| Conducting body | Maharashtra Forest Department. Official website ↗ |
|---|---|
| Posts | Forest Guard (Van Rakshak), Group C |
| Qualification | Class 12 (HSC) pass with at least one of science, mathematics, geography or economics. Scheduled Tribe candidates, ex-servicemen and wards of forest staff killed or seriously injured in Naxal attacks can apply with Class 10 (SSC). |
| Age limit | 18–27 years on 30 June 2023 (last date of online application in the 2023 advertisement) (general category) |
| Domicile | See the notification |
| Selection stages | Online computer-based exam (120 marks, 60 questions); at least 45% needed → Document verification and physical measurement → Running test: men 5 km within 30 minutes, women 3 km within 25 minutes, marked by finishing time (80 marks) → Circle-wise merit on combined exam and running marks → Stamina walk for those on the selection list: men 25 km and women 16 km within 4 hours |
| Latest notification | Advt. No. Kaksh-10/3: Van Rakshak (Group C) recruitment 2023 · 2,138 vacancies |
Last checked . Sources
We could not confirm every detail on this page against a current official notice. Check the Maharashtra Forest Department website before you apply.
About Van Rakshak Bharti
Van Rakshaks (Forest Guards) patrol forest areas on foot and protect them for the Maharashtra Forest Department. The 2023 recruitment was run by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests' office in Nagpur for 2,138 posts, with the online exam conducted by TCS iON. Selection happens circle by circle, and you can apply to only one forest circle.
Eligibility
Age limit
General category: 18–27 years, counted on 30 June 2023 (last date of online application in the 2023 advertisement).
Age relaxation
- OBC: 5 years
- SC: 5 years
- ST: 5 years
- EWS: 5 years
- Backward class, orphan and EWS candidates: up to 32 years
- Sportspersons: up to 32 years
- Ex-servicemen: 27 (or 32 for reserved categories) plus armed forces service plus 3 years
- Project-affected and earthquake-affected: up to 45 years
- Part-time graduate employees and daily-wage workers: up to 55 years
Qualification
Class 12 (HSC) pass with at least one of science, mathematics, geography or economics. Scheduled Tribe candidates, ex-servicemen and wards of forest staff killed or seriously injured in Naxal attacks can apply with Class 10 (SSC).
Other conditions
- Marathi reading, writing and speaking required
- Height: men 163 cm, women 150 cm; Scheduled Tribe candidates: men 152.5 cm, women 145 cm
- Chest for men: 79 cm unexpanded, 84 cm expanded
- Eyesight standards apply, and a medical check follows
Selection process
- Online computer-based exam (120 marks, 60 questions); at least 45% needed
- Document verification and physical measurement
- Running test: men 5 km within 30 minutes, women 3 km within 25 minutes, marked by finishing time (80 marks)
- Circle-wise merit on combined exam and running marks
- Stamina walk for those on the selection list: men 25 km and women 16 km within 4 hours
Exam pattern
Online exam
Mode: Computer-based test, objective multiple choice, Class 10 level · Duration: 2 hours
| SUBJECT | QUESTIONS | MARKS |
|---|---|---|
| Marathi | 15 | 30 |
| English | 15 | 30 |
| General knowledge | 15 | 30 |
| Intelligence test | 15 | 30 |
Running test (men)
Mode: 5 km run, marks by time taken · Duration: 30 minutes maximum
| SUBJECT | MARKS |
|---|---|
| 5 km run | 80 |
Running test (women)
Mode: 3 km run, marks by time taken · Duration: 25 minutes maximum
| SUBJECT | MARKS |
|---|---|
| 3 km run | 80 |
Van Rakshak Bharti syllabus
Marathi
- Marathi language at Class 10 standard
English
- English language at Class 10 standard
General knowledge
- Geography of Maharashtra
- Social history
- Forests
- Environment
- Climate
Intelligence test
- Reasoning
What they ask
In 2023 the online exam had 60 questions worth 2 marks each, spread evenly over Marathi, English, general knowledge and reasoning at Class 10 level. The general knowledge part focused on Maharashtra's geography, social history, forests, environment and climate. The run is scored, not just pass or fail: a man who covers 5 km in 17 minutes or less, or a woman who covers 3 km in 12 minutes or less, gets all 80 marks, and anyone who misses the 30- or 25-minute limit is out.
How to prepare
- Start running practice months ahead; the 5 km (men) or 3 km (women) run is marked by time, not just pass or fail.
- Build endurance for long walks as well, since selected candidates must cover 25 km (men) or 16 km (women) within 4 hours.
- Read up on Maharashtra's forests, national parks, rivers and climate for the general knowledge section.
- Take short topic-wise reasoning quizzes on the free Improvam app to keep speed up.
Practise Van Rakshak Bharti syllabus topics a few minutes a day with short quizzes in the Improvam app.
Photo and signature
- Photo: Passport-size colour photo on a white background, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, JPG, 50 to 80 KB, scanned at 200 dpi
- Signature: JPG, 50 to 80 KB
Source: official instructions ↗
Resize your photo and signature for Van Rakshak Bharti
Van Rakshak Bharti FAQs
Class 12 with science, maths, geography or economics. Scheduled Tribe candidates and ex-servicemen can apply with Class 10.
Sources
- Forest Guard recruitment 2023 advertisement (Maharashtra Forest Department) ↗ (official, checked )
Checked against official sources on . Rules change with each notification, so read the latest one before you apply.
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