Overview
Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has released a recruitment notification for the post of Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga), Group 'D' (57 (51 fresh + 6 backlog) vacancies). Eligible candidates can apply offline (post or in-person submission) before 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM.
Key Details
- Organization
- Karnataka Forest Department (KFD)
- Vacancies
- 57 (51 fresh + 6 backlog)
- Posted
- 05 August 2026
- Last date to apply
- 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM
Important Dates
| Application Start Date | 05 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Notification Date | 27 July 2026 (all five circles) |
| Start Date for Submission of Application | 05 August 2026, from 10:00 AM |
| Last Date for Submission of Application | 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM |
| Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I | 40 years |
Important Links
- Official WebsiteOpen Link
Vacancy Details
A combined total of 57 Elephant Kavadiga posts are available across the five circles - 51 posts approved as fresh vacancies and 6 posts carried forward as backlog vacancies from an earlier 2022-23 recruitment cycle. The circle-wise and division-wise break-up is given below. S. No.: Circle / Division | No. of Posts 1: Kanara Circle (Shirsi) - Kali Hulu Sanrakshit Pradesha, Dandeli Wildlife Division | 1 (Backlog: SC-Others-1) 2: Kodagu Circle (Madikeri) - Madikeri Regional Division | 11 (Fresh-10: General-5, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-3B (Others)-1) 3: Mysuru Circle - Rajiv Gandhi National Park Division, Hunsur | 27 (Fresh-26: General-13, SC-4, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-5, Category-IIB-1, Category-IIIA-1, Category-IIIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-I (Others)-1) 4: Chamarajanagar Circle - Bandipur Tiger Reserve Division, Bandipur | 9 (Fresh-6: General-3, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-1; Backlog-3: Category-I (Others)-1, SC (Others)-1, General/Women-1) 5: Shivamoga Circle - Shivamoga Wildlife Division | 9 (General-4, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1) Total: 57 Note: Within each circle's General/reserved-category allocation, horizontal reservation also applies for Ex-servicemen, Women, Persons with Disability, Project-Displaced persons, candidates who studied in Kannada medium, Rural candidates, and Third Gender candidates, as detailed in each circle's individual notification. One vacancy in the Mysuru circle's SC catego…
Age Limit
Category: Maximum Age Limit General Candidates: 35 years Category-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and other Backward Classes: 38 years Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: 40 years Candidates must have completed a minimum of 18 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications. Age is reckoned as on the last date of application, i.e., 03 September 2026. A one-time additional relaxation of 5 years in the maximum age limit has been extended to candidates of all categories participating in backlog recruitment notified up to 31 December 2027, per Government Order No. CiaSau 262 Senani 2025, dated 29 January 2026. Ex-servicemen are entitled to age relaxation equal to the number of years of armed forces service actually rendered, plus 3 years, subject to their overall eligibility for the post under their category.
Salary
Selected candidates will be placed in the Group 'D' pay scale of ₹29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800, common across all five circles.
Application Fee
There is no application fee for this recruitment. The application form itself states that no fee is payable and that no supporting documents need to be enclosed at the time of initial application submission.
Selection Process
Selection is made purely through an interview and a performance assessment - there is no written examination for this post. • Candidates are assessed on their ability to speak and comprehend Kannada, and on their practical experience and performance capability in elephant handling. • The interview and performance assessment together carry a maximum of 100 marks. • Based on the marks obtained and the category-wise vacancy position, a provisional select list is prepared and published on the official website, followed by a final select list after considering any objections. • Candidates not present on the specified date and time for the interview/performance test will not be permitted to appear later, and the scheduled date will not be changed for any candidate. • The interview/performance assessment process may be video-recorded or covered by CCTV, with the footage retained as backup for transparency.
How to Apply
• Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department website: https://aranya.gov.in/. • Go to the "Nemakati" (Recruitment) section on the homepage. • Download the prescribed application form for the Elephant Kavadiga post. • Fill the application legibly in English (capital letters) or Kannada only, and affix a recent passport-size photograph. • Superscribe the envelope as "Application for Elephant Kavadiga Post" ("ಆನೆ ಕವಾಡಿಗ ಹುದ್ದೆಗೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ"). • Send the application by post or submit it in person to the office of the Conservator of Forests for the circle you are applying to (addresses below), between 05 August 2026 and 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM. Note: Applications submitted by any method other than the one prescribed in the notification will not be accepted. Once submitted, no changes, corrections, or additions to the application are permitted under any circumstances.
Required Documents
No documents need to be attached with the initial application form. However, candidates called for interview/document verification must carry original documents along with self-attested photocopies, including: • Proof of experience in elephant management, issued by the concerned Range Forest Officer or an officer senior to that rank • Proof of residence within the notified forest area, issued by the concerned Tehsildar (for candidates residing within a forest area notified across Karnataka state) • Proof of date of birth (birth certificate/school leaving certificate/Aadhaar card) • Caste certificate in the prescribed format, for candidates claiming category reservation • Non-Creamy Layer certificate (valid for 5 years from issue), for candidates belonging to Category-I/IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB claiming reservation • One valid photo ID proof - any one of Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card, a government/PSU photo Service ID Card, a bank passbook with photograph, registered property documents with photograph, a community certificate with photograph, an Ex-servicemen's pension book/pension payment order, or a Vikasit Bharat - Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Gramin) job card with photograph • Domicile/nativity certificate confirming residence within Karnataka state, where applicable
Important Instructions
• Candidates must attend every stage of the recruitment process (interview/performance test) at their own expense; no travel allowance is admissible. • Only candidates possessing all original and self-attested documents relevant to their claimed category/reservation, along with the required proof, will be considered further; incomplete, illegible, or incorrect information will result in the application being treated as unfit at the preliminary stage itself. • The applicant is solely and fully responsible for the accuracy of all information and documents furnished with the application. • Male candidates are considered for the physical/performance test for elephant handling; female and third-gender candidates are considered per the same standard applied to male candidates for the performance test, as stated in the notification. • Candidates found submitting forged documents, false information, or engaging in impersonation will have their candidature/selection cancelled, and may be debarred from Karnataka Forest Department recruitment for a period of 10 years. • The selection process for all circles will be conducted within the same overall time frame. • Government/other government servants already drawing a salary from Central/State Government or PSU service are not eligible to apply. • Candidates found to be members of, or in close contact with, an organisation declared unlawful will not be eligible for appointment. • Selected candidates must serve a minimum probation period o…
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Offline for 57 Posts?
Application Start Date: 05 August 2026; Last Date to Apply: 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM; Notification Date: 27 July 2026 (all five circles); Start Date for Submission of Application: 05 August 2026, from 10:00 AM; Last Date for Submission of Application: 03 September 2026, up to 5:30 PM; Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: 40 years
What is the application fee?
Nil - there is no application fee for this recruitment
What is the age limit?
Category: Maximum Age Limit General Candidates: 35 years Category-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and other Backward Classes: 38 years Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I: 40 years Candidates must have completed a minimum of 18 years of age as on the last date for submission of applications. Age is reckoned as on the last date of application, i.e., 03 September 2026. A one-time additional relaxation of 5 years in the maximum age limit has been extended to candidates of all categories participating in backlog recruitment notified up to 31 December 2027, per Government Order No. CiaSau 262 Senani 2025, dated 29 January 2026. Ex-servicemen are entitled to age relaxation equal to the number of years of armed forces service actually rendered, plus 3 years, subject to their overall eligibility for the post under their category.
What is the selection process?
Selection is made purely through an interview and a performance assessment - there is no written examination for this post. • Candidates are assessed on their ability to speak and comprehend Kannada, and on their practical experience and performance capability in elephant handling. • The interview and performance assessment together carry a maximum of 100 marks. • Based on the marks obtained and the category-wise vacancy position, a provisional select list is prepared and published on the official website, followed by a final select list after considering any objections. • Candidates not present on the specified date and time for the interview/performance test will not be permitted to appear later, and the scheduled date will not be changed for any candidate. • The interview/performance assessment process may be video-recorded or covered by CCTV, with the footage retained as backup fo…