MPESB Forest Guard and Jail Prahari 2026 official notification for 1679 Van Rakshak Kshetra Rakshak Jail Prahari and Assistant Jail Superintendent posts displayed on MPESB portal esb.mp.gov.in.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 Apply Online @ esb.mp.gov.in
The online application period ran from February 28 to April 30, 2026 the last date was extended twice and the application window is now closed. Candidates who have successfully applied must now prepare for the admit card release in May 2026 and the exam on May 25, 2026.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Board | Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB), Bhopal |
| Official Website | esb.mp.gov.in |
| Exam Name | Van Rakshak, Kshetra Rakshak, Jail Prahari & Asst. Jail Supdt. Combined Recruitment Test 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,679 (Original) / 2,062 (Revised Notification – updated May 2026) |
| Application Mode | Online Only (via esb.mp.gov.in / esb.mponline.gov.in) |
| Application Period | February 28 – April 30, 2026 (Now Closed) |
| Exam Date | From May 25, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 2026 (Exact date to be announced) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) – Online |
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Post-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
| Post Name | Department | Vacancies |
| Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | Madhya Pradesh Forest Department | 1,111 (Revised from 728) |
| Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard) | Madhya Pradesh Forest Department | 169 |
| Jail Prahari (Jail Warder) | Madhya Pradesh Jail Department | 757 |
| Assistant Jail Superintendent | Madhya Pradesh Jail Department | 25 |
| Total | 2,062 (Revised) |
The initial notification carried 1,679 posts; MPESB subsequently revised the total to 2,062 posts with the Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) vacancies increased from 728 to 1,111. Candidates who applied against the earlier notification automatically stand considered for the revised vacancy count.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Released | February 27, 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | February 28, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online (Extended) | April 30, 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Correction | April 30, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 2026 (Exact date to be announced at esb.mp.gov.in) |
| Written Examination Date | From May 25, 2026 |
| Exam Shift 1 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Report: 8:00–9:00 AM) |
| Exam Shift 2 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Report: 1:00–2:00 PM) |
| PET/PST (Physical Test) | To be announced after written exam result |
| Medical Examination | Post PET/PST |
| Document Verification | Final stage |
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Eligibility Criteria
All candidates who have applied for the MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 Combined Recruitment Test must satisfy these requirements:
Educational Qualification:
| Post | Required Qualification |
| Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | Class 10 pass (Higher Secondary) from recognized board |
| Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard) | Class 10 pass from recognized board |
| Jail Prahari | Class 10 pass from recognized board |
| Assistant Jail Superintendent | Class 12 pass + Bachelor’s Degree from recognized university |
MP Employment Office Registration: All candidates must hold a valid Madhya Pradesh Employment Office registration at the time of application.
Age Limit (as on January 1, 2026):
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| General | 18 years | 25 years |
| OBC | 18 years | 28 years (3 years relaxation) |
| SC / ST (MP Domicile) | 18 years | 30 years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwBD | 18 years | 35 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 years | As per MP Govt. norms |
Domicile Requirement: Candidates must be permanent residents of Madhya Pradesh. Non-MP domicile candidates are not eligible for this state-cadre combined recruitment test.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Portal Charges |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹20 (registered citizen user) / ₹60 (kiosk) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹250 | ₹20 (registered citizen user) / ₹60 (kiosk) |
The fee was paid exclusively through the esb.mponline.gov.in payment gateway during the online application process, which closed on April 30, 2026.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Scale |
| Van Rakshak (Forest Guard) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 per month (Level 4) |
| Kshetra Rakshak (Field Guard) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 per month (Level 4) |
| Jail Prahari | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 per month (Level 4) |
| Assistant Jail Superintendent | ₹36,200 – ₹1,14,800 per month (Level 9) |
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Exam Pattern
The written examination for MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format with 100 objective questions carrying 100 marks in a 2-hour (120 minutes) duration:
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 40 | 40 |
| General Hindi | 20 | 20 |
| General Mathematics & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 15 | 15 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
The exam runs in two shifts on each scheduled date. Candidates appearing in Shift 1 report between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM; Shift 2 candidates report between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Instructions reading time (10 minutes) precedes each shift before the 2-hour test begins.
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Selection Process
The complete MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 Combined Recruitment Test selection sequence is:
Stage 1 — Computer-Based Written Test (May 25, 2026 onwards):
Objective MCQ test of 100 marks in 120 minutes. MPESB prepares a post-wise merit list based on written test scores.
Stage 2 — Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST):
Shortlisted candidates from the written exam face physical assessment covering running, height, chest measurements, and other prescribed physical standards for Forest Guard and Jail Prahari roles. Dates and centres for PET/PST appear on esb.mp.gov.in after the written test result.
Stage 3 — Medical Examination:
Candidates who pass PET/PST undergo a medical fitness examination at designated government hospitals.
Stage 4 — Document Verification:
Final-stage candidates present original certificates for all qualifications, domicile, age, category, and employment registration details. Appointment in the Forest or Jail Department follows only after successful completion of all four stages.
How to Download MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 Admit Card
The MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026 admit card release for the May 25 examination is expected in May 2026 on esb.mp.gov.in. Registered candidates must download it before the exam date. Follow these steps:
- Visit esb.mp.gov.in or esb.mponline.gov.in
- Click on “Van Rakshak, Jail Prahari & Other Posts Combined Recruitment Test 2026”
- Select “Download Admit Card” when the link activates
- Log in using your Registration Number and Date of Birth
- Download and print the admit card — carry two printed copies on exam day
- Also carry your original Aadhaar Card for biometric identity verification at the examination centre
MPESB Forest Guard & Jail Prahari 2026: Official Resources
| Resource | Details |
| Official MPESB Website | esb.mp.gov.in |
| Online Application Portal | esb.mponline.gov.in |
| Exam Date | From May 25, 2026 |
| Admit Card | May 2026 — esb.mp.gov.in |
| Helpline | 0755-2578801-02 / Toll Free: 18002337899 |
| Helpdesk Email | complaint.esb@mp.gov.in |
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