UPSC Civil Services and Indian Forest Service Exam 2024: Schedule, Pattern & Latest News
UPSC IFS 2024 Mains Exam Schedule
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the UPSC Civil Services and Indian Forest Service Exam dates for 2024. The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Mains Examination 2024 is scheduled to begin on November 24 and conclude on December 1. This marks a significant step for aspirants targeting the prestigious roles in India's civil services, including forest management, wildlife, and environmental conservation.
UPSC Exam Stages and Indian Forest Service Exam Pattern
The UPSC Civil Services and Indian Forest Service Exam comprises three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: The preliminary exam is common to both civil services and Indian Forest Service. It consists of two papers (General Studies and Aptitude Test). Marks from Paper I count for merit, while Paper II is qualifying in nature.
- Main Examination: Descriptive exam, with six papers specific to the Indian Forest Service exam pattern and syllabus.
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates who qualify the Mains exam proceed to the interview round.
Indian Forest Service Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The Indian Forest Service exam pattern includes six specialized papers, with subjects ranging from Forestry to Engineering. The preliminary exam follows the civil services pattern, while the IFS Main exam involves optional papers related to environmental sciences, agriculture, and related disciplines.
Main Examination
The Mains Examination is descriptive in nature and tests candidates on specialized subjects. It consists of six papers, including English and General Knowledge, alongside optional subjects that candidates choose based on their educational background and interests. Following the Mains, successful candidates move on to the final stage— the Personality Test (Interview), which assesses the candidate's suitability for managing India's rich natural resources.
UPSC IFS 2024 Mains Exam Schedule
The UPSC schedule for 2024 has been released for the Indian Forest Service exam. Here’s the detailed timetable:
| Date | Forenoon Shift | Afternoon Shift |
|---|---|---|
| November 24 | English | General Knowledge |
| November 26 | Mathematics Paper-I / Statistics Paper-I / Zoology Paper-I | Mathematics Paper-II / Statistics Paper-II / Zoology Paper-II |
| November 27 | Civil Engineering Paper-I / Botany Paper-I | Civil Engineering Paper-II / Botany Paper-II |
| November 28 | Agricultural Engineering Paper-I / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-I / Physics Paper-I | Agricultural Engineering Paper-II / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-II / Physics Paper-II |
| November 29 | Agriculture Paper-I / Forestry Paper-I | Agriculture Paper-II / Forestry Paper-II |
| November 30 | Geology Paper-I | Geology Paper-II |
| December 1 | Chemistry Paper-I / Chemical Engineering Paper-I / Mechanical Engineering Paper-I | Chemistry Paper-II / Chemical Engineering Paper-II / Mechanical Engineering Paper-II |
Indian Forest Service Job Details and Career Opportunities
A career in the Indian Forest Service offers opportunities to manage India's vast natural resources, focusing on forests, wildlife, and environmental conservation. As part of the UPSC Civil Services, Indian Forest Service officers play a vital role in ecological sustainability and wildlife protection.
UPSC Exam Latest News and 2023 Toppers
The UPSC IFS results for the 2023 batch were announced on July 19, with Asodiya Parth Sureshkumar securing the top position. Shreya Thakur and Mendapara Nikunjkumar Prafulbha were ranked second and third, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Exam
Q1. Who is eligible for Indian Foreign Services?
Candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old and a maximum of 30 years old as of the year of the examination. If the candidate is above 29 years old, they will not be allowed to appear in the exam.
Q2. How are IFS officers selected?
IFS officers are selected through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC. The merit list is prepared, and services and cadres are allocated as per the Cadre Allocation Policy after the announcement of the results.
Q3. How many IFS officers are selected every year?
The number of candidates selected for the IFS is quite limited. On average, only about 35 candidates are selected each year for the Indian Foreign Service.
Q4. What subjects are recommended for the IFS exam?
Recommended subjects include Indian and World Geography (Physical, Social, Economic), Indian Polity and Governance, Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, and Rights Issues. These subjects are highly beneficial for the IFS exam.