UPSC Indian Forest Service IFS Mains Online Form 2026 — Apply by 22 July (Advt. 10/2026)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened the online application for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Mains Examination 2026. Candidates who qualified in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 (which serves as a common screening test for IFS) and wish to appear for the IFS Mains must submit their detailed application form online at upsconline.nic.in by 22 July 2026. The IFS Mains Examination 2026 is a written examination consisting of two compulsory papers — General English and General Knowledge — and four optional papers from the qualifying subjects. Successful candidates in the Mains are called for a Personality Test (Interview) conducted by UPSC. Selected candidates are appointed to the Indian Forest Service, one of the three All India Services, and are posted across various states as IFS officers managing India's forests, wildlife, and biodiversity. Candidates must submit their detailed application (DAF) for IFS Mains on upsconline.nic.in. This is a separate process from the Civil Services application and must be completed by all IFS aspirants who qualified the Prelims. The fee is ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and nil for SC/ST/PwD/Women candidates.

Bachelor's degree with at least one of: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Zoology OR B.Sc (Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry) OR B.E./B.Tech in relevant discipline

21–32 years as on 1 August 2026 | OBC: 3 years | SC/ST: 5 years | PwD: 10 years relaxation

• Must have qualified UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 (common screening for IFS)
• Must hold Bachelor's degree in Science with Animal Husbandry/Botany/Chemistry/Geology/Maths/Physics/Statistics/Zoology OR B.Sc Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry OR B.E./B.Tech in relevant discipline
• Age: 21–32 years as on 01 Aug 2026
• OBC: +3 years | SC/ST: +5 years | PwD: +10 years
• Must be Indian citizen / citizen of Nepal or Bhutan / Person of Indian origin (with specific conditions)

General/OBC/EWS: ₹200 | SC/ST/PwD/Women: Nil | Payment: Online

IFS Officers: Pay Level-10 (₹56,100) to Pay Level-14 (₹2,18,200) depending on rank — 7th Pay Commission

1. Visit upsconline.nic.in
2. Click on Online Application for IFS Mains 2026 (Detailed Application Form — DAF)
3. Log in with registration credentials used during Prelims application
4. Fill the Detailed Application Form with optional subject choices
5. Upload documents as required
6. Pay fee: ₹200 General/OBC | Nil for SC/ST/PwD/Women — online
7. Submit before 22 July 2026
8. Print confirmation for records