Syllabus for UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS)

UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Syllabus

The UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test (Interview). The examination is designed to select candidates for service in the forest departments of India, and it requires a strong foundation in natural sciences, environment, and related subjects.

1. Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) is the same as that for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and consists of two papers. This stage serves as a screening test.

Paper I: General Studies (GS) – 200 Marks

• Current Events: National and international importance.
• History of India: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history.
• Geography: Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Polity: Indian Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development: Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
• Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change: General issues related to environmental ecology and climate change that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science: Basic concepts and applications.

Paper II: Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) – 200 Marks

• Comprehension: Reading and understanding of passages.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communication skills.
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability: Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Decision Making and Problem Solving: Practical application of logical reasoning.
• General Mental Ability: Basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
• Basic Numeracy: Numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc. (Class X level).
• Data Interpretation: Charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.

Note:

Paper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature, and candidates must score at least 33% to qualify.

2. Main Examination

The Main Examination for the Indian Forest Service consists of six papers, including one General English, one General Knowledge, and four papers on optional subjects chosen by the candidate. The subjects are specialized and related to natural sciences and forestry.

Paper I: General English – 300 Marks

• Essay Writing
• Précis Writing
• Comprehension: Understanding of passages.
• Usage and Vocabulary: Grammar, sentence structure, synonyms, antonyms, etc.
• Summary Writing

Paper II: General Knowledge – 300 Marks

• Current Affairs: National and international significance.
• General Science: Basic scientific principles, current developments in science and technology.
• Indian Polity and Constitution: Structure, functioning, and issues in Indian democracy.
• History of India: Emphasis on Indian National Movement.
• Geography: Geography of India and the world.
• Environment and Ecology: Issues related to biodiversity, conservation, climate change, etc.

Papers III, IV, V & VI: Optional Subjects – 200 Marks each

Candidates are required to choose two optional subjects from the list provided by UPSC. Each subject will have two papers. The optional subjects available are generally related to natural sciences, agriculture, and engineering disciplines.

List of Optional Subjects (Choose Two)

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Engineering
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Forestry
• Geology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Statistics
• Zoology

Note:

The syllabus for each optional subject is detailed and can be referred to in the official UPSC notification. Each optional subject consists of two papers.

3. Interview/Personality Test

Personality Test/Interview – 300 Marks

• The interview assesses the candidate’s overall personality, leadership qualities, ability to handle situations, communication skills, and suitability for a career in the Indian Forest Service.

Total Marks:

• Main Examination (Written): 1400 Marks
• Personality Test (Interview): 300 Marks
• Grand Total: 1700 Marks

Key Focus Areas for IFoS Aspirants:

• Strong Foundation in Natural Sciences: Candidates should have a good understanding of subjects like Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science.
• Environmental Awareness: A deep understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and climate change issues.
• Technical Knowledge: Engineering subjects like Civil, Mechanical, and Agricultural Engineering can be opted for, and candidates should focus on practical applications relevant to forestry.
• General Knowledge: Awareness of national and international current affairs, especially those related to environmental and ecological issues.