GPSC ACF & RFO Recruitment 2026 — 26 Forest Posts
Advt. No. 3/2026-27 | Forest & Environment Dept. | gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in
The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) has released Advertisement No. 3/2026-27 inviting online applications for 26 prestigious Forest Service posts — 1 Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Class-II and 25 Range Forest Officer (RFO), Class-II — under the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Gujarat. These are coveted Class-II Gazetted posts offering a career at the forefront of Gujarat's forest conservation and wildlife management. Applications are open at gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in from 1 April to 15 April 2026. Candidates also need to submit a Consent for Exam form with consent deposit between 1–16 April 2026. Qualification: B.Sc. (Science/Forestry/Agriculture) or B.E./B.Tech. Age: 21–35 years. A standout feature: candidates with B.Sc. Forestry as their principal subject receive an extra 10% bonus on their total Mains + Interview marks. Fee: ₹100 (waived for reserved categories, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen). 🌳
- Step 1: Apply online at gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in by 15 April 2026 — fill form, upload photo + signature, pay fee
- Step 2: Between 1 April and 16 April 2026, return to the portal → navigate to "Consent" menu → submit Consent for Exam form + consent deposit
- Both steps are mandatory — submitting only the application form without the Consent for Exam step may result in your candidature not being considered for the Preliminary Examination
- After both steps, download and print the confirmed application form and the consent deposit receipt — keep these safe
Forest & Environment Department, Gujarat
Forest & Environment Department, Gujarat
| Post | Class | Total | Dept. | PwD Reserved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) | Class-II, Gazetted | 1 | Forest & Environment Department | — |
| Range Forest Officer (RFO) | Class-II, Gazetted | 25 | Forest & Environment Department | 1 post (Category C) |
| Grand Total | 26 | + Horizontal reservations for Women, PwD (Cat C — Locomotor Disability), Ex-Servicemen as per Gujarat Govt. rules | ||
| Criterion | ACF (Class-II) | RFO (Class-II) |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | B.Sc. in Science/Technology subjects OR B.Sc. Agriculture OR B.Sc. Forestry OR B.E./B.Tech. (relevant discipline) from a recognised university | B.Sc. in Science/Technology subjects OR B.Sc. Agriculture OR B.Sc. Forestry OR B.E./B.Tech. (relevant discipline) from a recognised university |
| B.Sc. Forestry Bonus | ⭐ Extra 10% of total Mains + Interview marks added to final score — candidates with B.Sc. Forestry as principal/main subject receive this significant advantage | |
| Age Limit (General/UR) | Minimum 21 years — Maximum 35 years (as per registration period) | |
| Age Relaxation — SC/ST (Gujarat) | Maximum up to 40 years (+5 years relaxation) | |
| Age Relaxation — SEBC/OBC (Gujarat) | Maximum up to 38 years (+3 years relaxation) | |
| Age Relaxation — PwD/Ex-SM | As per applicable Gujarat Government rules | |
| Domicile | Gujarat domicile required to avail age relaxation and fee waiver for reserved categories | |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen | |
| Language | Adequate knowledge of Gujarati and/or Hindi as prescribed by Gujarat Government rules | |
| Category | Application Fee | Fee Status |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved Candidates | ₹100/- + applicable bank/transaction charges | Payable |
| Reserved Category (Gujarat origin) — SEBC/SC/ST/EWS | Nil — Fee Completely Waived | Free |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD/Divyang) | Nil — Fee Completely Waived | Free |
| Ex-Servicemen (Ex-SM) | Nil — Fee Completely Waived | Free |
| Note: Fee waiver applies only to Gujarat-origin reserved category candidates. Candidates from other states who belong to reserved categories must pay ₹100. Consent deposit is separate from application fee. | ||
Preliminary Examination — Objective Type (Screening Stage)
The Preliminary Exam consists of two General Studies papers in objective (MCQ) format. Paper I and Paper II each have 200 questions for 200 marks, totalling 400 marks with a duration of 3 hours each. Medium: English and Gujarati (bilingual). Negative marking: 1/3 marks deducted per wrong answer. Candidates who qualify the cut-off in Prelims are shortlisted for the Main Written Examination in a ratio of approximately 15 to 20 times the number of vacancies. 🌳
Main Written Examination — Conventional/Descriptive Type (Merit Stage)
The Main Written Examination is descriptive (essay/answer writing) type, consisting of five papers. Paper I is in Gujarati language, Paper II is in English language, and Papers III to V cover General Studies topics. Each paper carries 150 marks for a total of 750 marks, with each paper lasting 3 hours. The medium for Papers III–V is English; Gujarati and English papers are conducted in their respective languages only. No negative marking in Mains. Marks from Mains count toward the final merit. 🌳
Personal Interview — 100 Marks (Final Stage)
Candidates who qualify the Main Written Examination are called for a Personal Interview at GPSC offices in Gandhinagar. The interview carries 100 marks. Candidates are called for interview in a ratio of approximately 3 times the number of vacancies — meaning roughly 78 candidates for 26 posts. The interview assesses personality, communication skills, subject knowledge, and suitability for Forest Service. Candidates with B.Sc. Forestry (principal subject) receive an additional 10% of combined Mains + Interview marks added to their final score. 🌳
| Stage | Paper | Type | Marks | Duration | Counts for Merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies Paper I | Objective MCQ | 200 | 3 hrs | No — Screening |
| General Studies Paper II | 200 | 3 hrs | |||
| Prelims Total | 400 | 6 hrs | Not in Merit | ||
| Mains | Paper I — Gujarati Language | Descriptive | 150 | 3 hrs | Yes — Counts |
| Paper II — English Language | Descriptive | 150 | 3 hrs | ||
| Paper III — General Studies I | Descriptive | 150 | 3 hrs | ||
| Paper IV — General Studies II | Descriptive | 150 | 3 hrs | ||
| Paper V — General Studies III | Descriptive | 150 | 3 hrs | ||
| Mains Total | 750 | 15 hrs | In Merit | ||
| Interview | Personal Interview (Personality Test) | Oral | 100 | As scheduled | Yes — Counts |
| Grand Total (Mains + Interview) | 850 | Final Merit = 850 marks (+ 10% Forestry bonus if applicable) | |||
| Paper | Key Subject Areas |
|---|---|
| Prelims — GS I & II (Objective) | Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern), Indian National Movement, Geography (World, India, Gujarat), Indian Constitution and Polity, Environment and Disaster Management, Economic Development and Planning, Science and Technology, Current Affairs (National, International, Gujarat), General Mental Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation |
| Mains — Gujarati Language | Grammar, comprehension, essay writing, letter writing, précis writing — all at Higher Secondary (12th) standard in Gujarati language |
| Mains — English Language | Grammar, comprehension, essay writing, précis writing — at Lower Secondary (12th) standard in English language |
| Mains — GS I (Paper III) | History of India (political, economic, social dimensions), Indian National Movement and its legacy, World History (modern period), Indian and Gujarat Geography (physical, economic, human), Indian Polity and Constitution (Centre-State relations, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, Parliamentary system, Judiciary), Social Issues |
| Mains — GS II (Paper IV) | Indian Economy (post-independence to present, NITI Aayog, economic reforms), Gujarat Economy (agriculture, industry, services), Science and Technology (national policy, key institutions, space, defence, biotechnology, ICT), Environmental Science (biodiversity, climate change, pollution, forest and wildlife laws, international conventions), Governance and Ethics |
| Mains — GS III (Paper V) | Gujarat History and Culture, Gujarat's Socio-Political and Economic Development, Forest and Wildlife of Gujarat (key wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, biodiversity hotspots, forest types), Disaster Management in Gujarat, Current Events (Gujarat, India, International), Administrative challenges and governance in Gujarat |
Visit gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in and Navigate to Advt. No. 03/2026-27
Open gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in in your browser. On the homepage, click on the "Online Application" section and locate the link for "Advt. No: 03/2026-27 — Assistant Conservator of Forest & Range Forest Officer". Read the official notification PDF thoroughly before applying to confirm your eligibility. The direct apply link is also provided in Section 10 of this article. 🌳
Register via OTR (One Time Registration) or Login with Existing Credentials
If you are a new user, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) to generate your unique OTR number. Provide your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email address. You will receive a registration number and password. If you already have an OTR number from previous GPSC applications, login directly using those credentials — the same OTR number is used across all GPSC recruitment applications. 🌳
Fill Application Form — Personal, Educational Details & Post Selection
After login, click "Apply" then "Apply Now" for Advt. 03/2026-27. Fill in all required information: personal details, category, educational qualifications (degree, university, subjects, percentage), domicile details, and B.Sc. Forestry principal subject status (if applicable — this qualifies for the 10% bonus). Select the post you want to apply for (ACF or RFO). Double-check all entries carefully — incorrect information can lead to disqualification. 🌳
Upload Photograph & Signature + Pay Application Fee
Upload a recent passport-size photograph — white background, face clearly visible, taken within the last one year — in JPG/JPEG format as specified. Upload your scanned signature in the prescribed format. Pay the application fee of ₹100 + applicable bank charges online if you are in the General/Unreserved category. Reserved category candidates of Gujarat origin, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from the fee. Confirm payment before submitting. 🌳
Submit Application — Note Confirmation Number — Print Copy
Review all entries one final time before clicking Submit. After submission, note down your unique application/confirmation number — you will need this for all future communications. Download and print a copy of the application form and keep it safe. Remember: application submission is only Step 1 of a two-step process. 🌳
⭐ CRITICAL: Submit Consent for Exam + Consent Deposit (1–16 April 2026)
Between 1 April 2026 and 16 April 2026, return to gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in → navigate to the "Consent" menu → submit the Consent for Exam form along with the required consent deposit payment online. This is the mandatory second step. After successful submission, download and print both the final confirmed application form and the consent deposit receipt. Keep both documents safely for future reference. Without this step, your candidature for the Preliminary Examination may not be processed. 🌳
| Post | Key Responsibilities | Pay Scale | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) | Overall administration of a forest division; supervision of Range Forest Officers; implementation of forest conservation and wildlife protection policies; anti-poaching operations; social forestry programmes; forest revenue management; preparation of working plans | Class-II pay scale as per Gujarat 7th Pay Commission norms (typically Pay Matrix Level-8 or as per notification: approx. ₹44,900–₹1,42,400) | Class-II, Gazetted Officer |
| Range Forest Officer (RFO) | Management and administration of a Forest Range; supervision of Beat Guards and Forest Guards; forest patrolling and fire protection; implementation of plantation drives; wildlife monitoring; prevention of illegal logging and poaching; collection of forest revenue; community forest management | Class-II pay scale as per Gujarat 7th Pay Commission norms (typically Pay Matrix Level-8 or as per notification: approx. ₹44,900–₹1,42,400) | Class-II, Gazetted Officer |
- Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Class-II — 1 vacancy
- Range Forest Officer (RFO), Class-II — 25 vacancies
- B.Sc. (Science) in relevant disciplines
- OR B.Sc. Agriculture
- OR B.Sc. Forestry (principal subject — qualifies for 10% bonus marks)
- OR B.E./B.Tech. in a relevant engineering discipline
- Stage 1 — Preliminary Exam (Objective): 2 GS papers, 400 marks total, 1/3 negative marking. Screening only — marks NOT in final merit.
- Stage 2 — Main Written Exam (Descriptive): 5 papers — Gujarati (150), English (150), GS I (150), GS II (150), GS III (150) = 750 marks total. Marks count in final merit. No negative marking.
- Stage 3 — Personal Interview: 100 marks at GPSC/Gandhinagar. Candidates called at ~3× vacancies (~78 candidates).
- General/UR: 21 – 35 years
- SC/ST (Gujarat domicile): Up to 40 years (+5 years relaxation)
- SEBC/OBC (Gujarat domicile): Up to 38 years (+3 years relaxation)
- PwD and Ex-Servicemen: As per applicable Gujarat Government rules
- General/Unreserved candidates: ₹100/- + applicable bank/transaction charges
- Reserved category (Gujarat origin) — SEBC/SC/ST/EWS, PwD, Ex-Servicemen: Nil — completely waived
- Step 1: Submit online application by 15 April 2026 at gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in
- Step 2: Between 1–16 April 2026, return to the portal → go to "Consent" menu → submit Consent for Exam form + pay consent deposit
- World's only Asiatic Lion: Gujarat's Gir Forest is the sole habitat of the Asiatic lion — ACF/RFO officers work directly in this globally significant wildlife reserve
- Diverse ecosystems: Gujarat has varied forests, marine sanctuaries, wetlands (Nal Sarovar, Little Rann of Kutch), and the world's largest flamingo congregation — offering unmatched wildlife management experience
- Career growth: RFO → ACF → DCF → CF → CCF → PCCF — a well-defined promotion ladder in state forest service
- B.Sc. Forestry bonus: Unique 10% merit bonus for forestry degree holders — rare incentive in any state PSC
- Class-II Gazetted: Social respect, job security, and government benefits in a passion-driven career
