The Indian Forest Service(IFoS), conducted annually by UPSC, is a national-level exam for positions in the environment, forests, and climate change sectors. It is one of the three All-India Services alongside IAS and IPS. Established in 1966 under the All-India Services Act, IFoS aims to enforce the National Forest Policy and ensure ecological stability through sustainable resource management.
The selection process for UPSC Indian Forest Service(IFoS) includes three stages:
IFoS officers play a vital role in protecting India’s biodiversity and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
In 1864, the British India Government established the Imperial Forest Department. In 1866, Dr. Dietrich Brandis was named General of Forests. The Imperial Forest Department established Imperial Forest Services in 1867 to manage forest natural resources and oversee other Imperial Forest Department concerns. The British government established additional subordinate services to ensure efficient resource management. The Forest Department was given to India’s provinces in 1965 under the Government of India Act of 1935. The government of India established the Indian Forest Services in 1966 under the All-India Services Act of 1951.
Click on the below link to check out the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Preliminary Examination, 2024 Result.
Name of Examination | Released Date |
---|---|
IFS Preliminary Examination, 2024 Result (with name) | July 1, 2024 |
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Exam Name | UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination 2024 (IFoS) |
Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Cadre Authority | Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change |
Level | National |
Qualification | Graduation |
Age Limit | 21 to 32 years (as of August 1, 2024) |
Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper-Based) |
Application Mode | Online |
Application Fee | ₹100 (for General/EWS/OBC Male Candidates) |
Vacancies | Approximately 150 |
Number of Attempts | 6 |
Selection Process | – Prelims- Mains- Personality Test |
Establishment Year | 1966 |
Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on February 14, 2024, released the comprehensive notification for the 2024 Indian Forest Service(IFoS) (Preliminary) Examination.
Candidates who wish to apply for both the Indian Forest Service(IFoS) and Civil Services examinations may do so using a common online application form, provided that they meet the necessary eligibility requirements. Interested candidates can check the current year notification and the IFS exam date of 2024.
Indian-Forest-ServiceIFoSThe Union Public Service Commission has announced the Indian Forest Service 2024 Exam dates for the Prelims & Main Examination. While the IFS Main Exam will be held on November 24, 2024, for 10 Days, the UPSC IFS Preliminary Exam will be held on May 26, 2024. There is no offline option, the applicant must submit the application form exclusively online. The dates for the IFS 2024 Exam are listed below.
Important Events | Tentative Dates |
---|---|
Indian Forest Service 2024 Notification | February 14, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Application Process Commencement | February 14, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Application Process Ends | March 3, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Last Date for Modification | March 12, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Admit Card Release | June 7, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Preliminary Exam Date | June 16, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Preliminary Result | July 1, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Main Exam Date | November 24, 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Main Result | December 2024 |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Interview | To be notified |
Indian Forest Service 2024 Final Result | To be notified |
Also Read: IAS Exam 2024: Latest News and Dates
The primary duty of an Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officer is to conserve and protect forests, wildlife, and natural resources while ensuring sustainable management. They enforce the National Forest Policy and work closely with forest guards to maintain the ecological balance.
IFoS officers play a crucial role in preserving the nation’s natural heritage and ensuring ecological sustainability.
According to the official notification, there are approximately 150 Indian Forest Service(IFoS) vacancies in 2024. However, according to the government, applicants who fall under the SC, ST, OBC, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and PWD categories would be given preference and there are a few reserved positions. Review the information below.
Category | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Vacancies | 62 | 15 | 40 | 22 | 11 | 150 |
Reserved for Disabilities | ||||||
– Low Vision | 2 | 2 | ||||
– Hard of Hearing | 2 | 3 (1 Backlog) | ||||
– Locomotor Disability (Leprosy Cured and Acid Attack Victims) | 2 | 4 (2 Backlog) | ||||
Total Reserved for Disabilities | 6 | 9 |
Eligibility Criteria | Details |
---|---|
Citizenship | – A citizen of India. |
Other Eligible Groups | – A subject of Nepal. |
– A subject of Bhutan. | |
– A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently in India. | |
– A person of Indian origin from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam), intending to settle in India. | |
Note | Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, and others must have an eligibility certificate from the Government of India. They can take the exam but will only receive a job offer after obtaining the certificate. |
Criteria | Details |
---|---|
Basic Age Requirements | – At least 21 years old but not older than 32 years as of August 1, 2024. (Born between August 2, 1992, and August 1, 2003.) |
Age Relaxation | Age relaxation is available for certain categories as listed below: |
Category | Age Relaxation |
---|---|
Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 years |
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 3 years |
Disabled Defense Services Personnel | 3 years |
Ex-servicemen | 5 years |
Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs) and Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) | 5 years |
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years |
Note: SC/ST candidates can get cumulative age relaxation if they qualify under other categories.
Qualification | Details |
---|---|
Required Degree | A Bachelor’s degree in one of the following subjects: |
– Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Zoology | |
Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering. | |
Recognized Institution | The degree must be from a university or institution recognized by the Government. |
Equivalent Qualifications | Candidates with equivalent qualifications must submit a certificate from a recognized institution confirming equivalence to the required Bachelor’s degree. |
Category | Number of Attempts |
---|---|
General Candidates | 6 Attempts |
SC / ST Candidates | No Limit |
OBC Candidates | 9 Attempts |
PwD Candidates | 9 Attempts |
Here are the Medical and Physical Standards for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS):
Criteria | Requirement |
---|---|
Eyesight | Good vision without color blindness. Minimum visual acuity: 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye) without correction. |
Hearing | Normal hearing, Impairment should not be more than 30 decibels. |
Physical Disabilities | No hindrance to forest-related duties. |
Criteria | Male | Female |
---|---|---|
Height | Minimum height: 163 cm | Minimum height: 150 cm |
Chest | Chest girth (normal): 79 cm (minimum) with a minimum expansion of 5 cm | Chest girth (normal): 74 cm (minimum) with a minimum expansion of 5 cm |
Walking Test | Complete a 25 km walk within 4 hours | Complete a 15 km walk within 4 hours |
Physical Fitness | Fit for forest service duties | Fit for forest service duties |
The UPSC IFoS application process is entirely online and simple. The complete processes are provided below to assist candidates in registering for the exam.
Note:
The following section of the form requires you to provide your signature and photo.
After the UPSC IFoS Prelims Results are out, applicants who qualify for the Mains test must re-apply for the Main test. Similar steps must be taken to apply, and only through the official website.
The application process is simple, but you must be careful not to make any mistakes when entering the necessary information in the forms because mistakes cannot be changed once the form has been completed. Keep the following materials nearby before you begin filling out the application:
Documents | Size | Dimension |
---|---|---|
Signature | 10-30 KB | 1.5-3.5 cm |
Photograph | 20-50 KB | Passport Size |
For success, the application and payments must be submitted during the application window. Applying as soon as possible is prudent to guarantee that the exam centre allocation matches your preferences.
Indian Forest Service(IFoS) released the Admit Card on June 7, 2024. The admission card is available for download on the official website for candidates. After downloading it, the applicant should print off their admission card and carry it to the test room. The admission card will provide information about the exam’s date and location.
The process to obtain the UPSC Indian Forest Service(IFoS) admit card is as follows:
The Indian Forest Service(IFoS) examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and is one of the toughest competitive exams in India. The IFoS examination consists of two stages: the Preliminary examination (Prelims) and the Main examination (Mains), followed by an interview. Below are the detailed Indian Forest Service Syllabus for you:
The syllabus for the IFoS examination is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics. The Preliminary examination includes two papers:
Paper | Marks | Duration | Topics Covered |
---|---|---|---|
Paper I | 200 marks | 2 hours | 1. Comprehension 2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills 3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability 4. Decision-making and problem-solving 5. General mental ability 6. Basic numeracy (Class X level) 7. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, Class X level) |
Paper II | 200 marks | 2 hours | 1. Comprehension 2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills 3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability 4. Decision making and problem-solving 5. General mental ability 6. Basic numeracy (Class X level) 7. Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, Class X level) |
The Main examination consists of six papers, which are:
Section | Description |
---|---|
General English | 1. Write an essay in English. 2. Test understanding of English and use of words. 3. Passages for summary or precis. |
General Knowledge | 1. Current events and everyday observations. 2. Scientific aspects as expected from an educated person. 3. Indian Polity including political system and Constitution. 4. History of India and Geography. |
Optional Subjects | 1. Total of 8 questions in each paper. 2. Papers divided into Part A and Part B (4 questions each). 3. Answer 5 questions: 1 compulsory from each part (2 total), and 3 from the remaining 6 (at least 1 from each part). |
Check out the detailed syllabus for each of the subjects in the below-given PDF
Indian-Forest-Service-IFoS-Optional-Subject-PapersIn addition to the above subjects, it’s important for candidates to stay updated with current affairs and have a good understanding of environmental and ecological concepts as these are crucial for the IFoS examination.
The exam pattern for IFoS consists of three stages: the Preliminary examination (Prelims), the Main examination (Mains), and a Personality Test (Interview).
The preliminary examination consists of two papers that are conducted on the same day.
Papers | Subject | Total Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
Paper II | Civil Services Aptitude Test | 200 | 2 Hours |
Both papers are objective type, and the marks obtained in Paper I are counted for qualifying for the Mains examination.
The Main examination consists of written papers and an interview.
Papers | Subjects | Total Marks |
---|---|---|
Paper I | General English | 300 |
Paper II | General Knowledge | 300 |
Paper III | Optional I | 200 |
Paper IV | Optional I | 200 |
Paper V | Optional II | 200 |
Paper VI | Optional II | 200 |
Those applicants who pass the main exam will be shortlisted for the interview when their personalities will be examined. The interview, which is the final stage, carries 275 marks.
Judgment, tolerance, awareness, ethics, and many more factors are among the numerous factors considered while choosing applicants. The interview panel will examine the applicant’s character rather than just their knowledge.
The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the Main examination and the Personality Test, as well as the preferences given by the candidates for the various services and the vacancies available.
The Union Public Service Commission reserves the right to change the UPSC Indian Forest Service(IFoS) test locations. The “First Apply First Allot” principle distributes the centres. Once each exam venue admits a certain number of students, the centre locks, and applicants must choose another location.
The table lists all Indian testing locations for the UPSC Indian Forest Service(IFoS) exam. Students may quickly scan the chart to choose which centre is handy and doable for them to visit.
State/City | Exam Centre |
---|---|
Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair |
Andhra Pradesh | Vijayawada Visakhapatnam Ananthapuru Tirupati |
Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
Assam | Dispur Jorhat |
Bihar | Patna Aurangabad Gaya |
Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur Raipur |
Delhi/NCR | Delhi Ghaziabad |
Goa | Panaji |
Gujarat | Ahmedabad Rajkot |
Haryana | Faridabad Gurgaon |
Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar Jammu |
Jharkhand | Ranchi |
Karnataka | Bengaluru Dharwad Mysuru |
Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram Kochi Kozhikode (Calicut) |
Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal Gwalior Indore Jabalpur |
Maharashtra | Mumbai Navi Mumbai Nagpur Pune Thane |
Manipur | Aizawl |
Meghalaya | Shillong |
Mizoram | Imphal |
Nagaland | Kohima |
Odisha | Cuttack Sambalpur |
Puducherry | Puducherry |
Punjab | Ludhiana |
Rajasthan | Ajmer Jaipur Jodhpur Udaipur |
Sikkim | Gangtok |
Tamil Nadu | Chennai Coimbatore Madurai Tiruchirapalli Vellore |
Telangana | Hyderabad Warangal City |
Tripura | Agartala |
Uttar Pradesh | Agra Aligarh Allahabad Bareilly Gautam Buddha Nagar Gorakhpur Lucknow Varanasi |
Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
West Bengal | Kolkata Siliguri |
The following are the methods to modify the UPSC Indian Forest Service(IFoS) test location:
The ‘First Apply First Allot’ tenet will once again apply to requests to switch test locations. When a centre reaches full capacity, it gets locked, and applicants are compelled to choose from the remaining centres. If necessary, the commission retains the authority to change the centre as they see fit.
The applicant to the designated examination site must bring the following documentation:
When reporting to the test site, applicants must remember that they must abide by the UPSC’s instructions.
If a candidate violates one of the rules outlined by the Commission, the Commission will take severe disciplinary action, and the candidate may be disqualified from taking the Civil Service Examinations altogether.
The Indian Forest Service(IFoS) answer key includes all the solutions to the exam questions. The answer key will be available on the UPSC’s official website. Candidates can review the answer key when it is posted on the official website.
Many students take this exam each year because of the high demand for these jobs and the lucrative salaries and opportunities they offer. However, the few openings available for this job make it extremely difficult to pass the exam. So, merely earning the required passing grades is insufficient. Candidates should practice the previous question papers and the mock exams while preparing for the Indian Forest Service.
Only those students who can score higher than the cut-off can take the next set of exams. The Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interview are the three steps of this exam’s ultimate recruiting process. The first two phases employ online written tests.
The UPSC website posts results for both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. These results are available as downloadable and printable PDFs for further use. The accompanying instructions will walk you through the simple process of opening the result on the official website.
The official IFS Cut-Off for 2024 will be published after the final results are announced. Meanwhile, candidates can refer to the 2023 cut-off scores to get an idea of the expected cut-offs for the 2024 exam.
Category | Prelims Cut-Off | Mains Cut-Off | Final Cut-Off |
---|---|---|---|
General | 93.60 | 640 | 903 |
EWS | 92.93 | 596 | 859 |
OBC | 93.60 | 608 | 846 |
SC | 82.83 | 577 | 800 |
ST | 78.79 | 591 | 803 |
PwBD-1 | – | – | – |
PwBD-2 | 51.17 | 491 | 787 |
PwBD-3 | 45.10 | 448 | 598 |
Note: Cut-offs are subject to change depending on various factors, including the difficulty level of the exam and the number of candidates appearing.
The greatest Indian Forest Service(IFoS) topper books are essential for UPSC IFS preparation. To improve their preparations, aspirants should be aware of the best UPSC IFS Books. The best book collection may be found both online and offline. The facts may be the same, but it is the applications that matter. As a result, distinguishing between books and locating the appropriate one is crucial.
S.no. | Subject | Book | Author/Publisher |
1. | General Studies | India’s Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra |
2. | History | Facets of Indian Culture | Spectrum Books |
3. | Agriculture | UPSC IFS Agriculture Main Exam Guide (Paper I & II) Main Exam Guide | RPH Editorial Board |
4. | Mains Paper I and Paper II | UPSC IFS Main Examination Guide: A complete book for Paper I and Paper II | RPH Editorial Board |
5. | Polity | UPSC IFS exam Zoology main Exam Guide (Including Paper I & II) | RPH Editorial Board |
6. | CSAT | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination | G. Subba Rao |
Below is the list of grades-based pay for Indian Forest Service(IFoS) salaries for officials:
Grade | Designation in state government | Designation in Government of India | Monthly Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Junior Time Scale | Assistant Conservator of Forests/Asst. Dy. Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | INR 56,100 |
Senior Time Scale | Deputy Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | INR 67,700 |
Junior Administrative Grade | Deputy Conservator of Forests | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | INR 78,800 |
Selection Grade | Deputy Conservator of Forests (Selection Grade) | Assistant Inspector General of Forests | INR 1,18,500 |
Super Time Scale | Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife Warden | Deputy Inspector General of Forests | INR 1,50,000 |
Senior Administrative Grade | Chief Conservator of Forests | Inspector General of Forests | INR 1,75,000 |
HAG scale | Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests | – | INR 2,00,000 |
HAG+ Scale | Principal Chief Conservator of Forests | Additional Director General of Forests | INR 2,05,400 |
Apex Scale | Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) | Director General of Forests | INR 2,25,000 |
Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officers go through a cadre allocation process like every other civil service employee. However, the Indian government launched a new cadre allocation policy in 2017 that allows candidates to select five zones of their choosing.
The following states represent the zone-wise Indian Forest Service(IFoS) cadre allocation:
Zones | States |
---|---|
Zone – 1 | Punjab, AGMUT, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir |
Zone – 2 | Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh |
Zone – 3 | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh |
Zone – 4 | Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, West Bengal |
Zone – 5 | Kerala, Tripura, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana |
Officers continue to serve the Indian government in the cadre to which they have been assigned or deputed.
The primary responsibility given to Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officials is to safeguard the nation’s ecological environment and to maintain a record of the sustainable management of natural resources. Additionally, Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officers oversee the following areas:
The posts held by the state forest department are listed below:
The Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officials were in charge of the aforementioned factors among others. In addition to these, the cadre assignment has a significant impact on the duties that must be given to the officers.
The Indian Forest Service(IFoS) program begins with a foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie.
In addition, the cops receive physical training that includes horseback riding, driving a car, crime detection, swimming, and weapon handling, among other things. These officials are also given extensive tours. The Indian Military Academy, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History Society, and other government institutions may decide to connect with them.
Below is a list of benefits granted to Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officials:
These are some of the facilities that the Indian government offers to all IAS, IFoS, and IPS personnel.
Note: Upon selection, candidates will also receive additional benefits. Provident Fund, Contributory Pension Fund, and Transportation Allowance. Along with these advantages, there are several opportunities for promotion through further tests.
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The Indian Forest Service(IFoS), established in 1966, is a prestigious civil service dedicated to managing and conserving India’s forests and wildlife. It plays a vital role in implementing national policies on forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. Indian Forest Service(IFoS) officers oversee forest resources, combat deforestation, and maintain ecological balance. Their roles range from field operations to high-level policy-making, significantly contributing to environmental sustainability. A career in IFoS offers a unique mix of administrative duties and hands-on fieldwork, making it an excellent choice for individuals passionate about nature and committed to preserving India’s rich natural heritage.
The UPSC IFoS test is divided into 3 parts the preliminary, main, and interview stages.
Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 32. There are many categories in which the relaxations are offered.
The IFS test is just as tricky as the IAS exam, given the same number of applicants and equivalent difficulty level. To pass the test, candidates must develop a thorough study plan, put up a lot of work, and regularly practice exam questions.
The applicant must provide their registration ID and password whenever they wish to access the website. They nonetheless send them to the registered email address and mobile number as well.
Each paper of the IFoS exam is of 3 hours duration.
The Indian Forest Service(IFoS) and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) serve different roles. The IAS focuses on administration and policy-making, while the IFoS is concerned with forest and wildlife management. Neither is inherently better; it depends on individual career goals and interests.
An IFoS officer manages forests, wildlife, and natural resources. They work on conservation, forest policy, and environmental protection, often dealing with issues related to wildlife, forest management, and sustainable development.
To be eligible for the IFoS exam, candidates typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, medicine, or a related science field. They must also meet age and nationality requirements set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The IFoS can be stressful due to the responsibility of managing natural resources, dealing with environmental issues, and working in challenging conditions. The job demands both physical and mental endurance.
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