About the Karnataka Forest Department Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026
The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) has issued multiple notifications for the direct recruitment of Group 'D' Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga) posts for the 2026-27 session. This recruitment drive aims to fill 57 vacancies across five forest circles: Kanara (Shirsi), Kodagu (Madikeri), Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Shivamoga. All notifications, dated 27 July 2026, share common eligibility criteria, age limits, and a unified selection process, with applications accepted offline.
Vacancy Details for KFD Elephant Kavadiga 2026
A total of 57 Elephant Kavadiga positions are available, comprising 51 fresh vacancies and 6 backlog vacancies from the 2022-23 recruitment cycle. The distribution of these posts across the various forest circles and divisions is as follows:
| S. No. | Circle / Division | No. of Posts |
|---|
| 1 | Kanara Circle (Shirsi) - Kali Hulu Sanrakshit Pradesha, Dandeli Wildlife Division | 1 (Backlog: SC-Others-1) |
| 2 | Kodagu Circle (Madikeri) - Madikeri Regional Division | 11 (Fresh-10: General-5, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-3B (Others)-1) |
| 3 | Mysuru Circle - Rajiv Gandhi National Park Division, Hunsur | 27 (Fresh-26: General-13, SC-4, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-5, Category-IIB-1, Category-IIIA-1, Category-IIIB-1; Backlog-1: Category-I (Others)-1) |
| 4 | Chamarajanagar Circle - Bandipur Tiger Reserve Division, Bandipur | 9 (Fresh-6: General-3, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-1; Backlog-3: Category-I (Others)-1, SC (Others)-1, General/Women-1) |
| 5 | Shivamoga Circle - Shivamoga Wildlife Division | 9 (General-4, SC-1, Category-I-1, Category-IIA-2, Category-IIB-1) |
| Total | 57 |
Horizontal reservations for categories like Ex-servicemen, Women, Project-Displaced persons, Kannada medium candidates, Rural candidates, and Third Gender candidates are also applicable within these allocations, as detailed in the individual circle notifications.
Eligibility Criteria for KFD Elephant Kavadiga Posts
To be eligible for the Elephant Kavadiga role, candidates must meet specific criteria regarding nationality, domicile, language proficiency, experience, and marital status.
- Nationality and Domicile: Applicants must be Indian citizens and reside within a notified forest area under the Karnataka Forest Department's jurisdiction within Karnataka state.
- Language Proficiency: A working knowledge of Kannada, including the ability to speak and understand the language, is essential.
- Experience: Mandatory experience in elephant management or handling is required. The official notifications do not specify a minimum educational qualification, focusing instead on practical experience.
- Marital Status: Male candidates who are already married and have a living spouse are not eligible if they marry again without prior government permission.
- Medical and Character Standards: Candidates must be physically and mentally fit to perform the duties of the post. Those with pending criminal inquiries or convictions are ineligible.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The age limits for the KFD Elephant Kavadiga recruitment vary by category, with a minimum age of 18 years as of 03 September 2026.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|
|
| General Candidates | 35 years |
| Category-IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and other Backward Classes | 38 years |
| Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Category-I | 40 years |
Additionally, a one-time age relaxation of 5 years in the maximum age limit has been granted for all categories participating in backlog recruitments notified up to 31 December 2027. Ex-servicemen are eligible for age relaxation equivalent to their armed forces service period plus three years.
Salary Structure for Elephant Kavadiga
Successful candidates appointed as Elephant Kavadiga (Group 'D') will receive a competitive salary package. The pay scale for these posts is uniform across all five recruiting circles.
| Post Name | Pay Level | Gross Salary |
|---|
| Elephant Kavadiga (Group 'D') | Not specified, Group 'D' pay scale | ₹29,600-725-32,500-800-35,700-900-39,300-1,000-43,300-1,125-47,800-1,250-52,800 per month |
Application Fee
There is no application fee required for candidates applying to the KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026. The application form explicitly states that no fee is payable, and no supporting documents are needed during the initial submission.
Selection Process
The selection for the KFD Elephant Kavadiga posts will be conducted solely through an interview and a performance assessment, without any written examination.
- Interview and Performance Assessment: Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to speak and comprehend Kannada, along with their practical experience and performance capabilities in handling elephants. This stage carries a maximum of 100 marks.
- Provisional and Final Select List: Based on the marks obtained and the category-wise vacancy positions, a provisional select list will be prepared and published on the official website. A final select list will follow after addressing any objections.
- Mandatory Presence: Candidates must attend the interview/performance test on the specified date and time; no changes will be made, and latecomers will not be permitted.
- Transparency: The interview and performance assessment may be video-recorded or monitored via CCTV to ensure transparency.
Documents Required for Verification
While no documents are needed with the initial application, candidates shortlisted for the interview and document verification must present the following original documents along with self-attested photocopies:
- Proof of experience in elephant management, issued by a Range Forest Officer or higher.
- Proof of residence within a notified forest area, issued by the concerned Tehsildar.
- Proof of date of birth (e.g., birth certificate, school leaving certificate, Aadhaar card).
- Caste certificate in the prescribed format for reserved category candidates.
- Non-Creamy Layer certificate (valid for 5 years) for OBC candidates claiming reservation.
- One valid photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card).
- Domicile/nativity certificate confirming residence in Karnataka, if applicable.
How to Apply for KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026
Candidates interested in the KFD Elephant Kavadiga posts must submit their applications offline by following these steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the Karnataka Forest Department's official website, https://aranya.gov.in/.
- Navigate to Recruitment: Look for the "Nemakati" (Recruitment) section on the homepage.
- Download Application Form: Download the prescribed application form for the Elephant Kavadiga post.
- Fill the Form: Complete the application form legibly in English (using capital letters) or Kannada. Affix a recent passport-size photograph.
- Address the Envelope: Superscribe the envelope with "Application for Elephant Kavadiga Post" (ಆನೆ ಕವಾಡಿಗ ಹುದ್ದೆಗೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ).
- Submit Application: Send the filled application form by post or submit it in person to the office of the Conservator of Forests for the specific circle you are applying to. The application window is from 05 August 2026 to 03 September 2026, until 5:30 PM.
Applications submitted via any method other than those specified in the notification will not be accepted. No changes or corrections are permitted after submission.
Circle-Wise Application Submission Addresses
| Circle | Address |
|---|
| Kanara (Shirsi) | Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kanara Circle, Shirsi - 581402 |
| Kodagu (Madikeri) | Office of the Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, Madikeri |
| Mysuru | Office of the Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Circle, Mysuru, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram, Mysuru - 570008 |
| Chamarajanagar | Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle, Chamarajanagar |
| Shivamoga | Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Shivamoga Circle, Shivamoga |
Important Instructions for Applicants
- Candidates are responsible for their own expenses for attending any stage of the recruitment process.
- Only applications with complete, legible, and accurate information, supported by original documents during verification, will be considered.
- Male, female, and third-gender candidates will be assessed by the same performance standards in the elephant handling test.
- Government/PSU employees are not eligible to apply.
- Selected candidates will undergo a minimum probation period of 2 years from their joining date.
- The appointing authority reserves the right to modify the recruitment process, vacancies, or reservations, with updates posted on the official website.
- All legal disputes related to this recruitment fall under the jurisdiction of the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal.
This recruitment offers a unique opportunity for individuals passionate about wildlife and conservation to join the Karnataka Forest Department.
