Karnataka Forest Department KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 750 Posts

The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has notified direct recruitment for 750 Forest Observer posts (officially Forest Watcher – Group D, known in Kannada as Aranya Veekshaka) across 13 forest circles of Karnataka. The posts are split into 700 posts in the original cadre (Non-HK) and 50 posts in the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region. The recruitment notification was issued by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Government of Karnataka, vide No. KFD/HOFF/B9(RCT)/5/2026-PnR.

Candidates who have passed SSLC (Class 10) or an equivalent examination can apply online only at the official Karnataka Forest Department website, aranya.gov.in. Applications opened on 01.08.2026, and as per the latest extension letter dated 29.09.2026, the last date to apply online is now 30.10.2026.

KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 Overview

The table below answers the main questions about this recruitment: who is recruiting, which post, how many vacancies, who can apply, the dates, the application mode and the job location.

KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

The application period for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 has been extended more than once. The latest extension letter, dated 29.09.2026, extends the online application deadline to 30.10.2026.

The first extension (01.09.2026 to 07.09.2026) was made for technical reasons, and the extension up to 30.09.2026 was directed in a meeting held on 04.09.2026 under the chairmanship of the Hon'ble Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment. The latest extension to 30.10.2026 follows Government notification No. FEE 242 FNG 2026 dated 23.09.2026, which proposes to include some Scheduled Tribe sub-castes under the Scheduled Tribe – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes reservation. A draft notification amending the Forest Guard and Forest Watcher cadre and recruitment rules was published in the Karnataka Gazette (Extraordinary), inviting objections and suggestions.

KFD Forest Observer Vacancy 2026

KFD Forest Observer Vacancy 2026 stands at 750 posts. Of these, 700 are in the original cadre (Non-HK) and 50 are in the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region. The posts are spread across 13 circles, and the circle-wise numbers are given below.

KFD Forest Observer Division-wise Vacancy Details

The notification also lists vacancies for each division, wildlife unit and research or working plan circle. The unit names below are English renderings of the Kannada names in the notification.

Reservation and Backlog Details

• The vacancies are filled as per the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules 2019 (Government notification No. FEE 203 FEG 2015 dated 06.08.2019) and the reservation rules in force. The category-wise reservation breakup of the 750 posts is not given in the provided documents, because the circle-level notification format is left blank for each circle to fill.
• The PCCF letter states that, because of the interim order of the Hon'ble High Court, the Scheduled Caste reservation has been temporarily limited from 17% to 15%. The 400-point roster issued by the Social Welfare Department (Government order No. SAKA 515 PAKAVI 2026 dated 08.05.2026) is to be followed.
• In the circles of Bengaluru, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Kanara, Kodagu, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Shivamogga, 50% of the Forest Observer posts in the notified wildlife divisions and tiger reserves are reserved for Local Forest Dwelling Tribes candidates (see the reservation section below).
• The PCCF letter dated 30.06.2026 refers to 25 backlog posts left unfilled from an earlier direct recruitment (310 Forest Watcher posts), taking the total to 775 (750 vacancies + 25 backlog). The backlog table in the provided PDF is rotated and not clearly legible, and the circle-level notification format and the extension letter refer to the 750 vacancies. This article therefore uses 750 as the vacancy figure.

KFD Forest Observer Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026, candidates must meet all the conditions below, along with the qualification and age limit given in the next sections.

• The candidate must be a citizen of India.
• A male candidate with more than one living wife, or a female candidate married to a man who already has a wife, is not eligible for appointment without prior permission of the Government.
• The candidate must be mentally and physically healthy and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with efficient performance of duties.
• The candidate must meet the physical standards and pass the physical endurance and physical efficiency tests described below. The recruiting authority may reject a candidate as physically unfit on the advice of a medical board, and the Government's discretion is not limited by these rules.
• Applying online does not by itself make a candidate eligible for appointment. A candidate is considered to have accepted all the Acts, rules and regulations of the Government on applying.

KFD Forest Observer Qualification

The educational qualification for KFD Forest Observer is SSLC. The candidate must hold the SSLC examination conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, or an equivalent qualification, on the last date to apply.

As per Government circular No. CASUE 81 SENENI 2017 dated 27.02.2018, the following are treated as equivalent to SSLC:

• Class 10 examination conducted by CBSE and ICSE boards, or
• Class 10 examination conducted by other State Government examination boards, or
• Secondary-level course conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), or
• Secondary-level course conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KOS).

Candidates who have not received the result of the prescribed qualification, or who do not hold the marks card, as on the last date to apply are not eligible. No other qualification is considered in place of the above. If a candidate is found to lack the prescribed qualification at any stage, the candidature is cancelled, and the decision of the recruiting authority is final.

KFD Forest Observer Age Limit

The minimum age is 18 years on the date the notification is issued. The maximum age limits are given below as on the notification start date. As per Government order No. CASUE 262 SENENI 2025 dated 29.01.2026, a one-time relaxation of 5 years has been added to these limits for recruitment notifications issued up to 31.12.2027.

Age Relaxation

The exact calendar date used to calculate age is not stated in the provided PDFs, as the circle-level notification format leaves the notification date blank.

KFD Forest Observer Application Fee

KFD Forest Observer Application Fee depends on the category and gender of the candidate. The fee is not refundable under any circumstances and cannot be adjusted against any other examination or recruitment of the department.

Persons with disabilities are exempted from the application fee, as per Government circular No. CASUE 431 SENENI 2016 dated 28.12.2016.

How to Pay the Application Fee

• Online: After submitting the online application, pay the fee through the payment link provided, using UPI, NEFT, credit card, debit card or internet banking. Payment must be made on or before the last date fixed for fee payment.
• Cash: Select the cash option after submitting the online application, download and print the challan, and deposit the fee in cash at any branch of State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India or Central Bank of India. The fee can be paid before the last date to apply or within two days after it. If the last date for fee payment is a public holiday, the next working day is treated as the last date.
• Applications for which the fee is not paid within the prescribed period are treated as incomplete and rejected.
• Demand drafts, cheques, postal orders or any mode other than those stated above are not accepted.

The original last date for fee payment was 02.09.2026. The extension letter does not mention a revised fee payment date, so candidates should check the official website for the current fee payment deadline.

KFD Forest Observer Salary

KFD Forest Observer Salary is paid in the pay scale of Rs. 27,500-650-29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-46,675. Candidates appointed under this recruitment come under the Contributory Pension Scheme, as per Government order No. FD SPL 04 PTS 2005 dated 31.03.2006. Allowances are not listed in the provided documents.

KFD Forest Observer Selection Process

KFD Forest Observer Selection Process is based on physical tests and SSLC marks. The notification does not mention any written examination. The stages below follow the order given in the notification.

1. Screening of online applications: Applications are considered on the basis of the details filled in and the documents uploaded. Applications with incorrect, incomplete or unclear information are rejected at the initial stage.
2. Provisional list for physical tests: Candidates are shortlisted in the ratio of 1:20 (post:candidate), based on marks obtained in SSLC or the equivalent examination. This list is for the Physical Standard Test, Physical Endurance Test and Physical Efficiency Test and is published on aranya.gov.in under "Nemakati" (Recruitment). The department does not correspond with candidates by letter.
3. Physical Standard Test (PST): Height, chest, weight, eyesight, hearing and physical defects are checked.
4. Physical Endurance Test (PET): A timed run. Candidates who fail are dropped from the process.
5. Physical Efficiency Test (PEfT): Five events, of which candidates must qualify in at least three.
6. Merit list: A circle-wise merit list is prepared from the SSLC (or equivalent) marks of candidates who qualified in the PET and PEfT. If two or more candidates have equal marks, the older candidate is ranked above the younger one.
7. Provisional selection list (1:1): A provisional list is prepared in the ratio of 1:1 (post:candidate) for the notified vacancies of each category, as per the reservation rules, and published on the official website.
8. Original document verification and medical examination: Candidates in the provisional list must appear with original documents on the date notified on the website.
9. Kannada language test: Candidates who did not study Kannada as a first or second language in Class 10 must pass the Kannada language test under the Karnataka Civil Services (Kannada Language Test) Rules, 1984. Candidates who fail it are dropped from the process.
10. Final selection list (1:1): The final list is prepared in the ratio of 1:1 for the notified circle-level vacancies, based on SSLC marks and the reservation rules, and published on aranya.gov.in.

Physical Standard Test (PST) – Height, Chest and Weight

The physical standards for male candidates apply to male third gender candidates, and those for female candidates apply to female third gender candidates.

Physical Defects That Lead to Disqualification

• Knock-knees
• Bow legs
• Flat feet
• Varicose veins
• Impediment in speech and hearing
• Hydrocele in men
• Vision defects, colour blindness or night blindness

Eye Vision Standards

Candidates must meet the following vision standards, with or without spectacles. A colour vision test is compulsory, using the Lantern test, and low-grade colour vision is considered sufficient. Each eye must have full vision, and colour blindness, squint or any abnormal condition of the eye or eyelid is treated as a disqualification.

For the Lantern test, the distance between the lamp and the candidate is 16 feet, the lamp aperture is 1.3 mm and the exposure time is 5 seconds, for both higher and lower grade colour perception.

Hearing Test

Hearing is tested through Rinne's test, Weber's test and tests for vertigo. A candidate found with any hearing defect in these tests is disqualified.

Physical Endurance Test (PET)

Physical Efficiency Test (PEfT)

Candidates must qualify in at least three of the five events below to move to the next stage.

The physical endurance and efficiency tests for male candidates apply to male third gender candidates, and those for female candidates apply to female third gender candidates.

Important Rules for the Physical Tests

• Candidates must appear at their own cost and make their own arrangements for travel and stay. The tests may continue for more than one day.
• Candidates must carry the hall ticket and a photocopy of the online application. Without these, entry is not allowed.
• One photo identity proof must be produced in original, along with a self-attested copy. Accepted proofs are Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, PAN card, service ID card with photograph (State or Central Government, public sector or Government-owned companies), bank or post office passbook with photograph, registered land document or pattadar passbook with photograph, community certificate with photograph, ex-servicemen's pension book or pension payment order, NREGS job card with photograph, and Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
• Candidates must be physically fit before appearing. The department and the recruiting authority are not responsible for any accident or injury during the tests.
• No second chance is given to a candidate who fails, is injured or does not complete a test for any reason.
• If the date or time is missed, the candidature is cancelled or disqualified and no alternate date is given.
• All physical tests are recorded on video or CCTV. After the tests, candidates must give a specimen signature and left thumb impression before the committee or authority.
• If a pregnant woman candidate is more than 12 weeks pregnant, or has delivered less than 6 weeks earlier, she may submit a medical certificate to the authority. Where the conditions of the notification are met, such a candidate is given one chance to appear on the re-fixed date. She is otherwise dropped from the process.
• The recruiting authority may cancel or add any test centre in the notified circles or divisions, and any change is published on aranya.gov.in.
• A candidate who is medically disqualified may appeal to the authority within 7 days of the date of disqualification, and the decision of the medical board is final.

KFD Forest Observer Reservation Details

Reservation is applied as per the Karnataka Civil Services (Direct Recruitment) (General) Rules 2021 and the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules 2019. The notification includes the following reservation provisions.

• Caste and category reservation: Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Category-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB. Certificates must be in the prescribed formats: Form D for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, Form E for Category-I, and Form F for Category IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB, obtained from the Tahsildar and valid on the last date to apply. Backward class certificates are valid for 5 years.
• Ex-servicemen: Candidates with the prescribed discharge and no-objection documents. BSF, CRPF and CISF personnel are not treated as ex-servicemen.
• Persons with disabilities: For this post (Forest Watcher – Group D), only the categories LC (Leprosy Cured), AAV (Acid Attack Victims) and MI (Mental Illness) are eligible under the disability reservation, as per Government notification No. WCD 111 PHP 2022 dated 19.08.2023. Candidates must have at least 40% disability and must not have any other disability.
• Project-displaced families: Candidates from families displaced by projects, with the prescribed Tahsildar certificate (Form-3). Families displaced more than 25 years before the date of the rules do not qualify.
• Kannada medium: Candidates who studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in Kannada medium, with the prescribed certificate.
• Rural candidates: Candidates who studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in a rural area, with the Form-2 certificate. General candidates claiming rural reservation must also have Form-1 (non-creamy layer) and Form-2. Candidates of reserved categories whose caste certificate is rejected and who lack a Non-Creamy Layer certificate are not eligible for rural reservation.
• Third gender candidates: A certificate issued by the District Magistrate under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules 2020.
• Local Forest Dwelling Tribes (ST-LFDT): Fifty percent of the vacancies in the following wildlife divisions and tiger reserves are filled from local forest dwelling Scheduled Tribe candidates: Bandipur Tiger Reserve; Nagarahole Tiger Reserve; BRT Tiger Reserve, Chamarajanagar; Cauvery Wildlife Division, Kanakapura; Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Chikkamagaluru; Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Karkala; Madikeri Wildlife Division, Madikeri; MM Hills Wildlife Division, Kollegal; Bannerughatta Wildlife Division, Bengaluru; Kali Tiger Reserve, Dandeli; and Shivamogga Wildlife Division, Shivamogga.

The tribes named for this reservation are Jenu Kuruba, Kadu Kuruba, Hakkipikki, Soliga, Soligaru, Yerava, Gowdlu, Irular, Iruliga, Koraga, Melakudi, Malaikudi, Maleru, Meda and Thoda. The candidate must have studied from Class 1 to Class 12 for one or more years in the taluks where the Wildlife Division or Tiger Reserve is located. Such candidates must indicate their preference order (1, 2, 3 and so on) for the divisions or reserves, and must upload the Form-2 certificate issued by the school headmaster and countersigned by the jurisdictional Block Education Officer, along with a residence certificate from the Tahsildar. Candidates must select the ST-LFDT reservation carefully at the time of applying, as they are responsible for any error.

Documents Required for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026

All certificates must be uploaded with the online application. Candidates who claim a reservation but do not upload the prescribed certificate are not considered for that reservation. The documents uploaded at the time of application are the only ones considered at all stages and cannot be changed later.

• SSLC or equivalent marks card, as proof of date of birth (Class 10 marks card of the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, CBSE or ICSE)
• Marks cards relating to the educational qualification
• Caste certificate (Form D, E or F as applicable) 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, as applicable
• Aadhaar (UID) number of the candidate

During document verification, candidates must produce the original documents of everything uploaded. If any extra or different document is submitted, it is not considered, and a candidate who fails to submit the documents mentioned in the application by the notified date or does not attend is rejected.

Training, Probation and Posting

• After appointment as a Forest Observer, the candidate must serve in the department for at least 3 years from the date of appointment. Otherwise, the full cost of training must be paid to the Government as per the prescribed norms.
• The candidate must execute a bond on Rs. 100 stamp paper, agreeing to serve at any place in Karnataka State specified by the Government.
• Candidates who successfully complete the induction training are posted as per the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfers of Officers and Staff) Act 2016 and the 2019 rules.
• Physical tests for all notified circles are conducted at the same time.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Apply only through the online mode. Applications by post, courier, e-mail, hand or any other mode are not accepted. Fee payment by demand draft, cheque or postal order is not accepted.
• Read the instructions and the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules 2019 carefully before applying. Once an application is submitted, changes or corrections are not allowed.
• A candidate must use only his or her own Aadhaar (UID) number. If a candidate has applied using another person's Aadhaar number, the application is rejected and the candidate is debarred from the department's recruitment for 10 years.
• Take a printout of the submitted online application and the fee payment receipt and keep them. A hard copy does not have to be sent to the department. The printout must be carried along with the hall ticket for the tests.
• Keep the mobile number and e-mail ID given in the application active until the recruitment process is completed.
• Candidates who are in service with the Central or State Government or a public sector undertaking need to obtain a no-objection certificate before appointment.
• Candidates dismissed from service of the Central or State Government, a Government-owned body or a local authority are not eligible.
• A candidate who is a member of, or in close association with, an organisation declared unlawful is not eligible. A candidate who has been involved in anti-social activities and found guilty is also not eligible.
• A candidate who is debarred from any examination or recruitment of the Central or State Government or a Government body, temporarily or permanently, is not eligible.
• If a candidate is found to be impersonating someone else, submitting forged or tampered documents, giving false statements, hiding facts, or using unfair means, the candidature is cancelled, and the candidate may face criminal and disciplinary action and a 10-year debarment from the department's recruitment.
• Any attempt to bring outside pressure on the recruiting authority results in cancellation of candidature.
• If a candidate does not attend the recruitment process on the dates notified, the candidature is cancelled automatically.
• The recruiting authority may change the number of posts or the reservation classification if needed. Any change is published on aranya.gov.in under "Nemakati" (Recruitment). The authority also has the power to revise the list in case of a court order, Government direction or circular.
• The decision of the recruiting authority is final, and all legal disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the Karnataka State judiciary.

How to Apply for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026

Candidates can apply online for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 through the official Karnataka Forest Department website. The steps below are based on the application instructions in the notification.

1. Visit the official website of the Karnataka Forest Department: https://aranya.gov.in/.
2. Open the "Nemakati" (Recruitment) section at the bottom of the home page, where the notification is published.
3. Read the notification, the instructions and the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules 2019 carefully, and confirm that you meet the eligibility conditions.
4. Fill in the online application with the required details, using your own Aadhaar (UID) number.
5. Scan and upload the required certificates, such as the SSLC marks card, the caste certificate and the reservation certificates, as applicable.
6. Submit the application and pay the application fee online (UPI, NEFT, credit card, debit card or internet banking) or by cash challan at the notified bank branches.
7. Take a printout of the submitted online application and the fee receipt and keep them for future reference. Do not send a hard copy to the department.

The last date to apply online is 30.10.2026. Candidates should apply well before the deadline.

KFD Forest Observer Apply Online

Applications for KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 are accepted only through the online system on aranya.gov.in. The application window opened on 01.08.2026 and, as per the latest extension, closes on 30.10.2026. A separate direct application link is not given in the provided documents, so candidates should use the Recruitment ("Nemakati") section on the official website.

KFD Forest Observer Recruitment 2026 Important Links

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the organization conducting the recruitment?

The recruitment is conducted by the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) to fill vacant posts across multiple locations in the state of Karnataka.

What is the name of the post advertised?

The official notification has been released for the recruitment of Forest Watcher posts under the Karnataka Forest Department.

What is the total number of vacancies available?

There are a total of 750 vacancies available for the Forest Watcher position in this recruitment drive.

What is the educational qualification required?

Candidates must have passed SSLC or an equivalent examination from a recognized board to be eligible for this recruitment.

What is the age limit for applicants?

The minimum age requirement is 18 years, and the maximum age goes up to 33 years depending on the category of the candidate.

What is the salary range for the Forest Watcher post?

Selected candidates will receive a salary structured in the pay scale of Rs. 27500 - 46675 per month.

When does the online application process start and end?

The online application process starts on 1 August 2026 and concludes on 31 August 2026.

What is the application fee for general category male candidates?

Male candidates belonging to General, Cat-2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B categories are required to pay an application fee of Rs. 200/-.

What is the selection process for KFD Forest Watcher?

The selection process includes a Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), document verification, and a medical examination.

How can candidates apply for this recruitment?

Eligible candidates can apply online by visiting the official website aranya.gov.in, completing the application form, uploading documents, and paying the fee.