Overview
Karnataka Forest Department (Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests & Selection Authority) has released a recruitment notification for the post of Forest Observer, Group 'D' (675 vacancies). Eligible candidates with SSLC (Class 10) or equivalent can apply online only before 31.08.2026.
Key Details
- Organization
- Karnataka Forest Department (Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests & Selection Authority)
- Qualification
- SSLC (Class 10) or equivalent
- Vacancies
- 675
- Posted
- 20-07-2026
- Last date to apply
- 31.08.2026
Important Dates
| Notification Date | 20-07-2026 |
| Application Start Date | 01.08.2026 |
| Application Last Date | 31.08.2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 02.09.2026 |
| Notification release date | 20-07-2026 |
| Online application start date | 01.08.2026 (00:00:01) |
| Online application last date | 31.08.2026 (23:59:59) |
| Last date to pay application fee | 02.09.2026 |
| Admit card release date | Not specified in the notification |
| Exam/Test date | Not specified in the notification; will be announced on the official website |
Important Links
- official websiteOpen Link
- 12 forest observer group d posts for dharwad circle for theOpen Link
- 54 forest observer group d posts for mangalore circle in theOpen Link
- 31 forest observer group d posts for hassan circle in the yeOpen Link
- 60 forest observer group d posts for chikkamagaluru circle iOpen Link
- 6 forest observer group d posts for kalaburgi circle for theOpen Link
- 42 forest observer group d posts for belgaum circle in the yOpen Link
- 121 forest observer group d posts for the year 2026 27 in myOpen Link
- 64 forest observer group d posts for bellary circle in the yOpen Link
- 159 forest observer group d posts for chamarajanagar circleOpen Link
- 82 forest observer group d posts for bangalore circle in theOpen Link
- 44 forest observer group d posts for the year 2026 27 in shiOpen Link
- official notification pdfOpen Link
Vacancy Details
A total of 675 Forest Observer (Group 'D') vacancies are notified for the Shimoga Circle, Bangalore Circle, Chamarajanagar Circle, Bellary Circle, Mysore Circle, Belgaum Circle, Kalaburgi Circle, Chikkamagaluru Circle, Hassan Circle, Mangalore Circle, Dharwad Circle. Sl. No.: Circle Unit | Number of Posts 1: Shimoga Circle | 44 2: Bangalore Circle | 82 3: Chamarajanagar Circle | 159 4: Bellary Circle | 64 5: Mysore Circle | 121 6: Belgaum Circle | 42 7: Kalaburgi Circle | 06 8: Chikkamagaluru Circle | 60 9: Hassan Circle | 31 10: Mangalore Circle | 54 11: Dharwad Circle | 12
Eligibility
• The candidate must be an Indian citizen. • A male candidate with more than one living wife, or a woman who has married 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 fit, and free from any physical defect that could hinder the efficient discharge of duties. • The Selection Authority reserves full discretion to reject a candidate found medically unfit, based on a Medical Board's report.
Age Limit
Category: Maximum Age Limit General/unreserved category: 30 years Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (backward classes): 32 years SC, ST and Category-I: 33 years Minimum age: candidates must have completed 18 years as on the date of the notification. As a one-time measure, a 5-year relaxation in the above maximum age limits has been granted vide Government Order No. CiAsuI 262 SoNeNi 2025 dated 29.01.2026, applicable to all category candidates participating in the selection process for notifications issued up to 31.12.2027. Age relaxation for ex-servicemen: the maximum age limit applicable to their category, plus the number of years of service rendered in the armed forces plus 3 years. Age limit for existing Forest Observers: Forest Observers who have completed a minimum of 5 years of continuous service in the Forest Department and are currently serving on honorarium are eligible under a separate, higher age limit - General: 40 years; Category 2A/2B/3A/3B: 42 years; SC/ST/Category-I: 43 years.
Salary
Selected candidates will be placed in the following pay scale (Karnataka Civil Services pay scale): Rs. 29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800 The take-home in-hand salary, grade pay/level, and probation period are not specified in the notification.
Application Fee
Category: Gender | Application Fee General, Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: Male | Rs. 200/- Female / Third Gender: Rs. 100/- SC, ST, Category-I: Male | Rs. 100/- Female / Third Gender: Rs. 50/- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are exempted from the application fee as per Government Circular No. CiAsuI 431 SanNi 2016 dated 28.12.2016. Mode of fee payment: Application fee can be paid online through UPI, NEFT, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Internet Banking. Candidates who wish to pay by cash can select the cash option during the online application, download the generated challan, and pay in cash at any branch of State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, or Central Bank of India. No other payment mode (DD, cheque, postal order, etc.) will be accepted, and no offline, postal, courier, or email applications will be considered.
Selection Process
Merit list (SSLC marks) + Physical Standard, Endurance & Efficiency Tests
How to Apply
• Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department website: https://aranya.gov.in. • Go to the "Recruitment" section on the bottom of the homepage. • Read the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2019 carefully before filling the online application. • Register and fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details. • Upload the required certificates/documents as prompted in the online form. • Pay the applicable application fee online (or generate a cash challan for payment at the specified banks). • Review all entered details carefully - corrections or additions are not allowed once the application is submitted. • Submit the application and save/print a copy of the completed form for your records. Applications must be submitted online only; applications sent by post, courier, speed post, ordinary mail, email, or in person will not be considered.
Required Documents
The notification does not carry a single, standalone "documents checklist" section. Based on the eligibility and reservation clauses in the notification, candidates claiming reservation benefits are required to upload a community certificate with photograph (particularly for Local Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe claims) along with other supporting certificates at the time of online application. Candidates are advised to keep the following ready for upload, subject to confirmation from the full notification: SSLC/equivalent marks card, caste/category certificate (if applicable), community certificate with photograph (if claiming Local Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe reservation), and any other certificate specified in the online application form. Not specified in the notification: a consolidated list of mandatory documents; candidates should refer to the online application portal for the exact list of uploads required.
Important Instructions
• Candidates must use only their own Aadhaar (UID) number while applying online. Using another person's Aadhaar number leads to rejection of the application and a 10-year debarment from Karnataka Forest Department recruitments. • Whichever certificates/documents are uploaded at the time of application will be considered at every stage of the selection process; these cannot be changed later. • Candidates claiming Local Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe reservation must carefully fill the relevant reservation column online; candidates are responsible for any errors here. • Candidates dismissed from any Central/State Government department or government/quasi-government body are not eligible for this recruitment. • Members of organisations declared unlawful, or those in close contact with such organisations, are not eligible. • Candidates involved in anti-social activities or found guilty of an offence are not eligible. • Candidates debarred (temporarily or permanently) from appearing in any government examination/selection are not eligible for any Forest Department recruitment. • Submission of fake documents, impersonation, or furnishing false information leads to cancellation of candidature, criminal proceedings, and a 10-year debarment from Karnataka Forest Department recruitment as per Rule 20 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977. • Selected candidates will be governed by the Contributory Pension Scheme as per Government Order No. FD SPL 04 PET 2005…
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for Karnataka Forest Department Group D Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 675 Forest Observer Posts?
Notification Date: 20-07-2026; Application Start Date: 01.08.2026; Application Last Date: 31.08.2026; Fee Payment Last Date: 02.09.2026; Notification release date: 20-07-2026; Online application start date: 01.08.2026 (00:00:01); Online application last date: 31.08.2026 (23:59:59); Last date to pay application fee: 02.09.2026; Admit card release date: Not specified in the notification; Exam/Test date: Not specified in the notification; will be announced on the official website
What is the application fee?
Category: Gender | Application Fee General, Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: Male | Rs. 200/- Female / Third Gender: Rs. 100/- SC, ST, Category-I: Male | Rs. 100/- Female / Third Gender: Rs. 50/- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are exempted from the application fee as per Government Circular No. CiAsuI 431 SanNi 2016 dated 28.12.2016. Mode of fee payment: Application fee can be paid online through UPI, NEFT, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Internet Banking. Candidates who wish to pay by cash can select the cash option during the online application, download the generated challan, and pay in cash at any branch of State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, or Central Bank of India. No other payment mode (DD, cheque, postal order, etc.) will be accepted, and no offline, postal, courier, or email applications will be considered.
What is the age limit?
Category: Maximum Age Limit General/unreserved category: 30 years Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (backward classes): 32 years SC, ST and Category-I: 33 years Minimum age: candidates must have completed 18 years as on the date of the notification. As a one-time measure, a 5-year relaxation in the above maximum age limits has been granted vide Government Order No. CiAsuI 262 SoNeNi 2025 dated 29.01.2026, applicable to all category candidates participating in the selection process for notifications issued up to 31.12.2027. Age relaxation for ex-servicemen: the maximum age limit applicable to their category, plus the number of years of service rendered in the armed forces plus 3 years. Age limit for existing Forest Observers: Forest Observers who have completed a minimum of 5 years of continuous service in the Forest Department and are currently serving on honorarium are eligible under a separat…
What is the selection process?
Merit list (SSLC marks) + Physical Standard, Endurance & Efficiency Tests