UPSC IFOS Recruitment 2025, Notification Out for 150 Vacancies

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the official IFOS Notification for 150 vacancies in January 2025. Applications from eligible candidates are invited till 11^th February 2025. Candidates must know that the Indian Forest Service (IFOS) is a prestigious service for which UPSC conducts recruitment through the UPSC IFOS exam. In this article, you can read all about the Indian Forest Service Exam date, application form, eligibility, vacancy, syllabus, selection process, and exam pattern.

UPSC Indian Forest Service Recruitment 2025

The Indian Forest Service (IFOS) is one of the three All-India Services of the Union Government. The service dates back to 1864 when it was established as the Imperial Forest Service under the British Raj but was converted into the present form in 1966.

The main responsibilities of the Indian Forest Service Officer include the following:

• Forest Conservation
• Wildlife Protection
• Law enforcement
• Sustainable development
• Community engagement

UPSC IFS Notification 2025 PDF

The Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC IFS Notification on 22nd January 2025. Candidates can now download the UPSC IFS Notification 2025 in PDF format from the link provided below. The notification contains important details on eligibility criteria, vacancy distribution, application fee, and more. Click on the direct link to access the notification PDF.

CLICK HERE for UPSC IFS Notification 2025 PDF

UPSC IFS Exam Dates 2025

In the below table, details are mentioned regarding the UPSC IFS Exam Date 2025, Interested applicants must check the Indian Forest Service Exam dates for Prelims and Mains.

UPSC IFS Application Form 2025

The commission has started the UPSC IFS Application Form 2025 along with the release of the official Notification. Candidates preparing for the UPSC IFS recruitment 2025 can apply for the direct link provided below or from the official website upsc.nic.in. As many candidates apply, it is advised to submit your application before the last date, which is 11th February 2025.

UPSC IFOS Application Form 2025: Direct link

UPSC Indian Forest Service Vacancy 2025

With the release of the official notification for the IFS exam 2025 by UPSC, a total of 150 vacancies are to be filled by candidates. Reservations will be made for categories like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates as per government rules. Some vacancies are specifically reserved for the PwBD category, but these may also change. The reservation for PwBD candidates includes:

How to Apply Online for UPSC Indian Forest Services Application 2025?

1. Visit the official UPSC website at https://upsc.gov.in/
2. Navigate the Home page and search for the OTR option
3. Click on OTR login and enter your details
4.  Upload your documents in the next stage
5. Click on the Submit button to submit your details
6. Keep the ID generated and password generated with you for future reference.

UPSC IFS Eligibility Criteria 2025

Before starting the preparations for the UPSC IFOS exam, candidates must check their eligibility for the exam as it is mandatory to fulfill the eligibility criteria to be appointed as an IFOS officer, we have mentioned eligibility conditions for the Indian Forest Service;

Age

• Minimum – 21 years
• Maximum – 32 years
• Age relaxation of 10, 5, and 3 years is provided to PwBDs, SC/ST, and OBC respectively.

Educational Qualification

• The Candidate should have successfully passed 10+2
• Also, the candidate is required to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

Nationality

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 to permanently settle in India
• A Person of Indian Origin migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, certain East African countries, and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

Number Of Attempts

• General Category – 6
• OBC – 9
• PwD – 9

Candidate can solve the UPSC IFS Previous Year Question Paper Here!

UPSC IFS Syllabus 2025

The UPSC IFS syllabus 2025 can be a strategic tool for candidates as it contains complete information about the areas and topics from where the questions may be asked in the examination, student should take leverage of the syllabus insights provided below

Syllabus for IFS Prelims Exam –

Paper I (General Studies):

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science.

Paper II (Aptitude Test):

• Comprehension.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• General mental ability.
• Basic numeracy (Class X level) – numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.

Syllabus for IFS Mains Examination 2025-

Paper I: General English (300 Marks)

• Essay writing.
• Understanding of English and workmanlike use of words.
• Passages for summary or précis.

Paper II: General Knowledge (300 Marks)

• General Knowledge including current events.
• Indian Polity, the political system, and the Constitution of India.
• History of India and Geography.

Papers III, IV, V, and VI: Any two optional subjects chosen by the candidate from the following list, each having two papers of 200 marks each:

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Forestry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

It should be noted that there are certain combinations of subjects that can’t be taken together.

UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam Pattern 2025

Prelims Exam –

• Consist of 2 papers each of 200 marks.
• Each correct answer is awarded 2 marks and 1/3rd marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
• Each paper is to be solved within 2 hours.

Mains Exam – 

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025

The IFoS exam, conducted by UPSC, selects officers for the Indian Forest Service. These officers work in roles such as Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), and Director General of Forests (DGF), and play an important role in protecting forests and wildlife, often collaborating with communities and NGOs. Aspiring IFoS officers need to understand the exam and selection process, which includes three stages.

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