UPSC IFoS syllabus

The Indian Forest Service Examination: the Civil Services Preliminary Examination as a screen, then six conventional papers and an interview. Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit.

Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination — screening for the Indian Forest Service

General Studies Paper I

100 questions, 200 marks · 2 hours

2 marks for a right answer. A wrong answer takes away one-third of 2 marks. Four options. Set in Hindi and English. With the 33% bar in Paper II, these marks decide who is called for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination. They are not counted in the final merit.

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • History of India and the Indian National Movement
  • Indian and world geography
  • Indian polity and governance
  • Economic and social development
  • Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change
  • General science

General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

80 questions, 200 marks · 2 hours

Qualifying only: 33% of 200 marks, which is 66. 2.5 marks for a right answer. A wrong answer takes away one-third of 2.5 marks. Not counted in the final merit. Set in Hindi and English.

  • Comprehension
  • Interpersonal skills and communication
  • Logical reasoning and analytical ability
  • Decision-making and problem solving
  • General mental ability
  • Basic numeracy (Class X level)
  • Data interpretation (Class X level)

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination — written papers and interview

Paper I: General English

300 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. The paper is set in English and must be answered in English. The standard is that of a science or engineering graduate of an Indian university.

  • An essay in English
  • Comprehension and a summary or precis
  • Workmanlike use of words

Paper II: General Knowledge

300 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. The paper is set in English and must be answered in English.

  • Current events and everyday scientific observation
  • Indian polity and the Constitution
  • History of India
  • Geography, at a level that does not need special study

Paper III: First optional subject, Paper 1

200 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. Answered in English. Honours-degree level, or bachelor's level for an engineering subject. No practical examination.

  • Eight questions; five to be attempted
  • One question compulsory in each part
  • At least two questions from each part

Paper IV: First optional subject, Paper 2

200 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. Same pattern: eight questions, five to be attempted, one compulsory in each part.

  • The same optional subject, second paper

Paper V: Second optional subject, Paper 1

200 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit. Agriculture may not be paired with Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, or Forestry. Chemistry may not be paired with Chemical Engineering. Mathematics may not be paired with Statistics. Of Agricultural, Chemical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, not more than one.

  • A second optional subject, subject to the forbidden pairs in the notice

Paper VI: Second optional subject, Paper 2

200 marks · 3 hours

Counts for merit.

  • The same second optional subject

Interview (personality test)

300 marks · A board interview, not a written paper

Counts for merit. The notice fixes no minimum qualifying mark for the interview. About twice the number of vacancies are called.

  • A conversation to judge suitability for the service, including intellectual curiosity, judgment, integrity and a feel for outdoor work