IFS 2018 Exam: Important Exam Dates, Application Form, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Admit Card, Result, Selection Procedure
UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is a constitutional body, which is entrusted with powers and functions under the Article 315 to 323, Part -14 of the Constitution of India. It is given a duty to conduct important exams for Indian Civil Services (IAS Exam), Indian Forest Service (IFS Exam), Engineering Services (IES/ESE Exam), Combined defence services (CDS Exam), Indian Economic Services/Indian Statistical Services (IES/ISS Exam), National Defense Academy (NDA Exam), etc.
About the IFS (Indian Forest Service) Examination
The UPSC conducts the IFS exam every year to select candidates for the post of Indian Forest Service Officer. The IFS officers after selection are assigned State Cadres or Joint Cadres of State and the centre. Their prima responsibility is to implement the government plans and programmes under the ambit of the National Forest Policy. They function as the administrative head of the forest area for which they are posted.
Indian Forest Service Exam is conducted in two stages, i.e. IFS Preliminary Exam and IFS Mains Exam. Candidates must qualify the Preliminary exam to appear in the Mains exam.
IFS (Prel.) 2018 Exam Latest Notification: UPSC has successfully conducted the IFS Preliminary Exam 2018 on 3rd June. Result for the exam has been announced on 15th July 2018 on the official website www.upsc.gov.in.
IFS MAINS 2018 Exam Latest Notification: UPSC IFS Mains 2018 examination is announced to be conducted on 2nd December 2018. Admit card for IFS Mains Exam will be available from November 2018.
Read the full article for further details about the IFS 2018 Exam.
UPSC IFS Preliminary Exam Result 2018 Declared - Click here
IFS Exam Quick Overview
|
Name of the Exam |
Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam |
|
Conducting Authority |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|
Official Website |
upsc.gov.in |
|
Exam Occurrence |
Once in a year (Preliminary & Mains) |
|
Paper Language |
Hindi and English |
|
Mode of Exam |
Offline (Pen and paper mode) |
|
Exam Type |
National Level |
|
Age Limit |
Minimum Age- 21 Years & Maximum Age- 32 Years *5 Years relaxation for SC/ST |
|
IFS 2018 No. of vacancies |
110 |
Manipal University 
SRM University 
UPES IFS Exam 2018 Important Dates
IFS Exam 2018 (Prel. & Mains) Important Dates
|
Indian Forest Service Exam 2018 |
Important Dates |
|
Official notification Issue Date |
7th February 2018 |
|
Closing date of Application form Submission |
6th March 2018 (Till 6.00 PM) |
|
IFS Preliminary Exam Admit Card Released |
7th May 2018 |
|
Prelim Exam date |
3rd June 2018 |
|
Prelim Exam Result Date |
15th July 2018 |
|
Mains Exam Admit Card |
November 2018 |
|
Mains Exam date |
2nd December 2018 (Sunday) |
|
UPSC IFS Mains 2018 Exam Duration |
10 Days |
IFS Exam 2019 (Prel. & Mains) Important Dates
|
Indian Forest Service Exam 2019 |
Important Dates |
|
Preliminary Exam date |
2nd July 2019 (Sunday) |
|
Prel. Exam Duration |
1 Day |
|
Mains Exam date |
1st December 2019 (Sunday) |
| UPSC IFS Mains 2019 Exam Duration |
10 Days |
IFS Exam 2018 Pattern & Syllabus
The Indian Forest Service Examination consists of three stages -
- The Civil Services Preliminary exam
- The IFS Mains exam
- Interview or Personality Test
IFS Preliminary Exam Pattern
|
Preliminary Exam |
Details |
|
Number of question papers |
Two (Paper-1 and Paper-2) |
|
Type of questions |
Objective type |
|
Total marks |
400 marks (200 marks each paper) |
|
Duration of the exam |
2 hours for each paper (For blind candidates - 20 minutes EXTRA) |
|
Exam Language |
Hindi and English |
|
Scheme of negative marking |
For every incorrect answer 1/3 marks will be deducted |
UPSC IFS Preliminary Exam Syllabus
|
Paper-1 |
General studies |
2 hours |
200 marks |
|
Paper-2 |
CSAT- Civil Services Aptitude test |
2 hours |
200marks |
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Note – The marks scored by the candidates in the IFS Paper-1 of the Preliminary stage is counted to get selected for the Mains exams. The Paper-2 of the exam is only qualifying in nature. The candidate is required to score a minimum 33% marks to be declared as qualified for the Mains exam.
Indian Forest Service 2018 Mains Exam Pattern
|
Mains Exam - IFS 2018 Exam |
Details |
|
Number of Papers |
6 |
|
Type of question paper |
Descriptive or subjective |
|
Duration of the exam |
3 hours for each paper |
|
Mains Exam Language |
English only |
|
Total marks |
1400 marks |
UPSC IFS Mains Exam Syllabus 2018
|
Paper |
Subject |
Marks |
Duration |
|
Paper-1 |
General Knowledge |
300 |
3 hours |
|
Paper-2 |
General English |
300 |
3 hours |
|
Paper-3 |
Paper-1 of 1st Optional subject |
200 |
3 hours |
|
Paper-4 |
Paper-2 of 1st Optional subject |
200 |
3 hours |
|
Paper-5 |
Paper-1 of 2nd Optional Subject |
200 |
3 hours |
|
Paper-6 |
Paper-2 of 2nd Optional Subject |
200 |
3 hours |
| Total Marks |
1400 |
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Candidates are required to select two optional subjects from the given list of 14 subjects for the Mains exam. Each optional subject has 2 papers.
Each question paper of the optional subject contains 8 descriptive type questions. It has two sections, ‘A’ and ‘B’. Each section contains 4 questions. The candidates are required to answer only 5 questions of the question paper.
List of Optional Subjects from which a candidate should choose two subjects -
|
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
Agriculture Engineering |
Agriculture |
|
Botany |
Chemical Engineering |
Chemistry |
|
Civil Engineering |
Forestry |
Geology |
|
Mathematics |
Mechanical Engineering |
Physics |
|
Statistics |
Zoology |
|
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It should be noted that candidates are not allowed to have the following combination of subjects –
|
Optional Subject-1 |
Optional Subject-2 |
Combination |
|
Agriculture |
Agriculture Engineering |
Not Allowed |
|
Agriculture |
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science |
Not Allowed |
|
Agriculture |
Forestry |
Not Allowed |
|
Chemistry |
Chemical Engineering |
Not Allowed |
|
Mathematics |
Statistics |
Not Allowed |
|
Candidate cannot take more than one Engineering subject |
Agriculture Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering |
Not Allowed |
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UPSC IFS Personality Test/Interview 2018
Candidates, who clear the Mains exam, are selected for the next stage of the selection procedure, i.e. the Personality Test. This stage of the exam carries 200 marks. Candidates are tested for their overall personality orientation, which covers their dressing style, communication skills, the presence of mind, listening skills etc. In addition to this, the board of qualified and unbiased observers checks their problem-solving and decision-making skills, leadership qualities, etc.
Candidates are advised to dress formally on the day of the interview and use formal words while being interviewed by the panel of interviewers. They should not use slangs or any informal words. While answering the questions, they should speak moderately and avoid bluffing. The marks scored during an interview by the candidates play a crucial role in determining their overall selection in the Indian Forest Service exam.
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IFS Exam 2018 Eligibility
Age Limit for IFS Exam
The candidate should not be less than 21 years of age and must not be more than 32 years of age on 01st August 2018. It means the candidates who born before 2nd August 1986 or after 1st August 1997 are not eligible for the exam.
Age relaxation –
- The SC/ST category candidates are given age relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit.
- The OBC candidates are given a maximum of 3 years of age relaxation.
|
Category |
Age Relaxation (in upper age limit) |
|
SC/ST |
5 years |
|
OBC |
3 years |
|
Ex-servicemen (Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs) |
5 Years |
|
Low Vision/ Partially deaf |
Up to 10 Years |
|
J&K Domicile Candidates (1 January 1980 to 31 December 1989) |
5 Years |
UPSC IFS Nationality Criteria
- A candidate should be an Indian citizen.
- The subject of Nepal or Bhutan is also eligible for the exam.
- A Tibetan who have migrated to India as a refugee before 1st January 1962 are also eligible for the exam.
- In addition, PIO (People of Indian Origin) candidates migrated from some countries of the world are also eligible for this exam, if they have migrated to India with an intention to permanently settle down. These countries are Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri-Lanka, or from the East African countries of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Kenya. It is required that the government of India should have issued a certificate in their favour.
Educational Qualifications for IFS Exam 2018
The candidate should have done Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University with at least one of the following subjects:
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Geology
- Physics
- Zoology
- Statistics
Candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Forestry are also eligible.
Candidates possessing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering are also eligible for the exam.
Number of Attempts Allowed for Indian Forest Service Exam
|
Category |
Number of Attempts |
|
General candidates |
6 attempts |
|
OBC Candidate |
9 attempts |
|
SC/ST Candidates |
Unlimited attempts |
|
General candidates with Benchmark disability |
9 attempts |
Physical Standards Specification for IFS Officer
Candidates, who qualify for the written test, will have to go for the physical standard test. This test will be carried out in accordance with the physical standards laid down in Appendix-III of the rules of Indian Forest Service Examination, 2018. They should note that this test is very important for their selection. If they do not fulfil the physical standards, they will be considered unsuitable for the Indian Forest Service.
IFS Exam 2018 Application Process
How to Fill UPSC IFS Application Form
Candidates should visit the official website of the UPSC for filling the IFS 2019 Exam application form. Here, they will be provided with the guidance to fill the Application form correctly.
- Candidates should first of all reach the official website or portal of the commission, http://www.upsconline.nic.in.
- They must try to fill the Application form without making any mistake. For which, they are required to read the instructions carefully. They must understand what is to be filled and in which format.
- Candidates are required to register themselves first on the official website of the Commission. For this, they are required to provide information about their basic details like name, address, mobile number and their valid email id.
- The commission sends updates and communicates with the candidate through his email id. So candidates must keep their email id until the end of the process of the exam.
- They must upload their photo and signature in the given size. They are required to keep the scanned copy of their photo and signature in the jpg format. The size of which should not be less than 3kb and must not exceed 40kb. This is to validate the Application of the candidate to the commission.
- They must pay the requisite amount of Application fee to the Commission.
IFS Exam Application Fee
- Candidates should pay an Application Fee of ₹ 100/.
- However, the reserved category candidates (SC/ST and Physically handicapped) are exempted from paying any Application fee. Female candidates are also not required to pay any Application fee.
- Candidates can pay the fee thru cash, net banking or credit/debit card.
- For net banking, candidates can use only State Bank of India.
- Candidates can also pay the application fee by cash in any branch of the SBI. They should also take a print of the Pay Slip.
Application procedure for IFS Exam 2018 is already over...
IFS Exam 2019 Application process will start from March 2019...
Other Details
IFS 2018 Mains Exam e-Admit card
The Union Public Service Commission will issue the IFS Mains 2018 admit card in November 2018 i.e. one month before the exam. The Commission will not send hard copy of admit card to the postal address of candidates. They can only download the admit card from the "Admit Card" page of the official website of UPSC upsc.gov.in. To download the IFS e-Admit card candidates are required to enter their ‘Application number’ and ‘Date of Birth’. The admit card carries the roll number, date of exam, the centre of exam, name, and address of the candidate. It is mandatory to carry the admit card to the examination hall. Without the admit card candidate cannot be allowed to take up the IFS Mains exam.
IFS 2018 Exam Result (Prel. & Mains)
The result of the IFS Exam comes in various stages. First, comes the Preliminary exam result and after that the Mains exam result. UPSC has recently announced the IFS Preliminary 2018 exam result on the official website on 15th July 2018. The qualified candidates will now appear in the Mains exam from 2nd December 2018. Those who clear Mains Exam will be asked for the personal interview round. The final merit list of successful candidates will be prepared after adding up the aggregate marks of the candidates in the Mains exam and the Interview.
IFS Exam FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. What is the date of IFS (Indian Forest Service) 2019 Prel. Exam?
The 2019 Prelims exam for IFS is scheduled to be held on 2nd July 2019 (Sunday).
Q. What is the date of IFS 2018 Mains Exam?
The Mains exam will be held on 2nd December 2018 (Sunday).
Q. When can one get the application form for the IFS exam 2019?
Candidate can get the Application form for IFS 2019 from February 2019.
Q. How many stages are there for the Indian Forest Service Exam?
There are 3 stages. The Preliminary exam, the Mains exam and the Personality test or the Interview stage.
Q. How many papers are there in the Preliminary exam of the IFS?
The Preliminary stage of the IFS exam has two papers:
- Paper-1 - General Studies
- Paper-2 - CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)
Q. What is the question pattern of IFS Preliminary exam?
It is mainly objective type in nature.
Q. What is the total marks for which the Prelims exam of IFS is conducted?
There are two papers in the IFS preliminary exam - General studies and Aptitude test. Each paper is of 200 marks counting to the total of 400 marks.
Q. Is there any scheme of negative marking in the IFS Prel. Exam?
Yes, there is a scheme of negative marking in the IFS exam. For every incorrect answer, 1/3 marks will be deducted.
Q. What is the question pattern of the Mains exam of IFS?
The Mains exam is descriptive.
Q. What is the age limit for the 2018 IFS Exam?
The candidate should be between the age group of 21 years to 32 years.
Q. What should be the educational qualification for the IFS Exam?
The candidate should have done a bachelor’s degree from any recognised university or institution.
Q. IFS exam Interview is conducted for how many marks?
The personality test or interview is the final stage of the IFS officer selection process, and it carries 200 marks.
Q. What is the Application fee for the IFS 2019 Exam?
The candidate should pay ₹100 as the Application fee for the IFS Exam. However, the reserved category candidate SC/ST/PH and the Female candidate are exempted from paying any Application fee for the exam.
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