Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tripura

Last Date: May 31, 2026

The Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Tripura has released simultaneous notifications for 271 uniformed field posts - 104 Forester and 167 Forest Guard, under the Tripura Forest Department. Both notifications were issued on April 27, 2026, carry identical application dates, and share the same selection framework. Applications open May 1, 2026, and close May 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the dedicated portal https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in. Only bonafide Tripura residents holding a Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura (PRTC) are eligible to apply.

Before getting into the details, here is the complete picture for both posts at a glance:

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Tripura Forester and Forest Guard Recruitment 2026

The Tripura Forest Department operates under one of India's more biodiversity-rich states, managing significant stretches of protected areas, reserve forests, and wildlife corridors in the Northeast. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is the apex administrative authority overseeing the uniformed field staff cadre, which includes the Forest Guard at the base and the Forester one rank above. Both posts are field-oriented roles, not desk positions, and the entire selection framework reflects that from the physical standards to the walking test.

This is a direct recruitment drive for the 50% quota filled through open competition. The remaining 50% of Forester posts is filled through promotion from the Forest Guard cadre, and the remaining 50% of Forest Guard posts is filled through promotion from Group-D field posts. Candidates applying now are competing for the direct recruitment share of these vacancies. The advertisement numbers are No.F.2(387)/Estt./For-2024-25/1729-57 (Forester) and No.F.2(387)/Estt./For-2024-25/1700-28 (Forest Guard), both dated April 27, 2026.

Both posts carry a probation period of two years. While the notifications describe them as temporary, this refers to the standard government designation for posts being filled against a vacancy rather than a contractual arrangement. The service conditions are governed by the Tripura state government rules applicable to Group-C non-gazetted positions.

Vacancy Details

The combined recruitment covers 271 posts across both positions.

Forester - 104 posts:

Forest Guard - 167 posts:

The ST category commands a heavy share in both notifications = 44 out of 104 Forester posts and 66 out of 167 Forest Guard posts. This reflects Tripura's demographic composition and the state's reservation norms. Unreserved candidates face a relatively smaller pool per category share than is typical in many other state recruitments.

The 33% women's reservation is horizontal, applied within each vertical category. The advertisement confirms it covers both reserved categories (in-category horizontal reservation) and the unreserved category. Vacancies are subject to increase or decrease, as is standard for government advertisements.

Application Fee

Not mentioned in the official notification for either post.

Candidates should check the official portal at https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in for fee details at the time of application. Based on the structure of the application system described in the notification, fee payment, if applicable, would be through the online portal only. No offline payment or physical application is accepted.

Age Limit

The age bracket for both posts is 18 to 40 years as on May 1, 2026. The upper limit is relaxable by 5 years for SC/ST candidates and for government employees, taking the effective upper age to 45 years for those categories.

The reference date is May 1, 2026 - the same date applications open. This means a candidate must verify their age as on that specific date, not the last date of application. The minimum age of 18 means candidates born on or before May 1, 2008 are eligible. The maximum for general category means candidates born on or after May 2, 1986 qualify.

Educational Qualification

The two posts have different minimum qualification requirements, which is what creates the distinction between them at entry level.

For Forester: Higher Secondary (+2) stage passed or equivalent standard from a recognized board. This is a Class 12 level requirement, meaning candidates who have only passed Class 10 cannot apply for the Forester post.

For Forest Guard: Madhyamik passed or equivalent standard. Madhyamik is the West Bengal and Tripura board terminology for Class 10. Any equivalent Class 10 pass from a recognized board qualifies.

In both cases, knowledge of Bengali or Kokborok (the indigenous language of Tripura) is listed as a desirable qualification - meaning it is preferred but not mandatory for eligibility. However, both selection processes include a qualifying language paper of 100 marks in Bengali or Kokborok, and candidates must score at least 40% to clear it. This means while the desirable qualification is aspirational, the language paper is a hard requirement to pass during the exam itself.

Persons with disabilities are explicitly not eligible for either post. The notification states this clearly in the physical standards section, noting that since both are forestry field posts requiring strenuous outdoor activity, physical fitness is a core requirement.

Selection Process

Both posts follow an identical multi-stage selection framework. The sequence is:

1. Written Examination (85% of total marks)
2. Interview (15% of total marks)
3. Physical Standard Check (qualifying)
4. Physical Walking Test (qualifying)
5. Medical Fitness Examination

Stage 1: Written Examination

The written exam is MCQ-based. Only candidates who clear the cut-off marks in the written test will be called for the interview. Cut-offs may differ across categories and will be decided by the selection board.

For Forester, the written exam covers:

• Mathematics: 20 marks (Class 10 standard)
• English: 20 marks (Class 10 standard)
• General Knowledge: 100 marks (Tripura, Northeast, India; flora, fauna, climate, plant nutrition, plant diseases, soil, river systems, life science, physical science, Zoology, law, information technology)
• Science: 30 marks (Class 10 standard)
• Total written: 170 marks

For Forest Guard, the written exam covers:

• Mathematics: 20 marks (Class 10 standard)
• English: 30 marks (Class 10 standard)
• General Knowledge: 120 marks (Tripura, Northeast, India; flora, fauna, climate, plant nutrition, soil, river systems, life science, physical science, law)
• Total written: 170 marks

Note the difference: the Forester paper includes Science as a separate 30-mark section and has a GK section of 100 marks. The Forest Guard paper folds that weight into GK at 120 marks with English at 30. Both papers total 170 marks for the written component.

Bengali or Kokborok paper (100 marks, qualifying in nature): Both posts include this as a separate language paper. Candidates must score at least 40% (40 out of 100) to qualify. Choice of language (Bengali or Kokborok) is made by the candidate.

Interview: 30 marks (same for both posts)

Combined total for merit calculation: 200 marks (170 written + 30 interview, excluding language paper).

Stage 2: Physical Standard Check

Chest measurement is for male candidates only. Female candidates have no chest measurement requirement. Failure to meet the physical standard disqualifies from further process.

Stage 3: Physical Walking Test (Qualifying)

Candidates must cover the required distance on foot in 4 hours:

• Male candidates: 25 km
• Female candidates: 16 km

This test is qualifying in nature, it does not contribute marks to the merit list. But it is a hard gate. Anyone who fails the walking test cannot proceed to medical fitness.

Stage 4: Medical Fitness

Conducted by the Health Department, Government of Tripura. A certificate confirming fitness for strenuous outdoor and field activity in the Forest Department is required.

The written exam is where the real sorting happens. The cut-offs for different categories are set by the selection board after examining the actual performance of all candidates, so there is no pre-announced threshold to target. The interview carries 15% weight, which is meaningful at 30 marks in a 200-mark process. The physical and medical stages are sequential gates — fail any one and the selection ends there regardless of written and interview performance.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Forester: Pay Level-7 of the Tripura State Pay Matrix 2018, in the scale of Rs. 5700-24,000 with a Grade Pay of Rs. 2200 per month. The entry-level basic pay under Level-7 of the 2018 Pay Matrix corresponds to Rs. 25,500 per month, with applicable Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other state government allowances adding to the in-hand figure. The notification does not specify exact in-hand amounts.

Forest Guard: Pay Level-6 of the Tripura State Pay Matrix 2018, in the scale of Rs. 5700-24,000 with a Grade Pay of Rs. 2100 per month. The Forester post is one level above the Forest Guard, reflecting the higher qualification requirement.

Both are permanent positions within the Tripura Forest Department, with a two-year probation period. Posting will be across Tripura, which is a small state but includes remote forest divisions in the hill and tribal areas. Forest field staff positions in Tripura involve frequent deployment in forested terrain, wildlife areas, and reserve forest zones. Transfers within the state are governed by departmental transfer policy. The role is substantially field-based, involving patrolling, anti-encroachment work, fire protection, and other forestry operations, not office work.

No TA or DA will be paid for travel to or from the recruitment venue. Government employee candidates require a No Objection Certificate from their employer.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only. No physical application will be entertained.

1. Visit the official recruitment portal at https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in
2. Register on the portal with a valid email ID and mobile number
3. Select the post you wish to apply for = Forester, Forest Guard, or both (separate applications required for each post)
4. Fill in the online application form with accurate personal details, educational qualifications, category, and sub-category information
5. Upload your Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura (PRTC) and other required documents in the specified format
6. Pay the examination fee if applicable through the online payment gateway (check portal for fee details)
7. Review the complete application carefully before final submission
8. Submit the application before May 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM
9. Download and save the confirmation page for future reference

Candidates who wish to apply for both Forester and Forest Guard posts must submit two separate applications. However, those who have applied for both posts are not required to appear twice for the physical examination and physical walking test — they need to attend only once.

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep the following ready before applying:

• Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura (PRTC) - mandatory, without exception
• Educational qualification certificates (Class 10 and Class 12 for Forester; Class 10 for Forest Guard)
• Category certificate (SC/ST) if applicable, issued by competent authority
• Ex-serviceman discharge certificate if claiming Ex-SM reservation
• Government employee NOC if currently in government service
• Recent passport-size photograph and signature
• Valid Aadhaar or photo identity document

Key instructions and conditions from the official notifications:

• PRTC is compulsory. Candidates without a valid Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura cannot apply. This requirement is mandated under GA (P&T) Department Notification dated 07.07.2023.
• Applications are online only. No physical application will be accepted under any circumstances.
• Written exam is held first. Only candidates clearing the cut-off in the written exam are called for the interview and physical stages.
• No individual call letter will be issued. Candidates must monitor the official website for all updates and examination schedules.
• No TA/DA will be admissible for travel to the recruitment venue.
• Women candidates must carry a self-declaration certificate stating they are not pregnant on the date of the physical test.
• The selection committee's decisions are final. The interview process may be cancelled or stopped by the Department without citing any reason.
• Any dispute arising during the recruitment process should be addressed in writing to the Chairman, Selection Board in Forest Department for Recruitment of Uniformed Forest Field Staff.
• Candidates applying for both posts need to appear in the physical examination only once.
• Vacancies are subject to increase or decrease.
• Persons with disabilities are not eligible for either post.

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The selection structure here has a layer that most candidates underestimate when reading the advertisement:

The Walking Test Is the Real Filter

A 25 km walk in 4 hours sounds manageable in isolation. It works out to roughly 6.25 km per hour, which is a brisk sustained pace over terrain that may include uneven ground at the actual test location. Forest department walking tests in Northeast India are not conducted on flat tracks - they typically use actual forest paths or mixed terrain. Candidates who have been preparing only for the written exam and are not regularly training for distance walking tend to find themselves eliminated at this stage despite scoring well in the written and interview rounds. The walking test is qualifying but comes after the merit-based stages, meaning a high written score means nothing if the physical test is not cleared. Building a consistent walking training regimen starting now, before the exam even happens, is the practical preparation move.

What the General Knowledge Section Actually Tests

Both papers place heavy weight on GK = 100 marks for Forester and 120 marks for Forest Guard out of 170 written marks. This is not standard GK about current affairs and politics. The syllabus is specifically oriented toward the natural sciences as they relate to Tripura and the Northeast: flora, fauna, climate, plant nutrition, plant diseases, soil, river systems, life science, physical science, Zoology. There is also coverage of Tripura state-specific geography and law. Candidates who have been preparing for generic state competitive exams will find this GK profile different from the usual pattern. Preparing from NCERT Class 9-10 science and geography, combined with Tripura-specific biodiversity and forest-related environmental content, is far more targeted than general current affairs preparation.

Who Is This Actually For

Both posts have a Tripura PRTC requirement, which automatically restricts the applicant pool to state residents. That does not mean the competition is light - Tripura has a significant number of candidates for every government post, and forest department jobs are seen as stable, pensionable positions with career growth. Forest Guard can be promoted to Head Forest Guard and eventually to Forester over time, and Foresters can advance through the ranks. For candidates who grew up in or near forested areas of Tripura, have a reasonable Class 10 or 12 result, and are physically active, this recruitment aligns naturally. It is worth applying for both posts if eligible, given the shared physical process and the incremental qualification difference between the two.

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If you are tracking government job opportunities in Tripura and the Northeast alongside these two posts, these related updates may be useful:

• Assam PSC Combined Competitive Exam 2025-26: 78 Posts in Assam Civil, Police Services, Apply Online Till 3 May, Prelims on 5 July 
• APSSB Uniformed Services Recruitment out 2026: Apply Online for 984 Constable, Fireman & Special Tiger Guard Posts 
• NVS Contractual Teacher Recruitment 2026 — Walk-in Interview from 6 to 9 May 2026 for Multiple Posts in Northeast India 

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A few questions come up consistently once candidates go through both these notifications:

❓Frequently Asked Questions

How many total vacancies are there in Tripura Forest Department Recruitment 2026?

271 posts in total = 104 for Forester and 167 for Forest Guard. Both notifications were issued on April 27, 2026, with the same application timeline. Vacancies are subject to increase or decrease as per departmental need.

What is the last date to apply for Tripura Forester and Forest Guard 2026?

May 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM. The online portal opens on May 1, 2026. No application received after the closing date and time will be considered.

Who can apply for these posts?

Bonafide Indian citizens who hold a valid Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura (PRTC). PRTC is mandatory for both posts as per GA (P&T) Department Notification dated 07.07.2023. Persons with disabilities are not eligible as both are strenuous forestry field posts.

What is the age limit and which categories get relaxation?

18 to 40 years as on May 1, 2026. SC/ST candidates and government employees get 5 years of relaxation in the upper age limit, effectively making it 45 years for eligible candidates.

What is the educational qualification for each post?

Forester requires Higher Secondary (+2) or equivalent (Class 12 pass). Forest Guard requires Madhyamik or equivalent (Class 10 pass). Knowledge of Bengali or Kokborok is desirable but both exams include a qualifying language paper in these languages.

What does the selection process involve?

Written exam (85% weightage) followed by an interview (15% weightage), then a qualifying physical standard check, a 25 km walking test for men (16 km for women) in 4 hours, and a medical fitness examination. All physical stages are qualifying, they do not contribute to the merit score but must be cleared to proceed.

What is the salary for Forester and Forest Guard posts?

Forester is at Pay Level-7 of the Tripura State Pay Matrix 2018, with a scale of Rs. 5700-24,000 and Grade Pay of Rs. 2200 per month. Forest Guard is at Pay Level-6 with Grade Pay of Rs. 2100 per month. State government allowances apply additionally.

What is the application fee?

Not mentioned in the official notification. Candidates should check the application portal at https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in for fee details at the time of registration.

How can I apply online for these posts?

Go to https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in, register, select the post (apply separately for each if applying for both), fill in the application form, upload required documents including PRTC, pay any applicable fee, and submit before May 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in is the dedicated recruitment portal. The general Forest Department website is also accessible for notifications and updates.

Can I apply for both Forester and Forest Guard simultaneously?

Yes. Both notifications explicitly state that candidates applying for both posts need to appear for the physical examination and walking test only once, not separately for each post. Two separate online applications must still be submitted.

What physical standards must candidates meet?

General/SC male candidates need a minimum height of 163 cm with 79 cm normal chest and 5 cm expansion. ST male candidates need 152 cm height. General/SC female candidates need 150 cm height; ST female candidates need 145 cm. Chest measurement applies only to male candidates.

Do candidates for the Forest Guard post need a Class 12 certificate?

No. Forest Guard only requires Madhyamik (Class 10) or equivalent. Higher Secondary (Class 12) is the requirement for Forester. Candidates holding only a Class 10 certificate can apply for Forest Guard but not Forester.

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With the application portal going live on May 1, 2026, there is a full month to register and submit. The deadline of May 31 at 5:30 PM is firm - the notification specifically states that applications received after the closing time will not be entertained. Applying early leaves room to correct any issues with documents or form data.

The most important thing to verify before submitting is your PRTC status. Without a valid Permanent Resident Certificate of Tripura, the application cannot proceed regardless of how strong the rest of the profile is. If your PRTC needs renewal or is pending, that should be prioritized immediately alongside the application process.

For all updates after application submission like, exam date announcements, venue details, and call for physical tests - the official portal https://forestrecruitment.tripura.gov.in is the only reliable source. No individual call letters will be issued, so candidates must actively monitor the website throughout the process.

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.