To be eligible for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), candidates must meet certain criteria related to nationality, age, educational qualifications, and physical standards. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years.
- Maximum Age: 32 years as of 1st August of the year of examination.
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years.
- OBC candidates: 3 years.
- Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir: 5 years.
- Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities: 3 years.
- Ex-servicemen: 5 years.
- ECOs/SSCOs: 5 years.
- Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons: 10 years.
Educational Qualifications
A candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the following subjects:
- Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
or a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university.
Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the Indian Forest Service Examination, as specified in the guidelines.
Attempts
- General candidates: 6 attempts.
- OBC candidates: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST candidates: Unlimited attempts up to the age limit.
Exam Stages
- Preliminary Examination: Common with the Civil Services Examination.
- Mains Examination: Specific to the IFS.
- Interview: Final selection.
For more detailed information and updates, it’s always best to refer to the official UPSC notification for the IFS exam.
