UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 Exam Date, Syllabus, Exam Pattern
UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 exam will start on November 16, 2025. Find UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 exam details, including the syllabus, exam pattern, and important dates here.
Deeksha Dixit17 Jun, 2025
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UPSC IFoS Mains 2025: The exam date for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2025 has been announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). According to the UPSC 2025 calendar, the IFoS Mains 2025 will commence on November 16, 2025, and will continue for 7 days. Candidates who have cleared IFS Prelims need to submit UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 DAF and pay INR 200 at 'upsc.nic.in'.
The IFoS Mains 2025 is conducted by the UPSC for candidates who have successfully cleared the Preliminary Examination. The Mains consists of a total of six papers, including two compulsory papers and four papers on the subject of the candidate's choice (Optional subjects. UPSC IFoS Mains Exam 2025 will be followed by the Personality Test (Interview) for selected candidates. Read on to find out the UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 exam dates, syllabus, and more.UPSC IFoS Mains Exam 2025
The UPSC IFoS Mains exam is the second stage of the selection process for the Indian Forest Service. It tests candidates on their knowledge of various subjects related to forestry, general studies, and other relevant topics. UPSC IFoS Mains Exam 2025 is critical as it directly influences the final merit list.| UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam | UPSC Indian Forest Service Mains Exam 2025 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Mode | Offline/Pen and Paper Based |
| Criteria | Clear IFS Prelims Examination |
| Number of Papers | 6 (General English, General Knowledge, 4 Optional Papers) |
| Total Marks | 1400 |
| Duration | 3 hours per paper |
| Question Type | Descriptive |
UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 Exam Date
The Indian Forest Service Mains Examination 2025 will span two weeks and consist of six papers in total. The UPSC IFoS Mains Exam 2025 will begin on November 16, 2025, with the General English and General Knowledge papers. There will be a rest day between the general and optional papers based on previous trends.UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 Eligibility
To be eligible for the UPSC IFoS Mains 2025, candidates must have successfully cleared the preliminary stage of the IFoS exam, which is scheduled for May 25, 2025. The results for the IFS Prelims 2025 were announced on June 11, 2025, and candidates who qualify will be shortlisted to appear for the Mains examination.UPSC IFoS Mains DAF 2025
The IFoS Detailed Application Form (DAF) is a crucial document that candidates must submit before appearing for the Mains exam. This form will consist of the fee payment, scribe details, self-declaration, and category form. Here are the steps candidates will need to follow to fill out the IFoS Mains DAF in future exams:- Visit the UPSC Website: Go to the official UPSC website at ‘upsc.gov.in’.
- Locate the DAF Link: Find the link for the IFoS Mains DAF in the ‘What’s New’ section.
- Access the Online Portal: Click on the link to access the online portal for the IFS Mains DAF.
- Login: Enter your IFoS exam roll number and date of birth to log in.
- Complete the DAF: Fill out all sections of the form accurately and attach the required documents as specified in the Indian Forest Service exam guidelines.
- Pay Fee and Submit: Pay INR 200 and submit the IFoS DAF 1 before the deadline.
UPSC IFoS Mains Admit Card 2025
UPSC IFoS Mains Exam Centre 2025
Candidates can choose their preferred exam center while filling out the preliminary exam form. The exam centers are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the capacity of the centers. Here is the list of UPSC IFoS Mains exam centres based on the previous year:| IFoS Mains Exam Centre List | |
| State | Centres |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Assam | Dispur (Guwahati) |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Maharashtra | Nagpur |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
UPSC IFoS Mains Syllabus 2025
The UPSC IFoS Mains Syllabus 2025 is designed to assess the in-depth knowledge and understanding of candidates in various subjects related to forestry, environment, and general studies. The Mains examination consists of six papers, including General English, General Knowledge, and four papers based on the candidate’s chosen optional subjects. Here is the subject-wise UPSC IFoS Mains syllabus based on past year:| UPSC IFoS Mains Syllabus | |
| Subject | Topics |
| General English |
|
| General Knowledge |
|
| Optional Subjects (Paper III-VI) | The syllabus of optional papers is designed to assess the candidates’ expertise in chosen subjects. |
UPSC IFoS Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC IFoS Mains Exam Pattern 2025 consists of six papers: General English, General Knowledge, and four papers based on the candidate's chosen optional subjects. Each paper is descriptive in nature of 3 hour duration , designed to test the candidate’s depth of knowledge and understanding. The exam will be held over 7 days, with two sessions each day and one rest day. The total marks for the exam will be 1400, and candidates must clear the written exam to be eligible for the Personality Test (Interview).| UPSC IFoS Mains Exam Pattern | ||
| Paper | Marks | Duration |
| General English | 300 | 3 hours |
| General Knowledge | 300 | 3 hours |
| Optional Subject 1 Paper 1 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Optional Subject 1 Paper 2 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Optional Subject 2 Paper 1 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Optional Subject 2 Paper 2 | 200 | 3 hours |
UPSC IFoS Mains Question Papers
The UPSC IFoS Mains Question Papers 2025 will be released after the exam. Till then, candidates can benefit from practicing IFoS Mains previous papers to familiarize themselves with the exam format. IFoS Mains question papers provide insights into the types of questions asked and the level of difficulty.IFoS Mains General Papers 2024
The Previous Year’s UPSC IFoS Mains general papers consist of General English and General Knowledge, which are worth 300 marks each. Below is a table with downloadable links to the question papers from the 2024 exam:| Question Paper | Download Link |
| IFoS 2024 General English PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2024 General Knowledge PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2023 General English PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2023 General Knowledge PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2022 General English PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2022 General Knowledge PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2021 General English PDF | Click Here |
| IFoS 2021 General Knowledge PDF | Click Here |
IFoS Mains Optional Papers 2024
The IFoS Mains Optional Papers 2024 consist of two papers for each of the optional subjects chosen by candidates. Here is the link to access the Forest Service Optional Paper 2024:| Subject | Paper I | Paper II |
| Agricultural Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Agriculture | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Botany | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Chemical Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Chemistry | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Civil Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Forestry | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Geology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Mechanical Engineering | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Physics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Statistics | Download PDF | Download PDF |
| Zoology | Download PDF | Download PDF |
UPSC IFoS Mains Result 2025
The result for the UPSC IFoS Mains will be announced two or three months after the exam on the official UPSC website. The UPSC IFoS Mains Result PDF will be released online, containing the roll number and names of selected candidates. Candidates who clear the IFS Mains exam will be called for the Personality Test, which is the final stage of the selection process.UPSC IFoS Mains Preparation Tips
Preparing for the UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 requires a focused and well-structured strategy due to the challenging nature of the exam. Here are some tips to help streamline your preparation:- Know the Syllabus Inside Out: Before starting your preparation, ensure you have a clear understanding of the IFS Mains syllabus. This will allow you to create a targeted study plan, ensuring you cover all topics and allocate sufficient time to each.
- Choose the Right Study Material: Rely on the standard and recommended UPSC IFoS booklist to build your foundation. For example, refer to “Indian Forestry” by K. Manikandan & S. Prabhu for forestry-related topics and “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth for general knowledge. Stick to one or two books per subject to avoid confusion.
- Focus on Answer Writing: The exam is descriptive, so practicing writing answers is critical. Regularly write answers to previous years' questions, focusing on clarity, structure, and content. This will help you improve your writing speed and the quality of your answers.
- Time Management: Practice solving papers within the allotted time to develop effective time management skills. Ensure that you can write comprehensive answers while staying within the time limits during the actual exam.
- Stay Updated on Current Affairs: A significant portion of the General Knowledge paper revolves around current affairs, particularly environmental and forestry-related topics. Make it a habit to follow relevant news and government publications regularly.
- Solve Previous Years' Papers: Going through past years’ question papers will give you an insight into the type of questions asked, helping you to understand the exam pattern and manage your preparation effectively.
UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 FAQs
When will the UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 be conducted?
The UPSC IFoS Mains 2025 will be conducted from November 16, 2025.
How many papers are there in UPSC IFoS Mains 2025?
There are six papers in the UPSC IFoS Mains, including General English, General Knowledge, and four optional papers.
Can I take the IAS and IFoS exams together?
Yes, candidates can apply for both IAS and IFoS exams, but they need to qualify separately for each exam's Mains.
Why is the IFoS Mains cutoff high?
The IFoS Mains cutoff is high due to the limited number of vacancies and the competitive nature of the exam.
Which papers have the most weightage in the UPSC IFoS Mains?
The General English and General Knowledge papers carry significant weightage in the IFoS Mains exam with 300 marks each.
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