IBPS IFS Exam 2025

What is IBPS IFS Exam?

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) is one of the Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment officers at the All India level by the Government of India for the scientific management of its forests. 

Importance

IFS is one of the three All India Services. The exam is conducted for recruitment to forestry services of India. The other two All India Services being Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS). 

Indian Forest Service is one of the Civil Services of India and belongs to the apex All India Services group. IFS services are placed under various State cadres and joint cadres though they have the mandate to serve both under the State and Central Governments.

The main mandate of IFS service is the implementation of the National Forest Policy which aims to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance.

An IFS officer is largely independent of district administration and exercises administrative, judicial and financial powers in their own domain. All top positions in the state forest department are held by IFS officers.

Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2025

In order to become an Indian Forest Service officer, candidates need to appear for the examination conducted by UPSC. The IFS selection procedure consists of three stages – preliminary, main examination and personality test. 

Aspirants have to note that they need to appear for the Civil Services (Preliminary) examination and qualify the same for the second phase of the examination, i.e., IFS (Main Examination). Candidates who qualify in the Civil Services (Preliminary) and meet the eligibility criteria of IFS will be shortlisted for the IFS Main Examination. 

The desiring candidates can apply for the Indian Forest Service examination through a common online application form of Civil Servic es Examination (CSE).

The applicant has to submit the application form through online mode only. The important details regarding Indian Forest Service 2025 are given below. 

Union Public Service Commission has released the exam dates of Indian Forest Service (IFS) Prelims & Main 2025 Examination. The UPSC IFS Preliminary Exam 2025 will take place on 25 May, 2025, Whereas the IFS Main Exam will be held on 16 November, 2025 for 10 Days.

UPSC IFS 2025 - The online registration process has started from 22 January, 2025, and it will end on 11 February, 2025. The applicant has to submit the application form through online mode only, but there is no offline mode. Click here to know the important dates of the IFS 2025 Exam.

UPSC Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination Time Table 2025 (Tentative)

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the exam time table schedule for the UPSC Indian Forest Service Main Examination 2025 on the official website - upsc.gov.in. UPSC IFS (Mains) Examination will be conducted from 16 November to 23 November, 2025 in two session each day.

The first session will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and the second session will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Candidates who have appeared for the UPSC IFS Prelims exam will be qualified for the Mains Exam.

IFS Notification 2025

Union Public Service Commission has released the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2025 Notification on 22 January, 2025.

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Preliminary Notification was released through the Civil Service (Preliminary) Examination 2025. Candiates, who are aiming for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) can apply online between 22 January to 11 February, 2025. The IFS 2025 Notification was released for approximately 150 vacancies. However the number of vacancies is liable to alteration.

IFS Number of Vacancies 2025

The total number of vacancies announced in the official notification is approximately 150 (Tentatively). However, candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and PWD categories will be provided with the reservation according to the Government. According to the official notification released by the UPSC, a few vacancies are reserved. Check the details below.

Aspirants have to note that the final number of vacancies indicated are liable to further alteration. 

Indian Forest Service (IFS) Application Form 2025

Candidates who are aspiring for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) should apply only through the Civil Services (Preliminary). There is no separate IFS application form. However, there are a few important points aspirants should know before IFS registration.

• Candidates should satisfy the educational prerequisites set by the Commission to get eligibility for IFS. 
• Aspirants should register for the Civil Services (Preliminary) examination and qualify in the screening test for going to the second stage of IFS (Main) examination. 
• The qualified candidates in the Preliminary will be eligible to fill a Detailed Application Form available on official site.  
• The IFS Main Examination will be held from 16 November, 2025 Onwards.

Interested candidates are advised to visit our IFS online application form 2025 page for detailed information.

One can also check the exam fee, exam dates and other important details here.

UPSC IFS Main 2024 Exam Interview Schedule is Out

The Union Public Service Commission has released the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2024 Interview Schedule. The UPSC Personality Test (Interview) round has schedule on 21 April, 2025 and it will end on 02 May, 2025. UPSC IFS Mains 2024 Admit card will be released soon for the candidates.  Total of 370 candidates will be appear for the Interview round.

Based on Notice issued by UPSC

On the basis of the results of the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2024 declared by Union Public Service Commission on 13th January, 2025, the Personality Test (Interview) of the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2024 will commence w.e.f. Monday 21.04.2025.

The Personality Test Schedule of 370 candidates, including their Roll No. Date and Session of Interview from 21.04.2025 to 02.05.2025 is given below. Reporting time for Forenoon Session is 9:00 Hours and for Afternoon Session is 13:00 Hours.

The e-Summon Letter of Personality Test (Interview) of these 370 candidates will be made available shortly, which may be downloaded from the UPSC website - www.upsc.gov.in and www.upsconline.in. No request for change in the date and time of the Personality Test (Interview) intimated to the candidates will ordinarily be entertained.

Few of the roles and responsibilities of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer includes:

• One of the main roles of an IFS officer is to protect and conserve the heritage of the forest and working towards preserving the forest resources.
• Preserving the forest trees is another important task which needs to be taken seriously. As an officer one needs to keep a check on illegal logging of trees and work with the forest guards and security personnel to be alert at all times.
• As an officer one has to work towards planting more trees in the forest are and also initiate and participate in such events.
• Animals are another important forest resource and as a forest officer one needs to assure their safety and need to prevent any illegal activity that involves hurting or killing them. As an officer being alert of poachers and illegal entry in the forest area is also important.
• As an officer one will be responsible for implementing the National Forest Policy.
• As an officer one will have to chalk-out plans for legal commercial exploitation for timber etc.
• As an officer one will have to do the required paperwork and complete reports that have to be presented to the forest department and ministry.
• As an officer one will have to conduct regular surveys of the forest and guarantee that the work is rightly being done. Travelling will also be included.