UPSC IFoS Eligibility 2026: Check Age Limit, Educational Qualification
UPSC IFoS Eligibility 2026 is set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for candidates applying to Indian Forest Service Examination 2026. The eligibility criteria include nationality, age limit, and educational qualification. Candidates who are Indian citizens, are aged between 21 and 30 years (with age relaxations for reserved category candidates), and have completed a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering disciplines are eligible to apply for UPSC. Meeting all eligibility conditions is mandatory at each stage of UPSC IFoS exam 2026.
UPSC IFoS Nationality 2026
In order to apply for UPSC IFoS, candidates need to meet the required nationality criteria laid down by UPSC. A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Srilanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
- Provided that a candidate belonging to categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.
A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the examination, but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
UPSC IFoS Age Limit 2026
To apply for UPSC IFoS, candidates must be within the age limit of 21 to 32 years (as on August 1, 2026), that is, they must have been born not earlier than August 2, 1994 and not later than August 1, 2005. However, UPSC has provided age relaxation for various reserved categories, as mentioned below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC | Up to 3 years |
| Defence Services Personnel (disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence) | Up to 3 years |
Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs (who have rendered at least five years of military service as on 1st August, 2025 and have been released:
|
Up to 5 years |
| ECOs/SSCOs with extended service (who have completed an initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service as on August 1, 2025 and whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on three months notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment.) | Up to 5 years |
PwBD
|
Up to 10 years |
UPSC IFoS 2026 Educational Qualification
To appear for UPSC IFoS, candidates must have specific educational qualifications, which are given below:
- A Bachelor’s degree with at least one of the subjects as Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology, or
- A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering from any of the universities.
Candidates, waiting for their final results or about to appear for their qualifying exam, are eligible to apply. In case they qualify Mains and get shortlisted for the Interview, they must show valid proof of passing (like a Degree Certificate, Final Marksheet, or Provisional Degree Certificate).
UPSC IFoS 2026 Number of attempts
UPSC has mentioned a specific number of attempts that a candidate can take to qualify and get their desired posts in UPSC IFoS 2026. The table given below shows the number of attempts allowed for each category:
| Category | Number of Attempts |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 6 attempts |
| OBC | 9 attempts |
| SC / ST | Unlimited |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 9 attempts |
Before starting with their application form filling, candidates need to ensure that they meet the required eligibility criteria laid down by UPSC. Failing to meet any of the criteria will result in the disqualification of the application. In case candidates don’t have a graduation degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering, they must ensure that they at least have a subject in Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology to be eligible to apply for UPSC IFoS 2026.
UPSC IFoS Eligibility 2026 FAQs
Ques: What is the age limit for UPSC IFoS 2026 as given by UPSC?
Ans: The age limit for UPSC IFoS 2026 is between 21 and 32 years (as on August 1, 2026). This means that the candidates should be born not earlier than August 2, 1994 and not later than August 1, 2005.
Ques: Has UPSC given any age relaxation for reserved categories for UPSC IFoS exam 2026?
Ans: Yes. As per UPSC rules, OBC candidates will get 3 years of relaxation, SC/ST candidates will get 5 years, and PwBD candidates will get up to 10 years of relaxation. This relaxation depends on the category of candidates.
Ques: How many attempts can a candidate take for UPSC IFoS 2026?
Ans: The candidates belonging to General/EWS candidates can take 6 attempts, OBC and PwBD (General/EWS) can take 9 attempts, while SC/ST candidates can take unlimited attempts within the age limit.
Ques: Can a candidate with a degree from a foreign university apply for UPSC IFoS 2026?
Ans: Yes. Candidates with a degree from a foreign university can apply to UPSC IFoS, provided the degree is recognised by the Government of India as equivalent to the required bachelor’s degree.
Ques: Can a candidate who has already joined another government service, is eligible to apply for UPSC IFoS 2026?
Ans: Yes. Candidates serving in any central or state government department are eligible to apply for UPSC IFoS 2026. But they must inform their department about it and obtain necessary permissions if they qualify further.
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