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Government of Karnataka, Forest Department
PermanentJul. 21, 2026

Forest Watcher

Required Qualification

Vacancies
82 Vacancies
Pay Scale
₹29.6K - ₹52.8K / mo
Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, Maximum 30 years (General) as on 2026-08-01
Job Location

Important Dates

Published

Jul. 20, 2026

2

Starts

Aug. 1, 2026

3

Deadline

Aug. 31, 2026

4

Exam Date

TBA

Job Analysis

AI-generated insights

Best-Fit Profile

Individuals who have completed SSLC, are physically fit, and are looking for a stable Group 'D' government job within Karnataka. Candidates belonging to reserved categories, especially local forest dwelling tribes, will find specific reservations advantageous. A strong commitment to forest conservation and outdoor work is essential.

Important Considerations

Those who do not meet the strict physical and medical standards, including vision and hearing requirements, should not apply. Candidates who cannot fulfill the minimum educational qualification (SSLC) or the age criteria as of the application deadline are ineligible. Lack of commitment to physical duties in varied forest environments might also be a mismatch.

Career Impact

Joining the Karnataka Forest Department as a Forest Watcher offers a secure entry into state government service. While a Group 'D' post, it provides stability, a clear pay scale, and the opportunity to contribute directly to environmental protection and wildlife conservation. Opportunities for internal growth and career progression exist within the department over time, fostering a sense of public service and engagement with nature.

Note: This is a helpful, AI-generated overview designed to save you time. Always refer to the official PDF notification for complete and final details.

About Government of Karnataka, Forest Department

The Karnataka Forest Department, under the Government of Karnataka, is responsible for forest conservation and management across the state. The current recruitment is handled by the Forest Conservator and Selection Authority, Bengaluru Circle.

Job Posts

Forest Watcher

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess an SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) or an equivalent qualification as recognized by the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board. This qualification must be held as of the last date for application submission.

Age Limit Details

  • General Candidates: Not exceeding 30 years.
  • Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB: Not exceeding 32 years.
  • SC, ST, Category-I: Not exceeding 33 years.
  • A one-time age relaxation of 5 years is applicable for all categories as per government order dated 29.01.2026, for notifications issued after this date until 31.12.2027.
  • Age relaxation also applies to Ex-servicemen based on their period of service plus 3 years.
  • Forest Motivators with a minimum of 5 years continuous service in the Forest Department have a maximum age limit of 40 years (General), 42 years (Cat IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB), and 43 years (SC/ST/Cat-I).
Check Your Age Eligibility

Salary & Pay Scale

The pay scale for Forest Watcher (Group 'D') is a progressive scale starting from Rs. 29,600 and reaching up to Rs. 52,800, with increments as follows:

  • Rs. 29,600 - 725 - 32,500
  • Rs. 32,500 - 800 - 35,700
  • Rs. 35,700 - 900 - 39,300
  • Rs. 39,300 - 1000 - 43,300
  • Rs. 43,300 - 1125 - 47,800
  • Rs. 47,800 - 1250 - 52,800
Karnataka Govt Salary Calculator

Vacancy Breakdown (Category-wise)

  • General Merit36
  • Scheduled Caste (SC)11
  • Scheduled Tribe (ST)12
  • Category-I2
  • Category-IIA12
  • Category-IIB5
  • Category-IIIA3
  • Category-IIIB1
Total Vacancies82 Vacancies

How to Apply

Interested and eligible candidates must apply online through the official website of the Karnataka Forest Department (https://aranya.gov.in/).

  1. Visit the 'Recruitment' section on the website.
  2. Read the detailed notification, instructions, and conditions thoroughly.
  3. Fill the online application form with accurate details.
  4. Upload all required scanned documents/certificates (e.g., birth certificate, educational qualifications, caste certificates, rural/Kannada medium study certificates, ex-servicemen certificates, physically challenged certificates).
  5. Pay the applicable application fee online using UPI/NEFT/Credit Card/Debit Card/Internet Banking, or offline via a downloaded challan.
  6. Print a copy of the filled online application form for future reference.
  7. No physical submission of the application form is required.

Application Fee

  • Male Candidates (General, Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB): Rs. 200/-
  • Female/Third Gender Candidates (General, Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB): Rs. 100/-
  • Male Candidates (SC, ST, Category-I): Rs. 100/-
  • Female/Third Gender Candidates (SC, ST, Category-I): Rs. 50/-
  • Physically Challenged Candidates: Exemption from application fee.

Fees can be paid online via UPI/NEFT/Credit Card/Debit Card/Internet Banking, or offline by downloading a challan and paying cash at designated branches of State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, or Central Bank of India.

Official Links

Visit Official Website

Prepare Your Application Documents

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