HSSC Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 779 Posts

The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 779 Forest Guard positions in the Haryana Forest Department. This is a golden opportunity for candidates passionate about wildlife conservation, forest protection, and environmental preservation to serve in the Haryana Government. ## About Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) is a statutory body constituted by the Government of Haryana for conducting recruitment examinations for various Group C (erstwhile Class III) posts in different departments of the state government. Headquartered in Panchkula, HSSC ensures transparent, fair, and merit-based selection of candidates for state government positions. HSSC conducts written examinations, physical tests, and skill tests as required for different posts, maintaining high standards of examination security and evaluation. The commission has successfully conducted numerous recruitments, providing employment opportunities to thousands of candidates across Haryana. ## About Forest Guard Position Forest Guards are frontline warriors in forest conservation and wildlife protection. They play a crucial role in: - Protecting forests from encroachment, illegal felling, and poaching - Wildlife conservation and anti-poaching operations - Forest fire prevention and firefighting - Plantation and afforestation activities - Patrolling forest areas and maintaining vigilance - Assisting in wildlife census and forest surveys - Creating awareness about forest conservation among local communities - Enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Conservation Act Forest Guards work under challenging conditions, often in remote forest areas, requiring physical fitness, dedication, and a passion for nature conservation. ## Recruitment Overview - Advertisement No. 04/2026 **Total Vacancies:** 779 Posts **Advertisement Number:** Advt. No. 04/2026 **Notification Date:** February 2026 **Application Start Date:** 09 February 2026 **Last Date to Apply:** 23 February 2026 **Application Mode:** Online through HSSC official website **Application Fee:** NIL (No Fee Required) ## Detailed Vacancy Distribution - Category-wise The 779 vacancies are distributed across various categories as per Haryana Government reservation policy: | **Category** | **Number of Posts** | |--------------|--------------------| | General (Gen) | 318 | | Deprived Scheduled Caste (DSC) | 55 | | Other Scheduled Caste (OSC) | 55 | | Backward Class A (BCA) | 102 | | Backward Class B (BCB) | 08 | | Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 123 | | Ex-Servicemen General (ESM Gen) | 77 | | Ex-Servicemen DSC (ESM-DSC) | 01 | | Ex-Servicemen OSC (ESM-OSC) | 01 | | Ex-Servicemen BCA (ESM-BCA) | 19 | | Ex-Servicemen BCB (ESM-BCB) | 20 | | **Total** | **779** | **Note:** This is a significant recruitment drive offering opportunities across all categories with special emphasis on ex-servicemen integration into forest services. ## Educational Qualification **Minimum Qualification Required:** Candidates must possess **10+2 (Intermediate) or equivalent examination** passed from a recognized board/university. **Detailed Requirements:** 1. **Academic Qualification:** - Senior Secondary (10+2) certificate from Haryana Board or any recognized State/Central Education Board - Equivalent qualification from recognized institution - The certificate should clearly mention the passing year and marks obtained 2. **Subject Requirements:** - No specific subject combination required - Candidates from Science, Commerce, or Arts stream can apply 3. **Minimum Percentage:** - No minimum percentage requirement specified - However, candidates should have genuinely passed the examination 4. **Additional Qualifications (Advantageous but not mandatory):** - Knowledge of forestry, wildlife, or environmental science - Diploma/Certificate in Forest Management - Knowledge of Haryana geography and forest areas - Understanding of wildlife laws and forest conservation acts **Important Notes:** - Candidates appearing in final year 10+2 examination are NOT eligible - Result must be declared before the last date of application - Provisional certificates are not acceptable at the time of application - Original certificates will be verified at the time of document verification ## Age Limit and Relaxation **Age Criteria (as on the closing date of application):** **Minimum Age:** 18 Years **Maximum Age:** 42 Years ### Age Relaxation as per Haryana Government Rules: | **Category** | **Relaxation** | |--------------|----------------| | Scheduled Caste (SC) belonging to Haryana | 5 years | | Backward Classes (BC-A & BC-B) of Haryana | 5 years | | Ex-Servicemen (ESM) - General | 5 years + actual service rendered | | Ex-Servicemen (ESM) - SC/BC | 8 years + actual service rendered | | Persons with Disabilities (PwD) - General | 10 years | | Persons with Disabilities (PwD) - SC/BC | 13 years | | Dependent of Freedom Fighters | 5 years | | Women candidates | No specific relaxation mentioned | | Destitute Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated | 10 years (General), 13 years (SC/BC) | **Note:** Age relaxation is cumulative for candidates falling under multiple categories, subject to a maximum limit as per government rules. ## Physical Standards and Fitness Requirements Forest Guard is a physically demanding job requiring excellent fitness. Candidates must meet the following physical standards: ### For Male Candidates: **Height Requirements:** - General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 168 cm (5 feet 6 inches) - SC/ST: Minimum 165 cm (5 feet 5 inches) **Chest Measurements:** - Minimum: 81 cm (without expansion) - Minimum: 86 cm (with expansion) - Expansion: At least 5 cm required **Weight:** - Proportionate to height and age - No specific weight requirement but candidate should not be underweight or overweight ### For Female Candidates: **Height Requirements:** - General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 157 cm (5 feet 2 inches) - SC/ST: Minimum 155 cm (5 feet 1 inch) **Weight:** - Proportionate to height - Should have healthy BMI ### Visual Standards: - **Distant Vision:** 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other eye (without glasses) - **Near Vision:** Should be able to read newspapers at normal distance - **Color Vision:** Normal color vision required (no color blindness) - **Night Vision:** Should have good night vision for forest patrolling **Medical Fitness:** - No physical deformity that hinders forest duties - Ability to walk long distances in hilly/forest terrain - No serious medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension in severe form) - Mental fitness and alertness **Note:** Physical measurement and medical examination will be conducted after the written examination for shortlisted candidates. ## Salary and Benefits **Pay Scale:** Forest Guards are appointed in **Pay Level-5** as per Haryana Government 7th Pay Commission. **Salary Structure:** - **Basic Pay:** Rs. 25,500 - Rs. 81,100/- (Pay Level-5) - **Initial Pay:** Rs. 25,500/- per month (approximately) **Additional Allowances:** - **Dearness Allowance (DA):** As per current rates (approx 50% of basic pay) - **House Rent Allowance (HRA):** Based on posting location - X Class Cities: 27% of basic pay - Y Class Cities: 18% of basic pay - Z Class Cities/Rural: 9% of basic pay - **Transport Allowance (TA):** As applicable - **Special Forest Allowance:** Additional allowance for working in forest areas - **Risk Allowance:** For anti-poaching and dangerous duties **Take Home Salary:** Approximately Rs. 35,000 - Rs. 40,000/- per month (including all allowances) **Other Benefits:** - **Job Security:** Permanent government job with pension benefits - **Pension:** As per 7th Pay Commission pension rules - **Medical Facilities:** Free medical treatment for self and dependents - **Leave Benefits:** Casual Leave, Earned Leave, Medical Leave as per government rules - **Residential Accommodation:** Quarters/accommodation in forest rest houses (subject to availability) - **Leave Travel Concession (LTC):** Once in two years - **Promotion Opportunities:** To Forester, Range Forest Officer, and higher positions - **Training:** Regular training in wildlife management, forest conservation, and modern patrolling techniques ## Selection Process - Multi-Stage The selection process consists of multiple stages: ### Stage 1: Written Examination (Objective Type) **Exam Pattern:** - **Type:** Computer-Based Test (CBT) OR Offline OMR-based - **Duration:** 90 minutes (1.5 hours) - **Total Marks:** 100 - **Total Questions:** 100 (Multiple Choice Questions) - **Marking Scheme:** Each correct answer: 1 mark - **Negative Marking:** 0.25 marks deduction for each wrong answer **Syllabus:** 1. **General Knowledge (25 marks):** - Current Affairs (National and International) - History, Culture, Geography of Haryana - Indian Freedom Movement - Sports and Games - Awards and Honors - Books and Authors 2. **General Science (20 marks):** - Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics - Environmental Science - Ecology and Biodiversity - Climate Change 3. **Forestry and Wildlife (20 marks):** - Forest types in India and Haryana - Wildlife species and conservation - Forest laws and regulations - National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries - Wildlife Protection Act - Forest Conservation Act 4. **Mathematics (15 marks):** - Arithmetic (up to 10th standard level) - Algebra, Geometry basics - Data Interpretation 5. **Reasoning and Mental Ability (10 marks):** - Logical Reasoning - Analytical Ability - Problem Solving 6. **Hindi/English Language (10 marks):** - Grammar - Vocabulary - Comprehension ### Stage 2: Physical Screening Test (PST) Candidates who qualify the written examination will be called for physical measurement: - Height measurement - Chest measurement (for male candidates) - Weight measurement - Candidates not meeting physical standards will be rejected ### Stage 3: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) Qualified candidates from PST will undergo physical efficiency test: **For Male Candidates:** - **Race:** 5 km run to be completed in 24 minutes (qualifying) - **Long Jump:** Minimum distance requirement - **High Jump:** Minimum height requirement **For Female Candidates:** - **Race:** 2.5 km run to be completed in 15 minutes (qualifying) - **Long Jump:** Minimum distance (as per notification) ### Stage 4: Document Verification - Educational certificates - Category certificates (Caste/EWS) - Identity proof - Domicile certificate of Haryana - Physical disability certificate (if applicable) - Ex-servicemen discharge certificate (if applicable)