UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) Exam 2026 Notification – Apply Online

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026. This is a high-profile Govt Job for candidates with a background in Science, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering. The recruitment process will be conducted through the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, which acts as a screening test. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online via the official UPSC website. This post on jobsarkariupdate provides a complete overview of the vacancy details, important dates, eligibility criteria, and application process for this prestigious recruitment.

Organization & Recruitment Details

Important Dates

Application Fee

Age Limit (as on 1st August 2026)

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries.

Educational Qualification: Candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least one of these subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology OR a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized University.

Number of Attempts: General/EWS: 6 attempts, OBC: 9 attempts, SC/ST: No restriction.

Vacancy Details (Approximate)

*Vacancies are liable to alteration. Includes reservation for PwBD categories.

Selection Process

The selection for UPSC IFS 2026 will be based on the following three stages:

1. Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination: Objective type screening test. Qualifying marks in GS Paper-II (33%) required.
2. Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination: Written examination (6 papers) of conventional essay type.
3. Personality Test (Interview): For candidates who qualify the written main examination.

Salary / Pay Scale

Selected candidates will be appointed as IFS Officers with a pay scale as per Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) plus other allowances and benefits as admissible to Government of India services.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Preliminary Exam: Two compulsory papers (General Studies Paper-I & Paper-II) of 200 marks each. Objective type (MCQs) with negative marking (1/3 penalty).

Main Exam: Six papers (General English, General Knowledge, and two Optional Subjects with two papers each). Conventional essay type.

Optional Subjects: Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Zoology.

Interview: 300 marks.

How to Apply for UPSC IFS Exam 2026

1. Visit the official UPSC online portal: https://upsconline.nic.in.
2. Click on the link for “Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026” which is common for IFS.
3. Register by filling the Universal Registration Number (URN) Profile or login if already registered.
4. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) carefully. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and Photo ID.
5. Pay the requisite application fee online (if applicable).
6. Submit the form before the deadline (27th February 2026, 6:00 PM).
7. Take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

FAQs – UPSC IFS Exam 2026