Karnataka Forest Department Forest Observer (Forest Watcher) Recruitment 2026

- The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has announced recruitment for 750 Forest Observer (Forest Watcher – Group D / Aranya Veekshaka) posts across 13 forest circles in Karnataka.
- Vacancies are split into 700 posts in the original cadre (Non-HK) and 50 posts in the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region.
- The recruitment is for direct appointments under the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force).
- The online application process started on 01.08.2026 and has been extended to 30.10.2026.
- The official website for applying is aranya.gov.in.
- The recruitment aims to fill positions in wildlife divisions, tiger reserves, and forest divisions across Karnataka.

- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed SSLC (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board (e.g., CBSE, ICSE, NIOS, or Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board).
- Age Limit: Minimum age is 18 years on the date of the notification. Maximum age limits are as follows (as of the notification start date):
- General candidates: 30 years
- Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB (backward classes): 32 years
- Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: 33 years
- Age Relaxation:
- Ex-servicemen: Upper age limit relaxed by the number of years served in the armed forces plus 3 years.
- Forest Preraks (Aranya Prerakas) with at least 5 years of service:
- General: 40 years
- Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB: 42 years
- Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: 43 years
- Physical Fitness: Candidates must be mentally and physically healthy and free from any physical defect that could interfere with job performance. They must pass Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET), and Physical Efficiency Test (PEfT).
- Kannada Language: Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language in Class 10 must pass a Kannada language test under the Karnataka Civil Services (Kannada Language Test) Rules, 1984.

- Screening of Online Applications: Applications are reviewed for completeness and correctness of information.
- Shortlisting for Physical Tests: Candidates are shortlisted in a 1:20 ratio (post:candidate) based on SSLC marks. This list is for the Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET), and Physical Efficiency Test (PEfT).
- Physical Standard Test (PST): Checks height, chest, weight, eyesight, hearing, and physical defects.
- Physical Endurance Test (PET) (Timed run):
- Male candidates: 1600-meter run in 7 minutes
- Female candidates and ex-servicemen: 1000-meter run in 6 minutes
- Physical Efficiency Test (PEfT): Candidates must qualify in at least three out of five events (100m run, high jump, long jump, shot put, 800m/200m run).
- Merit List: A circle-wise merit list is prepared based on SSLC marks of candidates who qualified in the PET and PEfT. If marks are equal, the older candidate is ranked higher.
- Provisional Selection List: A provisional list is prepared in a 1:1 ratio (post:candidate) for each category, as per reservation rules.
- Document Verification and Medical Examination: Candidates must appear with original documents on the notified date.
- Kannada Language Test: Applicable for candidates who did not study Kannada in Class 10.
- Final Selection List: The final list is prepared in a 1:1 ratio for the notified vacancies, based on SSLC marks and reservation rules.

General
OBC
SC
ST
Category-I
Category-IIA
Category-IIB
Category-IIIA
Category-IIIB

- SSLC or equivalent marks card (as proof of date of birth and qualification).
- Caste certificate (Form D, E, or F) for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and backward class candidates.
- Certificates for ex-servicemen, persons with disabilities, project-displaced families, Kannada medium, rural, third gender, and ST-LFDT claims (if applicable).
- Aadhaar (UID) number of the candidate.
- Original documents for verification during the selection process (e.g., caste certificate, marks card, residence proof, etc.).

Application fee depends on category and gender:
• General, Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB: Rs. 200/- (male), Rs. 100/- (women and third gender)
• Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: Rs. 100/- (male), Rs. 50/- (women and third gender)
• Persons with disabilities are exempted from the application fee.