Maharashtra Government Notification: Forester and Forest Guard Recruitment Rules 2025
Date: 14.10.2025
Notification No.: FST-05/19/CR-126/Vane-4
🏛️ Department: Revenue and Forest Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai
Maharashtra Forest Guard and Forester Rules 2025 – Eligibility, Age Limit, Training & Promotion Details
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Introduction
On 14 October 2025, the Government of Maharashtra issued a major notification in the official gazette introducing the new
“Forester and Forest Guard (Group-C) Recruitment Rules, 2025.”
These rules define the procedures for recruitment, eligibility, physical standards, training, promotion, and transfer for both the Forester (Group-C) and Forest Guard (Group-C) posts under the Maharashtra Forest Department.
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Forester (Group-C) Post — Rules and Eligibility
The post of Forester will now be filled only through promotion and not by direct recruitment.
Only existing employees serving as Forest Guards will be eligible for promotion.
To be eligible, a Forest Guard must have at least three years of continuous regular service (excluding the training period).
Promotion will be based on seniority-cum-fitness, meaning both experience and performance will be considered.
After promotion, the officer must undergo one month of mandatory training, or for such a period as may be decided by the Government from time to time.
If the officer fails to complete this training within two years, his annual increment will be withheld until training is completed. Once training is successfully completed, further increments will resume, but arrears for the previous period will not be paid.
After the age of 54 years, the officer may be exempted from training, but any previously withheld increments will not be released.
The seniority list of Foresters will be maintained at the State level, covering all circles of Maharashtra.
Transfer is permitted to another circle after five years of service, but the employee will lose seniority and be placed at the bottom of the seniority list in the new circle.
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Forest Guard (Group-C) Post — Rules and Eligibility
The Forest Guard post will be filled by direct recruitment through a competitive examination and physical test.
Age Limit
Minimum: 18 years
Maximum:
25 years for General Category
30 years for Reserved Categories
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examination with Science, Mathematics, Geography, or Economics subjects,
or must hold a three-year Diploma in Engineering, Technology, or Science.
However, Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates and Ex-Servicemen who have passed SSC (10th standard) are also eligible.
Physical Standards
Parameter Male Female
Height 163 cm 150 cm
Chest (unexpanded) Minimum 79 cm —
Chest Expansion Minimum 5 cm —
Weight Proportionate to height & age Proportionate to height & age
Relaxation for Scheduled Tribe candidates:
Male – 152.5 cm, Female – 145 cm
Medical Examination
All candidates must undergo a medical fitness test conducted by an authorized Government Medical Officer.
Tests include checks for color blindness, night blindness, flat feet, knock knees, chest and skin diseases, etc.
Walking Test
Candidates must pass the walking test in their first attempt:
Male: 25 km in 4 hours
Female: 16 km in 4 hours
Pregnant women may get an extension of up to 1.5 years, and lactating mothers up to 1 year, to complete the walking test.
Failure to complete the test within the allowed period will lead to disqualification.
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Training and Examination
After selection, Forest Guards must complete six months of induction training and pass the final examination.
If a candidate fails the exam, one additional attempt is allowed at their own expense.
Failure in the second attempt will result in termination from service, and the candidate must repay training costs and salary as per the bond executed.
Seniority among Forest Guards will be determined by 50% weightage of marks obtained in the recruitment exam and 50% weightage from training examination results.
If two candidates have the same total score, the elder candidate will be ranked higher.
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Language and Computer Requirements
All appointed candidates must pass the Marathi and Hindi language examinations within the prescribed period unless already exempted.
They must also obtain a Computer Operations Certificate as prescribed by the Government.
Until these conditions are fulfilled, they will not be eligible for annual increments or promotion.
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Small Family Declaration (Two-Child Policy)
As per the Maharashtra Civil Services (Small Family Declaration) Rules, 2005, candidates must submit a declaration confirming that they have not more than two children.
Candidates with more than two children will be disqualified from appointment.
If such a case is discovered after joining, the employee will be terminated from Government service.
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Forester And Forest Guard Transfer Policy
Employees appointed under these rules can be transferred anywhere within their Circle.
However, transfer to another Circle on request will be allowed only after five years of service, and the employee will lose seniority in the new posting.
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All other service conditions, orders, and resolutions issued by the Government from time to time will also apply to employees under these rules.
The notification has been issued by Mr. Milind Mhaiskar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Forests), Revenue and Forest Department, Government of Maharashtra.
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The 2025 Recruitment Rules bring clarity and transparency to the recruitment and promotion process in the Maharashtra Forest Department.
While Forest Guard posts will continue to be filled through competitive examinations emphasizing physical fitness and knowledge,
Forester posts will rely on experience, seniority, and performance within the department.
The inclusion of training, computer literacy, and small family norms reflects a move toward modernization and discipline in public service.
Download: Notification
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