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State PSC

UPSC IFS 2026

Union Public Service Commission

Mode

Online + Offline

Level

Graduate

Vacancies

150+

Fee

₹200 (Gen/OBC), ₹0 (SC/ST/Female/PH)

Key dates

Notification

Jan 2026 (same as UPSC CSE)

Application Last Date

Mar 2026

Prelims Exam

31 May 2026 (combined with CSE)

Mains Exam

Sep 2026

Personality Test

Jan 2027

Eligibility

  • Graduation in Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university
  • Age limit: 21 to 32 years for general category (same as UPSC CSE attempt rules)
  • Indian citizenship required
  • Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates
  • Final year students of the required disciplines may apply provisionally

Syllabus

  • General Studies (shared with UPSC CSE Prelims)
  • Two optional subjects from IFS list (Mains)
  • General English (Mains Paper)
  • Essay (Mains Paper)
  • Indian Forestry, Ecology, and Environment (integral to optional papers)

Exam Pattern

  • Prelims: Combined with UPSC CSE (General Studies Paper I + CSAT Paper II)
  • Mains: Separate from UPSC CSE — 6 papers including General English, Essay, and 2 optional subjects (2 papers each)
  • Personality Test (Interview) for Mains qualifiers
  • Final merit based on Mains and Personality Test

Exam overview

UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) 2026 is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit officers for the Indian Forest Service, one of India's prestigious All India Services along with IAS and IPS. IFS officers manage India's forest resources, wildlife conservation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity protection across 33% of India's land under forest cover. The exam has 150+ vacancies and requires science/agriculture graduates, making it distinct from the CSE which is open to any graduate.

UPSC IFS preparation requires two-track strategy: Prelims is shared with UPSC CSE General Studies, and Mains has separate papers. Candidates must choose two optional subjects from a prescribed list including Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Geology, Agriculture, Forestry, etc. IFS officers start at Pay Level 10 and serve in forest divisions, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and environmental protection roles. The broader age limit of 32 years (vs 32 for CSE) is the same, and the exam is slightly less competitive than IAS/IPS.

Preparation tip

Start with the syllabus topics listed above, then practice timed mock tests and revise previous year questions weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for UPSC IFS 2026?▼
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university. Age limit is 21 to 32 years for general category. SC/ST/Female/PH candidates are exempt from the Rs. 200 application fee. The science/agriculture degree requirement distinguishes IFS from UPSC CSE.
What is the salary of UPSC IFS selected candidates?▼
UPSC IFS officers start at Pay Level 10 (Rs. 56,100/month basic pay) upon joining as Assistant Conservator of Forests. With experience, salary scales up to Pay Level 12 (Rs. 78,800/month basic). Additional forest posting allowances, government accommodation, and forest rest-house facilities are provided. Total compensation ranges from Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,20,000 per month.
How many attempts are allowed in UPSC IFS?▼
UPSC IFS follows the same attempt rules as UPSC CSE: 6 attempts for general category (up to age 32), 9 attempts for OBC (up to age 35), and unlimited attempts for SC/ST (up to age 37). The attempt counts are shared between UPSC CSE and UPSC IFS if taken in the same year. Prelims of both exams is a common exam.
What is the UPSC IFS syllabus 2026?▼
UPSC IFS Prelims uses the same General Studies Paper I and CSAT Paper II as UPSC CSE. The Mains has 6 papers: General English (300 marks), Essay (200 marks), and 4 papers from two optional subjects (300 marks each). Optional subjects include Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry, Mathematics, and Statistics.
When is the UPSC IFS 2026 notification date?▼
The UPSC IFS 2026 notification is released alongside the UPSC CSE notification in January 2026. The application deadline is in March 2026. The combined Prelims exam is scheduled for 31 May 2026. The separate IFS Mains is in September 2026, and Personality Tests are in January 2027.