KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT Recruitment 2026 for 750 Forest Watcher Posts

Karnataka Forest Department has released the recruitment notification for 750 posts of Forest Watcher across territorial and wildlife circles. Issued under notification number KFD-BNGC0A5(EST)/12/2026-CCFBC-KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT dated 20 July 2026, this drive recruits eligible candidates for Group D cadre positions. The notice has 700 posts for non-HK and 50 posts for Kalyana Karnataka. Applications open on 01 August 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. The pay scale for Forest Watcher is Rs 29,600 to Rs 52,800.

Karnataka Forest Watcher Vacancy 2026 Overview

The Karnataka Forest Department recruits frontline forest personnel to safeguard reserve forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the state. This recruitment offers a permanent career opportunity for 10th pass job seekers in Karnataka state government services.

Recruitment Feature	Official Information
Recruiting Department	Karnataka Forest Department (Government of Karnataka)
Post Classification	Forest Watcher (ಅರಣ್ಯ ವೀಕ್ಷಕ - Group D)
Total Posts Announced	750 Vacancies (Statewide)
Cadre Distribution	700 Residual Parent Cadre and 50 Kalyana Karnataka
Monthly Pay Scale	Rs 29,600 to Rs 52,800
Minimum Education	10th Pass (SSLC) with Kannada language study
Age Criteria	18 to 30 Years (General Merit; relaxations applicable)
Application Process	Online submission via aranya.gov.in
Online Registration Start	01 August 2026
Extended Application Deadline	30 October 2026
Official Portal	aranya.gov.in

Statewide Vacancies and Cadre Distribution

The notice has 750 posts of Forest Watcher in Karnataka. The state has 700 posts for the general cadre. Kalyana Karnataka has 50 posts. Candidates apply online on the official website.

Cadre Classification	Jurisdiction Coverage	Total Vacancies
Residual Parent Cadre (RPC)	Statewide circles across non-HK districts	700 Posts
Kalyana Karnataka Region (KK)	Article 371J designated districts	50 Posts
Total State Forest Watcher Vacancies	All Karnataka Forest Department Circles	750 Posts

Bengaluru Circle Division-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

Bengaluru circle notification announces 80 posts plus 2 backlog vacancies for local forest dwelling scheduled tribes. Division posts include 12, 8, and 15. Bannerghatta division has 18 posts and Kanakapura division has 10 posts. Kolar has 13 posts and Chikkaballapura has 4 posts.

Division Name	Division Jurisdiction	Total Posts
Bengaluru Urban Territorial Division	Bengaluru Urban District	12 Posts
Bengaluru Rural Territorial Division	Bengaluru Rural District	8 Posts
Ramanagara Territorial Division	Ramanagara District	15 Posts
Kolar Territorial Division	Kolar District	13 Posts
Chikkaballapura Territorial Division	Chikkaballapura District	4 Posts
Bannerghatta National Park Division	Bannerghatta Conservation Unit	18 Posts
Kanakapura Wildlife Division	Kanakapura Wildlife Sanctuary Zone	10 Posts
Bengaluru Circle Direct Recruitment Total	Territorial and Wildlife Units Combined	80 Posts

Educational Qualification Requirements

Candidates must pass 10th class SSLC from Karnataka. Candidates must have studied Kannada in 10th class. Qualifications must be complete on the application date. Candidates must be citizens of India.

Prescribed Qualification Parameter	Required Academic Standard
Essential Minimum Education	10th Standard / SSLC passed from KSEEB or recognized equivalent board
Language Requirement	Must have studied Kannada as First or Second Language in class 10
Equivalent Recognitions	CBSE, ICSE, or National Open School 10th certificates recognized by Karnataka state
Citizenship Requirement	Indian National with valid identification

Age Limit and Relaxation Rules

Candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply for the Forest Watcher posts. The upper age limit for General Merit candidates is 30 years. Candidates belonging to Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B have an upper age limit of 32 years. Candidates from SC, ST, and Category-I communities can apply up to 33 years of age. Aranya Prerakaru candidates with 5 years of service have an upper age limit of 40 years. The government has granted a one-time 5 year relaxation in the upper age limit under official orders.

Candidate Category	Minimum Age	Standard Upper Age	Relaxation Provisions
General Merit (GM)	18 Years	30 Years	Standard regulatory limit
OBC: Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B	18 Years	32 Years	2 Years category relaxation
SC / ST / Category-I	18 Years	33 Years	3 Years category relaxation
Aranya Prerakaru (5 Years Service)	18 Years	40 Years	Departmental service relaxation
Government One-Time Order Benefit	18 Years	Prescribed limit + 5 Years	Government Order dated 29.01.2026

Physical Standards Test (PST) Benchmarks

Male candidates from general categories require a minimum height of 163 cm. Male candidates from local forest dwelling scheduled tribes require a minimum height of 152 cm. Chest measurement for male candidates is 79 cm with 5 cm expansion. Female candidates from general categories must have a minimum height of 150 cm. Female applicants from forest dwelling scheduled tribes require a minimum height of 145 cm.

Category and Gender	Minimum Height	Chest (Unexpanded)	Chest Expansion
Male Candidates (General / OBC / SC / ST Non-Tribal)	163 cm	79 cm	5 cm minimum
Male Candidates (Local Forest Dwelling ST)	152 cm	79 cm	5 cm minimum
Female Candidates (General / OBC / SC / ST Non-Tribal)	150 cm	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Female Candidates (Local Forest Dwelling ST)	145 cm	Not Applicable	Not Applicable

Physical Endurance Test (PET) Standards

Male candidates must complete a 1600 meter run within 7 minutes. Female candidates run 1000 meters in 6 minutes. Ex-Servicemen candidates are required to run 1000 meters within 6 minutes. The physical endurance test is qualifying in nature.

Applicant Group	Running Distance	Time Limit	Evaluation Status
Male Applicants	1600 Meters Run	07 Minutes	Qualifying Benchmark
Female Applicants	1000 Meters Run	06 Minutes	Qualifying Benchmark
Ex-Servicemen Personnel	1000 Meters Run	06 Minutes	Qualifying Benchmark

Physical Efficiency Test Events

Candidates qualifying the endurance test participate in physical efficiency events. Events include 100 meters run, high jump, long jump, and shot put. Candidates must pass at least 3 events. Physical tests are conducted at designated circle testing grounds in Karnataka.

Efficiency Test Event	Male Candidate Norm	Female / Ex-Servicemen Norm
100 Meters Sprint	Standard Time Interval	Standard Time Interval
High Jump	Standard Height Clearance	Standard Height Clearance
Long Jump	Standard Distance Leap	Standard Distance Leap
Shot Put Throw	Standard Weight Throw	Standard Weight Throw

Selection Process and Merit Evaluation

Candidates are called in 1:20 for the physical test. Shortlisted candidates undergo the physical standards test and physical efficiency test. The list is prepared in a 1:1 ratio. Document check is conducted for the final list.

Selection Stage	Evaluation Basis	Selection Ratio
Stage 1: Shortlisting	Merit score based on 10th class SSLC marks	1:20 Ratio
Stage 2: Physical Verification	Physical Standards Test (PST) measurement	Qualifying
Stage 3: Physical Endurance	1600m / 1000m running test (PET)	Qualifying
Stage 4: Physical Efficiency	Minimum 3 out of 4 athletic events	Qualifying
Stage 5: Provisional Selection	Circle-wise merit rank in academic score	1:1 Ratio
Stage 6: Document Verification	Verification of original certificates and caste proofs	Appointment Confirmation

Application Fee and Payment Guidelines

General Merit, Category 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B male applicants pay an application fee of Rs 200. Female and third gender candidates from General and OBC categories pay Rs 100. Male applicants belonging to SC, ST, and Category-I pay an application fee of Rs 100. Female and third gender candidates of SC and ST pay Rs 50. Candidates with disabilities are exempt from application fee payment.

Applicant Classification	Male Candidate Fee	Female / Third Gender Fee
General Merit (GM), Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B	Rs 200	Rs 100
Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Category-I	Rs 100	Rs 50
Persons with Disabilities (PwD)	Exempt	Exempt

Important Dates and Application Timeline

The initial application period opened on 01 August 2026. The application window deadline has been officially extended to 30 October 2026. The extension was notified under Principal Chief Conservator of Forests letter dated 29 September 2026. Candidates should submit the application before 30 October 2026.

Event Description	Important Dates	Operational Remarks
Online Application Starting Date	01 August 2026	Registration opened on official portal
Initial Closing Date	31 August 2026	Original submission window end
Extended Application Deadline	30 October 2026	Final date for online submission
Official Extension Letter Date	29 September 2026	Order issued by PCCF Aranya Bhavan

Training Period and Service Conditions

Candidates take training for 6 months. Appointed candidates serve a total probation period of 36 months including training time. Training is required for the post.

Service Parameter	Prescribed Period	Conditions
Institutional Forestry Training	6 Months	Compulsory training at forestry institutes
Probationary Period	36 Months	Includes the 6 months training duration
Cadre Status	Group D State Civil Services	Direct appointment under Forest Department

How to Apply Online for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026

Candidates submit applications online through the official department portal at aranya.gov.in. Applicants must use their own Aadhaar number during the online application process. Candidates select the circle during application. Upload the certificates for the application. Fee payment is made online using UPI or cards. Keep the application copy for future reference.

1. Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department recruitment portal at aranya.gov.in
2. Locate the recruitment section and click on the notification for Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026
3. Enter personal identification details including applicant Aadhaar number to initiate registration
4. Choose the target forest circle for recruitment and fill in academic details from SSLC marks card
5. Upload clear scanned copies of required certificates including 10th marksheet, category certificate, and photograph
6. Complete online application fee payment using net banking, UPI, debit card, or credit card
7. Submit the finalized form and download the registration confirmation copy for future reference

Important Official Links

Resource Description	Official Web Link
Official Notification PDF (Bengaluru Circle Rulebook)	Download Official Notification PDF
Karnataka Forest Department Official Portal	Visit aranya.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)