MPESB Forest Guard, Field Guard & Jail Warder Recruitment 2026: Apply for 1,679 Vacancies

If you are a 10th-pass candidate looking for an adventurous and secure government job in Madhya Pradesh, a massive recruitment drive is calling your name. The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB) has officially released the joint recruitment notification for the posts of Forest Guard (Van Rakshak), Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak), and Jail Warder (Jail Prahari) for the year 2026.

This major drive brings a total of 1,679 vacancies across the MP Forest Department and the MP Prisons Department. Whether you want to protect the state’s rich wildlife or maintain security within the state's prison infrastructure, this is your opportunity to wear the uniform. The online application window is currently active—having opened on April 10, 2026, and officially closing on April 30, 2026.

Let us break down everything you need to know about this recruitment. We will cover the specific eligibility criteria, the unique physical standards required for the forest versus jail departments, the exact salary structures, and the step-by-step application process.

About the Recruiter: MPESB, Forest Department & Prisons Department

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB), historically known as Vyapam, is the central agency responsible for conducting this joint examination.

While MPESB conducts the written test, your actual employer will depend on the post you secure:

• Forest Guard & Field Guard: You will work under the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, tasked with the crucial job of preserving the state's vast forest reserves, preventing poaching, and managing local flora and fauna.

• Jail Warder (Jail Prahari): You will work under the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services, Madhya Pradesh, responsible for maintaining law, order, and security within state and district jails.

Posts and Breakdown: Qualification, Age, & Salary Overview

Before diving into the specific physical requirements, here is the basic baseline every candidate needs to meet:

• Basic Educational Qualifications: The best part about this recruitment is the accessible educational requirement. You must have successfully passed your 10th Standard (High School / Matriculation) from the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education or any other recognized central/state board.

• Employment Registration Requirement: You absolutely must have a live and valid registration with the Madhya Pradesh Employment Exchange (Rojgar Panjiyan) at the time of form filling.

• Age Limit Criteria: Candidates need to be a minimum of 18 years old on the crucial date of 01 January 2026.

  • For Unreserved (General) male candidates, the maximum age limit is 33 years.

  • For Female candidates (all categories) and SC/ST/OBC/Government Employees, there is a 5-year relaxation, making the upper age limit 38 years.

• Salary Summary Overview: All three posts—Forest Guard, Field Guard, and Jail Warder—fall under the same pay band. You will be placed in the 7th Pay Commission matrix at Level-4. The basic pay scale is ₹19,500 – ₹62,000. With current Dearness Allowance (DA) and other state perks, the starting in-hand salary generally ranges between ₹25,000 to ₹28,000 per month.

Detailed Overview of Each Post & Physical Standards

Because these are uniformed defense/protection roles, your physical fitness is just as important as your written exam score. Note that the physical standards differ slightly between the Forest Department and the Jail Department.

Forest Guard (Van Rakshak) & Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak)

• The Job Role: These roles involve heavy fieldwork. You will be patrolling forest boundaries, preventing illegal logging, assisting in wildlife census activities, and working closely with local tribal communities to protect forest ecosystems.

• Physical Standard Test (PST):

  • Male: Minimum Height 163 cm | Chest: 79 cm normal (with minimum 5 cm expansion).

  • Female: Minimum Height 150 cm | Chest: Not applicable.

• Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) - The Walk: Instead of a sprint, the Forest Department tests endurance.

  • Male: Must complete a 25 KM walk within 4 Hours.

  • Female: Must complete a 14 KM walk within 4 Hours.

Jail Warder (Jail Prahari)

• The Job Role: This role is stationed inside prison facilities. You will be monitoring inmates, maintaining daily routines, ensuring high-security protocols are followed, and preventing contraband smuggling or prison breaks.

• Physical Standard Test (PST):

  • Male: Minimum Height 165 cm | Chest: 83 cm (unexpanded).

  • Female: Minimum Height 158 cm.

• Physical Proficiency Test (PET):

  • 800 Meter Run: Male candidates must finish in 2 minutes 50 seconds. Female candidates must finish in 4 minutes 0 seconds.

  • Shot Put (Gola Fek): Male candidates must throw a 7.260 kg shot put to a distance of 20 feet. Female candidates must throw a 4 kg shot put to a distance of 16 feet.

Important Note: If you fail the 800-meter run for Jail Warder, you will not be allowed to attempt the Shot Put.

Important Dates

How to Apply

Applying is entirely online through the MP Online portal. Follow these exact steps:

1. Head to the Official Portal: Go to the official MPESB portal at esb.mp.gov.in or directly to esb.mponline.gov.in.

2. Aadhaar & Profile Registration: Aadhaar-based biometric verification is mandatory. If you are a new user, create an 'ESB Candidate Profile'. Ensure your photo has your name and the date of capture clearly printed on the bottom.

3. Find the Active Link: Click on "Forest Guard, Field Guard, and Jail Warder Combined Recruitment Test 2026".

4. Fill in the Details & Preferences: Enter your educational details. Crucial step: You will be asked to fill in your district-wise preferences for Forest Guard postings. Rank the districts carefully based on where you want to work.

5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your 10th mark sheet, Caste/Domicile certificates (if applicable), and your Rojgar Panjiyan certificate.

6. Pay the Fee: * Unreserved/General Candidates: ₹500/-

   • SC/ST/OBC/PWD Candidates (MP Domicile only): ₹250/-

   • Note: A mandatory MP Online portal charge of ₹60/- (via Kiosk) or ₹20/- (Registered user) applies.

7. Submit: Complete your payment and print the application receipt for physical testing later.

Selection Process

Phase 1: Computer Based Test (CBT) All applicants will sit for a combined single online written exam.

• Format: 100 Objective type questions.

• Duration: 2 Hours (120 minutes).

• Subjects (20 Marks each): General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics, and General Science (all 10th standard level).

• Negative Marking: MPESB historically does not have negative marking for this specific 10th-level exam, allowing you to attempt all 100 questions.

Phase 2: Physical Tests & Document Verification Candidates who clear the written cut-off (which varies by district for Forest Guards and state-wide for Jail Warders) will be called for the Physical Tests (PST/PET/PPT) mentioned above. These physical tests are strictly qualifying in nature—no marks are added to your final merit, but failing them means immediate disqualification.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for Forest Guard, Field Guard, and Jail Warder together? Yes. Since this is a combined recruitment test, you can apply for all three posts through a single application form. You will be asked to select your post preferences during form filling. Your selection will depend on your merit rank and the preference order you selected.

2. Can candidates from other states apply? Yes, candidates from outside Madhya Pradesh are eligible to apply. However, they will be treated as Unreserved (General) category candidates regardless of their actual caste status. They must also have a live registration in the MP Employment Exchange (Rojgar Panjiyan).

3. Is there any negative marking in the written exam? No. As per the standard MPESB pattern for the Forest Guard and Jail Warder exams, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

4. I wear glasses. Am I eligible for these posts? Yes, candidates with glasses can apply. However, you must meet the basic medical fitness guidelines. You should not have severe visual impairments, color blindness, or physical deformities that would prevent you from executing defense and patrolling duties.

5. Are the Forest Guard posts district-specific? Yes. Forest Guard vacancies are distributed district-wise. While filling the form, you must give your preference for the districts. The merit list for Forest Guards is prepared at the district level, whereas the Jail Warder merit list is prepared at the state level.