Syllabus
UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) Syllabus 2025 – Complete & Detailed
Explore the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) Syllabus 2025—detailed Prelims topics like Current Affairs, GS & CSAT; Mains structure with English, General Knowledge & Optional papers. Download PDF now!
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) exam, conducted by UPSC, recruits officers in forestry, wildlife, and environmental management. This guide provides a **comprehensive, topic-wise breakdown** of all papers: Prelims, Mains (compulsory + optional), with marks, detailed topics, PDF link, books, preparation tips, specialization, and conclusion.
1. Exam Pattern & Overview
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Paper I: General Studies | 200 | 2 hrs | Objective + Negative marking |
| Prelims | Paper II: CSAT | 200 | 2 hrs | |
| Mains | Paper I: General English | 300 | 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| Mains | Paper II: General Knowledge | 300 | 3 hrs | |
| Mains | Papers III & IV: Optional Subject 1 | 400 (2×200) | 2 × 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| Mains | Papers V & VI: Optional Subject 2 | 400 (2×200) | 2 × 3 hrs | |
| Interview | Personality Test | 300 | – | Descriptive |
| Total Marks = 1700 | ||||
Note: CSAT (Paper II in Prelims) is qualifying with a minimum score of 33%.
2. Prelims – Detailed Syllabus
Paper I – General Studies (200 marks)
- Current events of national & international importance
- History of India & Indian national movement
- Indian & World Geography―physical, economic & social aspects
- Indian Polity & Constitution, governance, Panchayati Raj
- Economic & social development: SDGs, poverty, planning
- Environmental ecology, biodiversity, climate change
- General Science: basic principles & applications
Paper II – CSAT (200 marks)
- Reading comprehension & interpersonal skills
- Logical reasoning & analytical ability
- Decision-making & problem-solving
- Basic numeracy, data interpretation (up to Class X level)
3. Mains – Compulsory Papers
Paper I – General English (300 marks)
- Essay writing (multiple topics)
- Précis/summarization of passages
- Usage of grammar, vocabulary, correct word usage
- Reading comprehension
Paper II – General Knowledge (300 marks)
- Current events, science & technology
- Indian Polity, governance, constitutional matters
- Indian & world history
- Geography: physical, economic, social
- Environment, ecology, forests
4. Mains – Optional Subjects (Choose Any Two)
Select two subjects each having TWO papers of 200 marks
Not allowed combinations: Agriculture + Forestry/Agricultural Engg/Animal Husbandry; Chemistry + Chemical Engg; Math + Statistics; two Engineering subjects :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
4.1 Forestry (Optional Subject)
Paper III – Section A
- Silviculture: ecological & physiological factors; regeneration (natural/artificial); propagation methods; nursery & planting; site-species matching
- Silvicultural systems: clear felling, shelterwood, coppice; systems in temperate, tropical, coastal forests; thinning, aerial seeding :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Mangrove & cold desert silviculture: habitat, plantation, protection methods
- Silviculture of major Indian species (Acacia, Sal, Teak, Eucalyptus, Deodar, Bamboo, Santalum, etc.) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Paper III – Section B
- Agroforestry, Social Forestry, JFM, Tribology
- Forest soils, watershed conservation
- Biodiversity, environmental protection
- Tree improvement, seed technology
Paper IV
- Forest management: working plans, rotation, yield regulation, ecosystem management
- Mensuration & remote sensing: measurements, volume & growth estimation, GIS & RS methods
- Forest utilization: timber & non-timber products, forest economics
- Engineering: surveying, forest roads, harvesting systems
- Forest protection: fire, pest/disease control, wildlife biology
- Forest legislation & policies, ethnobotany
4.2 Agriculture (Optional Subject)
Paper III
- Ecology & relevance to agriculture; natural resource management; conservation
- Crop patterns: agro‑climatic regions, Kharif/Rabi crops; multiple/relay/intercropping :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Important cereal, pulse, oilseed crops: package of practices
- Soil science: classification, fertility, nutrient management, conservation
- Irrigation & water use, efficiency, watershed management
- Farm economics: farm budgeting, inputs pricing, marketing, co‑operatives
Paper IV
- Cell Biology, cytoplasmic inheritance, chromosomal basis
- Plant Breeding: hybridization, mutation, biotechnology
- Plant Physiology: photosynthesis, respiration, growth regulators
- Seed technology, biostatistics
- Horticulture & Food processing
- Pests, diseases & plant protection
5. Official Syllabus PDF
Download the official IFS Notification & detailed syllabus:
6. Recommended Books
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| General English | High School English Grammar | Wren & Martin |
| General Studies | General Studies Manual | Arihant / TMH |
| Forestry | A Handbook of Forestry | S. Prakash |
| Agriculture | Fundamentals of Agriculture | Arun Katyayan |
| Botany | Botany for Degree Students | B.P. Pandey |
| Zoology | Textbook of Zoology | P.S. Verma |
7. Preparation Strategy
- Cover NCERTs (Class 6–12) for GS foundation
- Choose optionals aligned to academic background
- Read daily current affairs—The Hindu, PIB
- Practice Prelims mocks & revise errors consistently
- Answer-writing for Mains—focus on structure, data
- Create concise notes, mind maps for each optional & GS
- Take test series and analyze performance regularly
- Revise forest‑environment policies & landmark Acts
8. IFS Specialization Areas
| Specialization | Description |
|---|---|
| Silviculture & Agroforestry | Forest regeneration, plantations, agroforestry systems |
| Wildlife Management | Protected areas, census methods, habitat management |
| Forest Ecology & Biodiversity | Ecosystem analysis, conservation ecology |
| Forest Economics & Policy | Working plans, forest valuation, legislative framework |
| Remote Sensing & GIS | Forest mapping, mensuration, spatial analysis |
9. Conclusion
The IFS exam calls for scientific knowledge, ecological awareness, and analytical acumen. A disciplined and structured preparation plan—including thorough coverage of detailed topic areas, strategic choice of optionals, current affairs relevance, repeated revisions, and mock practice—can help you succeed. Stay motivated and consistent!
Tags: UPSC IFS Syllabus 2025, IFS Detailed Syllabus, Forestry Syllabus PDF, Agriculture Optional IFS, UPSC Preparation
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