Vacancies: 57 · Posts: 1 · Type: Regular · Mode: Offline · Fee: Nil · Apply: 05 Aug–03 Sep 2026 · Salary: ₹29,600–₹52,800 · Selection: Interview + Practical Test · Location: Karnataka (5 Circles)
Karnataka has India’s largest wild elephant population, and the Forest Department’s elephant camps need skilled hands who can work alongside these animals daily. On 27–28 July 2026, the department notified 57 Elephant Kavadi (ಆನೆ ಕಾವಾಡಿಗ) Group D posts across Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Shivamogga and Kanara circles.
These are regular state government posts under the Karnataka Forest Department. No written exam is held. Selection rests on an interview and a practical test of elephant-handling skill. Applications open offline from 5 August 2026 and close on 3 September 2026 at 5:30 PM.
Candidates with proven experience handling elephants, knowledge of Kannada, and residence in notified forest areas of Karnataka should prepare the prescribed form now. The role demands physical fitness and long hours in forest camps.
Who Should Apply?
Candidates with proven experience in elephant handling/management (years to be declared in the form) → Elephant Kavadi (Ane Kavadiga) – 57 posts
- Must speak and understand Kannada.
- Must reside within a notified forest area under the Karnataka Forest Department.
- Indian citizen (or persons of Indian origin as specified).
- Mentally and physically fit for the duties; no disability that compromises elephant handling.
- Government servants are not eligible.
Special categories (Ex-Servicemen, rural candidates, Kannada-medium, project-displaced, women, third gender) receive horizontal reservation as per the circle-wise notifications.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 27–28 July 2026 |
| Application start | 05 August 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last date to submit application | 03 September 2026 (5:30 PM) |
| Interview / Practical Test | To be notified |
| Provisional merit list | To be published on aranya.gov.in |
If 3 September is a public holiday, the next working day applies. Applications received after the closing time by post will not be considered.
Quick Overview – Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi 2026
- Organisation: Karnataka Forest Department (Aranya Ilakhe)
- Post: Elephant Kavadi / Elephant Kavadiga (Group D)
- Total Vacancies: 57 (51 fresh + 6 backlog)
- Job Location: Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Shivamogga and Kanara (Sirsi) circles
- Sector: Forest & Wildlife
- Notification Number: Circle-wise notifications dated 27–28 July 2026 (under Karnataka Forest Department Services Recruitment Rules 2009)
- Official Website: aranya.gov.in
- Last Date: 03 September 2026 (5:30 PM)
- Apply Offline: Download form from the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in and submit to the respective Circle office
- Notification PDF: Separate circle-wise PDFs available under the Nemakati / Recruitment section on aranya.gov.in
What Posts Are Available? – Karnataka Forest Vacancy & Eligibility 2026
Vacancy interpretation: Mysuru circle accounts for nearly half the posts (27). Kodagu, Chamarajanagara and Shivamogga each have 9–11 posts linked to major elephant camps and tiger reserves. The single Kanara post is in backlog. Candidates must apply only to the circle where they reside in a notified forest area.
| Circle / Division | Vacancies | Qualification | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru (Rajiv Gandhi National Park / Gandhi Rashtriya Udyanavana, Hunsur) | 27 (26 fresh + 1 backlog) | Experience in elephant handling (mandatory); speak & understand Kannada; reside in notified forest area | ₹29,600–₹52,800 |
| Kodagu (Madikeri Regional Division) | 11 (10 fresh + 1 backlog) | Same as above | ₹29,600–₹52,800 |
| Chamarajanagara (Bandipur Tiger Reserve) | 9 (6 fresh + 3 backlog) | Same as above | ₹29,600–₹52,800 |
| Shivamogga (Shivamogga Wildlife Division) | 9 | Same as above | ₹29,600–₹52,800 |
| Kanara / Sirsi (Kali Tiger Reserve / Dandeli Wildlife Division) | 1 (backlog) | Same as above | ₹29,600–₹52,800 |
| Total | 57 |
Category-wise breakup (General, SC, ST, Cat-I, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and horizontal reservations) is given in the respective circle PDFs. One SC vacancy in Mysuru is subject to a pending court order.
What Is the Age Limit?
Age is calculated as on 03 September 2026.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | 18 years | 35 years |
| Category IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB & other Backward Classes | 18 years | 38 years |
| SC, ST, Category-I | 18 years | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 years | As per rules (service period + 3 years) |
| Backlog posts | 18 years | Additional one-time 5-year relaxation up to 31 December 2027 |
Examples: ✅ A 34-year-old UR candidate born on 04 September 1991 — eligible (within 35-year limit as on 03 September 2026). ❌ A 36-year-old UR candidate born on 02 September 1990 — not eligible (exceeds maximum age by 1 year).
Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.
What Is the Salary? – Elephant Kavadi Pay in Karnataka
Pay scale: ₹29,600–725–32,500–800–35,700–900–39,300–1,000–43,300–1,125–47,800–1,250–52,800 (Group D of Karnataka Forest Department).
Approximate in-hand salary for a new entrant in a non-metro posting is ₹32,000–₹38,000 per month after standard deductions (basic + current DA + HRA/TA as applicable under Karnataka pay rules). Exact take-home varies by city class and allowances. Use our 7th CPC Salary Calculator for a personalised estimate (Karnataka follows state pay rules aligned with the 7th CPC pattern).
Probation is two years. After confirmation, the post is permanent with standard state government benefits including NPS.
What Is the Application Fee?
Nil. No application fee is charged for any category.
How to Apply?
- Visit the official website aranya.gov.in and open the Nemakati / Recruitment section.
- Download the prescribed application form for the circle you are eligible for.
- Fill the form legibly in English (capital letters) or Kannada. Affix a recent passport-size photograph.
- Superscribe the envelope: “Application for Elephant Kavadiga Post” (ಆನೆ ಕವಾಡಿಗ ಹುದ್ದೆಗೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ).
- Submit by post, courier or in person to the office of the Chief Conservator / Conservator of Forests of the concerned circle between 5 August 2026 (10:00 AM) and 3 September 2026 (5:30 PM).
- Do not enclose any documents with the application. Originals will be verified only at the interview/practical test stage.
Circle-wise submission addresses:
- Kanara (Sirsi): Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kanara Circle, Sirsi – 581402
- Kodagu (Madikeri): Office of the Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, Madikeri
- Mysuru: Office of the Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Circle, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram, Mysuru – 570008
- Chamarajanagara: Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle, Chamarajanagar
- Shivamogga: Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Shivamogga Circle, Shivamogga
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting the form to the wrong circle office — each circle accepts applications only for its own vacancies.
- Enclosing certificates with the application form — the notification specifically says not to attach documents.
- Missing the exact superscription on the envelope.
- Applying without genuine elephant-handling experience — the practical test will expose this.
- Sending the form after 5:30 PM on 3 September 2026.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಆನೆ ಕಾವಾಡಿಗ ನೇಮಕಾತಿ 2026 – 57 ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಫ್ಲೈನ್ ಅರ್ಜಿ
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಯು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ವಿವಿಧ ವೃತ್ತಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 57 ಆನೆ ಕಾವಾಡಿಗ (ಗ್ರೂಪ್ ಡಿ) ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳನ್ನು ಭರ್ತಿ ಮಾಡಲು ಅಧಿಸೂಚನೆ ಹೊರಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುವ ಅವಧಿ 5 ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ 2026ರಿಂದ 3 ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ 2026ರ ಸಂಜೆ 5:30ರವರೆಗೆ. ಅರ್ಜಿ ಶುಲ್ಕವಿಲ್ಲ.
ಯಾರು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಬಹುದು? ಆನೆ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನುಭವ ಹೊಂದಿರುವವರು, ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುವ ಮತ್ತು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವವರು, ಅರಣ್ಯ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಅಧಿಸೂಚಿತ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸವಾಗಿರುವವರು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಬಹುದು. ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಅರ್ಹತೆ ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸಿಲ್ಲ. ವಯೋಮಿತಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ 35 ವರ್ಷ, ಹಿಂದುಳಿದ ವರ್ಗಗಳಿಗೆ 38 ವರ್ಷ, ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಜಾತಿ/ಪಂಗಡಕ್ಕೆ 40 ವರ್ಷ.
ವೇತನ ಮತ್ತು ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆ ವೇತನ ಶ್ರೇಣಿ ₹29,600ರಿಂದ ₹52,800. ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲಿಖಿತ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಂದರ್ಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಆನೆ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಯ ಪ್ರಾಯೋಗಿಕ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಆಯ್ಕೆ (ಒಟ್ಟು 100 ಅಂಕಗಳು). ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದವರಿಗೆ ಎರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಾರ್ಥ ಅವಧಿ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ.
ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುವುದು? aranya.gov.in ವೆಬ್ಸೈಟ್ನ ನೇಮಕಾತಿ ವಿಭಾಗದಿಂದ ನಿಗದಿತ ಅರ್ಜಿ ನಮೂನೆಯನ್ನು ಡೌನ್ಲೋಡ್ ಮಾಡಿ, ಭರ್ತಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಸಂಬಂಧಪಟ್ಟ ವೃತ್ತದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ಕಚೇರಿಗೆ ಅಂಚೆ ಅಥವಾ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ. ಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿವರಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ aranya.gov.in ನೋಡಿ.
How Are Candidates Selected?
Selection is purely merit-based through interview and practical performance assessment. There is no written examination.
- Document verification of identity, residence, age, caste and experience claims.
- Interview conducted in Kannada (ability to speak and understand the language is tested).
- Practical test of elephant-handling skill and performance capability.
- Combined marks for interview + practical test = 100.
- Provisional select list published on aranya.gov.in.
- Objections invited and final select list prepared.
- Medical fitness examination.
Candidates who fail to appear on the scheduled date will not be given another chance. The process may be video-recorded.
Why Does Karnataka Forest Department Matter?
The Karnataka Forest Department manages one of India’s richest wildlife landscapes, including Bandipur, Nagarahole, Kali and several elephant camps. It is responsible for protecting over 6,300 wild elephants — the largest population in the country — and for running specialised camps where captive elephants are trained and cared for.
Elephant Kavadi posts form the backbone of daily care: feeding, bathing, movement, and behavioural management of camp elephants. The work is physically demanding and carries inherent risk, yet it is a permanent Group D government job with a clear pay scale and two-year probation.
Candidates search for these posts because genuine elephant-handling experience is rare and the posts open only occasionally. The main downside is the remote forest-camp lifestyle and the physical danger involved in working with large animals.
The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take
Karnataka’s elephant camps (Dubare, Sakrebailu, Mathigodu, Bandipur and others) have a long tradition of recruiting Kavadi assistants who work under Mahouts. This 57-post drive is smaller than the simultaneous Forest Observer recruitment but far more specialised. Candidates evaluating Forest Guard or Forest Watcher posts should note that those roles emphasise physical endurance tests, while Elephant Kavadi selection hinges almost entirely on practical animal-handling skill.
Best fit: Local youth from forest-fringe villages who already work with elephants or have family experience in camps, can speak Kannada fluently, and are willing to live in remote forest locations.
Who should skip: Graduates looking for desk jobs, candidates without any real elephant experience, and those unwilling to accept the physical risk and isolation of camp life.
Practical tip: Download the exact circle form early, get a clear experience declaration ready, and ensure your residence certificate shows a notified forest area — these three points decide shortlisting more than any other factor.
What Documents Are Required?
No documents are to be attached with the initial application. Carry originals and self-attested photocopies only at the interview/practical test stage:
- Photo identity proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN, Bank Passbook with photo, or Government/PSU ID)
- Proof of date of birth
- Residence/domicile certificate showing notified forest area
- Caste/category certificate (if claiming reservation)
- Non-creamy layer certificate (if applicable)
- Experience certificate or declaration of elephant-handling experience
- Ex-Servicemen discharge book (if applicable)
- Any other certificate claimed (rural, Kannada-medium, project-displaced, etc.)
What Happens After Selection?
- Provisional select list is published on aranya.gov.in.
- Objections are invited and examined; final select list is released.
- Selected candidates undergo medical fitness examination.
- Appointment order is issued by the appointing authority of the concerned circle.
- Candidate joins the designated elephant camp and begins two-year probation.
- During probation, the candidate works under an experienced Mahout, learning daily care, commands and safety protocols.
- On successful completion of probation, the appointment is confirmed as a regular Group D post under the Karnataka Forest Department.
Posting is within the circle applied for. Transfers later depend on departmental needs.
Contact & Helpline
Applications must be submitted only to the respective Circle offices listed above. Recruitment-specific helpline numbers are not published in the current notifications. For general queries, check the contact page on aranya.gov.in.
⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification/website. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.
Important Links – Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi 2026
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Karnataka Forest Department (aranya.gov.in) |
| Recruitment / Nemakati Section | Download forms & circle notifications |
| Mysuru Circle Notification | Available under the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in |
| Kodagu Circle Notification | Available under the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in |
| Chamarajanagara Circle Notification | Available under the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in |
| Shivamogga Circle Notification | Available under the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in |
| Kanara Circle Notification | Available under the Nemakati section on aranya.gov.in |
FAQs – Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi Recruitment 2026
Q1: What is the last date to apply for Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi 2026?
A: 03 September 2026 up to 5:30 PM. Applications received after this time by post will not be accepted. No extension has been announced.
Q2: What is the age limit for Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi?
A: 18 to 35 years for General, 38 for Cat-IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB, and 40 for SC/ST/Cat-I as on 03 September 2026. Ex-Servicemen and backlog posts get additional relaxation.
Q3: Is there an exam for Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi, or is it interview-based?
A: No written exam. Selection is through interview (in Kannada) plus a practical test of elephant-handling skill. Both together carry 100 marks.
Q4: What is the salary of Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi?
A: Pay scale ₹29,600–₹52,800. Approximate in-hand for a new entrant is ₹32,000–₹38,000 per month depending on posting location and allowances.
Q5: Can final-year students or result-awaited candidates apply for Karnataka Forest 2026?
A: No formal educational qualification is prescribed. The key requirement is proven experience in elephant handling, not a degree or marksheet.
Q6: Is Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi a permanent government job?
A: Yes. It is a regular Group D post under the Karnataka Forest Department with a two-year probation period, after which the appointment is confirmed.
Q7: Can candidates from other states apply for Karnataka Forest recruitment?
A: No. Candidates must reside within a notified forest area under the jurisdiction of the Karnataka Forest Department inside Karnataka.
Q8: Where will I be posted if I get selected for Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi?
A: Within the circle you applied for — Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Shivamogga or Kanara — at one of the elephant camps or wildlife divisions.
Q9: Is elephant-handling experience mandatory for this post?
A: Yes. The notification makes experience mandatory, and the practical test evaluates actual handling skill. Candidates without real experience are unlikely to clear selection.
Q10: Is there any application fee for Karnataka Forest Elephant Kavadi 2026?
A: No. The application fee is nil for all categories.
Q11: What are the disadvantages of working as an Elephant Kavadi?
A: Here’s the catch — the job involves daily physical risk from large animals, remote forest-camp living, and long hours outdoors. Injury rates among handlers are known to be high.
Q12: How much do forest department Group D staff earn in Karnataka?
A: Group D pay starts at ₹29,600 basic and goes up to ₹52,800. In-hand for recruits is typically in the ₹32,000–₹38,000 range before higher increments.
Q13: Is forest department work in Karnataka worth it for local candidates?
A: For candidates already living near elephant camps and possessing handling experience, yes — it offers a permanent government job with a clear pay scale. For others, the physical demands and isolation may outweigh the benefits.
Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?
- You have genuine experience handling elephants and can demonstrate it in a practical test.
- You meet the age criteria as on 03 September 2026.
- You reside in a notified forest area of Karnataka and can speak Kannada.
- You are prepared for the physical demands and risks of working with elephants in forest camps.
- You understand this is a regular Group D post with two-year probation and remote posting.
📄 Source: Official notifications released by the Karnataka Forest Department on 27–28 July 2026. All details sourced from the circle-wise official notification PDFs available on aranya.gov.in.
