UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026 notification has just been officially released, marking the beginning of one of the most prestigious recruitment drives for science and engineering graduates in India. This examination is the gateway for candidates aspiring to join the All India Services and work towards the conservation and management of the country’s vast natural resources. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced approximately 80 vacancies this year, and the selection will be based on a rigorous process starting with the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination. The application window is currently open, but candidates must act fast as the deadline is February 24, 2026. If you meet the eligibility criteria involving specific science or engineering degrees, ensure you complete your registration on time to appear for the exam scheduled in May.
UPSC IFS Notification 2026 Overview
| Criteria | Details |
| Exam Name | Indian Forest Service Examination, 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Number | 06/2026-IFOSE |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 80 |
| Job Type | All India Service (Central Government) |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, and Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date For Registration | 24 February 2026 (Till 6:00 PM) |
| Last Date For Fee Payment | 24 February 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 10 days after the Preliminary Result (for Mains) |
| Admit Card Release Date | Last working day of the week preceding the exam |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 24 May 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 100/- |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | ₹ 0/- (Exempted) |
| Payment Mode | Online (Visa/Master/RuPay/UPI/Net Banking) |
Age Limit Details
| Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 32 Years |
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01 August 2026 |
| Birth Date Range | Candidate must be born between 02 August 1994 and 01 August 2005. |
| Age Relaxation (SC/ST) | 5 Years |
| Age Relaxation (OBC) | 3 Years |
| Age Relaxation (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Age Relaxation (Ex-Servicemen) | 5 Years (subject to conditions) |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Vacancy Details
| Post / Category | Vacancy Count |
| Total Posts | Approximately 80 |
| UR (Unreserved) | 33 |
| OBC | 21 |
| SC | 12 |
| ST | 06 |
| EWS | 08 |
| PwBD (Reserved) | 05 (Distributed among Low Vision, Hearing Impaired, and Locomotor Disability) |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Eligibility Details
| Criteria | Qualification Required |
| Nationality | Citizen of India, Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan Refugee (pre-1962). |
| Educational Qualification | A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in 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 |
| Number of Attempts | • General: 6 Attempts • OBC: 9 Attempts • SC/ST: Unlimited • PwBD: 9 (General/EWS), Unlimited (SC/ST) |
Category-Wise Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancy Breakdown |
| General (UR) | 33 Posts |
| OBC | 21 Posts |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 12 Posts |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 08 Posts |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 06 Posts |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 05 Posts (Reserved) |
State-Wise Vacancy / Center Details
(Note: The Indian Forest Service is an All-India Service. Vacancies are not distributed by state. However, the Preliminary Exam centers are located across various states.)
| Region | Who Can Apply? |
| All India | Candidates from any state in India can apply for these posts. |
| Exam Centers | The exam will be held in major cities across all states including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Dispur, Ahmedabad, etc. (Full list in notification). |
Important Documents Required
| Document Type | Details |
| Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence. |
| Photographs | Scanned recent passport-size photo and capability to capture a “Live Photo” via webcam. |
| Signature | Scanned signature on plain white paper with black ink. |
| Educational Certificates | Matriculation certificate (for DOB) and Degree certificate (for Mains application). |
| Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD certificate (if applicable). |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Syllabus Overview
| Exam Stage | Syllabus Topics |
| Prelims (Paper I) | Current events, History of India, Indian & World Geography, Polity, Economic & Social Development, Environmental Ecology, General Science. |
| Prelims (Paper II) | Comprehension, Interpersonal skills, Logical reasoning, Decision making, General mental ability, Basic numeracy, Data interpretation. |
| Mains (Written) | • General English • General Knowledge • Optional Subjects (2 subjects to be selected from the approved list like Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Science subjects, etc.) |
Exam Pattern
| Stage | Format |
| Stage 1: Preliminary | Objective Type (Screening only). Two papers (GS I & GS II). Negative marking applies (1/3rd marks deducted). |
| Stage 2: Mains | Written Examination (Conventional Essay Type). Consists of 6 papers. |
| Stage 3: Interview | Personality Test (300 Marks). |
Selection Process
| Step | Description |
| 1. Preliminary Exam | Candidates must qualify in the Civil Services (Prelims) exam to proceed. Marks are not counted for final ranking. |
| 2. Mains Exam | Written papers on General English, GK, and Optional Subjects. |
| 3. Personality Test | Interview to assess personal suitability, leadership, and intellectual curiosity. |
| 4. Final Merit List | Based on marks obtained in Mains (Written) + Interview. |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Salary Details
| Criteria | Details |
| Pay Scale | As per the 7th Pay Commission. |
| Level | Junior Time Scale (Level 10) upon entry. |
| Allowances | Includes DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and other government benefits. |
How to Apply
| Step | Action |
| Step 1 | Visit the official website: upsconline.nic.in. |
| Step 2 | Register for the “One Time Registration” (OTR) platform if you haven’t already. |
| Step 3 | Login and click on the link for “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination” (This serves as the screening for IFS). |
| Step 4 | In the application form, clearly indicate that you are applying for “Indian Forest Service” (or Both Civil Services & IFS). |
| Step 5 | Upload your photograph, signature, and capture your “Live Photo” via webcam as per instructions. |
| Step 6 | Pay the application fee of Rs. 100/- (if applicable) using digital payment modes. |
| Step 7 | Review all details carefully and click “Submit”. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference. |
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for UPSC IFS 2026?
The deadline to submit your online application for the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam 2026 is February 24, 2026, until 6:00 PM. Candidates are advised to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute server issues.
Who is eligible to apply for the Indian Forest Service Exam 2026?
To be eligible, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Zoology. Graduates in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering are also eligible to apply.
What is the age limit and relaxation for UPSC IFS 2026?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026. This means you must have been born between August 2, 1994, and August 1, 2005. Upper age relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
How many vacancies are announced for the 2026 recruitment?
UPSC has announced approximately 80 vacancies for the Indian Forest Service in 2026. These are distributed among various categories, including Unreserved (33), OBC (21), SC (12), ST (06), EWS (08), and PwBD (05 reserved).
What is the selection process for the UPSC IFS Exam?
The selection follows a three-stage process: 1) Civil Services Preliminary Exam (Objective), 2) Indian Forest Service Main Exam (Written/Descriptive), and 3) Personality Test (Interview). Candidates must qualify for the Prelims to be eligible for the Mains and Interview stages. 👉 convert images into pdf
How much is the application fee for UPSC IFS 2026?
Male candidates from the General, OBC, and EWS categories must pay an application fee of ₹100. All female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories are completely exempted from paying any fee.
How many attempts are allowed for the IFS exam?
General and EWS category candidates are allowed 6 attempts. OBC candidates have 9 attempts, and PwBD candidates (General/OBC) also have 9 attempts. There is no limit on the number of attempts for candidates belonging to SC and ST categories until they reach the upper age limit.
UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2026
Official Notification
Candidates are advised to cross-check the latest information on the official website before applying.