Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment 2026 for 750 Forest Watcher – Apply Online @ aranya.gov.in

Karnataka Forest Department Bangalore Last Date: 31st August, 2026
Official Update | Verified Information

Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment 2026 for 750 Forest Watcher – Apply Online @ aranya.gov.in


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Quick Summary

Organization: Karnataka Forest Department (KFD)

Post: Forest Watcher (Group ‘D’)

Total Vacancies: 750 (700 General + 50 Kalyana Karnataka)

Last Date to Apply: 31 August 2026

Official Website: aranya.gov.in

Golden Opportunity! The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has officially released the KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 notification for 750 posts of Forest Watcher (Group ‘D’). This is a latest Sarkari Naukri 2026 for candidates seeking government jobs in Karnataka with a stable career, attractive pay scale under 7th CPC, and no written exam. Interested candidates who have passed SSLC (10th standard) can apply online from 1st August to 31st August 2026. Read the full article for official notification PDF, vacancy breakup, eligibility, salary, and application process.

Why Apply for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?

  • Job Security: Permanent Group ‘D’ position under the Karnataka Government.
  • Attractive Salary: Pay scale Rs. 27,500 – 46,675 plus DA, HRA, and other allowances.
  • No Written Exam: Selection based on SSLC merit, physical tests, and document verification.
  • Career Growth: Opportunities for promotion within the Forest Department.
  • Wide Availability: 750 vacancies across 13 forest circles in Karnataka.

KFD Forest Watcher Vacancy 2026 – Circle-wise Breakup

Detailed Vacancy Breakdown for Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026
Forest Circle Number of Vacancies
Bengaluru 70
Belagavi 42
Ballari 63
Chamarajanagar 169
Chikkamagaluru 56
Dharwad 12
Hassan 30
Kenara 60
Kodagu 32
Kalaburagi 4
Mangaluru 54
Mysuru 120
Shivamogga 38
Total 750

Note: 700 vacancies are under general recruitment, and 50 are reserved for the Kalyana Karnataka (HK) region.

KFD Forest Watcher Eligibility Criteria 2026

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed SSLC (10th standard) or its equivalent from the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, NIOS/Open Schooling, or any other recognised board.

Age Limit

Minimum age: 18 years as on the date of the respective circle notification. Maximum age (with one-time 5-year relaxation) is as follows:

Age Limits for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment
Category Maximum Age (years)
General/Unreserved 30
2A, 2B, 3A, 3B 32
SC/ST/Category-1 33
Ex-servicemen As per rules
Existing Forest Volunteers (min. 5 years’ service) Up to 40/42/43 (depending on category)

Nationality & Marital Status

Candidate must be an Indian citizen. Male candidates with more than one living spouse, or female candidates married to a man with a living spouse, are not eligible unless exempted by the government.

Application Fee

Application Fee Structure for KFD Forest Watcher 2026
Category Male Candidates Female / Third Gender
General & 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B Rs. 200 Rs. 100
SC/ST/Category-1 Rs. 100 Rs. 50
Persons with Disabilities Exempted Exempted

KFD Forest Watcher Selection Process 2026

No written examination. The selection is based on:

  1. Provisional Merit List – prepared from SSLC marks (ratio 1:1).
  2. Physical Standard Test (PST) – height, chest, weight, vision, hearing.
  3. Physical Endurance Test (PET) – timed running (1600m in 7 min for men; 1000m in 6 min for women/ex-servicemen).
  4. Physical Efficiency Test – 5 events (100m race, high jump, long jump, shot put, 800m/200m race); must qualify in at least 3.
  5. Document Verification.
  6. Final Select List – based on overall performance.

Physical Standards

Physical Standards for Male Candidates
Parameter Other Categories Forest Dwelling ST
Height Min. 163 cm Min. 152 cm
Chest (unexpanded) Min. 79 cm Min. 74 cm
Chest Expansion Min. 5 cm Min. 5 cm
Physical Standards for Female Candidates
Parameter Other Categories Forest Dwelling ST
Height Min. 150 cm Min. 145 cm
Weight Min. 40 kg Min. 38 kg

How to Apply for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026

Follow these steps to apply online:

  1. Visit the official website: aranya.gov.in
  2. Click on the “ನೇಮಕಾತಿ” (Recruitment) link.
  3. Register using your Aadhaar number (one Aadhaar per application).
  4. Fill in personal, educational, and category details. Upload scanned copies of photograph, SSLC marks card, caste certificate (if applicable), and other documents.
  5. Pay the application fee online or via bank challan.
  6. Submit the form and save/print the acknowledgment for future reference.

Applications are accepted only online. No offline or postal applications. After submission, no edits are allowed.

Important Dates

Key Dates for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026
Event Date
Notification Release 30 June 2026
Apply Online Start 1 August 2026 (00:00:01 hrs)
Last Date to Apply 31 August 2026 (23:59:59 hrs)
Last Date to Pay Fee 2 September 2026

Karnataka Forest Department Forest Watcher Salary Structure 2026

Pay Scale: Rs. 27,500 – 46,675 (Level 7 of Karnataka Pay Matrix). In addition, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other benefits as per government rules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026 involve a written exam?

No. Selection is based on SSLC merit, followed by physical standard, endurance, and efficiency tests, and document verification.

How many vacancies are announced for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?

750 vacancies (700 general + 50 Kalyana Karnataka) across 13 forest circles in Karnataka.

What is the application fee for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment?

General & 2A/2B/3A/3B: Rs. 200 (men) / Rs. 100 (women). SC/ST/Category-1: Rs. 100 (men) / Rs. 50 (women). Persons with disabilities are exempt.

What is the last date to apply for KFD Forest Watcher 2026?

31st August 2026 (fee payment allowed until 2nd September 2026).

What is the minimum educational qualification required?

Candidates must have passed SSLC (10th standard) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.

What is the salary for Forest Watcher in Karnataka Forest Department?

Pay scale Rs. 27,500 – 46,675 plus allowances.

How can I apply online for KFD Forest Watcher Recruitment 2026?

Visit aranya.gov.in, go to the Recruitment link, register with Aadhaar, fill the form, upload documents, pay fee, and submit.

What is the selection process for KFD Forest Watcher?

Provisional merit list based on SSLC marks, then Physical Standard Test, Physical Endurance Test, Physical Efficiency Test, and document verification.


Active Recruitments

Job Name Location Last Date Details
Karnataka Forest Department Recruitment 2026 for 750 Forest Watcher – Apply Online @ aranya.gov.in
Bangalore 31st August, 2026 View Details
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About Karnataka Forest Department

Karnataka Forest Department Logo

Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) was established on 11th January 1864,by State Government, with the vision & mission for the conservation, management and development of Forest and Tree growth, on Sustainable basis for present and future generation, by planning Execute, coordinate and monitor the implementation of Forestry and Wildlife programmes to meet people need and to ensure ecological security and environmental balance, by sustainable management of forest & enhancing the forest and tree cover through people participation for meeting people's needs and better realization of ecological goods and services.

The prime objective of Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) is to strengthening, expansion and improvement of National Parks and Sanctuaries for wildlife protection and maintainers of Herbal Parks & Development of Infrastructure for the department including management of Information System for providing for adaptation of policies for mitigation, Evaluation and learning from all activities and programmes.

Karnataka Forest Department (KFD),functions for the Development of Herbal Parks, Construction of Water Harvesting Structures / Development of ECOTourism / Forestry Research and seed Development / Wildlife Conservation / Harvesting of Wood and Its Utilization / Human Resources Development Training, etc.

Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) offers recruitment for the posts of, Executive Manager / Assistant General Manager / Secretary Cum Finance Manager / Accounts Officer / Accountant / Administrative officer / Office Assistant / Steno / Typist Cum Clerk / Mechanic / Staff Nurse / Peon / Driver, etc.


Official Address
Karnataka Forest Department,18th Cross,Malleswaram,Bengaluru.
Bangalore, Karnataka
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