UPSC IFS 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Check Age Limit, Marks Required, No of Attempts, Important Factor

UPSC IFS 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The UPSC IFS 2026 eligibility criteria for Prelims and Mains are prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Applicants who wish to apply for the Indian Forest Services Exam have to fulfill the eligibility norms of IFS. The eligibility conditions of UPSC IFS 2026 as prescribed by UPSC are based on educational qualification, nationality, and age limit of the applicants applying for the entrance exam. Applicants must note that it is mandatory to fulfill the eligibility criteria of UPSC IFS 2023. If any applicant fails to satisfy the prescribed eligibility norms, he/she will not be allowed to appear for the exam.

Once the candidates have checked the eligibility criteria they can start by filling out the UPSC IFS 2026 Application Form and start preparing for the national-level examination. To prepare well for this offline examination, candidates must prepare a plan. For this, candidates can go through the UPSC IFS Exam Preparation Tips 2026 section where some tips and tricks have been described to help the aspirants.

Also Read: UPSC IFS Result 2026

UPSC IFS 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Age Limit, Nationality and Qualification

Given below is a detailed description of the eligibility norms for the UPSC IFS 2026 examination. Applicants must go through these norms before they apply for the examination. It is important for candidates to know that if due to any reason they get involved in any legal implication with respect to their eligibility norms or documentation, then such candidates will be withheld and will not be allowed to sit for any UPSC exam. 

UPSC 2026 Notification Age Limit

The UPSC Commission notifies the UPSC exam age limit in the official notification. The age limit for the UPSC CSE 2026 must be calculated as of August 1, 2023. For the UPSC exam, the age limit is as follows:.

• Candidates who fall in more than one category are allowed to cumulate their age relaxation as per the guidelines of the exam conducting authority.

Nationality

An applicant must be either-

• Indian citizen or

• A subject of Bhutan, or

• A subject of Nepal, or

• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Or

• A person of Indian origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Srilanka, Burma or East African countries like Zaire, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• It is important for the applicants of the above-mentioned countries to produce a certificate issued by the Government of India, stating the confirmation of their residency in India. 

Educational Qualification

• Applicants should be graduates with one of the following subjects namely Chemistry, Botany, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology and Statistics, to become eligible for UPSC IFS examination. 

Or

• Applicants should have obtained a graduate degree in Forestry, Agriculture or Engineering from a recognized State or Central University in order to be eligible.

Or

• Applicants who are about to appear for their degree examination from among the above-given subjects and/or candidates with their result awaited will also be eligible to apply for UPSC IFS Examination.

Also Read: UPSC IFS Exam Syllabus 2026

Eligibility for UPSC IFS Mains 2026 Exam

The Mains exam is a vital stage in the UPSC IFS Selection Process. The UPSC IFS 2026 Mains exam is scheduled for November 2026. As this examination is challenging, candidates must be thoroughly prepared to tackle every aspect of it. Those planning to appear for the UPSC IFS Mains 2026 must be fully aware of the UPSC IFS eligibility criteria for 2024.

Only candidates who have successfully cleared the Prelims are eligible to sit for the written examination, followed by an Interview round. Eligibility is determined by the marks obtained in the Prelims and the UPSC IFS Cutoff 2026 set by the commission. Candidates who meet or exceed the cut-off scores will be eligible for the next stage. Those who clear the Mains Exam, including both the written test and interview, will be considered for the available positions in the Indian Forest Services.

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