The Gujarat government continues to strengthen its environmental protection system by recruiting skilled professionals for the Forest and Environment Department. Recently, the Gujarat Public Service Commission released an official recruitment notification for Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) posts. This recruitment drive offers a prestigious opportunity for candidates who want to work in the field of forest conservation, wildlife protection, and environmental management.
Forest services are among the most respected government careers in India. Officers recruited through GPSC play a crucial role in protecting forests, managing wildlife reserves, implementing environmental policies, and maintaining ecological balance. These posts also offer good salary packages, job stability, and career growth opportunities.
This detailed blog explains everything you need to know about the GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026, including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, salary, selection process, and step-by-step application process.
GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026
The Gujarat Public Service Commission has issued a notification inviting online applications for various posts under the Forest and Environment Department of Gujarat. The recruitment is conducted through a competitive examination process.
The recruitment includes the following posts:
- Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) – Class II
- Range Forest Officer (RFO) – Class II
These positions are responsible for forest administration, wildlife conservation, forest protection, and environmental policy implementation within the state.
Selected candidates will work under the Gujarat Forest Department, contributing to conservation programs and sustainable forest management.
Key Highlights :
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) |
| Post Names | Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) & Range Forest Officer (RFO) |
| Total Vacancies | 26 (ACF: 01, RFO: 25) |
| Advt. No. | 03/2026-27 |
| Application Dates | 01 April 2026 to 15 April 2026 |
| Consent Form Deadline | 16 April 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Job Location | Gujarat |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview, and Physical Test |
| Prelims Exam Date | 07 June 2026 & 27 June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | gpsc.gujarat.gov.in |
GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
The following details the category-wise vacancy distribution for the GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 03/2026-27). A total of 26 vacancies have been announced.
Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution
| Post Name | General | EWS | SEBC | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 01 |
| Range Forest Officer (RFO) | 11 | 02 | 06 | 03 | 03 | 25 |
| Total | 11 | 02 | 06 | 03 | 03 | 26 |
Important Date’s
Here are the crucial dates for the GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026 (Advt. No. 03/2026-27):
| Event | Important Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 01 April 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 01 April 2026 (01:00 PM) |
| Application Deadline | 15 April 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Consent Form Submission | 01 April to 16 April 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Preliminary Exam (CBRT) | 07 June 2026 & 27 June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Result | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Main Written Exam | 13 December to 16 December 2026 |
| Personal Interview | April 2027 (Tentative) |
Applicants are advised to submit their application well before the last date to avoid technical issues.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet all the eligibility conditions specified by the Gujarat Public Service Commission.
The eligibility criteria include:
- Nationality
- Age limit
- Educational qualification
- Physical fitness requirements
If a candidate fails to meet any of these criteria, their application may be rejected during verification.
Age Limit
The age limit is an important eligibility requirement for this recruitment.
Minimum Age- 20 years
Maximum Age- 35 years
Age will be calculated as per the cut-off date mentioned in the official notification.
Candidates must ensure that they fall within this age range when applying.
Age Relaxation
The government provides age relaxation for reserved categories according to state rules.
Typical relaxation includes:
| Category | Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Category (Male) | None | 35 Years |
| General Category (Female) | 5 Years | 40 Years |
| EWS / SEBC / SC / ST (Male) | 5 Years | 40 Years |
| EWS / SEBC / SC / ST (Female) | 10 Years | 45 Years |
| Physically Disabled (PwD) | 10 Years | 45 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service Period + 3 Years | 45 Years |
| Gujarat Govt. Employees | As per Govt. Rules | 45 Years |
Educational Qualification
Educational qualification is one of the most important requirements for these forest department posts.
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university with any of the following subjects:
Eligible Subjects
- Forestry
- Botany
- Zoology
- Agriculture
- Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Veterinary Science
- Geology
- Wildlife Science
- Horticulture
A degree in these fields ensures that candidates possess basic scientific knowledge required for forest management and conservation.
Physical Standards
Candidates for the GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) must meet specific physical standards to be eligible for appointment. These standards are tested after the Main Examination and before final selection.
Physical Standards (PST)
| Requirement | Male (General) | Male (ST) | Female (General) | Female (ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 165 cm | 160 cm | 158 cm | 156 cm |
| Chest (Deflated) | 79 cm | 76 cm | N/A | N/A |
| Chest (Expanded) | 84 cm | 81 cm | N/A | N/A |
| Minimum Weight | 50 kg | 50 kg | 45 kg | 45 kg |
Walking Test (Qualifying)
Candidates must complete a non-competitive walking test to prove physical endurance:
- Male Candidates: 25 km within 4 hours.
- Female Candidates: 14 km within 4 hours.
Other Physical & Medical Disqualifications
Candidates will be considered unfit if they have any of the following:
- Conditions: Knock knees, flat feet, squint eyes, varicose veins, or hammer toes.
- Pregnancy: Female candidates who are pregnant for 12 weeks or more will be declared temporarily unfit; a re-examination will be conducted six weeks after confinement.
- Vision: Must meet standard distant and near vision requirements without colour blindness.
GPSC Forest Service Salary Table (Class-II)
The salary for the GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) positions follows the 7th Pay Commission guidelines. Both roles are classified as Class-II state government services and include a 2-year probation period.
| Post Name | Pay Matrix Level | Pay Scale (Basic Pay Range) | Entry-Level Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) | Level 9 | ₹53,100 – ₹1,67,800 | ₹53,100 |
| Range Forest Officer (RFO) | Level 7 | ₹39,900 – ₹1,26,600 | ₹39,900 |
Allowances and Benefits
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to several standard government allowances:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Periodic adjustments based on inflation.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Provided based on the city of posting.
- Medical Facilities: For the officer and their dependents.
- Travel Concession: Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and transport allowances.
- Pension: Eligibility for retirement benefits as per Gujarat state rules.
Application Fee
The application fee for the GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) recruitment depends on your candidate category and whether you are a resident of Gujarat.
Category-wise Fee Structure
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | ₹100 + applicable service/postal charges |
| EWS / SEBC / SC / ST (Gujarat Origin) | Exempted (No fee) |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted (No fee) |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen (Gujarat Origin) | Exempted (No fee) |
Payment can be made through:
- Online payment gateway
- Net banking
- Debit card
- Credit card
Candidates must keep the payment receipt for future reference.
Selection Process
The selection process for the GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) consists of three distinct stages. Candidates must clear each stage to move to the next.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
This is an elimination round used to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam. It consists of two objective papers, usually conducted on the same day.
- Paper 1: General Studies-I (150 Marks, 3 Hours) – Covers History, Cultural Heritage, Constitution, Mental Ability, etc.
- Paper 2: General Studies-II (150 Marks, 3 Hours) – Focuses on Science & Technology, Ecology, Environment, Geography, and Current Affairs.
- Negative Marking: A penalty of 0.30 marks is applied for every wrong answer.
- Qualifying Nature: Marks from this stage are only used for shortlisting and are not added to the final merit list.
Stage 2: Main Written Examination (Descriptive Type)
Candidates who meet the cutoff in the Preliminary exam are invited to the Main exam. This stage tests your writing and analytical skills across five descriptive papers.
- English Language: 100 Marks (3 Hours)
- Gujarati Language: 100 Marks (3 Hours)
- General Studies-I: 100 Marks (3 Hours)
- General Studies-II: 100 Marks (3 Hours)
- General Studies-III: 100 Marks (3 Hours)
- Total Score: 500 Marks. These marks will be counted for the final merit list.
Stage 3: Personal Interview (Personality Test)
Candidates who qualify the Main exam based on the minimum qualifying marks are called for an interview.
- Interview Weightage: 100 Marks.
- Final Merit Calculation: The final ranking is prepared by adding the marks of the Main Written Exam (500) and the Personal Interview (100), totaling 600 marks.
Mandatory Qualifying Tests
After the academic selection, candidates must pass two non-academic tests before the final appointment:
- Physical Standards Test (PST): Verification of height, weight, and chest measurements.
- Walking Test (Endurance Test): Males must walk 25 km and females 14 km within 4 hours. No marks are awarded; it is strictly “Pass” or “Fail.”
How to Apply for GPSC Forest Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official portal of the Gujarat Public Service Commission.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: One-Time Registration (OTR)
- New Users: Visit the GPSC OJAS homepage and click on ‘Registration’ > ‘Apply’ to create your profile.
- Details Required: Enter personal info (name, birth date), Aadhaar number, and contact details.
- Uploads: Provide a recent passport-sized photo and scanned signature in JPG/JPEG format.
- Confirmation: After saving, you will receive a One Time Registration (OTR) Number.
Step 2: Submit Application for the Post
- Log In: Go to ‘Online Application’ > ‘Apply’ and select Advt. No. 03/2026-27.
- Enter Credentials: Log in using your OTR number and date of birth.
- Form Details: Fill in your educational qualifications and any required experience.
- Save & Confirm: Review all entries carefully. Once you click ‘Confirm’, no further changes can be made. You will then receive a unique Confirmation Number.
Step 3: Fee Payment (If Applicable)
- Online: Use Net Banking, Credit, or Debit cards via the ‘Pay Fees’ section on the portal.
- Offline: Print a Post Office Challan from the site and pay at any computerised post office in Gujarat.
- Note: General category candidates pay ₹100; others are exempted.
Step 4: Mandatory Consent Submission
- Confirm Attendance: Between 1 April and 16 April 2026 (10:00 hrs), you must log back in and navigate to the ‘Consent’ menu.
- Deposit: Submit the “Consent for Exam” form and any required deposit to be eligible for the preliminary exam. Failure to do this will cancel your application.
Step 5: Final Documentation
- Download and print 3–5 copies of your Confirmed Application Form and payment/consent receipts for future reference.
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE | CLICK HERE |
| OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION PDF | CLICK HERE |
| APPLY ONLINE | CLICK HERE |
| WHATSAPP LINK | CLICK HERE |
| TELEGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| FACEBOOK LINK | CLICK HERE |
| INSTAGRAM LINK | CLICK HERE |
| MORE UPDATES | CLICK HERE |
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Priyadarshani Palei is a Content Executive at OnlyAspirants.in, responsible for researching and publishing the latest government and private job updates. With over 2 years of experience in job research and recruitment news writing, he/she ensures that all information shared on the platform is accurate, verified, and easy to understand.
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