UPSC Indian Forest Service Main Examination 2026
UPSC has published the time-table for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026. Papers run from 22 to 29 November 2026 in two sessions, 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM, with no paper on 24 November (gazetted holiday). Optional subjects shown in the same session run in parallel, so sit only your own two optionals. The e-Admit Card had not been released when this page was last checked on 3 October 2026.
Check Official Website âComplete Details
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination Written Result (through CS(P) 2026) | 15 June 2026 | Done |
| Mains Timetable Published (UPSC) | Uploaded 17 September 2026 on upsc.gov.in | Done |
| General English (FN) / General Knowledge (AN) | 22 November 2026 (Sunday) | Upcoming |
| Mathematics or Zoology Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 23 November 2026 (Monday) | Upcoming |
| Civil, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 25 November 2026 (Wednesday) | Upcoming |
| Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany or Chemistry Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 26 November 2026 (Thursday) | Upcoming |
| Agriculture or Forestry Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 27 November 2026 (Friday) | Upcoming |
| Physics Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 28 November 2026 (Saturday) | Upcoming |
| Geology or Statistics Paper-I (FN) / Paper-II (AN) | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) | Upcoming |
| e-Admit Card (Main) | Not yet released as of 3 October 2026 â check the UPSC exam page | Tba |
How to use the timetable
- Identify both selected optional subjects and their Paper I and Paper II dates.
- Check both morning and afternoon sessions for each relevant exam day.
- Use the e-admit card and any subsequent UPSC instructions for venue and reporting details. The timetable gives examination timings, not a verified reporting time.
- Check the official exam record again before making final arrangements.
Full Details
Current Status at a Glance
- Current Status: Main Examination Time Table Released; e-Admit Card Awaited.
- Last Verified: 3 October 2026. On that date the UPSC examination page for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 listed only the Examination Time Table (uploaded 17/09/2026). No e-Admit Card was listed.
- Official Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Latest Official Evidence: Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 – Examination Time Table.
- Candidate Action: Check the official Main timetable, note your own optional-subject paper dates, and download the e-Admit Card only from UPSC when it is officially available.
UPSC has released the Main Examination timetable. The e-Admit Card should be checked separately on the official UPSC Admit Card portal and should not be treated as released until UPSC lists it.
Previous stage: UPSC uploaded the written result of the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination, 2026 on 15 June 2026. Current stage: Main Examination timetable released. Next stage: e-Admit Card for the Main Examination, then the Main Examination from 22 to 29 November 2026.
This page covers the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) examination conducted by UPSC. It is not the Indian Foreign Service, and it is not the Civil Services (Main) timetable.
Plan your exam days around your optional subjects. The timetable groups subjects that run in the same session; it does not mean every candidate sits every listed paper. Keep the official PDF handy when arranging leave, travel and revision.
UPSC IFoS Mains 2026 Timetable
Forenoon session: 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon. Afternoon session: 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM. All dates are in 2026. Subjects in the same cell are held in parallel; you sit only the subjects you selected.
| Date & Day | Forenoon (9.00 AM–12.00 Noon) | Afternoon (2.30 PM–5.30 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 November 2026 (Sunday) | General English | General Knowledge |
| 23 November 2026 (Monday) | Mathematics Paper-I / Zoology Paper-I | Mathematics Paper-II / Zoology Paper-II |
| 24 November 2026 (Tuesday) | No paper (Gazetted Holiday) | No paper (Gazetted Holiday) |
| 25 November 2026 (Wednesday) | Civil Engineering Paper-I / Chemical Engineering Paper-I / Mechanical Engineering Paper-I | Civil Engineering Paper-II / Chemical Engineering Paper-II / Mechanical Engineering Paper-II |
| 26 November 2026 (Thursday) | Agricultural Engineering Paper-I / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-I / Botany Paper-I / Chemistry Paper-I | Agricultural Engineering Paper-II / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-II / Botany Paper-II / Chemistry Paper-II |
| 27 November 2026 (Friday) | Agriculture Paper-I / Forestry Paper-I | Agriculture Paper-II / Forestry Paper-II |
| 28 November 2026 (Saturday) | Physics Paper-I | Physics Paper-II |
| 29 November 2026 (Sunday) | Geology Paper-I / Statistics Paper-I | Geology Paper-II / Statistics Paper-II |
Career Growth and Work Profile
This page concerns the Indian Forest Service examination. For career information, consult the official service and recruitment rules. No pay figures, promotion ladder or pension details are included in this timetable update.
Historical Cut Off Trends
No verified historical cut-off content is included on this page. Any new figures must cite the official year and exam stage. No cutoff estimate or safe score is supported by this timetable.
Post Specific Selection Nuances
As per the UPSC notification for the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2026:
- The Preliminary Examination, held through the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2026, is a screening test only. Its marks do not count for the final order of merit, and separate lists are prepared for the Civil Services (Main) and Indian Forest Service (Main) examinations.
- The Main written examination has six conventional (essay-type) papers of three hours each: General English (300 marks), General Knowledge (300 marks) and two papers of 200 marks each in each of two optional subjects. All papers must be answered in English.
- Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written part are called for the Personality Test (300 marks, no minimum qualifying marks), about twice the number of vacancies. Final ranking is based on the Main written and interview marks together.
- Some optional-subject combinations are not allowed, including Agriculture with Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science or Forestry; Chemistry with Chemical Engineering; Mathematics with Statistics; and more than one engineering subject.
- When UPSC releases the e-Admit Card, check that it is for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 and follow the venue and instructions printed on it.
Source
Official source: UPSC “Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 – Time-Table” (TT-IFSM-26-Engl-170926.pdf on upsc.gov.in), listed on the UPSC examination page for this exam with the upload date 17/09/2026. Last verified 3 October 2026. Previous-stage evidence: UPSC page for the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 through CS(P) Examination, 2026 (written result uploaded 15/06/2026).
Related: Admit cards and exam schedules · Exam Calendar
Important Links
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. UPSC has released the Examination Time Table for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 on its official examination page (uploaded 17/09/2026).
From 22 to 29 November 2026, as per the official UPSC timetable PDF. The forenoon session is 9.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and the afternoon session 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM. There is no paper on 24 November 2026 (Gazetted Holiday).
Not as of 3 October 2026. The UPSC examination page for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 lists only the timetable. Do not treat the e-Admit Card as released until UPSC lists it.
No. The timetable provides the examination schedule; the candidate's e-Admit Card is a separate official document.
Candidates qualified through the Indian Forest Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2026 (written result uploaded by UPSC on 15 June 2026), subject to UPSC eligibility and candidature requirements.
Only from the official UPSC website / official UPSC online portal, once UPSC releases it.
3 October 2026.