UPSC IFS Mains 2026: Main examination to begin on November 22, holiday on the 24th; full timetable released—check here..
UPSC IFS Mains Exam Date 2026: The schedule for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Indian Forest Service (IFS) Mains Examination 2026 has been released. The exam will be conducted from November 22 to November 29, 2026. It will be held in two shifts daily: the first shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the second shift from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Candidates will be required to appear for papers on various subjects in accordance with the exam schedule. There will be no examination on November 24, as it is a gazetted holiday.
What is the duration of the IFS Mains Examination?
The IFS Mains Examination 2026 will span a total period of eight days. However, since there is no exam on November 24, the papers will not be held on eight consecutive days.
Date Day First Shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Second Shift: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
22 November 2026 Sunday General English General Knowledge
23 November 2026 Monday Mathematics Paper-1 / Zoology Paper-1 Mathematics Paper-2 / Zoology Paper-2
24 November 2026 Tuesday No Exam Gazetted Holiday
25 November 2026 Wednesday Civil Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
26 November 2026 Thursday Agricultural Engineering / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science / Botany / Chemistry Agricultural Engineering / Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science / Botany / Chemistry
27 November 2026 Friday Agriculture Paper-1 / Forestry Paper-1 Agriculture Paper-2 / Forestry Paper-2
28 November 2026 Saturday Physics Paper-1 Physics Paper-2
29 November 2026 Sunday Geology Paper-1 / Statistics Paper-1 Geology Paper-2 / Statistics Paper-2
**Commencement with General English on 22 November**
The Main Examination will begin on 22 November with the General English paper. This paper will be held in the morning shift.
The General Knowledge paper will be conducted in the afternoon shift on the same day.
The following day, i.e., 23 November, both papers for Mathematics and Zoology candidates will be held.
**No Exam on 24 November**
There will be no examination on 24 November 2026. This day has been designated as a gazetted holiday in the UPSC schedule. Subsequently, the subject-wise Main Examination will proceed from 25 November.
**Final Papers on 28 and 29 November**
Both Physics papers will be held on 28 November. Physics Paper-1 will be conducted in the morning shift, and Paper-2 in the afternoon shift.
29 November will be the final day of the examination. Geology Paper-1 and Statistics Paper-1 will be held in the morning shift, while Paper-2 for both subjects will take place in the afternoon shift. Candidates must take note of the exam timings.
Each session of the IFS Main Examination will be three hours long.
First shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Second shift: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Candidates should check the exam date and the timings for both shifts in advance, based on their specific subjects.
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