Maharashtra Police Bharti
Maharashtra Police Department, Home Department
१७,०००+ जागा
१२वी उत्तीर्ण
Police & Security
Vanrakshak (Forest Guard) Recruitment 2026
Recruitment for forest guard posts in the Maharashtra Forest Department, combining a written exam, a walking test and physical measurement.
- Conducting body
- Maharashtra Forest Department
- Education
- १२वी उत्तीर्ण
- Total posts
- २,०००+ जागा
- Official website
- mahaforest.gov.in
Exam Overview
The forest guard is a field post in the Maharashtra Forest Department responsible for protecting forest resources, monitoring wildlife and preventing illegal felling.
Its distinguishing feature is the walking test: 25 km in four hours for men and 16 km in four hours for women. The test is qualifying only, but failing it ends the candidature.
Eligibility Criteria
A 12th pass is required, with 163 cm height for men (79 cm chest, +5 cm expansion) and 150 cm for women. Normal vision is required and colour blindness disqualifies.
Age Limit
18-25 years for the Open category and 18-30 for backward classes. The upper limit is lower than most other state recruitments.
Age limit calculator
Enter your date of birth to see how many years you have left.
Exam Pattern
Written exam: 100 questions of 100 marks across Marathi, English, general knowledge and reasoning.
Walking test: 25 km in four hours for men, 16 km in four hours for women. Qualifying only, but compulsory.
Then: physical measurement and a medical examination.
Syllabus
Marathi and English language, general knowledge with a strong emphasis on Maharashtra's forests, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, tiger reserves, forest law and environmental current affairs, plus reasoning and arithmetic.
Salary & Posts
Pay level S-8 (₹21,700 - ₹69,100), roughly ₹33,000-38,000 gross with allowances, plus quarters in forest areas. Promotion runs forest guard to forester to range forest officer.
Cut Off
Recent trends out of 100: 70-80 (Open), 65-75 (OBC), 60-70 (SC) and 50-65 (ST). With relatively few vacancies, cut-offs stay high.
How to Prepare
1. Start walking now
25 km in four hours means 6.25 km/h sustained. Build up weekly: 8, 12, 16, 20, 25 km.
2. Look after your feet
Most candidates fail the walking test to blisters, not stamina. Proper shoes, cotton socks and training in the same shoes matter.
3. Study forests and environment specifically
Sanctuaries, tiger reserves, forest wealth and forest law come up reliably.
4. Do not skip English
Unlike Police Bharti, there is a separate 25-mark English section.
Reference Books
- Walambe - Marathi Grammar
- Wren & Martin - English Grammar
- Maharashtra Varshiki - forests and environment chapters
Important Dates
| Stage | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | Irregular, as vacancies arise | Tentative |
| Written exam | 6-8 weeks after application | Tentative |
| Walking test | After the written result | Tentative |
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Frequently asked questions about Vanrakshak (Forest Guard) Recruitment
No. It is qualifying only and does not count towards merit, but failing it ends the candidature.
No. Colour blindness is disqualifying at the medical stage, since colour vision is considered necessary for identifying wildlife and flora.
Minimum Class 12 pass; some advertisements require a science stream. Physical standards resemble police recruitment, with an additional walking test — 25 km in 4 hours for men, 16 km in 4 hours for women. This test is qualifying.