Description of UP Van Rakshak Vanya Jeev Rakshak Mukhya Pariksha 2026
The UP Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow, has released Advertisement No. 12-Pariksha/2026 for the Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) and Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard) Main Examination, inviting online applications for 708 posts under the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttar Pradesh. Eligibility for this Main Examination is restricted to candidates who have already applied for these specific posts and appeared in the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2025 and who have received a PET-2025 scorecard. Shortlisting for the main exam is done strictly on PET-2025 normalized merit, so this guide is written specifically for that already-qualified candidate pool. Applications open on 30 June 2026 and close on 20 July 2026, with a window until 27 July 2026 for fee reconciliation and limited application corrections. Selection involves a written exam, followed by physical standard, physical efficiency, and medical tests. Here is everything you need—vacancy breakdown, eligibility, exam pattern, physical standards, and the complete application process.
Overview for UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | UP Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC), Lucknow |
| Recruiting Office | Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & HOD, Uttar Pradesh |
| Recruitment Name | Van Rakshak & Vanya Jeev Rakshak Main Examination (PR0A0P0-2025)/13 |
| Advt. No. | 12-Pariksha/2026 |
| Total Posts | 708 (318 Van Rakshak + 10 Vanya Jeev Rakshak + 329 Van Rakshak Special + 51 Vanya Jeev Rakshak Special) |
| Eligibility Gate | Only PET-2025 qualified candidates with a valid score card can apply |
| Apply Mode | Online only — upsssc.gov.in |
| Application Start | 30 June 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 20 July 2026 |
| Fee Correction Window | Until 27 July 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 40 years as on 1 July 2026 |
Horizontal Reservation - PwD, Ex-servicemen, Women & Sportspersons for UP Forest Guard PET
- Ex-servicemen: 15 posts (Van Rakshak) + 0 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) + 16 ( Van Rakshak Special) + 2 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak Special)
- Women: 63 posts (Van Rakshak) + 2 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) + 16 (Van Kakshak Special) + 10 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak Special)
- Outstanding Sportspersons: 6 posts (Van Rakshak) + 0 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak) + 6 (Van Rakshak Special) + 1 (Vanya Jeev Rakshak special)
- PwD (Divyangjan) Reservation: As per the latest Uttar Pradesh Divyangjan Empowerment Department oders, ensuring 4% horizontal reservation across Group A, B, C, D in elible posts - disabled candidates must indicate their specific disability category and sub-category in the application as per the prescribed list.
UPSSSC Van Rakshak 708 Vacancy Breakup Post-Wise & Category-Wise 2026
| Post Name | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | UR 128 | SC 65 | ST 10 | OBC 84 | EWS 31 | 318 |
| Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Wildlife Guard) | UR 4 | SC 2 | ST 1 | OBC 2 | EWS 1 | 10 |
| Van Rakshak (Special Selection) | UR — | SC 134 | ST 0 | OBC 195 | EWS — | 329 |
| Vanya Jeev Rakshak (Special Selection) | UR — | SC 17 | ST 0 | OBC 34 | EWS — | 51 |
| TOTAL | — | — | — | — | — | 708 |
UP Van Rakshak Vanya Jeev Rakshak Mukhya Pariksha 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply - PET-2025 Qualification Is Mandatory:
- You must have applied for the originally notified Van Rakshak / Vanya Jeev Rakshak posts and appeared in PET-2025. - You must have a valid PET-2025 score card issued by UPSSSC. - Shortlisting for this main exam is done purely on normalized PET-2025 merit—clearing PET-2025 alone does not guarantee a Main Exam call; you must fall within the category-wise shortlist (approximately 15 times the vacancies). Candidates whose PET-2025 cases are still 'Under Investigation' or marked 'Provisional' by the commission may apply provisionally, but their final shortlisting and selection remain subject to the outcome of that investigation.
Education Qualification:
Candidates must have passed the Intermediate Shiksha Pariksha (12th / Higher Secondary) examination conducted by the UP Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad or an equivalent examination recognized by the government.
Preferential Qualification (Tie-Breakup Advantage):
- Minimum 2 years of service in the Territorial Army / Pradeshik Sena - National Cadet Corps (NCC) "B" Certificate - A computer application certificate from an institution recognized by the central state government - State-level representation in any sport
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026):
- Minimum: 18 Years - Maximum: 40 years - SC, ST, and other notified categories receive age relaxation as per the years specified by the state government from time to time. - State government employees in regular service get up to 5 years of age relaxation. per the 2013 Personnel Department order.
Reservation Eligibility - UP Domicile Required:
- Reservation benefits (SC, ST, OBC/EWS) are available only to UP domicile candidates; others will be treated as unreserved. - Ex-servicemen must be discharged from service on or before 20 July 2026. - Women candidates must submit a caste certificate issued based on their father's side for reservation. - Freedom fighter dependents must provide a valid certificate in the prescribed format. - PwD candidates must possess a valid disability certificate showing disability type and percentage. - Government employees must obtain a NO-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
UPSSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
- 1Written Examination.
- 2Physical Standard Test (PST)—Qualifying Only.
- 3Physical Efficiency Test (PET)—Qualifying Only.
- 4Medical Examination - Qualifying Only.
How To Prepare - Subject-Wise Strategy
- Subject Knowledge (50 Marks): Forest, wildlife reserves, ecology change, afforestation, forest management, and UP-specific forest & wildlife topics.
- Mathematics & Biology (15 Marks): Basic arithmetic, percentages, profit-loss, geometry, nutrition, respiration, reproduction, and heredity.
- Computer & IT (15 Marks): Hardware, software, internet, MS Office, Cyber security, digital payments, AI, and machine learning basics.
- UP General Knowledge (20 Marks): Uttar Pradesh history, culture, geography, economy, polity, and current affairs.
- Important: Avoid random guessing due to 1/4 negative marking. Final merit is based on the written exam; PST/PET/Medical Test are qualifying only.
UPSSSC Editorial Insight Van Rakshak 708 Vacancy 2026
This Main Exam notification follows a two-stage selection process introduced by UP Government Personnel Department Order dated 20 November 2020. Candidates first clear a Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET), and PET-qualified candidates are then allowed into post-specific Main Examinations like this one. This structural separation is why this notification explicitly restricts eligibility to PET-2025 score-card holders rather than opening fresh applications.
UPSSSC Pay Scale for Forest Guard Recruitment 2026
Van Rakshak and Vanya Jeev Rakshak posts carry Level-2 pay under the 7th Pay Commission matrix, applicable to UP Forest Department subordinate posts. - Pay Level: Level 2 - Pay Range: Rs. 19,900 (Minimum) to Rs. 63,200 (maximum) - Plus usual allowances (DA, HRA, TA) as admissible under UP government rules
UP What Can Be Corrected After Submission Forest Guard PET
Once your application is finally submitted, only the following details can be modified, and only until 27 July 2026: - Correspondence address - Other personal details such as EWS status and horizontal reservation category (PwD, Ex-servicemen, Gender, Outstanding Sportsperson) - Mandatory or preferential qualification details entered in the application - Merit status
UP How To Apply for Van Rakshak Vanya Jeev Rakshak Mukhya Pariksh 2026
- 1You should go to the official website, http://upsssc.gov.in.
- 2On the homepage, find the relevant advertisement in the 'Live advertisement segment' and click to view or download it.
- 3Log in using your PET-2025 Registartion Number, with OTP verification sent to your registered mobile number / email.
- 4Your personal details (name, parents' names, category, EWS status, horizontal reservation details, date of birth, gender, marital status, and contact details) from PET-2025 will auto-populate—review them.
- 5Fill in mandatory educational qualification details—board/university name, year of passing, certificate number, and marks.
- 6Enter the verification code shown and click Submit. Your application number (11 digits) will be generated—save and print a copy.
- 7Your PET-2025 photo and signature will auto-populate and cannot be changed at this stage.
- 8Select your preference for the post(s) and indicate Yes/No for preferential qualifications, if any.
- 9Read the declaration carefully, check all required boxes, enter the verification code, and click 'Save and Submit.'
- 10Pay the prescribed fee via credit / debit card, internet banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan. On successful payment, your application is auto-submitted—download and print it immediately.
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