UPSC has announced the Mains exam date for Indian Forest Service (Mains) Examination 2025. The UPSC IFS Mains Exam 2025 will starts from November 16, 2025. The Main exam is different from the Preliminary exam. The Preliminary exam is a qualifying stage that tests your general knowledge and aptitude. Only those candidates who clear the Preliminary exam are eligible to appear in the Main Examination. The Main exam is more detailed and subject-specific. It consists of written papers in different subjects, based on the candidate’s choice of specialization.
Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2025 – Time-Table
Now, the UPSC has released the official time-table for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2025. It is very important for candidates to know the schedule so they can prepare effectively and plan their study time.Date Day Forenoon Session (9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon) Afternoon Session (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) 16-11-2025 Sunday General English General Knowledge 17-11-2025 Monday No Paper (Rest Day) No Paper (Rest Day) 18-11-2025 Tuesday Mathematics Paper-I / Statistics Paper-I Mathematics Paper-II / Statistics Paper-II 19-11-2025 Wednesday Civil Eng. Paper-I / Chemical Eng. Paper-I / Mechanical Eng. Paper-I / Zoology Paper-I Civil Eng. Paper-II / Chemical Eng. Paper-II / Mechanical Eng. Paper-II / Zoology Paper-II 20-11-2025 Thursday Agricultural Eng. Paper-I / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-I / Physics Paper-I Agricultural Eng. Paper-II / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Paper-II / Physics Paper-II 21-11-2025 Friday Chemistry Paper-I / Botany Paper-I Chemistry Paper-II / Botany Paper-II 22-11-2025 Saturday Geology Paper-I Geology Paper-II 23-11-2025 Sunday Agriculture Paper-I / Forestry Paper-I Agriculture Paper-II / Forestry Paper-II
16th November 2025 (Sunday) – IFS Mains Exam Date
| Forenoon Session (9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon): General English | The first paper in the exam is General English. This paper tests your understanding of the English language, including grammar, comprehension, essay writing, and other language skills. It is important to practice reading comprehension and writing essays, as good marks in this paper can boost your total score. |
| Afternoon Session (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM): General Knowledge | The afternoon session on the first day is General Knowledge. This paper checks your awareness of current affairs, history, geography, politics, science, and general topics about India and the world. Candidates should focus on reading newspapers, general knowledge books, and previous year question papers to prepare well. |
17th November 2025 – No Exam (Rest Day) – IFS Mains Exam Date
Both the forenoon and afternoon sessions are rest days. This day is provided so that candidates can relax, revise their notes, or focus on difficult subjects before the next days of examination. Rest days are important because they help reduce stress and give mental strength for better performance in upcoming exams.
18th November 2025 (Tuesday )- IFS Mains Exam Date
| Forenoon Session | Mathematics Paper-I / Statistics Paper-I | Candidates who have chosen Mathematics or Statistics as their optional subject will appear for Paper-I in the morning session. Mathematics Paper-I usually includes questions on algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, and other basic topics. Statistics Paper-I covers topics such as probability, distributions, sampling, and data analysis. |
| Afternoon Session | Mathematics Paper-II / Statistics Paper-II | In the afternoon session, the second paper of Mathematics or Statistics is conducted. Paper-II is usually more advanced and tests the application of concepts. Candidates need strong problem-solving skills and proper time management to answer all questions correctly. |
19th November 2025 (Wednesday) – IFS Mains Exam Date
This day is for candidates who have engineering or zoology as their optional subject.Forenoon Session: Paper-I Afternoon Session: Paper-II Civil Engineering Paper-I Chemical Engineering Paper-I Mechanical Engineering Paper-I Zoology Paper-I Civil Engineering Paper-II Chemical Engineering Paper-II Mechanical Engineering Paper-II Zoology Paper-II
Each paper is specific to the candidates chosen subject. For engineering papers, candidates should revise important formulas, diagrams, and problem solving techniques. For Zoology, topics include animal physiology, genetics, ecology, and evolutionary biolohy.
Candidates are advised to practice diagrams, numerical problems, and theory questions to be well-prepared.
20th November 2025 (Thursday) – IFS Mains Exam Date
This day is for candidates who have Agricultural Engineering, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, or Physics as their optional subjects.Forenoon Session: Paper-I Afternoon Session: Paper-II 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
In Agricultural Engineering, important topics include soil science, irrigation, farm machinery, and post-harvest technology.
In Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, candidates should focus on animal breeding, nutrition, diseases, and veterinary practices.
Physics Paper-I and Paper-II include classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and other key concepts. Candidates should practice numerical problems as well as theory questions.
21st November 2025 (Friday) – IFS Mains Exam Date
This day is for Chemistry and Botany optional subjects.Forenoon Session: Paper-I Afternoon Session: Paper-II Chemistry Paper-I Botany Paper-I Chemistry Paper-II Botany Paper-II
Chemistry Paper-I covers physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry. Paper-II is more advanced and focuses on applied chemistry and problem-solving.
Botany Paper-I includes plant anatomy, physiology, genetics, and ecology. Paper-II includes taxonomy, plant biotechnology, and environmental botany. Candidates should focus on diagrams and scientific explanations for Botany papers.
22nd November 2025- IFS Mains Exam Date
| Forenoon Session | Geology Paper-I |
| Afternoon Session | Geology Paper-II |
Candidates who have chosen Geology as their optional subject will have both papers on this day.
Paper-I covers mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology. Paper-II includes economic geology, geophysics, and applied geology. Candidates should prepare diagrams and important field study concepts, as geology is a practical subject as well as theoretical.
23rd November 2025 – IFS Mains Exam Date
This day is for Agriculture and Forestry optional subjects.Forenoon Session: Paper-I Afternoon Session: Paper-II Agriculture Paper-I Forestry Paper-I Agriculture Paper-II Forestry Paper-II
Agriculture papers include crop production, soil science, agricultural economics, and horticulture.
Forestry papers include forest management, silviculture, forest ecology, wildlife conservation, and forest policy. Candidates should focus on both theory and practical aspects.
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