UPSC - IFSE

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Educational Qualification:
  • Candidate must hold a degree from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.
• Age Limit:
  • General Category: 21 to 32 years as on August 1 of the exam year.
  • OBC Category: 21 to 35 years.
  • SC/ST Category: 21 to 37 years.

Exam Pattern

• Mode of Examination: Offline (Pen and Paper Based)
• Number of Papers: 2 stages – Preliminary Exam and Mains Exam, followed by an Interview/Personality Test.
  • Preliminary Exam: Objective type questions, two papers - General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II (CSAT).
  • Main Exam: Written examination with multiple papers including General English, General Knowledge, and optional subjects related to forestry and related fields.
• Marking Scheme: Varies; prelims is qualifying in nature for IAS/IFS, mains have detailed marking per paper, and interview/personality test is scored separately.
• Subjects Covered:
  • General Studies
  • Forestry and related sciences
  • General English
  • Optional Subjects (Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Agriculture, etc.)
• Exam Schedule:
  • Notification: Usually released in February every year.
  • Preliminary Exam: Conducted around June.
  • Main Exam: Conducted around September - October.
  • Personality Test/Interview: January - March next year.

Syllabus

• Preliminary Exam:
  • Paper I – General Studies includes:
    • Current events of national and international importance
    • History of India and Indian National Movement
    • Indian and World Geography
    • Indian Polity and Governance
    • Economic and Social Development
    • Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
    • General Science
  • Paper II – CSAT (Qualifying Paper) includes:
    • Comprehension
    • Interpersonal skills including communication skills
    • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
    • Decision-making and problem-solving
    • Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude)
    • Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency)
• Main Exam:
  • General English
  • General Knowledge
  • Optional Subjects (choose one from Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Forestry, Geology, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, etc.)
    • Forestry syllabus includes: Forest Ecology and Environment, Forest Mensuration, Silviculture and Agroforestry, Tree Physiology, Forest Management, Forest Products, and Wildlife Management.

Application Process

1. Visit the official UPSC website.
2. Find the link for Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination under the Examination section.
3. Register yourself by creating a login ID if you are a new user.
4. Fill the online application form with personal, educational, and communication details.
5. Upload scanned copies of photograph and signature as per specifications.
6. Pay the application fee online (fee exemptions applicable for reserved categories).
7. Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.

Courses Offered

• Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officers are trained in Forest Management, Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Administration, and Allied Fields.

Facts about the Entrance Exam

• One of the three All India Services exams conducted by UPSC, along with IAS and IPS.
• Highly competitive and considered prestigious.
• Selection involves a rigorous multi-stage process.

Admit Card

• Admit cards are released online on the UPSC official website about 3 weeks before the exam.
• Download by logging in with your registration ID and date of birth.
• Must carry the admit card, photo ID proof to the examination center.
• Check and follow key instructions mentioned on the admit card carefully.

Results & Cut-Offs

• Results are announced on the UPSC official website.
• Cut-offs vary each year based on difficulty level and number of vacancies.
• Preliminary exam cut-off is qualifying to appear for mains.
• Mains and Interview combined marks determine final selection.

Preparation Tips

• Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
• Regular reading of newspapers and standard reference books.
• Practice previous years' question papers and mock tests.
• Time management and consistent revision.
• Use online resources, coaching materials, and join study groups if needed.

FAQs

• Q: How many attempts are allowed?
  A: Generally 6 attempts for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories.
• Q: Is the exam conducted online?
  A: No, UPSC IFS exam is conducted offline as a pen-and-paper test.
• Q: Can I apply with a diploma instead of a degree?
  A: No, a recognized degree is mandatory.
• Q: Are there physical fitness requirements?
  A: Yes, candidates must meet physical standards as per UPSC rules.
• Q: Where can I find official notifications?
  A: On the official UPSC website linked below.