UPSC IFS Syllabus & Exam Pattern PDF Download – Prelims & Mains
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a competitive exam for recruitment to the IFS. The 2026 examination structure comprises three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.
Contents
Overview of the UPSC IFS Exam
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Purpose | Recruitment to the Indian Forest Service |
| Stages of Examination | 1. Preliminary Examination 2. Main Examination 3. Interview |
| Age Limit | Generally 21-32 years (as on August 1st of the exam year), with relaxations for reserved categories. |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in specified subjects like Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering. |
| Number of Attempts | Varies for different categories, typically up to 6 attempts for General Category. |
| Notification Release | 4th February 2026 |
| Application Process | Online through the UPSC official website. |
Indian Forest Service Examination Pattern 2026
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is a screening test consisting of two objective-type papers, both carrying 200 marks and lasting for 2 hours.
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | General Studies I | 100 | 200 | -0.66 marks |
| II | General Studies II (CSAT) | 80 | 200 | -0.83 marks |
Note: A minimum of 33% must be secured in Paper II (CSAT) for candidates to be considered for advancement to the Main Examination. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted towards the final merit list.
Main Examination
The Main Examination consists of six descriptive papers, with a total of 1700 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | General English | 300 | 3 hours |
| II | General Knowledge | 300 | 3 hours |
| III | Optional Subject Paper I | 200 | 3 hours |
| IV | Optional Subject Paper II | 200 | 3 hours |
| V | Optional Subject Paper III | 200 | 3 hours |
| VI | Optional Subject Paper IV | 200 | 3 hours |
Note: Candidates are required to choose two optional subjects from the list of approved subjects. Each optional subject is tested over two papers.
Interview
Candidates who qualify for the Main Examination will be called for an interview to assess their personality, suitability for the service, and general awareness. The interview carries 300 marks.
The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination and the Interview. The total marks for the final selection are 2000.
Indian Forest Service Syllabus 2026
Preliminary Examination Syllabus
Paper I: General Studies I
- Current Affairs: Events of national and international importance.
- Geography of India and World: Physical, Economic, and Social Geography.
- History of India and Indian National Movement.
- Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, Inclusion etc.
- Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Rights Issues, Public Policy etc.
- General Science.
- Environment and Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change: General issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change.
Paper II: General Studies II (CSAT)
- Comprehension: Reading comprehension (English).
- Interpersonal Skills including Communication Skills.
- Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
- Decision-Making and Problem-Solving.
- General Mental Ability.
- Basic Numeracy and Data Interpretation: Class X level quantitative aptitude, charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency.
Main Examination Syllabus
Compulsory Papers:
Paper I: General English
- Essay: Writing an essay on a given topic.
- Comprehension: Understanding and summarizing passages.
- Vocabulary: Usage and understanding of English words.
- Grammar and Usage: Testing command over English language.
Paper II: General Knowledge
- This paper assesses general awareness, including current events and knowledge expected of an educated person.
- It also includes questions on:
- Indian Polity and the Indian Constitution.
- History of India.
- Geography.
Optional Subjects
Candidates must select two optional subjects from the list provided below. Each subject will have two papers (Paper III and Paper IV for Optional Subject I, Paper V and Paper VI for Optional Subject II).
List of Optional Subjects:
- Agriculture
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Botany
- Forestry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
- Environmental Science
- Law
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Political Science International Relations
- Economics
- Commerce and Accountancy
Detailed Syllabus for Optional Subjects:
The detailed syllabus for each optional subject covers a wide range of topics, typically divided into two papers. For instance, the Forestry optional subject syllabus includes:
Paper I:
- Silviculture & Forest influences
- Agroforestry, Social Forestry, Joint Forest Management and Tribology
- Forest Soils, Soil Conservation and Watershed management
- Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity
- Tree Improvement and Seed Technology
Paper II:
- Forest Management and Management Systems
- Forest Working Plan
- Forest Mensuration and Remote Sensing
- Surveying and Forest Engineering
- Forest Resources and Utilization
- Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany
- Forest Protection & Wildlife Biology
- Forest Economics and Legislation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the UPSC IFS Exam
The Indian Forest Service Exam is conducted by the UPSC annually to select candidates for the Indian Forest Service, responsible for managing the country’s forest resources, wildlife, and environment.
The IFS Exam comprises three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as of August 1st of the year of examination. Relaxations in the upper age limit are applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
The Preliminary Exam consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies I and General Studies II (CSAT). Both papers have multiple-choice questions.
No, the Preliminary Examination is a screening test, and its marks are not counted towards the final merit list. Candidates must achieve a minimum qualifying percentage in Paper II (CSAT).
(Note: The full syllabus for all optional subjects is extensive and would require a separate detailed document. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC notification for the complete breakdown of each optional subject.)
This comprehensive guide covers the essential aspects of the Indian Forest Service Exam pattern and syllabus for 2026. Aspirants are strongly encouraged to consult the official UPSC notification for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
