Interview<\/td> Personality Test<\/td> \u2014<\/td> 300<\/td> Final selection<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImportant: The Prelims score does NOT count towards the final merit list. Only Mains (1400 marks) + Interview (300 marks) = 1700 marks determine the final ranking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Stage 1: Preliminary Examination<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\nThe IFoS Prelims 2026 is the first screening hurdle. It is identical to the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Both exams are held together on May 24, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Prelims Exam Pattern<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPaper<\/strong><\/td>Subject<\/strong><\/td>Questions<\/strong><\/td>Marks<\/strong><\/td>Duration<\/strong><\/td>Type<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>Paper I<\/td> General Studies<\/td> 100 MCQs<\/td> 200<\/td> 2 Hours<\/td> Objective<\/td><\/tr> Paper II<\/td> CSAT (Aptitude)<\/td> 80 MCQs<\/td> 200<\/td> 2 Hours<\/td> Objective (Qualifying)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nPaper II (CSAT) is qualifying in nature \u2014 a minimum of 33% (66 marks out of 200) is required to clear it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n There is a negative marking of 1\/3 marks for every incorrect answer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Both papers are set in Hindi and English.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Candidates must appear in BOTH papers; absence in either leads to disqualification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Prelims Paper I \u2014 General Studies Syllabus<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPaper I tests general awareness across the following broad areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCurrent events of national and international importance<\/li>\n\n\n\n History of India and the Indian National Movement<\/li>\n\n\n\n Indian and World Geography \u2014 Physical, Social, and Economic Geography<\/li>\n\n\n\n Indian Polity and Governance \u2014 Constitution, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n Economic and Social Development \u2014 Sustainable Development, Poverty, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives<\/li>\n\n\n\n General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change (no subject specialization required)<\/li>\n\n\n\n General Science<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Prelims Paper II \u2014 CSAT Syllabus<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPaper II tests reasoning and analytical aptitude:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nComprehension passages<\/li>\n\n\n\n Interpersonal skills including communication skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n Logical reasoning and analytical ability<\/li>\n\n\n\n Decision-making and problem solving<\/li>\n\n\n\n General mental ability<\/li>\n\n\n\n Basic numeracy \u2014 numbers, their relations, orders of magnitude (Class X level)<\/li>\n\n\n\n Data interpretation \u2014 charts, graphs, tables (Class X level)<\/li>\n\n\n\n English Language Comprehension skills (Class X level)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Stage 2: Main Examination<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\nCandidates who clear the Prelims are eligible to appear for the IFoS Mains Exam 2026, scheduled for November 2026. This is where the real battle begins \u2014 the Mains marks directly determine the final merit list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Mains Exam Pattern<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPaper<\/strong><\/td>Subject<\/strong><\/td>Marks<\/strong><\/td>Duration<\/strong><\/td>Nature<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>Paper I<\/td> General English<\/td> 300<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Compulsory<\/td><\/tr> Paper II<\/td> General Knowledge<\/td> 300<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Compulsory<\/td><\/tr> Paper III<\/td> Optional Subject 1 \u2014 Paper 1<\/td> 200<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Optional<\/td><\/tr> Paper IV<\/td> Optional Subject 1 \u2014 Paper 2<\/td> 200<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Optional<\/td><\/tr> Paper V<\/td> Optional Subject 2 \u2014 Paper 1<\/td> 200<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Optional<\/td><\/tr> Paper VI<\/td> Optional Subject 2 \u2014 Paper 2<\/td> 200<\/td> 3 Hours<\/td> Optional<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTotal Mains Marks: 1400 | All papers are descriptive\/essay type | Medium of exam: English only<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Compulsory Paper I \u2014 General English<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis paper tests candidates’ command of the English language through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEssay writing on a given topic<\/li>\n\n\n\n Precise writing and comprehension<\/li>\n\n\n\n Usage of words and expressions<\/li>\n\n\n\n Grammar and sentence construction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Compulsory Paper II \u2014 General Knowledge<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis paper covers broad general awareness without requiring subject specialization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nGeneral Knowledge and current events<\/li>\n\n\n\n Indian Polity \u2014 Constitution, political system, governance<\/li>\n\n\n\n History of India<\/li>\n\n\n\n Geography of nature and environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n Questions answerable without study of any specific specialized subject<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Optional Subject Papers (Papers III to VI)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCandidates must select TWO optional subjects from a list of 14 approved subjects. Each optional subject has TWO papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each of 200 marks \u2014 totalling 800 marks from optional subjects alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 14 optional subjects available are:<\/p>\n\n\n\nS.No.<\/strong><\/td>Optional Subject<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>1<\/td> Agriculture<\/td><\/tr> 2<\/td> Agricultural Engineering<\/td><\/tr> 3<\/td> Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science<\/td><\/tr> 4<\/td> Botany<\/td><\/tr> 5<\/td> Chemistry<\/td><\/tr> 6<\/td> Chemical Engineering<\/td><\/tr> 7<\/td> Civil Engineering<\/td><\/tr> 8<\/td> Forestry<\/td><\/tr> 9<\/td> Geology<\/td><\/tr> 10<\/td> Mathematics<\/td><\/tr> 11<\/td> Mechanical Engineering<\/td><\/tr> 12<\/td> Physics<\/td><\/tr> 13<\/td> Statistics<\/td><\/tr> 14<\/td> Zoology<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Restrictions on Subject Combinations<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCertain subject combinations are NOT permitted. The following are some allowed combinations to note:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAgriculture + Agricultural Engineering<\/li>\n\n\n\n Agriculture + Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science<\/li>\n\n\n\n Agriculture + Forestry<\/li>\n\n\n\n Chemistry + Chemical Engineering<\/li>\n\n\n\n Mathematics + Statistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOf the four engineering subjects (Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Mechanical Engineering), a candidate may choose not more than ONE engineering subject as an optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\nCandidates who qualify the Mains are called for the Personality Test. The number of candidates called is approximately twice the number of vacancies. The Interview carries 300 marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Interview Board assesses candidates on qualities beyond bookish knowledge:<\/p>\n\n\n\n