Exam Pattern of upsc ifos Exam 2024

Exam Pattern of UPSC IFOS Exam 2024

The UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFOS) Exam is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the Indian Forest Service. The exam is held annually in two stages:

  • Stage I: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination
  • Stage II: Civil Services (Main) Examination

Stage I: Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination

The Preliminary Examination is a screening test, and candidates must clear this stage to be eligible for the Main Examination. It consists of two papers:

Paper I: General Studies

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Maximum Marks: 200
  • Syllabus:
    • Current events of national and international importance.
    • History of India and Indian National Movement.
    • Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
    • Geography of India – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India.
    • Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
    • General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
    • General Science.

Paper II: Aptitude Test

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Maximum Marks: 200
  • Syllabus:
    • Comprehension and Composition.
    • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
    • Decision Making and Problem Solving.
    • General Mental Ability.
    • Basic Numeracy (numbers and their relations, percentages, etc.).
    • Data Interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc.).

Note:

  • Both papers are objective type, with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
  • The medium of the exam is English and Hindi.
  • The candidates are required to secure a minimum qualifying marks in the General Studies paper to be eligible for the Main Examination.

Stage II: Civil Services (Main) Examination

The Main Examination is a written examination consisting of nine papers, out of which two papers are qualifying in nature.

Qualifying Papers:

  • Paper I: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – General Studies

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Forestry: Silviculture, Forest Management, Forest Ecology, Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement, Forest Protection, Forest Utilization, Forest Economics, Forest Policy and Legislation, Social Forestry, Agroforestry, Wildlife Management, etc.
      • Agriculture: Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, Crop Production, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, etc.
      • Botany: Plant Anatomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Taxonomy, Plant Ecology, Plant Pathology, etc.
      • Zoology: Animal Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Animal Taxonomy, Animal Ecology, Animal Behaviour, etc.
      • Chemistry: Basic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, etc.
      • Physics: Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity and Magnetism, etc.
      • Geology: Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology, etc.
      • Geography: Physical Geography, Human Geography, Economic Geography, etc.
      • Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Statistics, etc.
      • Statistics: Statistical Methods, Probability, Sampling Techniques, etc.
      • Computer Science: Programming, Data Structures, Algorithms, etc.
      • Environmental Science: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Management, etc.
      • Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, etc.
      • Sociology: Social Structure, Social Change, Social Problems, etc.
      • Political Science: Indian Polity, International Relations, etc.
      • History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India, etc.

  • Paper II: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – General English

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Comprehension and Composition.
      • Grammar and Usage.
      • Vocabulary.
      • Precis Writing.
      • Translation.

Main Examination Papers (for Merit Ranking):

  • Paper III: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Forestry

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Silviculture: Silvicultural Systems, Silvicultural Practices, Forest Regeneration, etc.
      • Forest Management: Forest Planning, Forest Inventory, Forest Valuation, etc.
      • Forest Ecology: Forest Ecosystems, Forest Succession, Forest Biogeography, etc.
      • Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement: Tree Breeding, Seed Technology, etc.
      • Forest Protection: Forest Fire Management, Insect Pests and Diseases, etc.
      • Forest Utilization: Timber Utilization, Non-Timber Forest Products, etc.
      • Forest Economics: Forest Finance, Forest Marketing, etc.
      • Forest Policy and Legislation: Forest Policy, Forest Laws, etc.
      • Social Forestry: Community Forestry, Agroforestry, etc.
      • Wildlife Management: Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Conservation, etc.

  • Paper IV: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Botany

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Plant Anatomy: Structure and Function of Plant Tissues, etc.
      • Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, Respiration, etc.
      • Plant Taxonomy: Classification of Plants, Plant Nomenclature, etc.
      • Plant Ecology: Plant Communities, Plant Succession, etc.
      • Plant Pathology: Plant Diseases, Disease Control, etc.

  • Paper V: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Zoology

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Animal Anatomy: Structure and Function of Animal Tissues, etc.
      • Animal Physiology: Digestion, Respiration, etc.
      • Animal Taxonomy: Classification of Animals, Animal Nomenclature, etc.
      • Animal Ecology: Animal Communities, Animal Succession, etc.
      • Animal Behaviour: Animal Communication, Animal Social Behaviour, etc.

  • Paper VI: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Agriculture

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Agronomy: Crop Production, Crop Rotation, etc.
      • Soil Science: Soil Formation, Soil Properties, etc.
      • Plant Physiology: Photosynthesis, Respiration, etc.
      • Plant Breeding: Crop Improvement, etc.
      • Horticulture: Fruit Production, Vegetable Production, etc.
      • Animal Husbandry: Livestock Production, Dairy Farming, etc.

  • Paper VII: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Chemistry

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Basic Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, etc.
      • Organic Chemistry: Nomenclature, Reactions, etc.
      • Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions, etc.
      • Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Kinetics, etc.

  • Paper VIII: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Geology

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Physical Geology: Rocks, Minerals, etc.
      • Structural Geology: Folds, Faults, etc.
      • Stratigraphy: Geological Time Scale, etc.
      • Paleontology: Fossils, Evolution, etc.

  • Paper IX: Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Geography

    • Duration: 3 hours
    • Maximum Marks: 200
    • Syllabus:
      • Physical Geography: Geomorphology, Climatology, etc.
      • Human Geography: Population, Settlement, etc.
      • Economic Geography: Resources, Industries, etc.

Note:

  • All papers are descriptive type, with questions requiring detailed answers.
  • The medium of the exam is English.
  • Candidates are required to secure a minimum qualifying marks in the General Studies and General English papers to be eligible for the final merit list.

Selection Process

The final selection of candidates for the Indian Forest Service is based on the performance in the Main Examination and the subsequent interview.

  • Interview: The candidates who qualify in the Main Examination are called for an interview by the UPSC. The interview is conducted by a board of experts and carries a maximum of 300 marks.
  • Final Merit List: The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the Main Examination and the interview.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India.
  • Age: Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st of August of the year of the examination.
  • Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in any subject from a recognized university.
  • Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the physical standards prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Important Dates

The important dates for the UPSC IFOS Exam 2024 are as follows:

Event Date
Notification To be announced
Last Date for Application To be announced
Preliminary Examination To be announced
Main Examination To be announced
Interview To be announced
Final Result To be announced

Preparation Strategy

  • Understand the Syllabus: The first step in preparing for the IFOS Exam is to thoroughly understand the syllabus.
  • Refer to Standard Textbooks: Refer to standard textbooks and study materials for each subject.
  • Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Practice previous years’ papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
  • Join Coaching Classes: Joining coaching classes can provide structured guidance and expert advice.
  • Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs related to forestry, environment, and other relevant topics.
  • Develop Time Management Skills: Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time.
  • Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.

Table 1: Exam Pattern of UPSC IFOS Exam 2024

Stage Paper Duration Maximum Marks Syllabus
Preliminary Examination General Studies 2 hours 200 Current events, History, Polity, Geography, Economics, Environment, General Science
Aptitude Test 2 hours 200 Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, General Mental Ability, Numeracy, Data Interpretation
Main Examination Indian Forest Service (IFS) – General Studies 3 hours 200 Forestry, Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, History
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – General English 3 hours 200 Comprehension, Composition, Grammar, Vocabulary, Precis Writing, Translation
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Forestry 3 hours 200 Silviculture, Forest Management, Forest Ecology, Forest Genetics, Forest Protection, Forest Utilization, Forest Economics, Forest Policy, Social Forestry, Wildlife Management
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Botany 3 hours 200 Plant Anatomy, Plant Physiology, Plant Taxonomy, Plant Ecology, Plant Pathology
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Zoology 3 hours 200 Animal Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Animal Taxonomy, Animal Ecology, Animal Behaviour
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Agriculture 3 hours 200 Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Chemistry 3 hours 200 Basic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Geology 3 hours 200 Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology
Indian Forest Service (IFS) – Geography 3 hours 200 Physical Geography, Human Geography, Economic Geography

Table 2: Important Dates for UPSC IFOS Exam 2024

Event Date
Notification To be announced
Last Date for Application To be announced
Preliminary Examination To be announced
Main Examination To be announced
Interview To be announced
Final Result To be announced

The UPSC IFOS Exam is a challenging but rewarding examination. With dedicated preparation and a well-planned strategy, candidates can increase their chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the eligibility criteria for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Candidates must be a citizen of India.
  • Age: 21-32 years on 1st August of the exam year.
  • Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • Physical Standards: Must meet the prescribed standards.

2. What is the exam pattern of the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Two stages: Preliminary and Main Examination.
  • Preliminary: Two objective type papers (General Studies and Aptitude Test).
  • Main: Nine papers, two qualifying (General Studies and General English) and seven for merit ranking.

3. What is the syllabus for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Preliminary: Current events, History, Polity, Geography, Economics, Environment, General Science, Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, General Mental Ability, Numeracy, Data Interpretation.
  • Main: Forestry, Agriculture, Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, History, and General English.

4. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • The number of attempts is limited, but varies based on category. Check the official notification for details.

5. What is the selection process for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Candidates must clear both Preliminary and Main exams.
  • Final selection is based on the Main exam score and subsequent interview.

6. What are some good resources for preparing for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Standard textbooks, previous years’ papers, coaching classes, and online resources.

7. What are some tips for preparing for the UPSC IFOS Exam?

  • Understand the syllabus, refer to standard textbooks, practice previous years’ papers, join coaching classes, stay updated with current affairs, develop time management skills, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

8. What are the important dates for the UPSC IFOS Exam 2024?

  • The exact dates will be announced by the UPSC in the official notification.

9. What is the role of an Indian Forest Service Officer?

  • Responsible for managing and protecting forests, wildlife, and biodiversity.
  • Involved in conservation, afforestation, and sustainable forest management.

10. What are the career prospects for an Indian Forest Service Officer?

  • Opportunities for growth and advancement within the Indian Forest Service.
  • Can specialize in various fields like wildlife management, forest research, etc.
  • Contribute to environmental conservation and sustainable development.