The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a recruitment circular (No. 12026/02/2026-IFS-I) for 81 posts across multiple levels of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), with applications closing on 1 December 2026.
Overview
This is the First Vacancy Circular for the Vacancy Year 2027 under the Central Staffing Scheme of MoEFCC. The recruitment is conducted on a tenure deputation basis, making it open to eligible officers of the Indian Forest Service and allied services. Vacancies span five hierarchical levels and are distributed across key forestry centres and tiger reserves throughout India, including New Delhi, Dehradun, Nagpur, Kolkata, Bangalore, and other strategic locations.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Circular | 13 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 1 December 2026 |
| Reference Date for Years of Service | 1 January 2027 |
Vacancy Details
| Level of Post | Number of Vacancies | Stations |
|---|---|---|
| ADGF (Additional Director General of Forests) | 2 | New Delhi (2) |
| DDGF (Deputy Director General of Forests) | 3 | Nagpur (1), Ranchi (1), Shillong (1) |
| IGF (Inspector General of Forests) | 7 | Bangalore (1), Guwahati (1), Kolkata (1), Nagpur (2), New Delhi (1), Shimla (1) |
| DIGF (Deputy Inspector General of Forests) | 34 | Bangalore (1), Bhopal (1), Bhubaneswar (1), Burnihat (1), Chandigarh (3), Dehradun (10), Kolkata (1), Lucknow (1), Nagpur (3), New Delhi (8), Ranchi (2), Shillong (1), Shimla (1) |
| AIGF (Assistant Inspector General of Forests) | 35 | Bangalore (1), Bhubaneswar (1), Burnihat (4), Coimbatore (2), Dehradun (9), Guwahati (1), Kolkata (2), Kurseong (3), Mumbai (1), New Delhi (11) |
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria vary by post level and are assessed against both service tenure and specific experience requirements:
AIGF (Assistant Inspector General of Forests) – NTCA
Service Criteria (either): Candidates must be holding an analogous post on a regular basis, or holding posts in the scale pay of ₹10,000–15,200 (Pre-revised) or equivalent with five years' regular service in the grade.
Experience: At least five years' field experience in wildlife management.
DIGF (Deputy Inspector General of Forests) – NTCA
Service Criteria (either): Candidates must be holding an analogous post on a regular basis, or holding posts in the scale pay of ₹12,000–18,000 (Pre-revised) or equivalent with six years' regular service in the grade.
Experience: At least five years of experience in a tiger reserve or protected area.
IGF (Inspector General of Forests) – NTCA
Service Criteria: Candidates must be holding an analogous post on a regular basis, or have a minimum of 19 years of service in the IFS with respect to the year of allotment.
Experience: At least 8 years of experience in wildlife conservation, of which five years should be in tiger reserves or the National Tiger Conservation Authority / Project Tiger Division of the Ministry.
For ADGF and DDGF levels and full service and experience criteria for all posts, refer to the official notification PDF.
How to Apply
- Visit the IFS website or the MoEFCC IFS page to download the application form and scheme guidelines.
- Carefully read the vacancy circular and all eligibility conditions before filling the form.
- Complete the application form with accurate personal, service, and experience details.
- Attach all required supporting documents as specified in the scheme.
- Submit your completed application via email as instructed in the official circular before 1 December 2026.
Important Links
- Official Vacancy Circular (PDF) – MoEFCC circular with complete details
- IFS Website – Application forms and scheme details
- MoEFCC IFS Page – Ministry's dedicated IFS recruitment section
- MoEFCC Official Website – Ministry homepage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many total vacancies are advertised?
A: The recruitment circular offers 81 tentative vacancies distributed across ADGF (2), DDGF (3), IGF (7), DIGF (34), and AIGF (35) levels at various stations.
Q: What is the application deadline?
A: Applications must be received on or before 1 December 2026. The reference date for calculating years of service is 1 January 2027.
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: See the official notification for fee details if applicable.
Q: What kind of experience do DIGF candidates need?
A: DIGF applicants must have at least five years of experience in a tiger reserve or protected area, in addition to meeting service tenure requirements.
Q: Where are the vacancies located?
A: Vacancies are spread across multiple centres including New Delhi, Dehradun, Nagpur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and other forestry stations nationwide.
Q: How should I submit my application?
A: Applications should be submitted via email as per instructions provided in the official circular. Detailed application procedures and forms are available on the IFS website.
Disclaimer: This information is compiled from the official MoEFCC notification. Candidates must verify all details, eligibility criteria, and application procedures on the official websites before applying.