MoEFCC Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 81 ADGF, DDGF and More Posts
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has listed 81 tentative vacancies at the ADGF, DDGF, IGF, DIGF and AIGF levels for vacancy year 2027. This is a tenure deputation circular for Indian Forest Service officers, not an open recruitment, and State Forest Service officers come in only in the exceptional cases described below. Complete applications must reach the Ministry by email by 1 December 2026, with the consent of the State or UT Government. Nominations will be used to prepare an Offer List for posts in various Ministries and organisations of the Government of India.
MoEFCC AIGF and Other Posts Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Circular number | 12026/02/2026-IFS-I [E- 311076] |
| Circular | First Vacancy Circular, Vacancy Year 2027 |
| Posts | ADGF, DDGF, IGF, DIGF and AIGF levels |
| Total vacancies | 81 (sum of the five levels in Annexure-II; tentative) |
| Basis of appointment | Tenure deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme of the Ministry |
| Date of circular | 13 October 2026 |
| Last date | 1 December 2026 |
| Website | MOEF website |
The official notification does not specify the application fee, the age limit, the pay or the minimum educational qualification.
About MoEFCC
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is a Ministry of the Government of India. This circular comes from its IFS-I Section at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi, and is issued under the Ministry's Central Staffing Scheme dated 6 May 2011.
MoEFCC AIGF and Other Posts Vacancy Details 2026
| Level of Post | Vacancies | Stations |
|---|---|---|
| ADGF Level | 02 | New Delhi (2) |
| DDGF Level | 03 | Nagpur (1), Ranchi (1), Shillong (1) |
| IGF Level | 07 | Bangalore (1), Guwahati (1), Kolkata (1), Nagpur (2), New Delhi (1), Shimla (1) |
| DIGF Level | 34 | Bangalore (1), Bhopal (1), Bhubaneswar (1), Burnihat (1), Chandigarh (3), Dehradun (10), Kolkata (1), Lucknow (1), Nagpur (3), New Delhi (8), Ranchi (2), Shillong (1), Shimla (1) |
| AIGF Level | 35 | Bangalore (1), Bhubaneswar (1), Burnihat (4), Coimbatore (2), Dehradun (9), Guwahati (1), Kolkata (2), Kurseong (3), Mumbai (1), New Delhi (11) |
These are existing and expected vacancies. Their number and stations are tentative and may change at any time without prior intimation.
MoEFCC AIGF and Other Posts Eligibility 2026
Who can apply
- Eligible and willing Indian Forest Service officers who meet the conditions laid down in the Scheme of the Ministry.
- Minimum years of service for each post are reckoned with reference to 1 January 2027.
- Minimum service left before superannuation, wherever applicable, is counted from 1 January 2027.
- An officer who has previously been on deputation will be considered only after completing the mandatory cooling off period under the extant guidelines. States are asked to sponsor only such officers.
State Forest Service officers
Where sufficient IFS officers are not available for specific posts, in exceptional cases State Forest Service officers named in the Select List under Regulation 7(3) of the IFS (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1966 shall also be considered. For posts in the North Eastern Region, SFS officers yet to be included in that list shall also be considered.
Additional requirements for NTCA posts
Applications for vacant National Tiger Conservation Authority posts at Delhi, Nagpur, Bangalore and Guwahati must meet both the service and the experience criteria below.
| Post | Service criteria (either) | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| AIGF (NTCA) | Holding an analogous post on a regular basis; or holding posts in the scale pay of Rs.10,000 - 15200 (Pre-revised) or equivalent with five years' regular service in the grade | At least five years' field experience in wildlife management |
| DIGF (NTCA) | Holding analogous post on regular basis; or holding posts in the scale pay of Rs.12,000 - 18,000 (Pre-revised) or equivalent with six years' regular service in the grade | At least five years of experience in a tiger reserve or protected area |
| IGF (NTCA) | Holding an analogous post on regular basis; or a minimum of 19 years of service in IFS, with respect to the year of allotment | At least 8 years of experience in wildlife conservation, of which five years should be in tiger reserves or the National Tiger Conservation Authority/ Project Tiger Division of the Ministry |
The official notification does not specify the minimum educational qualification.
See the official notification and the Scheme for the eligibility of each post.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of circular | 13 October 2026 |
| Last date of receipt of complete application | 1 December 2026 |
| Reference date for years of service | 1 January 2027 |
Selection Process
- Nominations are used to prepare the Offer List for vacancy year 2027.
- Selection will be based on actual vacancy positions available as per the administrative and technical requirement.
- Actual appointments will be subject to the availability and suitability of officers for the post at a particular station.
Service Conditions
- Appointment is on tenure deputation basis to posts in various Ministries and organisations of the Government of India.
- Officers may give three station preferences, but a posting at a preferred station is not assured.
- If selected, the State or UT certifies in Part II of the form that the officer's services shall be placed at the disposal of the Central Government.
How to Apply for MoEFCC AIGF and Other Posts Recruitment 2026
- Get Annexure-I (Parts I, II and III) from the circular, the IFS website or the MoEFCC IFS page.
- Fill in Part I and sign it. It asks for the level sought, three stations in order of preference, batch, cadre, date of birth, present pay scale and post, educational qualifications, postings of the last 10 years, all deputation postings, wildlife experience and date of return to cadre.
- Get Part II completed by the State or UT Government. It covers vigilance status, pending disciplinary proceedings, any reprimand, penalty or debarment, attested ACRs of the last eight years, and the Central and State Deputation Reserve figures.
- Get the vigilance particulars and vigilance profile furnished by the CVO or HOD.
Documents to send
- Application in the Annexure-I format, signed by the officer
- Part II and Part III, filled and signed by the Head of Forest Department of the State/UT or the Autonomous Offices, and by the officer concerned in the State Government, UT Government or Administrative Ministry where the applicant is on deputation
- State Government's vigilance clearance
- Duly attested APARs for the respective level posts, in accordance with the Scheme
- Concurrence of the State Government or the concerned Administrative Ministry where the officer is already on deputation
- Correct and updated Executive Record Sheet (a blank copy is enclosed with the circular)
Applications received without the consent of the concerned State or UT Government, or after the last date, will not be entertained. The circular is signed by Phalguni Banerjee, Under Secretary to the Govt. of India, Tele. No. 011 - 2081 9192.
Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| Official notification (PDF) | MoEFCC vacancy circular (PDF) |
| Scheme and application forms | IFS website |
| Scheme and application forms (alternate) | MoEFCC IFS page |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fresh candidate apply for these MoEFCC posts?
No. Nominations are invited from eligible and willing Indian Forest Service officers, with State Forest Service officers considered only in the exceptional cases the circular describes.
Which station has the most vacancies?
New Delhi has the most, with 11 at AIGF level, 8 at DIGF level, 2 at ADGF level and 1 at IGF level. Dehradun follows with 10 DIGF and 9 AIGF vacancies.
How many stations can an officer choose?
Three, listed in order of priority in column 3 of Annexure-I.
What happens if a selected officer does not join?
An officer who fails to take up the central deputation assignment after the appointment is approved attracts debarment of five years from central deputation.
Does the applicant need State Government consent?
Yes. An application without the consent of the concerned State or UT Government will not be entertained, and an officer already on deputation must also send the concurrence of the concerned Administrative Ministry.
Who must complete the cooling off period?
Any officer who has previously been on deputation. Such an officer is considered again only after completing the mandatory cooling off period.
Which NTCA stations have extra requirements?
Delhi, Nagpur, Bangalore and Guwahati. Annexure-IV sets the additional criteria for AIGF, DIGF and IGF posts at the NTCA.
How much wildlife experience does an IGF (NTCA) post need?
At least 8 years in wildlife conservation, including five years in tiger reserves, the National Tiger Conservation Authority or the Project Tiger Division of the Ministry.
How many years of ACRs does Part II ask about?
Part II asks the State or UT whether original or attested copies of the officer's ACRs for the last eight years are enclosed.