Disclaimer: The details are based on the UPSSSC notification, advertisement number 12-Pariksha/2026. You should check the updates on upsssc.gov.in before you apply.
708 government jobs. Field posting. Forest department. Permanent appointment under UP government.
If you cleared PET-2025 and hold a 12th pass certificate, the portal opens 30 June 2026. Last date: 20 July. Twenty days. UPSSSC Forest Guard notifications do not come every year. This one is worth taking seriously.
UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | UPSSSC (Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission) |
| Advertisement Number | Advt. No. 12-Pariksha/2026 |
| Post Names | Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) & Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) |
| Total Vacancies | 708 |
| Notification Date | 23 April 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 30 June 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 20 July 2026 |
| Correction Window | Up to 27 July 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹25 (All Categories) |
| Pay Scale | Level 2 – ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 |
| Job Location | Uttar Pradesh — Forest & Wildlife Department |
| Selection Process | Written Exam → PET/PST → Medical → Document Verification |
| Official Website | upsssc.gov.in |
What the Job Actually Involves
This is not a job where you sit at a desk all day. A forest guard walks around the forest to check the boundaries, stops people from hunting animals, keeps track of what happens in the forest, and helps the senior officers who are in charge of the forest guard. Night patrols happen. Postings are often remote. Wildlife guards monitor animal movement and support protection in reserve areas. Career progression exists through departmental exams toward Forest Range Officer levels.
UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026 Vacancy Breakdown
| Post | Selection Type | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) | General Selection | 318 |
| Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) | Special Selection | 329 |
| Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) | General Selection | Included in 61 total |
| Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) | Special Selection | Included in 61 total |
| Forest Guard Total | 647 | |
| Wildlife Guard Total | 61 | |
| Grand Total | 708 |
You can find the breakdown for each category like SC and ST and OBC and EWS in the notification. This is available as a PDF on the website upsssc.gov.in.
Eligibility: Three Conditions That Must All Be True
PET-2025 Score Card: Hard gate. No PET-2025 score card means no eligibility, regardless of qualification or age. Zero or negative PET scores also disqualify.
12th Pass: Intermediate or equivalent from any recognized board.
Age 18-40 years as of 1 July 2026. SC/ST/OBC get 5 years relaxation. Ex-servicemen and state government employees get relaxation as per UP government rules.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Open upsssc.gov.in. Find Advertisement No. 12-Pariksha/2026 under Live Advertisements.
Step 2: Log in with your PET-2025 Registration Number. Authenticate via OTP.
Step 3: Personal details auto-fill from PET records. Verify them. Add educational qualification details manually.
Step 4: Upload a photograph and signature in the specified format and size. Photograph: recent, clear, light background. Signature: on white paper, scanned cleanly.
Step 5: Pay ₹25 online with a credit/debit card, net banking, UPI, or SBI E-Challan. Save transaction ID.
Step 6: Submit, download the confirmation page, and print it.
Step 7: The correction window is open until 27 July for minor errors. Use it if needed do not leave mistakes uncorrected.
UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026 Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 – PET Score Shortlisting | Candidates shortlisted for main exam based on the normalized PET-2025 score |
| Stage 2 – Written Examination | 100 MCQ; 2 hours; 0.25 negative marking |
| Stage 3 – Physical Measurement Test (PMT) | Height, chest, and weight verification |
| Stage 4 – Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Walking / running test as per category and gender |
| Stage 5 – Document Verification | Originals of all submitted documents checked |
| Stage 6 – Medical Examination | Final fitness check before appointment |
UPSSSC Forest Guard 2026 Documents Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| 10th Certificate | Date of birth and academic proof |
| 12th / Intermediate Certificate and Marksheet | Minimum educational qualification proof |
| PET-2025 Score Card | Mandatory without this, application is invalid |
| UP Domicile Certificate | Mandatory for all candidates |
| Category Certificate | SC / ST / OBC / EWS from competent authority, current year |
| Government Photo ID | Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN Card |
| Passport-Size Photograph | Recent, clear, light background |
| Signature | On white paper, scanned cleanly |
| Territorial Army / Sports Certificate | If claiming preferential qualification |
Category certificates issued by an officer below the required designation get rejected at verification. Check issuing authority before exam day, not after.
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Wrong category selected: selecting General when you belong to OBC loses your reservation benefit permanently for this cycle.
Blurred photograph: portal auto-rejects uploads that do not match size and dimension specifications. Check requirements before uploading.
PET score card not ready: some candidates assume they can add it later. You cannot. Have it ready before starting the form.
Applying after 20 July: no extensions accepted.
Example Candidate Scenario
Fictional for educational purposes only.
Vikas Singh, 24, from Gorakhpur, cleared PET-2025 and read the official notification PDF the day it released in April. He noted three things immediately: A PET scorecard is required, an OBC certificate needs to be from the current year, and the physical test requires a 25 km walk with a 15 kg load.
He renewed the OBC certificate in May, started daily walks building toward the physical test standard, and registered on 30 June opening day. He did not wait for a WhatsApp forward. He read the official document himself. That is the only strategy that actually works.
FAQs
Q1. Total vacancies?
708 – 647 forest guards and 61 wildlife guards.
Q2. Is PET-2025 mandatory?
Yes. No scorecard means no eligibility, no exceptions.
Q3. Age limit?
18-40 years as of 1 July 2026. SC/ST/OBC get 5 years relaxation.
Q4. Salary?
Pay level-2 ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 plus DA, HRA, and allowances.
Q5. Is the physical test mandatory?
Yes. Failing PMT or PET means elimination regardless of written exam score.
Q6. Can candidates from other states apply?
No. UP domicile required. Reserved category benefits only for UP domicile holders.
Q7. Application fee?
₹25 for all categories.
Q8. Exam date?
Not yet announced. Will be notified on upsssc.gov.in after the application window closes.
Read the full notification PDF at upsssc.gov.in before applying. Apply early, prepare physically from today, and keep documents ready.
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