UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) has published the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Exam Pattern 2026: Download PDF Here for candidates preparing for the examination. The subject-wise syllabus, exam pattern and other key details from the official release are summarised in the tables on this page. Use the official direct link below to access the original document.
Official Direct Links
How to Use the Syllabus
- Go through the subject-wise tables below and note the scope of each topic.
- Plan your preparation according to the latest syllabus and the official exam pattern.
- Refer to the official link for the original document and for any future revision.
- Solve previous years papers to understand the question style.
Subject-wise Syllabus
| Stage | Papers | Type | Total Marks | Duration | Nature |
|---|
| Prelims | GS Paper I + CSAT Paper II | Objective | 400 | 4 hours (2+2) | Qualifying |
| Mains | 6 Papers (2 Compulsory + 4 Optional) | Descriptive | 1400 | 3 hours each | Merit |
| Interview | Personality Test | Oral | 300 | - | Final Merit |
Subject-wise Syllabus
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration | Qualifying Criteria | Negative Marking |
|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | Objective MCQ | 200 | 2 Hours | Counts for merit | 1/3rd |
| Paper II | CSAT | Objective MCQ | 200 | 2 Hours | Minimum 33% | 1/3rd |
Important Details
| Topic | Details |
| Essay Writing | Essay in English on given topics |
| Comprehension | Questions to test understanding of passages |
| English Usage | Grammar, vocabulary, précis writing, summary, sentence correction |
Important Details
| Topic | Details |
| Current Events | National and international |
| Indian Polity & Constitution | Political system, governance |
| History of India | Major events and movements |
| Geography of Nature | Physical, social & economic aspects |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Ecology & Environment | Relevance to man, natural resources, sustainable management, conservation, pollution hazards |
| Cropping Patterns | Agro-climatic zones, multiple cropping, intercropping, package of practices for major crops |
| Soil | Physical, chemical & biological properties, fertility, fertilizers, problem soils & reclamation |
| Water Management | Irrigation, drainage, water-use efficiency, watershed management |
| Farm Management & Extension | Economics, marketing, mechanization, extension programmes |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Cell Biology & Genetics | Cell theory, heredity, plant breeding, seed technology |
| Plant Physiology | Photosynthesis, respiration, growth regulators |
| Horticulture & Pests | Fruit & vegetable cultivation, preservation, diseases & pest management |
| Food Production | Major crops, biotechnology applications |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Soil & Water Conservation | Techniques, planning, erosion control |
| Irrigation & Drainage | Principles, engineering practices, water management |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Farm Machinery & Power | Mechanization, tools, energy sources |
| Process Engineering | Post-harvest technology, processing techniques |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Animal Nutrition | Requirements, diets, feeds |
| Genetics & Breeding | Reproductive genetics, breeding programmes |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Health & Hygiene | Disease control, prevention, veterinary public health |
| Dairy & Meat Technology | Processing, hygiene, products technology |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Plant Pathology | Microbiology, plant diseases |
| Morphogenesis | Developmental biology of plants |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Genetics & Evolution | Molecular biology, genetic principles |
| Ecology & Plant Geography | Plant-environment interactions |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Atomic Structure | Quantum models |
| Chemical Bonding | Types, molecular orbital theory |
| Thermodynamics | Laws, statistical applications |
| Electrochemistry | Ionic equilibria, electrode processes |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Reaction Mechanisms | Kinetics, organic reactions |
| Polymer Chemistry | Properties, synthesis |
| Spectroscopy | Structure determination |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Fluid & Particle Dynamics | Flow behaviour |
| Heat & Mass Transfer | Conduction, convection, diffusion |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Thermodynamics Applications | In chemical engineering |
| Environmental Engineering | Pollution control, waste management |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Mechanics & Materials | Structural analysis |
| Fluid Mechanics | Hydraulics, fluid flow |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Construction Technology | Equipment, planning, management |
| Environmental Engineering | Water supply, sanitation, pollution control |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Silviculture & Agroforestry | Techniques, systems, mangrove, social forestry |
| Forest Soils & Watershed | Soil conservation, watershed management |
| Environmental Conservation | Biodiversity, climate change |
| Tree Improvement | Seed technology |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Forest Management | Working plans, mensuration, remote sensing |
| Forest Engineering & Survey | GIS, surveying |
| Forest Resources & Utilization | Wood technology, NTFP |
| Forest Protection & Wildlife | Pest control, wildlife biology |
| Forest Economics & Legislation | Policies, Forest Conservation Act |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| General Geology | Earth structure, processes |
| Stratigraphy & Paleontology | Rock layers, fossils |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Mineralogy & Petrology | Minerals, rocks formation |
| Economic & Mining Geology | Resources, extraction |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Linear Algebra | Matrices, vector spaces |
| Calculus | Differential & integral |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Algebra & Analysis | Abstract algebra, real analysis |
| Numerical Analysis | Computational methods |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Theory of Machines | Mechanisms, kinematics |
| Manufacturing Science | Processes, techniques |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Thermodynamics | Thermal systems |
| Heat Transfer | Refrigeration, air-conditioning |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Mechanics & Optics | Classical mechanics, physical optics |
| Electricity & Magnetism | Electromagnetic principles |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Quantum Mechanics | Atomic physics |
| Solid State Physics | Crystallography, materials |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Probability | Theories, models |
| Sampling | Theory & design |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Industrial Statistics | Production applications |
| Optimization Techniques | Operations research |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Non-Chordata & Chordata | Anatomy, classification |
| Ecology & Ethology | Ecosystems, animal behaviour |
Important Details
| Topic | Key Details |
| Genetics & Evolution | Heredity, evolutionary principles |
| Biochemistry & Physiology | Cellular processes, systems |
For more updates on results, admit cards, answer keys and syllabus, visit the respective sections on this website.