🌲 UPSC IFS 2026 (Indian Forest Service) – Mains Syllabus, Pattern & Complete Guide

Exam Name: UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination 2026 – Mains
Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Purpose: Recruitment into Indian Forest Service
Mode: Written Descriptive (Mains) + Interview (Personality Test)
Total Marks (Final Merit): 1,700 (Mains Written: 1,400 + Interview: 300)
Stages: Prelims, Mains, Interview (Personality Test)

📊 Exam Pattern – IFS Mains 2026

• Mains consists of 6 descriptive papers (written) + Personality Test (Interview).
• Mains Written total = 1,400 marks.
• Interview total = 300 marks.
• Prelims (objective) is screening only and common with Civil Services Prelims — GS Paper I & CSAT.
• Only Prelims Paper I (GS) is used to qualify for IFS Mains; CSAT is qualifying in nature.

📘 Mains Papers & Marks

Paper	Subject	Marks
Paper I	General English	300
Paper II	General Knowledge	300
Paper III	Optional Subject 1 – Paper I	200
Paper IV	Optional Subject 1 – Paper II	200
Paper V	Optional Subject 2 – Paper I	200
Paper VI	Optional Subject 2 – Paper II	200

📝 Detailed Syllabus – IFS Mains

📍 Paper I – General English

• Essay Writing on various topics
• Precis Writing / Summarization of passages
• Grammar Usage, Vocabulary
• Comprehension of given paragraphs
• Usage & Correct expression of English

📍 Paper II – General Knowledge

• Current Events – National & International
• Indian Polity & Constitution
• Indian History & Culture
• Geography – Physical, Economic & Social
• Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity
• Science & Technology basics
• General awareness on everyday observations and experience

🎯 Optional Subjects – IFS Mains

Candidates must choose any two optional subjects from the approved list for IFS Mains. Each subject has two papers (Paper I & II — 200 marks each). Total optional marks are 800.

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Forestry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

⚠️ Note: Some subject combinations are not permitted — e.g., Agriculture & Forestry, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, or two engineering subjects simultaneously. (per official UPSC rules on optional selection) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

📌 Optional Subject – Forestry (Example)

• Forest Ecology & Environment
• Silviculture & Agroforestry
• Forest Soils & Watershed Management
• Forest Management & Mensuration
• Wood Science & Technology
• Forest Economics & Extension

📌 Optional Subject – Botany (Example)

• Plant Diversity & Systematics
• Plant Physiology & Development
• Genetics & Plant Breeding
• Ecology & Environment
• Economic Botany
• Cell Biology & Biotechnology

📌 Optional Subject – Zoology (Example)

• Animal Diversity & Classification
• Evolution & Genetics
• Ecology & Ethology
• Human Physiology & Reproduction
• Applied Zoology & Economic Entomology
• Biotechnology basics

🧠 Interview / Personality Test

After qualifying Mains, candidates are called for the Personality Test (Interview) carrying 300 marks. The interview assesses:

• Personality traits, communication & leadership skills
• Awareness about forest/environmental policies and issues
• General awareness and motivation for IFS career
• Application of knowledge in real‑world contexts (environment‑related policy questions)

📝 Total Marks Distribution – IFS 2026

• Prelims (qualifying screen) – General Studies Paper I (counted) & CSAT (qualifying)
• Mains Written = 1,400 marks
• Personality Test = 300 marks
• Final Merit = 1,700 marks

🎯 Preparation Tips – UPSC IFS Mains

• Start with NCERT basics + environment & ecology topics in depth.
• Answer writing practice daily for descriptive papers.
• Select optional subjects based on your strengths & background.
• Revise current affairs with environmental and policy focus.
• Take mock tests and get them evaluated for strategy improvement.

🔗 Important Links

• Official UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in
• Download Official IFS 2026 Notification & Syllabus PDF
• IFS Optional Subjects List – Official Brochure
• Previous Year Question Papers & Mocks

❓ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. IFS Mains me kitne papers hote hain?
Ans: Mains me 6 descriptive papers — General English, General Knowledge, and 4 papers of 2 optional subjects (2 papers each). 

Q2. Optional subjects ka selection kaise karein?
Ans: Candidates must choose 2 optional subjects from approved list; kuch overlapping combinations allowed nahi hote. :

Q3. IFS ke interview me kya hota hai?
Ans: Personality Test ya interview me candidate ki personality, communication, knowledge about forests/environment aur general awareness judge hoti hai.

⚠ Disclaimer

Yeh UPSC IFS 2026 Mains syllabus & exam pattern information official UPSC guidelines aur reputed syllabus documents ke basis par taiyar ki gayi hai. Final aur updated details ke liye candidates official UPSC notification/syllabus brochure ko verify karein.