Age
18-40 Years
Min Qualification
12th
Location
Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has unveiled a prestigious recruitment drive for those who dream of a career amidst nature and wildlife. This notification, identified as Advertisement Number 12-Exam/2026, opens the doors to becoming a Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) or a Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) within the state’s vital Forest Department. For a student looking for long-term career stability, these roles offer more than just a government paycheck; they provide a chance to serve as the frontline defenders of our environment and natural heritage.
Securing a position here means becoming an integral part of the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Department, Uttar Pradesh. With a total of 708 vacancies up for grabs, this is a significant opportunity for youth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to transition into a life of discipline, respect, and environmental impact. Unlike typical desk jobs, this career path promises an active lifestyle where your meticulous attention to the ecosystem directly contributes to the state’s ecological health.
Mandatory: You must have passed the Intermediate (Class 12) Examination.
Essential Prerequisite: You must have appeared for the PET-2025 (Preliminary Eligibility Test) and possess a valid score card issued by the Commission.
UPSSSC has kept the initial processing fee highly accessible for all aspirants. Note that "Application Fee" is currently nil, and only the Online Processing Fee is charged at this stage.
Category | Application Fee | Processing Fee | Total Fee |
Unreserved / General | ₹00 | ₹25 | ₹25 |
Other Backward Class (OBC) | ₹00 | ₹25 | ₹25 |
Scheduled Caste (SC) | ₹00 | ₹25 | ₹25 |
Scheduled Tribe (ST) | ₹00 | ₹25 | ₹25 |
A Forest Guard or Wildlife Guard is the sentinel of the woods. Your day-to-day responsibilities are far from mundane; you will be involved in patrolling vast forest tracts to prevent illegal logging and poaching. The role demands high physical stamina and a sharp eye for detail. You will manage human-wildlife conflicts, assist in afforestation projects, and monitor the health of the local ecosystem. This is a field-heavy role where your presence ensures that Uttar Pradesh’s national parks and sanctuaries remain safe havens for biodiversity. The impact is real—you are the barrier between environmental exploitation and conservation.
Best For: Individuals who possess a deep love for the outdoors and physical fitness. If you prefer action over a cubicle and have the resilience to work in varied weather conditions, this is your calling. It is ideal for those with a disciplined mindset, perhaps those with a background in the NCC or Sports, as these provide extra weightage.
Not Ideal For: Those looking for a purely sedentary, 9-to-5 office environment. If you have significant physical limitations or a preference for purely academic/theoretical work without any field involvement, the grueling physical standards and outdoor nature of this role might be challenging.
General: 18 to 40 years.
Relaxations: SC, ST, and other specified categories receive age relaxations as per U.P. Government rules. For example, permanent state employees may get up to a 5-year relaxation.
Both posts fall under Pay Level-2.
Pay Scale: ₹19,900 to ₹63,200.
Estimated Take-Home: Based on the 7th Pay Commission, a new recruit can expect a starting basic pay of ₹19,900. Adding Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other allowances, the monthly in-hand salary would likely range between ₹28,000 to ₹32,000 depending on the posting location.
Perks: Benefit from a secure pension (NPS), medical facilities, and the prestige of a permanent government uniform service.
Total Vacancies: 708 Posts
The vacancies are split between General Selection and Special Selection across two primary designations:
Post Name | Category | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
Forest Guard | General Selection | 128 | 65 | 10 | 84 | 31 | 318 |
Wildlife Guard | General Selection | 04 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 01 | 10 |
Forest Guard | Special Selection | -- | 134 | 00 | 195 | -- | 329 |
Wildlife Guard | Special Selection | -- | 17 | 00 | 34 | -- | 51 |
PET-2025 Registration Number for login.
Class 10th Certificate (as proof of date of birth).
Class 12th Marksheet and Certificate.
Caste Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS) issued by a competent authority.
Domicile Certificate of Uttar Pradesh (if claiming reservation).
EWS Certificate (if applicable) issued between April 1, 2026, and July 20, 2026.
Horizontal Reservation Docs (Ex-servicemen, Freedom Fighter Dependents, Sportspersons, etc.).
Visit: Click on the Apply Online button.
Verify Personal Info: Your basic details (Name, Address, Photo, Signature) will be fetched automatically from your PET record. Do not attempt to change these.
Enter Qualifications: Fill in your 12th-grade details (Board, Year, Roll No., etc.) meticulously.
Preferences: Select your post preferences and mention any preferential qualifications like NCC 'B' certificate.
Fee Payment: Pay the ₹25 fee via Credit/Debit card, Net Banking, or UPI. Ensure you get a "Transaction ID"; if the page fails, use the "Double Verification" mode on the homepage.
Printout: Download and print the final application form. This is mandatory for document verification later.
The selection journey is multi-staged and rigorous:
Shortlisting: Based on PET-2025 Normalized Scores.
Written Exam: A 100-mark objective test covering Subject Knowledge (50), Math/Bio (15), Computer (15), and U.P. General Knowledge (20).
Physical Standard Test (PST): Male (168 cm height, 84 cm chest); Female (152 cm height, 45-58 kg weight).
Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Male must cover 25 km in 4 hours with a 10 kg weight; Female must cover 14 km in 4 hours.
Medical Examination: A comprehensive health check.
Expert Strategy: Since 50% of the written exam is "Subject Knowledge" regarding forests and environment, focus heavily on topics like Climate Change, National Parks, and Forest Produce. Start brisk walking immediately to build stamina for the 4-hour endurance test; it's a test of mental grit as much as physical strength.
Q1: Is there any negative marking in the written exam?
Ans: Yes, there is a negative marking of 25% (1/4 mark) for every wrong answer.
Q2: Can someone who did not give PET-2025 apply?
Ans: No. Only candidates who appeared in PET-2025 and have a valid score card are eligible.
Q3: What is the height requirement for SC/ST candidates?
Ans: For ST candidates, the height is relaxed to 160 cm (Male) and 147 cm (Female).
Q4: Can I change my photo or signature during the application?
Ans: No, the photo and signature are automatically pulled from your PET-2025 data and cannot be modified.
Q5: What happens if my fee is deducted but the application doesn't show "Submitted"?
Ans: You must use the "Update Your Transaction ID by Double Verification" link on the UPSSSC website to reconcile the payment.
Q6: Is this a permanent or temporary job?
Ans: The notification explicitly states that these are permanent (sthayi) posts.
Q7: Can final year students (waiting for 12th results) apply?
Ans: No, you must possess the mandatory educational qualification by the last date of application, which is July 20, 2026.
Q8: What is the "Special Selection" mentioned in the vacancy table?
Ans: Special Selection (Vishesh Chayan) often refers to back-log vacancies or dedicated quotas for specific categories like SC and OBC.
Q9: Is the physical test for women the same as men?
Ans: No, women have a different requirement: 14 km in 4 hours, without the mention of a 10 kg weight.
Q10: What should I do if I make a mistake in my address or EWS category?
Ans: You can modify specific details like address, EWS status, and marital status via the "Modify Application" button until July 27, 2026.