Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2025: Your Comprehensive Guide
The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is one of the most esteemed services in India, aimed at managing and conserving the country’s forests, wildlife, and environment. If you aspire to join the IFoS, here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate the application process, eligibility criteria, examinati…
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Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination 2025: Your Comprehensive Guide
The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is one of the most esteemed services in India, aimed at managing and conserving the country’s forests, wildlife, and environment. If you aspire to join the IFoS, here’s a detailed guide to help you navigate the application process, eligibility criteria, examination stages, and key dates.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The important dates for the IFoS Examination 2025 are as follows:
| Event | Date/Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | January 22, 2025 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | February 11, 2025 (6 PM) |
| Modification Window for Application | February 12–18, 2025 |
| Preliminary Examination Date | May 25, 2025 |
| e-Admit Card Release Date | 1 week before the exam |
| Main Examination Dates | To be announced |
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Nationality
You must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who migrated before January 1, 1962, intending to settle permanently in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam intending to settle in India.
2. Age Limits
- Minimum Age: 21 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Maximum Age: 32 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Relaxations:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years (for specific categories like low vision, hearing impairment, locomotor disability)
3. Educational Qualification
You must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects:
- Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology
- Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary Science
- Engineering (any specialization)
4. Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: 6 attempts
- OBC/PwBD (General/EWS): 9 attempts
- SC/ST: Unlimited attempts (until the age limit)
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
Registration:
- First, register at the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform on the UPSC website.
- Once registered, your details can be used for all future UPSC exams.
Application Form:
- Log in using your OTR credentials.
- Fill out the application form for the IFoS Exam 2025.
- Upload a scanned copy of your photograph, signature, and photo ID.
- Pay the application fee of ₹100 (waived for SC/ST/PwBD/Women candidates).
Modifications:
- Corrections to the application are allowed from February 12–18, 2025.
- Changes to your OTR profile are allowed only once in your lifetime.
Fee Payment Options:
- Debit/Credit Card
- Net Banking
- SBI e-challan (cash mode available only until February 10, 2025)
Examination Stages
The IFoS Examination consists of three stages:
1. Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Purpose: Screening test for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
- Papers:
- General Studies Paper I: 200 marks
- General Studies Paper II (CSAT): 200 marks (qualifying with 33%)
- Mode: Objective-type multiple-choice questions.
- Negative Marking: 1/3 marks deducted for each wrong answer.
2. Main Examination (Written and Interview)
Written Test:
- Total: 6 papers (conventional/essay type)
- General English: 300 marks
- General Knowledge: 300 marks
- Two Optional Subjects (4 papers): 200 marks each
- Optional Subjects List:
- Agriculture, Forestry, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering disciplines (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Agricultural)
- Restrictions: Certain combinations like Agriculture and Forestry are not allowed.
Personality Test:
- Maximum Marks: 300
- Focus: Leadership, analytical ability, and suitability for the service.
3. Final Merit
The final ranking is based on marks from the Main Examination and Interview only.
Examination Centers
Preliminary Exam Centers:
80+ cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and others.
Main Exam Centers:
10 cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bhopal, and Hyderabad.
Reservation Policy
| Category | Relaxation/Benefits |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Age relaxation of 5 years; no fee |
| OBC | Age relaxation of 3 years; 9 attempts |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | No fee waiver, 6 attempts |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Age relaxation of 10 years; fee waiver; compensatory time for exams |
Special Reservation for PwBD Candidates:
- Low Vision: 2 vacancies
- Hard of Hearing: 3 vacancies
- Locomotor Disability: 4 vacancies
Key Instructions for Candidates
- Photo ID: Carry the same ID used during registration to the exam.
- e-Admit Card: Download from the UPSC website; no physical admit cards will be issued.
- Prohibited Items:
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, pagers, Bluetooth devices, and programmable calculators are strictly prohibited.
- Penal Provisions:
- Wrong information or use of unfair means may lead to disqualification and legal action.
Fee Structure
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/EWS/OBC | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/Women/PwBD | Exempted |
Note: Additional ₹200 is payable for candidates qualifying for the Main Exam.
For Official Notification: Click Here
To Apply online : Click Here
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