Indian Forest Service Examination 2026

Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree with at least one of the subjects:

• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology OR
• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering

Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026):

• Minimum: 21 years (born not earlier than 02/08/1994)
• Maximum: 32 years (born not later than 01/08/2005)

Age Relaxation:

• SC/ST: 5 years
• OBC: 3 years
• PwBD: 10 years
• Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
• Cumulative relaxation applicable

Number of Attempts:

• General/EWS: 6 attempts
• OBC: 9 attempts
• SC/ST: Unlimited attempts
• PwBD: As per their community + disability relaxation

Examination Pattern:

Preliminary Exam (24/05/2026):

• Paper I: General Studies (200 marks) - 2 hours
• Paper II: General Studies (200 marks) - 2 hours
• Objective type (MCQ)
• Negative marking: 1/3 mark deduction
• Qualifying Paper II: Minimum 33% required

Main Exam (Written + Interview):

• Paper I: General English (300 marks)
• Paper II: General Knowledge (300 marks)
• Papers III-VI: Two optional subjects (200 marks each)
• Interview/Personality Test (300 marks)
• Total: 1,900 marks

Optional Subjects: Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry, Botany, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Zoology

Medical Standards: Candidates must be physically fit according to Appendix-III standards

1. Visit https://upsconline.nic.in
2. Complete Universal Registration Number (URN) profile
3. Fill Common Application Form (CAF)
4. Upload photograph (live photo capture required)
5. Upload signature (3 signatures on white paper)
6. Upload Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/DL)
7. Pay application fee online
8. Submit examination specific module

Required Documents:

• Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/DL)
• Scanned photograph (5cm x 3.6cm, JPG format)
• Scanned signature (2.5cm x 7.5cm, JPG format)
• Educational certificates (at interview stage)

• No withdrawal of application after submission
• Face authentication mandatory at exam venue
• Mobile phones strictly banned at exam center
• Reach venue 30 minutes before exam
• Use only BLACK BALL PEN for OMR sheet
• Candidates in final year of qualifying degree can apply (results must be declared before interview)
• No change allowed in application after submission