UPSC IFS 2022: Application Form, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus and Vacancies

IFS Exam 2022 Important Dates

UPSC IFS Exam 2022 (Preliminary/Main) Important Dates -

IFS Exam 2022 Pattern & Syllabus

The Indian Forest Service Examination consists of three stages -

• The Civil Services Preliminary exam
• The IFS Main exam
• Interview or Personality Test

IFS Preliminary Exam Pattern -

UPSC IFS Preliminary Exam Syllabus

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 of 33% marks to be declared as qualified for the Mains exam.

Indian Forest Service 2022 Main Exam Pattern -

UPSC IFS Main Exam Syllabus

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 -

It should be noted that candidates are not allowed to have the following combination of subjects –

More info about IFS Exam Pattern & Syllabus.

UPSC IFS Preparation Tips & Guide

Just like the other two all India Civil Service exams, cracking the Indian Forest Service 2022 exam also requires pure dedication, focus and productive study. Every candidate has followed their own study method or strategy to do great in the exam. However, instead of wasting precious time on the preparation module, candidates can consider the following important tips to do well in the UPSC IFS exam.

Tip Number 1: Start Studying Earlier For Great Results 

Do not waste your precious time thinking that you can manage to cover the syllabus by studying for a month or less. One should keep a note that there is just no shortcut to passing any civil service exam, so start your preparation as soon as possible.

Tip Number 2: Set a Study Plan and Make Your Milestones

Milestones are some serious targets to achieve. That is why we advise you to set your defined schedule to achieve your study targets. Dedicate necessary study hours and effort to complete these study targets in time.

Tip Number 3: Schedule to Do Mock Tests

It is recommended to take the mock test in periodic intervals; preferably at the end of each study milestone. This will help you to improve your problem-solving skill and make you visible to check how prepared for the exam. Also, make sure to note down weaknesses and start working on them.

Tip Number 4: Practice Previous Year Questions

Practice from previous year question papers is a key to success in the exam. Solving these papers, not only help you to prepare well for the exam but also help you to achieve excellent scores.

Tip Number 5: Refer To Good Books

Though there are several preparation and guide books available in the market, make sure to choose according to your needs to study. Here you can go through some of the most important books to study for the IFS 2022 exam.

IFS Exam 2022 Eligibility

IFS Exam Age Limit -

The candidate should not be less than 21 years of age and must not be more than 32 years of age on 01st August 2022. It means the candidates who were born before 2nd August 1990 or after 1st August 2001 are not eligible for the exam.

Age relaxation –

• The SC/ST category candidates are given an age relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit.
• The OBC candidates are given a maximum of 3 years of age relaxation.

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 who 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 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

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 degrees 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 -

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 following the physical standards laid down in Appendix-III of the rules of the Indian Forest Service Examination. 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.

Download the official Appendix-III

IFS Exam 2022 Application Process

How to Fill UPSC IFS Application Form

Candidates should visit the official website of the UPSC for filling out the IFS 2022 Exam application form. Here, they will be provided with the guidance to fill the Application form correctly.

Note: The application process for the 2022 session has been started on 02nd February 2022.

• Candidates should, first of all, reach the official website or portal of the commission.
• They must try to fill out the Application form without making any mistakes. For this, 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 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 the 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 the 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.

UPSC IFS 2022 Application Form Withdrawal Process

The Commission allows candidates with the facility to withdraw applications if they do not wish to appear in the exam. Those who desire to withdraw their UPSC IFS applications can do the same through the website of the Commission within the specified schedule. Consider the following important points to withdraw the application form.

• Must have submitted the application in the first place to withdraw the application, which means incomplete or applications that were not submitted cannot be withdrawn.
• Once you completed the withdrawal process, you will not be refunded the application fee.

Candidates needs to enter the registration number and registered mobile number in order to withdraw the application. Besides, an OTP is sent at the registered email id and mobile number of the applicant.

IFS Exam 2022 Other Details

IFS 2022 Main Exam e-Admit card

• The IFS Main 2022 admit card will be released three weeks before the exam.
• The Commission does not send hard copies of admit cards to the postal address of candidates.
• Aspirants 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 Main exam.

How to download UPSC IFS Main admit card?

• Visit the official website at upsc.gov.in.
• A link to download e admit card for IFS Mains will be displayed under what’s new section on the homepage.
• Click on the link.
• Key in your login credentials.
• Your UPSC IFS main admit card will be displayed on the screen.
• Download and take its printout.

How to download IFS admit card if forgot your registration ID?

Candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to recover/ re-generate their registration ID:

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in

Step 2: Click on the Admit Card link available on the Home page of the website.

Step 3: Read the instructions given on the page and click on the Yes button.

Step 4: Click on the link, "Forgot Registration ID'

Step 5: Enter the following details:

• Name
• Father's name
• Mother's name
• Date of birth
• Captcha code as shown on the screen

Step 6: Click on Submit.

On clicking the button, a registration ID will be re-generated.

IFS 2022 Exam Result (Prel. & Main)

- The result of the IFS Exam comes in various stages.

- First, comes the Preliminary exam result and after that the Main exam result.

- Qualifiers of the Preliminary exam will get a chance to sit and appear for the Main Exam which will be conducted on 20th November 2022.

IFS 2022 Final Result –

- A total of 110 will be selected to recruit for the eligible posts and have been selected for appointment to the posts in IFS.

- The Sarkari result will also be available on the UPSC Website i.e. upsc.gov.in.

- The mark-sheets of candidates are likely to be made available on the Commission’s website within fifteen days from the date of declaration of the result.

UPSC IFS Personality Test/ Interview 2022 –

• 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 250 marks.
• Candidates are tested for their overall personality orientation, which covers their dressing style, communication skills, 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 slang 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.

IFS Exam FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

UPSC conducts the IFS exam for recruitment in the Indian Forest Services. Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions related to the IFS 2022 exam.

Q. What is the date of the IFS (Indian Forest Service) 2022 Pre Exam?

The 2022 Prelims exam for IFS is scheduled to be held on 5th June 2022.

Q. What is the date of the IFS 2022 Main Exam?

The Main exam will be held on 20th November 2022.

Q. When can one get the application form for the IFS exam 2022?

Candidates can get the Application form for IFS 2022 from 2nd February 2022.

Q. How many stages are there for the Indian Forest Service Exam?

There are 3 stages. The Preliminary exam, the Main 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 the IFS Preliminary exam?

It is an objective type in nature.

Q. Is there any scheme of negative marking in the IFS Preliminary 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 Main exam of IFS?

The Main exam is a descriptive or summative type.

Q. What is the age limit for the 2022 UPSC 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 recognized 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 250 marks.

Q. What is the Application Fee for the IFS 2022 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.