Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow
Last Date: July 20, 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Service Selection Commission has opened the main examination application for Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard posts under Advertisement No. 12-Pariksha/2026. A total of 708 vacancies are available, spread across the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Department, Uttar Pradesh. The online form can be filled from June 30, 2026, and the last date to apply is July 20, 2026.

UPSSSC Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

UPSSSC Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard Recruitment 2026: Quick Intro

The Forest Department in Uttar Pradesh, headed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, runs patrolling and wildlife protection duties through Forest Guards and Wildlife Guards posted across the state's forest divisions. This notification fills 708 such posts, and it is the second stage of a two-stage UPSSSC hiring process that starts with the Preliminary Eligibility Test, commonly called PET.

In this recruitment a candidate cannot walk in fresh and apply here just because they meet the age and qualification criteria. Only those who appeared in PET-2025 and received a score card are eligible, and even among them, only the top scorers per category, up to 15 times the number of vacancies, get shortlisted to actually sit this Mains written exam.

Vacancy Details

The total number of advertised posts is 708 and these are divided among General Selection and Special Selection. The category wise vacancy breakup is as follows:

Post Name	UR	SC	ST	OBC	EWS	Total
Forest Guard	128	65	10	84	31	318
Wildlife Guard	0	4	0	20	10	110
Forest Guard (Special Selection)	–	13	4	0	19	329
Wildlife Guard (Special Selection)	–	17	0	0	34	51
Grand Total	128	99	14	104	94	708

The Special Selection category applies to candidates from specific reserved groups. Most vacancies are in the General and OBC categories. The EWS quota is 10% as per Uttar Pradesh government norms.

Application Fee

The application fee for this recruitment is kept very low. Since candidates already paid for PET-2025, the commission has set a nominal online processing fee:

Women, Ex-servicemen, DFF, and PwD candidates also pay ₹25 based on their original category. The fee is non-refundable. Payment can be made through credit card, debit card, internet banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan. If your payment fails, you can update your transaction ID through double verification on the applicant dashboard.

One important thing to understand is that ₹25 only covers your application to be considered for shortlisting and if your PET-2025 normalised score puts you among the 15 times category-wise candidates who get shortlisted, you will need to pay a separate Mains exam fee before you can download your admit card. That amount is not official announced yet and will be updated in the official website.

Age Limit

The age limit for Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard posts is 18 to 40 years as of July 1, 2026. Relaxations are available for reserved categories:

Category	Age Relaxation
SC/ST	5 years
OBC	5 years
State Government Employees	5 years
Ex-Servicemen	As per rules
DFF (Freedom Fighter Dependents)	As per rules
PwD	As per rules
Chief Minister Fellowship Researchers	As per rules

The maximum age limit is generally 40 years. For SC/ST/OBC candidates, it extends to 45 years. Government employees get an additional 5 years on top of their category relaxation. Check the detailed notification for specific conditions. (avaliable in the Important Links section toward the end of the page)

A 40-year upper age limit is good for candidates who cleared PET-2025 a while ago or who have been preparing across multiple recruitment cycles.

Educational Qualification

The minimum educational qualification is Intermediate (12th Pass) from the Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education or an equivalent examination recognized by the government (No percentage requirement is mentioned). This is the only mandatory qualification.

Preference is given to candidates who meet any of these additional criteria:
> Served at least two years in the Territorial Army
> Hold an NCC 'B' Certificate
> Have a computer certificate from a recognized institution
> Represented the state in any sport
None of these are mandatory, but they can matter if your written exam score lands you in a tie with another candidate during merit preparation.

Selection Process

The selection process has multiple stages and only those candidates with a valid PET-2025 scorecard can apply for the Main Examination. Shortlisting for the Main Exam is based on normalized PET scores. Candidates with zero or negative scores are not shortlisted.
The stages are:

1. Written Examination (Main Exam): 100 objective questions, 100 marks, 2 hours duration. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.

2. Physical Standards Test (PST): Qualifying in nature. Checks height, chest measurement, and weight.
3. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Qualifying in nature. 25 km run in 4 hours for men, 14 km run in 4 hours for women.
4. Medical Examination: Qualifying in nature. Conducted by a medical board.
The written exam is the main sorting stage and the the physical tests are qualifying only and do not affect the merit list. If you clear the written exam, you must pass all physical and medical tests to be selected.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

All four sub-categories of this post, Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard, under both General and Special Selection, carry the same pay structure: Level 2, with a minimum of ₹19,900 and a maximum of ₹63,200 per month. The notification marks every post here as permanent.

Posting is across forest divisions in Uttar Pradesh, and the nature of the role itself, patrolling reserved and protected forests, working near elephant and tiger reserves, and handling human-wildlife conflict situations, means the job is fundamentally outdoor and physically active rather than desk-based. The notification does not mention any probation period or service bond for these posts.

Physical Standards

For Male Candidates:
Height: 168 cm (General/OBC/SC), 160 cm (ST)
Chest: 84 cm with 5 cm expansion (General/OBC/SC), 82 cm with 5 cm expansion (ST)

For Female Candidates:
Height: 152 cm (General/OBC/SC), 147 cm (ST)
Weight: 45 to 58 kg

Physical Efficiency Test

For Male Candidates: 25 km walk/run in 4 hours.
For Female Candidates: 14 km walk/run in 4 hours.
The physical tests are conducted by a three-member team at the divisional level. Results are displayed on the notice board and uploaded on the website daily. Only standardized equipment is used.

Medical Examination

Medical tests are conducted at district community health centers. The medical board checks for physical defects like knock-knees, bow-legs, flat feet, varicose veins, vision problems, color blindness, and hearing issues. This is a qualifying test. Candidates with serious medical conditions are disqualified.

How to Apply

The application process is completely online. Follow these steps:
1. Go to the official website at upsssc.gov.in.
2. On the homepage, find the "Live Advertisement" section and click on Advertisement No. 12-Examination/2026.
3. Log in using your PET-2025 registration number. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number and email.
4. Your personal details from PET-2025 will auto-populate. Verify and update any required information.
5. Fill in educational qualification details. Select Yes/No for eligibility.
6. Your photo and signature from PET-2025 will be displayed. No changes are allowed.
7. Enter other details like post preference and priority qualifications.
8. Read the declaration carefully, tick all checkboxes, and click Save and Submit.
9. Pay the application fee of ₹25 through credit card, debit card, internet banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan.
10. After successful payment, your application is automatically submitted. Download and print the application form for future reference.

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Keep these documents ready before you start applying:
1. PET-2025 Registration Number and Scorecard
2. 12th Pass Certificate and Marksheet
3. Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) issued between April 1, 2026 and July 20, 2026
4. Disability Certificate (if applicable) in prescribed format
5. DFF/Ex-Servicemen Certificate (if applicable)
6. NCC Certificate/Computer Certificate (if applicable)
7. Photo and Signature (as per PET-2025 record)
Few Important instructions to remember:
> Only candidates who appeared for PET-2025 and have a valid scorecard can apply.
> Candidates with zero or negative scores in PET are not shortlisted for the Main Exam.
> EWS certificate must be based on income for financial year 2025-26 and issued between April 1, 2026 and July 20, 2026.
> For women candidates, caste certificate from the father's side is valid.
> Candidates with more than one living spouse are not eligible unless exempted by the Governor.
> One applicant can submit only one application. The last submitted application is considered final.
> Corrections in the application are allowed only until July 27, 2026. No corrections are allowed after this date.
> The commission does not send individual correspondence. All updates are on the website.

The following practical insights may help candidates better understand this recruitment process:

The Two-Step Fee Process Candidate should Understand

Paying ₹25 now does not mean you are done with fees for this recruitment. That amount only covers your application for shortlisting consideration. If your PET-2025 score places you among the top candidates shortlisted category-wise, you will also have to pay a separate Mains exam fee before you can download your admit card, and the notification does not specify that figure yet, likely board will inform about this in official website close to exam date. 

Running Is Also A Key Factor, Not Just the Question Paper

A 25 kilometre run carrying 10 kilograms within four hours is a serious physical standard that eliminates candidates who treat this as a desk exam. The physical efficiency test carries no marks and entirely qualifying in nature, but failing it ends your selection regardless of your written exam rank. Candidates serious about this recruitment need to start physical trainings well before results of the written stage.

Also Check:

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• UPSSSC Lower PCS Recruitment 2026 Notification Out for 2587 Posts, Salary, Last Date *[Vacancies Increased & Application Deadline Extended]*
• APSSB CHSL Recruitment 2026: 207 Group C Posts Across Arunachal Pradesh Departments, Apply Online by August 10

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in this UPSSSC Forest Guard recruitment?

There are 708 total vacancies, split into 647 Forest Guard posts and 61 Wildlife Guard posts across General and Special Selection categories.

What is the last date to apply for the Mains exam?

The online application window closes on 20 July 2026, with a separate correction window for already-submitted forms open till 27 July 2026.

Who is eligible to apply for this notification?

Only candidates who appeared in PET-2025 and hold a valid score card from UPSSSC can apply, provided they also meet the age and educational qualification criteria.

What is the age limit for Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard posts?

Candidates must be between 18 and 40 years old as per the reference date in the UP Forest Department service rules, with relaxation available for SC, ST, and other notified categories.

What educational qualification is required?

Candidates need to have passed the Intermediate examination from the UP Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad or an equivalent exam recognised by the government, with no specific subject requirement.

What does the selection process for this recruitment involve?

Selection runs through a 100-mark Mains written exam, followed by a qualifying Physical Standard Test, a qualifying Physical Efficiency Test, and a final medical examination.

What is the salary for Forest Guard and Wildlife Guard posts?

Both posts carry Pay Level 2, ranging from ₹19,900 to ₹63,200 per month, the same scale applies across General and Special Selection.

What is the application fee for this notification?

There is no application fee for any category. Every candidate pays only a flat ₹25 online processing charge through card, net banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan.

How can candidates apply for the UPSSSC Forest Guard Mains exam?

Eligible candidates log in through upsssc.gov.in using their PET-2025 registration number, complete the application form, and pay the ₹25 processing fee online.

What is the official website for this recruitment?

The official website is upsssc.gov.in, where the notification, application link, and future updates including the exam date will be published.

Can a candidate who did not appear in PET-2025 apply for this notification?

No. This Mains exam is open only to candidates who appeared in PET-2025 and received a score card. Candidates without a PET-2025 scorecard are not eligible to apply here.

Is the physical efficiency test counted in the final merit list?

No. The Physical Standard Test, Physical Efficiency Test, and medical examination are all qualifying in nature. Only the Mains written exam score determines your final merit rank.

Conclusion

The application window opens on June 30, 2026. You have about two months to prepare. But the first step is to check your PET-2025 scorecard. If your score is low, your chances of shortlisting are minimal. Focus on other recruitments where PET is not a prerequisite.
If your PET score is strong, start preparing for the Main Exam. The syllabus is clearly defined. Cover subject knowledge, basic math and biology, computer awareness, and Uttar Pradesh general knowledge. The negative marking means accuracy matters more than speed.
Keep checking the UPSSSC website regularly for all updates, including admit card release and exam dates etc, commission does not send individual notifications.

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.