KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026
The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD), under the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has released the KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 notification for 750 Forest Watcher (Group ‘D’) vacancies. Out of the total vacancies, 700 posts are available under the General Recruitment category, while 50 posts are reserved for the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region quota.
Candidates who have passed SSLC (10th Standard) are eligible to apply online. The online application process will begin on 1st August 2026 and will continue until 31st August 2026 through the official Karnataka Forest Department recruitment portal.
KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) |
| Post Name | Forest Watcher (Group ‘D’) |
| Total Vacancies | 750 (700 General + 50 Kalyana Karnataka) |
| Selection Process | SSLC Merit + Physical Tests (No Written Exam) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Application Starts | 1st August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st August 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 2nd September 2026 |
| Pay Scale | Rs. 27,500 – Rs. 46,675 |
| Job Location | Across Karnataka |
| Official Website | https://aranya.gov.in/ |
KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 30th June 2026 |
| Individual Circle Notifications | 20–21 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 1st August 2026 (00:00:01 hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31st August 2026 (23:59:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 2nd September 2026 |
KFD Forest Watcher Vacancy 2026
The Karnataka Forest Department has announced 750 vacancies distributed across 13 forest circles.
| Forest Circle | Vacancies |
| Bengaluru | 70 |
| Belagavi | 42 |
| Ballari | 63 |
| Chamarajanagar | 169 |
| Chikkamagaluru | 56 |
| Dharwad | 12 |
| Hassan | 30 |
| Kenara | 60 |
| Kodagu | 32 |
| Kalaburagi | 4 |
| Mangaluru | 54 |
| Mysuru | 120 |
| Shivamogga | 38 |
| Total | 750 |
KFD Forest Watcher Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility conditions before applying.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must have passed:
- SSLC (10th Standard), or
- An equivalent examination from the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board,
- NIOS/Open Schooling Certificate, or
- Any equivalent recognised board examination.
Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment Notice pdf
Age Limit
The minimum age should be completed as on the date of the respective circle notification.
| Category | Maximum Age |
| General / Unreserved | 30 Years |
| Category 2A, 2B, 3A & 3B | 32 Years |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | 33 Years |
| Ex-servicemen | As per Government Rules |
| Existing Forest Volunteers (Minimum 5 Years Service) | Up to 40/42/43 Years (Depending on Category) |
Nationality
- Candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Marital Status
A male candidate having more than one living spouse, or a female candidate married to a man already having a living spouse, is not eligible unless exempted by the Government.
KFD Forest Watcher Application Fee 2026
| Category | Male Candidates | Female / Third Gender Candidates |
| General & Categories 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B | Rs. 200 | Rs. 100 |
| SC/ST/Category-1 | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
KFD Forest Watcher Selection Process 2026
There is no written examination for this recruitment.
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Provisional Merit List based on SSLC (or equivalent) marks.
- Physical Standard Test (PST).
- Physical Endurance Test (PET).
- Physical Efficiency Test.
- Original Document Verification.
- Final Selection List.
Physical Standard Test (PST)
Male Candidates
| Parameter | Other Categories | Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes |
| Height | 163 cm | 152 cm |
| Chest (Unexpanded) | 79 cm | 74 cm |
| Chest Expansion | 5 cm | 5 cm |
Female Candidates
| Parameter | Other Categories | Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes |
| Height | 150 cm | 145 cm |
| Weight | 40 kg | 38 kg |
Physical Endurance Test (PET)
| Candidate | Distance | Time Limit |
| Male | 1600 Metres | 7 Minutes |
| Female / Ex-servicemen | 1000 Metres | 6 Minutes |
Physical Efficiency Test
| Event | Male | Female / Ex-servicemen |
| 100 m Race | 15 Seconds | 18.5 Seconds |
| High Jump | 1.20 m | 0.90 m |
| Long Jump | 3.80 m | 2.50 m |
| Shot Put | 5.60 m | 3.76 m |
| Middle Distance Race | 800 m – 2 min 50 sec | 200 m – 40 sec |
Note: Candidates must qualify in at least three out of five events.
Documents Required
Candidates need to upload scanned copies of:
- Photograph
- SSLC Marks Card
- Category/Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Other supporting documents as required
How to Apply for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps to submit the online application:
- Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department website.
- Open the “ನೇಮಕಾತಿ (Recruitment)” section.
- Register using your own Aadhaar (UID) number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and category details.
- Upload the required scanned documents.
- Pay the applicable application fee online or through bank challan.
- Submit the application form.
- Save or print the acknowledgement for future reference.
Important Points
- Applications will be accepted only through online mode.
- Offline, postal, or in-person applications will not be accepted.
- Details cannot be edited after final submission.
- Applicants should verify all information carefully before submitting.
KFD Forest Watcher Salary 2026
Pay Scale
Rs. 27,500-650-29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-46,675
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Other allowances and benefits as applicable under Karnataka Government service rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there any written examination for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?
No. Selection is based on SSLC merit followed by Physical Standard Test, Physical Endurance Test, Physical Efficiency Test, and Document Verification.
How many vacancies are available?
A total of 750 vacancies have been announced.
What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must have passed SSLC (10th Standard) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application is 31st August 2026.
What is the last date to pay the application fee?
Candidates can pay the application fee until 2nd September 2026.
What is the salary for KFD Forest Watcher?
The pay scale is Rs. 27,500 – Rs. 46,675.
Also Read: GSSSB Supervisor Instructor Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 436 Vacancies
Conclusion
The KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 offers 750 Group ‘D’ Forest Watcher vacancies across Karnataka. Eligible candidates who have passed SSLC can submit their online applications from 1st August to 31st August 2026. Since there is no written examination, selection will be based on SSLC merit followed by physical tests and document verification. Applicants should carefully verify their details before submitting the online application.
