UPSC Forest Service Exam 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification (Advt. No. 06/2026-IFoSE) for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for science and engineering graduates to join the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Class-I Gazetted Officers. The online application process has commenced on 04 February 2026. The recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 80 vacancies. Eligible candidates with a degree in Science or Engineering can apply online through the official website upsconline.nic.in before the last date, 24 February 2026. The Preliminary Exam is common with the Civil Services Exam (CSE). Below, you will find detailed information on UPSC IFoS Vacancy 2026, eligibility, syllabus, Exam Pattern, Exam Date, Admit Card, Answer Key, Exam Result, and Selection Process.
Overview of UPSC Forest Service Recruitment 2026
| Details | Information |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Exam 2026 |
| Service Type | All India Service (Group A) |
| Total Vacancies | 80 Posts |
| Job Location | All India |
| Job Type | Permanent (Gazetted) |
| Application Mode | Online Form |
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: 04 February 2026
- Online Application Start Date: 04 February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 27 February 2026 (06:00 PM)
- Correction Window: 28 Feb – 03 March
- Prelims Exam Date: Available Soon (Same as CSE)
- Mains Exam Date: Available Soon
Application Fees
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹100/-
- SC / ST / PH (Divyang): ₹0/- (Nil)
- All Female Candidates: ₹0/- (Nil)
- Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI)
Age Limit as on 01/08/2026
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 32 Years
- Born Between: 02/08/1994 to 01/08/2005
- Age Relaxation as per UPSC rules.
Also Read:- UPSC Civil Services Exam 2026 Online Form
Qualification and Vacancies
| Post Name | Total Posts | Qualification |
| Indian Forest Service (IFoS) | 80 | • Bachelor’s Degree with at least one of the following subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology. • OR Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized University. |
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Personality Test (Interview)
- Document Verification & Medical Examination (Walking Test).
UPSC IFoS Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
- Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd
- Screening: Marks of GS Paper-I are counted for screening for Mains. GS Paper-II is qualifying (33%).
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
| Paper-I | General Studies (GS) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | CSAT (Aptitude) | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Total | 400 |
UPSC IFoS Mains Exam Pattern 2026
- Type: Subjective (Descriptive)
- Total Written Marks: 1400 Marks
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | General English | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | General Knowledge | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-III | Optional Subject 1 (Paper I) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-IV | Optional Subject 1 (Paper II) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-V | Optional Subject 2 (Paper I) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-VI | Optional Subject 2 (Paper II) | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 1400 |
How to Apply for UPSC Forest Service Online Form 2026
- Visit Official Website: Go to upsconline.nic.in.
- OTR Registration: Ensure you have a valid One Time Registration (OTR) profile.
- Apply Online: Select “Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination 2026”.
- Fill Details: Complete the application form. Note: You can apply for both Civil Services and Forest Service in the same form if eligible.
- Upload Docs: Upload scanned Photograph and Signature.
- Payment: Pay the fee of ₹100/- (if applicable).
- Submit: Finalize the application and print the confirmation page.
Important Links
| Content | Dates | Link |
| Correction Form | 28/02/2026 | Edit Form |
| Fill Online Form | 04/02/2026 | Apply Online |
| Full Notification PDF | 04/02/2026 | Download Notification |
| Official Website | 04/02/2026 | Visit Official Website |
FAQs – UPSC IFoS Recruitment 2026
Yes, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering are eligible.
Yes, the Preliminary Examination is common for both Civil Services and Indian Forest Service.
The last date is 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM).
Candidates must select two optional subjects from the list of allowed science/forestry subjects.