UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025 - Stages of Selection, Rank List

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025

The UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025 will begin after the declaration of the UPSC IFS 2025 Main Exam results. The process is conducted in stages to extract the best eligible candidates for the respective posts under the Forestry Department of the Government of India. The UPSC IFS selection procedure is decided by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The selection process for UPSC IFS 2025 will be conducted for all the candidates participating in the recruitment process. As part of the selection procedure of IFS, candidates have to clear all the 3 stages of the entrance exam. The 3 stages include the Preliminary exam, Main exam, and Personality Test/Interview.

The Preliminary exam of UPSC IFS 2025 will be conducted on May 25, 2025, and candidates qualifying in the prelims will appear for the IFS 2025 Mains exam scheduled to be conducted on November 16, 2025. Also, The UPSC IFS Result 2025 for Prelims will be declared by the officials on June 2025.  Candidates qualifying in the Mains exam will proceed to the subsequent rounds consisting of a Personality Test/ Interview. The short-listing of candidates for different posts under the Forest Services is done for the candidates who qualify for all the stages of the IFS selection procedure.

The Selection Process starts by filling out the UPSC IFS Application Form 2025, followed by the Preliminary Exam. The Prelims will be conducted through offline mode and will consist of two papers - Paper I and Paper II. After the declaration of the Prelims Result, candidates marking their place in the UPSC IFS cut-off will become eligible for the Mains Exam. The Mains Exam will then consist of six papers and 1400 marks qualifying, which will enable candidates to sit for the Personality Test or Interview Round organized by UPSC. This is the final round or stage of the UPSC IFS Selection Process. The UPSC IFS Result will be the combined marks of the Mains and the Interview round. Read the entire article to get a clear picture of the selection process.

Also Check: UPSC IFS Cutoff 2025

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025 Important Dates

Check all the important dates regarding the UPSC IFS 2025 selection process from the table given below - 

Detailed UPSC IFS Selection Procedure 2025

The IFS selection procedure comprises three staged examinations. The first stage of UPSC IFS is the Preliminary or Prelims exam. The UPSC IFS 2025 prelims exam is the same as the UPSC CSE/ IAS exam. The prelims exam will be conducted on May 25, 2025. The IFS Mains Exam is the second stage of the IFS selection process. The UPSC IFS mains 2025 will be held on November 16, 2025 after the declaration of the result of the prelims 2025. Candidates who pass the prelims exam will get to appear for the mains. The third and last stage of the UPSC IFS selection process is the Personal Interview round. Candidates who will clear the mains will be called for the interview round in 2025. All the three processes are mentioned in detail below. 

• UPSC IFS Preliminary Examination: It is a combined exam for the UPSC Civil Services and UPSC IFS conducted for two objective-type MCQ papers of 200 marks each that screens candidates for the Mains exam.
• UPSC IFS Mains Examination: Candidates who will clear the preliminary exam, can appear for the mains exam that consists of written tests and an interview that selects candidates for the Indian Forest Service .
• UPSC IFS Interview: A personality test that helps determine a candidate's personality, decision-making ability, and leadership skills leading to final selection.
• The final ranking will be calculated by combining the scores from the UPSC IFS Mains Exam and the Interview. 

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025: Prelims

• IFS 2025 Preliminary exam is the first stage of the selection process.
• The Preliminary exam of IFS consists of two papers having 200 marks each.
• As per the selection process of IFS 2025, the Preliminary exam has Multiple choice questions (MCQs).
• The mode of examination will be offline (pen & paper-based).
• Candidates qualifying in the Preliminary exam are eligible to appear in the Mains exam.
• It comprises of multiple choice questions from various subjects including General Awareness, English Language, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning, etc.

Also Read: UPSC IFS Eligibility Criteria 2025

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025: Mains

• The mains exam is the second stage of the UPSC IFS 2025 Selection Procedure.
• Candidates qualifying in the cut-off list of the Prelims are eligible to appear for the Mains exam.
• The applicants will be tested on different parameters through the written test comprising of six papers and 1400 marks.
• Candidates who score the minimum qualifying marks in the Main exam are called for an Interview/Personality test.

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025: Interview

• Personal Interview is the third stage of the IFS Selection Process.
• Candidates qualifying in the mains exam are called to participate in the Personal Interview.
• Candidates in this round will be tested on their personality and their thought process combined with their knowledge about the subject matter and the post for which they have applied.
• A panel of experts will judge each candidate individually taking a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes.
• The total marks for the Personal Interview will be 300.

Candidates who qualify for the UPSC Mains Exam will get the opportunity to appear in the UPSC IFS Interview Exam. The candidates who qualify in the UPSC IFS Interview will finally get selected in the UPSC IFS Exam for various posts within the Indian Forest Services.

Also Read: UPSC IFS Exam Pattern 2025

UPSC IFS Selection Process 2025: Final Merit List

Based on the results and performance of qualified candidates in the Mains exam and Personal Interview, UPSC prepares a final merit list. As per the final merit list, candidates are allotted posts based on their ranks and the availability of posts in the concerned department.

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