Notification for UPSC IFOS Exam 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Must be a citizen of India.
Age Limit:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Age relaxation as per government rules.
Educational Qualification:
- Essential: A Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, or a related field from a recognized university.
- Desirable: A Master’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, or a related field.
Physical Standards:
- Height:
- Men: 165 cm
- Women: 150 cm
- Relaxation for Scheduled Tribes: 5 cm
- Chest:
- Men: 81 cm (with minimum expansion of 5 cm)
- Women: Not applicable
- Other Physical Standards:
- Vision: 6/6 in each eye without glasses.
- Hearing: Normal hearing in both ears.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Exam Structure:
The UPSC IFOS Exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
- Main Exam (Written)
- Interview (Personality Test)
1. Preliminary Exam:
- Paper 1: General Studies (200 marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- 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.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General Science
- Environment and Ecology
- General Aptitude and Reasoning
- Paper 2: General Agriculture (200 marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Syllabus:
- Agronomy
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Soil Science
- Entomology
- Plant Pathology
- Horticulture
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Extension
- Animal Husbandry
- Fisheries
2. Main Exam:
- Written Exam (Conventional Type)
- Paper 1: Forestry (250 marks)
- Paper 2: Agriculture (250 marks)
- Paper 3: General Studies (200 marks)
- Paper 4: General Knowledge and Current Affairs (200 marks)
- Paper 5: Optional Subject (200 marks)
- Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC.
- Duration: 3 hours for each paper.
3. Interview (Personality Test):
- Marks: 300
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Objective: To assess the candidate’s personality, communication skills, and suitability for the Indian Forest Service.
Syllabus for Main Exam:
Paper 1: Forestry
- Silviculture
- Forest Management
- Forest Ecology
- Forest Mensuration
- Forest Economics
- Forest Policy and Legislation
- Forest Utilization
- Forest Protection
- Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement
- Social Forestry
- Agroforestry
- Remote Sensing and GIS in Forestry
Paper 2: Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Soil Science
- Entomology
- Plant Pathology
- Horticulture
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Extension
- Animal Husbandry
- Fisheries
Paper 3: General Studies
- 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.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General Science
- Environment and Ecology
- General Aptitude and Reasoning
Paper 4: General Knowledge and Current Affairs
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- Indian History, Culture, and Geography
- Indian Economy and Social Issues
- Science and Technology
- Environment and Ecology
Paper 5: Optional Subject
- Candidates can choose one optional subject from the list provided by UPSC.
Exam Schedule and Important Dates
Tentative Schedule:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2024 |
| Online Application | January 2024 – February 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | May 2024 |
| Preliminary Exam | June 2024 |
| Result of Preliminary Exam | July 2024 |
| Admit Card Release for Main Exam | August 2024 |
| Main Exam | September 2024 |
| Result of Main Exam | November 2024 |
| Interview | December 2024 – January 2025 |
| Final Result | February 2025 |
Note: The above dates are tentative and may vary. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC website for the latest updates.
How to Apply
- Online Application: Candidates can apply for the UPSC IFOS Exam only through the online mode.
- Website: The official website of UPSC is https://upsc.gov.in/.
- Application Fee:
- General/OBC: â¹ 100
- SC/ST/PwD: â¹ 0
- Payment Mode: Candidates can pay the application fee through online mode using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Exam: Candidates need to clear the preliminary exam to be eligible for the main exam.
- Main Exam: Candidates need to clear the main exam to be eligible for the interview.
- Interview: The interview is the final stage of the selection process.
- Final Merit List: The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the main exam and interview.
Training and Posting
- Training: Successful candidates will undergo training at the Indian Forest Service Academy, Dehradun.
- Posting: After completion of training, candidates will be posted to various states and Union Territories of India.
Salary and Benefits
- Pay Scale: The starting pay scale for Indian Forest Service officers is as per the 7th Pay Commission.
- Benefits:
- Pension:
- Medical Benefits:
- Housing:
- Leave:
- Other Benefits:
Preparation Tips
- Start Early: Begin your preparation well in advance of the exam.
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Refer to Standard Textbooks: Refer to standard textbooks and study materials.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Join Coaching Classes: Consider joining coaching classes to get expert guidance and mentorship.
- Stay Updated: Stay updated with current affairs and events related to forestry, agriculture, and general studies.
- Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time.
- Stay Healthy: Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid stress during the preparation phase.
Important Resources
- UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in/
- Standard Textbooks:
- Forestry:
- Forestry by P.S. Roy:
- Forestry by M.D. Gupta:
- Forestry by K.D. Tripathi:
- Agriculture:
- Agriculture by R.L. Singh:
- Agriculture by B.P. Singh:
- Agriculture by D.K. Dubey:
- Forestry:
- Previous Year Papers:
- UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in/
- Coaching Classes:
- Chanakya IAS Academy:
- Vajiram & Ravi:
- Rau’s IAS Study Circle:
Table 1: UPSC IFOS Exam Pattern
| Stage | Paper | Subjects | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | Paper 1 | General Studies | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Agriculture | 200 | 2 hours | |
| Main Exam | Paper 1 | Forestry | 250 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2 | Agriculture | 250 | 3 hours | |
| Paper 3 | General Studies | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Paper 4 | General Knowledge and Current Affairs | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Paper 5 | Optional Subject | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Interview | – | Personality Test | 300 | 30 minutes |
Table 2: Important Dates for UPSC IFOS Exam 2024
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | January 2024 |
| Online Application | January 2024 – February 2024 |
| Admit Card Release | May 2024 |
| Preliminary Exam | June 2024 |
| Result of Preliminary Exam | July 2024 |
| Admit Card Release for Main Exam | August 2024 |
| Main Exam | September 2024 |
| Result of Main Exam | November 2024 |
| Interview | December 2024 – January 2025 |
| Final Result | February 2025 |
Note: The above dates are tentative and may vary. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC website for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the eligibility criteria for the exam?
- You must be a citizen of India.
- You must have a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, or a related field.
- You must meet the age limit requirements.
2. What is the exam pattern?
- The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Interview.
- The Preliminary exam is objective type, while the Main exam is written (conventional type).
- The Interview assesses your personality and suitability for the service.
3. What is the syllabus for the exam?
- The syllabus covers General Studies, General Agriculture, Forestry, Agriculture, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, and an optional subject.
- You can find the detailed syllabus on the UPSC website.
4. How can I apply for the exam?
- Applications are accepted only through the online mode on the UPSC website.
- The application fee varies based on category.
5. What is the selection process?
- Candidates must clear the Preliminary exam to be eligible for the Main exam.
- Clearing the Main exam makes you eligible for the Interview.
- The final merit list is based on your performance in the Main exam and Interview.
6. What is the training like?
- Successful candidates undergo training at the Indian Forest Service Academy, Dehradun.
7. What are the salary and benefits?
- The starting pay scale is as per the 7th Pay Commission.
- You receive benefits like pension, medical benefits, housing, leave, and more.
8. How can I prepare for the exam?
- Start your preparation early.
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Refer to standard textbooks and study materials.
- Practice previous year papers.
- Consider joining coaching classes.
- Stay updated with current affairs.
- Develop effective time management skills.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid stress.
9. Where can I find more information about the exam?
- The official UPSC website is the best source for all information.
- You can also find resources like standard textbooks, previous year papers, and coaching classes online.
10. What are some important tips for the exam?
- Be confident and focused.
- Manage your time effectively.
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Avoid making careless mistakes.
- Stay calm and composed during the exam.