UPSC IFoS Eligibility Criteria 2025: The Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is one of the prestigious all-India services under the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The application form for UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2025 has been released and candidates must ensure that they meet the IFS eligibility criteria before applying.
The eligibility criteria for the Indian Forest Service exam are defined in the latest notification published on January 22nd and include requirements like nationality, age limit, educational qualifications, and the number of attempts. Each of these UPSC IFoS eligibility criteria plays a crucial role in determining a candidate's eligibility to appear for the examination.UPSC IFoS Eligibility Criteria 2025 Overview | |
Particular | Eligibility Criteria |
Educational | Graduation or equivalent in specific subjects. |
Nationality | Citizen of India, Subject of Nepal or Bhutan or a Tibetan refugee, Person of Indian Origin |
Minimum Age | 21 years |
Maximum Age | 32 years |
Age Relaxation | Applicable |
Total Attempts | 6 |
Relaxation in Attempts | Allowed |
Indian Forest Service Age Limit | ||
Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
General/EWS | 21 years | 32 years |
OBC | 21 years | 35 years |
SC/ST | 21 years | 37 years |
Defence Services personnel disabled in operations | 21 years | 35 years |
Ex-servicemen | 21 years | 37 years |
Persons with Disabilities | 21 years | 42 years |
Category | Age Relaxation |
Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Up to a maximum of 5 years |
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Up to a maximum of 3 years |
Defence Services Personnel (disabled during operations) | Up to a maximum of 3 years |
Ex-servicemen (including Commissioned Officers, ECOs/SSCOs) | Up to a maximum of 5 years (with specific criteria) |
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (e.g., low vision, deaf, locomotor disability) | Up to a maximum of 10 years |
Note I: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes who are also covered under any other clauses of para 3(ii)(b) above, viz. those coming under the category of Ex-servicemen, Low Vision, Hearing Impaired (Partially deaf) and Locomotor disability (sub-category: Leprosy cured and Acid attack victims) person etc. will be eligible for grant of cumulative age relaxation under both the categories. Note II: Candidates should note that only the Date of Birth as recorded in the Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate or an equivalent certificate on the date of submission of applications will be accepted by the Commission and no subsequent request for its change will be considered or granted.
Note I: Candidates who have appeared for a qualifying examination , but have not received the results, or those who plan to appear for such an examination, are eligible for the written part of the Indian Forest Service Examination 2025. However, candidates selected for the Interview/Personality Test must provide proof of passing the required examination (Degree Certificate, Final Mark Sheet, or Provisional Degree Certificate) within the time limit specified in Rule 4.1 of IFSE 2025.
UPSC IFoS Number of Attempts | |
Category | Number of Attempts |
General | 6 |
OBC | 9 |
SC/ST | Unlimited |
General and EWS PwD | 9 |
PwD Other sub-categories | Unlimited |