The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the cut-off marks for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, 2020. This release provides valuable clarity for the candidates who appeared for the exam and for those who are preparing for future attempts. The cut-off marks are crucial as they reflect the minimum scores needed to qualify at each stage—Prelims, Mains, and Final selection. The official PDF is now available for download on the UPSC website, offering a transparent look at how candidates performed in this highly competitive examination.
I am sharing this update because the IFS exam is one of the most sought-after exams in India. For many aspiring candidates looking to secure a career in India’s esteemed Forest Services, understanding the cut-off marks is essential. It provides insights into the level of competition and how close you were to qualifying at each stage. By reviewing these official cut-off marks, aspirants can set realistic goals, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and better plan their preparation for future attempts. The 2020 cut-off marks serve as a crucial guide for all serious IFS aspirants.
About the Indian Forest Service Examination, 2020
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, conducted by UPSC, is one of the toughest exams in India, designed to recruit candidates for various administrative positions within India’s Forest Services. The exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Mains Examination (Written)
- Personality Test (Interview)
The 2020 examination saw thousands of aspirants competing for a limited number of vacancies. The cut-off marks for each stage of the examination are crucial in determining whether candidates will progress to the next round, making it a key aspect of the selection process.
Why Are Cut-off Marks Important?
Cut-off marks are essential as they determine the minimum qualifying scores required for each stage of the exam. These marks help candidates assess where they stand among other aspirants, how competitive the exam was, and whether they will be called for the next stage or not.
The IFS exam, known for its challenging nature, has high competition, and knowing the cut-off marks allows aspirants to:
- Understand the level of competition
- Identify the score they need to aim for in future attempts
- Analyze their performance and strategize for upcoming exams
Cut-off marks are released separately for each stage of the exam:
- Preliminary Exam Cut-off: Determines whether candidates qualify to appear for the Mains exam.
- Mains Exam Cut-off: Decides who will qualify for the Personality Test (Interview).
- Final Cut-off: Based on the overall performance (including interview marks) to prepare the final merit list.
How to Download the IFS 2020 Cut-off Marks PDF
You can download the official IFS 2020 cut-off marks PDF directly from the UPSC website by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in
- On the homepage, click on the ‘Examinations’ tab.
- Select ‘Cut-off Marks’ from the drop-down menu.
- Look for the ‘Indian Forest Service Examination, 2020‘.
- Click on the ‘Download PDF’ link to view and save the document.
The PDF will include category-wise and stage-wise cut-off marks, as well as important instructions and references from UPSC.

















