Indian Forest Service Exam 2025 : IFS Eligibility, Pattern & Syllabus

Eligibility 

To appear for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam 2025, candidates must satisfy several essential eligibility criteria laid down by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). These criteria ensure only suitable candidates with the required educational background, age limits, physical fitness, and nationality can participate in this prestigious exam. Below is a detailed overview of all eligibility aspects:

Nationality

A candidate must be:

• A citizen of India, OR

• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, OR

• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, intending to permanently settle, OR

• A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia), or Vietnam with the intention of permanent residence in India.

Note: Candidates other than Indian citizens must provide a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit

As of August 1, 2025, candidates must be between:

• Minimum age: 21 years

• Maximum age: 32 years (for General category candidates)

Relaxation in upper age limit is applicable as follows:

Educational Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least one of the following subjects:

• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science

• Botany

• Chemistry

• Geology

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Statistics

• Zoology

Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in:

• Agriculture

• Forestry

• Engineering (any discipline)

are also eligible.

Number of Attempts

The maximum number of attempts permitted varies by category:

Candidates should note that attempts are counted only if the candidate appears for the Preliminary Examination.

Physical and Medical Standards

Candidates must satisfy the physical and medical standards specified by UPSC for Indian Forest Service recruitment. These include but are not limited to:

• Minimum height:

  • Male candidates: 163 cm

  • Female candidates: 150 cm
    (Relaxations may apply for candidates from certain regions or categories.)

• Chest measurements for male candidates: 79 cm normal, 84 cm expanded (relaxable for specific categories)

• Good mental and physical health to handle fieldwork and administrative challenges in forest and wildlife management.

Detailed medical standards are specified in the official UPSC notification and must be adhered to strictly.

Additional Important Points

• Candidates must fulfill all eligibility criteria at the time of applying and must provide valid supporting documents during the application process.

• The Commission provides a period post-Prelims for qualified candidates to fill in cadre preferences and update necessary information before the Main exam.

• Any failure to meet eligibility or provide required documents can lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage.

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