Indian Forest Service Main 2026: eight days of papers from 22 to 29 November
UPSC has published the time-table for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026. Papers run from 22 to 29 November in two sessions a day, with 24 November left free for a gazetted holiday.
For aspirants who cleared the preliminary stage, the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 now has a date for every paper. UPSC's time-table schedules the exam across eight days, 22 to 29 November 2026, with a forenoon session from 9 am to 12 noon and an afternoon session from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
Day-by-day schedule
| Date | Forenoon | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov (Sun) | General English | General Knowledge |
| 23 Nov (Mon) | Mathematics I / Zoology I | Mathematics II / Zoology II |
| 24 Nov (Tue) | No paper — gazetted holiday | |
| 25 Nov (Wed) | Civil / Chemical / Mechanical Engineering I | The same three, Paper II |
| 26 Nov (Thu) | Agricultural Engineering / Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science / Botany / Chemistry, Paper I | The same four, Paper II |
| 27 Nov (Fri) | Agriculture / Forestry, Paper I | Agriculture / Forestry, Paper II |
| 28 Nov (Sat) | Physics, Paper I | Physics, Paper II |
| 29 Nov (Sun) | Geology / Statistics, Paper I | Geology / Statistics, Paper II |
What this means for planning
- The two compulsory papers, General English and General Knowledge, come first, on 22 November.
- Optional subjects are grouped. A slash in the time-table means those subjects share a slot, so you cannot combine two subjects from the same line. Check your combination against the table before you finalise your travel.
- Forestry shares its day with Agriculture, and Physics has a day to itself.
- The gap on 24 November is a mid-exam break of a full day. Use it for the second-paper subjects still ahead.
Sunday papers
Two of the eight days are Sundays — the opening and closing days — so plan travel for both ends of the schedule. Watch UPSC's website for your e-admit card and any corrigendum to this time-table.
CareerBox News Desk — reporting on the time-table for the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2026 published by the Union Public Service Commission. Official portal: upsc.gov.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.