Karnataka Forest Watcher (Aranya Veekshaka) Recruitment 2026: Last Date Extended, Eligibility and Circle-wise Posts
Good news for 10th pass candidates in Karnataka. The Karnataka Forest Department is filling 750 Forest Watcher (Aranya Veekshaka) posts, Group D, across all 13 forest circles, plus 25 backlog posts, so 775 posts are on offer. The pay scale runs from Rs 27,500 to Rs 46,675. The application window has now been extended to 30 October 2026, so if you missed the earlier dates, you still have time. If you follow government jobs in Karnataka, this is one of the biggest openings of the year.
Applications opened on 1 August 2026 and are online only. Selection is based on your SSLC marks and physical tests, so your Class 10 marks card matters a lot here. This article covers the circle-wise posts, eligibility, age limits, physical standards, fees and the conditions that can cancel your application. Read it fully before you start. GovtJobsAlert.in will keep you posted on every next step.
What are the Key Highlights of Karnataka Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Bengaluru, directed all 13 circles to notify these posts. Each circle’s Chief Conservator / Conservator of Forests is the selection authority, so you apply for a circle, and rankings are made circle-wise.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Karnataka Forest Department (Aranya Ilakhe) |
| Post | Forest Watcher (Aranya Veekshaka), Group D |
| Total Posts | 775 (750 fresh: 700 Non-HK + 50 Kalyana Karnataka, plus 25 backlog) |
| Pay Scale | Rs 27,500 – Rs 46,675 |
| Qualification | SSLC (10th pass) or equivalent |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 years (General) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Last Date | 30 October 2026 (extended) |
| Job Location | Anywhere in Karnataka |
| SC Reservation | Temporarily 15% (not 17%), with internal reservation, under a High Court interim order |
Has the Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026 Last Date Been Extended?
The department has extended the window more than once. It was first stretched to 7 September for technical reasons, then to 30 September after a meeting chaired by the Forest Minister on 4 September. On 23 September 2026 the government published a draft amendment to the recruitment rules to include certain Scheduled Tribe sub-castes under the ST – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes reservation, and invited objections. Because of this, the notice dated 29 September 2026 extends the last date once more to 30 October 2026. The notice does not give a separate new fee deadline.
How Many Karnataka Forest Watcher Vacancies Are There in Each Circle in 2026?
HK means Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka) local posts. Pick your circle carefully, because each circle runs its own selection.
| Circle | Fresh Posts | Backlog Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | 70 | 2 |
| Ballari | 63 (17 Non-HK + 46 HK) | 1 (HK) |
| Belagavi | 42 | 0 |
| Chamarajanagar | 169 | 0 |
| Chikkamagaluru | 56 | 5 |
| Dharwad | 12 | 0 |
| Hassan | 30 | 1 |
| Kenara (Canara) | 60 | 7 |
| Kodagu | 32 | 0 |
| Kalaburagi | 4 (all HK) | 2 (HK) |
| Mangaluru | 54 | 0 |
| Mysuru | 120 | 1 |
| Shivamogga | 38 | 6 |
| All 13 circles | 750 (700 + 50 HK) | 25 |
Chamarajanagar (169) and Mysuru (120) have the most posts. In the Bengaluru, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Kenara, Kodagu, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Shivamogga circles, 50% of Forest Watcher posts in the listed tiger reserves and wildlife divisions are reserved for Local Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (such as Jenu Kuruba, Kadu Kuruba, Soliga, Yerava, Koraga, Malaikudi and others) who studied at least one year in that taluk. Category-wise splits for the fresh posts are published in each circle’s own notification, not in this letter.
The 25 backlog posts were left unfilled in the previous 310-post Forest Watcher recruitment because eligible candidates were not found. Each one is tied to the category shown below.
| Circle (Division) | Backlog Category | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru (Bannerghatta National Park) | ST – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes | 2 |
| Ballari | HK local – General / Others | 1 |
| Chikkamagaluru (Koppa) | General – PH | 1 |
| Chikkamagaluru (Bhadra Tiger Reserve) | ST – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes | 4 |
| Hassan (Tumakuru) | General – PH | 1 |
| Kenara (Kali Tiger Reserve, Dandeli) | ST – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes | 7 |
| Kalaburagi | HK local – General / Others | 1 |
| Kalaburagi | HK local – General – PH | 1 |
| Mysuru (Mysuru Wildlife) | ST / Others | 1 |
| Shivamogga | General / Others | 1 |
| Shivamogga (Bhadravathi) | General – PH | 1 |
| Shivamogga (Shivamogga Wildlife) | ST – Local Forest Dwelling Tribes | 4 |
Who Can Apply for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026?
Educational Qualification
You must have passed SSLC from the Karnataka board, or an equivalent, by the last date. This is a true 10th pass government job.
| Accepted Qualification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Karnataka SSLC | Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board |
| CBSE / ICSE | Class 10 exam |
| Other State Boards | Class 10 exam |
| NIOS | Secondary-level course |
| KOS | Secondary course of the Karnataka board |
If you did not study Kannada as first or second language in Class 10, you must pass the Kannada Language Test. Candidates who fail it are dropped from further selection.
Age Limit
Minimum age is 18 years on the notification date. Upper age is counted on the opening date of the notification.
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| General Merit | 30 years |
| Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB | 32 years |
| SC, ST, Category-I | 33 years |
| Forest Prerakas (5 years’ service) – General | 40 years |
| Forest Prerakas – Category II and III | 42 years |
| Forest Prerakas – SC, ST, Category-I | 43 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Category limit + years of service + 3 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
The notification shows these limits together with the one-time 5-year relaxation under the government order of 29 January 2026, so read them as the final limits.
Physical Standards
| Standard | Other Candidates | Local Forest Dwelling ST |
|---|---|---|
| Male height | 163 cm | 152 cm |
| Male chest (normal) | 79 cm | 74 cm |
| Male chest expansion | 5 cm | 5 cm |
| Female height | 150 cm | 145 cm |
| Female weight | 40 kg | 38 kg |
Transgender candidates follow the male or female standard as applicable. Knock-knees, bow legs, flat feet, varicose veins, speech or hearing impediment, hydrocele (men), and colour or night blindness make you ineligible. PwBD candidates may apply only in the Leprosy Cured, Acid Attack Victim and Mental Illness categories.
What is the Salary of a Karnataka Forest Watcher in 2026?
The pay scale is Rs 27,500-650-29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-46,675, which means you start at Rs 27,500 basic and can rise to Rs 46,675.
- Pension: Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS)
- Training: 6 months foundation training
- Probation: 36 months, including training
After selection you must sign a bond on Rs 100 stamp paper to serve at least 3 years, failing which you repay the full training cost. You can be posted anywhere in Karnataka.
What is the Selection Process for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shortlist on SSLC marks | 1:20 ratio, circle-wise |
| Physical Standard Test | Height, chest/weight, eyes, hearing |
| Physical Endurance Test | Running test (see below) |
| Physical Efficiency Test | Pass 3 of 5 events |
| Circle-wise ranking | On SSLC marks; older candidate ranks higher on a tie |
| Document verification | Originals checked |
| Medical fitness check | Before the final 1:1 selection list |
| Endurance Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Male | 1,600 m in 7 minutes |
| Female and Ex-Servicemen | 1,000 m in 6 minutes |
| Efficiency Event | Male | Female / Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m run | 15 sec | 18.5 sec |
| High jump | 1.20 m | 0.90 m |
| Long jump | 3.80 m | 2.50 m |
| Shot put (16 lb / 8 lb) | 5.60 m | 3.76 m |
| 800 m run | 2 min 50 sec | – |
| 200 m run | – | 40 sec |
Start running practice now. There is no second chance if you fail, get injured or do not finish a test. Watch our admit cards page for the hall ticket.
What Can Get Your Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026 Application Rejected?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Other person’s Aadhaar | Application rejected and you can be debarred from KFD recruitment for up to 10 years |
| Uploaded certificates | Only certificates uploaded with the form count; no change at any stage |
| No edits | Details cannot be corrected after submission |
| Fee not paid in time | Application treated as incomplete and rejected; fee not refundable |
| Offline mode | Post, courier, e-mail or DD/cheque applications will not be considered |
| Result awaited | Candidates awaiting SSLC result on the last date are not eligible |
| Reservation proof | Reservation not given if the certificate is not uploaded |
| LFDT field | Fill the Local Forest Dwelling Tribes field carefully, failing which you are responsible |
| Hall ticket | Without hall ticket and application printout you will not be allowed to the tests |
| Absence | Missing any fixed date cancels candidature |
| Signature after tests | Not signing or giving thumb impression means you are treated as ineligible |
| Pregnancy | Over 12 weeks pregnant or within 6 weeks of delivery: medical certificate needed, one more chance only |
| Fake documents / impersonation | Cancellation, criminal case and up to 10-year debarment |
| More than one living spouse | Not eligible without government permission |
| Dismissed or debarred | Persons dismissed from government service or debarred by any government body are not eligible |
| Banned organisations / anti-social conviction | Not eligible |
| Outside pressure | Candidature cancelled |
| Government employees | Must produce NOC before appointment, failing which not eligible |
How to Apply Online for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | First register on the KFD recruitment portal (Register Online link in Essential Links) using your own Aadhaar, and note the login details it gives you – you cannot apply without them |
| 2 | Read the circle notification and the 2019 recruitment rules |
| 3 | Log in with those details (Apply Online link) and apply for your chosen circle |
| 4 | Fill the form and upload all certificates: DOB, SSLC, caste, rural, Kannada medium, and any special category proof |
| 5 | Pay the fee online (UPI, NEFT, card, net banking) or by challan at SBI, Canara Bank, Union Bank or Central Bank |
| 6 | Submit and print the application and fee receipt from both steps |
You do not need to send a hard copy. Keep your caste certificate and, if you claim it, your Local Forest Dwelling ST study certificate ready before you start, since reservation is lost without them.
What are the Important Dates for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Circle notifications issued | 20 July 2026 |
| Online application start | 1 August 2026 |
| Original last date | 31 August 2026 |
| Original fee last date (bank challan; online fee by last date) | 2 September 2026 |
| First extension | 1 – 7 September 2026 |
| Second extension | 30 September 2026 |
| New last date | 30 October 2026 |
| Physical test dates | To be announced |
What is the Application Fee for Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB – Male | Rs 200 |
| General, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB – Female / Transgender | Rs 100 |
| SC, ST, Category-I – Male | Rs 100 |
| SC, ST, Category-I – Female / Transgender | Rs 50 |
| PwBD | Exempted |
Originally, online fees were due by the last date; challan fees within two days after. The fee is not refundable for any reason.
Karnataka Forest Watcher 2026 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF – Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 (PCCF letter and model notification)
- KFD Extension Notice dated 29-09-2026: Forest Watchers Last Date Extended to 30 October for All Circles 2026-27
- Apply Online for Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 – 750 + 25 Backlog Posts
- Register Online for Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 – 750 + 25 Backlog Posts
- Visit Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Karnataka Government Jobs Telegram Channel
If you are 10th pass, physically fit and within the age limit, do not let this chance go. You now have until 30 October 2026, but apply early and check every certificate before you submit, because nothing can be changed later. Start your running practice today. For more Karnataka government job updates and other government jobs, keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in.