Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) invites online applications from all eligible candidates (male/female/transgender) for the INDIAN FOREST SERVICE EXAMINATION, 2026 through Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as a screening stage. The UPSC IFS Recruitment 2026 Online Registration starts from 04 February 2026 and closes on 24 February 2026.
The Candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the detailed official notification before applying to confirm eligibility regarding age, educational qualification, category, and other criteria. The Indian Forest Service Examination will consist of two successive stages - Civil Services (Preliminary) Exam and Indian Forest Service (Main) Exam.
UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination 2026
www.indgovtjobs.in
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 (through Civil Services Prelims) |
| Total Vacancies | 80 Posts (12 SC, 06 ST, 21 OBC, 08 EWS, 33 UR) |
| Age Limit | 21 – 32 Years (as on 01.08.2026) with usual relaxations |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree with specified subjects OR Agriculture/ Forestry/ Engineering |
| Application Fee | ₹100/- (Gen/OBC/EWS); Nil (Women/SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Selection Process | Prelims (Screening) + Mains + Personality Test |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Prelims & Mains) |
| Job Location | All India (IFS Cadre Allocation) |
| Last Date | 24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) |
✅ UPSC IFS Vacancy 2026 Details
| Category | No of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 33 |
| SC | 12 |
| ST | 06 |
| OBC | 21 |
| EWS | 08 |
✅ UPSC IFS Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
|
Age Limit (as on 01.08.2026) |
Minimum 21 Years & Maximum 32 Years (born not earlier than 02.08.1994 and not later than 01.08.2005). Relaxation: 5 yrs SC/ST, 3 yrs OBC, etc. |
|
Educational Qualification |
Bachelor’s Degree with at least one of: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology OR Bachelor’s in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering from recognized University. |
|
Nationality |
Indian Citizen / Subject of Nepal/Bhutan / Tibetan refugee / Person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries. |
✅ UPSC IFS Exam 2026 Selection Process
|
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective – Screening) |
|
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination (Written + Personality Test) |
|
Documents Verification & Medical Examination |
✅ UPSC IFS Exam 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Prelims Fee | Mains Fee (if qualified) |
|---|---|---|
|
General / OBC / EWS |
₹100/- |
₹200/- |
|
Women / SC / ST / PwBD |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Payment Mode |
Online (Net Banking / Card / UPI) | |
✅ UPSC IFS Exam 2026 Important Dates
|
Notification Release Date |
04 February 2026 |
|
Online Application Starts |
04 February 2026 |
|
Last Date for Online Application |
24 February 2026 (06:00 PM) |
|
Edit Window |
04.02.2026 to 24.02.2026 |
|
UPSC Prelims 2026 (CS & IFS) |
24 May 2026 (Tentative) |
|
IFS Mains 2026 |
To be notified later |
✅ UPSC IFS Exam 2026 Important Links:
|
Detailed Notification PDF |
|
|
Online Application Portal (OTR & Apply) |
|
|
UPSC Official Website |
|
|
IndGovtJobs.in Govt Jobs Alert Telegram Channel |
|
|
IndGovtJobs.in Govt Jobs Alert WhatsApp Channel |
✅ How to Apply UPSC IFS Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates must apply ONLINE only through the UPSC portal. No other mode of application will be accepted.
➢ Step 1: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already done (OTR is lifetime).
➢ Step 2: Login and select “Indian Forest Service Examination 2026” under Part-I Registration.
➢ Step 3: Fill personal, educational, and category details carefully.
➢ Step 4: Upload scanned photograph, signature, and photo ID proof.
➢ Step 5: Pay the application fee online (if applicable) and submit the form.
➢ Step 6: Take printout of the application and fee receipt for future reference.
✅ Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the total number of vacancies in UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
80 posts (category-wise: UR 33, SC 12, ST 06, OBC 21, EWS 08).
What is the age limit for UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
21 to 32 years as on 01 August 2026 (relaxation: 5 yrs SC/ST, 3 yrs OBC, etc.).
What is the educational qualification for UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
Bachelor’s degree with at least one of Animal Husbandry & Vet Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Maths, Physics, Statistics, Zoology OR Agriculture/Forestry/Engineering degree.
What is the application fee for UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
₹100/- for General/OBC/EWS (Prelims); Nil for Women/SC/ST/PwBD. Additional ₹200/- for Mains if qualified.
What is the selection process for UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
Civil Services Prelims (screening) → IFS Mains (written + interview) → Document & Medical Verification.
What are the important dates for UPSC IFS Exam 2026?
Application: 04 February 2026 to 24 February 2026
Prelims: 24 May 2026 (tentative).