Computer-based, 2 hours, 120 MCQs (Part A 20 general; Part B 50 core group; Part C 50 subject), +4 / −1, maximum 480 (format as recorded from the 2026 bulletin in Laisha's other tracks).
Sections
Unit 1: Forests and forest policy (types, ecosystems, Indian forest policies and Acts, Forest Rights Act 2006, National Agroforestry Policy 2014)
Unit 2: Silviculture (site, regeneration, systems, seed, nursery, planting, difficult sites, tending, silviculture of named species, plantation forestry)
Unit 3: Forest biology and tree improvement
Unit 4: Forest mensuration (measurement, volume tables, biomass, growth, inventory, aerial photos, GIS and remote sensing)
Unit 5: Social forestry and agroforestry
Unit 6: Agroforestry management
Unit 7: Wood science and forest products (logging and ergonomics, wood anatomy, seasoning, preservation, NWFP)
Unit 8: Forest degradation and protection (wastelands, watershed, fire, pests, diseases, weeds)
Unit 9: Forest management and forest economics (sustained yield, normal forest, rotation, yield regulation, working plan, JFM, IRR, NPW, cost-benefit, ecosystem services)
Unit 10: Wildlife
Unit 11: Forest genetic resources and ecotourism (sacred groves, urban forestry)
Unit 12: Climate change and mitigation
Over the years
Syllabus read in ICAR's official AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) syllabus PDF, where Forestry is subject 59 with 12 units. PhD admission and JRF/SRF fellowship.
Original questions written to this exam's published syllabus and pattern. Not past papers.
1. A 2000 ha oil palm estate has trees over 10 m tall and canopy cover above 60%. Under FRA definitions it is:
Forest, because it exceeds every area, height and canopy threshold
Not forest, because it is land predominantly under agricultural use
Other wooded land, because palms are not true trees in botanical terms
Planted forest, because all of the trees were established by planting
Answer and working
B. Not forest, because it is land predominantly under agricultural use
FRA excludes tree crops on agricultural land, such as oil palm, orchards and agroforestry with crops, even when they meet the cover and height thresholds.
Introduction to Forestry & the World's Forests · Definitions of forest, forestry and forest land (FAO Forest Resources Assessment definitions)
2. In gymnosperm phloem, sieve cells are associated with:
Albuminous cells
Companion cells
Vessel elements
Collenchyma cells
Answer and working
A. Albuminous cells
Angiosperm sieve-tube elements have companion cells; gymnosperm sieve cells have albuminous cells.