Forest Research Institute Recruitment 2026 – Walk in for 52 JRF, Field Assistant and More Posts
Important Dates
Important Dates for FRI Walk-in Interview 2026
| Event | Date & Time |
| Official Advertisement Release | 01 February 2026 |
| Walk-in Interview Schedule (Position-wise): | |
| Project Code: RCS/01, 02, 03 JRF (Forestry), Project Associate, Field Assistant | 19 February 2026 (Wednesday) Reporting Time: 9:00 AM Venue: Conference Hall, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun |
| Project Code: RCS/04, 05 Senior Project Associate (Biotechnology), JPF (Microbiology) | 20 February 2026 (Thursday) Reporting Time: 9:00 AM Venue: Biotechnology Division, FRI Campus |
| Project Code: RCS/06, 07, 08 JRF (Environmental Science), Project Associate (Soil Science) | 23 February 2026 (Sunday) Reporting Time: 9:30 AM Venue: Social Forestry Division, FRI Campus |
| Project Code: RCS/09, 10 Senior Project Associate (Agroforestry), Field Assistants (Multiple Projects) | 24 February 2026 (Monday) Reporting Time: 9:00 AM Venue: Agroforestry Research Center, FRI Campus |
Important Instructions for Walk-in Candidates:
- Reporting Time: Candidates must report at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time for registration and document verification
- Late Entry Not Allowed: Candidates arriving after 11:00 AM will not be permitted to attend the interview
- No TA/DA: No Travel Allowance or Daily Allowance will be provided for attending the walk-in interview
- Accommodation: Candidates coming from outside Dehradun must make their own arrangements for accommodation
- COVID-19 Protocol: Candidates must follow all health and safety guidelines (if applicable) during the interview
- Result Declaration: Selection results will be declared within 7-10 days after completion of all interviews and will be published on the official FRI website
- Joining: Selected candidates must join within 15 days of offer letter issuance
Contact for Queries:
- Address: Forest Research Institute, P.O. New Forest, Dehradun - 248006, Uttarakhand
- Phone: 0135-2224455, 2224444
- Email: [email protected] (or as mentioned in official advertisement)
- Website: https://fri.icfre.gov.in
Application Fee
Application Fee Details
No Application Fee Required
Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, has not prescribed any application fee for this walk-in interview recruitment. Candidates from all categories can attend the walk-in interview free of cost without paying any fees.
Walk-in Interview Instructions:
- Candidates need not submit any advance application or registration online
- Simply attend the walk-in interview on the specified date for your position/project with required documents
- No registration charges, application fees, or interview fees are applicable
- The entire recruitment process is completely free
Important Advisory:
- FRI/ICFRE never charges any fee for recruitment at any stage
- Beware of fraudulent individuals or agencies claiming to facilitate selection in FRI for money
- No one can influence the selection process; it is purely merit-based and transparent
- If anyone demands money promising job in FRI, report immediately to FRI Director or ICFRE headquarters
- Do not trust fake appointment letters or offer letters sent via email claiming to be from FRI
Age Limit
Age Limit for Forest Research Institute Recruitment 2026
| Position | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Senior Project Associate (SPA) | 40 years |
| Junior Project Fellow (JPF) | 28 years |
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | 28 years |
| Project Associate (PA) | 35 years |
| Field Assistant (FA) | 40 years |
Age Calculation Date: Candidate's age will be calculated as on the date of walk-in interview (19-24 February 2026).
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST Candidates | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 5 years |
| PwD + SC/ST | 10 years (cumulative) |
| PwD + OBC | 8 years (cumulative) |
| Women Candidates (All Categories) | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Length of service + 3 years (subject to maximum age) |
| Central Government Employees | 5 years (for those on deputation/contract) |
Documents Required for Age Proof and Relaxation:
- 10th/High School certificate showing Date of Birth (issued by recognized Board)
- SC/ST Certificate issued by competent authority (Tehsildar/SDM level)
- OBC Certificate (Non-Creamy Layer) issued within last 1 year
- PwD Certificate issued by Medical Board showing minimum 40% disability
- Discharge certificate for Ex-Servicemen
- Service certificate for Government employees
Important: The upper age limit is relaxable for exceptionally qualified and experienced candidates at the discretion of the competent authority. Date of Birth as recorded in Matriculation certificate will be treated as final and no subsequent change will be entertained.
Qualification
Educational Qualification for FRI Recruitment 2026
Different qualifications are required for different positions:
1. Senior Project Associate (SPA):
- Master's Degree (M.Sc.) in Forestry/Botany/Zoology/Environmental Science/Life Sciences with minimum 55% marks
- Ph.D in relevant subject from recognized university
- Minimum 2 years post-Ph.D research experience in forestry or allied fields
- Publications in peer-reviewed national/international journals (minimum 3-5 papers as first/corresponding author)
- Desirable: Experience in project management, research proposal writing, and fund acquisition
2. Junior Project Fellow (JPF):
- Master's Degree (M.Sc.) in Forestry/Botany/Environmental Science/Biotechnology/Microbiology/Chemistry with minimum 55% marks from recognized university
- No prior research experience required (fresh post-graduates can apply)
- Desirable: Knowledge of research methodologies, statistical analysis, computer applications
3. Junior Research Fellow (JRF):
- Master's Degree (M.Sc.) in Forestry/Botany/Zoology/Environmental Science/Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Agroforestry with minimum 55% marks
- Must have qualified one of the following:
- CSIR-UGC NET (LS) for JRF with valid fellowship
- ICAR-JRF/SRF
- ICFRE-JRF
- DBT-JRF
- GATE with valid score (minimum 60 percentile)
- Or equivalent national level examination for research fellowship
- Desirable: Research experience, publications, presentation in conferences
4. Project Associate (PA):
- Bachelor's Degree (B.Sc.) in Forestry/Agriculture/Horticulture/Botany with minimum 55% marks OR
- Intermediate (12th) in Science stream with minimum 50% marks OR
- Relevant diploma in forestry/agriculture/horticulture
- Desirable: 1-2 years field experience in forestry projects, surveys, or plantation work
5. Field Assistant (FA):
- Minimum Intermediate (12th) pass in any stream from recognized Board OR
- High School (10th) + relevant certificate course/diploma in agriculture/forestry/horticulture
- Knowledge of local area, flora, and fauna
- Physical fitness for field work in hilly terrains and forest areas
- Desirable: Experience in field data collection, forest surveys, plant identification
General Requirements (for all positions):
- All degrees/diplomas must be from UGC/AICTE/ICAR recognized universities or institutions
- For SC/ST candidates: 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks
- Candidates should have good communication skills (written and oral) in English and Hindi
- Computer literacy (MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint) is desirable for scientific positions
- Knowledge of statistical software (SPSS, R, STATA) is an added advantage for research positions
- Willingness to work in field conditions, remote forest areas, and difficult terrains
Important Note: Candidates must bring original certificates and mark sheets of all educational qualifications during walk-in interview for verification. Provisional degree certificates will not be accepted. Candidates with degrees from foreign universities must provide equivalence certificate from Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
The Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, a premier institution under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, has announced recruitment for 52 project-based positions through walk-in interviews scheduled between 19-24 February 2026. This recruitment offers exciting opportunities for researchers, scientists, and field workers to contribute to cutting-edge forestry research and environmental conservation projects across various domains including forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, silviculture, soil science, biotechnology, and sustainable forest management.
FRI Dehradun, established in 1906, is one of the oldest research institutions in India and is internationally recognized for its contributions to forestry science, forest product development, and sustainable forest management practices. The institute's magnificent colonial-era building, sprawling campus spread over 450 hectares, state-of-the-art laboratories, extensive herbarium with over 44,000 specimens, and comprehensive forestry library make it an ideal workplace for researchers passionate about environmental conservation. The current recruitment covers multiple positions including Senior Project Associate (SPA), Junior Project Fellow (JPF), Junior Research Fellow (JRF), Project Associate (PA), and Field Assistant (FA) for various ongoing and new research projects funded by national and international agencies.
The selected candidates will work on diverse research projects focusing on critical areas such as forest biodiversity assessment, carbon sequestration studies, ecosystem services valuation, watershed management, non-timber forest products development, medicinal plants research, forest genetics and tree improvement, wildlife habitat studies, remote sensing and GIS applications in forestry, and community forestry initiatives. These positions provide excellent opportunities to gain hands-on research experience, access to world-class facilities, interaction with renowned scientists and researchers, participation in national and international conferences, and possibilities for publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Candidates with educational qualifications in Forestry, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Agroforestry, and related life sciences disciplines are eligible to apply. The positions carry attractive monthly remuneration ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 42,000 consolidated, depending on the position and qualification level. All interested eligible candidates must attend the walk-in interview with complete bio-data, original certificates, and experience documents on the dates specified for their respective positions. The selection will be based on educational qualifications, research experience, publications, and performance in the personal interview. This is an excellent opportunity for young researchers to build their careers in forestry research while contributing to India's environmental conservation goals and sustainable development initiatives.
Vacancy Details
| Recruitment Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute Name | Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun |
| Parent Organization | Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India |
| Established | 1906 (Over 115 years of forestry research legacy) |
| Advertisement Number | 5-1/RCS/2026 (Advert.) |
| Total Vacancies | 52 Posts |
| Post Names | • Senior Project Associate (SPA) • Junior Project Fellow (JPF) • Junior Research Fellow (JRF) • Project Associate (PA) • Field Assistant (FA) |
| Research Areas | Forest Ecology, Biodiversity Conservation, Silviculture, Agroforestry, Forest Biotechnology, Soil Science, Climate Change, Forest Genetics, Tree Improvement, Non-Timber Forest Products, Medicinal Plants, Wildlife Habitat, Remote Sensing & GIS, Social Forestry, Watershed Management |
| Nature of Employment | Contractual / Project-based (Co-terminus with project duration) |
| Contract Duration | 6 months to 3 years (depending on project; extendable based on performance and project extension) |
| Monthly Remuneration | Senior Project Associate: Rs. 42,000/- (Consolidated) Junior Research Fellow: Rs. 37,000/- (Consolidated) Junior Project Fellow: Rs. 24,000/- (Consolidated) Project Associate: Rs. 22,000/- (Consolidated) Field Assistant: Rs. 20,000/- (Consolidated) |
| Educational Qualification | SPA: Ph.D + 2 years post-doc experience JRF: M.Sc. + NET/GATE JPF: M.Sc. in relevant subject PA: B.Sc. or 12th in Science FA: 12th or 10th Pass |
| Age Limit | SPA: 40 years | JRF/JPF: 28 years | PA: 35 years | FA: 40 years (with relaxations for reserved categories) |
| Selection Process | Walk-in Interview (Document Verification + Personal Interview + Merit Assessment) |
| Reservation | As per Government of India norms (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) |
| Application Fee | NIL (No Fee) |
| Notification Date | 01 February 2026 |
| Walk-in Interview Dates | 19 February 2026: JRF (Forestry), PA, FA (Project Code: RCS/01-03) 20 February 2026: SPA (Biotechnology), JPF (Microbiology) (RCS/04-05) 23 February 2026: JRF (Environmental Science), PA (Soil Science) (RCS/06-08) 24 February 2026: SPA (Agroforestry), Field Assistants (RCS/09-10) |
| Reporting Time | 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Registration closes at 11:00 AM sharp) |
| Walk-in Venue | Various locations within FRI Campus: Conference Hall, Biotechnology Division, Social Forestry Division, Agroforestry Research Center (as per position) |
| Application Mode | Walk-in Interview (No online application required) |
| TA/DA | Not Provided |
| Institute Address | Forest Research Institute, P.O. New Forest, Dehradun - 248006, Uttarakhand, India |
| Official Website | https://fri.icfre.gov.in |
| Contact Numbers | 0135-2224455, 0135-2224444 |
| [email protected], [email protected] | |
| Benefits of Working at FRI | • Work with renowned scientists and researchers • Access to world-class laboratories and facilities • Exposure to diverse research projects • Opportunity for publications in reputed journals • Participation in conferences and workshops • Beautiful campus environment in Doon Valley • Career growth in forestry and environmental sector |
