INDNotice

Union Public Service Commission Indian Forest Service Examination 2026

JOBAdded: 4 Feb 2026UPSC

Important Information for Candidates

Candidates applying for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination must appear in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and qualify it to be eligible for the IFS (Main) Examination. A common online application form can be used for both the Indian Forest Service Examination and the Civil Services Examination, subject to meeting the respective eligibility criteria.

Vacancy Details

The number of vacancies to be filled is approximately 80. The distribution is as follows:

  • SC: 12
  • ST: 06
  • OBC: 21
  • EWS: 08
  • UR: 33

Reservations for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are also available as per government rules.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026)

  • Minimum Age: 21 years
  • Maximum Age: 32 years
  • A candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August, 1994, and not later than 1st August, 2005.
  • Age relaxation is applicable for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Ex-servicemen, and PwBD categories as per government norms.

Educational Qualification

A candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology, or a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university.

Number of Attempts

  • General/EWS: 6 attempts
  • OBC/PwBD (General/EWS): 9 attempts
  • SC/ST: No limit on the number of attempts

An attempt at the Preliminary Examination is considered an attempt at the examination.

Application Fee

  • Preliminary Examination: ₹100/-
  • Main Examination: ₹200/-
  • Exemption: Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from payment of the fee.
  • Payment Mode: Online through Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit card, or UPI.

How to Apply

  1. Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC website: https://upsconline.nic.in.
  2. The application process requires a Universal Registration Number (URN) and filling out the Common Application Form (CAF).
  3. Applicants must upload a recent photograph and also capture a live photograph during the application process.
  4. A scanned copy of a valid Photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc.) must be uploaded.

Important Dates

  • Date of Notification: 04.02.2026
  • Last Date for Online Application: 24.02.2026 (till 18:00 hours)
  • Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination Date: 24.05.2026

Plan of Examination

The examination consists of two stages:

  1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type): This is a screening test for selection to the Main Examination.
  2. Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination (Written and Interview): This stage includes a written examination followed by a Personality Test/Interview for final selection.

Examination Centers

The Preliminary Examination will be held at various centers across India. The Main Examination will be held at a limited number of centers. Allotment of centers is on a "first-apply-first allot" basis.

Contact Information

For any queries or assistance, candidates can contact the dedicated helpline:

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