Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026: Notification, Exam Date & Syllabus

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially outlined the schedule for the prestigious Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026. If you are a science or engineering graduate dreaming of a Class-I Gazetted officer post in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, this is your roadmap.

According to the official UPSC Calendar, the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026 is scheduled to commence in November 2026. While the Preliminary exam is common with the Civil Services (CSE), the Main examination is a distinct, specialized battle.

Are you eligible? Unlike CSE, IFoS has strict educational and physical requirements (Walking Test). We have decoded the complete notification, exam pattern, and DAF process below.

Overview Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026

Notification Analysis: What Does the Notice Say?

The UPSC releases the IFoS notification concurrently with the Civil Services Examination in February. However, the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026 is conducted separately later in the year.

• Prelims: Common for both CSE and IFoS (Usually in May/June).
• Mains: Separate exam for IFoS candidates who clear the Prelims cutoff (Usually higher than CSE).
• Key Update: The Main exam will be descriptive and will include specific optional subjects related to science and forestry.

Important Dates: UPSC IFoS 2026 Schedule

Mark these dates in your planner. These are based on the standard UPSC Annual Calendar trends.

Vacancy Details

The number of vacancies for the Indian Forest Service varies annually.

• Expected Vacancy 2026: Approximately 150+ Posts.
• Note: Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories is applicable as per government norms.

Eligibility Criteria: Strict Rules

To sit for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026, candidates must meet specific criteria different from the IAS exam.

1. Educational Qualification:

Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with 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, or Engineering.

2. Age Limit (As of 1st August 2026):

• Minimum: 21 Years
• Maximum: 32 Years
• Relaxation: OBC (3 Years), SC/ST (5 Years).

3. Physical Standards (Vital for Selection):

Candidates must pass a physical test to be appointed.

• Height: Male (163 cm), Female (150 cm). (Relaxable for ST/Hill areas).
• Chest: 84 cm (Male), 79 cm (Female) with 5 cm expansion.
• Walking Test: Male (25 km in 4 hours), Female (14 km in 4 hours).

Read: CDS Examination (II) 2026: Notification, Exam Date & Application Form

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The Mains exam consists of 6 Papers (All Descriptive).

1. Paper I: General English (300 Marks)

Is paper ka main purpose candidate ki English language par pakad (command) check karna hota hai. Isme usually 10th/12th level se lekar Graduation level tak ke questions hote hain.

• Essay Writing (Nibandh): Kisi current topic, social issue, ya abstract topic par essay likhna hota hai.
• Reading Comprehension: Ek unseen passage diya jata hai jiske basis par questions ke answer dene hote hain.
• Précis Writing: Ek lambe paragraph ko shorten karke (one-third words me) uska summary likhna.
• Grammar & Vocabulary:
  • Correction of sentences (vakya shuddhi).
  • Synonyms & Antonyms (Paryayvacchi aur Vilom shabd).
  • Idioms & Phrases (Muhavare).
  • Fill in the blanks / Prepositions.

Tip: Is paper me scoring ke liye basic grammar aur writing skills par focus karein. Newspaper reading (The Hindu/Indian Express) se vocabulary strong hogi.

2. Paper II: General Knowledge (300 Marks)

Yeh paper sabse vast hota hai aur isme multiple subjects cover hote hain. Isme candidates ki general awareness aur analytical ability check ki jati hai.

• Indian History & Culture: Ancient, Medieval, aur Modern India ki history. Indian Art & Culture (Dance, Music, Architecture).
• Geography: India aur World ki physical, social, aur economic geography.
• Indian Polity & Constitution: Samvidhan (Constitution), Governance, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights issues.
• Indian Economy: Budget, Planning, Growth, Development, Poverty, Inclusion, aur Employment.
• Science & Technology: Daily life science, new technologies (Space, IT, Biotech).
• Current Affairs: National aur International importance ki ghatnayen (Events).
• Environment: Ecology, Bio-diversity, aur Climate Change.

3. Paper III, IV, V & VI: Optional Subjects (Total 800 Marks)

Is pattern me aapko 2 Optional Subjects choose karne hote hain. Har subject ke 2 papers (Paper I aur Paper II) hote hain.

• Subject Selection: Candidates usually wo subjects choose karte hain jo unhone Graduation/Post-Graduation me padhe hon ya jisme unka interest ho (Jaise History, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Literature, etc.).
• Paper I (Theory): Isme subject ke core concepts, theories aur thinkers ke baare me poocha jata hai.
• Paper II (Application): Isme subject ka applied part hota hai, yani concepts ko real-life problems ya Indian context me kaise apply karein.

Note: Optional subjects hi often rank decider hote hain kyunki isme 800 marks ka weightage hai. Wahi subject chunein jiska study material easily available ho.

4. Interview / Personality Test (300 Marks)

Written exam qualify karne ke baad ye final stage hoti hai. Iska maqsad aapki knowledge check karna nahi (wo written me ho chuka hai), balki aapki Personality check karna hai.

• Mental Alertness: Aap questions ka jawab kitni tezi aur samajhdari se dete hain.
• Critical Power of Assimilation: Situations ko analyze karne ki kshamta.
• Leadership & Moral Integrity: Aapki imandari aur lead karne ki quality.
• Opinion on Current Issues: Board aapse desh-duniya ke current muddon par aapki raaye (opinion) mangta hai.

List of Optional Subjects: Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, etc. (Note: Some combinations like Agriculture + Forestry are NOT allowed).

How to Apply: The DAF Process

You cannot apply for Mains directly. Follow this process:

1. Clear Prelims: Score above the IFoS cutoff in the UPSC Prelims 2026.
2. Fill DAF-I: Qualified candidates must log in to upsconline.nic.in to fill the Detailed Application Form (DAF-I).
3. Upload Docs: Scanned degree, age proof, and community certificates.
4. Pay Fee: Rs. 200/- (Exempted for Female/SC/ST/PwBD).
5. Submit: Submit before the deadline mentioned in the result notification.

Direct Important Links

FAQs: Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026

Q1: When is the Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam 2026?

Ans: The exam is scheduled to begin on 22nd November 2026.

Q2: Is the IFoS Prelims different from IAS Prelims?

Ans: No, the Preliminary exam is the same for both. However, the cutoff marks for IFoS are usually higher than for Civil Services.

Q3: Can an Arts graduate apply for IFoS?

Ans: No, a degree in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, or Forestry is mandatory.

Q4: Is there a walking test for IFoS?

Ans: Yes, male candidates must walk 25 km and female candidates 14 km within 4 hours.

Q5: How many attempts are allowed?

Ans: General category candidates have 6 attempts. OBC candidates have 9, and SC/ST have unlimited attempts (within age limit).

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the official UPSC Calendar and previous notifications. Dates are tentative and subject to change by the Commission. Please verify all details from the official website upsc.gov.in. We are an information portal.