies, eligibility conditions, and the detailed examination scheme.
Vacancy Details
The total number of vacancies notified for Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 is 80.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 33 |
| OBC | 21 |
| SC | 12 |
| ST | 06 |
| EWS | 08 |
| Total | 80 |
Important Dates
Candidates must strictly follow the schedule mentioned in the official notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Civil Services Preliminary Examination | 24 May 2026 |
Age Limit & Relaxation
The age criteria prescribed for UPSC IFS Recruitment 2026 are as follows.
| Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Forest Service Officer | 21 Years | 32 Years |
Age is calculated as on 01 August 2026. SC and ST candidates are eligible for 5 years age relaxation. OBC candidates are eligible for 3 years age relaxation. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are eligible for age relaxation up to 10 years, as applicable under Government of India rules.
Educational Qualification & Experience
Candidates must possess the educational qualification prescribed in the notification.
| Post | Qualification | Required Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Forest Service Officer | Bachelor’s degree with at least one subject among Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science | Not Required |
Only candidates holding a specified bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply.
Application Fee
The application fee details for UPSC IFS Examination 2026 are provided below.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Women | Nil |
The fee must be paid online during submission of the application form where applicable.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of multiple stages. Candidates must first appear in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, which acts as the screening test for the Indian Forest Service Examination. Candidates qualifying the preliminary stage will be eligible to appear in the Indian Forest Service Main Examination (Written). Those clearing the mains examination will be called for the Interview or Personality Test. Candidates recommended after the interview will undergo Medical and Physical Standards Tests before final selection.
Preliminary Examination Pattern
The Preliminary Examination pattern is common with the Civil Services Examination.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 | 2 Hours |
CSAT is qualifying in nature with a minimum qualifying requirement of 33 percent. There is negative marking of one-third marks for incorrect answers. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted in the final merit.
IFoS Main Examination Pattern
The Indian Forest Service Main Examination (Written) consists of the following papers.
| Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| General English | 300 |
| General Knowledge | 300 |
| Optional Subject – Paper I | 200 |
| Optional Subject – Paper II | 200 |
| Optional Subject – Paper III | 200 |
| Optional Subject – Paper IV | 200 |
Interview
The Interview or Personality Test carries 300 marks. The total marks for final merit are 1400, including the written examination and interview.
Number of Attempts
General and EWS category candidates are allowed six attempts. OBC candidates are allowed nine attempts. SC and ST candidates have no limit on the number of attempts, subject to the prescribed age limits.
How to Apply
- Visit upsconline.nic.in
- Complete One-Time Registration using valid credentials
- Fill the Common Application Form
- Select Indian Forest Service Examination
- Upload photograph, signature, and required documents
- Pay the application fee if applicable
- Submit the application before 24 February 2026
Important Links
| Link Name | Access |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click here |
| Official Website | Click here |
Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for complete details.
