According to the examination notice, the preliminary test will serve as the screening stage for candidates aspiring to join the IFS cadre. The exam is expected to be conducted nationwide at designated centres, with admit cards to be released shortly before the test date. Officials advised applicants to complete registration well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
The UPSC conducts the IFS recruitment annually to select officers responsible for forest management, wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental policy implementation. The selection process comprises three stages: the preliminary examination, the main written examination, and a personality test. Only candidates who clear each stage are considered for final appointment.
Applicants must meet prescribed eligibility criteria, including educational qualifications in science or engineering-related disciplines and age limits defined in the notification. The commission has reiterated that incomplete forms or incorrect information may lead to rejection at any stage of the recruitment process.
The preliminary examination pattern is expected to remain aligned with previous years, consisting of objective-type papers designed to test general studies aptitude and analytical ability. The marks obtained in this stage are used solely for screening and do not count toward the final merit list, which is determined after the mains and interview stages.
Recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is regarded as highly competitive due to limited vacancies and the specialised nature of the role. Experts say early preparation and careful adherence to application instructions are crucial, as even minor documentation errors can disqualify candidates.
The release of the 2026 application forms signals the formal beginning of this year’s examination calendar. Further updates, including detailed schedules, examination city information, and instructions for downloading hall tickets, will be issued by the commission in due course.
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