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

• 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