🌲 UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam 2026
📢 Apply Online for 80 Group ‘A’ Gazetted Posts
Examination Notice No. 06/2026-IFoSE | 📍 All India
📅 Last Date: 24.02.2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026. Candidates applying for the Indian Forest Service Examination must note that they are required to appear in the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 and qualify the same to proceed to the second stage (IFS Main Exam). There are approximately 80 vacancies available. Interested candidates with a background in Science or Engineering can apply online via the UPSC OTR portal from 04.02.2026 to 24.02.2026. 👇 Check detailed eligibility, physical standards, syllabus, and application procedure below.
🚀 Exam Overview
| 📂 Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| 📝 Exam Name | Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination, 2026 |
| 🔢 Total Vacancies | Approx. 80 Posts |
| 💼 Service Type | All India Service (Group A) |
| 📨 Application Mode | Online Only (UPSC OTR) |
📊 Vacancy Breakdown (Category Wise)
| Category | Vacancy | PwBD Reservation (Included in Total) |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 33 |
05 Posts Reserved for PwBD: 👁️ Low Vision / Blindness: 01 👂 Deaf / Hard of Hearing: 01 🦾 Locomotor Disability: 03 (Includes Acid Attack/Cerebral Palsy etc.) |
| OBC | 21 | |
| SC | 12 | |
| ST | 06 | |
| EWS | 08 | |
| TOTAL | 80 |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification (As on Closing Date):
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University with at least one of the following subjects:
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
— OR —
- Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture
- Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E/B.Tech)
2. Age Limit (As on 01.08.2026):
- 🔹 Minimum Age: 21 Years
- 🔹 Maximum Age: 32 Years
- 📅 Birth Date Range: Candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.08.1994 and not later than 01.08.2005.
- 👶 Age Relaxation:
- SC / ST: 05 Years
- OBC: 03 Years
- Defence Personnel / Ex-Servicemen: 03 to 05 Years (As per rules)
- PwBD: 10 Years
⚔️ Selection Process & Attempts
The examination consists of two successive stages:
| Stage | Exam Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preliminary | Objective Type | Civil Services (Prelims) Exam. Paper I & Paper II. (Screening Test Only). |
| 2. Main Exam | Written & Interview |
Written: 6 Papers (Essay type). Interview: Personality Test (300 Marks). |
🔢 Number of Attempts Permitted:
- General / EWS: 06 Attempts
- OBC / PwBD (Gen/EWS/OBC): 09 Attempts
- SC / ST: Unlimited
📅 Important Dates Schedule
- 🟢 Notification Date: 04.02.2026
- 🟢 Start of Online Application: 04.02.2026
- 🔴 Last Date to Apply: 24.02.2026 (Till 06:00 PM)
- ✏️ Application Correction Window: 25.02.2026 to 03.03.2026 (7 Days)
- 📝 Date of Preliminary Exam: 24.05.2026
💸 Application Fees
- 🔸 General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹ 100/-
- 🔸 Female / SC / ST / PwBD: NIL (Exempted)
- 💳 Payment Mode: Visa/Master/RuPay/Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking.
📝 How to Apply Online?
- Candidates must apply online via the website https://upsconline.nic.in.
- First, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) platform (if not done earlier).
- If already registered, login and proceed to fill the application for “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination”.
- Important: While filling the form, indicate clearly if you are applying for Indian Forest Service (IFoS) or Civil Services or Both.
- Photo Upload: The system requires a live photo capture. Ensure the photo is clear. Upload a scanned signature as well.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
- Note: OTR Profile can be modified only once in a lifetime.
🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS & DOWNLOADS
| 📄 Download Official Notification PDF | 📥 Download PDF |
| 💻 Apply Online Link (OTR) | 👉 Apply Now |
| 🚀 Join Telegram Channel | 👉 Join Now |
| 📱 Join WhatsApp Channel | 👉 Join Now |
| 📸 Follow on Instagram | 👉 Follow Us |
| 🎥 Subscribe YouTube | 👉 Subscribe |
| 🌐 Official Website | Visit Site |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Indian Forest Service 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 24th February 2026 (06:00 PM).Q2. I have a B.A. degree. Can I apply for IFS?
Ans: No. You must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least one subject from Animal Husbandry, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Math, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, OR a degree in Agriculture/Forestry/Engineering.Q3. Do I need to fill a separate form for IFS Prelims?
Ans: No. There is a Common Application Form for both Civil Services and Indian Forest Service. You must select “Both” or “Indian Forest Service” in the specific column while applying.Q4. Is there negative marking in the exam?
Ans: Yes, there is a penalty (negative marking) of one-third (0.33) marks for every wrong answer in the Objective Type Question Papers.Q5. Are calculators allowed in the Preliminary Exam?
Ans: No, calculators are not allowed in the Preliminary Examination. However, non-programmable scientific calculators are allowed in the Main Examination (conventional papers).