UPSC IFS Study Plan 2025

A perfect plan and its execution will surely help aspirants to crack any of the competitive examinations. While considering the Union Public Service Commission exams, the toughest competitive exam towards the privileged positions in the Indian Administrative Services, planned preparations are very much important. The huge syllabus to be covered and the practice with descriptive writing and the personality test, really need an investment of time and effort. So, here in this article let us go through a UPSC IFS Study Plan 2025.

The UPSC Indian Forest Service examination dates have been announced for both the prelims and mains examination. The preliminary exam date for the Indian Forest Service is out soon. IFS, will be  It is high time to start the revisions, for the candidates who have applied for the examination and for those who are aspiring for the IFS 2025, can know about the preparation tips and plans.

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UPSC IFS Study Plan

Study plans made for the initial preparations for understanding basics, then the focused preparations for the improvement of areas that you are weak, and lastly the revision plans have to be done considering your study skills. The candidates should know their understandings of exams and topics, their ability to grasp and reproduce the learned facts for the mock tests and exam. Once made, the UPSC IFS study plans are not be changed or skipped. Follow them with seriousness to permitted six attempts at the examination.

As the UPSC IFS Prelims Exam Date is near, let us check a smart revision study plan. This is a generalized study plan, and candidates can add or remove the topics. The current affairs topics of 2024, and 2025 have to be revised.

Focus Points while making UPSC IFS Study Plan

A better understanding of Plan of Examination

The Indian Forest Service competitive examination comprises two successive stages, that is,

• Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type) – screening and selection of candidates for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination.
• Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination (Written and Interview) – To fill the vacancies notified in the notification

UPSC IFS Examination Pattern

• The IFS preliminary examination consists of two papers of Objective type (multiple choice questions) and carries a maximum of 400 marks.
• The UPSC IFS prelims examination serves as a screening test only and the examination comprises of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each.
• Question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and will be set both in Hindi and English.
• The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.

The Main Examination consists of a written examination and an interview test. The mains written examination consists of 6 papers of conventional essay type, while the interview will carry 300 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks). The question papers must be answered in English and the question papers will be set in English only. And, the marks thus obtained by the candidates in the Main Examination (written part and interview) will determine the final ranking.

• Paper I—General English – 300 Marks
• Paper-II—General Knowledge – 300 Marks
• Papers III, IV, V, and VI—Any two subjects of the list of the optional subjects. With each subject having two papers of 200 marks for each paper.
• Interview for Personality Test with maximum marks of 300.

UPSC IFS Examination Syllabus

Preliminary Exam Syllabus IFS

UPSC IFS Main Examination Syllabus

The UPSC IFS standard of papers in General English and General Knowledge will be of a Science or Engineering graduate of an Indian University

General Knowledge paper for the IFS mains descriptive written exam includes knowledge of current events e questions on Indian Polity including the political system and the Constitution of India, History of India and Geography

And the total number of questions in the question papers of optional subjects will be eight, of which the candidate should attempt any five questions.

Wise Selection of Optional Papers

List of optional subjects

Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Statistics, Zoology

However, candidates will not be allowed to choose the following combination of subjects

• Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering
• Agriculture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science
• Agriculture and Forestry
• Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Of the Engineering subjects like Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering—not more than one subject;

Handwriting for the Descriptive Test

It is important to add writing skill improvement! It is clearly mentioned in the notification that, if a candidate’s handwriting is not easily legible, the deduction will be made on this account from the total marks otherwise accruing to him/her. So, practice writing along with the preparation period.

In-depth Subject Knowledge

The UPSC exams prelims will be more easily cracked compared to the mains. Prelim’s test is the objective and a correct understanding of the facts will enough. But for the mains descriptive test, in depth knowledge is essential. And, it is to be noted that no marks will be allotted for mere superficial knowledge.

Practice Current Affairs and Static GK Mock Tests

Subject Wise Previous Question Papers PDF

You can check out the Union Public Service Commission Indian Forest Service previous year examination papers according to the subjects included in this competitive examination. If you want to download the subject-wise question papers then you can do so by checking out the table given below. We have shared the subject wise previous year examination question papers to help the people prepare for the competitive examination. You can download the subject-wise papers if you want to prepare for the examination separately for each subject. 

Preparation Tips for UPSC IFS 

• Make the aim of clearing the exam. Imagine yourself as an IFS officer. Thus, make it a passion rather than a burden.
• Choose early hours of the day to study. The calm and fresh time will boost your energy.
• Syllabus – as mentioned above, be thorough about the portions and exam patterns. Follow the syllabus, without skipping the topics.
• Study plans – follow the plan made by candidates. Focus on individual strengths and weaknesses according to the topics.
• Optional subject selection is important. So, choose wisely the UPSC IFS optional subject combinations.
• Never stress much. Always keep a plan B, like for UPSC exams, you can give try to State-wise PSCs. Attempting more competitive exams will aid you to increase your self-confidence.
• Try to do exercises and bring up your hobby. Use break time to indulge in the hobbies, to keep away the boredom of study.
• Mental health is equally Important Practice meditation to relax!
• Stay updated with the current affairs of 2024, 2025. And current affairs related to subject topics are also important.
• Read newspapers, especially, The Hindu. Note down points and topics of relevance from the exam point of view.
• Magazines like Kurukshetra, online platforms give point-wise updates and GK mock tests. Attempt these frequently.
• Write notes and also practice essay writing etc. for descriptive papers. Note that handwriting is important for Mains.
• Practicing mock tests online and attempting previous questions papers are must-do things. Practice all available and analyze results, marks. Focus and improve the weaker sections.
• After the mains exam result for UPSC IFS, prepare for the interview. Attend mock interviews and be confident about yourself. Practice regularly asked introduction, then-current topics/ happening in India and International news.

Practice Current Affairs Mock Test for UPSC and Daily Rank Booster Questions

Conclusion Note

To conclude, as an aspirant of the UPSC exam candidates should be aware that there are no shortcuts or even luck factors. Preparation with determination and passion will help you to succeed. The inspiring stories of the successful candidates can boost confidence, but try to make uniqueness in your study plan. Follow the plan which suits you, and brings you to the top list. And, hope the study plan and preparation tips helped you. Have a good and favorable revision time!

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