UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 — 708 Van Rakshak Posts Main Exam Open
The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has issued Advertisement No. 12-Exam/2026 for the Main Examination of Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) and Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard). A big 708 vacancies are open in the UP Forest Department under Pay Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200). If you are a PET 2025 qualified candidate looking for government jobs in Uttar Pradesh, this is your direct route.
The online application window opens on 30 June 2026 and closes on 20 July 2026. The Main Exam fee is kept at a flat ₹25 for all categories (because PET 2025 fee was already paid). Only candidates who appeared in UPSSSC PET 2025 and hold a valid normalized score card are eligible — no fresh candidates can apply. This GovtJobsAlert.in guide breaks down the post-wise vacancies, physical standards, exam pattern and the apply-online flow in simple words.
Key Highlights — UPSSSC Van Rakshak & Vanya Jeev Rakshak 2026
UPSSSC recruits Group C subordinate posts for all UP state departments. The current recruitment is for the UP Forest Department’s front-line field cadre — the men and women who guard our forests, wildlife sanctuaries and reserves.
- Post Names: Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) and Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard)
- Total Vacancies: 708
- Pay Level: Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200)
- Fee: ₹25 flat for all categories
- Last Date to Apply: 20 July 2026
Vacancy Breakdown — UPSSSC Van Rakshak 2026
The 708 posts are split into General Selection (328 posts open to all categories) and Special Selection (380 posts reserved for SC and OBC candidates). The table below shows the post-wise split.
| Selection Type | Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| General | Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | 318 |
| General | Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard) | 10 |
| Special | Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | 329 |
| Special | Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard) | 51 |
| Total | Combined | 708 |
Horizontal reservation for women, ex-servicemen, freedom fighter dependants and outstanding sportspersons is applicable as per UP state rules.
Eligibility Criteria — UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026
Educational Qualification
- Essential: Intermediate (12th Pass) from UP Board of Secondary Education OR equivalent from any recognised board / university.
- Mandatory Additional Requirement: Candidate must have appeared in UPSSSC PET 2025 and must hold a valid normalized score card.
- Preferential Qualification (tie-breaker): NCC ‘B’ Certificate / 2 years’ Territorial Army service / Certificate in Computer Application / state-level sportsperson.
If you are a 12th pass candidate with PET 2025 score, you are inside the eligibility zone.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 40 years (as on 01 July 2025)
- Age Relaxation: SC / ST / OBC (UP domicile only) — 5 years; Ex-Servicemen — up to 5 years; PwBD, freedom fighters dependants, sportspersons as per UP government norms.
Physical Standards & PET
- Male (General / OBC / SC): Height ≥ 168 cm, Chest 84 cm + 5 cm expansion
- Male (ST): Height ≥ 160 cm, Chest 82 cm + 5 cm expansion
- Female (General / OBC / SC): Height ≥ 152 cm, Weight 45 – 58 kg
- Female (ST): Height ≥ 147 cm
- Physical Efficiency Test: 25 km walk in 4 hours with 10 kg load (male) / 14 km walk in 4 hours (female) — qualifying
What is the Salary for UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026?
Both Van Rakshak and Vanya Jeev Rakshak posts carry Pay Level-2 (7th CPC Pay Matrix, ₹19,900 – ₹63,200) along with the usual state-government allowances.
- Basic Pay: ₹19,900 per month (starting)
- Pay Matrix: Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹63,200)
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance, HRA, TA and uniform allowance as per UP state government rules
- Perks: Pension, medical benefits and career progression to Forester / Range Forest Officer over time
Starting in-hand salary works out to roughly ₹28,000 – ₹32,000 per month after DA and HRA, along with job security in the UP state government cadre.
What is the Selection Process for UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026?
The selection is a multi-stage filter — the Main Written Exam is the only scoring stage, everything else is qualifying.
- Main Written Examination — 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, OMR-based, 1/4 negative marking.
- Physical Standard Test (PST) — qualifying only.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — qualifying endurance walk (25 km / 14 km).
- Medical Examination — qualifying fitness test.
- Document Verification & Final Selection — based on Main Exam score.
Exam pattern (Main Written):
- Part 1 — Subject Knowledge (Forest / Environment / Wildlife / Geography): 50 questions, 50 marks
- Part 2 — Elementary Mathematics & Biology: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Part 3 — Computer & IT Awareness: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Part 4 — General Information about Uttar Pradesh: 20 questions, 20 marks
Candidates will be shortlisted for PST in the ratio of 15× the vacancies based on normalized Main Exam score. For section-wise tips, check the syllabus corner on GovtJobsAlert.in.
How to Apply Online for UPSSSC Van Rakshak 2026?
Applications are accepted online only. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official UPSSSC portal upsssc.gov.in and open the Live Advertisement section.
- Click on Advertisement No. 12-Exam/2026 and start the application.
- Log in using your PET 2025 Registration Number and OTP sent to your registered mobile / email.
- Personal details will auto-fill from PET 2025 — verify carefully and add educational qualification details.
- Choose your post preference — Van Rakshak, Vanya Jeev Rakshak or both.
- Submit the declaration and preview the form.
- Pay the flat ₹25 application fee via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI or SBI E-Challan.
- Download the final printout and the fee receipt for future reference.
If you made a mistake, the form correction window stays open till 27 July 2026.
Important Dates — UPSSSC Forest Guard Main Exam 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 23 April 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 30 June 2026 |
| Application End Date | 20 July 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 20 July 2026 |
| Form Correction Last Date | 27 July 2026 |
| Main Exam Date | To be announced later |
Application Fees — UPSSSC Van Rakshak 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹25 |
| SC / ST | ₹25 |
| Women / Freedom Fighter Dep. / Ex-Servicemen | ₹25 |
The Main Exam fee is flat because PET 2025 fee was already paid at the qualifying stage. Payment is online through Credit / Debit Card, UPI, Net Banking or SBI E-Challan.
Essential Links — UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online at UPSSSC Portal
- Visit UPSSSC Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Join UP State Telegram Channel
708 Forest Guard posts in the UP Forest Department is a rare chance for PET 2025 qualifiers — strong pay, stable state cadre and a fee of just ₹25. Start your preparation for the 100-mark Main Exam today and don’t miss the 20 July 2026 deadline. For more UP government job updates, stay connected with GovtJobsAlert.in.