The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Forest Service (IFS), one of the Civil Services Examination for the recruitment of Officers at All India level by the Indian Government for the scientific management of its forests.

UPSC IFS IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER 2021:

UPSC IFS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 2021:

• Nationality/ Citizenship-
• The candidate must be a native Indian or a subject of Bhutan, Nepal, to sit for the IFS examination.
• Age Limit-

The candidate must at least be 21 years and must not have attained 32 years on 1st August 2021.

• Education Qualifications-

The candidate must have at least one Bachelor's degree in any of the following subjects; Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology or a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering of any of the Universities.

• Number of Attempts-

The maximum number of attempts for the candidates in the examination are described below

1. Six attempts for General candidates.
2. Nine attempts for Other Backward Classes.
3. Under Physically Challenged candidates; nine attempts for General & OBC and unlimited for SC/ST.
4. No attempt restriction for Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe candidates.

• Medical & Physical Standards-

The candidate must be physically fit to be eligible to get admission at IFS.

For detailed information on the eligibility criteria, refer to the notification link provided above.

UPSC IFS APPLICATION FEE 2021:

HOW TO APPLY:

• The applicants shall visit the official website of UPSC and go to the "New Registration" portal, which directs them to the registration page.
• Then they shall fill the CDS registration form, which demands their necessary details like Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality, Mobile Number & Email Address.
• Applicants then need to log in with the generated application number, create a password and fill the form. This form categories itself into three sections, i.e., Personal Details, Qualification Details, Test Centre Details.
• After this, applicants need to submit a scanned copy of their photograph, caste certificate, and signature.
• In this step, the applicants need to pay the required amount of fees.

UPSC IFS ADMIT CARD 2021:

UPSC IFS 2021 admit card is awaited to be released by the last week of this September. Candidates can download the admit card & take a printout of it. The candidates need to know that the UPSC IFS 2021 admit card will be assigned only to those who successfully qualify for the Preliminary examination.

The admit card serves as an identity of proof for the eligible candidates to appear in the examination. The information mentioned on the admit cards, like the roll number, candidate’s name, photograph, registration number, date & time of examination, etc., explain that it is important to carry this document to the exam centre.

UPSC IFS VACANCIES 2021:

This year Union Public Service Commission has opened 110 vacancies for Indian Forest Service.

UPSC IFS SELECTION PROCESS 2021:

The process rests on three phases; Preliminary examination, Mains examination followed by an Interview. If an applicant qualifies for prelims, he/she is eligible to sit for the mains exam followed by the personality test/ interview.

UPSC IFS EXAM PATTERN 2021:

The UPSC IFS exam will be conducted in three stages: Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and an Interview/Personality test. Each of which is described below:

Preliminary exam-

Marking scheme (prelims)-

UPSC IFS Prelims is a screening test for both the IFS exam and the Civil Services Examination (CSE). Marks scored in this exam will not be considered for the final merit list.

Mains exam-

Marking scheme (mains)-

Out of Paper III, IV, V, and VI, two optional subjects should be selected from the list given in the syllabus portion.

Interview/ Personality-

The post of IFS demands the candidate to have an all-around personality. It requires a candidate to be interested in academics and his/her cultural, social, and political surroundings. Candidates must be aware of the currents events, discoveries around them and the modern current of thoughts. The interview will not be a traditional question & answer session and instead be more like a neutral, purposive, and thought-direct conversation, aiming to make the candidate reveal his/her qualities. The board will take heed to the following qualities: Critical Powers of Observation and Assimilation, Alertness of Mind, Mental and Physical Energy, Intellectual Curiosity, Desire to explore unknown and out of way places, Balance of Judgment, Integrity of Character, Love for Outdoor Life, Powers of Practical Application, The ability for Social Cohesion, Tact, Topographical Sense, Capacity for Leadership.

UPSC IFS SYLLABUS 2021:

The syllabus of IFS differs in the preliminary and the mains examination. The candidates are recommended to kindly check the syllabus thoroughly from the notification, for which the link is provided above. The detailed structural syllabus is explained below:

Preliminary IFS examination-

General Studies (Paper-I)- Economic and Social Development- Sustainable Development, Social Sector Initiatives, Poverty, Demographics, Inclusion, etc. Indian and World Geography- Economic Geography of India and the World, Social and Physical. Indian Polity and Governance- Constitution, Public Policy, Political System, Rights Issues, Panchayati Raj, etc. General Science. History of India and Indian National Movement. General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change. Current Events of National and International importance.

General Studies (Paper-II)- Decision Making and Problem Solving, Basic Numeracy, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, General Mental Ability, Comprehension.

Mains IFS examination-

General English (Paper-I)- an essay, general understanding of literature and usage of words.

General Knowledge (Paper-II)- current events of the world, Indian polity, Constitution of India, History of India, and Geography of nature.

Optional Subject (Paper-III, IV, V & VI)- Candidates are expected to choose any additional/ optional subject from Agriculture, Geology, Chemistry, Botany, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Forestry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Zoology.

UPSC RESULT 2021:

The result of the UPSC IFS is usually announced on the official website itself in PDF format. Candidates can view their results online by entering their Name or Roll number. Based on the result in the Prelims exam, candidates are enrolled to appear in IFS Mains & then the candidates clearing IFS Mains are called for the Personal Interview.

UPSC IFS CUT-OFF 2021:

The first stage of the examination is a combined stage for all the civil services. Roll numbers of candidates who prefer IFS as their preference during the UPSC IFS 2021 registration process and manage to qualify for the first stage of the examination shall be declared separately. Only these candidates will now be eligible for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2021. UPSC will release the cut-off marks of UPSC IFS Main examination 2021 on its official portal a few months after completing the examination. The second stage of UPSC IFS generally takes place from September to December. Candidates who accomplish it to the cut-off list of the UPSC IFS 2021 Main examination will be called for an interview round.

UPSC IFS JOB PROFILE:

• To carry out policies that focus upon ensuring environmental firmness and ecological balance.
• To preserve both animals and plants of a given region.
• To develop and protect forests and wildlife.
• To enhance livelihood chances of forest-dependent circles.
• To ensure that the unique species of animals and plants can grow and remain in their natural habitat.
• To put problems in order related to the habitation of flora and fauna.

UPSC IFS SALARY 2021:

If you are eager about the overall salary of IFS, it scales around 60,000. In addition, if any selected candidate gets their posting at a foreign country, they are paid 2.40 lakhs under a special foreign allowance (which varies from person to person).

UPSC IFS PREPARATION TIPS 2021:

It is advised to understand and comprehend the IFS syllabus suitably. If it is chaotic for them to understand the examination scheme, they can practice mock tests and previous year question papers. Candidates should start planning their preparation once they get familiar with the syllabus. Candidates are therefore suggested to refer to the best books for IFS 2021. According to the top rank holders of UPSC IFS, coaching institutes help a lot in the preparation. Candidates are highly recommended to fetch a top coaching institution well known for IFS. Candidates are expected to spare no effort.

UPSC IFS PREVIOUS YEARS' QUESTION PAPER:

Click here to view UPSC IFS zoology Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS zoology Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Statistics Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Statistics Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Mechanical Engineering Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Mechanical Engineering Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Mathematics Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Mathematics Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Geology Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Geology Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Agriculture Eng. Paper-II 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Agriculture Paper-I 2018

Click here to view UPSC IFS Agriculture Paper-II 2018

UPSC IFS BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS 2021:

Books for Indian History & Culture- Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania, Modern India from Spectrum Publication by Rajiv Ahir, Modern India by Bipin Chandra, Publication Division: Gazetteer of India (Vol 2: History & Culture), NCERT Book - Class XI, NCERT (+ 2 level) - Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India.

Books for Geography- India- A Comprehensive Geography by Khullar, NCERT: Physical Geography of India for X - XII Standard, National Journal - Yojana, School Atlas: Oxford or Orient Blackswan, National Journal - Kurukshetra, National Journal - Down to earth.

Books for Economy- Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma, The Hindu (Economy sections), Yojana, Economic Survey, Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Budget: Railway, Annual Financial Statement (AFS), The Economic Times, Business Standard, India Year Book, NCERT Class XI and XII.

Books for Social & National Issues- IIPA Journal, Kurukshetra, Social Problem by Ram Ahuja, Yojana, Social Welfare Magazine - Published by the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Books for Indian Polity- Our Constitution by Subhash C. Kashyap, Our Parliament by Publication Division - Subhash C. Kashyap, Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth, P.M. Bakshi by Indian Constitution, Indian Constitution by D.D. Basu, NCERT (+2 level) Textbooks.

Books for Science & Technology- Reports of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Biology Textbooks (12th grade), CSIR Magazine by Science Reporter, Science NCERT Textbooks (10th grade).

Other common books- UPSC-IFS Main Examination Guide: A Complete Book for Paper I and Paper II, UPSC: IFS (Paper I & II) Main Exam Guide.

UPSC IFS STUDY PLAN 2021:

A Time table- Analyze your standard long before the exam. When it comes to "UPSC", eleventh-hour preparations never really work. Create a well-structured schedule for each day. UPSC expects you to be familiar with this that preparation for IFS takes a reasonable amount of time. To successfully crack the IFS, it is advised that the aspirants start preparing ahead of time.

Learn & Revise- The vast syllabus of the civil service examination can get you anxious. Plan your study method in such a way that you get to revise whatever you have learnt the whole day or week.

Focus on basic concepts- The post of IFS hasn't been searching for bookworms but rather aspirants with the practical knowledge of their surroundings. Candidates should be mindful of the country and its significant evolution. It is expected of the candidates to know about the country's society, culture etc.

Making evident notes- This tip doesn't even need to be here but yes, making quick notes when you're studying helps them the next time you flip their books for revision.

Current Affairs- Civil services exams examine an aspirant's thorough knowledge of the society they reside in. Learning about international events is also essential, but knowing one's district, state, and country should be considered the foundation for preparation. This provides significant help in serving the nation well accordingly.

Read newspapers- The obsolete idea of keeping one updated through newspapers about what's happening in and around has made a remarkable revival through UPSC; the aspirants are therefore suggested to have a desire for more than one newspaper a day.

Practicing questions- A crucial task to add to your daily life as an aspirant is practising previous years' question paper. At least, the past 5 years' questions need to be solved by the learner. Solving past year questions might sound like a mundane task, but it is worth the pain. It helps you to provide a clear picture of what you are going to approach.

Personality & Communication skills- The interview phase is a very significant part of the examination. It would be best if you addressed your thoughts transiently to the interviewers. Therefore, it is highly recommended to prepare for the interview several times, polishing your communication skills. Body language is one such property to be taken care of in an interview. The interview phase of the IFS is not designed to judge one's expertise on a subject. However, a candidate has to answer all the questions with honesty.

By the end of this day, you will already be equipped with all information you need about the high-esteemed UPSC Indian Forest Service, and now you are expected to have a well-structured plan. If you still do not have the zeal to move ahead, know that the examination knocks at the door!

To view the official IFS Notification, click here.