IFS Eligibility
Last verified 31 Jul 2026
UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) eligibility requires the following. A Bachelor's degree with at least one of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or Zoology, or a degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering, from a recognised university. The age limit is 21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026 — the same limits as the Civil Services Examination.
Educational qualification
A Bachelor's degree with at least one of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics or Zoology, or a degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering, from a recognised university.
Age limit
21 to 32 years as on 1 August 2026 — the same limits as the Civil Services Examination.
Age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation in upper age limit |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | 10 years |
| Defence Services personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen (commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs) | 5 years |
A candidate who belongs to SC, ST or OBC and is also an Ex-serviceman or PwBD candidate is eligible for cumulative relaxation under both heads.
Number of attempts
6 attempts for General and EWS candidates, 9 for OBC, and unlimited for SC and ST.
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or fall within the other categories of nationality set out in the Examination Notice — which for most services include subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from certain countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.