MP Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent Recruitment 2026

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB), Bhopal has released the detailed notification for the 2026 recruitment of Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari and Assistant Jail Superintendent under the Forest and Jail Departments. This guide on GrowInJob.com explains eligibility, education, age limit, salary, exam pattern, important dates and the online application process.

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Notification Highlights

Recruiting body: Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB), Bhopal
Departments: Forest Department (Forest Guard, Field Guard) and Jail Department (Jail Prahari, Assistant Jail Superintendent)
Exam name: Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent Direct Recruitment Exam 2026
Mode of exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Official website: https://www.esb.mp.gov.in

Important Dates

Start of online application: 28 February 2026
Last date to apply online: 14 March 2026
Application correction window: 28 February 2026 to 19 March 2026
Exam start date: From 07 April 2026 (multiple shifts)

Exam shift timings

First shift
- Reporting: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Reading instructions: 9:50 AM to 10:00 AM
- Exam: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Second shift
- Reporting: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- Reading instructions: 2:50 PM to 3:00 PM
- Exam: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Candidates reaching after the reporting time will not be allowed to enter the exam center.

Vacancies & Salary (Pay Scale)

Please check the official PDF for detailed vacancy tables for each category.

Pay scale by post

Post	Approximate Pay Scale & Level
Forest Guard (Executive)	Group‑C forest staff under state pay matrix, around 19,500–62,000 level (with allowances as per MP govt rules).
Field Guard (Executive)	Same Group‑C forest scale as Forest Guard.
Jail Prahari (Executive)	Group‑C jail staff with earlier band 5,200–20,200 upgraded into pay levels leading up to around 19,500–62,000 with allowances.
Assistant Jail Superintendent	Executive post in pay scale 36,200–1,14,800 plus DA, HRA and other allowances as per Madhya Pradesh government norms.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational qualification

Forest Guard (Van Rakshak): Minimum Class 10 (High School) pass from a recognised board.
Field Guard (Kshetra Rakshak): Minimum Class 10 (High School) pass from a recognised board.
Jail Prahari (Executive): Minimum 10th pass from a recognised board.
Assistant Jail Superintendent: Graduate degree from a recognised university (post is higher‑level executive with pay scale 36,200–1,14,800; candidates should check the exact degree requirement in the official notification).

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Age limit and relaxation

Age limits vary slightly by post and category, following Madhya Pradesh government norms for Group‑C and executive posts.
Relaxations apply for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, women, ex‑servicemen, NCC, Home Guards, demobilised defence personnel and special tribal communities as per state government orders.
Candidates must check exact minimum/maximum age and relaxation with reference to the cut‑off date mentioned in the official notification before applying.

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Other essential eligibility

Aadhaar registration is mandatory; Aadhaar must be in active status and verifiable.
Candidates must carry one original photo ID (Voter ID, PAN, Aadhaar, Driving Licence or Passport) to the exam center.
Live registration in a Madhya Pradesh employment exchange is compulsory for all posts.
Special tribal communities (Baiga, Sahariya/Saharia, Bhariya) have separate procedures for Forest Guard/Field Guard; for Jail Department posts, they apply as regular ST candidates without exam exemption.

Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & Normalisation

Computer Based Test (CBT) pattern

Objective‑type multiple‑choice questions.
Each correct answer: +1 mark.
Each wrong answer: −0.25 mark (negative marking).
At the end of the exam, candidates see their raw score (number of correct questions) on the screen and must confirm before final submission.

Question cancellation & proportionate marks

Questions may be cancelled if:
- The question is wrongly framed.
- More than one option is correct.
- No option is correct.
- Hindi and English versions differ in meaning.
- Any serious printing/technical error exists.
When questions are cancelled, all candidates receive proportionate marks based on their performance in the remaining questions, whether they attempted those cancelled questions or not.

Normalisation & multi‑shift scoring

The Board uses a Normalised Equi‑Percentile (NEP) method to balance difficulty across different shifts.
Steps include calculating proportionate scores, percentile scores, converting them into z‑scores, then T‑scores, and using these T‑scores (plus physical/personality test marks where applicable) for the final merit list.
Tie‑breaking is first based on proportionate scores and then on existing MP ESB rules.

Physical Standards & Facilities for PwD

Height, chest (with and without expansion) and other physical standards apply particularly to Forest Guard, Field Guard and Jail Prahari.
Physical efficiency tests (PET) include tasks like running within a specified time and other endurance tests; qualifying criteria differ for male/female and category‑wise.
Eligible PwD candidates receive extra time in CBT (40 minutes extra for 2‑hour papers, 30 minutes extra for 1.5‑hour papers) and, as far as possible, ground‑floor exam halls.

Application Fee & Portal Charges

Unreserved (UR) candidates: ₹500 per question paper.
SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates (Madhya Pradesh domicile): ₹250 per question paper.
Backlog vacancies under direct recruitment: No examination fee.
Portal charges:
- ₹60 for kiosk‑based applications via MP Online.
- ₹20 for registered citizen user login applications.

How to Apply Online – Step by Step

Visit the official MP ESB website: https://www.esb.mp.gov.in during the application period.
Click on the link “Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent Direct Recruitment Exam 2026”.
Complete registration using Aadhaar‑linked details; ensure Aadhaar is active and unlocked.
Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, category, employment exchange registration number and other required fields exactly as per certificates.
Upload scanned photograph, signature and necessary certificates (caste, PwD, ex‑servicemen, etc.) in the prescribed format and size.
Pay the examination fee and portal charges online through the available payment modes.
Submit the form and note down the application number for future reference.
After the correction window closes, download the Test Admit Card (TAC) from the website; admit cards will not be sent by post.

Admit Card & Exam Day Instructions

Test Admit Card is released in two parts on the official website; Part‑1 carries basic details like name, roll number and exam center, while Part‑2 includes permanent identification marks and ID details.
At the exam center, candidates must sign, place their left thumb impression and write the required declaration on the admit card using black ball‑point pen.
Multi‑level biometric verification (including Aadhaar‑based verification) is mandatory at entry and during the exam.
Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, log tables and any copying material are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
No candidate is allowed to leave the exam hall before the scheduled end time of the test.

GrowInJob.com’s Notes

Why This MP ESB Recruitment Is Important

This MP Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent recruitment 2026 is a strong option for candidates seeking long‑term, secure government service in core state departments like Forest and Jail Administration. Compared to short‑term contractual roles, these regular posts offer a structured selection process, fixed pay scales, government benefits and career progression through departmental exams and promotions.

Because the notification covers both 10th‑pass Group‑C posts (Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari) and a graduate‑level executive post (Assistant Jail Superintendent), it is suitable for fresh school‑leavers as well as degree‑holders who want responsibility in law‑and‑order and correctional systems. For candidates focused on long‑term growth in state services, qualifying through MP ESB can significantly boost career stability and promotion prospects across Forest, Prison and related departments.

Who Should Apply?

This recruitment is ideal for:

10th‑pass freshers who prefer a structured government role (with physical work and field duties) over low‑skill private jobs.
Aspirants interested in forest protection, wildlife conservation, patrolling, jail security and custodial administration.
Graduates seeking an executive‑level role with higher responsibility and pay as Assistant Jail Superintendent.
Candidates aiming for long‑term state government careers where seniority, departmental exams and performance can gradually raise their rank and salary.

Preparation & Application Strategy

To maximise your chances of selection:

Match your profile to the correct post – 10th‑pass candidates for Forest Guard, Field Guard & Jail Prahari; graduates for Assistant Jail Superintendent.
Read the complete notification carefully to understand eligibility, age rules, reservation, physical standards, exam pattern, negative marking and document requirements.
Ensure personal data (name, parents’ names, date of birth, category, marks, year of passing) matches your Class 10 and graduation certificates exactly.
Keep clear scanned copies and originals of your marksheets, degree certificates, Aadhaar, caste/reservation certificates, ex‑servicemen/NCC/Home Guard certificates and photographs/signature ready.
Start physical preparation early for posts that require PET, especially running, to comfortably meet the standards and avoid last‑minute injuries.

If you are exploring more government/PSU technical and core‑sector opportunities, also check these articles on GrowInJob.com:

These opportunities complement MP ESB recruitment for candidates who want long‑term technical and government careers in sectors like oil & gas, coal mining, railways and defence manufacturing.

Important Notice

GrowInJob.com is an independent career information portal. We do not charge any fee from candidates in any name and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to MP ESB, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the Forest Department, the Jail Department or any government recruitment agency. All information in this article is compiled from official notifications and other publicly available documents and is intended solely to assist job seekers.

Candidates must:

Verify all details from the official MP ESB website and latest advertisement before applying.
Download and read the detailed notification carefully, including eligibility, reservation, fee, syllabus, selection process and all instructions.
Apply only through the official online process on the MP ESB portal and never pay money to any agent, individual or third‑party website claiming guaranteed selection.
For official clarification, rely only on the MP ESB portal and contact details mentioned in the original advertisement. If you notice any discrepancy or missing detail in this article, please email info@growinjob.com so we can verify and update the information promptly.

Important FAQs – MP Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent 2026

Q1. Which posts are covered under this MP ESB recruitment 2026?
This recruitment includes Forest Guard (Executive), Field Guard (Executive) under Forest Department and Jail Prahari (Executive) plus Assistant Jail Superintendent under Jail Department.

Q2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date to submit the online application form is 14 March 2026, with the correction window open up to 19 March 2026.

Q3. What is the minimum educational qualification for these posts?
Forest Guard, Field Guard and Jail Prahari require at least 10th pass, while Assistant Jail Superintendent requires a graduate degree from a recognised university. Candidates should confirm the exact wording and acceptable disciplines in the official notification.

Q4. When is the MP Forest Guard & Jail Prahari exam date 2026?
The computer‑based exam starts from 07 April 2026 and will be held in multiple shifts (10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 3:00 PM–5:00 PM).

Q5. Is there negative marking in the exam?
Yes. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and each wrong answer leads to a deduction of 0.25 marks.

Q6. What is the application fee?
Unreserved candidates pay ₹500 per question paper, while SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates (Madhya Pradesh domicile) pay ₹250 per paper, plus MP Online portal charges of ₹60 or ₹20 depending on the mode of application.

Q7. Are physical tests mandatory for all posts?
Physical standards and physical efficiency tests apply to Forest Guard, Field Guard and Jail Prahari posts. Assistant Jail Superintendent involves separate selection parameters as per its notification chapter.

Q8. How is the final merit list prepared?
Final merit is prepared using normalised CBT scores (T‑scores) and, where applicable, physical/personality test marks, with tie‑breaking based on proportionate scores and existing MP ESB rules.

Q9. Where can I download the detailed MP ESB notification PDF?
Candidates can download the detailed notification and Rule Book from the official MP ESB website (https://www.esb.mp.gov.in) under the Forest Guard, Field Guard, Jail Prahari & Assistant Jail Superintendent Recruitment 2026 section.