Karnataka Forest Department Group D Recruitment 2026

The Karnataka Forest Department, under the Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests and Selection Authority, has released Notification, inviting online applications for direct  recruitment to 675 Forest Observer (Group ‘D’) posts across Karnataka for the year 2026-27. Candidates who have passed SSLC (Class 10) or an equivalent examination can apply online at aranya.gov.in from 01.08.2026 to 31.08.2026. Selection is based on SSLC marks followed by Physical Standard, Endurance, and Efficiency Tests – there is no written examination for this post.

• 12 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Dharwad Circle for the year 2026-27
• 54 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Mangalore Circle in the year 2026-27
• 31 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Hassan Circle in the year 2026-27
• 60 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Chikkamagaluru Circle in the year 2026-27
• 6 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ Posts for Kalaburgi Circle for the year 2026-27
• 42 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Belgaum Circle in the year 2026-27
• 121 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ Posts for the year 2026-27 in Mysore Circle.
• 64 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Bellary Circle in the year 2026-27
• 159 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Chamarajanagar Circle in the year 2026-27
• 82 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for Bangalore Circle in the year 2026-27
• 44 Forest Observer Group ‘D’ posts for the year 2026-27 in Shimoga Circle.

Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment 2026: Important Dates

Also Read: PNB LBO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 545 Local Bank Officer Posts

Karnataka Forest Observer 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.

Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment: Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

Karnataka Forest Observer Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed the SSLC examination conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, or an equivalent Class 10 qualification, as on the last date fixed for submission of application. The following qualifications are recognised as equivalent to SSLC:

• Class 10 examination conducted by CBSE or ICSE boards
• Class 10 examination conducted by the education boards of other State Governments
• Secondary-level course conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
• Secondary-level course (KOS) conducted by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board

Candidates who do not hold the prescribed qualification, or who applied and appeared in the recruitment process while awaiting SSLC (or equivalent) results, are not eligible; no qualification other than the ones listed above will be considered.

Karnataka Forest Observer Age Limit

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.

Karnataka Forest Observer 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.

Karnataka Forest Observer Application Fee

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.

Karnataka Forest Observer Selection Process

There is no written examination for the Forest Observer post. The selection process consists of the following stages:

1. Merit List: Prepared category-wise based on the marks obtained by candidates in SSLC or an equivalent qualifying examination, in the ratio of 1:20 (posts to candidates).
2. Physical Standard Test (PST): Candidates shortlisted in the merit list are checked against the prescribed height, chest measurement/expansion (for men), and height/weight (for women) standards.
3. Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Efficiency Test: Candidates who clear the Physical Standard Test undergo endurance and efficiency tests as notified by the Department from time to time.
4. Final Selection List: Prepared category-wise in the ratio of 1:1 (post to candidate) based on performance in the above stages.

Physical Standards for Forest Observer (Male Candidates)

Physical Standards for Forest Observer (Female Candidates)

Note: the male physical standards above apply to third-gender candidates who identify as male, and the female physical standards apply to third-gender candidates who identify as female.

Candidates with the following physical defects are disqualified from selection: knock-knees, bow legs, flat feet, varicose veins, impediment in speech and hearing, hydrocele (for male candidates), and defective vision/colour blindness/night blindness.

Required Documents for Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment

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.

How to Apply for Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment 2026

1. Visit the official Karnataka Forest Department website: https://aranya.gov.in.
2. Go to the “Recruitment” section on the bottom of the homepage.
3. Read the Karnataka Forest Department Services (Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2019 carefully before filling the online application.
4. Register and fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details.
5. Upload the required certificates/documents as prompted in the online form.
6. Pay the applicable application fee online (or generate a cash challan for payment at the specified banks).
7. Review all entered details carefully – corrections or additions are not allowed once the application is submitted.
8. 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.

Karnataka Forest Observer Recruitment: 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 dated 31.03.2006.
• The Selection Authority’s decision on all matters related to selection is final; all legal disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal.
• The number of notified posts and reservation categories are subject to change; any changes will be published on the official website.
• Candidates must keep the mobile number and email ID provided in the online application active until the recruitment process is complete.

Karnataka Forest Department Forest Observer Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Official Website: Click here 
• Join Telegram Channel: Join Now
• Join WhatsApp Channel: Click Here
• Sarkari Result: Click Here

Candidates preparing for physical-standard and merit-based government recruitments can also explore more Karnataka Government Jobs and 10th Pass Government Jobs available across departments. Those interested in forest, wildlife, and environment-related careers can check the latest Forest Department Recruitment notifications from other states as well. Candidates based in and around Bengaluru can also browse more Bengaluru Government Jobs and Group D Government  Jobs matching their qualification.