Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment 2026: The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has released the official recruitment notification for 675 Group D (Forest Observer) posts. This drive presents an excellent opportunity for candidates who have passed their 10th standard and are seeking a stable government career in the state’s forestry sector. The online application process begins on August 1, 2026, and will remain open until August 31, 2026. Selected candidates will be appointed across various forest circles in Karnataka to strengthen the state’s forest protection workforce.
Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Organization Name | Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) |
| Notification No. | Circle-wise Notifications dated 20 July 2026 |
| Post Name | Forest Observer (Group D) / Forest Watcher |
| No. of Posts | 675 |
| Job Category | State Government Jobs |
| Job Location | Karnataka (Various Forest Circles) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 31 August 2026 |
| Official Website | aranya.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | July 20, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | August 31, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | September 2, 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The Karnataka Forest Department has announced a total of 675 vacancies for the Group D (Forest Observer) position. These posts are spread across multiple forest circles in the state to build an effective protection workforce.
| Circle Unit | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Shimoga Circle | 44 |
| Bangalore Circle | 82 |
| Chamarajanagar Circle | 159 |
| Bellary Circle | 64 |
| Mysore Circle | 121 |
| Belgaum Circle | 42 |
| Kalaburgi Circle | 06 |
| Chikkamagaluru Circle | 60 |
| Hassan Circle | 31 |
| Mangalore Circle | 54 |
| Dharwad Circle | 12 |
Education Details
To apply for the Forest Observer vacancy, candidates must have successfully completed their SSLC (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board such as CBSE, ICSE, KSEEB, or NIOS. Please note that applicants waiting for their Class 10/SSLC results on the last date of application are not eligible for this recruitment.
Physical Standards for Forest Observer (Male Candidates)
| Physical Standard | All Other Category Candidates | Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Minimum 163 cm | Minimum 152 cm |
| Chest (normal) | Minimum 79 cm | Minimum 74 cm |
| Minimum chest expansion | 5 cm | 5 cm |
Physical Standards for Forest Observer (Female Candidates)
| Physical Standard | All Other Category Candidates | Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Minimum 150 cm | Minimum 145 cm |
| Minimum weight | 40 kg | 38 kg |
Salary
Candidates successfully selected for the Forest Observer (Group D) position will be compensated as per the state pay scale. The monthly salary ranges from ₹29,600 to ₹52,800.
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
Age Limit
Candidates must meet the following age requirements to be eligible (minimum age to apply is 18 years):
- General Category: Maximum 30 years
- Category 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B (Backward Classes): Maximum 32 years
- SC/ST: Maximum 33 years
Selection Process
The KFD Group D recruitment follows a structured, multi-stage selection process:
- Merit List: Shortlisting is done based on the percentage of marks secured in the Class 10/SSLC examination.
- Physical Standard Test (PST): Shortlisted candidates must undergo a physical measurement assessment.
- Physical Endurance Test (PET): Candidates are evaluated for stamina and physical fitness.
- Final Selection List: A final merit list is prepared post document verification.
Application Fee
The application fee varies based on the candidate’s category and gender:
- General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B (Male): ₹200
- General / 2A / 2B / 3A / 3B (Female / Third Gender): ₹100
- SC / ST / Category-I (Male): ₹100
- SC / ST / Category-I (Female / Third Gender): ₹50
How to Apply
Candidates must follow these steps to apply for the Karnataka Forest Department Group D vacancies:
- Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department portal at aranya.gov.in.
- Navigate to the recruitment section and click on the active link for the Group D Recruitment 2026.
- Register yourself on the portal and carefully fill out the online application form with your personal and educational details.
- Upload the mandatory documents, including your SSLC mark sheet, Aadhaar Card, passport-size photograph, and signature.
- Pay the application fee as per your category through the provided online payment gateway.
- Review all the details to ensure accuracy, submit the application, and save a copy or take a screenshot of the confirmation page for future reference.
Official Links
| Karnataka Forest Department Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Karnataka Forest Department Apply Online Link | Click Here |




