The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has officially released the recruitment notification (Advt No. 12-Exam/2026) for the posts of Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) and Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak).
This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 708 vacancies under the Forest Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. If you are a 12th-pass candidate looking for a stable government job in UP and possess a valid UPSSSC PET 2025 scorecard, this is your golden opportunity!
Read on for complete details regarding important dates, eligibility criteria, physical requirements, vacancy distribution, and a step-by-step guide on how to register online.
📅 UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
The online registration window opens on June 30, 2026. Make sure to note down these key dates to avoid any last-minute hassle:
| Event | Important Dates |
| Notification Release Date | April 23, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | June 30, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | July 20, 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Correction | July 27, 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | To Be Announced (TBA) |
| Admit Card Availability | Before Exam |
💰 Application Fee & Processing Charges
UPSSSC has kept a uniform, nominal fee structure across all categories for the initial application processing stage:
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹25/-
- SC / ST: ₹25/-
- Divyangjan (PwD): ₹25/-
- Payment Mode: State Bank of India (SBI) e-Challan, Debit Card, Credit Card, or Internet Banking.
🎓 Age Limit & Eligibility Criteria (As of July 1, 2026)
Before filling out the form, ensure that you fulfill the educational, scorecard, and age parameters.
1. Educational Qualification & Mandatory Requirements
- Academic: Must have completed Intermediate (Class 12th) or an equivalent examination from a recognized Board in India.
- Mandatory Scorecard: A valid UPSSSC PET 2025 Scorecard is compulsory. Candidates without a PET 2025 score cannot apply, as shortlisting for the Mains written exam is done strictly based on this.
2. Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 40 Years
- Note: Age relaxation is applicable up to 5 years for SC/ST/OBC and women candidates of Uttar Pradesh as per state government rules.
📋 Category-Wise Vacancy Break-Up
The 708 vacancies are divided into General Selection (Regular Recruitment) and Special Selection (Backlog/Reserved Recruitment) across both posts.
Forest Guard & Wildlife Guard Post Distribution
| Post Name & Selection Type | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total Posts |
| Forest Guard (Regular) | 128 | 65 | 10 | 84 | 31 | 318 |
| Wildlife Guard (Regular) | 04 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 01 | 10 |
| Forest Guard (Special) | — | 134 | 00 | 195 | — | 329 |
| Wildlife Guard (Special) | — | 17 | 00 | 34 | — | 51 |
| Grand Total | 132 | 218 | 11 | 315 | 32 | 708 |
⚠️ Note on District-Wise Vacancies: As this is a state-level recruitment belonging to the UP Forest Department cadre, candidates are selected for the state pool. Postings are allocated district-wise after final selection, based on available department beats and merit preferences rather than separate district-level application forms.
🏃♂️ Mandatory Physical Standards (PST & PET)
Since these positions demand strong outdoor capabilities, physical fitness is an essential stage of the selection process.
Male Candidates
- Height: 168 cm (General/OBC/SC) | 160 cm (ST)
- Chest: 79–84 cm (Minimum 5 cm expansion required)
- Physical Endurance Test (PET): Must complete a 25 km walk/run carrying a 10 kg weight within a maximum time frame of 4 hours.
Female Candidates
- Height: 152 cm (General/OBC/SC) | 147 cm (ST)
- Weight: Minimum 45 kg to Maximum 58 kg
- Physical Endurance Test (PET): Must complete a 2.4 km run within 14 minutes (without weight).
🗂️ Eligible Documents Required for Online Application
Keep digital copies of the following documents ready before launching the application page:
- Valid UPSSSC PET 2025 Registration Number.
- Class 10th (Matriculation) Certificate (for Date of Birth proof).
- Class 12th (Intermediate) Marksheet and Certificate.
- Valid Category / Caste Certificate (if claiming SC/ST/OBC reservation).
- Domicile Certificate (mandatory for UP residents seeking reservation benefits).
- EWS Certificate (if applicable, for the current financial year).
- Scanned copy of recent passport-size Photograph and Signature (clear and within the file size limit specified on the portal).
🛠️ How to Complete UPSSSC Forest Guard Registration Online
Follow this exact workflow to make sure your application goes through successfully without errors:
1.Visit the Official Portal:Step 1.
Navigate to the official website of the commission at upsssc.gov.in. Look for the “Live Advertisement” segment on the homepage.
2.Log in using PET 2025 Details:Step 2.
Click on the link for Advt No. 12-Exam/2026. You must authenticate yourself using your UPSSSC PET 2025 Registration Number along with your Date of Birth, Gender, Domicile, and Category, or via an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
3.Verify Personal Data:Step 3.
Once logged in, your primary details from the PET 2025 database will auto-populate. Review them carefully and input your Class 12th educational qualifications.
4.Upload Photo and Signature:Step 4.
Your photo and signature from the PET application will appear automatically. Verify their clarity or refresh them according to the current guidelines, then click save and continue.
5.Pay the Application Fee:Step 5.
Proceed to the payment gateway. Pay the online processing fee of ₹25 using internet banking, credit/debit card, or SBI e-Challan.
6.Final Submission & Printout:Step 6.
Double-check all entered information in the preview screen. Click on Submit. Download and print the finalized application confirmation page for your records.
🔗 Important Direct Links
- Official Website: [suspicious link removed]
- Apply Online Direct Link: [suspicious link removed] (Active from June 30, 2026)
- Download Official Notification PDF: [suspicious link removed]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the last date to apply online for UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026?
The last date to fill out the online application form and pay the registration processing fee is July 20, 2026.
Q2: How many total posts are available in this recruitment drive?
There are a total of 708 vacancies split between Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) and Wildlife Guard (Vanya Jeev Rakshak).
Q3: Can candidates from other states outside Uttar Pradesh apply?
Yes, candidates from other states can apply. However, they will be treated under the Unreserved (General) category and will not receive any age or caste relaxation benefits.
Q4: Is a PET scorecard mandatory for the UP Forest Guard post?
Yes. You must hold a valid UPSSSC PET 2025 score. The commission will shortlist applicants for the Main written exam based on their PET performance.
Q5: What is the minimum educational qualification required?
An applicant must have successfully passed the Intermediate (Class 12th) exam or its equivalent from an officially recognized education board.
Q6: What is the age limit for general category candidates?
The age limit is 18 to 40 years as of July 1, 2026. Upper age relaxation is granted to reserved categories belonging to Uttar Pradesh.
Q7: Is there any physical running test for female candidates?
Yes, female candidates must successfully pass a physical efficiency test by completing a 2.4 km run within 14 minutes. They do not need to carry any weight.
Q8: What is the salary scale for a UP Forest Guard?
The selected candidates receive a Pay Level-2 salary scaling from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 per month under the 7th Pay Commission, plus standard UP government allowances.
Q9: Can I make changes to my application form after submitting it?
Yes, a modification window is open until July 27, 2026. You can correct specific fields by logging into the portal before this deadline.
Q10: What is the application fee for SC/ST candidates?
The application fee is a uniform ₹25 for all categories, including General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD candidates.