The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 Notification through Examination Notice No. 06/2026-IFoSE dated 04 February 2026.
Candidates aspiring to join the prestigious Indian Forest Service (IFoS) must apply online before the last date. The selection process includes Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 followed by the IFS Main Examination & Interview.
Official Notification Reference:
Important Dates – IFS 2026
Notification Date: 04 February 2026
Last Date to Apply Online: 24 February 2026 (till 6:00 PM)
Preliminary Exam Date: 24 May 2026
Main Exam: After Prelims Result
Interview / Personality Test: After Main Exam Result
IFS 2026 Vacancy Details
Total Expected Vacancies: Approx. 80
SC – 12
ST – 06
OBC – 21
EWS – 08
UR – 33
Vacancies are subject to change as per Government rules.
Educational Qualification
Candidates 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
Agriculture
Forestry
Engineering
(Recognized University Degree required)
Age Limit (As on 1 August 2026)
Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 32 Years
Must be born between 2 August 1994 and 1 August 2005
Age Relaxation:
SC/ST – 5 Years
OBC – 3 Years
PwBD – 10 Years
Ex-Servicemen – As per rules
Number of Attempts
General – 6 Attempts
OBC – 9 Attempts
SC/ST – Unlimited (within age limit)
Application Fee
General/OBC/EWS – ₹100
Female / SC / ST / PwBD – No Fee
Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking / UPI / Card)
Selection Process – IFS 2026
Stage 1: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
2 Papers (Objective Type) – 400 Marks
Negative Marking: 1/3rd deduction for wrong answers
Stage 2: IFS Main Examination
6 Written Papers (Essay Type)
Optional Subjects (Any Two from list)
Stage 3: Interview
300 Marks
Final Merit Based on Main + Interview Marks
Optional Subjects List (IFS Main)
Agriculture
Agricultural Engineering
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
Botany
Chemistry
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Forestry
Geology
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Physics
Statistics
Zoology
Exam Centres (Prelims)
The Preliminary Examination will be conducted across major cities including:
Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Nagpur, Lucknow, Jaipur, Patna, etc.
Centres are allotted on First Apply – First Allot Basis.
Important Instructions
Mobile phones & electronic devices are strictly banned.
Face authentication mandatory at exam venue.
Black ball pen only for OMR sheets.
No withdrawal of application allowed after submission.
About Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
The Indian Forest Service is one of the All India Services, responsible for managing forests, wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental sustainability across India. Officers are trained at the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun.
How to Apply for IFS 2026?
1.Visit Official Website: https://upsconline.nic.in
2.Complete Universal Registration Number (URN)
3.Fill Common Application Form (CAF)
4.Upload Live Photo & Signature
5.Pay Application Fee
6.Submit & Take Printout
Why Apply for IFS?
✔️ Group ‘A’ Central Service
✔️ Attractive Salary & Allowances
✔️ Power & Prestige
✔️ Environmental Protection Role
✔️ All India Cadre Posting
