BPSSC Range Officer of Forests Recruitment 2026

The Bihar Police Subordinate Service Commission (BPSSC) is hiring 16 Range Officers of Forests for the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Bihar. If you have a graduate degree in a science subject, Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 16 August 2026. General category candidates can apply between 21 and 37 years (up to 42 for SC/ST). Salary starts from Rs. 35,400 per month under Pay Level 6.

Bihar Police Subordinate Service Commission (BPSSC) Range Officer of Forests Recruitment 2026 - 16 Posts

BPSSC has released Advertisement No. 10/2026 for direct recruitment to 16 Range Officer of Forests posts in Bihar's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department. This is a competitive-exam based recruitment involving a written test, physical efficiency test, and interview. Men, women, and third-gender candidates are all eligible to apply, and 35% of posts are horizontally reserved for women within each category. Once selected, you will be appointed under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Bihar, and posted to a forest range anywhere in the state, where you will lead ground-level forest protection and conservation work.

Vacancy Reservation Details

Out of the 16 total vacancies, posts are split across reservation categories as shown below. Only original residents of Bihar are eligible for reservation benefits — candidates from other states are treated as unreserved category applicants.

• Unreserved (General): 6 posts (2 reserved for women)
• SC: 3 posts (1 reserved for women)
• EBC (Extremely Backward Class): 3 posts (1 reserved for women)
• BC (Backward Class): 2 posts
• EWS: 2 posts
• ST: No vacancies notified in this round

An additional 2% horizontal reservation applies for grandchildren of freedom fighters whose families receive a central government pension.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You need a graduate degree with at least one subject from Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Zoology. A degree in Agriculture, Forestry, or Engineering from a recognized university is also accepted.
• Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen. Male, female, and third-gender candidates can apply.
• Qualification cut-off date: You must hold the required qualification by 1 August 2025.

Age Limit

• General/Unreserved: 21 to 37 years (male), 21 to 40 years (female), as on 1 August 2025.
• Backward Class/Extremely Backward Class (male/female/third gender): 21 to 40 years.
• SC/ST (male/female): 21 to 42 years.
• Age Relaxation: In-service Bihar government employees moving to a higher pay scale get 5 extra years (minimum 3 years of regular service required). Ex-servicemen get 3 years plus their years of defense service, provided their actual age does not exceed 57 years at cut-off.

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a salary of Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month under Pay Level 6 of the Bihar state pay matrix.
• You will also get DA, HRA and other allowances as per Bihar government rules.

Physical Standards

For Male Candidates:

• Height: General/BC/EBC/SC — minimum 163 cm; ST — minimum 152.5 cm
• Chest: 79 cm (unexpanded) / 84 cm (expanded) — minimum 5 cm expansion required
• Physical Efficiency Test: Walk 25 km within 4 hours

For Female Candidates:

• Height: General/BC/EBC/SC — minimum 150 cm; ST — minimum 145 cm
• Chest measurement is not applicable for women
• Physical Efficiency Test: Walk 14 km within 4 hours

Third-gender candidates follow the same physical standards as Backward Class candidates.

Application Fee

• All categories (General/SC/ST/BC/EBC/EWS, male/female/third gender): Rs. 100
• Payment mode: Online only (net banking, credit card, or RuPay debit card). Bank charges apply for card/net banking payments.
• Application fee once paid is non-refundable.

Selection Process

The selection will be done in these stages:

1. Written Exam (2 Papers): Paper 1 is a qualifying General Hindi paper (50 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour) — you need a minimum of 30 marks to pass, and it does not count towards merit. Paper 2 is General Studies (100 questions, 300 marks, 2 hours) covering general knowledge, current affairs, general science, civics, Indian history and geography, mathematics, and mental ability.
2. Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted for interview at 6 times the number of vacancies per category, based on Paper 2 marks.
3. Interview: Carries 50 marks, added to your Paper 2 score for the final merit list (350 marks total).
4. Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates called for interview must clear the PET (25 km walk in 4 hours for men, 14 km in 4 hours for women).
5. Medical Examination: PET-qualified candidates undergo a medical fitness check.

Minimum Qualifying Marks (Paper 2, out of 300): General 40%, Backward Class 36.5%, Extremely Backward Class 34%, SC/ST/Women 32%.

How to Apply

1. Go to the BPSSC website at bpssc.bihar.gov.in and open the Forest Dept. tab.
2. Click the link for Advertisement No. 10/2026.
3. Register with a valid mobile number and email ID, then complete the fee payment.
4. Log in and fill Part 2 of the form with your personal, address, and educational details.
5. Upload your photograph and signature (JPG/JPEG/GIF, 15-25KB each, white background).
6. Submit the form and print your acknowledgement receipt for future reference.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 10 July 2026
• Online Application Start: 16 July 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 16 August 2026
• Age/Qualification Cut-off Date: 1 August 2025
• Written Exam Date: To be announced

• Protect and manage forest ranges under your jurisdiction
• Monitor illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment activities
• Supervise forest guards and field staff working under you
• Maintain records of forest resources, wildlife, and plantation work
• Enforce forest and wildlife protection laws
• Coordinate afforestation and conservation programs
• Prepare inspection and patrol reports for senior officers
• Handle forest fire prevention and control measures