The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) has announced 26 vacancies for the prestigious posts of Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Class-II and Range Forest Officer (RFO), Class-II under the Forest and Environment Department. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online at https://gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in/ as the registration process has now started.
The GPSC is inviting applications from graduate candidates with a degree in specific science or engineering disciplines to fill the positions of Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) in Class-II. A total of 26 vacancies have been notified under this recruitment drive. To be considered for selection, candidates must complete the online registration process, submit a mandatory consent form and deposit, and subsequently appear in and qualify through each stage of the prescribed selection procedure.
Gujarat PSC ACF & RFO Vacancy 2026
This year, GPSC has announced a total of 26 vacancies for Forest Service posts under the Forest and Environment Department. The vacancies are divided between the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and Range Forest Officer (RFO) posts.
| Name of Post | Total | Gen | EWS | SEBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Class-II | 01 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Range Forest Officer (RFO), Class-II | 25 | 11 | 02 | 06 | 03 | 03 |
| Total | 26 | 11 | 02 | 06 | 03 | 03 |
Note: The advertisement also details horizontal reservations for women, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and Ex-Servicemen. One post is reserved for PwD candidates under Category C (Locomotor Disability including Leprosy Cured and Acid Attack Victims).
GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Notification 2026 Out
The official GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Notification PDF has been released. The direct link to download the notification pdf is attached here and candidates are advised to go through the complete details, including the syllabus, recruitment rules, and examination rules, before applying.
GPSC ACF & RFO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
The GPSC has started the online application process for the Forest Service posts. The officials have announced that the last date to apply online is 15th April 2026, and after that, no applications will be accepted.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 1st April 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 1st April 2026 (13:00 hours) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 15th April 2026 (23:59 hours) |
| Consent & Deposit Submission Window | 1st April (13:00 hrs) to 16th April 2026 (10:00 hrs) |
| Preliminary Examination Dates | 7th June 2026 & 27th June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Main Written Examination Dates | 13th to 16th December 2026 (Tentative) |
GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates should know the eligibility criteria required for the GPSC Forest Service posts. These criteria are mentioned below and must be checked before registering.
Educational Qualification
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following subjects as a principal subject: (i) Botany, (ii) Chemistry, (iii) Geology, (iv) Mathematics, (v) Physics, (vi) Statistics, (vii) Zoology, (viii) Microbiology, (ix) Biotechnology, (x) Bio-chemistry, (xi) Environmental Science, (xii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, (xiii) Agriculture, (xiv) Forestry, (xv) Horticulture, (xvi) Engineering / Technology.
- Candidates with a B.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Sc. (Horticulture), or B.Sc. (Forestry) must have obtained their degree from a recognized Agriculture or Horticulture University.
- Additional Benefit: Candidates who possess a B.Sc. degree in Forestry as a principal subject will be eligible to get an additional 10 percent marks of the total marks obtained in the Main Written Examination and Interview.
- Candidates who have appeared for the final exam and are awaiting results are also eligible for the Preliminary Examination but must produce proof of passing for the Main Examination.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: Must have completed 20 years.
- Maximum Age: Must not have completed 35 years.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| EWS, SEBC, SC, ST (Male) of Gujarat Origin | 5 years (subject to max 45 years) |
| EWS, SEBC, SC, ST (Female) of Gujarat Origin | 10 years (including 5 years as female, subject to max 45 years) |
| General (Unreserved) – Female | 5 years (subject to max 45 years) |
| Ex-Serviceman | Length of military service (at least 5 years) + 3 years |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 10 years (subject to max 45 years) |
| Government Employee of Gujarat | No relaxation |
Physical Standards
Candidates must meet the minimum physical standards as prescribed in the advertisement.
| Particulars | Height (cms) | Chest (cms) (Normal/Expanded) | Weight (kgs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For Male Candidates | 165 | 79 / 84 | 50 |
| For ST Male Candidates | 160 | 76 / 81 | 50 |
| For Female Candidates | 158 | – | 45 |
| For ST Female Candidates | 156 | – | 45 |
Also Read: SEB Gujarat TAT HS Hall Ticket 2026 Out @sebexam.org, Download Admit Card PDF
GPSC ACF & RFO Application Form 2026
Candidates who are interested in applying for the 26 Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer posts have to submit their applications online at gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in. The last date to apply and submit the application forms is 15th April 2026.
Application Fee
While submitting the application forms, candidates have to pay the required application fee through online mode only. Fee is exempted for reserved category candidates of Gujarat origin, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen.
- General (Unreserved) Candidates: Rs. 100/- + applicable bank charges.
How to Apply?
- Visit the official OJAS website of GPSC at https://gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click on the “Online Application” section and find the link for “Advt. No: 03/2026-27”.
- Click on “Apply” and then “Apply Now”. You will be redirected to the registration page.
- Register by providing your basic details to generate a One Time Registration (OTR) number or log in if already registered.
- Fill in the application form carefully with all required personal, educational, and contact details.
- Upload a recent passport-sized photograph (with white background, taken within the last year) and a scanned signature in the prescribed format (JPG/JPEG).
- Fill in the educational qualification and experience details as per the format.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) online through net banking, credit card, or debit card.
- Crucial Step: Between 01/04/2026 and 16/04/2026, return to the portal, navigate to the “Consent” menu, and submit the “Consent for Exam” form along with the required consent deposit.
- After successful submission, download and print a copy of the final confirmed application form and the consent deposit receipt for future reference.
GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer 2026 Selection Process
GPSC has set a three-stage selection procedure for the recruitment of the Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer. Candidates will be selected based on their performance in the Preliminary Exam, Main Written Exam, and Personal Interview.
- Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) – A screening test consisting of two papers on General Studies. Marks are not counted for the final merit.
- Stage 2: Main Written Examination (Conventional/Descriptive Type) – Consists of five papers: Gujarati Language, English Language, and three papers on General Studies.
- Stage 3: Personal Interview – Carries 100 marks.
- Final Merit List – Based on the combined marks of the Main Written Examination and the Personal Interview.
GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Exam Pattern 2026
Check Details Below:
Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
| Paper No. | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies – I | 200 Marks | 3 hours |
| Paper-II | General Studies – II | 200 Marks | 3 hours |
| Total | 400 Marks | 6 hours |
- Note: Both papers are objective (Multiple Choice Questions) and the standard is of the degree level. The medium of the question papers is Gujarati and English.
Main Written Examination (Descriptive Type)
| Paper No. | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Gujarati Language | 150 Marks | 3 hours |
| Paper-II | English Language | 150 Marks | 3 hours |
| Paper-III | General Studies – I | 150 Marks | 3 hours |
| Paper-IV | General Studies – II | 150 Marks | 3 hours |
| Paper-V | General Studies – III | 150 Marks | 3 hours |
| Total | 750 Marks | 15 hours |
- Note: The standard for Gujarati is equivalent to the higher level of the 12th standard, and for English, it is equivalent to the lower level of the 12th standard. The standard for the General Studies papers is up to the degree level. The medium for Paper-I is Gujarati, and Papers II to V are in English.
Personal Interview
- Marks: 100 Marks
- Candidates will be called for the interview in a ratio of about three times the number of vacancies.
FAQs
Q: What is the total number of vacancies for GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Recruitment 2026?
A: The total number of vacancies is 26. There is 1 vacancy for Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) and 25 vacancies for Range Forest Officer (RFO).
Q: What is the selection process for GPSC Assistant Conservator of Forest and Range Forest Officer Recruitment 2026?
A: Candidates will be selected based on their performance in a three-stage process: a Preliminary Examination (Objective), a Main Written Examination (Descriptive), and a Personal Interview.
Q: Is there any additional benefit for candidates with a Forestry degree?
A: Yes. Candidates who possess a B.Sc. degree in Forestry as their principal subject are eligible to receive an additional 10 percent of the total marks obtained in the Main Written Examination and Interview.
Q: Is it mandatory to submit consent to appear for the Preliminary Examination?
A: Yes. To be considered for the Preliminary Examination, candidates must submit a consent form and a consent deposit online between 01/04/2026 (13:00 hrs) and 16/04/2026 (10:00 hrs). Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the application.
Q: Are final-year students eligible to apply?
A: Yes, candidates who have appeared for their final degree examination and are awaiting results are eligible for the Preliminary Examination. However, they must produce proof of passing the degree exam when applying for the Main Examination.
