The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) has officially announced the recruitment drive for the MP Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) in 2026. This recruitment cycle serves as a significant opportunity for candidates aspiring to join the forestry and environmental services sector within the state of Madhya Pradesh. Following recent administrative updates, the total number of vacancies has been revised upward to 1111, offering a broader scope for applicants to secure a government position. The notification serves as the foundational document for the 2026 selection process, outlining all critical parameters, from eligibility requirements to the final selection criteria.
Prospective candidates should note that the registration window has been extended, with the final deadline for submitting applications now set for 30th April 2026. This extension provides additional time for eligible individuals to complete their documentation and submission processes. The selection procedure is structured in two distinct phases: a written examination followed by a physical eligibility test (PET), ensuring that selected personnel meet both the academic and physical standards required for the role. With a salary band ranging from Rs 19,500 to Rs 62,000, the position provides a stable career path for those who meet the minimum educational requirement of passing the 10th standard. Candidates are encouraged to align their preparation strategies with the officially released syllabus and exam pattern to maximize their chances of success in this competitive process.
The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) has announced 1679 vacancies for Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari, and Assistant Jail Superintendent posts. The written examination is scheduled from 4th June to 19th June 2026.
The MP Forest Guard recruitment 2026 is conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). This recruitment is highly organized and follows a clearly defined structure aimed at selecting candidates for the position of Van Rakshak. The entire recruitment process is executed in an online mode, from the application stage to the written examination. The written exam is an objective-type, MCQ-based assessment designed to test candidates across five core subjects, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of knowledge.
The organizational hierarchy ensures that the selection is merit-based. Upon clearing the written examination, candidates progress to the physical eligibility test, which is mandatory and qualifying in nature. This two-stage process is vital, as it balances theoretical knowledge with the physical stamina required for forest guard duties. The conducting authority, MPPEB, manages the entire lifecycle of the exam, including the release of official notifications, scheduling, admit card issuance, and the eventual declaration of results. Candidates are expected to stay updated through the official portal, peb.mp.gov.in, for any changes or specific instructions. The exam structure, including the 120-minute duration and the distribution of marks across subjects like General Knowledge, Science, Math, Hindi, and English, is crafted to ensure a fair assessment. Candidates are reminded that the written exam serves as the primary screening tool, and their performance in this stage is critical for progressing to the subsequent physical trials.
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Candidates appearing for the MP Forest Guard recruitment must adhere to a set of rigorous guidelines to ensure a smooth examination experience. First and foremost, candidates must ensure their documents are uploaded in the correct format as specified by the conducting board to avoid disqualification during the initial screening. An essential requirement for all candidates is to be registered with the state employment exchange, as this is a mandatory prerequisite for eligibility.
Regarding the exam day, it is strictly mandatory to carry the admit card, which must be printed from the official portal. Entry to the examination hall will not be permitted without this document. Candidates are advised to arrive well before the scheduled time to complete the mandatory identification and security checks. Throughout the process, the use of calculators, mobile phones, or any other electronic devices within the exam hall is strictly prohibited. The selection process involves a two-stage approach: a written objective test and a physical qualification round. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam (33% for General, 23% for SC/ST/OBC) to move forward to the physical test. Finally, candidates should keep their registration number and password safe until the recruitment process concludes, as these are the primary keys for checking results, downloading answer keys, and accessing individual portals for any post-exam requirements.
The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) oversees the MP Forest Guard recruitment. Candidates must monitor the official portal at esb.mp.gov.in for the latest notifications. Recent directives mandate Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication for all stages of the examination process. Applications are processed exclusively through the MP Online portal. Candidates are advised to maintain their registration ID and password securely as these are required for admit card downloads and result verification throughout the recruitment cycle.
To download the official MP Forest Guard notification, follow these steps:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | As per MPESB Calendar |
| Online Application Start | As per Official Rulebook |
| Application Closing Date | As per Official Rulebook |
| Exam Date | As per Official Schedule |
The total vacancy count is determined by the state government and released in the official notification. Vacancies are categorized as follows:
| Exam Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2112 |
| 2017 | 1400 |
| Designation | Department | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) | MP Forest Department | Level 4 (Rs. 19,500 - 62,000) |
| Category | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | 500 |
| SC/ST/OBC/EWS (MP Domicile) | 250 |
| Portal Charges | Extra as applicable |
The minimum age limit is 18 years and the maximum age limit is 33 years as of January 1st of the recruitment year.
Candidates must have passed the 10+2 (Higher Secondary) examination under the 10+2 system or equivalent from a recognized Board of Secondary Education. Physical standards include a minimum height of 163 cm for males and 150 cm for females, with specified chest measurements for male candidates.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
| General Hindi | 20 | 20 |
| General English | 20 | 20 |
| General Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| General Science | 20 | 20 |
Total Duration: 120 Minutes. Negative Marking: Nil (subject to current rulebook modifications).
The salary for the MP Forest Guard post is based on the 7th Pay Commission. The basic pay starts at Rs. 19,500 per month, excluding Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other admissible state government allowances.
Admit cards are released on esb.mp.gov.in approximately 10 days before the exam. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card and an original photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN Card) to the examination centre.
Provisional answer keys are released on the MPESB website post-examination. Candidates can challenge questions within the stipulated window by paying a fee of Rs. 50 per question. The final answer key is released after reviewing valid objections.
Results are declared based on the normalized scores generated via the MPESB standard formula to ensure parity across different exam shifts. The final merit list is prepared strictly according to the category-wise vacancy distribution.
Focus on General Science (NCERT Class 6-10) and General Mathematics (Arithmetic) for maximum scoring. Allocate daily time for Hindi Grammar and English Vocabulary. Practice previous years' question papers to understand the difficulty level and improve speed. Maintain a consistent physical fitness routine for the PET phase alongside academic preparation.
The cut-off marks for the MP Forest Guard exam represent the minimum score a candidate must attain to qualify for the next stage of the selection process. These marks are determined by the MPPEB based on various factors, including the total number of vacancies, the total number of candidates who appeared for the test, the difficulty level of the paper, and historical trends. Since cut-off marks vary by category and district, they are finalized and published along with the official results. Candidates aiming to clear the cut-off are advised to rely on high-quality study materials and practice tests to ensure they exceed the expected threshold for their respective category.
The application process for the MP Forest Guard recruitment is entirely digital and must be completed through the official MPESB portal. Candidates are advised to follow these steps meticulously to ensure their application is accepted:
