750 Posts – Forest Department – KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 – Last Date 31 August Govt Exam Update

KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 : The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD), under the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has released the notification for direct recruitment to 750 Forest Watcher (Group ‘D’) posts for the year 2026-27. Of these, 700 vacancies are in the general recruitment stream and 50 are reserved under the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region quota. The KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 covers 13 forest circles across the state, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Belagavi, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad, Hassan, Kenara, Kodagu, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, and Shivamogga.

Interested and eligible candidates who have passed SSLC (10th standard) can apply online through the official recruitment portal. The KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment application window opens on 1st August 2026 and closes on 31st August 2026.

KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 Overview

KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026: Important Dates

Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Notification 2026 Out

The detailed KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment circular was issued vide No. KFD/HOFF/B9(RCT)/5/2026-PnR, dated 30.06.2026, by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Aranya Bhavan, Bengaluru. Individual circle-wise notifications are to be published by respective Chief Conservators/Conservators of Forests on the official website.

Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment Notice

KFD Forest Watcher Vacancy 2026 — Circle-wise Breakup

The 750 vacancies are spread across 13 forest circles for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment, with the highest number of posts in Chamarajanagar (169) and the lowest in Kalaburagi (4).

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KFD Forest Watcher Eligibility Criteria 2026

Check KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment eligibility below:

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed SSLC (10th standard) or its equivalent from the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, an NIOS/Open Schooling certificate, or an equivalent recognised board examination.

Age Limit

Minimum age: 18 years, to be completed as on the date of the respective circle notification.

Nationality

Candidate must be an Indian citizen.

Marital Status

A male candidate with more than one living spouse, or a female candidate who has married a man already having a living spouse, is not eligible without prior government exemption.

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Application Fee

Unlike some other state recruitments, this KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment notification is not fee-free — candidates must pay the prescribed application fee:

KFD Forest Watcher Selection Process 2026

There is no written competitive examination for this recruitment. Selection proceeds as follows:

1. Provisional Merit List — prepared based on SSLC (or equivalent) marks, in the ratio of 1:1 (post : candidate) as per category-wise vacancy and reservation rules.
2. Physical Standard Test (PST) — verification of height, chest, weight, vision, and hearing standards.
3. Physical Endurance Test (PET) — timed running test.
4. Physical Efficiency Test — track and field events (race, jumps, shot put).
5. Original Document Verification.
6. Final Select List — prepared from candidates who qualify all the above, in the ratio of 1:1 against available vacancies.

Physical Standards

Male Candidates

Female Candidates

Physical Endurance Test (Running)

Physical Efficiency Test

Candidates must qualify in at least 3 of these 5 efficiency events to be considered.

How to Apply for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department website: aranya.gov.in
2. Go to the “ನೇಮಕಾತಿ” (Recruitment) link on the homepage.
3. Register using your own Aadhaar (UID) number — each Aadhaar number can be used for only one application.
4. Fill in personal, educational, and category details, and upload scanned copies of your photograph, SSLC marks card, category/caste certificate (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
5. Pay the applicable fee online or via bank challan.
6. Submit the form and save/print the acknowledgment for future reference.

Applications can be submitted only online; no offline, postal, or in-person applications will be accepted. Details furnished in the online application cannot be edited or corrected after final submission, so applicants are advised to verify all entries carefully before submitting.

Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Salary Structure 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 basic pay, selected Forest Watchers are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other allowances/benefits as applicable under Karnataka Government service rules.

FAQs

Does KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 involve a written exam?

No. Selection is based on SSLC/equivalent merit marks, followed by physical standard, endurance, and efficiency tests, and document verification.

How many vacancies are announced for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?

750 vacancies (700 general + 50 Kalyana Karnataka) across 13 forest circles in Karnataka.

Is there an application fee?

Yes. Rs. 200 (men)/Rs. 100 (women) for General and Categories 2A/2B/3A/3B, and Rs. 100 (men)/Rs. 50 (women) for SC/ST/Category-1. Persons with disabilities are exempt.

What is the last date to apply for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?

31st August 2026 (fee payment allowed until 2nd September 2026).

What is the minimum educational qualification required?

Candidates must have passed SSLC (10th standard) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.

Source: Govt Exam Update