What's in this article?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026. This prestigious national-level recruitment drive offers 150 vacancies for aspiring forest officers. Candidates must qualify for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination to move to the IFoS Main Examination. Eligible candidates can submit their online application starting from 04 February 2026 until 24 February 2026 through the official website.
UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) 2026 Notification Overview
ProJobAlert.com |
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|---|---|
| UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination 2026 Advertisement No.:- 06/2026-IFOSE | |
| Recruitment Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Indian Forest Service (Officer) |
| Total Vacancies | 150 (Approximate) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Start Date to Apply | 04 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 February 2026 |
| Qualification | Bachelor's Degree (Science/Engineering/Agri) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 32 Years |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview & Physical Test |
| Salary | Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,25,000) |
| Application Fees |
General/OBC/EWS (Male): Rs. 100/- SC/ST/PwBD: Nil Female (All Categories): Nil |
| Application Mode | Online Via upsconline.nic.in |
| Syllabus & PYQs PDF | Download PDF |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
| Official Website | Union Public Service Commission |
| 👉 Apply Online Now | |
Important Date
- Notification Released: 04 February 2026
- Application Start: 04 February 2026
- Last Date : 24 February 2026
- Correction Window: 25 February 2026 to 03 March 2026
- Prelims Exam Date: 24 May 2026
- Mains Exam Start: 22 November 2026
- Admit Card: May 2026
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC Category: 3 Years
- SC/ST Category: 5 Years
- PwBD Category: 10 Years
- Note: Kindly Read Full Official Notification Before Apply.
Application Fees
- General / OBC / EWS (Male): 100/-
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female: Exempted (0/-)
Qualification
- Bachelor's Degree with at least one subject from: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology.
- OR a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering.
- Final year students can also apply provisionally.
Full Eligibility
Candidates must ensure they meet the specific academic requirements and physical standards as prescribed by the UPSC for the Indian Forest Service. The nationality criteria include Indian citizenship or eligible subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees.
| Factor | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be a Citizen of India or specific subjects of Nepal/Bhutan. |
| Education | Graduate in Science, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering. |
| Attempts | 6 for General, 9 for OBC/PwBD, Unlimited for SC/ST. |
| Age Basis | Calculated as on 01 August 2026. |
Physical Test Criteria
The Indian Forest Service requires candidates to meet stringent physical standards due to the nature of field duties in wildlife and forest conservation. This includes minimum height and chest expansion requirements.
| Category | Height (Min) | Chest (Normal) | Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 163 cm | 84 cm | 5 cm |
| Female | 150 cm | 79 cm | 5 cm |
Salary
Officers in the Indian Forest Service enjoy a highly prestigious salary structure under the 7th Pay Commission. Starting basic pay is at Level 10, with numerous allowances and growth opportunities reaching the Apex Scale.
| Rank / Grade | Pay Level | Basic Pay (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forests | Level 10 | 56,100 |
| Deputy Conservator of Forests | Level 11 | 67,700 |
| Conservator of Forests | Level 13A | 1,31,100 |
| Director General of Forests | Level 17 | 2,25,000 |
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Regular hikes as per government norms.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Based on the city of posting.
- Travel Allowance (TA): For official field duties and commuting.
- Other Benefits: Medical coverage, government housing, and pension.
Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC IFoS is a three-stage rigorous screening. Candidates must first clear the Civil Services Prelims, which is common for both IAS and IFoS, followed by the specific IFoS Main Exam.
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) for screening.
- Stage 2: Main Examination (Written - Descriptive Type).
- Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) conducted by the UPSC Board.
- Final Stage: Physical Fitness Test and Medical Examination.
Exam Pattern
The Exam Pattern for the Indian Forest Service involves General Studies and Optional Subjects. The Prelims are objective, while the Mains consist of six descriptive papers totaling 1400 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General English | 300 |
| Paper II | General Knowledge | 300 |
| Paper III & IV | Optional Subject 1 | 200 + 200 |
| Paper V & VI | Optional Subject 2 | 200 + 200 |
| Total | Written + Interview (300) | 1700 Marks |
- Prelims: Negative marking of 1/3rd (0.66 marks) for wrong answers.
- CSAT (Paper II): Qualifying in nature with 33% marks required.
- Medium: All papers must be answered in English only.
Post / Category Wise Vacancy
UPSC has announced approximately 150 vacancies for the year 2026. These vacancies are distributed among various categories as per Government of India reservation policies, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Forest Service Officer | 150 |
| Total | 150 |
Job Profile & Responsibility
An IFoS Officer is responsible for the management of forest resources, conservation of biodiversity, and implementation of National Forest Policy. The role involves fieldwork, policy drafting, and wildlife protection.
| Conservation | Protecting endangered species and natural habitats. |
| Administration | Managing forest staff and departmental budgets. |
| Law Enforcement | Preventing illegal logging and poaching. |
How To Apply
Eligible candidates can apply online for the UPSC IFoS 2026 through the One Time Registration (OTR) platform. The application must be completed in two parts with the payment of the fee before the deadline.
- Step 1: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete OTR (One Time Registration).
- Step 2: Fill out the Part I Registration with personal and educational details.
- Step 3: Pay the application fee online or via SBI bank challan.
- Step 4: Complete Part II Registration by uploading your photo, signature, and ID proof.
- Step 5: Select the Exam Centre and submit the application.
- Step 6: Save a printout for future reference.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Download Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Latest Govt Jobs 2025 | Click Here |
| All India Govt Jobs | Click Here |
| Madhya Pradesh Jobs | Click Here |
| Maharashtra Jobs | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for UPSC IFoS 2026?
The last date to submit the online application for UPSC Indian Forest Service 2026 is 24 February 2026 until 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available for IFoS 2026?
There are approximately 150 vacancies announced for the Indian Forest Service Examination 2026.
Is there a common Prelims exam for IAS and IFoS?
Yes, candidates for the Indian Forest Service must appear for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and qualify the same to proceed to the IFoS Mains.
What is the qualification for IFoS?
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Science (with specific subjects), Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university.
What is the age limit for the General category?
The age limit is 21 to 32 years as of 01 August 2026. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.