KFD Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026 — 57 Vacancies

The Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) is hiring 57 Elephant Kavadiga (Ane Kavadiga) Group D staff across five forest circles — Kanara, Kodagu, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Shivamogga. There is no formal educational qualification required, but you must have proven experience in handling elephants and live within or near the local forest area. Applications are offline only and must reach the respective Circle Conservator of Forests office by 3 September 2026, 5:30 PM. The pay scale ranges from Rs. 29,600 to Rs. 52,800 per month.

Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) Elephant Kavadiga Recruitment 2026 - 57 Posts

The Karnataka Forest Department has issued separate direct-recruitment notifications from five Circle Conservator of Forests offices to fill 57 Elephant Kavadiga Group D posts for 2026-27, including one backlog vacancy in the Mysuru circle. Karnataka is home to some of India's largest wild and captive elephant populations, and its forest camps at places like Dubare, Sakrebailu and B.R. Hills depend on trained Kavadigas for daily elephant care. No written exam is conducted for this recruitment — selection happens purely through document verification and a practical elephant-handling interview. If you already work with captive elephants informally, live in a forest camp, or have grown up around Karnataka's elephant corridors, this is a direct entry route into a regular state government Group D post.

Vacancy Breakdown by Circle

• Mysuru Circle: 27 posts (includes 1 backlog vacancy)
• Kodagu Circle: 11 posts
• Chamarajanagar Circle: 9 posts
• Shivamogga Circle: 9 posts
• Kanara Circle: 1 post

Reservation for SC, ST, Category-I and other backward categories is applied circle-wise as per Karnataka government rules, and you can only apply for the vacancy notified in your own circle.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: No formal educational qualification is prescribed for this post.
• Experience: You must have proven, hands-on experience in handling and managing elephants — this is mandatory and cannot be waived for any candidate.
• Domicile: You must be living within or near the notified forest area of the circle you are applying to.
• Language: You should be able to speak and understand Kannada.
• Citizenship: You must be an Indian citizen, or a person who migrated to India from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam or similar territories before 1 January 1962 with the intention of settling permanently.
• Gender: Based on the department's practical elephant-handling test criteria, this post is intended primarily for male candidates.
• You must be physically and mentally fit, with no criminal conviction, since the job can involve handling dangerous animals.

Age Limit

• You should be between 18 and 35 years old as on the last date of application (3 September 2026).
• Age Relaxation: Candidates from Category IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB can apply up to 38 years, and SC, ST and Category-I candidates up to 40 years.
• A one-time 5-year age relaxation also applies to all categories as per the latest Karnataka government order, and ex-servicemen get further relaxation as per standing defence-service rules.

Salary

• Selected candidates will get a starting salary of Rs. 29,600 per month, rising up to Rs. 52,800 under the Karnataka Group D pay scale.
• You will also get DA, HRA and other allowances as per Karnataka government rules.

Application Fee

• There is no application fee for the Elephant Kavadiga recruitment.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection happens in these stages:

1. Document Screening: Your application and supporting certificates are checked against the eligibility criteria, and incomplete or unsigned applications are rejected.
2. Interview and Practical Test: You will be evaluated out of 100 marks on your elephant-handling experience, physical fitness, and your ability to understand and speak Kannada. The interview is recorded on video or CCTV for transparency, with a backup copy kept for record.
3. Provisional Merit List: A provisional list is first prepared in a 1:1 ratio of vacancies to shortlisted candidates for each circle and category, and objections are invited from the public.
4. Final Merit List: After considering objections, a circle-wise and category-wise final merit list is published on aranya.gov.in based on your interview score.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from aranya.gov.in under the "Nemakati" (Recruitment) section, or collect it from your circle's forest office.
2. Fill the form legibly in English (capital letters) or Kannada.
3. Attach a recent passport-size photograph and a self-attested copy of one valid photo ID/residence proof — Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, PAN card, service ID, bank passbook, registered land document, community certificate or a job card, whichever you hold.
4. Superscribe the envelope as "Application for Elephant Kavadiga Post".
5. Send it by registered/speed post, or submit it in person, to the Office of the Conservator of Forests of the circle you are applying to, before 3 September 2026, 5:30 PM.

Late applications and applications sent to the wrong circle office will not be considered. Once you submit your application, you cannot change any of your details afterwards.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 27 July 2026 (issued circle-wise through late July and early August 2026)
• Application Start Date: 5 August 2026, 10:00 AM
• Last Date to Apply: 3 September 2026, 5:30 PM

• Feed, bathe and groom the elephants assigned to your care in the forest camp
• Monitor the health and behaviour of elephants and report any illness or injury to forest officials
• Escort and manage elephants during patrolling, timber operations and forest department duties
• Maintain the cleanliness and safety of the elephant enclosure and camp area
• Assist veterinary staff during medical check-ups and treatment of elephants
• Follow the instructions of the Range Forest Officer and camp in-charge at all times
• Help train and handle young or newly captured elephants under supervision